habeAs Corpus
Thursday 9 March - saturday 11 March
By Alan Bennett
A fArce from
the pAst by a more enlightened cAst
By Alan Bennett
habeAs Corpus
Director / FEARGUS WOODS DUNLOP
Assistant Director / MICHAELA PRICE
Written by / ALAN BENNETT
Producer / KERRY IRVINE
Production Manager / PAUL WYSE
Deputy Production Manager / RACHAEL O’CONNELL
Voice Coach / PARKE FECH
Intimacy Co-ordinator / LEX KABY
Set Designer / EM NOON
Lighting Designer / BEN ADAMS
Sound Designer / CHARLIE QUINN WILSHER
Costume Designer / CAROLINE FRANCIS
This amateur production of “Habeas Corpus” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.ukDIreCtor's nOTes
This is my third year working for Bath Spa with their graduating students (I get a degree now right?) and I am always impressed and humbled by the cohesion and dedication of the whole team. The cast you see on stage are glorious, but they are just the tip of the iceberg: behind them is a wonderful team of designers, makers and managers, all also students, working together to put on this ridiculous, joyful show. ll are supported by a committed and passionate faculty who must achieve the fine balance of letting their charges make mistakes to learn from, whilst not jeopardising the show as a whole. My role as director is simple by comparison, I just have to empower that glorious cast to go out and be glorious.
The show you are about to see (or just have seen depending on your temporal perspective) was first performed in 1973 and is very much a product of its time.There are actions taken which are utterly reprehensible to modern sensibilities, but I think it is clear that Bennett also felt this. He is not celebrating the actions of immoral doctors ‘abusing their positions as trusty old physicians’, it is because they are transgressing that we have a play at all. However, when discussing whether or not to stage this play in 2023 Kerry, the producer, and I were very aware of the challenges of the subject matter being played as a comedy. Ultimately it is that context, and Bennett’s standing as one of Britain’s most beloved and often performed playwrights, that convinced us that there is a way to present a 70s farce today. By making it very clear through our choices that a) this is a period piece, and b) crucially this is a farce. A piece of nonsense. Not to be taken too seriously.
A While the play is not to be taken too seriously, some of the scenes in the play do present moments of intimacy which we take very seriously. Early in the process Kerry & I identified the need to bring in an Intimacy Coordinator for the project, which is a relatively new field within the industry and we are indebted to the work of Lex Kaby and the manner in which the cast approached the methodology.
Finally I’d like to speak a little about the cast, the group I have worked with most closely. To an individual they have risen to all the myriad challenges I have thrown at them: pratfalls, kissing scenes, dance routines, disco songs and even rhythmic gymnastics! It has been an utter delight to get to know this company of actors and see them become a company of idiots. Do not be under any misapprehension, we know how ludicrous this show is. If you take any individual moment and look at it in isolation for too long it quickly becomes nonsensical, but the talent and desire of the cast carries each moment to the next in a blink of an eye and, hopefully, whisks you along laughing until your sides hurt. That has certainly been the case for us in rehearsals.
Thank you to Bath Spa for having me again, thank you to the full company for their hard work and thank you to you for buying a ticket and coming out to support live theatre. Enjoy the show and don’t be shy with your laughter.
Feargus Woods Dunlop - 2023
DIreCtors BIoGraPHy
Training: Bretton Hall
Feargus is one half of New Old Friends with his wife Heather Westwell. He variously writes, directs and performs for the company which produces original small-cast, multi-role comedy theatre for mid-scale touring. Their latest show, Crimes on Centre Court, opened with a week at Theatre Royal Bath’s Main House before touring. It played to over 10,000 people and is embarking on a second national tour this autumn.
This is Feargus’ third year working with graduating Bath Spa students following on from The Government Inspector and The Middleclass Gentleman.
For more information on Feargus’ work visit www.newoldfriends.co.uk
AssistanT DIreCtor BIoGraPHy
Michaela Price is a theatre creative based in the south west and currently studying her MA in directing at Bath Spa after graduating with a BA in Acting in 2022.
She is a Director and Actor, most of her credits include her acting roles such as her multi roles in Bath Spa lives sparkfest in Rat tales and has also been working with scriptwriters from the southwest area to develop theatre performances.
She is looking forward to assisting with this “weird and wonderful” play to gain more theatre directing experience and also have fun whilst doing it!
Cast
Evan Laidler
ARTHUR WICKSTEED
Imi Ranner
MURIEL WICKSTEED
George Marshall
DENNIS WICKSTEED
Lia Parry
CONSTANCE WICKSTEED
Bridget Cafferkey
MRS SWABB
Oliver Bruce
CANON THROBBING
Cait Smith
LADY RUMPERS
Tegan Hughes
FELICITY RUMPERS
Asier Santiago Roncero MR SHANKS
James Hamilton-Jones SIR PERCY SHORTER
Kobe Lynam MR PURDUE
ActOrs BIoGraPHys
Evan Laidler / DR. ARTHUR WICKSTEED
Evan is an actor, writer, and stand-up comedian from South Wales, currently in his final year studying Comedy at Bath Spa University. Acting credits include multiple roles in Bath Time, Alceste in The Misanthrope, and Grant in The Adventures of Nana Aspic, which he also co-wrote. Outside theatre, Evan has been on the stand-up circuit for over a year now, and has performed as part of The Bath Comedy Festival and The Poor Man’s Fringe. Evan is currently working on a musical comedy EP, and will be collaborating on an original Sketch Show with his fellow Comedy student peers, and puppeteering in No Strings Attached as part of this year’s SparkFest Productions
Imogen Ranner / MURIEL WICKSTEED
Imogen is an actor/writer currently in her last year of training at Bath Spa University. Theatre credits include Cassius in Julius Caesar, Lucy in Safe Word and Lead Performer in Ladz on Tour (A Musical Sketch Show). Imogen is getting ready to act/puppeteer in the Bath sparkfest productions of Forward and No Strings Attached debuting in May.
George Marshall / DENNIS WICKSTEED
George Marshall is an actor and comedian. In his last year of training in Comedy BA at Bath Spa University. Previous credits are A Roman in Bath Time SparkFest 2022. Sam in the sitcom pilot Hot water. Matthew Connally , Bath Spa Productions short film. George is getting ready to perform in his own production of the sofa in SparkFest 2023.
Lia Parry / CONSTANCE WICKSTEED
Lia is an actor and writer in her final year of training at BSU. Previous theatre credits include Carla in The Wasp, Mark Anthony in Julius Caesar, and ‘A’ in BLANK. Lia is excited to debut her play, Common Passage, at Sparkfest Bath in summer 2023.
Bridget Cafferkey / MRS SWABB
Bridget is an actor and creator from Cambridge currently in her final year studying Acting in Bath. Theatre credits include King Richard in Richard III and Heather in The Wasp. Radio credits include Jo in a radio adaptation of DNA. Bridget will be debuting a collaborative piece, In the Pocket, at Bath’s SparkFest 2023.
Ollie Bruce / CANON THROBBING
Ollie Bruce is an actor/ comedian from South Yorkshire who is currently in his last year of training at Bath Spa University. Previous credits include Max in Penetrators, Cassius in Julius Caesar and Dom in Hot Water, a sitcom written by the cast. Ollie is preparing to perform in a devised play On a double roll, as part of SparkFest in May 2023.
Cait Smith / LADY RUMPERS
Cait Smith is an actor and creator in her training at Bath Spa University, previous credits while in training include; Carla in The Wasp, Lady Anne in Richard III and Erin a radio drama of Holes. This summer Cait is creating a Children’s radio drama for Bath’s SparkFest 2023.
Tegan Hughes / FELICITY RUMPERS
Tegan is an actor and creator from Cornwall in her last year of training at Bath Spa University. Theatre credits include Carla in The Wasp, Amy in an abstract from BLANK and Julia in the radio drama Haunting Julia. Tegan is getting ready for her Bath sparkfest production It was just a fight in May 2023.
Asier Santiago Roncero / MR SHANKS
Asier is a Basque actor in his last year of training at BSU. Previous theatre credits include King Richard in Richard III and Alan in Penetrators. He is excited to continue his international adventure throughout his third year and beyond
James Hamilton-Jones / SIR PERCY SHORTER
James is an actor and writer currently in his final year of the BA comedy degree at Bath Spa. Theatre credits include Ian in Holes and Philinte in The Misanthrope. James will be debuting a collaborative piece, In the Pocket, at Bath’s SparkFest 2023.
Kobe Lynam / MR PURDUE
Kobe Lynam is a comedian and writelr in his 3rd year of training at bath spa university. Previous credits include; Gus in holes, multiple roles in bath time. Kobe will be debuting a collaborative piece, The sofa, at Bath’s SparkFest 2023
ProDuction Team
Ben Adams
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Ana Snook
STAGE MANAGER
Bryony Harrison Pettit
DEPUTY STAGE MANAGER
Indigo Jones
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Louise Yeatman
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Thornley Thomas-Atkin
HEAD OF CONSTRUCTION
Lily Jack
CONSTRUCTION ASSISTANT
Christabel Revell/Cora Matthews
HEAD SCENIC ARTISTS
David Rigden
CHIEF PROP MAKER
Fuchsia Oades
PROP MAKERS ASSISTANT
Emily Conabere
COSTUME SUPERVISOR
Jazz Davis
SENIOR COSTUME MAKER
Josh Purdie
PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN
Ryan McHugh
LIGHTING OPERATOR/ PROGRAMMER
James Allkins
SOUND OPERATOR
Olivia Luckey
COSTUME ASSISTANT
Chris Britton
TFEP SUBJECT LEADER/ DESIGN TUTOR
Kath Montagu
STAGE MANAGEMENT TUTOR
Amanda Hambleton
COSTUME TUTOR
Caroline Francis COSTUME/DESIGN TUTOR
Chris Barham
LIGHTING TUTOR
Jon Grant
SOUND TUTOR
David Rigden
PROPS & SCENIC CARPENTRY
TUTOR
Kerry Irvine
ACTING SUBJECT LEADER
ProDuction Team BIoGraPHys
Rachael O’Connell / DEPUTY PRODUCTION MANAGER
Rachael is a third year Theatre, Festival and Event Production student specialising in Production and Stage Management. Rachael has loved working on this show and the new skills that she has developed from this role. She has previously worked with Bath Spa Productions as an ASM for Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat, directed by Emma Williams, ASM for Bucket Club’s Five Children and It directed by Nel Crouch and Production Office Assistant at Arcadia Stage Glastonbury. Rachael’s work can be found on Instagram: @rachoconnellprod
Ana Snook / STAGE MANAGER
Ana Snook is a third year student on the Theatre, Festival and Event Production course. This is Ana’s first time in the role of Stage Manager in theatre. Ana has really enjoyed working on Feargus Dunlop’s Habeas Corpus, with a wonderful stage management team. Her previous stage management work includes; ASM for Barra Collins’ Beasts and Beauties, ASM on the Arcadia stage at Glastonbury 2022, SM for the festival ceremonies at Boomtown Festival 2022 and DSM for Jenny Davies’ Christmas at Newton Park. Examples of Ana’s work are on Instagram: @anasnookproduction
Josh Purdie / PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN
Josh is a second year student studying Theatre, Festival and Event Production, specialising in lighting, carpentry and prop making. Josh has recently worked with Bath Spa Productions on Jenny Davies’ ‘Christmas at Newton Park’ (2022) as an assistant prop maker, video designer and video technician. In the summer of 2022 Josh worked as a Theatre and Events Councillor at Camps Kenwood and Evergreen in New Hampshire, USA. Last academic year, Josh volunteered for other Bath Spa Productions’ shows as lighting crew, sound operator, scenic artist and prop maker. Josh’s work can be found on Instagram: @jpurdie_creative
Em Noon / SCENIC DESIGNER
Em is a third year student studying Theatre, Festival and Event Production, specialising in scenography and costume. Habeas Corpus is their debut theatrical set design, having previously designed for Bath Spa Productions’ Sitcoms. Recent credits include SFX makeup artist for Christmas at Newton Park (Newton Park Main House), dresser for Noises Off (Theatre Royal Bath), and scenic artist for The Wreckers (Houston Grand Opera). In 2022 Em completed a semester abroad at Columbia College Chicago, USA, during which they worked as a wig designer on Head over Heels (Courtyard Theatre). More of Em’s work is available on Instagram: @emnoon.workshop.
Cora Matthews / HEAD OF SCENIC ART
Cora is a second year Theatre, Festival and Event production student, specialising in set design, scenic art and costume. This course is her first experience working in theatre production. Habeas Corpus is her first head of department role and second scenic art role. Cora is very excited to be part of the Habeas Corpus team and bring the show to life. She has also worked on Bath Spa Productions’ “Christmas at Newton Park” as an assistant scenic artist. Cora’s work can be found on her Instagram: @cora.matts
Ben Adams / LIGHTING DESIGNER
In his final year of TFEP, this is Ben’s fourth and final time in a Head of Department role. He has found working in the Lighting Department, alongside other designers, Feargus, and the actors, greatly rewarding and an experience to not forget. Working on a farce performance has been a unique, exciting way to test his skills. Special thanks go to Josh Purdie, Ryan McHugh and Chris Barham. Past show work include Shoot/ Get Treasure/ Repeat (2022), Motorcity (2022), Rat’s Tales (2022), The Government Inspector (2022) & Avon Valley Pumpkin Patch (2022). A portion of Ben’s portfolio can be found on Instagram; @badams_design.
Charlie Quinn / SOUND DESIGNER
Charlie is in their third year of Theatre, Festival and Events Production. They have greatly enjoyed the process of bringing 70s disco into this farce and building the sound of the show with their assistant James Allkins. Habeas Corpus is their fourth sound designer role with Bath Spa Productions with the previous being on Beasts and Beauties (2021), Rats Tales (2022) and Christmas at Newton Park (2022). This show has been a great opportunity to put into practice all they have learnt over their three years on the course. More of Charlie’s past and future work can be found on Instagram @charrdproduction
Emily Conabere (She/Her) / COSTUME SUPERVISOR
Emily is in her final year at Bath Spa University studying Theatre, Festival and Event Production, and she is specialising in Costume. She has really enjoyed working on Habeas Corpus and seeing the process of bringing the 70’s to life through costume. This is her second time as Costume Supervisor, previously working on Sitcom 2023 with the Acting, Comedy and FTV courses. She also worked with Bath Spa Productions on Rats Tales (2022) as Costume Assistant, and has most recently completed a placement at Shakespeare’s Globe as a Wardrobe Assistant on The Winter’s Tale. More of Emily’s work can be found on Instagram @emconabere.
Bryony Harrison Pettit (She/Her) / DEPUTY STAGE MANAGER
Bryony Harrison Pettit is a third year student at BathSpa University, studying Theatre Festival and Events Production. Habeas Corpus has been a delightful experience for Bryony working closely with the Cast, Director and alongside her brilliant Team. She hopes you enjoy this splendidly silly production. Bryony’s previous Credits include: Placement Role for Oxford Playhouse Panto Cinderella (2022), Rats Tales (2022), The Government Inspector (2022). She has also volunteered with Bath Carnival as a creative artist.
Jazz Davis (She/Her) / SENIOR COSTUME MAKER
Jazz is a third year student studying Theatre, Festival and Events Production specialising in Costume and Scenic Art. This is Jazz’s first time being Senior Costume Maker for Habeas Corpus. She has previously been Costume Designer for the show Christmas at Newton Park and will be Head Scenic Artist for her final show The Corner Shop Goblin coming up in May - June time before she graduates. For more photos and work by Jazz you can find her on Instagram: @artist_rose124
Lex Kaby (She/Her) / INTIMACY CO-ORDINATOR
Lex Kaby (she/her) is a freelance director, theatre-maker and Intimacy Director based in the South West UK. Lex is the current Intern Director at The Rondo Theatre, Bath. She works as the Director, Facilitator and Intimacy Director for Greedy Pig Theatre Company Ltd and has directed all of the company’s productions and projects to date. As well as this, Lex has worked extensively as a director and choreographer for Rare Productions. Lex trained at Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE) and has completed Level 1 Foundations of Intimacy and Level 2 Applications of Consent and Intimacy at IDC Professionals, NYC. She is currently working towards certification with IDC Professionals NYC.
Christabel Revell (She/Her) / HEAD OF SCENIC OF ART
Christabel is a second year student at Bath Spa University, studying Theatre, Festival and Events Production. She has a focus on Costume and Scenography. This is her first Head of Department role as joint Head of Scenic Art for Habeus Corpus which has been a challenging but rewarding experience. She has previously been an Assistant to the Scenic Artist for Christmas at Newton Park and she will be a Costume Assistant on The Corner Shop Goblin in June.
Thornley Thomas-Atkin / HEAD OF SET CONSTRUCTION
Thornley is a third year Theatre, Festival and Event Production student with a focus on lighting, construction and prop making. This is Thornley’s first head of set construction role and he is excited to be a part of Habeas Corpus with all the interesting set pieces that were needed. Previous work: ‘Beasts and Beauties’Lighting Designer and ‘Christmas at Newton Park’ - Chief Props Maker. More of his work can be found on Instagram @thornley_ta
