Tales from the coal face…
Earlier this week, we went along to the Wiltshire Music Centre to gate-crash rehearsals for our summer production of ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’. We’re very happy to report that it is looking like, yet another, fantastic show.
While we were there, we spoke to two mighty Bradfordian legends, Freda Ferne and Allan Schönfeld, about how things are going…
Interviewer – Greetings to both of you! As we know, rehearsals are well underway and you are both appearing in ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’. Could you tell us a little bit about your character and what happens to them?…
Freda Ferne – I’m playing 5 characters in total – Mrs Rolliver who runs the supposed off license. But it’s all a bit iffy, the selling of alcohol, as it’s not clear whether she actually has a license. Then there’s Jenny who is one of the village women, someone else who’s name escapes me for the moment, and Mrs Crick the farmer’s wife, and I also run a boarding house near Bournemouth – so quite busy really.
Allan Schönfeld – <adopts Dorset accent> I plays her husband Farmer Crick – he’s the nicest fella in the play. He looks after a dairy and is very kind to Tess – he helps her out. He’s a very friendly character – the nicest bloke in the play, as I said.
Mrs Rolliver is my favourite, because she’s the one who’s got all the cider.
FF – Mrs Rolliver is my favourite, because she’s the one who’s got all the cider. She’s alright, she doesn’t pay too much attention to the fact that she doesn’t have a proper license, she’s a bit careful and makes sure they all keep quiet and don’t get too rowdy. So yeah, she’s good fun.
Interviewer – What’s your favourite part of the play?
FF – That’s really difficult to answer because it’s a tragedy, and a tale of how hard life was at the time. Women had no rights, but men could do what they liked, with no ill judgements against them. The poor women just had to have the children.
But I don’t think Hardy was a feminist or anything, I just think he was reflecting life at the time, this is how it was, he was reporting on life at the time.
AS – My favourite bit is the bits I’m in! It’s all of the bits with Farmer Crick – And seeing if I can remember me lines
My favourite bit is the bits I’m in!
FF – I really like the fact that it’s and ensemble piece. You’ve got a few lines as this character and then a few as another. It means you’re always involved and there’s no hanging around.
Interviewer – What would you say to somebody thinking of joining the Bradfordians?
FF – Come along and give it a go. You might start off as third spear character or something like that. You turn up to rehearsal and even if you don’t start with any lines, you’ll definitely have something to do and you’ll probably end up leaving with some!
AS – Why wouldn’t you? It’s great fun – I’ve had an absolute ball since I joined them.
