Confessions of a Bradfordian…
We caught up with a couple of our fine actors at rehearsal last week, where our summer production of ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’ is progressing splendidly – our very own Bradfordians stalwart Iorwerth Mitchell, and new recruit Gan Shermer…
Interviewer – Hello Iorwerth and Gan, how are you both?
Iorwerth Mitchell – Very well thanks, long time, no see!
Gan Shermer – Good, thank you.
Interviewer – Gan, this is your first show isn’t it?
GS – Yes, I dabbled in theatre a few years back, but this is my first production with Bradfordians.
IM – I’ve been around much longer – it’s got to be 12 years, the first show I did was the Railway Children, I’m getting old and can’t remember that far back, every time I blink I seem to lose 5 years.
Interviewer – What characters do you both play?
IM – I am playing Alec D’urberville. He’s the bad guy. Tess goes to him thinking she’s part of his family, and he very quickly realises he can probably take advantage of Tess for his own purposes which are… not very pleasant, shall we say.
He has a bit of an epiphany in the interval, probably at the bar, has a beer and thinks I probably shouldn’t have done that, and he turns to the church and becomes and preacher for a while, but he just can’t get Tess out of his head. He sees her again and just becomes smitten by her. He has to weasel his way in to her affections and tricks her into marrying him.
He has a bit of an epiphany in the interval, probably at the bar…
GS – My main character is Marion, but I’m also playing Car and Mary, so several different villagers. Marion is one of the a milk maids, she’s kind, probably the motherly one of the group, and she takes Tess under her wing. Things don’t go particularly well for her, she’s very much in love with Angel as all of the girls are. We find out later that she’s turned to drink and fallen on hard times and ends up on a miserable farm.
Interviewer – What have both enjoyed the most about the production?
IM – Playing the bad guy, it’s always fun and I don’t get to do it very often. It’s been a while and it’s such fun because he’s such a nasty, sleazy, lascivious character. I think a ne’er do well is probably the word, but he’s worse than that. It’s great to release your inner bad guy and be a bit sleazy for a while.
It’s great to release your inner bad guy…
GS – It’s just great fun to be out doing something different in the evenings. Performing in the Tithe Barn is just so exciting because it’s so iconic in Bradford, and I’m just so interested to see how it’s going to look and feel being in there.
Interviewer – What would you say to someone thinking of joining the Bradfordians?
GS – Do it, everyone is so friendly, they are a nice group of people. They do lots of different sorts of productions. Lots to do whether your an actor or a singer, or you want to work behind the scenes they do a load of different stuff.
IM – Definitely do it, join up – lovely friendly group we do great shows and you get to do plays in the Tithe Barn which is the most amazing venue. Last time I was there was for ‘the Crucible’ and it was just so atmospheric for any play. so yeah just come along, and join us for a cup of tea, rehearsal and have some fun!
