At a meeting in Cirencester in the Spring of 1990, some 70 people — mostly from local Amateur Dramatic Societies — signed on to take part in an outdoor summer production to be held in the Cotswolds. The proposal was that it should be one of Shakespeare's plays.
The idea was that, by joining forces and pooling talent, we could produce something which was more than the sum of its parts; in which the participants, besides enjoying the experience, might learn; and by which accumulated expertise, techniques and exacting standards might spread throughout the area.
Alongside this, there would be a new interplay between neighbouring societies — resulting in mutual support among like-minded people across what would manifestly be a major part of the Cotswolds.
By Autumn, a venue — the Quenington Old Rectory — had been found; and three local Societies, plus the Gloucestershire Drama Association, had agreed to lend a total of £600 by way of seed-money.
A Committee was formed and, suddenly, the Cotswold Arcadians was distributing mammoth tasks to its members. Auditions were advertised, and a cast chosen. Chilly rehearsals got underway in mid-March... for our debut was to be in June.
The first year we were hugely dependent upon the patience and generosity of providers, and very fortunate in our Administrator who navigated her way between shoals in what were profoundly unknown waters... and 'waters' was indeed the operative word. As the day of reckoning approached, it rained. Oh! how it rained. It soaked the set builders and, of course, the set. It impeded the set painter, and severely threatened the costumes. It swept down Rag Hill, turning right — right into the entrance through which the stand, lavatories, tents and, finally, the audience must in turn arrive. Only a fine show of tenacity and ingenuity saved us.
A charming little covered stand — five rows deep and forty seats wide — arrived and splashed its way into position. A lighting rig and a bar tent followed. The Eastleach Tea Urn appeared, and we were off to a very creditable production of The Merry Wives of Windsor — albeit a long way off, on the terrace — and Mistress Quickly's inn was permanently buckled from the lashing it had received during construction.
But, what we heard was good, and the costumes were terrific.
When all was said and done, we had come up a sharp learning curve. We had to beg a year's grace from our creditors... but we were left with an indelible recollection of how ravishingly beautiful a June production over water can be.
Since then, of course, a growing number of productions has taken place, and the Cotswold Arcadians is now familiar with the year-long routine involved in embarking upon its summer presentation. To optimise the use of available darkness, the production dates have now moved into July/August (rather than June), and both the technology employed and the scale of productions have evolved beyond recognition.
The enchantment of the Old Rectory River Garden presentations was transmuted for 2002 into the splendours of Williamstrip Park and, with your support, the magic of the Cotswold Arcadians will now mesmerise and flourish in the magnificent setting of Hatherop Castle for many years to come. |
