Pioneering director of theatre-in-the-round and musical shows in the Potteries
Once described by Simon Hoggart as the "furry caterpillar" because of his habitual woolly sweaters, Peter Cheeseman, who has died aged 78, offered a unique vision of the role of theatre in the community. He pioneered theatre-in-the-round and, as the artistic director of the Victoria theatre in Stoke-on-Trent and then the New Vic in Newcastle-under-Lyme, installed a vibrant, creative hothouse in the industrial sprawl of the Potteries.
English regional theatre in the late 1950s was still dominated by the Edwardian values of the West End, the star system and the cosy conventions of the French-windows farce. Peter's passionate commitment to breaking the fourth wall of the proscenium arch stage, and rooting a resident company of actors, writers, musicians and designers in the local community, was revolutionary. He became involved in 1961 with the Studio Theatre Company, founded by Stephen Joseph. Peter put...
Once described by Simon Hoggart as the "furry caterpillar" because of his habitual woolly sweaters, Peter Cheeseman, who has died aged 78, offered a unique vision of the role of theatre in the community. He pioneered theatre-in-the-round and, as the artistic director of the Victoria theatre in Stoke-on-Trent and then the New Vic in Newcastle-under-Lyme, installed a vibrant, creative hothouse in the industrial sprawl of the Potteries.
English regional theatre in the late 1950s was still dominated by the Edwardian values of the West End, the star system and the cosy conventions of the French-windows farce. Peter's passionate commitment to breaking the fourth wall of the proscenium arch stage, and rooting a resident company of actors, writers, musicians and designers in the local community, was revolutionary. He became involved in 1961 with the Studio Theatre Company, founded by Stephen Joseph. Peter put...
- 4/29/2010
- by Robin Thornber
- The Guardian - Film News
From trashing the Terminator to praising the baboon – here's a selection of the stories you chose as your favourite in 2009
Anything by Lucy Mangan, because of the hooting hilarity that invariably ensues (Wookey Hole wants to hire a witch. Well, I can cackle ... G2 shortcuts, 9 July) – Sadie Clifford, Stockport
The greatest named place in Britain is inviting applicants for possibly the country's greatest job – to become the modern-day counterpart to the legendary witch of Wookey Hole.
The Somerset caves have long been home to a witch turned to stone in the middle ages by a Benedictine monk with a flair for that kind of thing called Father Bernard. Now, however, the popular tourist attraction is in need of someone with a wider skill set than that possessed by the average vaguely person-shaped rocky outcropping, and is advertising for a living witch to take up residence in the caves at weekends,...
Anything by Lucy Mangan, because of the hooting hilarity that invariably ensues (Wookey Hole wants to hire a witch. Well, I can cackle ... G2 shortcuts, 9 July) – Sadie Clifford, Stockport
The greatest named place in Britain is inviting applicants for possibly the country's greatest job – to become the modern-day counterpart to the legendary witch of Wookey Hole.
The Somerset caves have long been home to a witch turned to stone in the middle ages by a Benedictine monk with a flair for that kind of thing called Father Bernard. Now, however, the popular tourist attraction is in need of someone with a wider skill set than that possessed by the average vaguely person-shaped rocky outcropping, and is advertising for a living witch to take up residence in the caves at weekends,...
- 12/29/2009
- by Guardian readers
- The Guardian - Film News
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