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The
Tywardreath Players are no strangers to producing unforgettable
productions.
The
cast produced 聭Rebecca聮 on the magnificent staircase at
Trenython Manor in 2000; 聭Jamaica Inn聮 actually at Jamaica
Inn in 2001; and a memorable 聭Frenchman聮s Creek聮
in 2002 using a ship moored dockside at Pont Creek.
This
year it's the beautiful Boconnoc near Lostwithiel which is the setting
for 'My Cousin Rachel'.
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| The
entrance to Boconnoc Estate |
The
play will be staged in a marquee on the lawn of Boconnoc, with plenty
of drama promised both inside and out.
At
a special press night on Tuesday 26 April, the invited audience
were treated to a scene from 'My Cousin Rachel' by lead cast members
Darren Seed and Penny Mergler.
"Rachel
is a great character to play," says Penny. "You're never
quite sure what's going on in her mind. I think she enjoys playing
games."
"My
character is very young and inexperienced," says Darren who
plays Philip Ashley.
"I
fall in love with Rachel completely."
The
historical parish of Tywardreath , where the group is based, was
Dame Daphne Du Maurier's own local village, and literally means,
聭The House on the Strand聮.
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| Darren
and Penny in the house at Boconnoc |
Dame
Daphne du Maurier聮s son, Christian Browning is Patron of the
Tywardreath Players.
In
the programme for 'My Cousin Rachel' he praises the Players.
"It
is with great pleasure that I welcome back the Tywardreath Players
to the Du Maurier Festival. Last year just didn聮t seem the
same without you and I am sure all your fans and admirers from all
over the county, and indeed the country, are looking forward to
seeing your new production of 聭My Cousin Rachel聮."
The
Story
In
the play the young Philip Ashley receives a disturbing letter from
his Uncle Ambrose 聳 who had recently married their distant
cousin Rachel.
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| A
dramatic scene from My Cousin Rachel |
Philip
immediately heads to Italy to discover Ambrose has died in what
might be considered strange circumstances.
Returning
to Barton, the family estate in Cornwall, Philip is surprised to
discover Rachel in England. Initially Philip is not happy when Rachel
arrives in Cornwall, but is quickly won over by her charms, and
becomes besotted with her, despite her age!
As
the story unfolds, the audience is never quite sure whether Rachel
was responsible for Ambrose聮s untimely death, or for Philip聮s
deteriorating health!
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Essential
Information
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Performances
will be at Boconnoc House on Friday 6th May and Sunday 8th
May until Saturday 14th May (inclusive) all at 7:45pm.
A
bar will be available in the house before and after each performance,
and during the interval.
Boconnoc
House will be sign posted from the A390 at Middletaphouse.
Tickets
are available from the Festival Box Office 01726 77477
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