Wells Theatre Festival
Every year in Wells, England, a celebration of contemporary British theatre takes place. The summer of 2023 was no exception. Between 6th and 9th July, audiences were treated to a diverse programme of performances, ranging from Shakespeare and Mozart to comedy, historical drama, and intimate studies of the human condition.
Festival founder Ros Johnson is the driving force behind this annual event. Introduced to the works of Shakespeare and many other playwrights as a child, her passion for theatre remains steadfast, deep-rooted and enduring. As ever, she is supported by a dedicated team, including her husband Neil, long-time collaborator Alex Holdaway, and David Merrifield.
The aim of this photographic essay was not simply to review the productions, but to document them: to follow each performance and illustrate the stories as they unfolded before a live audience.
All photographs were made during the performances of the festival’s five principal productions, with the exception of As You Like It, for which I was also granted access to rehearsals.
This is where the story begins…
__________________________________________________________________
The Productions
As You Like It | William Shakespeare | Wells Community Theatre Company
The Grimm Sisters | Scratchworks Theatre Company
And Then They Came For Me | James Still | Moondog Productions
Don Giovanni | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Opera In A Box
I Found My Horn | Jasper Rees & Jonathan Guy Lewis | Sweetspot Theatre Company
__________________________________________________________________
Click on image to enlarge, then click left to right...
____________________ As You Like It - Rehearsals ____________________
____________________ As You Like It - Performances ___________________
____________________ The Grimm Sisters ____________________
____________________ And Then They Came For Me ____________________
____________________ Don Giovanni ____________________
____________________ I Found My Horn ___________________
