This royal throne of kings, this scept’red isle…this other Eden, demi-paradise …this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England…” (From John’o’Gaunt’s speech, in Richard II)
Stephen founded Demi-paradise Productions in 2000. The rolling ensemble of over 130 actors and creatives, all based in the north-west of England, performed critically acclaimed sell out promenade productions of Shakespeare & other entertainments in and around the Shire Hall historic working courts complex of Lancaster Castle up until 2016.
Stephen engaged with contemporary artists and designers to produce all publicity material in addition to commissioning six professional artists-in-residence to interpret and record for exhibition the final three Shakespeare productions….Scroll down to see more samples of their work and that of our production designers as well as a selection of performance, rehearsal and behind the scenes images, plus a complete list of casts and creatives for every production between 2000 – 2016
FASCINATING FACTS
LAW & ORDER Lancaster Castle’s Shire Hall complex is the country’s oldest working law court. (Which is why we could only rehearse & play here at night, after the courts had finished for the day). The current Grade I neo-gothic building dates from the early 1800’s. Lancaster Crown Court, when it was the only assize court in Lancashire, sentenced more people to death than any other, apart from the Old Bailey in London. In effect most of those condemned from 1788 – 1850 had their death sentences commuted to transportation to Australia.
MEASURING UP. James Morley appeared in the first Shakespeare production, Richard II (as Bolingbroke) in 2000 as well as the last, the 2010 production of Measure for Measure (as Escalus). Fittingly, he also appeared in the 2001 production of Measure, as the Duke.
DOING TIME HMP Lancaster Castle was the country’s oldest prison when it closed in 2011, having been a jail from when the Normans first built the castle in the late 11th Century. Prisoners found guilty in crown court were ‘sent down’ the dock steps into the prison next door where they would serve their sentences. The castle has since been stripped of its 20th century prison fittings & fixtures, and is being restored and refurbished by the duchy of Lancaster with quality contemporary visitor facilities.
GUARDIAN OF LIBERTY In 1821 John Taylor, a publisher from Manchester, was acquitted of the serious charge of seditious libel and on leaving the court at Lancaster a free man again he went on defending the cause of liberty by founding a newspaper, The Manchester Guardian, which eventually became The Guardian when it moved to London in the 1960’s.
ODE TO HAMLET Hamlet was the first production where we used performance space outside the castle. In this case the balcony walkway which links the main gatehouse entry to the prison part with the entrance to the courts complex at the rear of the building. The famous battlements scenes were incredibly effective for actors and audience alike. Mark Alexander, our lighting designer rigged up lights inside the building to spill out onto the players beneath and Rob Garret’s ghost emerging out of nowhere was a sight to behold. We caused quite a stir and the dialogue must have been heard by inmates and staff alike during those chilly evening rehearsals. The foot patrols of prison officers on their regular rounds would sometimes stop to watch once they got over the shock of discovering us there at first rehearsal. Word clearly got round the general prison community of what we were up to and one day an envelope arrived at rehearsals in mysterious circumstances. This is what that envelope contained, “written next door” & nothing else. Sadly the author remains anonymous. The company were thrilled their efforts had sparked this fine literary riposte….
It wasn’t a good time in Denmark – / Not in Elsinore at least./In suspicious circumstances / Several folk became deceased. Hamlet’s father (also Hamlet) / Was the first to lose his life. / He’d been king. Now brother Claudius / Took his throne and wed his wife. Two guards upon the ramparts/ Doing what guards should do,/ Saw the ghost of ex-king Hamlet / And felt shocked. Well, wouldn’t you? The ghost would only talk to Hamlet -/ Swore that what he said was truth: / He’d been killed by brother Claudius! / What a bombshell for the youth! / Hamlet started feeling angry: / Could the phantom’s claaims be true? / His conduct became most peculiar / Wondering what he should do./ Vowing to avenge his father/ Plans whirled round inside his head. / Ev’y one thought he’d gone crazy – / THEY didn’t know what had been said. / Then his girlfriend, young Ophelia/ (Very nice but rather dim)/ Tried to find out Hamlet’s problem./ What on earth was wrong with him? / She couldn’t help and things got worse:/ Polonius, Ophelia’s Dad / Was stabbed mistakenly, by Hamlet / And Ophelia died, quite mad! / Laertes, her elder brother / Not surprisingly, was cross./ Sister drowned and father murdered? / He’d show Hamlet who was boss! / The duel trhey fought was fatal,/ Not just for the pair concerned: / Hamlet’s mum and bad King Claudius / Also met the fate they’d earned. / Luckily a passing general / Who’d been busy with a war / kindly took the ruling role / And Denmark went on as before.
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS Howard Chadwick appeared in more of our Shakespeare shows than any other actor (8 out of 10 of them in fact). Even more remarkably the redoubtable Howard regularly drove, throughout rehearsal & performance, some 140 miles round trip, from his home in Glossop to Lancaster.
LIBRARY OF CRIME The Barristers library stands on the site of the medieval crown court, demolished at the end of the 18th Century. This is where the infamous Lancashire or Pendle Witch Trial of 1612 took place during the reign of James I of England (James VI of Scotland), the monarch for whom Shakespeare wrote Macbeth.
MARRIAGES MADE IN PARADISE. Two young couples that initially met and worked together on our productions subsequently married a few years later. Richard Hand & Gemma North first performed for the company in The Merchant of Venice while Gareth Cassidy and Clare were both introduced via Hamlet.
CELL BY DATE Despite their ‘medieval’ feel, the area in and in front of the cells we utilised for our productions are believed to only date back to 1784 when they were built within the old medieval stable block; set against the curtain wall of the Norman castle that linked the great Keep to Hadrian’s Tower.
KING OR EMPEROR? Although the Romans had a fortified presence on the hill here (Lancaster /Lancastrum /Fort on the River Lune) Emperor Hadrian (he of the famous wall) did not build the tower named after him, though the stone may be recycled from remaining Roman fortifications. King John had it built, in 2010, when a round stone built defensive corner tower like this was very much state of the art. The chains around the wall were used on prisoners bound for Australia. The seats were used for restraint when the castle also functioned as the county’s lunatic asylum.
BY GEORGE George Telfer played Don John in our 2012 production of MAAN and returned three years later as John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster for our royal command performance in May 2015. The key scene from Richard II played for HM The Queen centered on the ‘Scepter’d Isle’ speech that had in turn inspired our company name. George, on his mother’s side, is a direct descendant of Robert the Bruce, the king of Scotland who laid siege to Lancaster Castle in the 14th century. George had also acted professionally, earlier in his career, with Her Majesty’s youngest son, Prince Edward.
GALLERY
Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly An evergreen celebration of Yuletide in words and music, played within the imposing splendour of Shire hall’s Grade I listed neo-gothic courtroom to capacity houses in the run up to Christmas every year between 2000 – 2016
Ghostly Tales Intimate readings of modern and classic literary ghost stories in low lit historic rooms – drop room, medieval tower, old cells, crown court, shire hall and barristers library – proved very popular in the run up to Halloween between 2009 – 2016
Richard III On Trial for Murder (2007) Did the King have his nephews murdered in the Tower of London? Professional debut of a fascinating finely argued courtroom drama by Michael S Bennett, produced & directed by Stephen Tomlin. An interactive event set in Lancaster Castle’s Shire Hall courtroom where the audience as jury decided the verdict. The play had an unexpected revival a couple of years later….Thanks to the combined efforts of the librarian and writer in residence dealing with literacy issues affecting the 240 Category C prisoners lodged next door, Stephen was enabled to cast and rehearse trustee prisoners for a performance before a capacity audience of warders and fellow inmates. And their verdict? Not Guilty – Not enough evidence to convict the King.
The Trial of the Pendle Witches (2012 & 2013) Rehearsed reading of a new play about the infamous 1612 witchcraft trial written by castle guide Graham Kemp, developed for performance in Shire Hall by Stephen Tomlin.
Blood Red Roses: The Dark History of Lancaster Castle, by Sue McCormick (2002) Commissioned words & music event played in criminal & civil courts of Lancaster castle.
ARTISTS AT WORK
Demi-paradise was distinctive in commissioning artists-in-residence to interpret and record three of its Shakespeare productions (Much Ado, Othello & Measure for Measure). The six professional artists involved exhibited their subsequent work at galleries through NW England. There’s not enough space to showcase all their work but here’s a sample from each…These are followed by examples of posters and tickets commissioned by Stephen from graphic designers Andi Chapple (Merchant) Ian Steele (Richard III); portrait painter Peter Layzell (All’s Well), and from Badger Press, a special Deck the Hall (above).
CREDITS & BACKSTAGE
RICHARD II (2000) Cast Duke of York/Gaoler Ian Blower; Lady/Groom Hanneke Blower; Hotspur Nicholas Camm; Bishop of Carlisle/Piers Exton Howard Chadwick; Richard Christopher Lucas; Queen Sue McCormick; Bolingbroke James Morley; John’o’Gaunt/Gardener Ted Richards; Aumerle Stephen Tomlin; Creatives Costume & Wardrobe Moira Buck; Stage Manager Carol Frances; Lighting Design Martin Buck; Photography Arthur Thompson Abridged, produced & directed by Stephen Tomlin.
MEASURE FOR MEASURE (2001) Cast Duke James Morley; Angelo Christopher Lucas; Isabella Erica Rogers; Pompey/Fr. Peter Howard Chadwick; Lucio; Marc Goodall; Escalus/Abhorson Ted Richards; Juliet/Sis. Francisca/Singer Hanneke Blower Claudio/Barnadine Nicholas Camm; Mistress Overdone/Marianna Orla Cottingham The Provost Ian Blower. Musicians Elizabeth Dodd & Philip Gruar. Singing Director Jane Vicary; Stage Manager & Props Carol Frances Costume Design & Wardrobe Susan Wright; Lighting Design Martin Buck Photography George Coupe & Helen Burrow. Directed & produced by Stephen Tomlin.
MACBETH (2002) Cast Duncan /Old Seyward Geoffrey Banks; Captain/MacDuff Nicholas Camm; Ross/The Porter Howard Chadwick; Banquo/Doctor Hugo Chandor; Lennox/Second Murderer Peter Rhys Duggan; Second Witch/Lady MacDuff/Young Seyward Ann-Marie Francis; Third Witch/Donalbain/Seaton Marc Goodall; First Witch/Gentlewoman Martine Harry Davis; Lady Macbeth Helen Kay; Malcolm/First Murderer Christopher Lucas; Macbeth Simeon Truby. Creatives Artistic Director Ian Blower; Musical Director Jude Glendinning; Set Designer Paul Kondras; Costume Designer Fi Carrington; Fight Director Renni Krupinski; Choreographer T C Howard; Maskmaker Kate Howden; Lighting Designer Ian Daly; Stage Manager & Properties Jan Radford; ASM Cara Pearce; Production Photography George Coupe & Helen Burrow; Chaperones Carol Frances & Erica Nash; Design & Print Denis Bland at Badger Press. Producer Stephen Tomlin
ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL (2004) Cast Helena Victoria Brazier; Lafew Tim Barker; Widow of Florence Christine Bissell; Lavatch Howard Chadwick; Parolles Hugo Chandor; Bertram Chris Hannon; Rynaldo/Morgan/Astringer C P Hallam; Dumaine Brother 1 Patrick Kane; King of France Ted Richards; Countess of Rousillon Sarah Thurstan; Dumaine Brother 2 Dan Willis; Diana Amy Rhiannon Worth. Creatives Artistic Director Ian Blower; Musical Director Jude Glendinning; Publicist & Production Manager Jane Butterworth; Set Design Consultant Paul Kondras; Costume Design Fi Carrington; Stage Manager Vivian Emmott; ASM Gail Falkingham; Photography George Coupe & Helen Burrow; Design & Print Graphic Design Producer Stephen Tomlin.
RICHARD III (2006) Cast Duchess Audrey Brady; Clarence/Mayor/Bishop/Oxford Patrick Bridgman; Richard Howard Chadwick; Hastings/Citizen/Tyrell Marc Finn; Buckingham C P Hallam; Margaret Dinah Handley; Rivers/Catesby Christopher Hollinshead; Anne Helen Longworth; Elizabeth Christine Mackie; Ratcliffe Simon Norbury; Edward/Archbishop/Norfolk Rob Parry; Stanley/Scrivener Richard Sails; Brackenbury/Grey/Messenger/Blount Paul Slater; Richmond/Lovell Dan Willis. Also Prince Edward Joshua Bancroft & Jordan Egglestone Prince Richard Callum Etches & Christopher Jotischky-Hull. Creatives Artistic Directors Sue McCormick & Ian Blower Musical Director Jude Glendinning Costume Designer Fi Carrington Stage Manager & Lighting Designer Emma Armstrong; ASM Jan Radford; Set Dressing & Property Maker Clare-Louise Hall; Sound Consultant Mark Alexander; Photography George Coupe; Print Design Consultant Ian Steele; Assistant AD Emma Rucastle; Assistant Producer/Publicist Jane Vicary; Producer/Caster Stephen Tomlin
HAMLET (2008) Cast Horatio Patrick Bridgman; Laertes/Norwegian Captain Gareth Cassidy; Marcellus/Gravedigger Eric Coudrill; Ophelia Claire Disley; Polonius/Old Sailor David Frederickson; Ghost/Player King Robert Garrettt; Fortinbras/Francisco/Reynaldo/Third Player Paul Hassall; Claudius Simon Kirk; Rosencrantz/Barnardo/Priest/Osric Thomas K Lappin; Gertrude Sarah Thurstan; Hamlet Damien Warren-Smith; Guildenstern/Player Queen/Gravedigger’s Wife Amy Rhiannion Worth Creatives Artistic Directors Sue McCormick & C P Hallam; Musical Director Jude Glendinning; Costume Designer Ruth Caswell Lighting Designer Mark Alexander; Set Design & Dressing Clare-Louise Hall; Stage Manager Jan Radford; ASM Elaine Diffenthal; Wardrobe Mistress Susan Wright; Asst.Costume Maker Joseph Caswell; Fencing Master Graham Kemp; Production Photography George Coupe; Publicity & Programme Andi Chapple Design; Producer Stephen Tomlin.
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (2010) Cast Prince of Morocco/Tubal Zariah Bailey; Antonio Arthur Bostrom; Shylock Patrick Bridgman; Launcelot/Balthazar Gareth Cassidy; Nerissa Clara Darcy; Solanio/Old Gobbo Joe Fairclough; Salerio/Duke David Findlay; Gratiano Richard J Fletcher; Jessica Kate Gilbert; Bassanio Richard Hand; Prince of Aragon/Lorenzo Lewis Marsh; Portia Gemma North. Creatives Artistic Director Sue McCormick; Musical Director Jude Glendinning; Costume & Wardrobe Debbie Eala Rose; Costume Consultant Ruth Caswell; Hair & Make-up Designer Meg Roberts; Stage Manager & Asst Director Eve Burton; Asst Costume & Wardrobe Linda Hilton; Asst Director Holly Ross; Production Photography George Coupe; Publicity & Programmne Design Andi Chapple; Deputy House Leader Emma Rucastle; Website Manager Paul Mellor; Producer Stephen Tomlin.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (2012) Cast Don Pedro Richard Sails; Don John/Sexton George Telfer; Claudio Adam Jowett; Benedick Richard Sails; Leonato David Frederickson; Conrad/Musician/Father Francis Matthew Ganley; Borachio Nicolas Camm; Dogberry Howard Chadwick; Hero Lisa-Marie Hoctor; Beatrice Gemma North; Ursula/Antonia (Antonio) Claire Lever; Margaret/Mrs Dogberry (Verges) Nicola Jayne Ingram. Creatives Artistic Director Sue McCormick; Musical Director Jude Glendinning; Costume Designer Fi Carrington; Costume Cutters & Makers Ann Preston & Katie Duxbury Coiffure Meg Roberts Set Design & Dressing Clare-Louise Hall Lighting Designer Mark Alexander Stage Manager & Wardrobe Louise Manifold ASM Jan Radford Production Photographer George Coupe Publicity & Programme Design Andi Chapple; Artists in Residence Kim Lewis & Cathy Duncan; Website Design & Management Paul Mellor; Academic Consultant Professor Alison Findlay; Producer Stephen Tomlin.
OTHELLO (2014) Cast Desdemona Charlotte Dalton; Lodovico/Gentleman of Cyprus Karl Greenwood; Duke/Montano Barry Hall; Emilia Nicola Jayne Ingram; Cassio Adam Jowett; Iago Chris Lindon; Senator/Bianca Lois Mackie; Roderigo Jordan Moore; Othello Gabriel Paul; Brabantio/Gratiano Richard Sails. Creatives Artistic Director Louie Ingham; Musical Director & Composer Lee Affen; Costume & Set Designer & ASM Rachel Daniels; Costume Assistant & Wardrobe Emma Varnam; Lighting Consultant Mark Alexander; Stage Manager Lindsay Bradshaw; Text Advisor Richard Twyman; Military Advisors Peter Leeson & Joe Cluney; Production & Documentary Photographers George Coupe & Kim Lewis; Artists in Residence Sally Payne & Sarah Jane Bellwood; Website Manager Paul Mellor; Publicity Designer Andi Chapple; Academic Consultant Professor Alison Findlay; Production Assistant Amy Woolmer; Producer Stephen Tomlin
MEASURE FOR MEASURE (2016) Cast Angelo Laurence Aldridge; Isabella Lucy Faint; Duke Vincentio Adam Grayson; Juliet/Francisca/Servant Johanna Hinton Constable Elbow/ Abhorson Nicola Jayne Ingram; Escalus/Provost James Morley; Pompey/Father Thomas Adrian Palmer; Lucio/Froth Rachel Priest; Claudio/Barnadine Tarek Slater; Mistress Overdone/Marianna Bekah Sloan. Creatives Artistic Director Joyce Branagh; Musical Director Jude Glendinning; Costume & Set Designer Olivia Dumonceau; Lighting Designer Jane Barrek; Stage Manager Sammi Searle; ASM, Asst Costume & Wardrobe Rosanna Haigh; Production Photographer George Coupe; Documentary Photography & Production Image Kim Lewis; Artists in Residence Ceri Allen & Iain Sloan; Academic Consultant Professor Alison Findlay; Producer Stephen Tomlin
DECK THE HALL WITH BOUGHS OF HOLLY (2000-2016)
Casts Victoria Brazier, Helen Longworth, Robert Garrett, Sue McCormick, Gilly Kerrod, Bekah Sloan, Sarah Thurstan & Stephen Tomlin directed as well as performed with….Hugo Chandor, Roberta Kerr, Peter Rylands, Matt Connell, Amy Rhiannon Worth, Mike Coombes, Patrick Bridgman, Elisa Cowley, Nicolas Camm, Eric Coudrill, Paul Green, Penny MacDonald, Richard Sails, Freddie Machin, Johnny Black, Charlotte Dalton, David Findlay, Christine Mackie, Barry Hall, Rachel Battersby, Hanneke Blower, Ian Blower, Robert Storr, Ted Richards, Chris Hallam, Dan Willis, Gareth Webb. Choirs Millenium Choir, Cats Chorus & Five in a Bar. Stage Managers Jan Radford, Peter Duggan, Carol Frances, Mark Alexander.
GHOSTLY TALES (2009 – 2016)
Actor/Readers Alison Darling, Helen Longworth, Stephanie Greer, Victoria Brazier, C P Hallam, Fiona Paul, David Frederickson, Jenny May Morgan, Mark Alexander, Gillian Kerrod, Robert Garrett, Adam Garrett, Alexandra Mathie, David Findlay, Julia Rounthwaite, Bekah Sloan, Adam Jowett, Peter Rylands, Penelope MacDonald, Sue McCormick, Laurence Ghorra, Stephen Tomlin, Pauline Jefferson, Tim Barker. All stories selected and abridged by Stephen, who also produced.
THE TRIAL OF THE PENDLE WITCHES (2012 & 2013)
A new play by castle guide Graham Kemp about the most famous trial held at Lancaster Castle and the executions that followed in 1612. Given its premiere, as a rehearsed reading, in Shire Hall in September 2012 and repeated in April 2013 with a different cast. Singing director for both productions was Jude Glendinning. Stephen Tomlin directed the 2012 premiere; Ian Blower directed the 2013 production, with Stephen producing both.
Cast (2013) Stephanie Greer, Julia Rounthwaite, Gayle Newbolt, Murray Taylor, Dinah Handley, Nicolas Camm, Edmund Herd, Paul Slater, James Dunn.
RICHARD III ON TRIAL FOR MURDER (2007)
An original script by Michael S Bennett, developed for its professional premiere in Shire Hall court, with audience acting as jury. Cast Richard III Simon Lacy; Trial Judge Paul Green; Prosecuting Counsel David Frederickson; Defence Counsel Fiona Paul; Duke of Buckingham Gareth Webb; Henry VII Paul Slater; Clerk of the Court Stephen Tomlin Creatives Costume Design Fi Carrington; Props/PA Carol Frances; Stage Manager Peter Duggan; Photography George Coupe Director/Producer Stephen Tomlin
BLOOD RED ROSES (2002)
Commissioned entertainment, exploring the history of Lancaster Castle in words and music, played in the crown and civil courts. Cast Sarah Thurstan, Sue McCormick, Ted Richards, Stephen Tomlin with musicians Elizabeth and Philip Gruar. Devised and compiled by Sue McCormick.
ROYAL COMMAND PERFORMANCE
Stephen was asked by Buckingham Palace to present a suitable entertainment for the late Queen when she visited, in her right as Duke of Lancaster in May 2015, to view progress on the castle’s conversation from prison to visitor attraction. We presented an extract from Richard II in front of the great keep. Cast John’o’Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster George Telfer; Edmund, Duke of York, his brother Robert Garrett. Creatives Costume Design & Fitting Fi Carrington; Presentation introduced, directed & produced by Stephen Tomlin
SPONSORS
We received essential financial support from the following businesses & organisations: Financial Backer Lancashire County Council. Core supporters Duchy of Lancaster, KPMG Ltd, Oglethorpe, Sturton & Gillibrand (Solicitors), The Merchants 1688 (Pub & Restaurant), Richard P Taylor (Chartered Surveyors) J Atkinson & Co (Coffee & Tea Merchants) Guest supporters Handelsbanken (Lancaster), GD Graphic Design, Askham Construction & Civil Engineers, J Parkinson (Contracting) Ltd, The Sun Hotel & Bar; Holdens (Solicitors), RSM (Accountancy), Badger Press, Castle Properties, Nice Bar & Restaurant (Lancaster), Zest Publications, Social Networks Education, Peter Scott Gallery, Lancaster University. Sun Cafe Restaurant, Vicary Antiques, Lancaster Honda.
STEPHEN TOMLIN 