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Spaniel in the Works Theatre Company
CONTACT : info@spanielworks.co.uk  
​Phone: 0794 1284878

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT SPANIEL IN THE WORKS THEATRE COMPANY
CLICK ARROW TO VIEW

2022 PERFORMANCES
NEXT PERFORMANCES


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Refugee Matters/
​Refugees Matter

The British School at Star Anise

1 Gloucester St, Stroud GL5 1QG
​
Friday 17th June, 7.30 p.m.

This new play written by Pammy Michell explores the complex issues that refugees and asylum seekers face in the UK system. Performed by John Bassett and Jude Emmet it offers an insight into the increasing difficulties faced and the frustrations of the workers and volunteers in trying to help.
​

Tickets are free - booking necessary.
​Donations gratefully received. All profits got to GARAS

Followed by a Q&A

To book click here


Bertie Bassett is 50 Something and Sad

Castle Centre
25 Castle Street, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 1DR


Thursday 23rd June at 9.00pm
Saturday 25th June at 3.30pm
Sunday 26th June at 4.30pm

"When you're younger you can eat what you like, drink what you like and still get into your 26 inch waist trousers and zip them closed. Then you reach that age......"
So what makes John "Bertie" Bassett sad? Could it be that reaching the age of 50 Something the world seems strange, curious, sad and quite frankly annoying.
Part stand up, part personal reminiscence, part observational, part rant, part shout at the world this show will certainly ask the big questions that none other does like:
What do Barry Cryer, Dave Gahan and Steve Baker MP have in common? Is it possible to do a punk clog dance? What makes Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine so important? and why are there only two women on Tracey Island?

Contains strong language but no nuts!
​16+

Tickets: 
  • £8
  • Concessions: £5 (16 or under, students, over 60, unemployed, disabled)
  • Frequent Fringer Vouchers: £24 for 6 different shows - £4 per show
To book click here
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Part of Barnstaple TheatreFest 2022

Recent Videos

Peter Drinkwater the Nailsworth Apothecary of 1810
- created for the Museum in the Park from original documents

Idle Thoughts of An Idle Fellow by Jerome K Jerome
-created with thanks to Aziloth Books

Fish, Fykes and Ferries - The Fisherman
- created and filmed for Gloucestershire Archives (2011)



​Recent Performances

WAR IN MIND
​ by John Bassett

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 This powerful performance based on archive records and personal testimony, explores the lives of real people affected by shell shock in the First World War and contemporary sufferers.
In World War One we meet Driver William Charles Phillips, who never actively fought at the front, but died in Gloucester Asylum in 1917;
Doctor Harold Hills who worked with shellshock patients and prevented many men being shot for desertion;
and Violet Hall, a wife and mother from a Gloucestershire village who lost her sons and was then ostracised from the local community.


Matt is a modern day veteran, living on the streets. But what got him to this place and how is he surviving?
​

Suitable for ages 10+



​
Driver William Charles Phillips from Tetbury

Next Performances
​Friday October 4th 2019 7.30 pm

The Mission Theatre, 
32 Corn Street Bath BA1 1UF

Tickets £ 10.00 please click here to book
or contact Bath Box Office on 01225 463362

Saturday October 5th 2019 7.30 pm
The Mission Theatre, 

32 Corn Street Bath BA1 1UF
Tickets £ 10.00 please click here to book
or contact Bath Box Office on 01225 463362
​

Monday October 7th 2019 1.30 pm and 7.00 pm
Gloucester Cathedral - The Lady Chapel 

12 College Green, Gloucester GL1 2LX
Tickets £ 10.00 please click here to book for 1.30pm 
Tickets £ 10.00 please click here to book for 7.00pm

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What audiences have said about War in Mind

"Excellent. So glad you brought to life the memories of these men and women."

"Enjoyed it, touching. I didn't know what to expect and felt lots of different emotions and was taken to another place."

"These three actors infused this performance with reality and compassion. It brough to life the truth about the repercussions of war - from Front Line to grieving mothers and the unyielding horror of it all."

"Incredibly powerful work, most especially because it is drawn from local historical records. This really brought home the impact on local lives. Of incredible interest was the alienation of the woman combined with her unimaginable loss. Extremely well acted throughout and totally believeable!"

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​"What a fabulous performance from three very talented people. A moving, emotional and gripping hour on the reality of war!"

​"A very moving portrait of something that was hidden from people during the period. Local archives have helped produce a well acted and thought provoking piece."

​"Fantastic!"

"Very affecting stories, beautifully performed. "

"A splendid production, well researched and well performed"


The performance as Matt the modern day character is to help raise awareness for World Mental Health Day and World Homelessness Day.
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THE FINAL JOURNEY OF EDWARD WILSON
by John Bassett

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First performed at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham to commemorate the centenary of Capt Scott's ill fated mission to the South Pole, this play charts the life of Edward Wilson, explorer and naturalist on Scott's journeys to the Antarctic. Wilson encounters a mysterious figure as he and his fellow explorers face the end of their journey at the Pole. Cheltenham born Edward Wilson, the naturalist, was also a caring and religious man and the play explores all facets of his character, not only as an enthusiastic man of science and exploration but also a brave one who died at the South Pole.

"A sledge-load of information... wide-eyed in wonder, still-jawed in admiration... a worthy addition to events celebrating Wilson's bravery" - Gloucester Echo.
​
“Brilliantly captures Wilson – how he thought, what drove him and the spirit which animated explorers of that time.” – Audience member.

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“Thank you for bringing new audiences to the life and work of a terrific human being… a wonderful portrayal, showing Wilson’s intelligence and innocence” – Audience member

For **** review from Broadway Baby see link below

​​https://broadwaybaby.com/shows/the-final-journey-of-edward-wilson/737819

(Picture by Edward Wilson - courtesy of David Wilson)

Part of Barnstaple Theatrefest 2019

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Bridge Chambers, Barnstaple, EX31 1HB

Friday June 28th 8.00pm
Saturday June 29th 6.30pm
Sunday June 30th 4.00pm



This is a pay-what-you-will-show. 


There are no tickets but there will be a bucket-collection


WAR IN MIND

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Linocut image from the Patriots Progress
​by William Kermode
War in Mind is a new project from Spaniel in the Works Theatre Company looking at the legacy of World War One. The project involves workshops and performances and explores lives affected by shell shock including the sufferers, doctors and those whose mental state was not recognised in particular the families left at home.

As part of the project we will be running workshops in archive research and printmaking.

Details of workshops and performances can be found below.

We have also created a blog - click here to find out more

​
This project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Friday 12th April 2.30 p.m and 8.00 p.m.
The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE

Tickets £ 11.00
Available from
The Subscription Rooms Box Office
2.30 p.m. show click here
8.00 p.m. show click here

Friday 10th May 8.00 p.m.
The Painswick Centre, Bisley Street, Painswick, GL6 6QQ

Tickets £10.00
Available by clicking here

Tuesday 14th May 8.00 p.m.
The Cheltenham Playhouse, 47 -53 Bath Rd, Cheltenham, GL53 7HG 

Tickets £ 12.00 £10.00 (Concessions)
Available from
​Cheltenham Playhouse Box Office
Part of Mental Health Awareness Week
Wednesday 15th May 2.30 p.m., 8.00 p.m.
St John on the Wall Church, Broad Street, Bristol, BS1 2EZ
Tickets £10.00
Click here to book for 2.30 p.m. performance
or from Bristol Ticket Shop on 0117 9299008
or online here
Click here to book for 8.00 p.m. performance
or from Bristol Ticket Shop on 0117 9299008
​or online here
Part of Mental Health Awareness Week
Friday 17th May 8.00 p.m.
Rodborough Parish Church, Walkley Hill, Rodborough, Stroud, GL5 3TX


Tickets £ 10.00
Click here to book
Part of Mental Health Awareness Week
Saturday 18th May 8.00 p.m.
St Saviours Church, New Church Street, Tetbury, GL8 8DS


Tickets £ 10.00
Click here to book for 8.00p.m. performance
or available from Tetbury Tourist Information Centre on 01666 503552
Part of Mental Health Awareness Week

Apologies the previously advertised 2.30pm performance has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Mental Health Awareness Week is organised by the Mental Health Foundation
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Future Performances

Friday October 4th 7.30 p.m.
Saturday October 5th 7.30 p.m.
The Mission Theatre, 32 Corn Street, Bath, BA1 1UF 
Tickets £ 10.00

Monday 7th October 1.30 p.m., 7.00 p.m.
Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester, GL1 2LX

Tickets £10.00

Part of World Mental Health Week


​

War in Mind Workshops

Print Workshop
​

Sunday 17th February 1.30 p.m.
The Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stroud, GL5 4AF

Inspired by the linocuts of William Kermode this workshop will introduce simple ways to create new prints using recycled polystyrene and paint.
The workshop is suitable for families with children over 9 and will look at images from World War One to create powerful prints using simple techniques and materials.
£ 2.50 per child (accompanying adults free)
£2.50 for adults not accompanying children

To book click here

Archive Workshop

Saturday 23rd March 1.30 p.m.
Tetbury Police Museum and Courtroom,63 Long Street, Tetbury, GL8 8AA
​To book click here
Sunday 24th March 1.30 p.m.
​
The Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stroud, GL5 4AF
​To book click here
A special workshop looking at archive records and the stories that they can tell about people and families. This workshop will include how to find records, where to look online and what the records can tell us. The records will relate particularly to characters as part of our shell shock performance War in Mind including Tetbury driver William Charles Phillips and Stroud doctor Harold Hills 
£ 2.50 per child (accompanying adults free)
£2.50 for adults not accompanying children

To download records for William Charles Phillips click on the icon below

phillips_asylum_records.pdf
File Size: 1511 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

phillips_military_records.pdf
File Size: 2614 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

War in Mind is supported by Heritage Lottery Fund
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For more information about Stroud Theatre Festival - visit www.stroudtheatrefestival.co.uk
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