20 YEARS IN 20 WEEKS

It’s Throwback Thursday again and this week we’re looking back at Artistic Director, Gordon Barr’s first season in 2004.

For his first season in charge of Bard in the Botanics, Gordon brought together a mix of the old and the new to create a season of work that continued the company’s tradition of bold, innovative productions.

For his opening production, he revived his sell-out, hit musical version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” from the previous year, with Michelle Wiggins & Lois Creasy reprising their scene-stealing performances as Bottom & Titania. 2004 saw us move the 1920’s jazz-club set production from the interior of the Kibble Palace to the open-air, opening the production up to the largest audiences the season had seen to date.

Meanwhile, Founding Director, Scott Palmer, returned from America to stage a new production of “Richard III”. In his tradition of innovative, unexpected takes on Shakespeare’s work, this “Richard III” allowed the audience to view the royal court through the title character’s eyes, reinventing the characters as foolish grotesques. But as Richard’s murderous ascent to the throne became more bloody, the performance darkened and the reality of his actions hit home to the audience in a powerful manner.

Scott also directed “Infinite Variety” – a whirlwind tour through some of Shakespeare’s most famous female characters that showcased the exceptional talents of some of the female members of our acting ensemble.

Artistic Director, Gordon Barr, also directed the first of three versions of “The Taming of the Shrew” that he would direct in the company’s history. This modern dress production of Shakespeare’s controversial comedy created a vapid, image-obsessed society in which both Kate and Petruchio were outsiders, struggling to make sense of the world around them and their relationship to each other.

Acclaimed director, Andrew McKinnon, joined the 2004 season to direct a steely, unflinching take on “Macbeth”, with a company led by David Ireland and Jennifer Dick as the central couple.

Finally, Langside College-based theatre company, XLC, returned for another season to present a riotous version of “The Canterbury Tales” to round out the season.

Looking back on his first season as Artistic Director, Gordon Barr had this to say:

“Now I cannot even imagine the level of confidence I must have had as a 24-year old director to take over this festival, which had become so massive in its first 2 years – talk about throwing yourself in at the deep end. I wish I had more concrete memories of that time but it’s genuinely all a huge blur – there was a lot to learn very quickly. I do remember being very proud of the work we produced and feeling very grateful for the support & advice that our core production team – Sarah Paulley, Pete Searle, Kay Hesford, Fi Carrington & Scott Palmer – offered me – I suspect they had to pick up a lot of slack to help me make that season work! And having such brilliant friends in the acting company – Jennifer Dick, Michelle Wiggins, Nicki Walsh and many, many more – they created a really supportive atmosphere that epitomises the spirit of Bard in the Botanics to this day”

FUN FACTS:

- The 2004 company featured a number of actors who, in addition to their success as performers, have gone on to achieve great success in other fields – including Candice Edmunds (Co-Artistic Director of Vox Motus and currently creating the brand new stage musical of “Bedknobs & Broomsticks”); David Ireland (as a playwright his work has thrilled & provoked audiences around the world, including his massive Edinburgh Festival hit “Ulster American”); Claire Knight (who, since founding Brennan Artists Associates, has established herself as one of Scotland’s leading agents) and Scottish panto legend, Johnny McKnight.

- “Richard III” featured what, to date, is perhaps Bard in the Botanics’ fastest quick change as actor, Nicki Walsh, exited into a tent as Queen Elizabeth before almost instantly reappearing as Tyrell, the thuggish murderer – we’re still not sure how she managed it!

- “The Taming of the Shrew” featured one of our most eccentric props to date as Petruchio (Kirk Bage) & Kate (Candice Edmunds) travelled through the audience on a tandem bike – through the audience and, often, nearly on top of the audience – it wasn’t easy to steer! Michelle Wiggins, as Grumio, only narrowly escaped having to follow them bouncing on a space hopper – we’re sure there must have been a reason for it at the time!

- We’ve had some great hair & make-up designs at Bard in the Botanics over the years – Ariel’s full-body make-up in 2012’s The Tempest, The Witch’s flaking mask of white in 2016’s Macbeth & Richard’s facial disfiguration in 2019’s Richard III. But none were as expensive as the hairstyle required for the design of Jennifer Dick’s Lady Macbeth in 2004 - £300 of hair extensions were added to her own hair to create a flowing mane of Celtic locks – and they were the most painful thing Jennifer has ever had to endure as a performer – we’ve never asked her to do it again!

2004 COMPANY:

Kirk Bage (Actor), Gordon Barr (Artistic Director); Tim Barrow (Actor); Julie Brown (Actor); Fi Carrington (Wardrobe Supervisor); Rachel Colles (Actor); Simon Conlon (Actor); Phillip Cotterill (Actor); Lois Creasy (Actor); Jennifer Dick (Actor); Stephen Docherty (Actor); Candice Edmunds (Actor); Brian Gardiner (Designer – Dream); Kay Hesford (Company Manager); Will Holt (Crew); Will Huggins (Actor); Anthony Hutcheson (Actor); David Ireland (Actor); Stuart Jameson (Actor); Claire Knight (Actor); Emma Larsson (Actor); Ivor Macaskill (Actor); Kirsty Mackay (Designer – Shrew); Gerald McDermott (Crew); Andrew McKinnon (Guest Director); Johnny McKnight (Actor); Kirsten McLean (Actor); Scott Palmer (Visiting Director); Sarah Paulley (Head of Design); Pete Searle (Production Manager); Peter Shand (Musical Director – Dream); Laura Spring (Wardrobe Assistant); Nicki Walsh (Actor); Laura Walshe (Deputy Stage Manager); Michelle Wiggins (Actor); Chris Wilson (Choreographer – Dream); Chris Young (Actor)