| | kathryn pogson and kyle riley | | | kathryn pogson | | | kathryn pogson and kyle riley | | | kyle riley | | | legacy 2009 | | | | | | | | | | Theatre of Angels toured its inaugural production Legacy to thirteen different UK venues during May, June and July 2009.
Actors
Dorothy - Kathryn Pogson
Biographer and other characters - Kyle Riley
Creative Team
Director - Maria Pattinson
Designer - Beth Hannant
Lighting - Shaun Weager
Producer - Jenny Campbell
Writer - Martin Sharp
Reviews
The promise of a dedicated run for a play and actors of this calibre would be a worthy legacy indeed.
NEW END THEATRE, LONDON (BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE)
CLICK HERE FOR FULL REVIEW
The atmosphere in the theatre was electric, everyone was deeply touched by the story.
STEYNING FESTIVAL
Legacy - one of the most memorable plays in 30 years.
ELLEN TERRY BARN THEATRE
The play was flawlessly performed by Kathryn Pogson and Kyle Riley.
OXFORD DAILY REVIEW
The story of Dorothy Elmhurst is a fascinating one and the play addresses it in a variety of ways. I was moved, amused and made to think. The actors worked splendidly together and Kathryn Pogson’s performance had great simplicity and beauty.
RICHARD DIGBY DAY
(Director of London Dramatic Academy, Fordham University London Centre)
Once the play began, it was clear this was going to be a compelling piece of theatre and a sudden attentiveness swept over the audience.
KAREN HOWARD (Rural Arts Development Officer, West Sussex)
For Legacy we had good audiences, and many new attenders to the studio which was great, and listening to people as they left I would say that the reaction was very positive. I thought the performances were compelling and I really cared about both characters, but of course especially Dorothy. It was a very engaging piece and at times very touching. I am interested to find out what the company plans to do next.
CHARLIE FIELD (Programme Manager, Oxford Playhouse)
The play is a gentle ride through a most unusual dramatic country. A reluctant protagonist; a woman of great originality who does not wish to be revealed to her interlocutor. Kathryn Pogson's performance, evading and avoiding showing her inner desires, yet reveals them with the utmost subtlety and charm. Her very understatement spurs us on to an intense curiosity about the hidden strengths of Dorothy Elmhirst. She has deeply understood this oddly diffident woman, and thus achieves the drama of a life that refuses to dramatise itself. She slowly reveals the sort of passionate person that makes the human race a better class of thing. The interlocutory construction is obviously the key and the writer who wrenches truths from Mrs Elmhirst is finely and truthfully played by Kyle Riley.
JANET SUZMAN (Actor/Director/Writer/Teacher)
Project
The play inspired by the life and legacy of the American born heiress Dorothy Whitney Elmhirst (co-founder of Dartington Hall, England). Dorothy's early life was full of personal tragedy, but was overcome through the arts, social activism and spiritual optimism. Dorothy was undoubtedly inspirational, a behind the scenes conjuror who brought leading international artistic and educational luminaries together to explore a sublime vision of an integrated and liberated society.
Dorothy's vast wealth and sense of social responsibility enabled her to establish pioneering projects across several continents. She understood how wealth had hindered her from being everything she wanted to be. A gentle and courageous woman who followed the teaching of her friend Mahatma Gandhi to 'be the change you want'. Her social convictions created further strong friendships with Gladys Vanderbilt, Eleanor Roosevelt and John Dewey and artists such as Imogen Holst, Michael Chekhov and Martha Graham.
Her particular talent for recognising the potential in other human beings led her on an life affirming journey to discover her unique sense of freedom, creativity and authenticity. Despite tragic events, she triumphed over despair with sustained optimism and spirit.
Legacy is a play for today. In a world fraught with fear and insecurity, it offers a extraordinary woman's testimony to joy and laughter in the face of adversity.
Future Plans
We are currently exploring the possibility of touring Legacy to America, Scotland and Ireland as well as developing a new play.
For further details contact:
admin@theatreofangels.co.uk
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