Arts > Theatre

Scratch Shot @ the Maddermarket

18/04/16

Scratch Shot at The Maddermarket is a brilliant idea. In collaboration with REDuck ProDUCKions, our own local writers get to test-drive their scripts, whether they’re for screen, stage or radio. At the same time, local players get to flex their acting chops. It’s a win-win pact for Norfolk’s creatives, and as a theatregoer I also got to share the profits.

The Maddermarket are running a Shakespeare at 400 Mini-Festival, therefore Friday’s Scratch Shot was Shakespeare themed. No performance was similar; each writer gave a unique take on the Bard and his legacy. ReDuck co-founder Hayley Evenett penned Spirits, a witty piece that plucked Ariel, Puck and Lady from their respective plays. End result: mischief, meddling and a decapitated human arm.  17 year old Olivia Bourne shone, somehow convincingly playing a sprite, snake and hound in the space of 15 minutes.

Playwright Ray Steen also took the farcical route. In Ray’s play, Shakespeare’s theatre had been shut down because of the plague. Naturally, Will resorted to selling pies wrapped in his plays, with the help of the bawdy Gloria Spreadwell (played brilliantly by Victoria Penn). Whipsmart writing kept the audience giggling throughout.

Left on the Shelf was also a drink-splutterer. Burtie Welland and Jenny Belsey mutated into books for Tony Vale’s play.  “Hardback” and “Paperback” argued, competed and sexually harassed each other – as books do.  

The evening brimmed with other original ideas, including a Macbeth/Faulty Towers mashup and Twelfth Night in diary form. Each performance was a “rehearsed reading”, meaning actors read from scripts with minimal costume, setting or props. The writers and actors provided the atmosphere and engaged the audience throughout.

Hats off to ReDuck ProDucktions for giving local creatives exposure, whilst shaking up Shakespeare’s 400th. I’m in awe of Norfolk’s talent – I’ll definitely return next month for the next Scratch Shot instalment!

7/10