The Clearing
by
Helen Edmundson
May
2003
SYNOPSIS
The Clearing is set in 17th century Ireland, as Cromwell's men are systematically transporting women and children, and forcing Irish landowners and English royalists off their land. Robert Preston, politically neutral, apparently, with no inheritance in England but possessed of lands in Ireland, is married to Madeleine, an Irish woman. When Madeleine's childhood friend Killaine is taken by English soldiers to be sent to the West Indies, she pleads with the English governor, Sir Charles Sturman, for her release. Sturman's response is to order Madeleine and Robert to be transplanted with their child to barren Connaught, in the west of Ireland. But Robert refuses to go.
DIRECTOR
Patricia Peggs
CAST
Killaine Farrell
Susi Bott
Pierce Kinsellagh
Daoud Benedetti
Solomon Winter
Alan Bridgman
Susaneh Winter
Joan Bridgman
Robert Preston
Terry Menard
Madeleine Preston
Sylvia Lynch
Sir Charles Sturman
David Roscoe
A Commissioner of Transplantation
Tom Hofmaenner
A Sailor
Tom Hofmaenner
An Appeal Judge
Tom Hofmaenner
PRODUCTION PHOTOS
BEHIND THE SCENES
Stage Manager
Dorothy Nauer
Set Design
Christian Brandenburg
Lighting Design
Sonia Maechler
Ligting Crew
Luke Walker, Enel Miller, Megan Spence, Dustin Rees
Sound
Martin Russell, Matthew Harte
Properties
Janet Evard, Sheila von Arx
Costumes
Ann Grosfort, Noeleen Blaich
Make-up and Wigs
Christine Eusebio, Paul Day, Sylvia Hintermeister
Prompters
Valery Niggli, Jo Dennis
Programme Design
Janine Fuchs
Programme Editor
Peter Shenton