The Miracle Worker - performed September 2001
With kind permission of Samuel French, London
Direction and Production - Jo Cobbold and Jess Boulton
Cast
(in order of appearance)
| Doctor | Sam Leese |
| Kate Keller | Charlotte Brown |
| Captain Keller | Daniel Tuck |
| Helen Keller | Kate Leese |
| Martha | Kaleigh Greening / Pippa Clover |
| Percy | David Jones |
| Aunt Ev | Krystle Nunn |
| James Keller | James Mason |
| Anagnos | Alex Lessious |
| Annie Sullivan | Daisy McEachen |
| Viney | Samantha Miller |
| Blind Girl | Emma Vigus |
| Blind Girl | Lucy Gaffney |
| Blind Girl | Amy Groves |
| Blind Girl | Ellie Harries |
| Blind Girl | Suzie Jones |
| Servant | Pippa Clover |
| Jimmie | Ross Mason |
Production Team
Jess Boulton, Graham Boulton, Ray Streames, Maurice Barber, Jan Mason, Di Greening, Chris Bush, Gloria Streames, Tanya Edwards, Lester Pearce, Pippa Clover, Samantha Miller, Jamie Greening, Sam Leese, Emma Foster, Graham Boulton, Rod Chittenden, Bruce Emeny, Yvonne Cobbold and team, Steve Wilcox, Kit Leese.The Play
At another time she asked, "What is a soul"
"No one knows", I replied, "it is that part of us which thinks and loves and hopes (and) is invisible....."
"But if I write what my soul thinks", she said, "then it will be visible, and the words will be its body"
Annie sullivan 1891
Reviews
Kate is impressive
HELEN Keller had an illness during infancy that left her deaf, mute and blind.
The play was based on the early life of Helen and the faith of her tutor Annie Sullivan that she could
learn to communicate with the rest of the world once again.
This might seem an extremely complex subject matter for a junior amateur group,
however, the cast of 18 young actors aged between ten and 16 years old made an endeavour to bring this true story to life.
It could well be the last for some time from the group though, as it is losing one of its key members.
The set, costume design and use of southern soul music brought the audience immediately into an Alabama
homestead at the end of the 19th century. The set design was basic but effective, allowing for quick scene
changes made by the cast themselves in the small theatre.
The power struggle between the parents and Helen's tutor was demonstrated well by Charlotte Brown and Daniel Tuck,
who brought a great deal of energy to their roles. Charlotte portrayed the loving mother and Daniel an obstinate
and domineering father. Kare Leese as Helen Keller is clearly a budding young actress who gave an incredible
performance. From the start, her presence was compelling and extremely moving. Restricted to a purely
physical performance, capable of incredible facial expression and concentration, she carried this off extremely well.
The producers, directors of Jo Cobbold and Jessica Boulton are to be congratulated for bringing the whole
thing together with the usual professionalism associated with the Manifest Theatre Group.
The sad thing is that due to the fact that they are losing the controller of MASKs,
they are to close the youth group until further notice.
Sara Cochrane
Photo Shoot
(click on an image below to view a larger photo - arrow keys navigate through the set)
