Skip to content

Much Ado About Nothing

In February 2002 John Marwick directed the first Shakespeare production to be held in Muritai School yard. Much Ado About Nothing was presented with a little bit of a 'tango twist'. The play was part of the Wellington Fringe Festival that year. The Cast DON PEDRO Laurie Atkinson DON JOHN Chris Morey CLAUDIO Dan Caddy BENEDICK Ashley Bloomfield LEONATA Sandra Gillespie ANTONIO Jerry Duckor CONRADE John Marwick BORACHIO Reuben Hardie FRIAR FRANCIS Trevor Rose DOGBERRY Trevor Rose VERGES Jerry Duckor HERO Holly Robinson BEATRICE Rowan Macrae MARGARET Yvonne Bishop URSULA Anne Manchester Publicity 2002 Teasing, Treachery and the Tango For the first time Eastbourne will

Beauties, Barmaids and Battleaxes

For Bard in the Yard for 2003 John Marwick and Jerry Duckor devised a production featuring a collection of scenes chosen for the way they portray Shakespeare's women.

All’s Well That Ends Well

Bard in the Yard in 2004 was Shakespeare's lesser-known comedy All's well That Ends Well directed by John Marwick. Part of the Fringe Festival. In April the director and cast took the play to Stratford (on Patea not Avon) and presented an afternoon performance in an outdoor setting. Publicity 2004 Eastbourne's Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe has chosen All’s Well that Ends Well for this year’s popular outdoor Bard in the Yard Fringe presentation. This is the third year the Troupe has brought the Bard to Fringe audiences – though it will be the eighth year of Bard in the Yard for Eastbourne. They’re getting a name

The Merchant of Venice

After failing to cast a full-scale performance of this play for Bard in the Yard the Troupe agreed to John Marwick’s proposal to present a two-night run of a staged reading in early April inside the school hall.  Unusually, the performance was presented in cabaret style using raised rostra on the floor of the hall while the audience sat at tables.  Florence Mcfarlane and Fran Baldock, as Salanio and Salarino (or was it the other way round!) sang brief jazz classics between scenes to Bill Wollerman’s piano accompaniment. The production was very well-received. Jerry Duckor was outstanding as Shylock. CAST Salanio Fran Baldock Jessica Amber Baldock Bassanio

Man of the Moment

In November 2006 Barry Mawer directed Man of the Moment by Alan Ayckbourn. The set included a swimming pool! The play was well received by reviewers. Directed by Barry Mawer Vic Parks - Michael McDonald Trudy - Anne Manchester Cindy - Tessa/Molly McFarlane Sharon - Sarah-Rose Burke Ruy - Peter Hughson Marta - Janis Caddy Kenny Collins - Will Clanachan Jill Rillington - Holly Robinson Douglas Beechey - Don Quiring Ashley Barnes - Barry Mawer Shadow Cast: Ashley Bloomfield David Gledhill Bev Barclay Elspeth Harris Ian Freeguard Ed Hickey Carol Thompson Reviews

Six Characters in Search of an Author

Luigi Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author was translated, adapted and directed by John Marwick Amber Baldock won an award for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role at the Wellington District Theatre Federation's full length play competition.  

Romeo and Juliet

Bard in the Yard in 2014 was Romeo and Juliet directed by John Marwick with a Romeo who was making his debut on any stage and Juliet who has gone on to a professional acting career overseas. Publicity 2014 or 2014’s outdoor summer Bard in the Yard production the Troupe brings the greatest love story of them all to the magical Muritai School Yard. Shakespeare’s superb tale of tragic young love will be brought to life in a simple, timeless production that focuses on the story, the people and the passion. For this production, Director John Marwick has chosen the pared-back style of some of his