Cue34 were ecstatic to be invited back to perform at the Chiltern Open Air Museum for their Festive weekend on the 2nd and 3rd December. Liz and Catherine immediately booked a chilly Saturday morning to go and scope out some of the potential locations for their performance. Much of Cue34’s work is inspired by space. The medieval-style thatched roof, earthy textures, and wooden structure were a wonderfully crisp setting that Cue34 wanted to harness rather than adapt. It felt like the perfect space for two very lost elves to have a rest and try to find their bearings. Cue34’s ethos is to work with local professional actors, so the call went out, and Lauren Freeman and Toby Boydon came on board for the project. We also asked for some help from Kirstie Campbell for some stage management support and Sabrina Beever to come and capture the magic of this show. The rehearsal was buzzing with Christmas magic, and through improvisation and play, the elf chant was added to the script to create more moments of audience participation, joy, and elf cheer (Elves, work, Together: together!). Saturday rolled around, and temperatures of -3 degrees, but the Cue34 team donned their coats, gloves, and scarves and marched their way to bring more professional and contemporary theatre to the Chiltern Open Air Museum. The show was a resounding success with Tom and Trixie performing to audiences of 50+ in the Arborfield barn. Families, children, and dogs enjoyed the performance alike, with many laughs at the ‘roundabout jokes’ and helping the Elves become friends again.
Creative Team
Cast
Tom: Toby Boydon
Trixie: Lauren Freeman
Creative Team
Director: Elizabeth Went
Producer: Catherine Simons
Stage Manager: Kirstie Campbell
Photographer: Sabrina Beever