|
Two years ago Vicki
starred as Lady Raeburn and Asphinxia in the highly successful Matthew
Townshend 50th Anniversary revival of the musical Salad Days.
It began life as a rehearsed reading at The Eye Theatre in Suffolk and in
July of 2008, Vicki teamed up with Matthew Townshend again to appear as
Mrs Squeezum in a rehearsed reading for what is hoped will be the next MTP
hit, The Rakes Return. The performance is a new musical adaptation based
on the Henry Fielding novel Rape Upon Rape which inspired the 50’s musical
Lock up Your Daughters. Performed on the 25th July the
production was written by Graham Baker with involvement by the legendary
Neil Innes. It was part staged and part costumed and included several
songs from the original musical version of Lock Up Your Daughters.
For Vicki, the
performance had particular significance as it provided an opportunity for
her daughter Louise Michelle, a highly talented young actress, to join her
mother in the cast in the role of Primrose, the barmaid. ‘It was the first
time we had worked professionally together at this level,’ said Vicki. ‘It
was a great experience for Louise and of course, I was extremely proud of
her, she is a very talented young actress with a lot of potential.’ A
sentiment echoed by the producer. Joining Vicki and Louise in the cast was
friend and colleague Giles Watling in the role of the rakish Ramble and
whom Vicki has worked with on numerous occasions. Matthew Townshend
portrayed the corrupt Justice Squeezum.
The story is one of
trickery and hilarious confusion as it takes all the women’s cunning and
resourcefulness not least that of Mrs Squeezum to bring the rascal to
task. Directed by Matthew Townshend, the performance was designed by Ella
Kidd. |
