After the success of last year's rock musical, Return to the
Forbidden Planet, the Conquest Youth Theatre decided to write their own rock
musical, something tailor-made for and by the group, something dramatic, challenging
and just a little bit spooky...
The Result was The Legend of Deadrock Manor, created by the whole company throughout 2005 to produce this exciting and dymanic show. Technical, musical and artistic expertise in every form (acting, dancing, singing, artwork, set, props, costume) were stretched further than ever to create a theatrical experience to remember! The costumes and props were designed and created especially for the show by a team of willing volunteers, the dance routines choreographed by Greg Harwood. The songs were diverse and included some excellent classics such as Alice Cooper's 'Poison', Cockney Rebel's 'Mr Soft', Meatloaf's 'Deadringer for Love', 'Love Potion Number 9', Wilson Pickett's 'Midnight Hour', plus other great rock/soul numbers and a few beautiful ballads. The backing tracks were all played and recorded by Jim Rolt, the company's talented musician/sound engineer and all backing vocals were recorded and/or sung live by the company. All lead vocals were sung live - this show really rocked!
The Story
Legend has it that on All Hallow's Eve (Hallow'een) the worlds of the living and the dead are at their closest and if you're in the right place, at the right time, the veil that divides us might just part for a while and you could experience something a little bit unusual, (whether you return to your own realm or not is another matter though). Such a place is Deadrock Manor and most are afraid to enter the old house, especially on this particular night. But it appears there's to be a party at the old Manor and some are keen to go there. As the two worlds open up to each other and a bizarre party begins, who will make it out by dawn? Will our intrepid human 'goths' even notice they are partying with werewolves, vampires, ghosts and other spirits of the night? Will they care?
We follow the fortunes of several humans who brave the old manor to 'party' and the spooky inhabitants of the manor as they entertain their guests....
Deadrock Manor was amazing and it ROCKED! Read our excellent review published in the local Bromyard publication 'Off the Record'.
In order of appearance
Lily - Ellie Scott
Daemon Ben Marshall
Ghoria Banshee - Scarlett O'Donnell
Dr Cadavia Nocturna - Grace Parker
Baron Von Wolfenstein (Wolfie) - Joe Rolt
Humphrey Boggart - Josh Raven
JB - Liam Stobart
The Grey Lady (Olivia) - Angharad Smith
Count Dorlok - Ian Smith
Roxanne - Christine Hamilton
Ali - Emma Gibbons
Jack - Ollie Edgar
Meg - Abby Regan
Sam - Helen Albert
Effie - Steph Street
Una - Beth Flathers
Mony - Joanna Handley
Zoe - Alex Matthews
Charlie - Lucy Parker
Felicity - Mary Ann Wall
The Boz - Chris Cook
Music for the recorded soundtrack was arranged, performed and engineered by Jim Rolt at Chelston Studios
'You Really Got Me' & 'Wild Thing' were played live on stage by 'real-life' band 'Ilusion' - Josh Raven (guitar & vocals), Ben Marshall (drums) and Chris Cook (bass guitar).
Sound ... Jim Rolt
Lighting ... Hugh Farey
Stage Manager ... Joyce Marshall
Stage Crew... Matt Oliver, Frances Page, Georgia De Rohan, Veronica Dru, Kitty Goff
Directed & Designed by Barbara Hockley
Costumes by Barbara Hockley, Jill Hockley, Alison Stobart, Kevin Stobart & Steph Breeze with thanks to Jane Raven, Jenny Shortland Anne Watson & Joyce Marshall
Set Construction - Jim Rolt, Barbara Hockley, Hugh Farey, Angharad Smith, Emma Gibbons, Pete Goodson
Make-up by the Company with special thanks to Karen Neilson and Jean Walker for advice and materials.
Vampire Teeth thanks to Ann Smith
Photographs & AV show by Peter Frampton
Click any thumbnail to see a larger version
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