The Cagebirds

by David Campton

The Cagebirds had 1 performance almost 14 years ago (on the 13th of May 2010) at The Leatherhead Theatre

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David Campton was a prolific writer of one act plays with well over 50 to his credit. Usually his work can be appreciated on different levels. THE CAGEBIRDS is clearly allegorical and thus open to many interpretations depending on how it is directed and acted.

The so-called ‘birds’ are not only locked in their ‘cage’, but also locked into their own little world. In both they feel safe. Each character is preoccupied with a small confine of interest or need; food, health, personal appearance, gossip, crime and punishment or sitting on the fence.

When they are presented with the opportunity to escape from their enclosed existence, they reject it - and turn on their would-be liberator.

Perhaps freedom would make too many demands on them so they have settled for the safety of their confined world with someone there to make the decisions for them. Fear of the outside world and the unknown stop them from doing anything new and they remain frozen in their ‘bird brain existence ‘ and shrunken existence.

In production the characteristics of the various personalities must be clearly drawn and contrasted. The script is fertile territory for imaginative direction and choreography, vibrant acting and for creative staging , lighting , sound, and costume design.

I have made the choice to perform the play depicting ‘the birds’ as older characters with the intention of exploring the potential limiting forces of institutional life and old age, and how some older people allow their world to shrink so much that they become unable to make their own choices.

CHARACTERS

The author states that no character is based on a specific bird, but they could have bird-like characteristics, particularly in movement. This will be fun to explore in rehearsal. Their bird- like appendages can be translated into human terms; with no beaks or plumage, but perhaps indicated by a walking stick, zimmer frame, feather boa etc. The costumes will be designed to depict the colours of a suitable bird, but the characters will look like folk in an old peoples home. Each bird seems to have its own particular repetitive song, but the intent behind the words should be made plain in each different scene. Exploring sub text and the emotions behind the words spoken and finding the true meaning of each scene should provide much interest in rehearsals. My intention is that all the characters, apart from the Mistress, will be ‘PLAYED AS’ older people and by men or women. A full description of each character can be found under "Cast" below.

Box office is 01372 365141 or visit the theatre box office www.the-theatre.org Further details of the festival can be found on www.leatherheaddramafestival.org

Tickets are £10 for 13th May or season tickets for five nights can be bought for £25. The Gala Night - Saturday 15th May consists of the Junior Week and Senior Week winning plays and the Awards Ceremony at which Michael Caine will be presenting the awards (subject to availability). £2.00 discount vouchers for 13th May can be obtained from Frankie Godliman 01483 870770

Cast
Backstage

	The Long–tongued Gossip - Colin Bailey Clearly enjoys the gossip in his/ her small claustrophobic world . A snob who feels she is a cut above everyone else. Maybe played as the’ Hyacinth Bouquet’ of the bird cage. Or could be interpreted as a very camp man - there is a great deal of humour to be found in this part.
	The Mirror-eyed Gazer - Gillian Smithies Elegant, self-absorbed and self aware. She poses and gazes in a mirror, intent on making the most of her assets. A showy kind of bird with a certain theatricality about her, in movement and vocal delivery.
	The Medicated Gloom - Anne Nunn A hypochondriac who enjoys bad health. Always looks on the dark side of life. Obsessed with her ailments. Could have an accent to stress the humour here.
	The Regular Thump - Roy Selfe A grumpy old man from the hang ’em and flog ‘em bird world. Calls a spade a spade, has a down on almost every minority. Wants to rid the bird cage of anyone who does not think or look like him. Maybe a northern bigot?
	The Constant Twitting - Jane Walters Cannot make a decision. Dizzy and mindless, she sits on the fence (or her perch) and dithers about. She is the one who is most influenced by the arrival of The Wild One but is very fearful of committing herself to anything. She impulsively gives The Wild One a hair pin to open the cage door, but soon regrets being influenced by a stronger will. She is disturbed by the sudden glimpse of a freer, more exciting world.
	The Great Guzzler - Rita Warren A glutton in love with food. His /her preoccupation with eating can be shown on the face as well as in the voice. A bon viveur who likes the good things in life. He adds a great deal of comedy to the cage. Pompous, self opinionated, lives in the past, could be ex-public school - the Michael Winner of the bird cage?
	The Wild One - Nicola Anderson She brings the outside world into the enclosed cage and offers the inhabitants a glimpse of freedom, open air, space to fly, sunshine and excitement. She is very physical and energetic in movement, voice, and emotion. She cuts a colourful, outlandish, modish figure. A rebel who refuses to conform or settle for a quiet life, she has a strong desire to be a free spirit. A leader and a mover and shaker. The Vivienne Westwood of the Bird Cage?
	The Mistress - Frankie Godliman The nurse in charge of the cage. Smiley, benign, patronising, jolly and bossy. An iron fist in a velvet glove - she literally 'rules the roost.’ A dominating figure she breezes in and out with an air of business and authority. She is younger than the caged birds and might be played with a country or Welsh accent?