A Review of Raffles: One Heart and Mind
Review by John Williams, Theatrical Promoter
It was a snowy, cold February evening when the people of Highworth turned out in force to see this original one act musical play.
'Raffles of The Eastern Islands' (now Raffles: One Heart and Mind) has been written and performed by the versatile Act-IV Theatre Company and was staged in the local St Michaels Hall in a compact area with little in the way of staging — just a large map on the back wall, an authentic trunk, and some additional simple props.
This proved to be the ideal setting for an intimate performance.
The 4 cast members played the dozen or so characters between them and told the remarkable engaging story of Sir Stamford Raffles — a friend of William Wilberforce and the man responsible for the abolition of slavery in the Far East, and particularly for the founding of Singapore.
The story also tells of his contribution to zoology and botany through his many discoveries — most of his samples and records being tragically lost at sea — and it also trials the personal tragedies in his private and professional life.
The actors brought the story to life using simple changes in vocal and physical nuances to depict the different characters in an excellent clear way so that you came away with the feeling that you had been not only entertained but also informed.
There were some intimate emotional moments shared with the audience, and the dialogue was interspersed with superb, cleverly appropriate and original music and song.
It was all in all a good strong clear presentation, communicated with the tremendous professionalism one associates with Act-IV.
John Williams 2012
It was a snowy, cold February evening when the people of Highworth turned out in force to see this original one act musical play.
'Raffles of The Eastern Islands' (now Raffles: One Heart and Mind) has been written and performed by the versatile Act-IV Theatre Company and was staged in the local St Michaels Hall in a compact area with little in the way of staging — just a large map on the back wall, an authentic trunk, and some additional simple props.
This proved to be the ideal setting for an intimate performance.
The 4 cast members played the dozen or so characters between them and told the remarkable engaging story of Sir Stamford Raffles — a friend of William Wilberforce and the man responsible for the abolition of slavery in the Far East, and particularly for the founding of Singapore.
The story also tells of his contribution to zoology and botany through his many discoveries — most of his samples and records being tragically lost at sea — and it also trials the personal tragedies in his private and professional life.
The actors brought the story to life using simple changes in vocal and physical nuances to depict the different characters in an excellent clear way so that you came away with the feeling that you had been not only entertained but also informed.
There were some intimate emotional moments shared with the audience, and the dialogue was interspersed with superb, cleverly appropriate and original music and song.
It was all in all a good strong clear presentation, communicated with the tremendous professionalism one associates with Act-IV.
John Williams 2012