This week I journeyed to a remote village, east of Silves, to meet a well-known writer and director, David Butler-Cole. David has been involved with theatre all his life and is now appearing in the forthcoming Old Time Music Hall production “Down at The Old Bull & Bush”. He is also directing the melodrama in the same production.
“How is melodrama defined?” I asked David. “Well, it’s a sensational drama with exaggerated characters and exciting events, intended to appeal to the audience’s emotions. Needless to say, this melodrama, Tram Track Tragedy, will undoubtedly appeal as it has everything to make them laugh, cry, boo and cheer as the story unfolds and the actors bring their characters to life.
“Timing is what makes good melodrama. If the actors don’t get that right, the audience knows. It involves being late, or early, so that it’s meant to look like it’s wrong but when done correctly the audience knows it’s right.”
“And before you ask, no, I am not going to tell you who the chairman will be,” concluded David. I’ll have to keep searching…
“Down at The Old Bull and Bush” Old Time Music Hall will be performed at the Teatro Mascarenhas Gregório in Silves on March 31, April 1 and 2.
Tickets: 966 211 634 | 282 496 635 | [email protected]
By STEPHEN TREVORS
