Woyzeck by Georg Büchner
An adaptation of the classic working class tragedy. In a sense no ‘play’ is a period play. It has its own unique moment within its own unique time and place. So with translation. You have to end up, whatever the approach, with an English play, for an English audience, now.
Mahagonny by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht
A political-satirical opera on consumerism. Three criminals on the run find they can go no further and found a city – Mahagonny, city of gold. The destitute and the disenchanted flock to Mahagonny.
Chobham Armour by Robin Soans and the Company
Chobham Armour was a series a series of short inter-weaving scenes created as a response to the Songspiel Mahagonny.
Loesje Sanders, the Administrator at Half Moon Theatre, recalls the company’s production of Woyzeck in Alie Street. Interviewed by Rosie Vincent.
Ché Walker is the son of Robert Walker, who was the Artistic Director of Half Moon Theatre in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He talks about Woyzeck and one particular dramatic scene. Interviewed by Georgina Da Silva.
Actor, Maggie Steed talks about performing in Mahagonny at Half Moon Theatre on Alie Street, which was re-written as Chobham Armour by Robin Hooper and Robin Soans, since the company couldn’t get the rights to the play. The cast had to eat various dinner courses throughout the performance, including dead dog! Interviewed by Kavana Joyett.
Mick Bearwish is a theatre designer who worked on many productions for Half Moon Theatre at Alie Street and on the Mile End Road. He talks about collaborating with Iona McLeish as co-designer of Woyzech. Interviewed by Rosie Vincent.
Rob Walker was Artistic Director of Half Moon Theatre in the later 1970s and early 1980s in Alie Street and on the Mile End Road. He talks about the double bill of Woyzech and Mahagonny and describes the huge suspended tank of water and the slow fade at the end of the show as the actor appears to drown.
Actor and writer, Robin Soans was in a number of productions at Half Moon Theatre, both at Alie Street and on the Mile End Road in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He talks about the production of Chobham Armour, which he and Robin Hooper had to write within a few days, when they were not able to get the rights to Mahogonny. Interviewed by Toni Tsaera.
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