Child’s play

May 16 2008 by Jo Henwood, Chester Chronicle

Child’s play

NOAH’S ark will be filled with a Chester children’s theatre group this summer.

Members of Jigsaw Music Theatre Company are in rehearsal for their role in the Chester Mystery Plays.

The young actors and musicians, aged between eight to 14, will play all sorts of roles from animals and planets to Noah’s children and gawpers in the Prophecy half of the plays which are to be performed on Chester Cathedral green.

Ex-members of Jigsaw who performed with the company in the cycle of plays five years ago were so impressed with the experience that they have gone on to audition for speaking parts in this year’s production.

These include Beth Mann, 17 and Poppy Jones, 16 who play mothers in the Slaughter of the Innocents and Ieuan Pearson and Sam Little who play soldiers.

Former Jigsaw member Daniel Fletcher dupes Eve into taking a bite of the apple in the role of the serpent and is also head of the Order of Cherubim in the Creation.

Artistic director Robin Goddard said: “Jigsaw play a vital role in the plays and they are a very professional group. They were greatly valued the last time round and will be again.”

The company have also been working with director Rob Edmonds to create mini-plays which will be performed on Abbey Green as the audience arrives.

Matt Baker, artistic director of Jigsaw and musical director of the mystery plays said: “Jigsaw members always enjoy creating original pieces of theatre and this is a great opportunity for the young performers to be part of a unique experience. It’s fantastic to see young performers coming back years later to take part again.”