Stepping Out Theatre

WILDERNESS
The Alma Tavern Theatre, Bristol, 15 - 26 October 2002, The Finborough Theatre, London, 6 - 31st January 2004
'Wilderness' was the first co - production between the Stepping Out Theatre Company and leading local company Theatre West. A second production of the play with a different cast toured to the Finborough Theatre in 2004 as part of a double bill entitled 'Lullabies of Broadmoor'. William Chester Minor (1834 – 1920) served as a surgeon in the U.S. Union Army during the American Civil War. Terrible experiences there weakened an already fragile mind and the Army pensioned him off. He came to live in London where he walked out of his lodgings in Lambeth on 17th February 1872 and shot a complete stranger dead. The man was George Merrett, a furnace stoker at the local brewery. Minor was imprisoned in Broadmoor for the next thirty-eight years. While there he became deeply involved in the writing of the Oxford English Dictionary. Eliza, the widow of his murder victim visited him for a number of years and, although illiterate herself, brought him books from London for his Dictionary work.
flyer design - Ann Stiddard Bristol Production Dr. William Chester Minor - Chris Jackson Mr. Coleman - Jason Stapleton George Merrett - Marco Rossi Eliza Merrett - Sara Brooks Director - Cheryl Douglas Production Assistant - Jan Prior Design - Ann Stiddard Set Construction - Colin Williams/Lynden Lewis Lighting - Tim Bartlett Costumes - Penn O’Gara London Production Chris Courtenay - Dr. William Chester Minor Marc Danbury- John Coleman Andy Michell - George Merrett Natalie Hobday - Eliza Merrett Director- Caitriona McLaughlin Producer- Steve Hennessy Design- Colin Williams Lighting- Tim Bartlett Costumes- Penn O’Gara Sound Hoxa Sound Photography Ian Wilmot *The complete text of this play featured in the Summer 2003 issue of ‘Plays International’ magazine along with photos by Ian Wilmot*
A video of this production in a special souvenir case is available from Stepping Out Theatre Company priced at Ł10 (includes package and posting)

WILDERNESS

The Alma Tavern Theatre, Bristol, 15 - 26 October 2002, The Finborough Theatre, London, 6 - 31st January 2004