Beyond The Bricks
Script and Lyrics by Theresa Rendle
Music composed by Marcus Scroop
Directed by Isabel Rodney
Musical direction by Marcus Scroop
Choreography by Jacky Logan
In order to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of our venue, Mornington Hall, we were able to gain a generous 'Make It Happen' grant from Waltham Forest. This enabled us to commission local writer, Theresa Rendle, to undertake research into the history of the hall and create a script to celebrate its rich history. The grant also enabled us to commission our own member, Marcus Scroop, to compose bespoke songs for the piece and for local film maker, Linda McDonald Cairns, to create a short documentary about the hall. The resulting play 'Beyond The Bricks', used a collage of real past events and fictionalised imaginings to tell the story of how a hall cleaner, 'Melody' reminisces about a drama group's (Forest Footlights) campaign to save the building from council plans to sell it to developers. She is visited by the spirits of past occupants of the hall, including: WW2 ARP and WRVS wardens, a dinner lady and the 1924 Co-principals of the original Mornington School, Edith Hunt and Muriel Nix. These characters persuade 'Melody' to adapt Muriel's children's story 'Mrs Winkle' into a puppet show play which helps gain the support of the local community in ensuring that the hall remains. CADOS is proud to be current custodians of the hall and we were delighted that the performances resonated with many in the audience who had memories of using the hall in many ways over many decades.
Mornington Hall, 15th - 18th May 2024
Photo gallery
NODA review highlights
Beyond the Bricks was a special production which only CADOS could stage. The emotional connection between their spiritual home and its fascinating history was presented in an entertainment which enabled this story to be shared with the CADOS friends, families and the people of Chingford. I applaud those responsible for taking this opportunity to celebrate Mornington Hall’s centenary and to gather the talents of writers, researchers, performers and producers to bring it all together in Beyond the Bricks. Five sell out performances showed the intrigue that audiences had in this project and the strength of the company, to be able to attract so many people to a new, unknown production.
Overall, there was a great warmth to the show with the hall as the central character filled with people who cared for it and what it represented. The idea to place the audience around tables and present the show in a traverse staging was excellent. It made for a relaxed atmosphere where drinks and nibbles could be enjoyed throughout and provided an opportunity for good engagement between the cast/storytellers and the audience as they moved between the tables and, at times, became part of the audience. I liked the 1924-2024 hall logo being in residence on the back wall throughout as a constant reminder of the purpose of the production.
The idea of the ‘resonances’ was new to me but I like the thought of these memories resonating with someone close to them or to the hall itself. This was cleverly illustrated by the flicker of the lights and the sound of the shock, as if there was a reverberation between the two characters or the two time periods.
Mrs Winkle’s story was a terrific scene and so well designed. The storm waves grew and grew, the cat on the stick, the shadow puppetry, magnificent art work of sea legends, creatures from the ocean and all complemented with a complex lighting design and the sound of the unaccompanied folk singing and harmonies. It was wonderful, very well done. A collection of composed melodies and arrangements fitted the genre and style well. Love, Hope and Care, with its simple guitar accompaniment, was beautiful and showed the sentiment of the production early on. On the Road to Progress gave the councillors their theme and Somewhere in this Place was an ode to the hall. A drop of electric guitar in Demon Dinner Lady was a good touch, and In It to Win It provided a dance number for the three men! The chords pulsing to Where we Stand provided a backing to the important lyrics.
There was more simplicity for Enough is Enough with the children starting and developing it into a passionate song. Ordinary People had the audience members tapping along with a simple singalong melody..
This was a terrific ensemble show, where the CADOS team excelled and collectively were the star of the show, apart from that is, the most disciplined, word perfect, towering performance of the longest serving member, Mornington Hall.
This was a show full of warmth, cleverly written and staged with music to increase the entertainment value. A real company show with many members on and back of stage all contributing to a celebration of a small hall that sits quietly beside the village green and parish church. This was a terrific piece of local art that will be long remembered in the continuing story of Mornington Hall.
Paul Daynes, NODA Regional Representative