pip simmons theatre group

Dream Rehearsals and Paradise on Brown Sea Island: 1975

The Dream of the Ridiculous Man was based on a short story by Fyodor Dostoevsky. The Ridiculous man is on his way to kill himself and has a chance encounter with a young girl which prompts a life-changing vision of paradise. Roderick was our Ridiculous Man and I the young girl. Try as we might, the scene for paradise eluded us. We were rehearsing at The Factory on the Harrow Rd W9, a day out to Brown Sea Island was planned.

Roderic, Emil, Rowan & Pete. Rehearsals at the Factory

The rules for that day’s impro were to be nice to each other all day long. Food, alcohol and substances were part of the plan and we all brought our offerings for the feast. I baked a cake, Rod cooked a side of pork, Chris brought avocado pears. Ben bought cream cakes and so on. We even dressed up for the occasion. The cream cakes eventually ended up like the classic gag in someones face, probably mine, but it was good to get out of London, not sure we found paradise.

Rod and Ben in paradise

Pip and Chris in paradise

Rowen, Olly, Emil in paradise

Chris wrote Corruption a rollicking stadium epic about temptation, corruption and damnation.This went down well, we all loved doing it, me and Rowan dressed up in fishnets and hi heels, and taunted Roderic whist Olly strangled a cockerel.The cockerel came in handy for most scenes and travelled with us, his name was Dave. I have progressed to a clarinet and am doing Tune a Day, and Olly the trombone, also doing Tune a Day, we being the beginners are the only ones without musical skills. Roderic is let off because he is the Ridiculous Man.

Pete, Pip and Sheila rehearsing corruption.

Roderic, Ben, Rod, Chris, Olly, Emil, Sheila, Rowan & Pete in paradise at the Factory.

This really was an all singing all dancing show full of props and costumes. Everyone had at leat 3 changes I was in charge of costumes, Rowan props, Peter Oliver in charge of doves and fowl, Rod and Rod the drivers in charge of the van, Emil in charge of his own wardrobe 5ft stilts and a huge cape. We all had a job to do in prep for the long tour planned for Oct 1975 – May 1976

All Photos © Sheila Burnett

Le Festival d’ Avignon : 1975

An Die Musik goes to the Avignon Festival & looking at this group photo you may well think we were on holiday, but it wasn’t so! We were working, we were there to perform An Die Musik. The festival was impressive, our dressing room was in a tent this was the festivals 25th year. It was (and is) an international meeting place for the performing arts, Theatre, Dance, Music and… us.

Pip Simmons Theatre Group : An die Musik Avignon Festival 1975 Group Shot La Plage

Group shot on the beach

One the beach with Pete, Babette and Rod, with touring van in the background

Paula, Roderic Emil and dove

Emil, Emil & Sheila, Roderic and Rod backstage

Our stage was made of wood with nails in it. This wouldn’t normally matter but it took its toll on our tender flesh as we went through our improvised ‘punishment’ every night. It’s no surprise then that we took full advantage of every opportunity to visit the local wonders. The Camargue, The Pont du Gard, Orange … Ben was the person to be with, he knew all the best places to go. He had a map and we followed.

We had a new Nazi guard, Peter Jonfield a proper actor who had studied at E15, who came to join our troop. This is what he has to say: I have never experienced, seen or heard of a piece of theatre more powerful than An Die Musik and certainly never known audiences sit in stunned silence after a show instead of applauding, then slowly and reverently leave the theatre. A hellish piece to perform and a tribute to all concerned. Especially my fellow actors who at no point gave me a moments grief for the ordeals I subjected them to as the Nazi guard.

Peter Jonfield with Venus De Milo

Rehearsals are in progress for the next show, The Dream of a Ridiculous Man, an all singing all dancing show, we had to lighten up…..

Dream Rehearsals and Paradise on Brown Sea Island: 1975

Le Festival d’ Avignon : 1975

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