THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HALLOW by Kathryn Schultz Miller Director: Rheanna Thomas B.E.S.T.S youth production 2022 Bacup Royal Court Theatre Group Washington Irving’s spooky classic has been dramatized for young theatre groups by Kathryn Schultz Miller. This reworking has all the thrills, chills and some laughs of the original. It is guaranteed to keep a young audience on the edge of their seats. This was a perfect piece for an ACT in Training group. To remind ourselves, the main characters are a bumbling schoolteacher, the coquettish Kathrina Van Tassel, and the brutish jealous Brom and not to forget the headless horseman. The play is set in the 1796. The inclusion of projected backcloth images, designed by Steve Purslow, minimum scenery, and prop dressings, the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town, set in Sleepy Hallow, was captured. The lighting and sound by Andrew Holden and Leigh Estelle Brown, created atmosphere: and the costumes added to the characterisations. There was a change of leadership/mentoring through rehearsals when Rheanna Thomas took on the mantle. This group was the vision of Juliette Shepherd who has to be credited for the work that she has done with her young students. It was evident all the hard work that had gone into the rehearsal period: their training was displayed in performance. There is always more to do and refine but this cast showed, above all, team work and the supporting of each other. The ensemble (Summer Holden, Rudy Holland, Pippa Meadowcroft) were the story tellers, the Greek chorus. They clearly linked the scenes and advanced the narrative. All the supporting roles presented strong, sustained characterisations giving depth to the unfolding drama. There were certain areas in their next session that will be worked on to enhance
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