Chillingly atmospheric and unsettling, this is a bold and haunting tale of human desire
Director –
Deb Relton-Elves
Production Photos
Cast
William Bloor –
Jordan Jackson
Samuel Covey –
Chris Firth
Judith Covey –
Lucy Hayton
Sarah –
Cathryn Bowler
Crew
Set Designer –
Pete Bagley
Stage Manager –
Mark Wiszowaty
Lighting Design –
Paul Harrison
Sound Design –
Paul Forey
Sound Operator –
Dave Cornish
Projector –
Karl Stafford
Props i/c –
Nicola Gabriel
Props –
Jack Hawker
Prompt –
Joseph Fallowell
Wardrobe –
Pam Coleman
Wardrobe –
Maureen Liggins
Set Paint –
Paul Chokran
Set Paint –
Grace Parker
Set Paint –
Judy Talbot
Video and image design –
Susan Schweitzer
Sound Operator –
Joshua Pink
Lighting Operator –
Paul Harrison
Props –
Callum Adey
Set Paint –
William Parker
Set Build –
Frances Dixon
Set Build –
Nicola Gabriel
Set Build –
Terry Rahilly
Set Build –
Judy Sharpe
Set Build –
Simon Sharpe
Set Build –
Mike Tooley
Set Build –
Kevin Woods
Set Build –
Martin Willis
Special Thanks –
Jon Elves
The Programme
William Bloor, a 'foxfinder', arrives at Sam and Judith Covey's farm to investigate a suspected contamination. He is driven by his education and beliefs to unearth and destroy an animal that threatens man's civilisation, and to remain free from its influence himself. As his investigations proceed, the events that follow change the course of all their lives - for ever.
A gripping and unsettling adult parable, Foxfinder is darkly comic exploration of belief, desire and responsibility, set in a world both strange and familiar.
Deb Relton-Elves is making her directorial debut with this fascinating modern play.
Winner of the 2011 Papatango playwriting competition and nominated for the 2013 James Tait Black Prize for Drama.
A gripping and unsettling adult parable, Foxfinder is darkly comic exploration of belief, desire and responsibility, set in a world both strange and familiar.
Deb Relton-Elves is making her directorial debut with this fascinating modern play.
Winner of the 2011 Papatango playwriting competition and nominated for the 2013 James Tait Black Prize for Drama.
Foxfinder, Criterion Theatre, Coventry, until September 14. Running time 2 hours 20 mins.
An exciting directing debut for Deb Relton-Elves in what even she admits could have been a risky play set in a future world that had more in common with the seventeenth century Salem witch trials.
But Deb took no chances with her four-strong cast which features one relative newcomer and three with great track-records.
Above all I was so impressed with the mesmerising performance of Chris Firth as depressed farmer Samuel Covey, every gesture so perfectly measured and meticulous in its observation - and all in such contrast to his role as the New York corporate executive in last year's Visiting Mr Green.
How far this young actor has travelled and perhaps what a debt he owes to veterans of this most excellent of amateur theatre companies.
And praise for Chris and the way he inhabited his part certainly does not detract from the fine performances of Lucy Hayton, as frightened Judith, last seen in Anne Boleyn and Gypsy, or of Cathryn Bowler (Sarah) whose own long list of credits include the unforgettable Bed Among the Lentils.
The foxfinder himself was Jordan Jackson, who apparently grew his amazing hair to complement his role as the austere government official sent to root out the "contamination" that was to blame for factory workers going hungry in the cities.
A stark, thought-provoking play that makes terrific use of music and video projection to build the atmosphere and add underlying menace in a world where freedom of speech has become a luxury nobody can afford.
This work was also a worthy tribute to the late artist and talented set designer Louise Bagley, to whom it was dedicated.
Barbara Goulden
An exciting directing debut for Deb Relton-Elves in what even she admits could have been a risky play set in a future world that had more in common with the seventeenth century Salem witch trials.
But Deb took no chances with her four-strong cast which features one relative newcomer and three with great track-records.
Above all I was so impressed with the mesmerising performance of Chris Firth as depressed farmer Samuel Covey, every gesture so perfectly measured and meticulous in its observation - and all in such contrast to his role as the New York corporate executive in last year's Visiting Mr Green.
How far this young actor has travelled and perhaps what a debt he owes to veterans of this most excellent of amateur theatre companies.
And praise for Chris and the way he inhabited his part certainly does not detract from the fine performances of Lucy Hayton, as frightened Judith, last seen in Anne Boleyn and Gypsy, or of Cathryn Bowler (Sarah) whose own long list of credits include the unforgettable Bed Among the Lentils.
The foxfinder himself was Jordan Jackson, who apparently grew his amazing hair to complement his role as the austere government official sent to root out the "contamination" that was to blame for factory workers going hungry in the cities.
A stark, thought-provoking play that makes terrific use of music and video projection to build the atmosphere and add underlying menace in a world where freedom of speech has become a luxury nobody can afford.
This work was also a worthy tribute to the late artist and talented set designer Louise Bagley, to whom it was dedicated.
Barbara Goulden