Maskers' Studio Theatre
on5th to 7th June 2031
Scaramouche Jones is a clown. It is New Year's eve 1999, and in a few hours he will be 100 years old. So he decides to tell the world his story - which is also the story of the world, in the first half of the 20th century. Funny and tragic in turns, be transported to the Caribbean, Africa and Europe as empires crumble - and one man's incredible life unfurls before us.
"Brilliantly told by the award winning actor Neil Gwynne." - Georgian Royal Theatre
“Powerful, imaginative and marvellously written… an extraordinary and original creation” - Sir Paul Scofield
NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 14.
The Director | Matthew Ellison first directed Neil in Scaramouche Jones in 2009 – returning the favour, as Neil has directed Matthew a number of times! (Who was directing who at Neil’s 2012 wedding – at which Matthew was Best Man – is a moot point). Matthew’s involvement with amateur theatre goes back many years, to his first production as The Emcee in Cabaret. Matthew has acted and directed in many productions since then, amongst his favourite roles being another monologue – namely A Chip In The Sugar by Alan Bennett. Matthew has greatly enjoyed renewing his acquaintance with the ancient clown Scaramouche, and is particularly looking forward to the challenge of producing the show in a wide variety of performance spaces, on tour. |
The Cast | |
Neil Gwynne is playing Scaramouche Jones. Neil feels he has been very fortunate in the wide range of roles he has been given since first treading the boards in 1998, but is also certain that “without doubt, Scaramouche Jones is the best role I have ever had – or am ever likely to have”. Neil has seen the role performed by both Pete Postlethwaite and its author – Justin Butcher – and feels “privileged to be in such company!” Neil joined The Maskers in 2011 to play Ben’s father in The Graduate, having first come to The Studio as a reviewer for the Echo. In January, Neil was a nominee for 2 Curtain Call awards – Best Actor in a Drama for Frozen, and Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy for The 39 Steps. Previously Neil has won the Best Actor in a Drama award for the role of Willie in Blue Remembered Hills. |
Justin Butcher read Classics Greats at Oxford, and trained subsequently at Drama Studio London, graduating with honours in 1992, since when he has worked all over the world as a director, writer, actor and musician in a vast range of roles and productions in theatre, television, radio and film.
His epic play Scaramouche Jones, starring the Oscar-nominated, BAFTA-award winning actor Pete Postlethwaite, has been touring the globe since its launch at the Dublin Theatre Festival in 2001, has won and been nominated for several awards, and been translated and produced in five other languages. In 2003 Justin wrote and directed the smash-hit satirical comedy The Madness Of George Dubya in response to the Iraq War. Hailed by The Guardian newspaper as the catalyst for the re-politicisation of British theatre, the show received unprecedented global media coverage, played to packed houses for five months in London’s West End, and along with its sequel A Weapons Inspector Calls, earned Justin the Fringe Report Best Political Dramatist Award 2003. The third in the trilogy, Guantanamo Baywatch, was produced in the West End in the run-up to the November ’04 US Presidential election.
The Crew | |
Stage Manager | Matthew Ellison & Paul Green |
Lighting Designer | Martin Whitaker |
Sound Design | Martin Whitaker & Matthew Ellison |
Sound & Lighting Operation | Martin Whitaker |
Costumes & Props | Heather Whitham & Neil Gwynne |
Make-up | Neil Gwynne |
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