West Sussex theatre company launch their own version of Jackanory

Fresh from the success of their online Ghostly Christmas Advent Calendar, the multi-award-winning Wick Theatre are offering another selection of filmed stories entitled Wickanory.
Producer Suse CrosbyProducer Suse Crosby
Producer Suse Crosby

The stories in the Advent Calendar, still available online, have been viewed all around the world.

Producer Suse Crosby said: “Across Europe was a surprise, but the fact that they have been viewed in Australia and New Zealand came as a shock. To honour that, the net we have cast for stories has extended to all round the world.

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“We were bowled over with the response. People took the time to write comments and feedback how they were enjoying them, which was so wonderful to hear: it took the place of theatre applause!”

This time they are produced by Suse Crosby and film-maker Phil Nair-Brown. Guy Steddon, who was integral to the design of the Advent Calendar, is still very much involved in supplying ideas for stories.

“While things are still so uncertain as we continue to climb out of lockdown and winter, we felt it was important to keep you company until we can welcome you back into the theatre again.

“Instead of the focus on ghost stories and all things scary, these stories are a mixture of everything: from Aesops fables to Shakespeare sonnets, from Grimm fairy tales to contemporary pieces; these have a different flavour to the Christmas Advent Calendar, sometimes showing a slightly different style of storytelling.”

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Film editor Phil Nair-Brown added: “Some of these are brighter, more in keeping with how we move from spring eventually into summer.

“These stories feature Wick Theatre Company members who have been regulars on the stage over the years, who are just as keen to come back to perform as we all are for it to be safe to return to theatres again. There are also at least three contemporary pieces of fiction whose authors have given permission for the pieces to be performed on film.”

Suse added: “We continue to have discussions about when we can put a live show on again, but everything is still so uncertain. Until that time, we wanted to make sure that people know we are still thinking of ways to entertain our audiences.”

This series launches on Good Friday with Rumpelstiltskin as collected by the Brothers Grimm, read by Guy Steddon. The plan is one film per week, at 5pm each Friday. The title and the times are affectionate homages to well-known children’s programmes from the 70s onwards which Wick Theatre hope will be recognised by many now adult theatre goers.

All films will be free to view on the Wick YouTube Channel and Facebook page. Previews and links will also be on Instagram and Twitter.

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