Truth Told Theatre is a new venture for local thespian, Louise Taney, who will be directing and performing in Romeo and Juliet on the Manor Lawn at Cogges Manor Farm in Witney, 17, 18 and 19 July.
Her connection with Cogges started in 2022, when she directed and played Titania in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in conjunction with Buttercross TheatreProductions. Since then, she has devised and taken part in Cogges’ ‘After Dark’ Halloween event for the last two years and organised actors for 'A Christmas Carol'. Louise is also a member of the Cogges Education Team, delivering interesting and exciting sessions to visiting schools for KS1 and KS2 pupils. In addition, she is working with the local Oral History group to record some short plays based on their research on Cogges and the surrounding area.
Louise says: “I love the unique setting of Cogges; it’s in a town and yet as soon as you step into the grounds it’s like you’re in a different time from a bygone era, which is so special for performing Shakespeare.”
It was during her training at The Oxford School of Drama where Louise developed a love of Shakespeare. She likes to edit Shakespeare’s plays down to a manageable performance duration of 2 hours and tries to make her shows visually stunning, fast paced and full of action, so modern audiences can relate to them.
Louise continues, “Romeo and Juliet is the original teen drama that ends in tragedy. Although the ending is extreme, similar storylines can be seen in modern soap operas such as Eastenders and Hollyoaks. it’s about teenagers not being listened to and being forced to conform to the rules of the adult world, along with gang warfare, all of which are still relevant today.”
This year’s performance will be over three evenings in July – tickets are on sale now, with student prices too for those studying the play. There will be an interval, and a bar with ice-creams and refreshments on sale.
Janette Reed, Business Development and Events Manager of Cogges Heritage Trust, says: “We’re excited to have Louise and Truth Told Theatre bringing Romeo and Juliet to Cogges this summer, as part of our annual outdoor theatre programme. Louise and her company of actors also bring theatrical thrills to our Halloween and Christmas events, with immersive, interactive evening performances that add a special twist. Her association with Cogges extends to her involvement our education team too, where she adds her theatrical flair and particularly loves anything that involves dressing up.”
Book your tickets via cogges.org.uk/Event/truth-told-theatre-presents.
