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Mask Theatre Company’s latest show You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, with music and lyrics by Clark Gesner, is set to launch the Rivers Hall as a performing arts and event venue at the newly-located Inspire Arts Centre in Saar.
The show, on May 4-6, promises to be a hilarious take on the Peanuts comic strip and appeal to adults and children alike.
Musical director Lydia Martin said: “The content is suitable for children as young as four and yet will also provide a great evening’s entertainment for adult and teenage audiences.”
Peanuts, a syndicated American cartoon written and illustrated by Charles M. Schulz, ran from 1950 to 2000, continuing in reruns afterwards. It focuses entirely on a social circle of young children. The main character, Charlie Brown, is meek, nervous and lacks self-confidence.
The cast comprises a diverse multi-cultural mix of local and expatriate talent - some are seasoned performers whilst others are taking to the stage for the first time.
The title role will be played by John Grummit who has been involved in amateur dramatics for many years throughout the world, including performances in Saudi Arabia, Papua New Guinea, South Korea and Gambia.
John has written and directed his own productions and has played leading roles in Treasure Island and Cinderella. He currently works as a curriculum developer for Saudi Aramco.
The part of Snoopy, an enigmatic family dog, is played alternately by British School of Bahrain student Shruti Ramesh and Inspire performing arts student Yasmeen Al Saweer, who recently turned 19 and is studying web media at the Bahrain Polytechnic.
The part of Sally will firstly be played by mother-of-two, Millie Cogswell, who is a regular singer with Inspire. Also playing Sally is blossoming singer and actress Nadeen Yateem who is soon to graduate from Kanoo School.
Nadeen has gained distinction in her recent LAMDA acting, devised drama and musical theatre examinations. This will be her second appearance in a MASK production but her first time as a principal character.
Seasoned MASK performer Deema Turkomani who took a lead role in Cats last season and in Peter Pan, as Wendy, in 2014, will be playing the role of Lucy Van Pelt. She hopes to be the first Saudi on Broadway.
Playing alongside Deema, and alternating as Lucy, is theatre newcomer Maryam Rashed Al Moosa. Maryam joined Inspire to gain more confidence in singing and public speaking and is ‘thrilled’ to have stepped out of her comfort zone and into a principal role.
The part of Schroeder is taken by Cats star Ben Wall who will lead the cast into a magnificent romp about the merits of composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
Alongside Lydia, the production team is made up of singer and actor Patrick Wall (Director), who is also playing the part of Linus, Olga Garland (Choreographer), Carole Wall (Producer) and Susan Severaid (Set and Costumes Design).
Tickets for You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, are available from Al Osra, Saar, the Inspire Arts Centre or online at www.inspirebahrain.com
The show opens next Thursday at 7.30pm with a matinée and evening performance on the following day at 2.30pm and 7.30pm - with a Saturday performance at 6pm. Tickets cost BD8 and BD6 for children under-12. Call 39047734 for more information.
The Charlie Brown team will also be performing at the Isa Cultural Centre next to the Grand Mosque in Juffair tomorrow. Entry is free and the event starts at 6.30pm.
