2009

Brent Arts Council wanted to celebrate Gladstone’s 200th birthday, especially as we are based at the Stables Gallery at the top of Gladstone Park, the former grounds of Dollis Hill House.

    We therefore put on a promenade play about Gladstone’s life and times in Gladstone Park over the weekends of the 4th, 11th and 12th July 2009.

    This production was the only play in the country celebrating Gladstone’s 200th anniversary. It was the latest Brent Council summer play in Gladstone Park –we staged Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2006, Peer Gynt in 2007 and Treasure Island in 2008 – all free and well attended, despite the odd summer shower.

    We were very fortunate in having a generous grant from the Awards for All Lottery Fund for this project. This means that we could afford Victorian costumes, a professional director and professional actors, working with local actors young and old. The play was written especially for us by Amy Bonsall and Michael Redston, who wrote last year’s very popular Treasure Island and directed by Sian Thomas.

        The play was successful and the promenade through the delightful Gladstone Park was enjoyed by all.  The mixture of comedy and history kept everyone entertained.

        As well as a play there was also art at the Stables Gallery by Jane Williams, butterfly sculptures in the courtyard by Brian Stanman, children's art on canvases by ArtAlike and Gladstone portraits by the local schools.

Thank you to everyone who was involved.

This production is made possible by assistance from Brent Council Parks Service, Madhatters Theatre Club and funding from the National Lottery and Batty Charitable Trust.

Gladstone! review - By Jo Cummings - Dollis Hill resident

“‘Gladstone in the Park, a promenade play, comedy in the sunshine.’ You’ll be on your feet for an hour and a half,” Debby said. I didn’t believe it but when we walked into the Stables courtyard, I knew she was right.

Troubadour Chris Channing, playing his Hohner guitar, persuaded the audience toward the gloriously green open spaces of this park, so appreciated by Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone.

I am past being able to sit on the ground and was grateful for fences, a wall, trees, the back of a wooden seat and a waste bin to lean on. A bit far from the scene at times, I couldn’t hear all of the words but caught behind the scenes activity and found that interesting.

I found the play brilliant! So cleverly devised. I thought the musicians talented, admired the acting and the costumes. After the performances I knew that I should love to see this play again. But what chance of that?

I loved the umbrella wheels on the Gladstone carriage, the coconut shell horse hooves and the slapstick. I thank and congratulate all concerned.

Debby and I saw the play 12th July. Rain fell 11th July. Was the play performed? (Yes it was, with the audience sheltered under a big oak tree.) 

Should Dollis Hill House be restored and part of it include a stage so that this play could take place in the dry?

Imagine back cloths - Gladstone Park green, just as it is outside, with Big Ben, 10 Downing Street, a kitchen/dining room tables using these same props – so simple– but what about the coach and horses?

Some of the performers sang Abide with me. The last words of the first verse are: When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, Lord, abide with me.

But who will help finance the restoration of Gladstone House?