Red Fortress was the first production featuring the Unicorn Ensemble. Click here for production images.
We caught up with David by email during the final weeks of rehearsal to see what was going on...
Q: So what's Red Fortress all about then?
A: It's the story of what happens to three children when the city of Granada -
The last Muslim stronghold in Islamic Spain - is conquered by the encroaching Christian forces. Their friendship and loyalty
is tested as war rages around them and they embark on physical and personal journeys.
Not a comedy then?
There are a few laughs, don't worry! And lots of exciting stuff going on - big sets and props
flying here there and everywhere as well as great music and exciting battles.
Who do you play?
We all play a few characters, but generally have one or two principal roles.
I play a mysterious Pilgrim that the children encounter on their journey, and later on I appear as the King of Gharnata.
We've checked out the programme for the show and you make a few wild claims...
I don't know what you mean!
What's this about travelling through time, for instance?
Oh I see... That stuff! That was for a show I did with
Northampton Royal Theatre - Yallery Brown. I played a boy called Tom Tyver who's been tricked
by a demon and trapped in a film - only to be freed (along with the demon) at a showing of the film at the
Wellingborough and Kettering Film Appreciation Society... I actually got to burst through the projection screen as my stage entrance -
That takes some beating!
And what show did you shaved off all your body hair for...?
Playing another boy... This time in Pilot Theatre's Lord of the Flies. We had to do a lot of
running around the desert island in just a pair of shorts, so the body hair had to go. Not pleasant, trust me. And it didn't
half clog up the bath plug... Thankfully I've been allowed to grow up since then - I've even got a beard for this show!
Note from Ed. - Pilot's production is on tour again (without David!), and is currently performing on the Weston Stage the Unicorn Theatre (until 8th March 2008).
And what took you to the top of a mountain in Portugal?
Same show - we performed as a part of the Magic Net Festival with a whole load of theatre companies from around
Europe. The audience had to hike up the mountain to see us perform with the hillside as our backdrop - it saved a
shedload of money on the set!
And what have you got coming up next?
I'm with the Ensemble for another 8 months - we go into rehearsal for
Sleeping Beauty on 29th October - performances starting in December.
We've already done a couple of weeks work on the show, and it's going to be a lot of fun, so you should come and see it!
Note - The Ensemble is now performing it's final show Twelfth Night, until 7th June 2009.
Red Fortress ran from 18th October to 8th November 2008 at the Unicorn Theatre
Luis: Jack Blumenau
Iago: John Cockerill
Rabia: Gehane Strehler
Rabia's Mother/Cardinal: Samantha Adams
Luis's Father/Reverend Judge/Christopher Columbus/Ferdinand: Amit Sharma
Count Tendilla/First Brother/Traveller: Richard Sumitro
Iago's Mother/Woman with Flowers: Julie Hewlett
Pilgrim/King: David Smith
Piro/Isabella/Second Brother: Nadia Morgan
Other roles played by the cast.
Director: Tony Graham
Designer: Adam Wiltshire
Lighting: John Bishop
Music & Sound: Tunde Jegede
Musicians: Tunde Jegede, Maya Jobarteh, Julde Camara
Fight Director: Paul Benzing
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