The Clearing is set in 17th century Ireland, as Cromwell's men are systematically transporting women and children, and forcing Irish landowners and English royalists off their land. Robert Preston, politically neutral, apparently, with no inheritance in England but possessed of lands in Ireland, is married to Madeleine, an Irish woman. When Madeleine's childhood friend Killaine is taken by English soldiers to be sent to the West Indies, she pleads with the English governor, Sir Charles Sturman, for her release. Sturman's response is
to order Madeleine and Robert to be transplanted with their child to barren Connaught, in the west of Ireland. But Robert refuses to go. |
Cast in order of appearance
KILLAINE FARRELL
|
Susi Bott |
PIERCE KINSELLAGH
|
Daoud Benedetti |
SOLOMON WINTER
|
Alan Bridgman |
SUSANEH WINTER
|
Joan Bridgman |
ROBERT PRESTON
|
Terry Menard |
MADELEINE PRESTON
|
Sylvia Lynch |
SIR CHARLES STURMAN
|
David Roscoe |
A COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPLANTATION
|
Tom Hofmaenner |
A SAILOR
|
Tom Hofmaenner |
AN APPEAL JUDGE
|
Tom Hofmaenner |
DIRECTED by Patricia Peggs
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Behind the scenes
Stage Manager |
Dorothy Nauer |
Set Design |
Christian Brandenburg |
Lighting Design |
Sonia Maechler |
Ligting Crew |
Luke Walker, Enel Miller, Megan Spence, Dustin Rees |
Sound |
Martin Russell, Matthew Harte |
Properties |
Janet Evard, Sheila von Arx |
Costumes |
Ann Grosfort, Noeleen Blaich |
Make-up and wigs |
Christine Eusebio, Paul Day, Sylvia Hintermeister |
Prompters |
Valery Niggli, Jo Dennis |
Programme Design |
Janine Fuchs |
Programme Editor |
Peter Shenton |