FROM Monday, April 9 to Saturday, April 14, the curtain rises each evening at 7.30pm on CODS production of "Witchfinder".  

It seems quite a while since the very first rehearsal for the show on November 1 last year. Nearly six months in the making the auditions, the rehearsals, the planning and design meetings have shaped the production to prepare it for our Crediton audiences.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that many thousands of hours have been spent preparing this show for our public.  

This article is being written sitting in the midst of the "get in".

A large number of people, members of the cast, the backstage team and others are beavering away at Queen Elizabeth’s Lower School Hall. Already it doesn’t look like a school hall any more.

At this very moment the scene looks more like a giant workshop. But slowly emerging from all the purposeful activity is a theatrical setting that will be the showcase for this dramatic and very musical story.

The tickets are going quite well, though there are seats available, in particular for the first couple of performances. But it is encouraging to see the ever increasing-crosses on the booking sheets for each night, indeed on three of the nights there are all crosses with just the odd space. 

Apart from really wanting to share this lovely show with everyone, there is of course a rather more basic reason for needing our audiences to support us. In a word... money! 

The cost of our Easter musical productions has risen year-on-year. When setting the budget for any show the recurring headings are written down as a matter of course. Set, costume, lighting, sound, band, royalties, hire of venue and rehearsal rooms, fees for directors etc. 

This is the principal list of production costs and beside this list the figures in the budget column will have already added up to more than £15,000. Then, depending on the show, there are always many other items to add to the list. Over the last 10 years the average cost of each of our musical productions has been not far short of £20,000. 

This figure far exceeds our revenue from ticket sales. We are indebted to our sponsors who generously help us each year. Their assistance helps lessen the gap between production costs and ticket sales.

CODS patrons also help us supporting our draw and our reasonably-priced and well-stocked bar. Ices and programmes also add to the coffers.

After the huge effort with the construction, the cast move in and the final rehearsals begin. Rehearsing on the set for the first time there’s a tweak here and a small change there, it’s never quite the same as the rehearsal rooms. The lighting is added and immediately heightens the atmosphere. Then the costumes appear, usually also requiring some more tweaks and changes! 

Before we “go up” there’s the technical rehearsal, the lighting plot is checked and the sound tested. The stage crew get their chance to rehearse all their moves and ensure that the show runs smoothly. Finally it’s the “band call” and the cast have a chance to practice with the musicians. And then, at long last, the dress rehearsal.

There’s a fair few nerves about by now, as the cast bring together all their efforts from the last six months and with everything in  place... the magic begins!

“Witchfinder” has a great story to tell. Four hundred years ago these events actually happened. Many of the characters in the show are real and can be found in documents of the day.  Their characters are brought to life and threaded into an account of the “investigation” and subsequent trials of the so called Witches of Pendle. 

There is the ruthless nature of the prosecutor, the fear of the villagers, the treachery of those close to the King. But as the story evolves there is also compassion, understanding and emerging love. In spite of being a very dark episode, the story is somehow uplifting and full of hope.  And all this is enriched by the most glorious music.

If you haven’t bought a ticket, please trust us and come and see this extraordinary story. You won’t regret it!

Tickets are available from Olivia James, High Street, Crediton, telephone 01363 777968 or go online to: www.codsonline.com and click our Box Office button. 

Mike Palmer