Last week, the Original Theatre Company released the critically acclaimed-online production of Rachel Wagstaff’s adaption of Sebastian Faulks’ best-selling novel, Birdsong.
After its great success, the production company has now announced that they’ll be producing another online treat in the form of a short play called Watching Rosie, a specially commisioned play by Louise Coulthard.
The specially commissioned play will star BAFTA-winning actress Miriam Margolyes (Yentl, Professor Sprout in Harry Potter series, Endgame), Amit Shah (BBC’s The Other One, Netflix’s The Witcher) and Louise Coulthard herself, and will be directed by Michael Fentiman (Amélie)..
Watching Rosie is a tender portrayal of experiencing dementia in lockdown and the power of love to overcome it. The heartbreaking and hilarious film highlights the incredible bond between Alice (Miriam Margolyes) and her granddaughter Rosie (Louise Coulthard) as they face change, confusion and an unexpected arrival from Tesco.
Original Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, Alastair Whatley, said, “We are thrilled to be announcing Watching Rosie today. I greatly admired the play on stage and have really enjoyed working with Louise and Mike [Fentiman] to develop it for online audiences. I am very proud of the Original Theatre team, who have kept working throughout lockdown, adapting and diversifying our work and, in so doing, reaching a brand new online audience which is extending all over the world.”
Miriam Margolyes as Nell in Sydney & The Old Girl
Miriam Margolyes said, “I wanted to be in this film for two reasons. I loved the script and liked the character I’m playing. And it’s a challenge to try a new way of doing things – Zoom is a challenge – and it’s good to be professionally challenged at 79.”
Mark your diaries, as Watching Rosie will be available to watch for free of charge at originaltheatreonline.com from 7pm on Thursday 6 August until 30 September. Donations are encouraged in support of Dementia UK.