Bare Bones • Hambledon Hill (2003)
A play set on Hambledon Hill, revealing past, present and future stories, combining a walk, entertainment and a gentle pilgrimage to one of the most historic and beautiful hills in Dorset.
About the production
The production was researched and devised by the group, and the script was written by Tony Horitz, with additional material by Gill Horitz, Jonathan Kelley, Mark Pritchard, theatre members. The group worked with Child Okeford Half Term Holiday Youth Drama workshop in creating this production. Original song and music was by Mark Pritchard and Alice Montgomery.
Through movement, words and music the hill’s history was brought to life by a 30 strong cast. The story was told though the stories of the hill’s archetypes – monster, fool, soldier and poet – the scenarios varied from ancient burials to the play of Celtic children and the use of the hill by the Romans, Cromwell and General Wolfe. The natural amphitheatre created by earthworks provided a stunning setting for this open-air performance.
Video
Watch the video of the production at the top of Hambledon Hill
Programme
Development of the play
The process of devising a WCT play is a lengthy one. Ideas are tried out and explored and scenes can be discarded without making it into the final script, as this early summary of possible scenes for The Bare Bones shows.
Read the possible outline of scenes
Press
Poetry
Poem recited by the cast
WE DIE WITH THE DYING
Poem from Little Gidding, the fourth quartet of T S Eliot’s Four Quartets
We die with the dying:
See, they depart, and we go with them.
We are born with the dead:
See, they return, and bring us with them.
The moment of the rose and the moment of the yew tree
Are of equal duration.
Chorus:
And all shall be well
And all manner of things shall be well.
When the tongues of flame are in-folded
Into the crowned knot of fire
And the fire and the rose are one.
T S Eliot
Script
Read the script of Bare Bones as a PDF
© copyright of Wimborne Community Theatre
Songs
WHERE THE SUN GOES DOWN
Where the sun goes down
Every contour, every cross, every hilltop scaled
As we learn our soldiers’ craft
Ever North, East, South and West
Over vale and town, distant village
Where the sun goes down.
We followed gallant Wade.
To Canada, our general cried
Why should we be melancholy, boys?
Whose business is to die.
We gazed North, East, South and West.
Our comrades fell as battle raged
In terror, fear and pain.
Every flower on Hambledon
Shall bloom aside a soldier’s name.
Let the doves fly high
But give us our acclaim.
We came North, East, South and West
Over vale and town, distant place
Where we made a sound,
Where we made a sound.
© Wimborne Community Theatre