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A theatre company is staging its second production this week as it prepares to showcase a festival of "hard-hitting" short plays to local audiences.
Freaky Geese Theatre launched last summer with their debut production 'Growth', which they are following up with 'Island Lives', a collection of Guernsey-themed short plays.
Joint Artistic Directors Rhys Ashcroft and Dan Le Friec's two-hour production will showcase three short pieces: ‘Branching Out’, written by Michael Sullivan, alongside ‘With Love’ and ‘Holier Than Thou’, both written by Mr Le Friec.
The Guernsey-born directors returned home in the summer with the world - and their profession - in turmoil back in South East London.
Pictured: The actors involved are currently doing their final rehearsals ahead of the production. The actors starring in 'Island Lives' are Dennis Burns; Sapphire Brewer-Marchant; Harry Giubileo; Victoria Hart and Dan Le Friec.
The island's covid-free position has allowed them to continue plying their trade by performing to local audiences.
"We hope our two-hour production can take our audiences on a rollercoaster of a journey, and we're excited for the island to see it," said Mr Ashcroft.
"Our new production is rated 18+ so already, they're aware that they can expect an evening of theatre that focuses on adult themes. 'Branching Out' is a gritty, hard hitting drama. 'With Love' is a poignant true story about Dan's very last conversation with his Grandad and lastly, 'Holier Than Thou' is a dark comedy about Reverend Keith Lorraine - a parish vicar struggling with his faith and inner demons!"
Pictured: The Guernsey-themed short plays will be performed at the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts this Thursday and Friday.
Their debut production was a dark comedy called 'Growth' by Luke Norris, which focussed on a character who, early on in the play, realised he had a lump on his testicle. The sold-out production explored the role that toxic masculinity had on the character's life and was performed to an extremely positive reception.
"There is no link with the two productions. However, with 'Growth', we wanted to create a very intimate atmosphere with minimal set and props, and this will be the same vibe for 'Island Lives' as well. We want the audience to be able to focus solely on the stories we're telling, and a minimalistic set only enhances our chances of doing this.'
'Island Lives' is being staged at the Performing Arts Centre on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 January. You can book tickets at guernseytickets.gg or call the box office on 01481 749999. Tickets for the 18+ show are £10.
The company is supported and funded by the Guernsey Arts Commission and more information can be found on their social media pages @guernseyarts, the theatre company's social pages @FreakyGeese or on their website freakygeese.com
Pictured top: Freaky Geese Founders Dan Le Friec and Rhys Ashcroft are staging their second production, 'Island Lives', later this week.
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