Press ReviewClick the link above to see The Christchurch Press review.
Season Has Ended!At a plain, black well-pump in the small southern town of Tuscumbia, Alabama, one of the world's great miracles took place. It began one bright, spring day in 1887. Puffy white clouds floated overhead on a background of blue, while birds fluttered through oaks and maples and flowers burst forth from the fertile soil in an array of colors—all unheard and unseen by a pretty girl of seven. |
The Miracle Workerby William Gibson
Repertory Theatre Company Directed by Anna McPhail PLAYING DATES DETAILS August 2 - 10
Standing at the totally blind and deaf Helen Keller's side was a young woman, Anne Sullivan. Miss Sullivan was steadily pumping cool water into one of the girl's hands while repeatedly tapping out an alphabet code of five letters in the other—first slowly, then rapidly. The scene was repeated again and again as young Helen painstakingly struggled to break her world of silence. |
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The Miracle Worker at Repertory
Book Now!!
2nd - 10th August
Nightly 7:30 pm Except 6pm Monday & Thursday
Interpreting for Deaf Performances
Sat 2nd, Thurs 7th, Sun 10th
Helen Keller wrote, “Although the world is full of suffering it is also full of the overcoming of it.”
That’s what The Miracle Worker is all about, the ability to triumph over unbelievable odds. It’s an inspirational story told with compassion, passion and at times humour.
Annie Sullivan, a young woman, who has gone from blindness to partial sight, is the worker of miracles. Helen Keller is the almost feral young girl suffering from blindness and deafness, the recipient of the miracles.
The play is set during the 1880’s in Alabama.The title originates from Mark Twain’s description of Sullivan as a miracle worker. Twain admired both Sullivan and Keller enormously and even helped arrange funding for Keller’s Radcliffe College education.
The play is based on Helen Keller’s autobiography, The Story of my Life. Gibson also used a printed volume of Sullivan’s letters written during the time of her early stay with the Kellers.
The first realization of William Gibson’s play was the 1957 Playhouse 90 broadcast. Gibson adapted his teleplay for a 1959 Broadway production with Anne Bancroft as Annie and Patty Duke as Keller. The same cast was used in the 1962 film.
The Miracle Worker was remade for TV in 1979, this time, ironically, with Patty Duke as Annie Sullivan. There was a further TV production in 2000.
Signers at performances
What point is there, in having a play about someone who is deaf, if deaf people can’t attend? Therefore Repertory has taken an innovative approach and they will have signers at several performances, so if you have hearing problems be sure to check which nights the signers will be there.
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Annie Sullivan wrote that the soul is not the body, and it is that part of us which thinks and loves and hopes…(and) is invisible… Helen replied, “But if I write what my soul thinks then it will be visible and the words will be my body”
The Miracle Worker had truly wrought her miracle.
Cast
| Helen Keller |
Is deaf, blind and mute. |
Emma Cusdin |
| Annie Sullivan |
Governess. |
Bridie Connell |
| Kate Keller |
Late 30's Helen's mother |
Annette Thompson |
| Capt. Keller |
Late 40's Helen's father . |
David Watkins |
James Keller |
Early 20's Helen's half brother. |
Max Towle |
| Anagnos |
Greek doctor . |
Russel Haigh |
| Aunt Ev |
Mid 40's . |
Catherine McGee |
Doctor |
50's - 60's . |
Phillip Lee |
| Percy |
10 - 15. |
Will Anderson |
Viney |
Female servant . |
Bernadette Richardson |
Jimmy |
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Campbell Wright |
Martha |
10 - 11 |
Jasmin Gibbens |
Blind Girls |
Ella Campbell, Phoebe Campbell, Rebecca Clemens. |
Georgia Calcutt, Keely Carter, Shaquila Blee. |
Crew
Stage Manager - Production Manager |
Brenda Hayes |
Publicity |
Diane Jones - Lin Clark - Lyn Williams |
Liaison to Director |
Heather Giles |
Lighting |
Paul Taylor |
Costumes |
Naomi Ferguson |
Set Building |
Robin Harris - Mike Wright |
Painting |
Oscar Enberg |
Front of House |
Carol Carr |
Rehearsals have started, watch out for information on when bookings at the Court Theatre open.
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