PROFESSIONAL actors were busy preparing their lines at a mansion house near Malvern as part of a new event to bring its unique history to life.
Staff at Croome Court have been holding acting auditions in its new Croome Encounters project which aims to give its visitors a different experience to any other National Trust setting elsewhere.
The project, which starts on Sunday, April 13, will see actors perform as characters of Croome’s history which tells visitors of some of the building’s most interesting stories.
The first audition took place at the picturesque setting last week to introduce visitors to the new concept.
And at the end of it nine actors were invited to become part of the Croome team with rehearsals now underway which will also be performed in front of visitors ahead of the big launch in April.
Rachel Sharpe, Croome’s local partnerships officer, said: “Croome Encounters is a new version of ‘live interpretation’ we are launching at Croome in the Spring.
“Visitors will be able to encounter actors in the house and around the parkland who will be telling Croome’s most interesting stories.
“It was great to see so many volunteers, staff and visitors engaged in the process.
“Everyone who visited was given a leaflet outlining the activity, and our volunteers were key to gathering their thoughts and feelings. Everyone really enjoyed watching the pieces being created, and people advised us on who they would like to see walking the boards at Croome in the future.
“The actors all commented that this was a first for them too.”
Alice Padley, a staff member who sat on the panel, added: “For several years now we have talked about, dreamed about and envisaged what it would be like to create an experience for our visitors which would set us apart from any other National Trust place and put Croome on the map.
“Everyone commented on the amazing ability of the actors to take the information from the tour and develop them into emotional and engaging performances in such a short space of time.”
Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croome or call 01905 371006 for more information about the project.
