The Bacon Theatre’s Open Air Festival got underway this week with a host of shows and events on in the coming weeks.

One of these shows includes the debut performance from Tethered Wits Theatre Company, who will be bringing their version of Chekhov’s ‘Uncle Vanya’ to the Tuckwell Amphitheatre.

The company was founded by Cheltenham locals and good friends Gabriella Sills and Amy Porter, who have always had a passion for performing.

“Technically we did our first production together when we were only 10, though the calibre of our theatre has got rather more advanced since then!” said Gabriella.

“We were lucky that our school put a lot of emphasis on drama and performing, which sadly many schools cannot afford to do and have subsequently stopped, so we have been used to performing for many years.”

The pair both attended Durham University, with Amy recently graduating with a first-class degree in music, and Gabriella currently studying English.

“When I joined Amy at university,” continued Gabriella, “we were both auditioning and interviewing to be part of plays in first term, and happened to get selected into the same one.

“Throughout the rehearsal process we started to think about bringing a play back to Cheltenham in the summer and soon started to think about wider ideas of starting up a company to be able to permanently bring more theatre to the local Gloucestershire community.”

Although both are still very young – Amy is 21 and Gabriella 19 – starting their own theatre company was something they felt was crucial to do in order to support the arts in their local area.

It’s a subject Gabriella is especially passionate about.

She said: “Our aim is to unite together likeminded people who are passionate about theatre – a collaboration and a tying together of minds to produce art.

“Arts funding seems to be forever being cut, and school provision is falling. Therefore, it is vital that young creatives like ourselves, are prepared to take on roles which promote the arts, the very powerful reactions they can evoke, and the unique experiences they can produce.”

Amy will be starring in Tethered Wits’ debut show, with Gabriella taking over the producing and directing side of things.

Gabriella explains that the approach to the show has been to play to each other’s strengths.

“Amy is a fantastic singer in many genres, from opera to musical theatre, so her music and performing always went hand in hand, leading to her honing her performance techniques to impressive standards.

“Despite undertaking many roles onstage at school, by university I realised I was more suited to the production side and having written and taken my own original play to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this cemented my desire to pursue directing and writing.”

Tethered Wits first production is of Anton Chekhov’s nineteenth century play ‘Uncle Vanya’.

Gabriella admits that whilst it’s not the simplest show to start off with, rehearsals have gone well and the cast are raring to go.

“The plots are always simple stories full of emotion,” she said, “even if the character names are a mouthful.

“This stripping back to pure emotion is exactly what we have been working on in terms of direction, although this is difficult as Chekhov has always been known for ambiguity.

“’Uncle Vanya’ is no different, when every laugh could just as easily be a sob, and the same line at once utterly tragic and humorously macabre. Our actors say that they rarely react the same way twice in the play, as lines take on new meanings and moments of sympathy appear even in thoroughly unlikeable characters. However, despite its challenges, the show is proving a thrilling production to be working on.”

Tethered Wits’ production of ‘Uncle Vanya’ will be at the Tuckwell Amphitheatre on Saturday 27th July at 7:30pm.

And with plenty more ideas and ambition, Gabriella and Amy are excited for what the future holds for the company.

Gabriella added: “The process of starting out is always difficult and with Amy concentrating on her finals, it has been challenging to balance.

“However, the team at The Bacon Theatre have been really friendly and helpful which has made producing our first production feel easier.

“We are thrilled with our first show, but there is so much more we want to do with the company to encourage theatre in the local area.”

For more information and tickets visit: https://bacontheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873600062