What’s more, she isn’t tackling the usual female role but playing one of the most celebrated characters in the Shakespeare cannon- Mercutio. A role played by everybody from Laurence Olivier through to Derek Jacobi, this cross casting is proving popular in modern theatre and just goes to show that any actor can take on any part regardless of sex.
Becky Cann has worked with Whole Hog Productions on many diverse shows. She first acted with the company in a new play she co-wrote and went onto win the Best Actress role for her performance at the All England Theatre festival. Becky returned to the festival on various occasions winning further awards for her performing and writing.
She trained at the Swan Theatre school based at Worcester Rep, where she appeared in the rep’s outdoor production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ as Robin Starveling. She has also spent time in Spain touring Theatre in Education productions including performing one woman shows to hundreds of school children!
Becky’s joint Artistic Director of Whole Hog, Fenella Harrop, has worked closely with Becky since they took over the company. They appeared together in Whole Hog’s last (and only) Shakespeare production to date, ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ before Fenella directed her as Charlotte Bronte in Polly Teale’s acclaimed play ‘Bronte’. Becky also won awards for her portrayal of a classic Bronte character, ‘Jane Eyre’ for Whole Hog.
Fenella takes the directorial reigns again for ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and Becky has been instrumental in helping to gather a talented and diverse cast including Whole Hog’s co-founder, Phil Regan who directed the company’s debut production way back in 2009.
‘Romeo & Juliet’ promises to be a fresh and exciting look at a play everybody thinks they know-but this time you might just be surprised! No more so than seeing a young actress showing quick wit, and an even quicker blade, as Romeo’s best mate, Mercutio.
‘Romeo & Juliet’ can be seen at the Phoenix Theatre, New College, Swindon from Thursday 16th August through to Saturday 18th August. Tickets available from https://swindontheatres.co.uk/…/tickets-new-college-romeo-j…