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 Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England
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A
comedy by ROBIN HAWDON Ah
Provence! Ah The French Riviera! Where optimistic holidaymakers
rent luxury villas for exorbitant sums in order to get their
annual fix of sun, sea, and haute cuisine. However, imagine
the crisis if one such sumptuous place was double booked. Worse
– imagine it triple booked! By a French couple – MAURICE & YVETTE;
an English couple – FRED & JUDY; and begorrah, an Irish couple
– SHAUN & MOIRA. Marriages have foundered on less. Add the ingredients
of copious amounts of sparkling champagne, heightened sexual
attractions, to say nothing of deep-seated cultural differences,
and the European Union could well implode! The Mill at Sonning
has seen a number of comedies by Robin Hawdon,DON’T ROCK THE
BOAT, SHADY BUSINESS and last year’s hugely successful PERFECT
WEDDING; but none to threaten international relations on this
scale. “Toujours L’Amour” becomes “Tonight for Sure” in this
hilarious comedy. The
action takes place in an affluent holiday home in the south
of France in summer Cast
in order of appearance:
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JEMMA
CHURCHILL (Moira) Jemma trained at the Guildhall School of
Music and Drama and her first job at 17 was in Mai Zetterling’s
feature film SCRUBBERS. Jemma has just appeared in JEKYLL for
Hartswood Films with James Nesbitt and worked at The Westcliff
Palace Theatre this summer in Rattigan’s THE WINSLOW BOY playing
Grace. Recent TV appearances include HEARTBEAT, HOLBY CITY, HOLLYOAKS,
MIDSOMER MURDERS, DOCTORS, MURDER IN SUBURBIA and MURDER IN MIND.
Other television appearances include JONATHAN CREEK, FOOTBALLERS’
WIVES, WAITING FOR GOD, KISS ME KATE, THE BILL, EASTENDERS, WHERE
THERE’S SMOKE, FAMILY AFFAIRS, RED DWARF, WITHIN LIVING MEMORY,
DANGERFIELD, RUMPOLE, BRITTAS EMPIRE and LONDON’S BURNING. Jemma
has also recorded several radio plays for BBC Radio including
J.B. Priestley’s THE GOOD COMPANIONS, VANITY FAIR, THE SOUND OF
SOLITARY WAVES, LYING UNDISCOVERED, KEEPING ANNE MARIE, Agatha
Christie’s FIVE LITTLE PIGS, THE IDIOT, and BRIDESHEAD REVISITED.
(Often playing opposite our director Ian Masters!) Her many theatre
credits include Gertrude in HAMLET, Doreen in WHEN DID YOU LAST
SEE YOURS TROUSERS? at the Garrick Theatre in London, SLAUGHTERHOUSE
5 at the Liverpool Everyman and MACBETH for the Bubble Theatre
which toured eight countries in Africa for the British Council.
Last year she toured extensively along the GWR route with her
one woman show THE ENGINEERS CORSET written by Janet Goddard about
IK Brunel, Engineering and Victorian Women! Previously she played
The Surgeon in the tour of Bleasedale’s HAVING A BALL and Barbara
in Ayckbourn’s THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE both directed by David Grindley.
Mollie in THE MOUSETRAP in Stockholm. She has also appeared in
repertory seasons in Coventry, Leicester, Basingstoke, Edinburgh
and Keswick. |
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| MARY
CONLON (Yvette) Mary is thrilled to be back again at the Mill
at Sonning, where she last played Prunella Somerset in Bernard
Slade's I REMEMBER YOU. Mary enjoyed her other roles at the Mill
in DOUBLE CUT, THE BOSTON STORY and ROMANTIC COMEDY. Mary has
appeared recently in social pieces on bullying on BBC TV and in
a film entitled SHOTTING, dealing with drug addiction. Television
includes HOLBY CITY, DOCTORS, CASUALTY, SHADOW OF THE NOOSE, CROCODILE
SHOES and ANNA LEE. Mary also played the mother in the BBC's award
winning FIVE CHILDREN AND IT, Eibblin in EASTENDERS and Kara Massingham
in THE PARTY. Mary's experience of Shakespearian roles includes
Ophelia in HAMLET, Olivia in TWELFTH NIGHT, Lady Macbeth in MACBETH
and recently Lady Capulet in ROMEO AND JULIET at the Derby Playhouse.
Her other theatre work includes Kate in DANCING AT LUGHNASA, Aunt
Judy in JOHN BULL'S OTHER ISLAND at The Tricycle, Rachel in MY
COUSIN RACHEL, Minnie in THE SHADOW OF A GUNMAN, Marlene Dietrich
in PIAF and Vanessa in FRAIL BLOOD. Mary toured Sweden with ROMANTIC
COMEDY and undertook a world tour with A TOUCH OF SPRING. Her
UK tours include Felicity in HOUSE OF STAIRS, Marina in NO LIMITS
TO LOVE, Minnie in THE DAUGHTER IN LAW and the White Witch in
THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE. |
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TOBY
DALE (Shaun) Toby Dale was born in the original Notting Hill
Gate, and brought up in a musical and acting family. He has never
played an Irishman before, but this is not for the want of trying.
He has been, and still is, a published singer/songwriter, actor,
script writer, managing director of his own company, and generally
a daft soul. However, he has played many other characters (apart
from daft) in numerous theatre plays over the years. Notably:
Craze in A PASSIONATE WOMAN, directed by Ned Sherrin, national
tour, Tony Muller in ON THE PISTE, directed by Bob Thompson, national
tour, Kit Marlowe in MARLOWE, directed by Gavin Leary, Mermaid
Theatre, Jarvis in HUNGRY GHOSTS, directed by Phillip Kingston,
Tabard theatre. He has also appeared in various Shakespeare productions
at various theatres in various cities around the UK... Films and
TV (in which he has earned money) include: Inquisitor in CARRY
ON COLUMBUS, directed by Gerald Thomas, Martin in DO YOU TAKE
SUGAR?, directed by Catrin Strong, Luke in “IN THE PICTURE, directed
by Viv Cousins, That Man in TICKET TO GLORY directed by David
Greer and The Bat in THE BAT POET directed by Catrin Strong. Toby
is currently working on his tenth draft of his first children’s
book, his fourth edit of a short comedy film for TV and learning
his lines for this play. Sorry. He has learnt his lines for this
play. |
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| MICHAEL
FENNER (Maurice) Michael trained at The Central School of
Speech and Drama. He has just completed the guest lead role in
an episode of DOCTORS which was aired on Oct 19th. This is his
third visit to Sonning, having previously appeared in NOT NOW
DARLING and THE MATING GAME. Theatre: Recent theatre appearances
include ROMEO AND JULIET at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester;
CALCULUS at the New end Theatre, Hampstead; THE TRUMPET MAJOR
at the Bridewell Theatre and SAN DIEGO at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow
. He was in the National Tour of the West End production of THE
KING AND I. In the West End he premiered two roles for Ray Cooney:
Ronnie in OUT OF ORDER at the Shaftesbury Theatre (also on a UK
tour) and Dr Mike Connolly in IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY at the Playhouse
Theatre. For Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre: KING LEAR , AS YOU LIKE
IT and A MAD WORLD MY MASTERS. With the RSC : OROONOKO and TIMON
OF ATHENS. With the English Shakespeare Company, he took part
in a world tour of THE WARS OF THE ROSES , as well as appearing
in the same production at The Old Vic and ZOO STORY at the Young
Vic as well as a national tour of BEOWOLF . At the National Theatre
: SISTERLY FEELINGS, THE ROMANS IN BRITAIN, HIAWATHA, THE HYPOCHONDRIAC
(for which he was nominated for the Plays and Players award as
Best Newcomer), THE SPANISH TRAGEDY, THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE,
AMADEUS and OTHELLO. Repertory work at Salisbury Playhouse, Bristol
Old Vic, Manchester Library Theatre, Perth, Crewe, Leatherhead,
Windsor, Bromley, Basingstoke and Westcliffe in JOSEPH AND THE
AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, ROYAL HUNT OF THE SUN, BAREFOOT
IN THE PARK, THE HOSTAGE, EQUUS, THE RULING CLASS, DESTINY, ABSURD
PERSON SINGULAR, THE BOYFRIEND, ROMEO AND JULIET, CHARLEY’S AUNT,
THE GHOST TRAIN, IT’S A MAD WORLD MY MASTERS, JULIUS CAESAR, WOYZECK,
ONE GOOD TURN. Television: SINCHRONICITY, JERICHO, FOOTBALLERS’
WIVES, DOCTORS, EASTENDERS, HIGH STAKES, DANGERFIELD, LONDON’S
BURNING, THE PARADISE CLUB, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, INSPECTOR MORSE
, THE MONOCLED MUTINEER, FIGHTING BACK, SHINE ON HARVEY MOON,
A SLIGHT BREEZE. Film: A FEAST AT MIDNIGHT, DEAD ON TIME, JERUSALEM,
LOST IN LONDON, HAWK THE SLAYER. Michael is also an accomplished
painter whose work has been exhibited at several London galleries
and at the RI and RSMA; he has been shortlisted for the RA and
the Garrick Milne Prize for theatrical portraiture. You can find
out more about Michael on his website:www.michaelfenner.com |
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LISA
HULL (Judy) Lisa Hull trained at the Guildhall School of Music
and Drama. She began her career at the Players’ Theatre, and her
first major role was as Charlie in CHARLIE GIRL at the Victoria
Palace Theatre, playing alongside legendary screen star Cyd Charisse.
She next played Cosette in LES MISERABLES, during which time she
was chosen to sing the role in an excerpt for the Royal Command
Performance. She then played Christine in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
at Her Majesty’s Theatre, and was thrilled to be asked to play
the part when it premiered at the Opera House, Manchester. Between
these West End blockbusters came various other roles such as Cinderella
in INTO THE WOODS at Leicester Haymarket, Girl 1 in SONGBOOK at
the Watermill Theatre, Alice in BLESS THE BRIDE at Sadlers’ Wells,
Emmot in EYAM at The Fire Station, Lisa in THREE DIVAS at Jermyn
Street Theatre, Sonia in GODSPELL at the Barbican Hall, and countless
pantomimes here, there, and everywhere! She was support artiste
on tour with Michael Ball, and appeared as a soloist in the VE
DAY celebration concert in Hyde Park. She has performed her one-woman
show in such diverse venues as Pizza on the Park, Palm Beach Casino,
The Green Room, and Little Missenden Village Hall! One of her
most nerve-wracking experiences was singing the National Anthem
at Wembley Stadium before an England match! Lisa has 8 year old
twins, who take up an inordinate amount of time and energy, but
are still her best production yet! |
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| DARREN
MACHIN (Fred) Darren trained at the Webber Douglas Academy
of Dramatic Art. He has worked at Sonning on several occasions.
Most recently he played the Telephone Man in BAREFOOT IN THE PARK.
Previous visits to the Mill include productions of IT RUNS IN
THE FAMILY, YOU’RE ONLY YOUNG TWICE, WORM’S EYE VIEW and OUT OF
ORDER. He was directed by Ray Cooney in the West End production
of RUN FOR YOUR WIFE and then toured it to the Far East and Middle
East for Derek Nimmo. He has enjoyed seasons at Pitlochry, Keswick,
Westcliff, Basingstoke and Ipswich. Plays include WHILE THE SUN
SHINES, WAIT UNTIL DARK, STRAIGHT AND NARROW, PRIVATES ON PARADE,
WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION, GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT, SLY FOX, LADY WINDERMERE’S
FAN and A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL. He appeared in KNOCK DOWN GINGER
at the Croydon Warehouse and he played Burt Reynolds in the No
1 tour of STAND BY YOUR MAN. TV credits include THE BILL, EMMERDALE,
FAMILY AFFAIRS, FAITH, HERALD OF FREE ENTERPRISE, CRIMEWATCHUK,
HALE & PACE and HOLLYOAKS. He has recently filmed ASHES TO ASHES
for the BBC. |
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IAN
MASTERS (Director) Ian spent the first half of his career
as an actor. In between directing productions he still continues
to act, particularly in radio where he has been in over a hundred
productions for BBC Radio 4. His directorial debut was a play
called BECK at the King’s Head theatre, Islington. This starred
Hugh Lloyd and was subsequently chosen as a platform production
at the new Royal National Theatre. He went on to direct an award
winning production of THE ORANGE PENGUIN at the Edinburgh Festival.
This was followed by a production for the BBC World Service which
toured Europe - THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS. Having spent a large part
of his acting life in comedy he turned his attentions to directing
comedies, which included national tours and summer seasons; the
first being THE MATING GAME (also written by Robin Hawdon) starring
Barbara Windsor and the late Terry Scott. This was followed by
many commercial productions, all with leading comedy names – for
the late Derek Nimmo’s British Airways Far Eastern Tours Ian directed
ONLY WHEN I LAUGH with William Gaunt and Simon Ward, ABIGAIL’S
PARTY and the company’s final production, DO NOT DISTURB starring
Gerald Harper. He has directed eight major pantomimes and goes
to the Palace Theatre, Manchester in November to direct CINDERELLA.
Other shows for children include a national tour of the TV show
RAINBOW with the original cast, and MUZZY IN MOONLAND which toured
Poland, again for the BBC. He has been associated with Grosvenor
Television for twenty years where he works as an assistant director
and coach. Ian has directed many productions here at The Mill
and is delighted to be back again with Rob Hawdon’s brand new
comedy. |
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| DINAH
ENGLAND (Set Designer) Dinah England trained in theatre design
at Nottingham Trent University and then worked as resident designer
for the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch where she designed set and
costumes for 28 main house productions. These included HARD TIMES,
THE ENTERTAINER, HAVING A BALL, JACK THE RIPPER, DON’T DRESS FOR
DINNER, A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL, DRACULA, WHAT THE BUTLER SAW,
THE GLASS MENAGERIE, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, ONE FOR THE ROAD,
BLITHE SPIRIT, APRIL IN PARIS, THE GHOST TRAIN, LOST WORLD, BRIEF
ENCOUNTER, SLEUTH, SLEEPING BEAUTY, ROMEO AND JULIET and KEEP
ON RUNNING. She also designed costume for BLITZ and PERFECT PITCH,
a collaboration with Hull Truck, and set and costume for the community
plays THE CHAMPION OF THE HORNED CHURCH, CHECK IT OUT, DOWN THE
RIVER AND UP THE ROAD, BUBBLES IN THE AIR, and THE PATH OF THE
BRAVE. Now freelance, her designs include set and costume for
the UK production of MURDEROUS INSTINCTS which premiered at Theatre
Royal Norwich and The Savoy Theatre, London, YEAR 10 for The Finborough
Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre (Time Out Critics Season), Le Théâtre
National de Strasbourg and the Festival de Théâtre in Rennes,
MARTHA, JOSIE AND THE CHINESE ELVIS for Salisbury Playhouse, ROOM
AT THE TOP and IT’S A FINE LIFE (costume) for the Queen’s Theatre,
Hornchurch, TIME OF MY LIFE for The Mill at Sonning and THE CARD
for Arts Ed. London. |
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JANE
KIDD (Costume Designer) Jane who is our Resident Costume Designer,
trained in Fashion Design at Berkshire College of Art. She freelanced
in knitwear and dress design for five years before joining The
Mill as Wardrobe Mistress, and enjoys a variety of making both
period and modern costumes of which she has made many whilst at
The Mill. Some of Jane’s recent costume designs include, STEPPING
OUT, THERE GOES THE BRIDE, I REMEMBER YOU, MURDER BY MISADVENTURE,
OUT OF ORDER, ABSENT FRIENDS, IT’S NEVER TOO LATE, A TOUCH OF
SPRING, SHADY BUSINESS, CAUGHT IN THE NET, TWO AND TWO MAKE SEX,
SEPARATE TABLES, INTIMATE EXCHANGES, NOT NOW DARLING, THE MAINTENANCE
MAN, STRICTLY MURDER, ALONE TOGETHER AGAIN, STARRY, STARRY NIGHT,
TIME OF MY LIFE, PERFECT WEDDING, FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS, TIME TO
KILL, IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY, SAME TIME NEXT YEAR, DOUBLE DEATH,
BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, ALPHABETICAL ORDER, CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL,
DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER and ONE FOR THE ROAD. |
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| MATTHEW
BISS (Lighting Designer) Matthew is currently working as Technical
Manager at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead and is
delighted to be invited back to The Mill to light A NIGHT IN PROVENCE..
A few of his previous designs at The Mill, include most recently
SAME TIME NEXT YEAR, TIME TO KILL, STARRY, STARRY NIGHT, STRICTLY
MURDER, SEPARATE TABLES, TWO AND TWO MAKE SEX, CAUGHT IN THE NET,
SHADY BUSINESS, A TOUCH OF SPRING, IT’S NEVER TOO LATE, ABSENT
FRIENDS, OUT OF ORDER, MURDER BY MISADVENTURE, I REMEMBER YOU,
THERE GOES THE BRIDE, STEPPING OUT, THE FACE OF FEAR, DEAD GUILTY,
ALONE TOGETHER, OUT OF ORDER, TWO DOZEN RED ROSES, THE BUSINESS
OF MURDER, NOEL & GERTIE and ALPHABETICAL ORDER. |
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SALLY
HUGHES (Artistic Director) Sally trained for the stage as
an actress at The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. On graduating
she was given her first engagement by John Fernald who directed
her in COMING OF AGE. Then followed ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER
BEEN at The Bush and CATCHPENNY TWIST at The King’s Head Theatre.
In 1984 Sally took over the post of Artistic Director of The Mill
At Sonning from Peter Egan and has directed and appeared in many
of its productions, including DAMES AT SEA (an excerpt of which
was included in The Royal Gala Performance in the presence of
HRH The Prince of Wales). Most recently she appeared as Barbara
Smith in CAUGHT IN THE NET directed by Ray Cooneyand Ginger Mercer
in the musical TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS directed by Alvin Rakoff
and ALPHABETICAL ORDER directed by Anthony Valentine. The most
recent plays Sally has directed at The Mill are STEPPING OUT,
FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS and TIME TO KILL. Sally’s TV appearances
include: LATE EXPECTATIONS and LAURA AND DISORDER, KEEPING UP
APPEARANCES, BRUSHSTROKES & MULBERRY. Sally directed the National
Tour of PASTIMES, starring Rosemary Leach and William Gaunt and
also directed BAREFOOT IN THE PARK by Neil Simon at the Jermyn
Street Theatre in the West End. Sally also appeared in TOO MARVELOUS
FOR WORDS, at the King's Head, London. |
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| ROBIN
HAWDON (Playwright) Robin Hawdon has had an extremely varied
career. From novelist and West End playwright, to soap actor,
beefcake film star and Hamlet, to director of one of England’s
foremost theatres, his activities have spanned numerous aspects
of the arts’. A NIGHT IN PROVENCE is the most recent play penned
by Robin, and a few of his other plays that have been produced
at The Mill include most recently DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER and THE
MATING GAME, BIRTHDAY SUITE, DON’T ROCK THE BOAT, PERFECT WEDDING
and SHADY BUSINESS. |
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| Production: | |
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Production Manager
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Joan Farnese |
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Stage Manager -
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James Neal |
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Chief Electrician
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Janet A Cantrill |
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Master Carpenter
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Ian Stroud |
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Wardrobe Mistress
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Jane Kidd |
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Deputy Stage Managers
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Jo Vimpany, Neil Webb |
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Assistant Stage
Manager -
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Karen Brown |
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Technician -
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Ed Marshall |
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Scenic Artist -
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Tony Eden |
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Assistant Carpenter
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Simon Graves |
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Wardrobe Assistant
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Evelyn Fidler |
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Dressers -
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Ann Baker, Lynn Hinton, Catherine Bristow, Terry Bartholomew, Xye Appleton |
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Theatre Production
Photography -
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Norman Weston |
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Website Production
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Chris Berry |