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 Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England
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30 NOVEMBER 2010 - 15 JANUARY 2011
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Spare a thought for Englishman Stanley Parker. He and his wife Brenda are on their first continental holiday in France, trying to rekindle their marriage. When they check in to a quaintly charming hotel, they feel set for a night of love and romance, but what could possibly go wrong? Oh … everything! Unfortunately for Stanley and Brenda, the calamitous Hotel Manager, Heinz, has foolishly double-booked the room with French birthday boy Claude Philby. Claude gets more than his fair share of cake when his German wife Helga unexpectedly turns up. He was expecting his glamorous mistress and cabaret artiste, Simone. And when Simone also arrives early and mistakenly performs a seductive dance for the unwitting Stanley, it’s our innocent Brit, rather than randy Claude, who’s going to have his hands full … in more ways than one. Throw into the confusion a befuddled hotel porter, Karak, and the absurdity of a local fancy dress festival, which ensures nuns, monks and court jesters running amok, and the pace is set for an evening of comic misunderstandings, bed hopping, lost trousers and airborne radiators! Dave
Freeman’s play is a side-splitting farce that has delighted
audiences around the world and is sure to have you rolling
in the aisles! Don’t just book … Double book! |
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BELINDA
CARROLL (Brenda Parker) Belinda trained in repertory at Wimbledon
Theatre and has since appeared in many plays, musicals and pantomimes.
West End appearances include: THERE’S A GIRL IN MY SOUP, HIS,
HERS AND THEIRS, THE CHALK GARDEN, NO SEX PLEASE WE’RE BRITISH,
THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY, PETER PAN, CARDS ON THE TABLE and
CHARLEY’S AUNT. Other theatre includes: TIME AND THE CONWAYS,
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, AN IDEAL HUSBAND, DEAR OCTOPUS,
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, MACBETH, THE HOLLOW, THE HAPPIEST DAYS
OF YOUR LIFE. TV includes: TARTUFFE, GASLIGHT THEATRE, A QUESTION
OF GUILT, MALICE AFORETHOUGHT, WODEHOUSE PLAYHOUSE, CALLAN, LOVEJOY,
DUCHESS OF DUKE STREET, RAFFLES, MURDER ROOMS, CASUALTY. FILMS:
YELLOW DOG, NO LONGER ALONE. Previous Mill productions include:
STEPPING OUT, FUNNY MONEY, DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER, LOVE’S A LUXURY
and HOLIDAY SNAP. Earlier this year she toured the UK in LORD
ARTHUR SAVILE’S CRIME directed by Chris Luscombe. |
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| ERIC
CARTE (Stanley Parker) Eric trained at the Drama Centre in
London. Television includes: BOUQUET OF BARBED WIRE; ANOTHER BOUQUET;
SPACE 1999; THE NEW AVENGERS; POIROT; THE DAY BRITAIN STOPPED;
NEW TRICKS; DOCTORS; MY FAMILY; A VERY BRITISH SEX SCANDAL; SUPERGRASS;
THE LAVENDER LIST; THE OMID DJALILI SHOW. Most recently Eric has
filmed John Nettles’ last episode of MIDSOMER MURDERS. West End
Theatre includes: MRS WARREN’S PROFESSION and FALLEN ANGELS with
Felicity Kendall; THE CONSTANT WIFE; HAMLET; CORIOLANUS; BUTLEY;
UNDERGROUND and TWO INTO ONE. Extensive Regional Theatre and International
Tours include TOWARDS ZERO; M.BUTTERFLY; SEE HOW THEY RUN; DEATHTRAP;
ONLY WHEN I LAUGH; THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY; TEN TIMES TABLE;
MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM; DEAD FUNNY; DANGEROUS OBSESSION; THE MERCHANT
OF VENICE; ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA; I AM A CAMERA; BRIEF ENCOUNTER;
DANGEROUS CORNER; THE LION IN WINTER; RUN FOR YOUR WIFE; PRIVATE
LIVES; EASY VIRTUE; LOVE’S A LUXURY, MURDER BY MISADVENTURE; POOL’S
PARADISE and FUNNY MONEY. |
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MARK
ELSTOB (Heinz) Mark was trained at the Central School of Speech
and Drama in London and has worked all over the UK, Athens, Vienna,
Jerusalem, Berlin, Frankfurt, Lisbon and Spoletto, Italy. Theatre
work includes THE MASTER AND MARGARITA, VENUS AND ADONIS, TWELFTH
NIGHT, ROMEO AND JULIET, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, HENRY IV
PART ONE, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, MEASURE
FOR MEASURE, AN IDEAL HUSBAND, HAMLET, SALOME, NOISES OFF, THE
SHELL SEEKERS, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, NEVILLE’S ISLAND,
PRESENT LAUGHTER, DONKEY’S YEARS and CHARLEY’S AUNT. At the beginning
of the year he was appearing at the Royal National Theatre in
David Hare’s THE POWER OF YES. TV and film, include A HAZARD OF
HEARTS, THE MONK, LADY JANE, EASTENDERS, THE BILL, PEAK PRACTICE,
GORY GREEK GODS and EMMERDALE. His last appearance in Sonning
was in RATTLE OF A SIMPLE MAN. Mark is a regular reader of Talking
Books for the Royal National Institute for the Blind. |
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| ELIZABETH
ELVIN (Helga Philby) Elizabeth trained at Arts Educational
Drama School. Theatre credits include: Shirley in SHIRLEY VALENTINE,
Portia in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, Belinda Blair in NOISES OFF,
Billie Dawn in BORN YESTERDAY, Olivia in TWELFTH NIGHT, all female
roles in Ayckbourne’s INTIMATE EXCHANGES, Adela in World Premiere
of Noel Coward’s VOLCANO, Lil in FINGS AIN’T WOT THEY USED TO
BE, Titania in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, Mavis in STEPPING OUT,
Fiona Foster in HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES, Glenda in LAST OF THE
SUMMER WINE, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, the Porter in MACBETH, the Narrator
in THE BELLS with Steven Berkoff and twelve plays in the AGATHA
CHRISTIE FESTIVAL! Repertory seasons at Bristol Old Vic, Glasgow
Citizen’s, Chichester Festival, Birmingham, Perth, Westcliff and
Oldham. TV and Film work includes: Sheree Prosser in HOT FUZZ,
Mrs Hallam in H G Wells – A LIFE IN PICTURES, Queen Bea in BEYOND
THE RAVE, Celia in DOCTORS, Bernadette in WICKHAM ROAD, Jane in
FOOTBALLERS’ WIVES, Roberta in STATE OF PLAY, FAMILY PORTRAIT
and PANDEMIC. |
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PATRICK
MONCKTON (Karak) This is Patrick’s 9th visit to Sonning having
appeared in TOUCH & GO, HOLIDAY SNAP, SEE HOW THEY RUN, CALIFORNIA
SUITE, MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM, OUT OF ORDER, NOT NOW DARLING and
BIRTHDAY SUITE. Theatre credits include Sir Peter Hall’s LYSISTRATA
in The West End, Vienna and Athens and many, many more. TV credits:
DINOTOPIA, TOUCHING EVIL, CORONATION STREET, EASTENDERS, AN ACTOR’S
LIFE FOR ME, LICKING HITLER, BERGERAC, MINDER, SECRET SERVANT
and THE BILL. He has worked on Television in America and Canada
with guest roles in DRACULA – THE SERIES, THE RETURN OF SAM McCLOUD,
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE LEADING LADY, RIVIERA, YOUNG INDIANA JONES
and he played the part of Dr Watson in the recent remake of ALFRED
HITCHCOCK PRESENTS: MY DEAR WATSON. Films include WHATEVER HAPPENED
TO HAROLD SMITH, THE BORROWERS, THE FIRST KANGAROOS, CRUSOE and
HANNAH’S WAR. Most recently was in the BBC’s BLEAK HOUSE and the
film KEEPING MUM. |
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| MICHELLE
MORRIS (Simone) Michelle has just finished playing Suzy in
the highly acclaimed national tour of INSIDE JOB alongside Stephen
McGann and Chris Ellison. Other theatre credits include : Joanna
in FATAL ENCOUNTER – Theatre Royal Plymouth, Helen in THE COLOUR
OF JUSTICE – West End , Mary in the 25th Anniversary tour of RUN
FOR YOUR WIFE, Linda in CASH ON DELIVERY – National Tour , Molly
in LOVE’S A LUXURY – Vienna, Jacquinetta in LOVES LABOURS LOST
– Cliveden, Jack – Windsor pantomime alongside Eric Sykes, and
six productions here! With The NYMT Michelle performed in New
York, Toronto, Hong Kong and Sydmonton. Best known to television
audiences as Jess Haworth in THE KNOCK. Other credits include:
JOOLZ BIG KIDS, LITTLE HOWARD’S BIG QUESTION and BUGS. Michelle
also works as a presenter. With a certificate in Health and Fitness,
Michelle has completed numerous marathons & swimathons (UK and
abroad), a parachute jump, is a qualified Wing Walker and has
raised over £28,000 for charity. Her next project is the Paris
marathon. |
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MARTYN
STANBRIDGE (Claude Philby) Martyn trained at The Drama Centre,
London. He has worked extensively in regional repertory theatres
including UK tours. In London: VENICE PRESERVED, NT; THE VORTEX
Garrick Theatre; BERENICE The Lyric Hammersmith; THE MILLIONAIRESS
and THE THREE SISTERS The Greenwich Theatre; THE VERGE The Orange
Tree, Richmond; THE CASTLE SPECTRE at Croydon Warehouse. TELEVISION:
GOOD AND BAD AT GAMES, A POCKETFUL OF RYE, PARADISE POSTPONED,
MURROW, A.D., THE DAY AFTER THE FAIR, HEDGEHOG WEDDING, PARTNERS
LOVERS SPIES (NBC USA) , THE GOOD GUYS, THE BILL, DOCTOR FINLAY,
MCLIBEL, DOCTORS, EASTENDERS. |
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| DAVID
WARWICK (Director) David has over 60 productions to his credit
as a director, with just 2 of those here at the Mill (OUT OF ORDER
and OUTSIDE EDGE). Directing has taken him as far afield as the
USA (Miami and New Jersey), Singapore and the Far East, and most
recently Vienna, where he will be returning next summer to direct
FUNNY MONEY. He has been involved with Ray Cooney’s West End plays
for the past 24 years, as both actor and director, starting with
AN ITALIAN STRAW HAT in ‘86, followed by OUT OF ORDER, IT RUNS
IN THE FAMILY, FUNNY MONEY, and TOM DICK & HARRY. He’s a very
busy actor too, this year touring the country with the stage version
of DAD’S ARMY, playing Sgt Wilson, a job he describes as an “absolute
delight”. He last directed A BEDFULL OF FOREIGNERS nearly 20 years
ago, with its original star Terry Scott, and is looking forward
to revisiting both the play and The Mill. |
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| TONY
EDEN (Set Designer) Tony is the Mill’s Resident Scenic Artist
and has also designed numerous sets for The Mill including very
recently SPRING AND PORT WINE, THAT’S LOVE, HOLIDAY SNAP and BAREFOOT
IN THE PARK. Tony graduated from the Central School of Speech
and Drama in 2004. His freelance work has included Riverside Studios,
Capital Scenery and Coombe Opera. |
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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 making a variety of both
period and modern costumes of which she has made many whilst at
the Mill. |
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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 BEDFULL OF
FOREIGNERS. A few of his numerous previous designs at The Mill,
include SEPARATE TABLES, A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, DEADLY MURDER,
THE ODD COUPLE, HOLIDAY SNAP, THAT OLD FEELING, WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE
PARIS, LOVE FROM A STRANGER, IF I WERE YOU, I OUGHT TO BE IN PICTURES,
SPRING AND PORT WINE and TWO INTO ONE. |
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| SALLY
HUGHES (Artistic Director) Sally spent her early years in
Venezuela and Argentina. On returning to England, graduated from
Webber Douglas Academy and was first employed as an actress in
COMING OF AGE (National Tour); ARE YOU NOW? (Bush); CATCHPENNY
TWIST (King’s Head) etc. In 1984 she took over as Artistic Director
of The Mill. Productions she directed here include: THE RAINMAKER,
STEPPING OUT, FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS and many more. Also directed
PASTIMES (National Tour); BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (Jermyn Street
Theatre). As a performer she appeared in The Mill’s productions
of: DAMES AT SEA (Royal Gala); A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY – The Story
of Doris Day (also at Wilton’s, London); TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS
(director, Alvin Rakoff); ALPHABETICAL ORDER and THE HEIRESS (director
Anthony Valentine) etc. TV appearances include KEEPING UP APPEARANCES,
LAURA AND DISORDER, LATE EXPECTATIONS, MULBERRY, BRUSH STROKES,
DON’T WAIT UP, KIDNAPPED ABROAD, etc. She became Managing Director
of The Mill in 2002. |
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| DAVE FREEMAN (Playwright) (1922-2005) Dave was a versatile and prolific scriptwriter working in radio and television from the 1950’s onwards. During his long career he wrote for many of the top comedians of this golden era such as Benny Hill, Tommy Cooper, Arthur Askey, Frankie Howerd and Sid James. His work also included advertising, film and the theatre and occasionally acting as characters himself. He turned his talents to playwriting in the 1970’s and his first play, A BEDFULL OF FOREIGNERS, has run almost continuously around the world since its London West End premiere in 1973. | ||||||||
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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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Nathan Caples |
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Wardrobe
Mistress -
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Jane Kidd |
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Deputy
Stage Managers -
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Karen Brown & Lottie Cousins |
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Assistant
Stage Manager -
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Sky Barnes |
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Technician
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Emma Malley |
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Scenic
Artist -
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Tony Eden |
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Technical
Assistant -
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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, Karen Vass |
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Theatre
Production Photography -
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Norman Weston |