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 Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England
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After the huge success of A NIGHT IN PROVENCE last year we are delighted to welcome back playwright ROBIN HAWDON with this riotous comedy – BIRTHDAY SUITE. Geoff Tippett has arranged a special birthday treat for his old stick-at-home friend Bob. The treat is a hotel room for the night. Complete with champagne. A double bed which folds up into the wall! Don’t ask! Because also present is a very attractive girl called Mimi. Shy Kate has also booked into the hotel after arranging a computer agency date with over-amorous Dick. Things start to go awry when the temperamental Italian room-waiter, Tony, shows the wrong people to the wrong rooms. Bob mistakes Kate for Mimi. And Dick ends up with Bob’s wife, Liz. Chaos and confusion reign as the foursome try to sort themselves out. Not at all helped by the highly excitable Tony. An evening of delicious and uproarious fun for all! By arrangement with Film Rights Ltd. Cast in order of appearance: Tony
- PATRICK MONCKTON
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JOANNE
HEYWOOD (Kate) Joanne was born in York and trained in Musical
Theatre at Guildford School of Acting. Taking every opportunity
to work in her home town, she has played Cecily Pigeon in THE
ODD COUPLE, Lady Capulet in ROMEO & JULIET, Patricia in BEHIND
THE SCENES AT THE MUSEUM, the interesting combination of both
Lottie Grady and Mrs Northrop in WHEN WE ARE MARRIED and Principal
Boy in seven Pantomimes, all at York Theatre Royal. This is Joanne’s
fourth appearance at The Mill where she has previously played
Mary Millar in ALL FOR MARY, Bella Bounty in WORM’S EYE VIEW and
Jane Worthington in OUT OF ORDER. Other theatre work includes;
ANNIE (Cheltenham Everyman), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Theatre Royal
Northampton), CAMELOT (Liverpool Playhouse), WAITING FOR GATEAUX
(tour), the world stage premieres of HIGH SOCIETY (Leicester Haymarket
and Victoria Palace, London) and SCROOGE THE MUSICAL (Birmingham
Alexandra), plus national tours of HINDLE WAKES and THE MAN MOST
LIKELY TO… This Christmas, Joanne will be crossing to the dark
side, to play Carabose, the wicked fairy in SLEEPING BEAUTY at
The Octogan Theatre, Yeovil. Television work includes two series
of FIRST OF THE SUMMER WINE as Dilys and two series of GRACE &
FAVOUR as Miss Lovelock, Young Mr Grace’s last companion! With
various episodes of BRUSH STROKES, THE BRITTAS EMPIRE, A PRINCE
AMONG MEN, ARTRAGEOUS, THE MAN FROM AUNTIE, THE LES DENNIS LAUGHTER
SHOW, NEXT OF KIN, KISS ME KATE, MY HERO and EASTENDERS for the
BBC. And KNIGHTMARE, THE NEW STATESMAN, STANLEY’S DRAGON, HEARTBEAT,
LOSING IT, EMMERDALE and most recently, as Chesney’s drama teacher
in CORONATION STREET for ITV. |
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| LISA
HULL (Liz) 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 appeared at The
Mill last year in A NIGHT IN PROVENCE Lisa has 9 year old twins,
who take up an inordinate amount of time and energy, but are still
her best production yet! |
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GLYN
KERSLAKE (Dick) Glyn trained at Arts Educational Schools,
London and has over twenty years experience working as an actor
and musician. His theatre credits include the role of Bob Cratchit
in SCROOGE (London Palladium); The Phantom in THE PHANTOM OF THE
OPERA (Her Majesty’s Theatre, directed by Hal Prince); Arnaud
du Thil in MARTIN GUERRE (Prince Edward Theatre, directed by Declan
Donnellan); Enjolras and u/s Jean Valjean in LES MISÉRABLES (Palace
Theatre); Joe Gillis in SUNSET BOULEVARD (Adelphi Theatre, directed
by Trevor Nunn); original cast and subsequent alternate Chris
in MISS SAIGON (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, directed by Nicholas
Hytner); the Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince in INTO THE WOODS; Frank
Shepherd IN MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG and Long John Silver in TREASURE
ISLAND (directed by Karen Louise Hebden), and Neil Armstrong in
MOON LANDING (directed by Stephen Edwards and Karen Louise Hebden,
Derby Playhouse); Dr Manislav in TWO CITIES and John Tallentire
in THE HIRED MAN (directed by Joanna Read, Salisbury Playhouse);
KERN GOES TO HOLLYWOOD (King’s Head Theatre, Islington, directed
by David Kernan); Captain Von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Aberystwyth
Arts Centre); THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND – European premiere (West
Yorkshire Playhouse, directed by Jude Kelly); The Man in SIDE
BY SIDE (Olympia Theatre, Dublin); the Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince
in INTO THE WOODS (Library Theatre, Manchester; directed by Roger
Haines); EVITA (Manchester Opera House and national tour, directed
by Hal Prince); METROPOLITAN MIKADO (Queen Elizabeth and Royal
Festival Hall, directed by Ned Sherrin). Glyn’s concert credits
include: CELEBRATING SONDHEIM (Royal Festival Hall); COOK’S TOUR
(Shaftesbury Theatre); FOLLIES (Dome, Brighton); MERRILY WE ROLL
ALONG (Shaftesbury Theatre); A CAVALCADE OF COWARD (Piccadilly
Theatre); Company (Victoria Palace); WE LIKE IKE (Royal Festival
Hall); ROYAL GALA (Barbican Concert Hall) for Mike Batt; LES MISÉRABLES
10th Anniversary Concert (Royal Albert Hall). Glyn has performed
as a solo artist in concerts in Hong Kong, Ireland and Denmark,
as well as doing solo concerts, radio broadcasts and cabarets
around the UK. He has recently written a musical for children
entitled HAUNTED. |
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| PATRICK
MONCKTON (Tony) This is Patrick’s 6th visit to Sonning having
appeared in SEE HOW THEY RUN, CALIFORNIA SUITE, MOVE OVER MRS
MARKHAM, OUT OF ORDER and NOT NOW DARLING. Recent theatre work,
HENRY IV Part One and Two at The Bristol old Vic. His wide-ranging
theatre credits include Sir Peter Hall’s LYSISTRATA in The West
End, Vienna and Athens. Martini in a national tour of ONE FLEW
OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST, BREEZEBLOCK PARK, ONE FOR THE ROAD at
Windsor, DON JUAN, FLIGHT, CAN’T PAY WON’T PAY at Bristol Old
Vic, BEDROOM FARCE, SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, FUNNY PECULIAR at Haymarket,
Leicester. At the National Theatre HAMLET, TROILUS AND CRESSIDA,
PLUNDER and TAMBURLAINE. Patrick’s many TV credits include 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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MARTYN
STANBRIDGE (Bob) Martyn trained at The Drama Centre. Seasons
at: Oxford Playhouse, Birmingham Rep Bromley, Bristol Old Vic,
Cambridge, Liverpool Playhouse, Glasgow Citizens, Theatre Clwyd,
Abbey Theatre Dublin, Exeter, Cheltenham, Westcliff, Vienna’s
English Theatre, Windsor, Northampton and Sonning. Plays include:
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, PEER GYNT, CHIPS WITH EVERYTHING, THE
WHITE DEVIL, MACBETH, TRANSLATIONS, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, SALONIKA,
WILD OATS, THE SHAUGHRAUN, ABSENT FRIENDS, LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES,
DEATHTRAP, SAME TIME NEXT YEAR, BEDSIDE MANNERS, THE MAINTENANCE
MAN, THE BUSINESS OF MURDER, TWELVE ANGRY MEN, ROMANTIC COMEDY,
WIFE BEGINS AT FORTY, THE CONSTANT COUPLE, BRIEF ENCOUNTER, I
REMEMBER YOU, MURDER BY MISADVENTURE, THE GRADUATE (UK TOUR),
REBECCA (UK Tour), DANGEROUS OBSESSION (UK tour) ALPHABETICAL
ORDER. Most recently DONKEYS’ YEARS in Vienna, MURDER HUNT (The
Mill at Sonning) In London: VENICE PRESERVED at the RNT, THE VORTEX
at The Garrick Theatre, BERENICE at The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith,
THE MILLIONAIRESS and THE THREE SISTERS at The Greenwich Theatre,
THE VERGE at The Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, THE CASTLE SPECTRE
at The 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, and EASTENDERS. |
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| ALYSIA
RISTELL (Mimi) Alysia Ristell has been associated with ‘Show-Business’
since she was born. Coming from a family of circusowners she spent
virtually all her childhood in the ‘Ring’, where she eventually
became a highly skilled trampoline artiste. She left the circus
at the age of 19 having been chosen to play a leading role in
Frederick Gorky’s award-winning film, THE SACRED RIVER. Her theatrical
debut was in Builth Wells repertory theatre in WHOOPS, I’VE LOST
IT! This was followed by THE VOLE TRAP , LADY WINDYBANK’S VAN
and recently ON ALL FOURS the smash hit comedy by Fay Looney.
She has made many television appearances , but will be better
known as the ‘Blue Lady’ in the Loobleach disinfectant commercials.
Alysia is married to the singer Dale Geek. They live with their
five children on a newly acquired barge near Twickenham. This
is Alysia’s first appearance at The Mill. |
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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 directed a national tour of THE BUSINESS OF
MURDER last year which starred Todd Carty, and SEE HOW THEY RUN
starring Jeffrey Holland which is currently touring. He has directed
eight major pantomimes, the most recently being CINDERELLA at
the Palace Theatre, Machester and in November he goes to Windsor
to direct PETER PAN. 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. Last year he directed another of
Robin Hawdon’s comedy’s A NIGHT IN PROVENCE and is delighted to
be back again. |
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| TONY
EDEN (Set designer) Tony is the resident scenic artist at
The Mill where numerous shows have included THAT’S LOVE, INTIMATE
EXCHANGES, SEPARATE TABLES, TWO AND TWO MAKE SEX, and more. He
graduated from Central School of Speech and Drama in 2004 having
worked on over 12 shows in the College Studio space and main theatre.
Other work has been at the Battersea Arts Centre, Riverside Studios
and Polka Theatre. Tony’s previous designs for the Mill include
DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER, IT’S NEVER TOO LATE, NOT NOW DARLING,
ALONE TOGETHER AGAIN, PERFECT WEDDING, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, RUN
FOR YOUR WIFE, THAT’S LOVE and is delighted to be invited back
to design the set for BIRTHDAY SUITE. |
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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. |
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| JANET
A CANTRILL (Lighting Designer) Since graduating from Rose
Bruford, Janet has worked with a variety of touring companies,
such as Shared Experience, Monstrous Regiment and Gay Sweatshop
as Stage Manager. She has worked most recently at East 15 Acting
School as Lighting Technician/Tutor and at Webber Douglas Academy
as Production Manager. As a technician Janet worked at the Bloomsbury
Theatre and the Tom Allen Centre, Stratford and The Drill Hall
where she was Sound Engineer on the Ukelele Orchestra of Great
Britain Concert Season. As a Lighting Designer Janet has lit shows
for Webber Douglas, East 15, Bedfordshire Youth Opera and South
West Youth Theatre and has also worked rigging Christmas decorations
for James Glancy Design. |
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SALLY
HUGHES (Artistic Director) Sally spent her early years in
Venezuela and Argentina and after finishing her education in England,
she then 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),
and most recently she appeared as Barbara Smith in CAUGHT IN THE
NET and Ginger Mercer in the musical TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS,
ALPHABETICAL ORDER and THE HEIRESS. A few of the plays Sally has
directed at The Mill are A FOOT IN THE DOOR, POOLS PARADISE, THE
FACE OF FEAR, STEPPING OUT, A TOUCH OF SPRING, STRICTLY MURDER,
ALONE TOGETHER AGAIN, FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS, TIME TO KILL and very
recently the world premiere of MURDER HUNT by Brian Clemens and
LOVE’S A LUXURY. Sally enjoys a career outside of The Mill and
has played leading parts in the BBC series LATE EXPECTATIONS and
LAURA AND DISORDER in which she played Wendy Craig’s daughter-in-law.
Other TV appearances include: DON’T WAIT UP, 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 which we produced last year is one the most recent plays 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, 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 |