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 Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England
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14 JANUARY – 21 FEBRUARY 2009
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By
ALAN AYCKBOURN CONFUSIONS
is one of Alan Ayckbourn’s best loved and wittiest plays.
Meet Harry. Wannabe seducer who attempts to lure Paula to
Room 246. And Martin. Overworked, sexless fool cuckolded by
his boss. And Milly. Silly Milly, whose sexual awakening –
and mishap – at the age of 34 is broadcast across the village
fete. Not forgetting bedraggled mother Lucy who can only communicate
in baby talk. Their stories of middle class and middle-aged
angst are all told with the usual delicious sense of humour
that only that master of comedy Alan Acykbourn has. And at
the Gosforth Fete the play moves into brilliance , with such
a wild, side-splitting finish that you will probably fall
off your seat with laughter. Pure Gold. A truly guaranteed
evening of excruciating joy.
Cast: MOTHER
FIGURE DRINKING
COMPANION BETWEEN
MOUTHFULS GOSFORTH’S
FETE A
TALK IN THE PARK
Directed by ROBIN HERFORD
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PAUL
CHESTERTON (Terry, Martin, Stewart, Ernest) Paul Graduated
from the Guildford School of Acting in 2000. His theatre credits
include: THE ALCHEMIST; PRESENT LAUGHTER; THE HOUR WE KNEW NOTHING
OF EACH OTHER and THE ODYSSEY at The Royal National Theatre; The
title role of Giles at The Arcola Theatre. Quincey, in DRACULA
at The Birmingham Rep and National Tour. Laertes in HAMLET; Paris
in ROMEO AND JULIET and Lysander in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
for Creation Theatre Company. Bishie in LARKRISE and Demetrius
in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at the Redgrave Theatre, Farnham.
Falstaff in THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR for Oddsocks Theatre Company.
Jack Worthing in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Sandy Tyrell
in HAYFEVER and Sergeant Ferraby in THE CASE OF THE FRIGHTENED
LADY – Bruce James Productions. Sir Percival in THE LEGEND OF
KING ARTHUR for Red Shift Theatre Company. Rob in MILES TO GO
for Nabakov Theatre Company, Dr Houghton in COLOURINGS at The
Old Red Lion. Film and Television credits include: Malpas in THE
THREE NAILS, Val in ONE NIGHT FALLS, William Congreve in BLENHEIM
PALACE – THE UNTOLD STORY, Rob in PSYCHOSIS. |
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| CATHERINE
SKINNER (Lucy, Paula, Polly, Milly, Beryl) Theatre includes:
HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (National Tour/Ian Fricker Productions)
LITTLE MADAM (Finborough Theatre); SWITZERLAND (Hightide Festival);
TWELFTH NIGHT (Sprite Productions); THE CRUCIBLE (RSC/Gielgud);
BLISS (Salisbury Playhouse); THE WITCHES (Birmingham Rep/Wyndhams);
HAYFEVER (Basingstoke Haymarket); FORWARD, UNDERCARRIAGE, TRANSMISSIONS
(Birmingham Rep); THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Kaos Theatre);
MRS RUSKIN (Croydon Warehouse) Television includes: HOUSEWIFE
49 (Grananda); THE SCUM ALSO RISES (BBC 3); THE ROTTERS CLUB (BBC
1) Radio includes: BLOOD IN THE BRIDAL SHOP, ONE DAY, WHAT IS
MISSING FROM YOUR LIFE? (BBC Radio 4); LOVE CHAT (BBC Radio 2);
DADDY’S GIRL (Watershed Productions) |
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MARTYN
STANBRIDGE (Waiter, Pearce, Gosforth, Charles) 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 and BIRTHDAY SUITE (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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| IAN
TARGETT (Harry, Waiter, Vicar, Arthur) Ian trained at RADA.
Theatre credits include BOWS AND ARROWS (Royal Court), WHY ME
(Strand), THE KISS OF LIFE and A VIEW OF KABUL (Bush Theatre),
ROMEO and JULIET (Lyric, Hammersmith), BEACHED (Warehouse and
Old Red Lion), EURYDICE (Battersea Arts Centre), BURNING POINT
(Tricycle), ABSENT FRIENDS (Watford), WAITING FOR GODOT (Oxford
Playhouse), LOOT, THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL, ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR,
and SEASON’S GREETINGS (Birmingham Rep), A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS
(West Yorkshire Playhouse), STARS AND STRIVE (Crucible, Sheffield),
TARTUFFE (Theatr Clwyd), TIME AND TIME AGAIN, SEE HOW THEY RUN,
DONKEY’S YEARS, and A TOUCH OF THE SUN(Salisbury Playhouse), TURN
OF THE SCREW a two hander (Coliseum, Oldham), CANDIDA (Bolton),
AND A NIGHTINGALE SANG (Southampton), MOVING SUSAN, CORPSE and
A CHRISTMAS CAROL(Basingstoke), JUST BETWEEN OURSELVES (Exeter)
OUT OF ORDER and ONE FOR THE ROAD (Sonning). National tours include
AN INSPECTOR CALLS, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, THE WINSLOW BOY and ARSENIC
AND OLD LACE. Television credits include Leslie in MARKS by Alan
Bennett, Geoff in A TASTE OF HONEY, Spence in OVER THE RAINBOW,
DS Ball in MIND GAMES by Linda La Plante, Lind in THE LAST DETECTIVE,
Captain Lyle in GHOSTBOAT, Steve Dove in MIDSOMER MURDERS , TRUST
ME, CASUALTY, FOREVER GREEN, DOCTORS, BAD BOYS, LAW AND DISORDER,
THE FUGITIVE, BUST and GRANGE HILL. On film Ian has appeared in
THE FOOL, A DANGEROUS MAN, and THE JOKE. He has recently finished
THE LOVER and THE SPELL both due to be released this year. His
many radio plays and series include HENRY V, RAT IN THE SKULL,
THE AQUARIUM OF COINCIDENCES, MONKSHOOD and SECOND THOUGHTS. |
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JULIE
TEAL (Rosemary, Lucy, Bernice, Mrs Pearce, Doreen) Appearances
in regional productions include Gloria in YOU NEVER CAN TELL at
Dundee, Carola in BARE NECESSITIES at the Coventry Belgrade, Rose
Adair in TURKEY TIME at the Bristol Old Vic, Cynthia in ONE FOR
THE POT at the Cheltenham Everyman followed by a national tour,
Emily in THREE MEN IN A BOAT at Theatr Clywd, Simpson in TONS
OF MONEY at Liverpool Playhouse, Ghost of Christmas Past in SCROOGE
THE MUSICAL at Birmingham, Pam in JUST BETWEEN OURSELVES at the
Mill at Sonning, Sheila in DIAL M FOR MURDER, Lizzie in TAKING
STEPS, Anne in ASHES, Paulina in DEATH AND THE MAIDEN (Stella
Award for best actress in 1994), all at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff,
Helen in GRANDMA’S SHOES at the Kings Head, Elizabeth in the premiere
of KATE ATKINSONS ABANDONMENT, Myra Arundel in HAYFEVER both at
the Theatre Royal, York and Miss Smithers in DIANA OF DOBSONS
and Mrs Jackman in THE SKIN GAME at the Orange Tree Theatre. Television
credits include THE CHIEF, THE BILL, SHE'S OUT, CLASS ACT AND
HOLDING ON, EASTENDERS, TOUCHING EVIL, FOOTBALLERS WIVES, A TOUCH
OF FROST, 20 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU’RE 30, CASUALTY, HUSTLE,
DOCTORS, WAKING THE DEAD and HONEST. Film included Stephen Poliakoff’s
film, FOOD OF LOVE. Julie does a great deal of audio work including
dubbing, radio commercials and many audio books. |
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| ROBIN
HERFORD (Director) This is Robin's fifth Ayckbourn at Sonning,
following TAKING STEPS , SEASON'S GREETINGS, JUST BETWEEN OURSELVES
and SUGAR DADDIES. He is clearly delighted to be back. Much of
Robin's career has been involved with Alan Ayckbourn and the Stephen
Joseph theatre in Scarborough. Joining the company in 1976 as
an actor, he was appointed Associate Director in 1979 and Artistic
Director from 1986 - 1988. Robin has appeared in the original
production of more Ayckbourn plays than any other actor, from
TEN TIMES TABLE in 1977 to HENCEFORWARD… 1987 and including the
monster 16-play, two-hander IMTIMATE EXCHANGES. He came to London
with SEASON'S GREETINGS and SUBURBAN STRAINS (Roundhouse), INTIMATE
EXCHANGES (Greenwich and Ambassadors) and HENCEFORWARD… (Vaudeville).
Robin is also often asked to direct Alan's plays, and has notched
up over twenty productions in this country and abroad. While Artistic
Director at Scarborough, he commissioned and directed Stephen
Mallatratt's phenomenally successful adaptation of THE WOMAN IN
BLACK, which is still running in the West End after nineteen years,
and has completed eleven national tours. Directing, and occasionally
performing in this play has taken him to Japan, USA, India, Hong
Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Other London productions
include THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN (Duke of Yorks), ROUGH JUSTICE
(Apollo), JOKING APART and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Greenwich).
Out of many other directorial credits, his favourites include
SERJEANT MUSGRAVE'S DANCE, ALL MY SONS, TWELFTH NIGHT, CLOUDS,
SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, THE BEAUX' STRATAGEM , BLITHE SPIRIT, A
GOING CONCERN and WHAT EVERY WOMAN KNOWS. Robin's radio credits
as an actor are numerous, and his TV credits include ONLY FOOLS
AND HORSES, CASUALTY and THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE. Since
his last visit to Sonning, Robin has directed national tours of
CORPSE, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, THE HOUND
OF THE BASKERVILLES and BEDROOM FARCE. |
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MICHAEL
HOLT (Set Designer) Michael Holt's design career has taken
him to theatres throughout the United Kingdom and the World for
productions of opera, ballet and drama. He has been associated
with playwrightAlan Ayckbourn at his theatre in Scarborough for
over 20 years. His numerous designs for this author/director include
TAKING STEPS, WOLF AT THE DOOR, MAN OF THE MOMENT, TIME AND THE
CONWAYS, A DOLL’S HOUSE, and the much praised OTHELLO with Michael
Gambon. He also designed the American premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's
SEASON’S GREETINGS at the Joyce Theatre, New York. Most acclaimed
among his ballet designs are THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, MADAM BUTTERFLY
and ROMEO AND JULIET for Northern Ballet. Michael's notable designs
for opera include of LA BOHEME (Sadler's Wells Theatre), Benjamin
Britten's BILLY BUDD (Brisbane) and Vaughn Williams' PILGRIMS
PROGRESS (the Royal Opera House). His West End credits include
ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR (Whitehall Theatre), THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN
(Duke of York's Theatre), ROUGH JUSTICE (Apollo Theatre), and
JUNE MOON (Vaudeville Theatre). He has received much acclaim for
the design of the long-running West End success THE WOMAN IN BLACK.
Michael has written a number of books on stage and costume design
and has published a book on the plays of Alan Ayckbourn. |
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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-inlaw.
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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ALAN AYCKBOURN (Playwright) Alan Ayckbourn is the long-serving Artistic Director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough and the author of over 60 plays, some of which have been performed at this theatre, including RELATIVELY SPEAKING, ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR, THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, BEDROOM FARCE, JUST BETWEEN OURSELVES, TAKING STEPS and SUGAR DADDIES. |
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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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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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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, 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 |