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 Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England
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14 APRIL - 22 MAY2010
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The Mill is delighted to present this brilliant thriller
from the Queen of Crime – AGATHA CHRISTIE. Adapted by Louise
Page, award-winning playwright, this is an exciting brand-new
adaptation of Philomel Cottage, the original short story by
Agatha Christie. Cast
in order of appearance: DIRECTED by ANDY DE LA TOUR SET DESIGN by TERRY PARSONS COSTUME DESIGN by JANE KIDD LIGHTING DESIGN by MATTHEW BISS The action takes place in Philomel cottage in a village not far from London. The time is the Spring and Summer of 1932 ACT
I
Scene 1 – A weekday in Spring 1932 Scene 2 – Six weeks later Scene 3 – A week later Scene 4 – The next day ACT II Scene 1 – The evening of the same day Scene 2 – Two days later Scene 3 - Later that day Scene 4 – An hour later
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DAVID
MICHAELS (Gerald) David’s recent Theatre includes: Hannay
in THE 39 STEPS (UK Tour), Father Ricci in ORIGINAL SIN at Basingstoke
Haymarket, Max in the Premiere of THE WAR NEXT DOOR, Julian Knowles
in CALLED TO ACCOUNT and Alistair Campbell in the HUTTON INQUIRY
– JUSTIFYING WAR all for the Tricycle Theatre. THREE SISTERS (Birmingham
Rep. and UK Tour), BETRAYAL (Sir Peter Hall Co.), PRESENCE (Plymouth
Theatre Royal) and QUESTION TIME (Arcola Theatre, written & directed
by Andy de la Tour). Plus THE CHANGING ROOM (Duke of Yorks), HOLIDAYS
(West Yorkshire Playhouse), RETURN OF THE NATIVE (Worcester),
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, THE WINTER’S TALE, BABES IN ARMS (Regents
Park), A TASTE OF HONEY, AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE (Nottingham Playhouse),
A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (Aldwych), MUMBO JUMBO (Royal Exchange),
GOD SAY AMEN (English Shakespeare Co.) and FUENTE OVEJUNA (Royal
National Theatre). On television David has played the regular
characters: Harry in AS TIME GOES BY, John Stokes in FAMILY AFFAIRS,
Dr Neil Bolton in HEARTBEAT and Jon Welch in CORONATION STREET.
Recent TV roles in MISSING, NEW TRICKS, SPOOKS & DONOVAN. Plus
other roles in WILLIAM AND MARY, IF ... THINGS DON’T GET BETTER,
PEAK PRACTICE, WHERE THE HEART IS, BAMBINO MIO, POIROT, MONEY
FOR NOTHING, TUBE STORIES, BODY STORIES-CRASH and the very first
INSPECTOR MORSE. |
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DIDO
MILES (Fran) Dido trained at RADA. Theatre credits include:
THE SOUND OF MURDER, Mill at Sonning; KING LEAR, Chichester Festival
Theatre; OVER GARDENS OUT, Southwark Playhouse; PARADISE LOST,
Bristol Old Vic; THE COFFEE HOUSE and THE MERCHANT OF VENICE,
Chichester Festival Theatre; DANCING AT LUGHNASA , Watermill and
Greenwich Theatre; DENIAL, Bristol Old Vic; ‘TIS PITY SHE’S A
WHORE, Derby Playhouse; KINDERTRANSPORT, Watford Palace Theatre
and The Vaudeville West End; OUR DAY OUT and ANTIGONE, both for
Harrogate Theatre; SAFETY IN NUMBERS National Tour. Television
credits include: THE GUARDS, DANNY’S HOUSE, DOCTORS, EASTENDERS,
LITTLE MISS JOCELYN, HUSTLE, WIRE IN THE BLOOD, SILENT WITNESS,
ROSEMARY AND THYME, HOLBY CITY, ALASTAIR MCGOWAN’S BIG IMPRESSION,
MAKING WAVES, BYRON, MURDER, OSCAR CHARLIE, RESIDENTS, A LIKENESS
IN STONE, TENTH KINGDOM, TOUCHING EVIL, PASSION KILLERS, THE BILL,
THE BROKERS MAN, MEN BEHAVING BADLY, WYCLIFFE, THE VERDICT, HOLDING
THE BABY, LONDON BRIDGE, CASUALTY, BACK UP, FRONTIERS, PERMANENT
RED. Film credits include: A BUNCH OF AMATEURS, MUM AND DAD, DUMPING
ELAINE, EMMA, FIRST KNIGHT, BLACK BEAUTY Radio credits include
: JUSTINE, PLAY FOR TODAY Radio 4. |
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PETER
MORETON (Dick) Training: Peter trained at The Guildhall School
of Music and Drama. Theatre credits include: For Cheek by Jowl
– The Player Queen and Fortinbras in HAMLET and numerous roles
in THE DUCHESS OF MALFI (both World tours); Puck in Benjamin Britten’s
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Aldeburgh Festival); TEMPTATIONS, BETRAYALS,
and SACRIFICE – three one man plays (Edinburgh Festival and New
End Theatre Hampstead); Smee in PETER PAN and Hounslow in ROGUES
TO RICHES (Watermill Theatre); Lucio in MEASURE FOR MEASURE (Barbican
Theatre and World tour); Dromio of Syracuse in COMEDY OF ERRORS
(Propeller World tour); Bouller and Doctor in GOOD (Donmar Warehouse);
Charles, Amiens and Jaques de Boyce in AS YOU LIKE IT (Sheffield
Crucible and Lyric Hammersmith); Eddie in CARRY ON CLEO, CAMPING,
DICK AND EMMANUEL and Benny IN MY NIGHT WITH REG (New Vic Stoke);
Captain Sparren in THE PRINCE OF HOMBURG (RSC and Lyric Hammersmith);
Chris Keller in ALL MY SONS (York Theatre Royal); numerous roles
in TALES FROM THE VIENNA WOODS (National Theatre), TONIGHT AT
8.30, PARTS 1 & 2 (Minerva, Chichester) THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY, PARTS 1 & 2 (West End, Chichester Festival
Theatre, National Tour and Toronto, Canada); Sir Henry Baskerville
in THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (National Tour); Kollvitz in
BERLIN HANOVER EXPRESS (Hampstead Theatre). Choc Philpott in THE
PROS, THE CONS AND A SCREW (Derby Playhouse). Television credits
include: LOVEJOY, VAN DER VALK, AS TIME GOES BY, EASTENDERS, UNDER
THE MOON, GRAFTERS, BIG BAD WORLD, THE GLASS, ROSEMARY & THYME,
DOCTORS and VEXED (a new BBC series to be shown in the Spring
of 2010). |
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CHLOE
NEWSOME (Alix) Most recent theatre credits include ALPHABETICAL
ORDER directed by Christopher Luscombe (Hampstead Theatre/ No
1 Tour) and national tours of AND THEN THERE WERE NONE and THE
HOLLOW for Bill Kenwright Ltd directed by Joe Harmston. J.B. Priestly
DANGEROUS CORNER and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST for Ian Dickens
Productions. The Jane Austin classics EMMA for John Adams at Basingstoke
and PRIDE & PREJUDICE with the Good Company for whom she also
performed Chekhov’s THE SNEEZE and OTHELLO in the role of Desdemona.
Other Shakespeare plays include TAMING OF THE SHREW (Bianca) A
MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM (Hermia and Puck) and TWELFTH NIGHT (Viola)
all of which were performed open air at both Stafford Castle and
Kirkstall Abbey. She has twice performed at the Chester Gateway
theatre in THE YOUNG IDEA by Noel Coward and the Ealing comedy
SHOOTING STAR directed by her hero, the late Frith Banbury. Other
theatre credits include TREEHOUSES at The Union in Southwark,
the thriller WAIT UNTIL DARK and SPRING AND PORT WINE at the West
Yorkshire Playhouse directed by Alan Dosser. Alan also directed
Chloe in THE LIFE AND CRIMES OF WILLIAM PALMER for Yorkshire Television.
Other Television includes SHARPES WATERLOO and five years on CORONATION
STREET in the role of Victoria Arden/McDonald. Chloe has appeared
in the films A PICTURE OF ME and THE JEALOUS GODS and the radio
play ALL THE GOOD MEN FALL. |
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STRUAN
RODGER (George) Theatre includes leading parts in JULIUS CAESAR,
MEDEA. A PAGAN PLACE, THE REMOVALISTS, WITHIN TWO SHADOWS (all
Royal Court - the latter Evening Standard Award). THE SPEAKERS
(Joint Stock, tour), THE BACCHAE (Pospect, tour), TROILUS AND
CRESSIDA (Young Vic), PROGRESS (Lyric, Hammersmith/Bush), SHADOW
OF A GUNMAN (Nottingham), A DOLL’S HOUSE, THE MOONSTONE (both
Royal Exchange), THE DELIBERATE DEATH OF A POLISH PRIEST (Almeida),
THE CRUCIBLE (Leicester) SIENNA RED (Peter Hall Company tour).
Royal National Theatre: ENGAGED, HAMLET, TAMBURLAINE THE GREAT,
TALES FROM THE VIENNA WOODS, ‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE, RICHARD
II and a series of platforms; TED HUGHES’ GAUDETE, Ben Johnson’s
VARIOUS WORKS, Samuel Beckett’s 7 LOVE STORY. Television includes
MIDSOMER MURDERS, THE WAITING TIME, THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE,
A CAPTAIN’S TALE, BOYS FROM THE BLACKSTUFF, EDGE OF DARKNESS,
THE DETECTIVE, LOST BELONGINGS, GAME SET AND MATCH, BERGERAC,
MOON AND SON, MAIGRET, SPENDER, PRIME SUSPECT III, CHANDLER &
CO, CIRCLE OF DECEIT, FAITH, LOVEJOY, HIGHLANDER, MOLL FLANDERS,
MIRAD, A BOY FROM BOSNIA, AN UNSUITABLE JOB FOR A WOMAN. Struan
is also a frequent radio contributor. FILMS include STARDUST,
YOUNG ADAM, TOO MANY CHEFS, LES MISERABLES, CHARIOTS OF FIRE,
THE MANIONS OF AMERICA, HITLER – A PORTRAIT OF EVIL, REUNION,
DIAMOND SKULLS, AFRAID OF THE DARK, A CHILD FROM THE SOUTH, FOUR
WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE, THE INNOCENT
SLEEP. |
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ANDY
DE LA TOUR (Director) Andy has directed twice before at the
Mill theatre; SHADY BUSINESS by Robin Hawdon in 2005 and THE SOUND
OF MURDER by William Fairchild in 2008. Previously he directed
his own play, QUESTION TIME, at the Arcola Theatre, London, NOBODY’S
FOOL, by Simon Williams, for a national UK tour as well as two
national tours of Simon’s NOBODY’S PERFECT starring Simon and
Stephanie Beacham; also a national tour of A FAMILY AFFAIR, with
Rik Mayall, Anne Reid and Susan Wooldridge, which he also adapted
from the original French play, UN AIR DE FAMILLE. He also directed
both plays that he co-wrote with Tariq Ali and Howard Brenton,
COLLATERAL DAMAGE at the Tricycle Theatre, London, and SNOGGING
KEN which was performed at the Almeida Theatre, London. He has
also written extensively for theatre and television. Stage plays
include VIVA!, HERE WE GO, SAFE IN OUR HANDS, LANDSLIDE and further
adaptations including those of Dario Fo’s THE POPE AND THE WITCH
which transferred to the Comedy Theatre, London, and Brecht’s
THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI. As an actor he has made many
appearances in film and on television, most recently in the feature
film 44” CHEST. On stage, he played Briggs in Harold Pinter’s
NO MAN’S LAND at the National Theatre and was also in the world
premiere of Pinter’s last play CELEBRATION at the Almeida Theatre,
London, and the Lincoln Centre in New York. He recently appeared
in the gala evening at the National Theatre in memory of Harold
Pinter, also broadcast on BBC4. He lives in London with his partner,
actress and novelist Susan Wooldridge. |
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| TERRY
PARSONS (Designer) Terry has recently designed brand new productions
of MARY POPPINS, LES MISERABLES (set) and TREASURE ISLAND in Copenhagen.
Many other credits in Denmark include DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE
BEAST, THE KING AND I, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, SHOWBOAT, BE BOP A
LULA, a concert version of GREASE and ROMEO AND JULIET. Terry
has designed thirty-seven productions in London's West End, ranging
from the mega-hit GREASE – which continues to play in the West
End – WHERE'S CHARLEY? and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE (Open Air Theatre,
Regent's Park), SILLY COW with Dawn French, GASPING with Hugh
Laurie, TWO INTO ONE with Donald Sinden and Michael Williams,
major musical productions of SOUTH PACIFIC, SWEET CHARITY, SOME
LIKE IT HOT, CHARLIE GIRL and SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and a re-creation
of the original designs for Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s production of
DAISY PULLS IT OFF. In 2008 he designed his first ballet JANE
EYRE in London. Well-known for his pantomime designs, among them
lavish versions of CINDERELLA for Stanley Baxter and MOTHER GOOSE
for Danny La Rue, Terry has recently designed a portfolio of major
new productions for the Ambassador Theatre Group’s theatres featuring
such stars as Cilla Black, Henry Winkler, Paul O'Grady, Ruby Wax,
Mickey Rooney, Ross Kemp, Anita Dobson and Bonnie Langford. Extensive
earlier credits include WHEN WE ARE MARRIED with Timothy West,
Prunella Scales and Patricia Routledge, Arthur Miller's A VIEW
FROM THE BRIDGE with Topol, TIME AND THE CONWAYS with Joan Plowright
(Old Vie), MIRANDA with Penelope Keith and UNDERNEATH THE ARCHES
(both Chichester); NO TRAMS TO LIME STREET (Liverpool), THE SURPRISE
PARTY with Peter Duncan, Matthew Kelly and Ruth Madoc and Kay
MelIor's A PASSIONATE WOMAN, SHADY BUSINESS, A FOOT IN THE DOOR
and DEADLY MURDER AT Sonning. Terry's earlier international designs
include the European premieres of Edward Albee's THE GOAT and
the award winning PROOF, Sian Phillips' CONCERT COSTUMES FOR MARLENE
(Broadway), FAME (Scandinavia), GREASE (Paris), CHICAGO (Athens),
BLITHE SPIRIT, MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM and SAILOR BEWARE (Denmark)
and LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES, VISITING MR GREENE and ROMANTIC
COMEDY (Vienna). |
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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 LOVE FROM A
STRANGER. A few of his numerous previous designs at The Mill,
include SEPARATE TABLES, A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, DEADLY MURDER,
THE BED BEFORE YESTERDAY, THE ODD COUPLE, HOLIDAY SNAP, THAT OLD
FEELING and TIME AND TIME AGAIN, IT’S NEVER ALL RIGHT ON THE NIGHT
and WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE PARIS. |
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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 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 CATCHPENY 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 recent appearances include A
SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY – THE STORY OF DORIS DAY (The Mill at Sonning
and Wiltons Music Hall), TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS, both directed
by Alvin Rakoff, ALPHABETICAL ORDER and THE HEIRESS both directed
by Anthony Valentine. A few of the plays Sally has directed at
The Mill are A FOOT IN THE DOOR, STEPPING OUT, A TOUCH OF SPRING,
FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS and more 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 and KIDNAPPED
ABROAD. 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. |
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| LOUISE
PAGE (Playwright) Louise Page’s work has been performed in
over 40 countries. Her theatre credits include TISSUE, SALONIKA,
GOLDEN GIRLS and TASTE. In 2008 her play, HORSE’S HEAD, won the
Irish Short Play Competition. Currently she is adapting TREASURE
ISLAND for the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth. Louise was a member
of The Archers’ Script Writing team for 10 years. For television,
Louise has written DOCTORS, BAD GIRLS and BROKEN LIVES. Her awards
include the George Devine Award, a Mental Health Media Award and
the first J T Grein Award for Drama by the Critics Circle. She
regularly lectures on CC41, Rationing and Utility and How to lose
28 lbs in 150 years, a history of women’s clothing. Her hobbies
include upholstery and furniture restoration. Louise lives in
Derbyshire. |
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| AGATHA
CHRISTIE Agatha Christie is the world’s best-known mystery
writer. Her writing career spanned more than half a century, during
which she wrote 80 novels and short story collections, as well
as 14 plays, one of which, THE MOUSETRAP, is the longest-running
play in history. Two of the characters she created, the brilliant
little Belgian Hercule Poirot and the irrepressible Miss Marple,
went on to become world-famous detectives. Both have been widely
dramatized in feature films and made-for-TV movies. Agatha Christie
also wrote romantic novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott.
She died in 1976. |
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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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Claire Baker |
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Technician
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Michelle Green |
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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 & Sarah Reynolds |
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Theatre
Production Photography -
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Norman Weston |