Murder Hunt

Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England

Dinner

Jazz

14 MAY - 21 JUNE 2008

Murder Hunt

A thriller by BRIAN CLEMENS

Imagine you are in a remote corner of Africa where superstition still abounds, marooned in a safari Lodge, far from civilisation, when your wife mysteriously disappears! This is the plight of Peter Haynes. He soon learns that his fellow guests may not be all they seem. For instance Sally Bourne, slim, pretty and bright. Mark and Clare Cooper, middle-aged, smartly-dressed and boring. Frank Larby, attorney and financial advisor. And onto this scene comes an unconventional, unpredictable local policeman, Captain K'Maka. He is soon confirming your worst fear - your wife has been murdered! The killer? Each of the hunters has a motive for killing Ann Haynes. Was it for something as simple as her jewellery ? Or something more involved, more sinister? As a storm rages overhead another brutal murder takes place. A second policeman, Aboo, wants to use the dark forces of a bygone age to find the culprit. K’Maka makes an arrest. But then the phone rings. Your wife may still be alive! The nightmare continues! And so to a stunning denouement, the guilty exposed, try to escape. But this is Africa. A savage justice awaits.

Brian Clemens, creator of such celebrated TV series as THE AVENGERS and THE PROFESSIONALS, has written an ingenious thriller that will have you poised on the edge of your seats, until the final chilling conclusion.

By arrangement with Samuel French Limited

Cast in order of appearance:

Aboo - RYAN ROMAIN
Sally Bourne - MAXINE GREGORY
Clare Cooper - SUSAN SKIPPER
Mark Cooper - MARTYN STANBRIDGE
Peter Haynes - COLIN WELLS
Ann Haynes - CORI SMITH
Captain K’Maka - DAVID MONTEITH
Frank Larby - ANTHONY FARNESE / IAN RUNNALLS

Directed by SALLY HUGHES
Set designed by MICHAEL HOLT
Costumes designed by JANE KIDD
Lighting designed by MATTHEW BISS

The setting is a small safari lodge situated in one of the remotest areas of Tanzania

ACT I
Scene 1 Evening. About 6 o’clock
Scene 2 An hour later
Scene 3 Two hours later

ACT II
Scene 1 Early the next morning
Scene 2 Later on that night
Scene 3 A few hours later

MAXINE GREGORY (Sally Bourne) Maxine Gregory studied Ancient History at Swansea University and took the postgraduate classical acting course at LAMDA. Maxine is delighted to be returning to Sonning where she has appeared previously in RUN FOR YOUR WIFE. DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, TIME TO KILL, FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS and STRICTLY MURDER. Maxine toured England and Norway with the British Shakespeare Company playing Helena in A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM. At Chichester Festival Theatre she played The Poacher’s Wife in THE RECRUITING OFFICER and at the Minerva Theatre Chichester, she played Davies in THE SEA. Helen in TROY, Mlle Y in STRETCHING STRINDBERG, Nadia in UNMAN, WITTERING AND ZIGO, Neaera in THE DARK TOWER and Eileen in A NIGHT OUT. Maxine has also appeared in several pantos. At Oxford Playhouse she played Jill in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK and at Cambridge Arts Theatre she has been the Princess in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, Fairy Bowbells in DICK WHITTINGTON and the Princess in ALADDIN. In London Maxine played Dora in DAISY PULLS IT OFF (West End), Ellen in YOU’RE GONNA LOVE TOMORROW (Greenwich Playhouse), Sally in EVERYTHING’S GREAT (Wimbledon Studio) and Judith in THE DISPUTATION (New End Theatre, Hampstead). Maxine was invited to take part in a workshop by the Lark Theatre in New York to play Esme in A FIRST CLASS MAN and a workshop in London by the Really Useful Theatre Group to play Rose in COME DANCING written and directed by Terry Johnson. Maxine was in HOLBY CITY (BBC) as Sophie baker and has done extensive radio and conference work. When time permits she plays the piano and composes her own music.

DAVID MONTEITH (Captain K’Maka) David is a proud Londoner and an accomplished percussionist as well as an actor. He comes to us straight from a successful tour of DE BOTTY BUSINESS a play about prostate cancer by award winning poet Benjamin Zephaniah. Before that he could be seen at the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth playing the mystical Griot in BRIGHTER THAN THE MOON. He garnered a fair bit of attention in last year’s documentary THE LAST SLAVE in which he followed the journey of his Great Great Great Grandfather. Having played a variety of classic and contemporary roles, his favourite has been Don Juan in Moliere’s THE LAST DAYS OF DON JUAN, because apparently everyone loves a cad, he’s hoping the same holds true for a man in uniform.

RYAN ROMAIN (Aboo) Ryan Romain trained at The Anna Scher Theatre. Theatre includes: ONE FOOT IN THE DOOR and THE FACE OF FEAR, (Both here at The Mill at Sonning) THE ONES WE LEFT BEHIND (Nottingham) LIVING UNDER ONE ROOF (Hackney Empire) Inspector Foot in AFTER MAGRITTE (Watermans Arts Centre), Panchin in THE MADMAN OF THE BALCONIES (The Gate Theatre), Claxton in THE SONG OF AN HONOURARY SOULMAN (The Shaw Theatre), Allwit in A CHASTE MAID IN CHEAPSIDE (The Old Red Lion), Martin in BLACK DOVE (Wimbledon Studio), Haydn in SUNNYSIDE UP (Soho Theatre), Daniel in THE DAY THE BRONX DIED (Tricycle Theatre). Television and film includes: DERAILLED, THE BANKER, MOTHERS LOVE, TRAPPED, and RUBBER BISCUIT, ONE DAY IN JULY, BEST DRAMA CHILDREN’S BAFTA AWARD (Hatrick) Joshua in DOCTORS (BBC) Dave in BLACK BRITAIN (BBC), Tony Lawrence in THE BILL (ITV), M.T. in MONEY TALKS (BBC), Michael Davis in ROUGH JUSTICE (BBC), P. C. Webster in DREAM TEAM (Sky TV), David in THE DEATH OF KLINGHOFFER (Blast films).

SUSAN SKIPPER (Clare Cooper) Susan was born in London but her childhood was spent in Dorset and Sussex. She trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. On leaving Central she made her first film THE SMILING GIRL MURDER. Her television work is extensive and includes such credits as, SHADES OF GREENE, HUNTERS WALK, Victoria in four series of THE CEDAR TREE, WEST END TALES, LADYKILLERS, RAFFLES, PRINCE REGENT, AIRLINE, SORRY, WESTBEACH and the children’s series KEVIN AND KRYSTAN. She also played Greta in Cecil Clarke's production of Ivor Novello’s THE DANCING YEARS for ITV, and she was Madeline in six series of the BBC comedy hit DON'T WAIT UP. Theatre work includes, Margery in THE COUNTRY WIFE, Rosemary in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, Constance in SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER at Greenwich, Holly in Bernard Slade's SWEET WILLIAM, and Lady Chiltern in AN IDEAL HUSBAND for Vienna's English Theatre. Her films include A ROYAL ROMANCE for ABC and WISH YOU WERE HERE for Zenith, which won the Fipresci Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Susan is delighted to be working at the Mill again following her appearances as Susan in THE LITTLE HUT, Valerie in SAY WHO YOU ARE, Sophie in TEN TIMES TABLE, Emilie in MY THREE ANGELS, Ursula in THERE GOES THE BRIDE and recently, Miss Cooper in Terence Rattigan’s SEPARATE TABLES and Mrs Montgomery in THE HEIRESS.

CORI SMITH (Ann Haynes) Cori trained at Mountview and on graduating went straight into the part of Michelle Carr in HOLLYOAKS. Most recently she has appeared in CASUALTY, EMMERDALE and DOCTORS. She is looking forward to her new series coming out in the Autumn called THE BEAT. Last year she toured the UK and Europe in an all female production of KING LEAR. This is Cori’s first appearance at The Mill and she hopes not her last!

MARTYN STANBRIDGE (Mark Cooper) 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 and delighted to be back at The Mill for this new play. 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, EASTENDERS.

COLIN WELLS (Peter Haynes) Colin began his acting career at the Greenwich Theatre in 1984 and continued at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow. He attended the Webber Douglas Academy in 1987 after which he returned to the Citizens Theatre where he appeared in over twenty-five plays. In Theatre Colin played ‘Wilfred Owen’ in NOT ABOUT HEROES, appeared with Glenda Jackson in MOTHER COURAGE which later moved to the West End, appeared in THE WHITE DEVIL at the Royal National Theatre and won a Best Actor Award for his portrayal of ‘Smith’ in EDWARD II. In 1999 Colin appeared at the Chichester Festival Theatre as ‘Christopher Marlowe’ in Jack Shepherd’s production of THE SCHOOL OF NIGHT. On Film he played Sam Curtis in C15: THE NEW PROFESSIONALS alongside Edward Woodward and was a lead in an episode of the Warner Brothers series DARK REALM. Colin’s other film appearances include Julie Taymor’s acclaimed feature TITUS with Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange. Colin’s extensive Television appearances include ‘John Adams’ in PEAK PRACTICE, MR BEAN, ‘Dick Manderville’ in THE HELLO GIRLS, ‘Sgt Marty Fox’ in THE BILL, ‘Luke’ in BIRDS OF A FEATHER, ‘Jake Booth’ in CROSSROADS, and ‘Michael Gaynor’ in COURTROOM DRAMA for C4. He has also appeared three times in episodes of DOCTORS and CASUALTY and played the regular role of ‘Johnno Dean’ in HOLLYOAKS. Most recently he played ‘Simon’ in Ben Elton’s BLESSED, ‘James‘ in MISTRESSES for the BBC, ‘Greg Patterson’ in THE ROYAL TODAY, and has recently filmed his role of, ‘Paul Faber’ in BLUE MURDER for ITV. Colin is looking forward to playing the role of ‘Peter’ in MURDER HUNT at the Mill at Sonning.

ANTHONY FARNESE (Frank Larby) A soon to be even more refurbished Anthony is delighted to be returning to The Mill under the direction of Miss Sally Hughes. Previous experience has included roles in THE BIONIC MAN, THE ODD JOB MAN, THE BAKER MAN, THE MAINTENANCE MAN, RUN FOR YOUR WIFE and his favourite part to date, The Delivery Man in BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (twice!). Anthony lives locally with his Production Managing Wife, dog and 4 goldfish.

IAN RUNNALLS (Frank Larby) Ian has lived in Sonning in the same cottage for 37 years and is dying to take part in this latest Sonning Mill Theatre production! Over his 30 year career he has reached great heights, having regularly broadcast to a captive audience in all parts of the world, but always from a different part of the same venue, and always with his back to the audience, and this is his debut performance actually on the boards!

SALLY HUGHES (Director/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. The most recent 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 and most recently FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS and TIME TO KILL. 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.

Sally Hughes

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 playwright Alan 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.

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

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 MURDER HUNT. 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, ALPHABETICAL ORDER, A NIGHT IN PROVENCE and THE HEIRESS.

BRIAN CLEMENS (Playwright) Brian Clemens is probably best known for creating and writing the series: THE AVENGERS, THE PROFESSIONALS, MY WIFE NEXT DOOR, THRILLER and BUGS. He has also written many feature films, including WATCHER IN THE WOODS for Bette Davis, HIGHLANDER TWO for Sean Connery and THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD. Currently he is working on HITCHCOCK & HOLMES, a series to be set in Dubai, plus a modern version of DORIAN GRAY. The Mill has already put on a number of his plays, and this latest one is ‘hot off the press’. Brian was born in Croydon, is married with two sons (both in the business) and divides his time between his farmhouses in Spain and Bedfordshire. His hobbies are writing, fine wines and more writing!

Production:
Production Manager -	Joan Farnese
Stage Manager -	James Neal
Chief Electrician -	Janet A Cantrill
Master Carpenter -	Ian Stroud
Wardrobe Mistress -	Jane Kidd
Deputy Stage Managers -	Jo Vimpany, Neil Webb
Assistant Stage Manager -	Karen Brown
Technician -	Ed Marshall
Scenic Artist -	Tony Eden
Assistant Carpenter -	Simon Graves
Wardrobe Assistant -	Evelyn Fidler
Dressers -	Ann Baker, Lynn Hinton, Catherine Bristow, Terry Bartholomew, Xye Appleton
Theatre Production Photography -	Norman Weston
Website Production -	Chris Berry