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 Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England
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by RAY COONEY & JOHN CHAPMAN Christmas
is the perfect time for The Mill to present a farce and NOT
NOW DARLING is written by two expert practitioners of the genre,
Ray Cooney and John Chapman who have kept The Mill audiences
laughing in the aisles for many years. By arrangement with Josef Weinberger Plays Ltd. The
action of the play is continuous and takes place on the 4th
floor floor of Bodley, Bodley and Crouch, a West-End Fur Salon.
The time is noon on a sunny day in late September, 1958
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PATRICK
MONCKTON (Arnold Crouch) This is Patrick’s 5th visit to
Sonning having appeared in OUT OF ORDER, SEE HOW THEY RUN, CALIFORNIA
SUITE and MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM. Recent theatre work HENRY IV
at Bristol Old Viv. His wide-ranging theatre credits include
Sir Peter Hall's LYSISTRATA in the West End and in 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 and CAN'T
PAY? WON'T PAY! At Bristol: BEDROOM FARCE, SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER,
FUNNY PECULIAR. His work at the National Theatre includes HAMLET,
TROILUS AND CRESSIDA, PLUNDER and TAMBURLAINE. Patrick's many
television credits include DINOTOPIA, TOUCHING EVIL, CORONATION
STREET, HEAD OVER HEELS, POIROT, THE BILL, MINDER, and BRIDESHEAD
REVISITED, all for various ITV companies, and, for the BBC,
EASTENDERS, THE BRITTAS EMPIRE, AN ACTOR'S LIFE FOR ME, MOON
AND SON, BERGERAC, SHADOW OF THE NOOSE, LICKING HITLER, THE
SECRET SERVANT and PROFESSIONAL FOUL. He works regularly on
television in America, with guest roles in several episodes
of DRACULA - THE SERIES, THE RETURN OF SAM McCLOUD, SHERLOCK
HOLMES AND THE LEADING LADY, RIVIERA, YOUNG INDIANA JONES and
he played Doctor Watson in the recent remake of ALFRED HITCHCOCK
PRESENTS - MY DEAR WATSON. Patrick's films include WHATEVER
HAPPENED TO HAROLD SMITH?, THE BORROWERS, THE FIRST KANGAROOS,
ROBINSON CRUSOE and HANNA'S WAR. He has just been in BBC’s BLEAK
HOUSE and a recent film KEEPING MUM.
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PAMELA
BANKS (Miss Whittington) Pamela is a local farmer’s daughter
and having graduated from Webber Douglas earlier this year,
is thrilled to return home for her debut theatre job at The
Mill. Credits whilst training: Sally Durant Plummer in FOLLIES,
Fay Hubbard in A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL, Josephine in LADY GREGORY’S
‘DAVE’. Other credits: CYMBELINE at the Edinburgh Fringe, 2002.
THE TEMPEST, Cliveden Open Air Theatre 2004. TV: THE FINAL CURTAIN
(Stage combat demo) – Global television. Short Film: CALL ME
HARRY. Pamela is a classically trained singer, and has also
sung jazz professionally for several years.
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ABI
HARRIS (Miss Tipdale) Most recently, Abi has appeared as
Trish Stoppard in Ben Elton’s new comedy series BLESSED and
as Louise in AFTER THE END at the Soho Theatre. This is her
third visit to Sonning, playing Nurse Gladys Foster in OUT OF
ORDER last Christmas and Terri Coleman in THE FACE OF FEAR and
she is delighted to be back. Other theatre credits include Polly
Garter, Mae Rose Cottage and Mrs. Beynon in UNDER MILK WOOD
(O.S.O., Barnes), The Dream Woman in THE LAST DREAM (Sherman,
Cardiff), Janice in THE FINISHING SCHOOL (Nuffield, Southampton)
and u/s Eileen in OVER THE MOON (Bath, Guildford, Old Vic).
Other television credits include BOTTLED UP and THE LAST DREAM.
Film Credits: WHAT DO YOU SEE? Abi directed Asha’s Story for
Asian Arts Access and has also directed prolifically in schools.
Abi is currently training for her third London Marathon, which
she is running in aid of The Actor’s Charitable Trust.
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MICHAEL FENNER (Gilbert Bodley) Michael trained at The
Central School of Speech and Drama. Theatre: He has just completed
a run at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester as the Prince
in ROMEO AND JULIET. Michael has also appeared three times on
television in the last year; as Sir Nicholas Wellesley in JERICHO,
as the Vicar in FOOTBALLERS’ WIVES and Malcolm Fontayne in DOCTORS.
Recent theatre appearances include; Colley Cibber in CALCULUS
at the New End Theatre, Hampstead, The Miller and Squire Derriman
in THE TRUMPET MAJOR at the Bridewell Theatre, The Pilot in
SAN DIEGO at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow and before that, Draycott
Harris in THE MATING GAME at The Mill at Sonning. He was Sir
Edward Ramsey in the National Tour of the West End production
of THE KING AND I. In the West End he premiered two roles for
Ray Cooney; Ronnie in OUT OF ORDER at the Shaftesbury Theatre
(also on a UK tour) and Dr Mike Connolly in IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY
at the Playhouse Theatre. He also appeared as Jerry in ZOO STORY
at the Young Vic. He played the Duke of Cornwall in KING LEAR
at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre also appearing in AS YOU LIKE
IT and A MAD WORLD MY MASTERS. With the RSC his work has included
playing Trefry in OROONOKO and Ventidius in TIMON OF ATHENS.
He took part in a world tour of THE WARS OF THE ROSES with the
English Shakespeare Company, playing Greene, Blunt, Mowbray,
Bullcalf, Gower, Talbot and Oxford as well as appearing in the
same production at the Old Vic; he also played Hrothgar in BEOWOLF.
At the National Theatre he played Murphy in SISTERLY FEELINGS,
Brac in THE ROMANS IN BRITAIN, Kwasind in HIAWATHA, Thomas Diafoirus
in THE HYPOCHONDRIAC (for which he was nominated for the Plays
and Players award as Best Newcomer), Balthazar in THE SPANISH
TRAGEDY, THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE, AMADEUS and OTHELLO. Repertory
work at Salisbury Playhouse, Bristol Old Vic, Manchester Library
Theatre, Perth, Crewe, Leatherhead, Windsor, Bromley, Basingstoke
and Westcliffe in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT,
ROYAL HUNT OF THE SUN, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, THE HOSTAGE, EQUUS,
THE RULING CLASS, DESTINY, ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR, THE BOYFRIEND,
ROMEO AND JULIET, CHARLEY’S AUNT, THE GHOST TRAIN, IT’S A MAD
WORLD MY MASTERS, JULIUS CAESAR, WOYZECK, ONE GOOD TURN. Television:
David in EASTENDERS, Kurt in HIGH STAKES, Spackman in DANGERFIELD,
Jeff Johnson in LONDON’S BURNING, D.C. Sutton in THE PARADISE
CLUB, Major Morris in RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, D.C. Mitchell in
INSPECTOR MORSE, the Dying Soldier in THE MONOCLED MUTINEER,
Kind Policeman in FIGHTING BACK, Clark in SHINE ON HARVEY MOON,
Thief in A SLIGHT BREEZE. Film: A FEAST AT MIDNIGHT, DEAD ON
TIME, JERUSALEM, LOST IN LONDON, HAWK THE SLAYER. Michael is
also an accomplished painter whose work has been exhibited at
several London galleries; he has been shortlisted for the Garrick
Milne Prize for theatrical portraiture. You can find out more
about Michael on his website: www.MichaelFenner.com
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REBECCA
REANEY (Janie McMichael) Rebecca trained at the Livingston
Academy of Dance and at the Birmingham School of Speech and
Drama. Her West End credits include Linda in BLOOD BROTHERS
(Phoenix Theatre) and Iris in FAME (Prince of Wales Theatre
and Victoria Palace). She played Candy in OH! WHAT A NIGHT at
the Hammersmith Apollo and Manchester Opera House. National
Tours include SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (with Paul Nicholas). Rebecca
played Doll Common in THE ALCHEMIST at the Courtyard theatre
and appeared in the play KISS ME LIKE YOU MEAN IT in Mansfield.
She starred in the new musical MUSCLES at the Landor Theatre
and created the role of Bonnie in a workshop of a new musical
LOVESHACK. Rebecca played Georgie in the new play BURNING DOWN
THE HOUSE at the Queens Theatre, Hornchurch and has just completed
a run of Terry Pratchett’s WYRD SISTERS at the Gatehouse Theatre
in London. Television credits include: DOCTORS; THE SECOND QUEST;
CRIMEWATCH; INNOVATION NATION; RAW TV and THE GREAT ESCAPE.
Rebecca’s film work includes MATCH REPORT; HELLO YOU; HINDSIGHT;
GOOD MORNING; JUST IMPEDIMENT and FLUSH AWAY which was premiered
at the Empire Cinema in Leicester Square, London.
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TERENCE
BOOTH (Harry McMichael) Terence studied at St Luke's College,
Exeter. Terry's recent theatre includes Brevis in IMPROBABLE
FICTION, Harvey in SEASONS GREETINGS tour, Richard in HAY FEVER,
Basingstoke, Ashley in SUGAR DADDIES at the Stephen Joseph Theatre,
Scarborough. Kay in the Contractor FOR THE Oxford Stage Company
Tour. Leslie in TAKING STEPS at The Mill at Sonning Theatre
and Theatre Royal Windsor. Other productions include: TIME OF
MY LIFE (Vaudeville); MAN OF THE MOMENT (Gielgud); THE CRUCIBLE,
SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY, HOUSE AND GARDEN, FORTY YEARS ON, BODY
LANGUAGE (Scarborough); PASSION PLAY, SEASON'S GREETING, THE
GENIUS, PRAVDA, HAPGOOD (Leeds Playhouse); THE MAGISTRATE, ONCE
A CATHOLIC, NIGHT AND DAY, GREASE (Theatre Royal, York); TAKING
STEPS, OUTSIDE EDGE, PYGMALION, THE RIVALS, THE NORMAL HEART
(Harrogate); TIME AND TIME AGAIN, HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES,
NORMAN CONQUESTS, ONE FOR THE ROAD (Windsor); MRS WARREN'S PROFESSION
(Theatr Clwyd); A GOING CONCERN (Southampton); NOISES OFF (Oldham);
For television Terence has appeared as The Vicar in EASTENDERS,
Edward Flynn in CASUALTY, as Peter Linehan in ALAN PARTRIDGE
II, Patrick in LONDON BRIDGE II, Richards in SILENT WITNESS,
TRIAL AND ERROR, Inspector Trent in SO HAUNT ME, Nick Ainley
in THE BILL, THE LORELEI, BOON, ENEMIES OF THE STATE and A PATTERN
OF LIFE.
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EMILY
McMORROUGH (Sue Lawson) Emily began her career, and indeed
life, as Glenda Brownlow’s baby, Katie Louise Banks, in the
original CROSSROADS for Central Television in 1983. Theatre
credits include: JOSEPH AND HIS AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
(Bill Kenwright Productions – tour), THE NIGHTINGALE (Birmingham
rep), THE RAILWAY CHILDREN (Middleground Theatre Company), ROMEO
AND JULIET, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, MACBETH (Rainbow Theatre),
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage and Kevin
Wood), WHODUNNIT (Gemini Productions – National Tour). Television
credits include: THE ALISTAIR McGOWAN SHOW (BBC), CROSSROADS
(Central Television). Film credits include: LOUISA (Sky UK Drama),
SOCIAL WORK (Cartway Production).
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BELINDA CARROLL (Maude Bodley) Belinda is the 5th generation
of an acting family, continued by her elder son Tam and daughter
Amy. She trained in repertory at Wimbledon and played in musicals,
pantomimes and summer seasons at an early age. Her first West
End appearance was playing opposite Donald Sinden in THERE'S
A GIRL IN MY SOUP, HIS HERS & THEIRS, with Gladys Cooper, THE
PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY with Douglas Fairbanks Jnr, NO SEX PLEASE
WE'RE BRITISH, with David Jason, Wendy to Dorothy Tutin's PETER
PAN, Agatha Christie's CARDS ON THE TABLE. Outside London, she
has appeared in Priestley's TIME AND THE CONWAYS at the Royal
Exchange, Manchester, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and AN
IDEAL HUSBAND at Windsor and touring. TV work includes BBC PLAY
OF THE MONTH – TARTUFFE; BBC2 MELODRAMAS playing opposite Ronnie
Barker, A QUESTION OF GUILT, MURDER ROOMS and CASUALTY. She
last appeared here in the summer with Royce Mills in TWO AND
TWO MAKE SEX and last year she was in the very successful Christmas
production OUT OF ORDER and before that, during the summer,
the equally successful STEPPING OUT. She is married to Michael
Cochrane and they have a son and two dogs.
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RON ALDRIDGE (Director) His career as director/writer/actor
has spanned over 28 years. He has directed in repertory, at
the Edinburgh Festival, on numerous touring productions, and
extensively on the London Fringe. He was assistant director
to Ray Cooney on the West End production of FUNNY MONEY at the
Playhouse Theatre and also directed the play in Israel,…… in
Hebrew. He also directed the UK national tour and most recently
the summer season at Eastbourne. His play HOVERING was nominated
for an award at the '94 Edinburgh Festival, and he has had numerous
plays produced in repertory and on the London Fringe. His comedy
YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG TWICE was recently published by Josef Weinberger
Limited. As an actor he has worked in repertory, on numerous
touring productions and in the West End. He starred in the lead
role of James Leeds in the award-winning CHILDREN OF A LESSER
GOD at the Albery Theatre followed by a long and successful
national tour. Other West End appearances include: THE VOLUNTEER
at the Riverside, RUN FOR YOUR WIFE at the Criterion, FUNNY
MONEY at the Playhouse, and THE ODD COUPLE at the Haymarket.
TV appearances include: LONDON'S BURNING, FOOL'S GOLD, THE KNOCK,
2.4 CHILDREN, THE BILL, NELSON'S COLUMN, EASTENDERS, and Bronco
in ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES. Ron very recently directed TWO AND
TWO MAKE SEX, OUT OF ORDER, FUNNY MONEY, THERE GOES THE BRIDE
directed and acted in YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG TWICE and IT’S NEVER
TOO LATE at The Mill and is delighted to be invited back.
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TONY EDEN (Set designer) Tony is the resident scenic
artist at The Mill where recent shows have included 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 design
for the Mill was IT’S NEVER TOO LATE and he is delighted to
be designing the set for NOT NOW DARLING.
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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. Some of Jane’s recent costume designs
include, STEPPING OUT, THERE GOES THE BRIDE, I REMEMBER YOU,
MURDER BY MISADVENTURE, OUT OF ORDER, ABSENT FRIENDS, IT’S NEVER
TOO LATE, A TOUCH OF SPRING, SHADY BUSINESS, CAUGHT IN THE NET,
TWO AND TWO MAKE SEX, SEPARATE TABLES and INTIMATE EXCHANGES
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JANET
A. CANTRILL (Lighting designer) This is Janet’s second lighting
design for the Mill. Her previous one being INTIMATE EXCHANGES.
Previous design work includes SWEENEY TODD, THE BARTERED BRIDE
and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE for the Bedfordshire Youth Opera,
THE BEAU DEFEATED and MARAT SADE for the East 15 Acting School
and almost every production at the Webber Douglas Academy during
her time there as Production Manager.
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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. The most recent
plays Sally has directed at The Mill are A FOOT IN THE DOOR,
POOLS PARADISE, THE FACE OF FEAR, STEPPING OUT and most recently
A TOUCH OF SPRING. 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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RAY COONEY (Playwright) In addition to co-writing BANG
BANG BEIRUT and ONE FOR THE POT with Tony Hilton, Ray Cooney
has collaborated with John Chapman on the highly successful
farces MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM, NOT NOW DARLING, THERE GOES THE
BRIDE and most recently CAUGHT IN THE NET,and on his own, he
has written CHASE ME COMRADE, TWO INTO ONE, RUN FOR YOUR WIFE,
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY and most recently FUNNY MONEY. He founded
the famous Theatre of Comedy in1983, subsequently becoming Artistic
Director. During Ray's hectic theatrical career he has always
found time to continue acting and played the last year of RUN
FOR YOUR WIFE! in London before appearing in the New York production.
Recently he played the lead in IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY and FUNNY
MONEY. Ray has been married to Linda for over thirty five years
and, apart from their son, Michael (author of CASH ON DELIVERY!)
they have an elder son Danny who lives in Australia with his
wife and two children. The sequel to RUN FOR YOUR WIFE, called
CAUGHT IN THE NET recently had a successful run at the Vaudeville
Theatre in the West End. Ray recently had the opening of his
new farce which he wrote with his son Michael, TOM, DICK AND
HARRY at the Duke of Yorks Theatre, London, as well as a try
–out production of his new musical TIME’S UP at the Yvonne Arnaud
Theatre, Guildford.
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JOHN
CHAPMAN (Playwright) John Chapman's first play, DRY ROT,
opened at the Whitehall Theatre, London in 1954. It proved to
be a resounding success, and ran for three and a half years,
a total of 1,475 performances. His next play, SIMPLE SPYMAN,
also ran for three years and was followed by THE BRIDES OF MARCH,
DIPLOMATIC BAGGAGE and OH! CLARENCE. John Chapman was well known
for his collaborations with Carla Lane in THE LIVER BIRDS and
Ray Cooney in the ever-popular MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM, MY GIDDY
AUNT, NOT NOW DARLING and THERE GOES THE BRIDE. He also wrote
over two hundred TV comedies, including BLANDINGS CASTLE for
Sir Ralph Richardson, HAPPY EVER AFTER (co-written with Eric
Merriman) which starred June Whitfield and Terry Scott, as well
as twenty six episodes of a highly successful Thames Television
series FRESH FIELDS, with Julia McKenzie and Anton Rodgers,
which won the emmy Award in America for the most popular comedy.
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| 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 | Gillian Marchbank |
| Technician | Ed Marshall |
| Scenic Artist | Tony Eden |
| Assistant Carpenter | Luke McAra |
| Wardrobe Assistant | Evelyn Fidler |
| Dressers | Ann
Baker, Lynn Hinton, Catherine Bristow, Terry Bartholomew, Karen Brown |
| Theatre Production Photography | Norman Weston |
| Website Production | Chris Berry |
