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 Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England
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 A comedy by WILLY RUSSELL Directed by RON ALDRIDGE Dennis
Cain is a seemingly respectable middle-class businessman, living
happily with his gormless wife Pauline and their two children
on the affluent Castle Keys Estate. Just one problem. Dennis
is fast approaching his 40th birthday and a mid-life crisis
looms. And strange events are happening as a wave of creative
vandalism hits the conforming community. Garden gnomes are left
decapitated! Venus de Milo statues suddenly sprout arms! And
horror of horrors, Radox foam bath froths from all the fountains!!
Who is this midnight marauder? Could it be our disaffected Dennis
who wants to break away from his hollow, conventional existence
and revert to more carefree days?
The action of the play takes place in the lounge of the Cains’ dormer bungalow on a modern housing estate in the north of England. Time – 1979 ACT I Early evening ACT II Some time later the same evening |
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VICKI
HOPPS (Jane Fuller) Vicki trained at Drama Studio London Theatre
credits include: Maggie in TIME TO KILL, Wendy in DON’T JUST LIE
THERE SAY SOMETHING (The Mill at Sonning), Jane Fairfax in EMMA,
Nicki in THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE, Poopay in COMMUNICATING DOORS,
Lisa in DEAD FUNNY, Rosie in CIDER WITH ROSIE, all for The Royal
Theatre, Northampton. Gloria in YALLERY BROWN (Greenwich Theatre)
which won the Sainsbury’s Theatre Award, Cecily in THE IMPORTANCE
OF BEING EARNEST, (Shanghai Theatre, China), Juliet in ROMEO AND
JULIET (Kings Head), Maria Elena Holly in BUDDY (West End), Anna
in SAUCY JACK AND THE SPACE VIXENS (Café Royal) Julie in ITCHYCOO
PARK (Tour), Yvonne in BETTER LATE, (Etcetera Theatre). Television
includes: HOLBY CITY (BBC), MIDSOMER MURDERS (ITV), THE BRIEF,
(ITV), DOCTORS, (BBC), EASTENDERS (BBC), CASUALTY (BBC), PEAK
PRACTICE, (Carlton). CHUCKLEVISION, (BBC), PROFESSOR BUBBLE (Sky),
LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY (BBC). Film includes: ARTIFICE, DRAGONLANDS. |
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| LYNETTE
McMORROUGH (Pauline Cain) Lynette is delighted to be back
at The Mill, having previously appeared in STEPPING OUT and CAUGHT
IN THE NET. She trained at the Arts Educational School. Soon after
graduating she joined the Chichester Festival Theatre Company
and created the part of Angel Jelly in their original production
of the musical FOLLOW THE STAR. She reprised the role in the sequel,
MAKE ME A WORLD, then went to Hong Kong with the Chichester company
for CYRANO DE BERGERAC and OTHELLO. Her many subsequent theatre
credits include ONCE A CATHOLIC, COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME
JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN and THE ELEPHANT MAN in the West End; BLITHE
SPIRIT at the Lyric, Hammersmith and Derby Playhouse; BREATH OF
SPRING and HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES at Bromley; STEAMING, ROMEO
& JULIET, ELSIE AND NORM’S MACBETH and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING
EARNEST at Worcester; SYLVIA'S WEDDING (written for her by Jimmy
Chinn) at Oldham; JOKING APART and SWEET REVENGE at the Theatre
Royal, Windsor; and RELATIVELY SPEAKING at Winchester; national
tours of SAFARI PARTY, HAUNTED HOTEL, PRESENT LAUGHTER, BRIEF
ENCOUNTER, DANGEROUS CORNER, LITTLE WOMEN, THE RAILWAY CHILDREN,
GASLIGHT, THE RIVALS, TABLE MANNERS, NOISES OFF, DEATHTRAP, ‘ALLO,’ALLO,
DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE, ONE FOR THE POT, I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE,
A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED, THE HEIRESS and STRAIGHT AND NARROW; and
with Ray Cooney in his two farces, OUT OF ORDER and IT RUNS IN
THE FAMILY on P&O’s Aurora 2007 World Cruise. Lynette’s pantomimes
(as Fairy) include Canterbury, Brighton, Crewe, Redhill, High
Wycombe, Hastings, Torquay, Stevenage, Worthing and, for the last
two years, The Lighthouse, Poole; this year she will be waving
her wand in Cinderella at Richmond. On Television, Lynette is,
of course, best remembered as Glenda Brownlow in the original
CROSSROADS; she has recently appeared in SWEET MEDICINE, GRASS
and DOCTORS. |
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IAN
TARGETT (Roger Fuller) Ian trained at RADA. Theatre credits
include BOWS AND ARROWS (Royal Court), WHY M”(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), 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). National tours include AN
INSPECTOR CALLS, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, THE WINSLOW BOY and ARSENIC
AND OLD LACE Recent appearances at Sonning include JUST BETWEEN
OURSELVES, and OUT OF ORDER. 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, 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. 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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| NICK
WILTON (Dennis Cain) Nick read Drama & English at Kent University.
He made his professional acting debut in the 1980 revival of the
Whitehall farce SIMPLE SPYMEN, directed by Brian Rix, and later
went on to play opposite Brian in the West End revival of DRY
ROT. In 1982 he won the Perrier award at Edinburgh with the revue
group, WRITERS INC. This is Nick’s sixth show (try saying that
after a tube of wine gums) at The Mill; he was here in A BEDFULL
OF FOREIGNERS (twice), BEDROOM FARCE, ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR and
CAUGHT IN THE NET. Other stage appearances include: CASH ON DELIVERY,
THE SLOANE RANGER REVUE and NEWSREVUE in the West End; national
tours of OKLAHOMA!, OUTSIDE EDGE, RUN FOR YOUR WIFE, BRIEF ENCOUNTER,
as Samuel Pepys in THE SECRET DIARIES, and for the last five years
as Perks the porter in THE RAILWAY CHILDREN; HABEAS CORPUS (Bromley,
Exeter and Farnham); THE WOMAN WHO COOKED HER HUSBAND (Hornchurch);
NEVILLE'S ISLAND (Watford); Rosencrantz in ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN
ARE DEAD (Salisbury); Maniac in ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST
(Southampton); CALCULUS (New End, Hampstead); a Middle & Far East
tour of BEDROOM FARCE; OUT OF ORDER and IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY
with Ray Cooney on P&O’s 2007 AURORA WORLD CRUISE; FUNNY MONEY
and A BEDFULL OF FOREIGNERS in Singapore & Kuala Lumpur; and pantomimes
at Plymouth, Salisbury, Edmonton, Hornchurch, Ilford, Rhyl, The
Shaw Theatre, London, on BBC Radio 4 and at Worthing, where he
was resident Dame for three years; this Christmas will be Nick's
eighth year as Dame, playing 'Dame Trott' in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
in Hull with Cannon & Ball. Nick's television series (as peformer
and writer) include CARROTT'S LIB, HELLO MUM, FAST FORWARD, PLAYAWAY,
NUMBER 73, and WYSIWYG; other writing credits include sketches
for NOT THE NINE O'CLOCK NEWS, A KICK UP THE 80'S, THREE OF A
KIND, SPITTING IMAGE, SMITH & JONES, SMACK THE PONY and COMIC
RELIEF. Other TV appearances include THE BILL (3 times), CASUALTY,
HEARTBEAT, BONKERS, JACKANORY (5 TIMES), 2 series of BIG MEG,
LITTLE MEG, NOAH'S ARK, THE 10%ERS, COLIN'S SANDWICH, the BBC
films THE PLANT and GLAMOUR NIGHT, and in PAUL MERTON, KEITH ALLEN,
JIM TAVARE and JERRY SADOWITZ'S television shows. For the past
month Nick has been writing and recording scripts for exhibits
at The London Transport Museum, which re-opens this Autumn, and
he has just recorded a new DR. WHO C.D. for Big Finish. On Radio
Nick was in three series of SON OF CLICHÉ and IN ONE EAR, which
both won Sony awards for best comedy. Find out more www.nickwilton.co.uk |
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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
BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY, PERFECT WEDDING,
NOT NOW DARLING, 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. Ron recently directed two plays for the English Speaking
Theatre in Vienna –LOVE’S A LUXURY and Noel Coward’s FALLEN ANGELS |
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| DANIEL
COLLINS (Set designer) Design credits included: TWO AND TWO
MAKE SEX, THERE GOES THE BRIDE, POOLS PARADISE, WRITE ME A MURDER,
OUT OF ORDER, YOU’RE ONLY YOUNG TWICE, FUNNY MONEY – The Mill
at Sonning. DICK WHITTINGTON, ALADDIN, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK,
SLEEPING BEAUTY, FROM JACK TO A KING, ABSENT FRIENDS – Harrogate
Theatre. LOVES A LUXURY – English Theatre of Vienna. LUCKY STIFF
– Lucky Stuff Productions. ACCRINGTON PALS, CRY HAVOC, JANE EYRE
– Mountview Academy. THE BIRDS – Watford Palace. Dan has also
been a scenic artist at numerous rep theatres across the country
including Watford Palace Theatre and Pitlochry Festival Theatre. |
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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, INTIMATE EXCHANGES, NOT NOW DARLING, THE MAINTENANCE
MAN, STRICTLY MURDER, ALONE TOGETHER AGAIN, STARRY, STARRY NIGHT,
TIME OF MY LIFE, PERFECT WEDDING, FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS, TIME TO
KILL, IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY, SAME TIME NEXT YEAR, DOUBLE DEATH,
BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, ALPHABETICAL ORDER, CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL
and DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER |
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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 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). Most recently she appeared as Barbara
Smith in CAUGHT IN THE NET directed by Ray Cooneyand Ginger Mercer
in the musical TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS directed by Alvin Rakoff
and ALPHABETICAL ORDER directed by Anthony Valentine. The most
recent plays Sally has directed at The Mill are STEPPING OUT,
FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS and TIME TO KILL. Sally’s TV appearances
include: LATE EXPECTATIONS and LAURA AND DISORDER, 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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| WILLY
RUSSELL (Playwright) After leaving school at the age of 15
Willy Russell had a varied career which included writing as a
songwriter, composing songs in the folk idiom. However by the
time he was 20 he decided to become a playwright. He also decided
to take ‘0’ and ‘A’ levels and become a teacher. After a few years
he wrote what he considered to be his first play good enough to
produce – KEEP YOUR EYES DOWN. Since then he has written many
plays which include EDUCATING RITA, BLOOD BROTHERS, SHIRLEY VALENTINE
and of course ONE FOR THE ROAD. His first novel THE WRONG BOY
was published by Transworld in October 2000. |
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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 |