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 Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England
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6
AUGUST – 6 SEPTEMBER 2008
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Three
different couples visit Suite 719 at the luxurious Plaza Hotel,
and in so doing a hilarious comedy is created. The first visitors
are Sam & Karen Nash who honeymooned in the suite twenty years
ago. Karen romantically orders the same food they ate on their
wedding night. And even more pointedly, has bought herself a
glamorous nightie in an attempt to rekindle past passions. But
Sam’s mind is on other things. A big business deal is eluding
him. And he is continually losing the battle to keep young and
fit. But for whom? For Kate? Or….? The second occupant is Jesse
Kiplinger, a successful, vibrant film director. He has arranged
a rendezvous with an old girlfriend from his school days. The
gauche and nervous Muriel Tate arrives. And repeatedly stutters,
‘I’m a married woman!’ and ‘I really can’t stay another minute’.
But, inevitably she is dazzled by Jesse’s aura of Hollywood
magic. Will she succumb? Would you? The third couple are Norma
and Roy Hubley who have hired the suite for their daughter’s
glorious wedding day. However we never see Mimsy, the bride,
as she has locked herself in the bathroom. ‘The marriage is
off!’ declares Mimsy. The bridegroom, the minister, relatives,
friends, wedding guests are all waiting downstairs. Not to mention
an expensive feast. We watch as Norma and Roy threaten, cajole,
curse, beg – anything! – to get their reluctant daughter out.
Plaza Suite is one of Neil Simon’s best known and best loved
plays and his wonderfully witty dialogue and sparkling humour
will guarantee an evening of fun and laughter.
By arrangement with Samuel French Limited
Cast in order of appearance: Sam
Nash, Jesse Kiplinger, Roy Hubley - TERENCE BOOTH
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TERENCE
BOOTH (Sam Nash, Jesse Kiplinger, Roy Hubley) Terence studied
English and Drama at St. Luke’s College Exeter. Theatre includes:
IMPROBABLE FICTION, SUGAR DADDIES, HOUSE & GARDEN, A GOING CONCERN,
40 YEARS ON, BODY LANGUAGE, THE CRUCIBLE, A TRIP TO SCARBOROUGH,
SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY at the Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough,
SEASONS GREETINGS, IF I WERE YOU (SJT Tour); TIME OF MY LIFE (SJT
and Vaudeville Theatre); TAKING STEPS, FUNNY MONEY, SEASONS GREETINGS,
ALPHABETICAL ORDER (The Mill at Sonning), PROOF, OTHELLO, (Birmingham
and the Arts Theatre, London), THE CONTRACTORS (Oxford Stage Company
Tour); THE MAGISTRATE, ONCE A CATHOLIC, NIGHT AND DAY, (York Theatre
Royal); TAKING STEPS, OUTSIDE EDGE, PYGMALION, THE RIVALS, THE
NORMAL HEART (Harrogate Theatre); PASSION PLAY, ROMEO AND JULIET,
SEASON’S GREETINGS, THE GENIUS, PRAVDA, LITTLE FOXES, HAPGOOD,
CAPTAIN SWING, TONS OF MONEY, (West Yorkshire Playhouse); DANGEROUS
OBSESSION, THEFT, SEASON’S GREETINGS, HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES,
ONE FOR THE ROAD, THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, TIME AND TIME AGAIN (Theatre
Royal Windsor); EYE CONTACT (Riverside Studios); RACING DEMON,
EDUCATING RITA, ROMEO AND JULIET, TAKING LIBERTIES (Wolsey Theatre);
MRS WARREN’S PROFESSION (Clwyd Theatr, Cymru); NOISES OFF (Oldham
Coliseum); MAN OF THE MOMENT (Globe Theatre). Television Includes:
EASTENDERS, CASUALTY, I’M ALAN PARTRIDGE, LONDON BRIDGE 11, SILENT
WITNESS, TRIAL AND ERROR, SO HAUNT ME, THE BILL, THE LORELEI,
BOON, ENEMIES OF THE STATE, A PATTERN OF LIFE, and THE BASIL BRUSH
SHOW! Terry directed Alan Ayckbourn’s TIME OF MY LIFE for the
Mill at Sonning, and he is delighted to be back here again in
PLAZA SUITE. |
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| ISSY
VAN RANDWYCK (Karen Nash. Muriel Tate, Norma Hubley) Issy
has stradled the world of Cabaret from Ayres Rock to Wembley Conference
Centre. “Issy’s act is as bubbly as a seasonal glass of champers”
(Jack Massarik, Evening Standard), “One of the fizziest talents
in British showbiz – the singing is golden” (Charles Spencer,
Daily Telegraph), “A mischievous good time girl with a satirical
edge ****” (Clive Davis, Times). Issy's recent theatre work includes
CURTAIN UP, LIGHTS UP, COCK UP with Simon Williams and Stefan
Bednarcyzk at the Jermyn Street Theatre and a run at the Watermill
Theatre, Newbury, playing the part of Ethel Ardsley in Somerset
Maugham’s classic post war masterpiece FOR SERVICES RENDERED.
Other theatre work includes:- Marjorie Houseman in the original
cast of DIRTY DANCING – Aldwych Theatre; ONCE IN A LIFETIME (Helen
Hobart) – RNT; CALICO (Helen) – Duke of York Theatre; A MIDSUMMER
NIGHT’S DREAM (Helena and Titania), TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (Sylvia)
and KISS ME KATE (Bianca) – Olivier Nomination for Best Performance
in a Musical – Regents Park Open Air Theatre; A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS
(Anita), ARCADIA (Lady Croom), THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER (Lorraine
Sheldon) – Chichester Festival Theatre; SONG OF SINGAPORE (Rose)
– Minerva Theatre, Chichester and Mayfair Theatre, London; THE
BETRAYAL OF NORA BLAKE and THE JERMYN STREET REVUE – Jermyn Street
Theatre; A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Petra) – RNT; MOLL FLANDERS (Daisy)
– Lyric Hammersmith; UGLY DUCKLING (Maureen) – Watermill Theatre,
Newbury; LYSISTRATA (Peter Hall Co); WHICH WITCH – Piccadilly
Theatre. Film and TV: KINGDOM, SPLINTER, NUMBERTIME, MUSIC MAKERS,
WAITING FOR GOD, LESLEY GARRATT SHOW, TRIAL AND RETRIBUTION and
THE WORM. She was a regular performer with Larry Adler from 1991
touring the UK and abroad until his death in 2001. She has performed
her solo show in London at the Purcell Room, Pizza on the Park,
Sound Theatre, Criterion, Jermyn Street Theatre, Lauderdale House
and many other UK venues as well as abroad. She was part of FASCINATING
AIDA from 1994 – 1999 playing at The Garrick Theatre, Vaudeville
Theatre, Apollo Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket in the West
End as well as touring the UK and abroad – Olivier Nomination
for Best Entertainment in 1995 and 2000. Recordings: ITS OH SO
ISSY, WEST END GIRLS, DIRTY DANCING, SONG OF SINGAPORE, A LITTLE
NIGHT MUSIC, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, THE GLORY OF GERSHWIN, WEST
END CARES, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, MOLL FLANDERS, WHICH WITCH
and WITH FASCINATING AIDA – LIVE AT THE LYRIC; IT, WIT, DON’T
GIVE A SHIT GIRLS and BAREFACED CHIC. Radio includes: UNDER THE
NET, THE HIDING PLACE and MARY SEACOLE. |
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KELLY
HOTTEN (Jean McCormack, The Bride) Kelly graduated from Drama
Centre London last year. Roles included Annabella 'TIS PITY SHE'S
A WHORE, Queen Elizabeth in RICHARD III and Tatyana in PHILISTINES.
Kelly was a Spotlight prize Nominee 2007 and represented the school
for The Globe's Sam Wanamaker Festival 2007. Since graduating
Kelly has played Olivia in CHEEK BY JOWLS, TWELFTH NIGHT Director's
Summer School with Declan Donnelan. She has had much involvement
in New Young Graduate Theatre Company BLANK THORN performing to
raise funds for the company. |
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| JONATHAN
NITON (Bell Hop, The Waiter, Borden Eisler) Jonathan grew
up in Sonning and after attending the Reading Blue Coat School,
graduated from Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and Central
School of Speech & Drama in 2007. Theatre credits include Sgt.
Troy in FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (Dorset Corset Theatre Company
tour). For the Mill at Sonning: Arthur Townsend in THE HEIRESS;
Young Tony in the world premičre of THAT’S LOVE (with Rula Lenska
and Nicholas Ball) and SILVER WINGS OVER SONNING a gala evening
for the RAF Bomber Command. |
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ANTHONY
VALENTINE (Director)
Anthony’s first professional appearance was at the age of ten,
in a film entitled: NO WAY BACK. At eleven, he was working regularly
for BBC Television, one of his earliest roles was Lord Mauleverer
in that most famous of children’s serials; BILLY BUNTER. The same
year, he sang at Sadler’s Wells in a season of Italian Opera.
At thirteen came his first major film role and at sixteen, his
first appearance in the West End. At nineteen Anthony played Sir
Laurence Olivier’s son, Erhart, in Henrik Ibsen’s JOHN GABRIEL
BORKMAN, Olivier’s first television drama. Since then there have
been many television series. He played A J RAFFLES for Yorkshire
Television, Major Mohn in COLDITZ, Toby Meres in CALLAN and starred
with Margaret Lockwood in JUSTICE, three series of THE KNOCK for
London Weekend Television, BODY AND SOUL for Carlton, four series
of THE COMMANDER for Lynda La Plante and for Columbia Tri- Star
in Los Angles; THE FIFTH CORNER. Other series include; WAKING
THE DEAD, JUDGE JOHN DEED, MINDER, SHERLOCK HOLMES, HANNAY, RIDERS,
AFTER THE WAR, ROBIN OF SHERWOOD, THE HOUSE OF ELLIOTT, LOVEJOY,
AN AGE OF KINGS and Ivor Novello’s THE DANCING YEARS. His most
recent television includes; Agatha Christie’s POIROT, NEW TRICKS,
HEARTBEAT, THE LAST DETECTIVE, NUREMBERG and the latest series
of THE COMMANDER. His films include: JEFFERSON IN PARIS, MASADA,
ESCAPE TO ATHENA, TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER, PERFORMANCE, THE TERRORIST,
THE DIRTY DOZEN; FATAL MISSION, AMERICAN CUISINE, THE MONSTER
CLUB, THE DAMNED and TWO MEN WENT TO WAR. His West End theatre
work includes: THE SHIFTING HEART, TWO STARS FOR COMFORT, HALF
A SIXPENCE,THE PLATINUM CAT, NO SEX PLEASE WE'RE BRITISH, SLEUTH
and HANS ANDERSEN at the Palladium and at The Royal Court Theatre;
the London premieres of; Arnold Wesker’s CHICKEN SOUP WITH BARLEY
and Anne Jellicoe’s, THE SPORT OF MY MAD MOTHER. Anthony was last
in the West End at the Wyndham’s theatre in ART and at the Lyric
Hammersmith in THE WHITE DEVIL. For The Mill he wrote and directed
THE WAITING GAME and recently appeared in the Terence Rattigan
play SEPARATE TABLES directed by Alvin Rakoff. Following this,
Anthony directed Michael Frayn’s ALPHABETICAL ORDER and THE HEIRESS. |
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| Dinah
England (Set designer)
Dinah England trained in theatre design at Nottingham Trent University
and then worked as resident designer for the Queen’s Theatre,
Hornchurch. Productions include HARD TIMES, THE ENTERTAINER, HAVING
A BALL, JACK THE RIPPER, DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER, A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL,
DRACULA, WHAT THE BUTLER SAW, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, JACK AND THE
BEANSTALK, ONE FOR THE ROAD, BLITHE SPIRIT, APRIL IN PARIS, THE
GHOST TRAIN, LOST WORLD, BRIEF ENCOUNTER, SLEUTH, SLEEPING BEAUTY,
ROMEO AND JULIET and KEEP ON RUNNING. She also designed costume
for BLITZ and PERFECT PITCH, a collaboration with Hull Truck,
and set and costume for the community plays THE CHAMPION OF THE
HORNED CHURCH, CHECK IT OUT, DOWN THE RIVER AND UP THE ROAD, BUBBLES
IN THE AIR, and THE PATH OF THE BRAVE. Now freelance, her designs
include set and costume for the UK production of MURDEROUS INSTINCTS
at The Savoy Theatre, London, YEAR 10 at The Finborough Theatre
and Battersea Arts Centre (Time Out Critics Season), MARTHA, JOSIE
AND THE CHINESE ELVIS for Salisbury Playhouse, ROOM AT THE TOP
and IT’S A FINE LIFE (costume) for the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch,
TIME OF MY LIFE, A NIGHT IN PROVENCE, THE HEIRESS and LOVES A
LUXURY for The Mill at Sonning and productions for Arts Ed London
and E15 Acting School. www.dinahengland.com |
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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-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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| NEIL
SIMON (Playwright)
Neil Simon’s PLAZA SUITE is a very popular play. During the course
of his career, he has won three Tony Awards for Best Play (THE
ODD COUPLE, BILOXI BLUES and LOST IN YONKERS.) He has had more
plays adapted to film than any other American playwright, in addition,
has written a dozen original screenplays himself. He received
Academy Award nominations for his screenplays THE ODD COUPLE (1968),
THE SUNSHINE BOYS (1975) and CALIFORNIA SUITE (1978). He has also
been the recipient of the Antoinette Perry Award, the Writers
Guild Critics Award, the Shubert Award, the Outer Circle Award,
and a 1978 Golden Award for his screenplay, THE GOODBYE GIRL |
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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 |