Sugar Daddies

Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England

Dinner

Jazz

16 JANUARY – 23 FEBRUARY 2008

By ALAN AYCKBOURN
Directed by ROBIN HERFORD

This delightful story centres on country mouse Sasha, who decides to join her city mouse sister Chloe, in swinging London. One night Sasha is startled to see Santa Claus knocked over by a hit and run car. Naturally the good natured Norfolk lass takes the costumed old man home. Little realising that he is really a master criminal in disguise! Unaware of his true identity Sasha allows herself to be wooed with bouquets of flowers, luxurious clothes, best seats at the opera and finally a complete transformation of Chloe’s flat – although, much to Chloe’s disgust, it looks more bordello than designer! But the gangster, ‘Uncle Val’, is not the only Sugar Daddy to enter Sasha’s life. There is also Ashley the ex-copper who lives in the flat downstairs, who turns out to be Val’s long term adversary. As we follow Sasha’s amusing journey to city sophistication we soon realise that she is not as naïve as everyone believes her to be! This is the renowned playwright – and Mill favourite – Alan Ayckbourn’s 63rd play. Superbly crafted, full of sparkling wit this thought provoking and yet immensely funny comedy, will entertain you right up to the surprisingly upbeat climax.

ACT I
Scene 1 – A few days before Christmas
Scene 2 – 6pm Two weeks later
Scene 3 – 2am That same night
Scene 4 – 6pm Two days later

ACT II
Scene 1 – Midday. Several weeks later
Scene 2 – 7pm. A few days later
Scene 3 - A few hours later. The same night
Scene 4 - The next morning

Cast in order of appearance:

Sasha - NATALIE BURT
Val - BRIAN MILLER
Chloe - REBECCA EVERETT
Ashley - MICHAEL BURRELL
Charmaine - ALWYNE TAYLOR

Directed by ROBIN HERFORD
Set designed by MICHAEL HOLT
Costumes designed by JANE KIDD
Lighting designed by JANET A. CANTRILL

MICHAEL BURRELL (Ashley) His long and varied career includes leading roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company, at the National, Chichester, with Stratford East and most of the country’s major companies. He has also played in 45 countries, some of them many times, picking up a number of awards in the USA and Canada. He has appeared in a score of films, including Fred Zinneman’s final movie, FIVE DAYS ONE SUMMER, and around four hundred television programmes. Latest of these were as Fred in the ITV series, BUTTERFINGERS and others include EASTENDERS, KAVANAGH QC, two Dennis Potter plays, comedy series such as DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE, YES HONESTLY, WODEHOUSE PLAYHOUSE and presenting MERRY-GO-ROUND for BBC Schools. Michael has directed around the world and is former Associate Director of both the Edinburgh Lyceum and Derby Playhouse, and for six years recently he ran the historic Angles Theatre in Wisbech. Since when he has spent two years in the West End, as Paravicini in THE MOUSETRAP and then as Arthur Kipps in THE WOMAN IN BLACK. Previous Ayckbourn appearances include TEN TIMES TABLE for Robin Herford at Windsor and he has previously played at The Mill in the last production of Neil Simon’s PLAZA SUITE.

NATALIE BURT (Sasha) Natalie has been graduated from GSA Conservatoire for just over a year now, she studied there for three years leaving with a First Class BA Honours in Theatre. During that time she enjoyed a variety of wonderful parts including Henriette Deluzy in RULING PASSIONS, written by Shaun McKenna, Carol in Jim Cartwright’s ROAD, and also the Lucy Brown in a tour of THE THREEPENNY OPERA. Her theatre debut was in a production of Terence Rattigans THE DEEP BLUE SEA at The Northcott Theatre in Exeter where she played Ann Welch. After this she very much enjoyed playing Elspie McBane in a revival of J B Priestley’s THE GLASS CAGE at Northampton Royal and Derngate under the direction of Laurie Sansom. In between theatre roles she played the lead in a short film called SMILES. She is very excited to be playing Sasha and is looking forward to working at The Mill at Sonning.

REBECCA EVERETT (Chloe) Rebecca trained at LAMDA. Her theatre credits include; Adele (HERONS), The Landor Theatre. Melanie (FAIR), which premiered at The Finborough Theatre, London before embarking on a National Tour and finally transferring into The Trafalgar Studios, West End. Chorus & Hercules (THE CURE AT TROY), which was toured to Greece for the International Theatre festival at the Amphitheatre, Delphi. Chorus (SWALLOW SONG), performing with the National Theatre of Greece; Oxford Playhouse & Cochrane Theatre. Radio: Sarah (FOCUS ON THE FAMILY) BBC. Rebecca also has extensive commercial experience for both Television & radio.

BRIAN MILLER (Val) Brian was born in Birmingham and went to drama school there. He has appeared in several plays at Birmingham Rep and with the company at the Edinburgh Festival. His repertory work at Canterbury, Wolverhampton, Liverpool, Manchester and Scarborough includes the Fool in KING LEAR, Lago in OTHELLO, the Common Man in A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS and Herbert Soppitt in WHEN WE ARE MARRIED. His first London appearance was in THE PRISONERS, a Sunday night performance at the Royal Court for Tomorrow’s Audience. He has understudied in Rattigan’s MAN AND BOY at the Queen’s and played William Featherstone in Alan Ayckbourn’s HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES at the Lyric and in Toronto, after first playing it at Scarborough. Brian appeared as the Auditor in NOT I and understudied Albert Finney in KRAPP’S LAST TAPE in a Beckett double bill at the Royal Court. He later played Krapp at the Liverpool Playhouse directed by Tim Albery and appeared at the Florence Festival with the Liverpool Company in THE LONG AND THE SHORT AND THE TALL. Brian’s fringe work includes CHRISTIE IN LOVE at the Open Space, and many appearances at the Orange Tree theatre in Richmond, including the first London production of Alan Ayckbourn’s FAMILY CIRCLES, and most recently THE CASE OF THE REBELLIOUS SUSAN, DR KNOCK and OVERBOARD. His other theatre credits include SCHWEYK IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR in Jamestown, New York, OF MICE AND MEN as George, and as Pinter’s THE CARETAKER for the Little Theatre Company Bristol. He has also appeared there in ROBIN HOOD and played Truscott in LOOT as well as Bates in BRIMSTONE AND TREACLE at the Bristol Old Vic. Brian played Arthur Kipps in THE WOMAN IN BLACK at the Fortune Theatre, also in Sheffield and Belfast. Recent theatre work includes CHASE ME COMRADE and SEASON’S GREETINGS (directed by Robin Herford) at The Mill at Sonning, also THE GAME HUNTER at the Orange Tree and The Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough and THE BILL CANTOR STORY, also at the Stephen Joseph. Also Franck in KOLBE’S GIFT at the New Farnham Rep Actors Company. Brian was a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company and occasionally plays Jason the Builder in THE ARCHERS. His recent television appearances include CASUALTY, THE BILL, DREAMTEAM and EASTENDERS. Brian has also appeared in the films BRAZIL and THE PUNK AND THE PRINCESS.

ALWYNE TAYLOR (Charmaine) Alwynes theatre credits include RHINOCEROS, THE ARSONISTS (Royal Court); GUYS AND DOLLS (ATG/Donmar UK Tour); DIAMOND (The Kings Head theatre, London); STALLERHOF (Southwark Playhouse London); A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS, DAVID COPPERFIELD, (West Yorkshire Playhouse); A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL, THE REVENGER’S COMEDIES, JUNE MOON, THE LINDEN TREE, LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS (Stephen Joseph theatre); PLATONOV, THE BED BEFORE YESTERDAY (Almeida); TRIAL BY JURY (Covent Garden Festival); THREE SISTERS (Bristol Old Vic); PAT AND MARGARET (New Vic Theatre, Stoke); THE NUN, SPRING AWAKENING (BAC); TESS OF THE D’URBERVILLES, TWO, SEE HOW THEY RUN (Derby Playhouse); THE NORMAN CONQUESTS (Crucible Sheffield); RICHARD III (Pleasance Theatre, London); THE ROVER (Salisbury Playhouse); SWOLLEN TONGUES (Cochrane theatre); ONCE IN A LIFETIME, COMPANY, SWEET CHARITY, ACCRINGTON PALS (Manchester Library Theatre); BLITHE SPIRIT (Northcott Theatre, Exeter); A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Liverpool Playhouse); ABIGAIL’S PARTY, TOP GIRLS (Bolton Octagon); PIAF, STEPPING OUT, HOME (Oldham Coliseum); GATEWAY TO HEAVEN (Oval Theatre, London). Film: THE OLD CURIOSTY SHOP (Disney); ASYLUM (Paramount); GENGHIS COHEN (BBC Screen Two). Television: MIDSOMER MURDERS, HEARTBEAT, CASUALTY, EASTENDERS, EMMERDALE, THE BILL, P D JAMES’ DEVICES AND DISIRES, DOROTHY L SAYERS’ STRONG POISON.

ROBIN HERFORD (Director) This is Robin's fourth Christmas Ayckbourn at Sonning, following TAKING STEPS , SEASON'S GREETINGS and JUST BETWEEN OURSELVES. He is clearly delighted to be back. Much of Robin's career has been involved with Alan Ayckbourn and the Stephen Joseph theatre in Scarborough. Joining the company in 1976 as an actor, he was appointed Associate Director in 1979 and Artistic Director from 1986 - 1988. Robin has appeared in the original production of more Ayckbourn plays than any other actor, from TEN TIMES TABLE in 1977 to HENCEFORWARD… 1987 and including the monster 16-play, two-hander IMTIMATE EXCHANGES. He came to London with SEASON'S GREETINGS and SUBURBAN STRAINS (Roundhouse), INTIMATE EXCHANGES (Greenwich and Ambassadors) and HENCEFORWARD… (Vaudeville). Robin is also often asked to direct Alan's plays, and has notched up over twenty productions in this country and abroad. While Artistic Director at Scarborough, he commissioned and directed Stephen Mallatratt's phenomenally successful adaptation of THE WOMAN IN BLACK, which is still running in the West End after eighteen years, and has completed eleven national tours. Directing, and occasionally performing in this play has taken him to Japan, USA, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Other London productions include THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN (Duke of Yorks), ROUGH JUSTICE (Apollo), JOKING APART and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Greenwich). Out of many other directorial credits, his favourites include SERJEANT MUSGRAVE'S DANCE, ALL MY SONS, TWELFTH NIGHT, CLOUDS, SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, THE BEAUX' STRATAGEM , BLITHE SPIRIT, A GOING CONCERN and WHAT EVERY WOMAN KNOWS. Robin's radio credits as an actor are numerous, and his TV credits include ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES, CASUALTY and THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE. Since his last visit to Sonning, Robin has directed national tours of CORPSE, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES and BEDROOM FARCE.

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. 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, DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER, ONE FOR THE ROAD, A NIGHT IN PROVENCE and RUN FOR YOUR WIFE.

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.

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 SOUVENIRS 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, 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.

ALAN AYCKBOURN (Playwright) Alan Ayckbourn is the long-serving Artistic Director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough and the author of over 60 plays, most of which were premiered at this theatre; PRIVATE FEARS IN PUBLIC PLACES and IMPROBABLE FICTION being the latest. More than half of these plays have subsequently been produced in the West End or at the Royal National Theatre. His 'double' play HOUSE and GARDEN was seen at the RNT recently. A few of his plays that have been performed at The Mill are - RELATIVELY SPEAKING, ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR, THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, BEDROOM FARCE, JUST BETWEEN OURSELVES, TAKING STEPS and CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL. A fellow of the RSA, he was appointed a CBE in 1987 and in 1997 was knighted for services to the theatre.

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