The Heiress

Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England

Dinner

Jazz

27 FEBRUARY – 29 MARCH 2008

By RUTH & AUGUSTUS GOETZ
Based on WASHINGTON SQUARE by HENRY JAMES
Directed by ANTHONY VALENTINE

The grandest house in Washington Square is a most imposing residence. As befits the master of the household, a man of substantial stature, Dr Austin Sloper. He has a daughter, Catherine, whom he regards as plain. Which is strange. Since his wife, her mother, was a ravishing beauty, witty, a vivante. She died giving birth to Catherine. Perhaps that is why Sloper is both intentionally and unintentionally cruel to his daughter. When a handsome fortune hunter, Morris Townsend, comes along professing his love for Catherine, Sloper immediately sees through the dashing young man’s façade. But Catherine sees it only as a chance to escape the house, to live, to love. Others try to persuade the doctor that even if Morris’ motives are questionable, he must not stand in the way of his daughter’s one chance to love. Will he listen? THE HEIRESS based on the novel by Henry James is a story of revenge. And counter revenge. With surprising twists that only such profound characters could bring to this plot. A thoughtful, romantic story.

Anthony Valentine

The Mill is delighted to welcome back the outstanding actor, ANTHONY VALENTINE – RAFFLES, COLDITZ, CALLAN – to apply his years of theatrical skills as a director of this powerful drama.

By arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd.

Cast in order of appearance:

Maria - EMILY McMORROUGH
Dr Austin Sloper - GARY RAYMOND
Catherine Sloper - EMILY RAYMOND
Mrs Elizabeth Almond - JO ROSS
Marian Almond - NELLY HARKER
Arthur Townsend - JONATHAN NITON
Morris Townsend - DAMIEN LYNE
Mrs Montgomery- SUSAN SKIPPER

Directed by ANTHONY VALENTINE
Set designed by DINAH ENGLAND
Costumes designed by JANE KIDD
Lighting designed by MATTHEW BISS

The action of the play passes in the front parlour of Dr Sloper’s house in Washington Square, New York, in the year 1850

ACT I
Scene 1 An October evening
Scene 2 An afternoon two weeks later
Scene 3 The next morning

ACT II
Scene 1 An April night six months later
Scene 2 Two hours later
Scene 3 A morning three days later
Scene 4 A summer evening almost two years later

GARY RAYMOND (Dr Austin Sloper) Gary Raymond trained at RADA and his first work in the theatre was to play in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and KING LEAR with Sir John Gielgud and Dame Peggy Ashcroft. After some repertory work at Nottingham, Oxford and Windsor, he played Cliff in LOOK BACK IN ANGER at the Royal Court and subsequently on film. He has appeared in numerous West End plays and musicals (including IRMA LA DOUCE, THE WORLD OF SUZIE WONG and SHE LOVES ME) and has twice been a member of the National Theatre Company. For the New Shakespeare Company in Regent's Park he has played BENEDICK, OBERON, CLAUDIUS and MERCUTIO. He was a member of the Actors Company and in the mid-seventies was one of the founder members of the London Shakespeare Group with which he toured to over 55 countries and played MACBETH, BENEDICK and ROMEO as well as appearing in BETRAYAL by Harold Pinter and in FAITH HEALER by Brian Friel. During the last three years he has toured in the UK, USA and the Far East with his wife, Delena Kidd in DEAR LIAR by Jerome Kilty in FULL CIRCLE with Joan Collins, in Frank Barrie's play THE DEVIL YOU KNOW and at the Donmar Warehouse as the Colonel in GRAND HOTEL. He played John of Gaunt with Kevin Spacey in the Old Vic production of RICHARD 2ND . His TV appearances include SCARLETT, VICTORIA AND ALBERT, CASUALTY, THE ATTIC the long running series RAT PATROL in the USA, THE PERSUADERS, THE SAINT and MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT. Films are : Cliff in LOOK BACK IN ANGER, King Charles in THE MOONRAKER, Acastus in JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, Christy Mahon in PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD, Sancho in EL CID, George in SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER, Sophia Loren's husband in THE MILLIONAIRESS, and St Peter in THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD. Most recently he has filmed in Poland in THE FOREIGNER with Stephen Segal. Over 30 years ago he played Orsino in TWELFTH NIGHT for the BBC with Sir Ralph Richardson as Sir Toby, the original Dr. Sloper. He is delighted to be working with his daughter for the first time , and to be appearing at Sonning for the third.

EMILY RAYMOND (Catherine Sloper) Emily trained at The Manchester Polytechnic School of Theatre. Theatre: THE SEAGUL, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre; THE TEMPEST at The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester; A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, MACBETH, THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE at Regents Park Open Air Theatre; YOU NEVER CAN TELL at The Mercury Theatre, Colchester; ROMEO AND JULIET at The Chester Gateway Theatre; OF MICE AND MEN at Nottingham Playhouse; DANGEROUS CORNER at The Minerva, Chichester; THE RIVALS at The Chichester Festival Theatre and West End; four seasons with The Royal Shakespeare Company in: A JOVIAL CREW, ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, THE BEGGARS OPERA, THE CHANGELING, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, ZENOBIA, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, THE RIVALS, ROMEO AND JULIET and KING LEAR. Television: OUT OF LINE; A MURDER OF QUALITY; PEAK PRACTICE; HIGHLANDER; ROBIN HOOD. Film: LOVE LIES BLEEDING; A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; SEEING THINGS. Radio: Plays for Radio 4 drama; a regular contributor to SOMETHING UNDERSTOOD on Radio 4.

NELLY HARKER (Marian Almond) Nelly graduated from the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in 2005. Theatre credits include: Eve in THE DIARIES OF ADAM AND EVE, Elvira in BLYTHE SPIRIT, Annie in TABLE MANNERS, Nancy in GASLIGHT, Jennie in CHAPTER TWO and Belinda in THE PUBLIC EYE – all for Frinton Summer Theatre. Nelly has also played Miranda in an open air production of THE TEMPEST at Cliveden House as well as Cecily in a staged reading of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at Chichester Festival Theatre.

SALLY HUGHES (Mrs Lavinia Penniman/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 and ALPHABETICAL ORDER. 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-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.

DAMIEN LYNE (Morris Townsend) Damien Lyne trained at the Drama Centre London. Theatre includes THE HOSTAGE, THE COUNTRY WIFE, THE VENETIAN TWINS, KING LEAR, LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST (RSC), TESS (The King’s Head, Islington), THE HUMMINGBIRD (Royal Court Upstairs), PRIDE WITH PREJUDICE (The Gatehouse Theatre), GRAVE GIFTS (AOD Theatre Royal Bath and UK tour). NEWSREVUE (Canal Café Theatre). Television includes MIDSOMER MURDERS, THE VICE, DOCTORS, THE BILL, NEVERWHERE, YESTERDAY’S DREAMS, IS THIS IT, HARRY ENFIELD. Radio includes GILES WEMBLY-HOGG GOES OFF, VOICES FROM AFAR (BBC R4) Short films include 1969, HERO (International Festivals).

JONATHAN NITON (Arthur Townsend) Jonathan grew up in Sonning and after attending the Reading Blue Coat School went on to be one of the last year to be trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art; graduating June last year. His theatre credits whilst training include Edgar in KING LEAR, Julius Levenovitch in SEMI MONDE and Edward in THE VOYSEY INHERITANCE. Other theatre credits include Sgt. Troy and Billy Smallbury in FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (Dorset Corset Theatre Company Tour), Understudy in DOUBLE DEATH at The Mill at Sonning. Jonathan is thrilled to be back home and working at The Mill.

JO ROSS (Elizabeth Almond) Jo trained at the Birmingham School of Drama, and "got her card" as Acting ASM at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. She joined the New Shakespeare Company at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park for a season where she played Helena in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (directed by David Weston) and Beatrice in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (David Conville), also appearing OVERRULED, a one-act play by George Bernard Shaw, directed by Christopher Biggins. At the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, she was Beverly in Mike Leigh's ABIGAIL'S PARTY and Ruth in Tom Stoppard's NIGHT AND DAY for director Michael Elwyn, and she also appeared opposite Simon Williams, in DOUBLE CUT at the Thorndike Theatre Leatherhead, directed by Roger Clissold. Jo appeared in THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE at The Mill At Sonning, directed by June Howson and played Miss Skillon in Simon Williams' production of SEE HOW THEY RUN! also at The Mill, and CALIFORNIA SUITE directed by SALLY HUGHES. Television credits include ONLY CHILDREN (a play for BBC TV), PARTNERS IN CRIME (for ITV, with Francesca Annis and James Warwick), SHOESTRING, BERGERAC and three episodes of the first series of LOVEJOY, directed by Baz Taylor. She appeared in the BBC TV serial TO HAVE AND TO HOLD and played Camilla Parker-Bowles in CHARLES & DIANA - A Royal Romance. She has also appeared in two BBC TV serials directed by Ben Bolt, NEVER COME BACK & SCARLET AND BLACK and JONATHAN CREEK also for the BBC for director Sandy Johnson. Film credits include playing opposite Gene Wilder in the film, HAUNTED HONEYMOON, and BRIGHTHAIR for director Chris Menual for Initial.

SUSAN SKIPPER (Mrs Montgomery) 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.

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, 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 latest television includes; Agatha Christie’s POIROT, NEW TRICKS, HEARTBEAT, THE LAST DETECTIVE and NUREMBERG. 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 premiers 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. He also wrote and Directed THE WAITING GAME at The Mill at Sonning and for The Mill he recently Directed Michael Frayn’s ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

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 where she designed set and costumes for 28 main house productions. These included 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 which premiered at Theatre Royal Norwich and The Savoy Theatre, London, YEAR 10 for The Finborough Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre (Time Out Critics Season), Le Théâtre National de Strasbourg and the Festival de Théâtre in Rennes, 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 and A NIGHT IN PROVENCE for The Mill at Sonning and productions for Arts Ed London and E15. www.dinahengland.com

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, RUN FOR YOUR WIFE and SUGAR DADDIES.

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 THE HEIRESS. 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 and A NIGHT IN PROVENCE.

RUTH & AUGUSTUS GOETZ (Playwrights) The writer Ruth Goetz (born 1908) collaborated with her husband Augustus on one of the most successful and frequently performed of American plays THE HEIRESS, based on Henry James’s novel WASHINGTON SQUARE. The couple also wrote the screenplay for William Wyler’s Oscar nominated film version starring Olivia de Havilland. They wrote and adapted many plays together during their married life. The couple’s last play together, THE HIDDEN RIVER, starred Robert Preston, and was produced on Broadway in 1957, the year that Augustus died. In tribute to her husband Ruth wrote a play about him, SWEET LOVE REMEMBER’D (1959). She died 2001.

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