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 Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England
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A
thriller by LESLIE DARBON Riverside
Park Estate, close to Henley, reeks of affluence and the good
life. Home to business executives, company directors, successful
self-employed and their wives, life here is idyllic. A happy,
uncomplicated existence. It would appear the only worry is where
to take winter holidays. Klosters or The Bahamas? But beneath
this veneer lurks a seething cauldron of resentment, jealousy
and betrayal. By
arrangement with The Agency (London) Ltd The
action takes place in the home of Don and Maggie Parkes on The
Riverside Park Estate in Henley-on-Thames. Time: Wednesday 1st
April, 2006.
ACT I Scene 1 - Morning Scene 2 - A few minutes later ACT II Scene 1 - A moment later Scene 2 - A few minutes later
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ROBERT
FITCH (Don Parkes) Robert trained at the Academy of Live
and Recorded Arts. Theatre includes 'Eric' in TEN TIMES TABLE
(Windsor and tour), 'Tim' in SCREWED for the Curio Theatre Company,
'Conrad Jennings' in BLUE GIRL on tour for Vienna's English
Theatre, 'Paul' in OVER THE MOON (with Joan Collins) at the
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford, Theatre Royal Bath and the
Old Vic Theatre, 'Clifton Weaver' in ONE FOR THE POT at the
Theatre Royal, Windsor and 'Sam' in WAIT UNTIL DARK also at
Windsor and in London at the Garrick Theatre, 'Geoffrey Curtis'
in DEADLY NIGHTCAP in Vienna, 'Geoffrey' in ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR
and 'Herman' in STAGE STRUCK both at the Theatre Royal, Windsor.
Most recently he played at The Mill at Sonning in Ayckbourn's
two-hander INTIMATE EXCHANGES, toured with MARRYING THE MISTRESS
and played 'Charles Stanton' in DANGEROUS CORNER directed by
Bob Tomson at Windsor. Television/film appearances include 'Kafka'
in KAFKA'S LAST LAUGH for Orlagh McKaenny, 'Mr. Harvey' in HIT
LIST for Grasshopper Films, LONDON'S BURNING for LWT, PLAYRAPE
also for Grasshopper Films, SHAUN OF THE DEAD for Working Title
and most recently 'Piers Waldron' in THE QUEEN'S SISTER for
Channel 4 and 'Dentist' in THE VIRUS. His voice work includes
numerous English Language tapes and TELLING IT THE WAY IT IS
a BBC Factual Radio Drama for producer Jeff Capel. Robert has
a musical background. He was a session bass player with various
solo performers including DYAN CANNON during her brief foray
into the pop world. He also toured with the band ZED as bass
and harmonica player.
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VICKI
HOPPS (Maggie Parkes) Vicki trained at Drama Studio London
Theatre credits include: 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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RICHARD CALKIN (Alan Sexton) Richard was born in Wolverhampton and trained in performing arts at Pattisons College in Coventry and RADA. His recent TV credits include HOTEL BABYLON (Ken Norris) and HOLLYOAKS (Richard Taylor) which he played for two years. Other TV work includes EASTENDERS, BROOKSIDE and several light entertainment shows such as THE GENERATION GAME (paco) THIS MORNING, GMTV, RORY BREMNER, CHILDREN IN NEED and two ROYAL VARIETY SHOWS. Theatre work includes: West End productions of GREASE (Danny Zucko) original cast member of MISS SAIGON, JOSEPH (Pharaoh), MATADOR, KISS ME KATE - RSC (Gremio), SPIN - Royal National Theatre and several others. Regional work includes: SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER - Wimbledon, RICHARD III - Coventry, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING - Stratford. Film: GUNBUS, ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS. Richard's hobbies include: Renovating old buildings, long distance running and walking in the Kent countryside with his scruffy but adorable Wire-Haired Pointer Polly! |
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JOANNA
ELIOT (Jane Abbott) Joanna trained at the Webber Douglas
Academy of Dramatic Art. Most recently she played Rachel in
PERFECT WEDDING at The Mill at Sonning. Other theatre credits
include: creating the role of Becky Summers in DEAD EASY (Mowlem
Theatre), Birgitta in AN EVENING WITH GARY LINEKER and Jane
Worthington in OUT OF ORDER both at The Mill at Sonning, Donalbain
in JOURNEY TO MACBETH (Theatrum Botannicum), Madge in TIME
AND THE CONWAYS national tour (Theatre Royal Bath), Lady MacBeth
in MACBETH (Principal Theatre Co.), Gwendolen in THE IMPORTANCE
OF BEING ERNEST (Brighton Festival) and Isobel in THE SECRET
RAPTURE (EUTC). TV/Film credits: LIFE BEYOND THE BOX for BBC2,
MARGERY & GLADYS for ITV, PANDORA'S BOX, LOOKS AND COMMON
INTERESTS. Joanna also works as a presenter for Dramatic Solutions
and St. Dunstans Charity for blind ex-servicemen. She has
written and performed sketches for London Bites and is also
a regular voice for Usborne Childrens' Audio Books.
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ANITA
GRAHAM (Helen Francis) Anita Graham - equally at home with
comedy and drama - has a diverse list of credits to her name
including appearances for The Royal Shakespeare Company and
Ray Cooney's Theatre of Comedy. One of her favourite roles was
playing 'Mrs. Tebbett' in the drama MR THOMAS written by Kathy
Burke, a role she originated in the theatre premier at the Old
Red Lion with Ray Winston and subsequently recreated for Channel
Four Television's production. Just some of her West End credits
have been NO NO NANETTE at Drury Lane, ONCE IN A LIFETIME at
the Piccadilly Theatre, RUN FOR YOUR WIFE at the Criterion and
Whitehall Theatres, PIAF at the Piccadilly Theatre (the RSC
production) and 'Mitzi' in LOOK NO HANS with David Jason at
the Strand Theatre. Anita played the title role in SHIRLEY VALENTINE
at the Palace Theatre Westcliffe, 'Melissa' in ONE GOOD TURN
at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford, and 'Maggie' in OUTSIDE
EDGE at The Mill at Sonning and on tour. Television appearances
have been numerous from light entertainment shows with BENNY
HILL, DICK EMERY and MORECAMBE AND WISE to soaps and situation
comedies such as 'Lesley Langton' in EASTENDERS; 'Zelda Lee'
a regular character in the BBC series MOON AND SON' and 'Wilma'
in KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY. Anita also played 'Mrs. Endicot' in
LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE for BBC TV and 'Mrs. Kilby' in HARRY
AND COSH a children's series for Channel Five. Films include
TOO MANY CHEFS, DON'T JUST LIE THERE SAY SOMETHING and 'Ingrid'
in CONFESSIONS OF A WINDOW CLEANER. Anita spent six months in
America appearing in the New Playwrights Festival and Alan Bennett's
KAFKA'S DICK. Since returning she has toured with two Ray Cooney's
farces: CAUGHT IN THE NET and FUNNY MONEY, OUTSIDE EDGE by Richard
Harris, and most recently Alan Ayckbourn's TABLE MANNERS and
LIVING TOGETHER.
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MAXINE
GREGORY (Liz Thomas) Maxine Gregory studied Ancient History
at Swansea University and took the post-graduate acting course
at LAMDA. Here at Sonning she appeared in our last production
as Jacqueline Maingot in FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS and earlier this
year she played Suzie in STRICTLY MURDER At Chichester Festival
Theatre she played The Poacher's Wife in THE RECRUITING OFFICER
and at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester, she played Davis in
THE SEA, Helen in HELEN OF TROY, Mlle Y in STRETCHING STRINDBERG,
Nadia in UNMAN, WITTERING AND ZIGO, Neaera in THE DARK TOWER
and Eileen in A NIGHT OUT. At Oxford Playhouse Jill in JACK
AND THE BEANSTALK and at Cambridge Arts Theatre Princess Apricot
in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK and Fairy Godmother in DICK WHITTINGTON.
In London Maxine played Dora in DAISY PULLS IT OFF (West End),
Ellen in YOU'RE GONNA LOVE TOMORROW (Greenwich Playhouse), Sally
in EVERYTHING'S GREAT (Wimbledon Studio) and Judith in THE DISPUTATION
(New End Theatre, Hampstead). Maxine was in HOLBY CITY (BBC)
as Sophie Baker and she has done extensive radio and conference
work. When time permits she plays cello and piano.
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IAN
STROUD (Set designer) Ian has built over 50 sets for The
Mill at Sonning during the past six years. TIME TO KILL is Ian's
second design for The Mill. His first being BUILDING BLOCKS,
and he is delighted to be working alongside such an enthusiastic
production team.
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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 TIME
TO KILL. A few of his previous designs at The Mill, include
most recently 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 and NOEL & GERTIE.
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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
and FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS
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SALLY
HUGHES (Director/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, A TOUCH OF SPRING,
STRICTLY MURDER, ALONE TOGETHER AGAIN and most recently FRENCH
WITHOUT TEARS. 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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LESLIE
DARBON (Playwright) I used to live in the area. I even wrote
a play about it called "The Townsend on Thames Affair" - which
sank without trace after a dubious outing in an obscure rep
oop north - Watford actually - (they don't understand us Southerners,
do they?) A few years later I decided to go upmarket and moved
from Henley to Croydon Oh. You may well ask where Croydon Oh
is? It is, in fact, Croydon. But, when anyone asks me where
I live now and I say Croydon - they always say - Oh! Can't imagine
why. I still have links with Henley though. Two of my beautiful
grandchildren - Phoebe and Harry - live here, so here I am again
with another play about Henley - "Time To Kill". Could you please
do me a favour and sort of - like it. Not for my sake, you understand.
For my grandchildren. Only I don't want them to be bullied in
the playground if you all think it's a pile of rubbish. What
else have I done? Trouble is if I go into detail it gives my
age away and I go around telling everyone I'm twenty nine. I
did work on a TV series which started out with the words "Evening
all." Then I progressed to other rubbish like "Department S"
"Jason King" - "The Adventurer" - "Courier" - "Shoestring" -
"Bergerac" - "Moon and Son" - "Crossroads" … all right, all
right, I admit - I'm over thirty. Plays - real plays - for the
theatre, I mean - "Two And Two Make Sex" - "No, No, Not Yet"
- "Who Goes Bare?" - real kitchen sink stuff - "Double Edge"
- "A Murder Is Announced" - "Cards On The Table" - "Dead On
Time" -"Murder By Proxy" ….. look - I'm boring myself to death
so Lord knows what it must be doing to you - but there were
seventeen all told - and all written before the age of thirty
five!
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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 | Karen Brown |
| Technician | Ed Marshall |
| Scenic Artist | Tony Eden |
| Assistant Carpenter | Luke McAra |
| Wardrobe Assistant | Evelyn Fidler |
| Dressers | Ann
Baker, Lynn Hinton, Catherine Bristow, Terry Bartholomew |
| Theatre Production Photography | Norman Weston |
| Website Production | Chris Berry |
