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 Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England
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By ALAN AYCKBOURN Alan
Ayckbourn returns to The Mill in blazing form. TIME OF MY LIFE
is a play by an inspired master craftsman working at full stretch
- harsh and funny, generous but unforgiving. The setting is
Laura Stratton's 54th birthday party in a pseudo-Mediterranean
restaurant in the North of England. Also present are Laura's
husband Gerry, a self-made businessman; their womanising son
Glyn and his colourless wife Stephanie; and their adored younger
son Adam and his glorious punk hairdresser girlfriend - Maureen.
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KAREN
ASCOE (Stephanie) Karen has appeared previously at Sonning
in Robin Herford's productions of TAKING STEPS and SEASON'S
GREETINGS and more recently as Fran in Simon Williams' BOYS
WILL BE BOYS. This year she has been playing Olivia on a U.K.
tour of THE SHELL SEEKERS, with Susannah York. Theatre in London
includes: Sasha in IVANOV, Hero in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, (Strand);
A SHAYNA MAIDEL, (Ambassadors); Dolly in Shared Experience's
award-winning ANNA KARENINA at the Lyric Hammersmith and Tricycle
Theatres and on two U.K. and International tours; AFTER MRS.
ROCHESTER at Richmond and on U.K. and International tour; the
jazz-theatre piece, OUT THERE, with Django Bates (Riverside
Studios); THREE VIEWINGS (New End). For the Orange Tree, Richmond:
ADAM BEDE, PÈRE GORIOT, THE CASE OF REBELLIOUS SUSAN, DR. KNOCK,
SILAS MARNER, THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT. Other theatre credits
include: TARTUFFE, HAY FEVER(Haymarket, Basingstoke); PERFECT
DAYS, TIME OF MY LIFE, EXTREMITIES ( Playhouse, Derby); ROOKERY
NOOK, TWELFTH NIGHT, THE RIVALS (Mercury, Colchester); LOOT
AND THE GLASS MENAGERIE (Swan, Worcester); Recent television
work includes: BEETHOVEN, THE BILL, DOCTORS, DREAM TEAM, CASUALTY,
ARMADILLO, THE ARMANDO IANNUCCI SHOWS, LONDON'S BURNING, PEAK
PRACTICE, KID IN THE CORNER. Film: PAPER MASK, LOAF. While training
at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Karen won the BBC
Radio Drama Competition and so spent 7 months with the Radio
Drama Company. Favourite parts include Dorine in TARTUFFE and
Miranda in THE TEMPEST with the late Sir John Gielgud.
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ROBERT
AUSTIN (Gerry) This is Robert's first appearance at Sonning.
He has worked extensively with Alan Ayckbourn over many years.
His credits include; Sven in JOKING APART, Watkin Bassett in
BY JEEVES, Leo/Maurice/Derek in the trilogy DAMSELS IN DISTRESS
in Scarborough and the West End and has played many seasons
in Scarborough. Other roles he has played include Sweeney Todd
in SWEENEY TODD; Falstaff in HENRY IV PART II and Toby Belch
in TWELFTH NIGHT (Manchester); Dogberry MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
(Stoke); Philip RELATIVELY SPEAKING; Andrew Wyke SLEUTH, Thomas
Moore A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS (Scarborough). He has worked in
many theatres throughout the country and in the West End. Most
recently he has played Sir Anthony Absolute in THE RIVALS and
Sorrin in THE SEAGULL. His television credits include the series
AGONY and was Bernard in The National Theatre of Brent series
MIGHTY MOMENTS FROM WORLD HISTORY. He has appeared in many other
television roles, most recently HOLBY CITY and CORONATION STREET.
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RACHEL
BELL (Laura) Rachel did a degree in Drama at Hull University
and in 1972 became a founder member of Hull Truck Theatre Company.
Theatre includes: UNDER MILK WOOD (Royal National Theatre);
THE GLAD HAND and FLYING BLIND (Royal Court); the title role
in MRS GAUGUIN (Almeida); SCOUTS HONOUR (Lyric Hammersmith);
PLUNDER (Savoy Theatre); PAT AND MARGARET (Salisbury); and Nurse
in ROMEO AND JULIET for Stafford Gatehouse. Tours include: THE
CONTRACTOR for Oxford Stage Company and ABSENT FRIENDS with
the cast of DEAR JOHN. Films: SWEET WILLIAM, RED MERCURY RISING
and THE DEATH OF KLINGHOFFER. Television includes: Louise in
two series of DEAR JOHN; Miss Pilchester in three series of
THE DARLING BUDS OF MAY; and Mrs Holmes for six years in GRANGE
HILL. Also: POIROT, DR WHO, MISS MARPLE, ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES,
'TILL WE MEET AGAIN, ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, LAST OF THE SUMMER
WINE, THE UPPER HAND, A DARK ADAPTED EYE, MURDER IN MIND, MIDSOMER
MURDERS etc. Rachel is married with two children, a border collie
and an allotment.
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ROBERT
CANN (Adam) Robert graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre
Arts in 2001. His Mountview credits include; Martin Glass in
MAYDAYS and Gottfried Swetts in A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY . His
theatre credits include; Fortinbras and Player King in HAMLET
at The Lewisham Broadway Theatre, Angelo in THE RED DRESS at
The Kings Head Theatre, Islington, the Vicar in CONFUSIONS at
The Theatre, Leatherhead, Orlando in AS YOU LIKE IT and Lucentio
in THE TAMING OF THE SHREW touring open-air theatre to English
Heritage sites across the UK. He has also played Prince Charming
for Disney Corporate events in London and Milan. Robert recently
completed a National tour playing Romeo in ROMEO & JULIET and
Oberon/Francis Flute in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM with the Young
Shakespeare Company. He has appeared in two consecutive pantomimes
at The Theatre, Leatherhead as Buttons in CINDERELLA in 2004
and as Idle Jack in DICK WHITTINGTON in 2005. He is delighted
to be here at The Mill, Sonning.
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STUART
FOX (The Waiters) This is Stuarts first appearance at Sonning.
His recent theatre work includes; Blue/Orange (Bolton Octagon)
IMPROBABLE FICTION (Scarborough Tour, alongside director Terence
Booth) DROWNING ON DRY LAND (Scarborough) THE GAMEHUNTER (Scarborough/Orange
Tree co-production) and MONKEY'S UNCLE (Orange Tree). For the
Orange Tree, Richmond, Stuart has made numerous appearances
including; BODIES, WHAT THE HEART FEELS, THE CAUCASIAN CHALK
CIRCLE, THREE SISTERS, SPERM WARS, LIPS TOGETHER TEETH APART,
THE WAY OF THE WORLD, CAUGHT IN THE ACT and HAVE YOU ANYTHING
TO DECLARE? Other theatre work includes: KING LEAR, THE CHERRY
ORCHARD and A MAN'S A MAN (Bristol Old Vic) CONFUSIONS (Salisbury)
OLEANNA and BROKEN GLASS (Northampton) THE ILLUSION (Manchester
Royal Exchange) THE SONG OF THE WESTERN MEN (Chichester) BEDROOM
FARCE (Plymouth) THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE (Edinburgh Lyceum)
and PHOENIX (7.84). In the West End he appeared in FILUMENA
MARTURANO, THE NORMAL HEART AND FEAR & LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS.
Television appearances include: THE VICE (Carlton),CASUALTY
(BBC), THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL (BBC), EASTENDERS (BBC), THE BILL
(THAMES TV), LOVE HURTS (BBC / ALAMO) and (BBC) THE BACKUP.
For radio he has recently recorded THE MIRANOV LEGACY,the story
of Helen Mirren's grandfather's exile in London, and MY LOVE
MUST WAIT, the story of Matthew Flinders voyage to Australia.
Films include: RETURN OF THE JEDI, SID AND NANCY,,GIRLS NIGHT
and most recently he was the Blind Beggar in THE GOSPEL OF JOHN.
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LINDSAY
FRASER (Maureen) Lindsay trained at the Drama Centre London
where she played parts such as Nina in Checkhov's THE SEAGULL
and Bridget in Brian Friels's TRANSLATIONS. Lindsay's TV and
film credits include the feature film MARRIED TO MALCOLM with
Mark Addy and most recently she worked with Director Mike Figgis
on a Red Mullet production. This is her first play at The Mill
at Sonning Theatre.
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JACK
SANDLE (Glyn) Jack trained at the London Academy of Music
and Dramatic Art. His theatre credits include: Simon Bliss in
HAYFEVER at Theatre Royal, York; Adam Bede in ADAM BEDE, John
Abud in THE MARRYING OF ANN LEETE, Daniel in SUMMER AGAIN all
for the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond; Charlemont in THE ATHEIST'S
TRAGEDY at the White Bear, London; Nick in THE NEEDLE'S EYE
at the King's Head, London; Macbeth in MACBETH for the Cambridge
Shakespeare Company; Arcite in TWO NOBLE KINSMEN at Bristol
New Vic Theatre; Danny in SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO at Theatre
West; The Gambler in SEE BASE OF CAN at Young Vic and Edinburgh
Festival (Fringe First winner); Robert Turner in EPPING FOREST
at Waterman's Arts Centre. Jack's television and film credits
include: THE ROYAL and EMMERDALE for Yorkshire , WIRE IN THE
BLOOD for Coastal Productions; MY HERO for the B.B.C.; INDIGO
AND JAKE for Channel 4; THE BIRTHDAY for Ironwood Pictures.
Jack can also be seen this Autumn in THE DAUGHTER IN LAW at
the Palace Theatre Watford.
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TERENCE
BOOTH (Director) This is Terry's directorial debut, but
he has worked with Sir Alan Ayckbourn as an actor many times
over the past twenty-five years, including the original production
of TIME OF MY LIFE, in which he played Calvinu and The Waiters.
He has worked mainly in Regional Theatre, including Scarborough,
York, Harrogate, Leeds, Clwyd, Oldham, Windsor, Milford Haven,
Basingstoke, Croydon, Battersea, Ipswich, Southampton and of
course, Sonning, where he has appeared in SEASONS GREETINGS,
TAKING STEPS, FUNNY MONEY, IT'S NEVER TOO LATE and NOT NOW DARLING.
He was in Ayckbourn's MAN OF THE MOMENT at the Gielgud and TIME
OF MY LIFE at the Vaudeville, plus several National Tours. His
television credits include, EASTENDERS, ALAN PARTRIDGE, CASUALTY
and of course THE BILL!
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DINAH
ENGLAND (Set designer) Dinah trained at Nottingham Trent
University and then became resident designer with 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, THE PATH OF THE BRAVE.
Now freelance, her designs include the West-end musical MURDEROUS
INSTINCTS at The Savoy Theatre, THE WIND THING at The Rosemary
Branch Theatre, MARTHA, JOSIE AND THE CHINESE ELVIS for Salisbury
Playhouse, ROOM AT THE TOP for the Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch
and the premiere of YEAR 10 at The Finborough with later remounts
for The Time Out Critics Choice Season at Battersea Arts Centre
and the National Theatre of Strasbourg. 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. 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 and STARRY, STARRY NIGHT.
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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. 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 and most recently
STRICTLY MURDER and ALONE TOGETHER AGAIN. 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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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
and TAKING STEPS. A fellow of the RSA, he was appointed a CBE
in 1987 and in 1997 was knighted for services to the theatre.
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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 |