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 Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England
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ROYCE
MILLS in
A
Comedy Middle-aged
George is undergoing the virility crisis and has been seeking
reassurance from twenty-something Jane, leaving his elegant
Highgate drawing-room for dalliance in her modest Holland Park
bed-sitter. The trouble is, something always crops up to frustrate
their desires. Either it's an attack of lumbago or a colossal
cold or just plain old guilt. Meanwhile, Clare, George's wife,
becomes aware of her husband's supposedly secret affair and,
when she quite unwittingly meets up with Jane's boyfriend Nick,
decides to bring a new impetus to her own life. This is a light-hearted,
entertaining piece about likeable people who get themselves
into tricky situations, which, when they try to extricate themselves
with implausible stories, accelerate beyond control. Climaxing
in a final and hilarious confrontation between them all. Richard
Harris is known for his famous comedies OUTSIDE EDGE and STEPPING
OUT which was a huge success at The Mill in 2004. In this wonderfully
funny play he has teamed up with Leslie Darbon to create yet
another evening of fun and laughter.
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MARK
BIXTER (Nick) Mark graduated from the Webber Douglas Academy
of Dramatic Art in December 2003. Professional theatre credits
include: Craven in HUNTING DIANA (Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh
Festival); Angelo in THE COMEDY OF ERRORS (Cliveden Open Air
Theatre); Ali Baba in ALI BABA, Beast/Esmerelda in BEAUTY AND
THE BEAST, and George in GEORGE AND THE DRAGON (West Midlands
Childrens’ Theatre). Other professional experience includes:
Boyfriend in KISSING FOR CLACTON (short film); ONE FLEW OVER
THE TRADER’S DESK (staged reading); THE MONEY PROGRAMME (BBC
Television). Experience whilst training includes: CAUSE CELEBRE
(Dir: John David); DANCE FOR ME (Writ/Dir: Che Walker); TRANSLATIONS
(Dir: Crispin Bonham Carter); THE ERPINGHAM CAMP (Dir: John
David); ‘THIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE (Dir: David Wylde); TWELFTH
NIGHT (Dir: Tom Hunsinger); SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION (Dir:Pete
Harris). Mark recently appeared at The Mill in IT’S NEVER TOO
LATE and is delighted to be invited back.
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BELINDA
CARROLL (Clare) Belinda is the 5th generation of an acting
family, continued by her elder son Tam and daughter Amy. She
trained in repertory at Wimbledon and played in musicals, pantomimes
and summer seasons at an early age. Her first West End appearance
was playing opposite Donald Sinden in THERE'S A GIRL IN MY SOUP,
HIS HERS & THEIRS, with Gladys Cooper, THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY
with Douglas Fairbanks Jnr, NO SEX PLEASE WE'RE BRITISH, with
David Jason, Wendy to Dorothy Tutin's PETER PAN, Agatha Christie's
CARDS ON THE TABLE. Outside London, she has appeared in Priestley's
TIME AND THE CONWAYS at the Royal Exchange, Manchester, THE
IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and AN IDEAL HUSBAND at Windsor
and touring. TV work includes BBC PLAY OF THE MONTH – TARTUFFE;
BBC2 MELODRAMAS playing opposite Ronnie Barker, A QUESTION OF
GUILT, MURDER ROOMS and CASUALTY. She last appeared here as
Pamela Willey in the very successful Christmas production OUT
OF ORDER and before that, during the summer, the equally successful
STEPPING OUT. She is married to Michael Cochrane and they have
a son and two dogs.
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BRIAN
GODFREY (Jack) At fourteen Brian appeared in I COULD GO
ON SINGING with Judy Garland, and film appearances since then
have included roles in STAND UP VIRGIN SOLDIERS, A BRIDGE TOO
FAR, GANDHI and QUEEN KONG. Television credits include THE KENNY
EVERETT SHOWS, UP THE ELEPHANT AND ROUND THE CASTLE, HI-DE-HI,
A CHANCE IN A MILLION, NEVER THE TWAIN, MINDER and THE LES DAWSON
SPECIAL. West End credits include the revue OFF THE PEG, YOU’RE
A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN and most recently RUN FOR YOUR WIFE.
Other tours include THE MATING SEASON with Sid James, COME BLOW
YOUR HORN, IT AIN’T HALF HOT MUM, LET’S GO CAMPING and the Rodgers
and Hart musical BABES IN ARMS and Far East tour of LEND ME
A TENOR for Derek Nimmo. Christmas 2005 will be the nineteenth
consecutive year he has appeared in Pantomime. As a director
Brian can name amongst his credits, productions of CINDERELLA
at The New theatre, Cardiff, The theatre Royal Nottingham and
Milton Keynes. He was also associate director to Ray Cooney
on the hit comedy CASH ON DELIVERY at London’s Whitehall Theatre
and he directed the hugely successful Israeli production of
this play in Tel Aviv. On the QE2’s 1998 World cruise Brian
directed and appeared in two plays and staged two musical shows,
following this with a Far and Middle East tour of Ray Cooney’s
comedy FUNNY MONEY. In 1999 he directed RUN FOR YOUR WIFE at
Bromley followed by a further production at Bournemouth for
the summer season. He recorded an episode of BARBARA for Carlton
Television, and followed this by assisting Ray Cooney on the
sequel to RUN FOR YOUR WIFE titled CAUGHT IN THE NET. He recently
appeared at The Mill in CAUGHT IN THE NET and he is delighted
to be returning to Sonning with TWO AND TWO MAKE SEX.
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ROYCE
MILLS (George) Royce trained at the Guildhall, where he
was Major Open Scholar in Dramatic Art, Shakespeare Prizeman
and the Gold Medallist. He spent last summer here in THERE GOES
THE BRIDE and is delighted to be back. West end debut was in
the 1967 revival of THE BOY FRIEND (Comedy), since when appearances
include the Gershwin/Wodehouse musical OH, KAY! and GIVE A DOG
A BONE (Westminster), Ben Travers' last play THE BED BEFORE
YESTERDAY (Lyric), SMALL AND BRASSY - a revue (Wyndham's), Boucicault's
THE STREETS OF LONDON (Her Majesty's), Ray Cooney's RUN FOR
YOUR WIFE! (Shaftesbury and Criterion), Dr Brubaker in THE SEVEN
YEAR ITCH (Albery), SEE HOW THEY RUN (Shaftesbury), THE PHANTOM
OF THE OPERA (Her Majesty's) SOME LIKE IT HOT (Prince Edward)
and DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER (Apollo and Duchess), in which he
played the lead continuously for almost five years, Ostrovsky's
THE FOREST adapted by Alan Ayckbourn (Royal National theatre)
JEFFREY BERNARD IS UNWELL (Old Vic) - recreating the performance
he gave with Peter O'Toole ten years previously (Apollo and
Shaftesbury) and Gillian Lynne's DICK WHITTINGTON (Sadler's
Wells). For nearly four years he was principal with The D'Oyly
Carte Opera Company at the Savoy Theatre, appearing as Sir Joseph
Porter KCB in HMS PINAFORE (also in USA), Major-General Stanley
in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Private Willis in IOLANTHE and Pooh-Bah
in THE MIKADO. Television debut was on BBC Children's Television,
live from Lime Grove in 1955 (as a boy!) since when some 2,000
appearances range from Bing Crosby's butler, KEEPING UP APPEARANCES
and THE MORECAMBE AND WISE SHOW to Squire Trelawney in Ken Russell's
TREASURE ISLAND and, most recently in OUT OF SIGHT and POLTERGUEST
for Carlton and the BBC'S series about M15 - SPOOKS. Films include
UP POMPIEII, UP THE CHASTITY BELT, REAL LIFE, SUNDAY, BLOODY
SUNDAY and Mel Brooks' HISTORY OF THE WORLD - Part One. A regular
broadcaster, for twenty years he was heard on Radio 4's WEEK
ENDING and the World Service compilation TWO CHEERS, also many
series based on P G Wodehouses’s stories from BLANDINGS. He
is immensely proud of having given the Daleks voices for four
series of DR WHO. Royce has just completed a national tour of
Oscar Wilde’s LORD ARTHUR SAVILE’S CRIME, starring Russ Abbot.
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MICHELLE
MORRIS (Jane) Michelle trained at The Webber Douglas Academy.
As a member of The National Youth Music Theatre – she appeared
in THE RAGGED CHILD and the Fringe First award winning PENDRAGON,
performing in New York, Canada and Hong Kong. Theatre credits
include: Helen Avery in THE COLOUR OF JUSTICE (The Stephen Lawrence
Inquiry) at The Tricycle Theatre, National Theatre, West End
and National Tour, Jack in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK at The Theatre
Royal, Windsor with Eric Sykes. Previously at The Mill at Sonning
Michelle has appeared in ONLY WHEN I LAUGH, ONE FOR THE POT
and DON’T JUST LIE THERE, SAY SOMETHING! Television credits
include Jess Haworth in THE KNOCK, BIG KIDS, BIRTHS, MARRIAGES
AND DEATHS, BUGS and THE COLOUR OF JUSTICE. She has also worked
as a presenter for Oxford University Press. Film credits include
WHAT A GIRL WANTS. Michelle ran her fourth London Marathon in
April, and has raised over £4,000 for charity by competing in
numerous running and swimming events.
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SARAH PAYNE (Ruth) Sarah has worked extensively in London’s
West End and has enjoyed playing a variety of different roles
in theatre, comedy, musical theatre and opera. After initially
training as a musician, studying music at Durham University,
she was offered a part in a musical and within two years received
a nomination for Best Actress for creating the role of Lina
Lamont in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN at the London Palladium. Most
recently she has been working on LONGER THAN IT TAKES TO SAY
GOODBYE a new piece that premiered at The Kings Head in London
earlier this summer and has been appearing as a member of THE
SHAKESPEARE REVUE company in this country and abroad. She played
Cecily Pigeon in THE ODD COUPLE (Haymarket, London), Mary Llewellyn
in THE FIFTEEN STREETS (Hornchurch), Susanna in Ranjit Bolt’s
adaptation of THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO (Watford), Ruth in HIGH
SPIRITS (based on BLITHE SPIRIT at the Bridewell, London), Cheri
Reynolds in a national tour of RISKY KISSES and last year, Sue
in YOU’RE ONLY YOUNG TWICE here at Sonning. Other roles include
Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Comedy, London), Jenny Lind
in BARNUM (London Palladium), Jerry Herman’s THE BEST OF TIMES
(Vaudeville, London), NINE (Royal Festival Hall), Donna Elvira
in DON GIOVANNI (Greenwich), The Countess in MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
(Drill Hall), Mrs Spratt in DICK DAREDEVIL (Drill Hall), Sugar
in SUGAR based on SOME LIKE IT HOT (West Yorkshire Playhouse),
Judy Garland in JUDY, Lady Jacqueline in ME AND MY GIRL (National
Tour) and THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (National Tour). For television
she has played Christine in DOCTORS, THE AGE THING (with Patricia
Hodge), CALL ME MISTER, MAN AND MAMMALS (with Emo Philips) and
WHICH WAY TO THE WAR (written by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft).
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RON ALDRIDGE (Director) His career as director/writer/actor
has spanned over 28 years. He has directed in repertory, at
the Edinburgh Festival, on numerous touring productions, and
extensively on the London Fringe. He was assistant director
to Ray Cooney on the West End production of FUNNY MONEY at the
Playhouse Theatre and also directed the play in Israel,…… in
Hebrew. He also directed the UK national tour and most recently
the summer season at Eastbourne. His play HOVERING was nominated
for an award at the '94 Edinburgh Festival, and he has had numerous
plays produced in repertory and on the London Fringe. His comedy
YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG TWICE was recently published by Josef Weinberger
Limited. As an actor he has worked in repertory, on numerous
touring productions and in the West End. He starred in the lead
role of James Leeds in the award-winning CHILDREN OF A LESSER
GOD at the Albery Theatre followed by a long and successful
national tour. Other West End appearances include: THE VOLUNTEER
at the Riverside, RUN FOR YOUR WIFE at the Criterion, FUNNY
MONEY at the Playhouse, and THE ODD COUPLE at the Haymarket.
TV appearances include: LONDON'S BURNING, FOOL'S GOLD, THE KNOCK,
2.4 CHILDREN, THE BILL, NELSON'S COLUMN, EASTENDERS, and Bronco
in ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES. Ron very recently directed OUT OF
ORDER, FUNNY MONEY, THERE GOES THE BRIDE directed and acted
in YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG TWICE and IT’S NEVER TOO LATE at The Mill
and is delighted to be invited back.
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DANIEL
COLLINS (Set designer) Dan started working in theatre as
a flyman at Harrogate theatre in 1992. Since then Dan has worked
in theatres from Pitlochry to Ipswich as a scenic artist and
prop maker. He has designed five pantos for Harrogate as well
as the musical FROM A JACK TO A KING and Alan Ayckbourn's ABSENT
FRIENDS. Since working at The Mill Dan has designed POOLS PARADISE,
WRITE ME A MURDER, FUNNY MONEY, YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG TWICE, OUT
OF ORDER and is delighted to be designing the set for TWO AND
TWO MAKE SEX.
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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, FUNNY MONEY, THE FACE OF FEAR, YOU'RE ONLY YOUNG TWICE,
AN EVENING WITH GARY LINEKER, 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
and CAUGHT IN THE NET.
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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 TWO
AND TWO MAKE SEX. A few of his previous designs at The Mill,
include most recently 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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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 CAGHT IN THET 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 and most recently A TOUCH OF
SPRING. 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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RICHARD
HARRIS (Playwright) His stage plays have been performed
all over the world and include LOCAL AFFAIRS, PARTY PIECE, THE
MAINTENANCE MAN, STEPPING OUT, which ran at the Duke of York's
Theatre and won The Evening Standard Best Comedy Award 1984,
THE BUSINESS OF MURDER, VISITING HOUR, BABY LOVE, DEAD GUILTY
and recently he has written a musical version of his play STEPPING
OUT. He has written many plays for television, has contributed
to countless television series and co-created the BBC series,
SHOESTRING and the film series, MAN IN A SUITCASE. His script,
SEARCHING FOR SENOR DUENDE which was written especially for
Maureen Lipman, won him the 1991 New York Television Festival
Gold Award. His latest work for television has been THE DARLING
BUDS OF MAY and A TOUCH OF FROST of which he wrote the first
three series. OUTSIDE EDGE started life at the Hampstead Theatre
before transferring to the West End and won The Evening Standard
Award in 1979. He subsequently wrote three award winning series
for television based on this play. He is currently working on
commissioned projects for the stage and for television. He is
a keen golfer and has recently fulfilled his ambition to get
out of a bunker.
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LESLIE
DARBON (Playwright) Yeah, I hate the name Leslie, too. Well,
most people call me Les. Which reminds me of Les Battersby.
Or that commercial with the dog – “and can I have my own chauffeur
called Les?” Know the one? I cringe every time it comes on.
But, like all kids I was named after a famous film star – LESLIE
HOWARD. Waddyer mean you’ve never heard of him? You haven’t
lived. Well, not in the nineteen thirties. Dick – that’s Richard
Harris to you lot – and I wrote this play - TWO AND TWO MAKE
SEX - when we were young, virile and good looking. I haven’t
changed. We wrote a couple of other plays together. Then went
our separate ways. He to fame and fortune. Me to obscurity,
poverty and long weekends on Canvey Island. But, I managed to
earn a few bob writing for such TV series as Department S, Jason
King, The Adventurer, Courier, Shoestring, Bergerac, Moon &
Son … and most recently for Crossroads – which got rubbished
by one and all, but which I loved … well, the money was good.
But, the theatre was and still is Les’s big love after getting
his first play on – written with Richard – at the Theatre Royal
in Windsor. The roar of the grease paint and the smell of the
crowd gripped him like a Cillit Bang commercial, and it has
never let go -–through such magnificent plays as WHO GOES BARE,
NO, NO NOT YET!, DOUBLE EDGE, CARDS ON THE TABLE, A MURDER IS
ANNOUNCED, MURDER BY PROXY, TIME TO KILL, THE SPOUSE GIRLS,
SHADOW OF DOUBT … I think I’d better call halt before you’re
bored to death … hey, “Bored To Death” – another play there,
eh? What do you think?
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| Production: | |
| Production Manager | Joan Farnese |
| Stage Manager | James Neal |
| Deputy Chief Electrician | Toby Gregory |
| Master Carpenter | Ian Stroud |
| Wardrobe Mistress | Jane Kidd |
| Deputy Stage Managers | Jo Vimpany, Neil Webb |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Gillian Marchbank |
| 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 |
