A Passionate Woman

A comedy by Kay Mellor

This is the story of Betty, a seemingly typical housewife and dedicated mother. Today is a special day in her life. Her adored son is getting married. She should be ecstatically happy but she's not. She retreats to the attic. All the frantic pleading of the impatient bridal group - including her son and husband - fail to persuade Betty to join the party. Alone, she slips into wondering where all the years have gone. She remembers the man she might have married. She recalls her younger self, a girl who was rebellious and passionate. Is it too late? Too late to once again be A Passionate Woman? Betty finds the answers but not before this play erupts into a hilarious conclusion when the daydream bubbles burst, and instead she has to find a practical way to be rescued from her rooftop hideaway

This funny, touching, feel-good comedy had a hugely successful West End run. Kay Mellor is the distinguished writer of such TV hits as FAT FRIENDS, PLAYING THE FIELD and A BAND OF GOLD. You will leave the theatre laughing ruefully at this wonderful life-affirming play.

By arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.

Sponsored by:

TINA GRAY (Betty) Tina is thrilled to be playing Betty in her debut appearance at The Mill, having been in Sue Wilson's acclaimed production of A PASSIONATE WOMAN earlier this year at Chester Gateway and the Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, and having worked with Sue on many radio plays including PROMENADE ROCK, NOT ME BUT US, THE PIANO and NO FOND RETURN OF LOVE. Tina's busy career began in her native Scotland with seasons at Edinburgh, Perth, Pitlochry, and St Andrews. Favourite recent roles include: Lady Cynthia Hayling in Noel Coward's RELATIVE VALUES on tour with Susan Hampshire; Lady Bracknell, Mrs Malaprop, Mum in WHEN I WAS A GIRL I USED TO SCREAM AND SHOUT (Worceste Swan); Amanda in THE GLASS MENAGERIE (Coventry and Plymouth); Annie Parker in WHEN WE ARE MARRIED (West Yorkshire Playhouse and Leicester); Donna Lucia d'Alvadorez in CHARLEY'S AUNT, Delia in BEDROOM FARCE, Lady Rumpers in HABEUS CORPUS (York); Mrs Fairfax in JANE EYRE (Theatr Clwyd); Mrs Pearce in PYGMALION (Vienna's English Theatre); Laura Stratton in TIME OF MY LIFE (Manchester Library). West End includes a year playing Alistair Sim's secretary in THE JOCKEY CLUB STAKES. Tina is bet known for her portrayal of Victorian actress Ellen Terry in OUR ELLEN, a play especially written for her by Richard Osborne. Tina loves radio, has recorded over 1,000 plays and short stories for the BBC, and spent a year with the Radio Drama Company in London. She has just recorded Hilary Mantel's LEARNING TO TALK for Woman's Hour, and a DR FINLAY with John Gordon Sinclair. TV includes Alice in HEARTBEAT, DOCTORS, THE ESTATE AGENTS, IN SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, VICTORIAN VALUES and Gran in HOTCH POTCH HOUSE. Tina is married to theatre director Robert Hamlin, and they have a son, Robertson, a daughter-in-law, Claire (who were married in a French Chateau last summer, and, no, Tina did not climb on the roof!), and a daughter, Lucinda, who is a stage manager .

BRIAN HEWLETT (Donald) Brian continues to play Neil Carter in BBC's THE ARCHERS since the character's introduction in 1973. After leaving drama school in 1959 he began working at London's Mermaid Theatre in LOCK UP YOUR DAUGHTERS, TREASURE ISLAND, and GREAT EXPECTATIONS. A nationwide tour followed, of Brendan Behan's THE HOSTAGE, in which he played the title role, and, continuing throughout the 60's, he enjoyed playing young leading roles in TV for Associated Rediffusion, Granada, ATV, and BBC, as well as work for Repertory Theatre in Leatherhead, Margate, Worcester and Birmingham. During the following three decades Brian continued to work in theatres throughout the country - Hornchurch, Leicester, Coventry, Birmingham, Ipswich - playing leading roles in comedies, dramas and musicals. At the Cambridge Theatre in London he played Amos Hart (Mr Cellophane) in the original production of CHICAGO in 1980. Other musical roles include Herbie in GYPSY, Lord Brockhurst in THE BOY FRIEND, Herr Schultz in CABARET, Mushnik in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Lion in THE WIZARD OF OZ, and, his favourite, Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. During 1985 Brian came to The Mill and performed in three plays, including Percy in RATTLE OF A SIMPLE MAN, and Jimmy in THE GINGERBREAD LADY. More recent work includes Guy Burgess and Chubb in Alan Bennett's double bill SINGLE SPIES at Worcester, Graham in the same author's TALKING HEADS - A CHIP IN THE SUGAR, Dame in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK at Cheltenham, and John Smith in BREAKING THE CODE at Chester. Film work includes Lampredi in Roger Corman's cult movie THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH, and recent TV work includes PULASKI, TRELAWNEY OF THE WELLS, THE UNINVITED, EASTENDERS, STRANGER THAN FICTION, and in EXTREME DANGER - PAUL'S STORY. From the mid-60's Brian has worked extensively in Radio, performing in hundreds of plays and documentaries, and, as well as Neil in THE ARCHERS, one of his favourite roles was the infamous Widmerpool in the 26 episode adaptation of Anthony Powell's 12-novel epic, A DANCE TO THE MUSIC OF TIME.

ANDREW MACKLIN (Mark) Andrew trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and graduated in July of this year. He has played Sir Nathaniel in LOVES LABOURS LOST, Mr Whymper in ANIMAL FARM, The Carpenter in CANTERBURY TALES and Sganarelle in THE FLYING DOCTOR all at the BOVTS. Professional experience includes Paul in the PILFERER'S (Red Kettle Theatre) and Sean in IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE (WLR Radio).

PETER MACQUEEN (Craze) Peter has recently played Craze in a joint production for The Chester Gateway and The Theatre by the Lake, Keswick and when asked to don the gold lame jacket again and appear in a beautiful converted watermill - how could be refuse? He trained at Manchester University and the Bristol Old Vic and his theatre work has seen him playing roles as varied as Sir Lucius O'Trigger in THE RIVALS (Vienna English Theatre), Bob Ewell in TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD (Greenwich), De Rochefort in THE THREE MUSKETEERS (Southampton) and The Guard in ANTIGONE (Bristol Old Vic) .He has toured as Guildenstern in HAMLET to ELSINORE CASTLE (Oxford Playhouse), played Macbeth (Contact Theatre, Manchester), Banquo (Bedford Theatre Co), Ross (Birmingham Rep) and Donalbain (Uppingham School) in MACBETH, created the role of The Old Dog Fox in the RSC's original production of THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE (C S Lewis missed out on that one!) and revelled in playing Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL at The Library Theatre, Manchester where he also played Bernard Nightingale in ARCADIA to great acclaim. Other collaborations with director Sue Wilson include playing Marat in THE PROMISE (Salisbury Playhouse), Jed Jenkins in FIFTH OF JULY (Bristol Old Vic),Angelo in PIAF (Chester Gateway) as well as many BBC Radio Dramas. His film and TV credits are numerous and minor; he is a Fight Director and a landscape gardener - and probably by now an expert on the short cuts to avoid the traffic between South East London and Sonning!

SUE WILSON (Director) After training as a lawyer, Sue became Artistic Director of the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton, the Chester Gateway and the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. As a freelance director she has worked in many repertory theatres and in London and has won various awards for her productions. In he last twelve months she has directed at Chester Gateway, Keswick Theatre by the Lake, Wimbledon, Bristol and the RSC Summerhouse. She recently left the BBC where she was the Senior Radio Drama Producer at Pebble Mill, Birmingham and where she won SONY and CRE awards for her work. Sue has written plays, adaptations and translations for theatre and radio. She is currently under commission to write a new theatre play and has a keen interest and regularly runs courses and workshops. Her next theatre production will be at the New Victoria Theatre, Stoke on Trent.

TERRY PARSONS (Set designer) Terry has designed over 36 productions in London's West End including, GREASE, SOUTH PACIFIC, PRESENT LAUGHTER, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, SOME LIKE IT HOT, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, LEND ME A TENOR, RADIO TIMES, SILLY COW, GASPING, CHARLIE GIRL, CAN-CAN and TWO INTO ONE. Terry's most recent designs are ROMEO AND JULIET in Vienna, the European Premieres of Edward Albee's latest play THE GOAT and the award-winning Broadway hit PROOF, BLITHE SPIRIT and SHOWBOAT in Denmark and A FOOT IN THE DOOR for the Mill at Sonning. He is currently preparing MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM and a new musical BE BOP A LULA for productions in Europe. His many international credits include MARLENE (costume) on Broadway, GREASE in Paris, FAME in Denmark, HABEUS CORPUS in Hong Kong, CHICAGO in Athens, SOUTH PACIFIC in Japan, ROMANTIC COMEDY in Vienna and THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG in the Far East. Terry has also designed numerous straight plays ranging from Shakespeare, Sheridan and Congreve to Orton, Ionesco and Durrenmatt. Notable amongst them, Arthur Miller's A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE with Topol, WHEN WE ARE MARRIED with Timothy West, Prunella Scales and Patricia Routledge, and J B Priestley's TIME AND THE CONWAYS directed at The Old Vic by Richard Olivier, starring his mother Joan Plowright and his sisters Tamsin and Julie Kate Olivier. In addition to extensive regional credits which include productions at Birmingham, Southampton, Liverpool and the Chichester Festival Theatre, Terry has also been Head of Design at three major theatres: The Belgrade, Coventry, The Theatre Royal, Plymouth and The Haymarket, Leicester.

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 MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM, TAKING STEPS, UNDER THE YUM-YUM TREE, TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS, CHASE ME COMRADE, FUNNY BUSINESS, FUNNY ABOUT LOVE, MY THREE ANGELS, INSIDE JOB, SEASON'S GREETINGS, BUILDING BLOCKS, A FOOT IN THE DOOR, POOLS PARADISE, BOYS WILL BE BOYS, THE MATING GAME and WRITE ME A MURDER

ROSLYN NASH (Lighting Designer) Roslyn trained at Mountview Theatre School and has worked at The Mill for over ten years. She started as Technical Assistant and now has the pleasure of being the Production Manager. Over the years she has been given the opportunity to light many of the productions - a few recent ones include: WHO KILLED SANTA CLAUS?, TAKING STEPS, TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS, CHASE ME COMRADE, FUNNY BUSINESS, MY THREE ANGELS, SEASON'S GREETINGS, A FOOT IN THE DOOR, POOLS PARADISE, BOYS WILL BE BOYS, THE MATING GAME and WRITE ME A MURDER.

LORELEI LYNN (Choreographer) Lorelei trained at Bush Davies School. She first choreographed The Who's rock opera TOMMY and has since worked extensively throughout the country. Amongst her credits are WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN, THE RELAPSE, PRIVATES ON PARADE and THE WIZARD OF OZ (Birmingham Rep), THE RED BALLOON (The Contact Theatre, Manchester and Bristol Old Vic, ROMEO AND JULIET (The Young Vic), INTO THE WOODS, A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM and LOVES LABOURS LOST (Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich). She worked on the York CYCLE OF MYSTERY PLAYS returning to York Theatre Royal for JANE EYRE and DICK WHITTINGTON for Bolton Octagon, FEED, THE SUICIDE, KES THE MUSICAL, A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM, CABARET, DANCING AT LUGHNASA, BLOOD WEDDING, TALENT, MARTHA JOSIE and THE CHINESE ELVIS. For Cheltenham Everyman, AND A NIGHTINGALE SANG and A LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. For The Dukes Promenade season in Williamson Park, Lancaster, A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM, THE THREE MUSKETEERS, ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND. For Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, she has choreographed, THE LAKERS, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, ROMEO AND JULIET, NOEL AND GERTIE, THE SNOW QUEEN, HABEAS CORPUS, THE WIZARD OF OZ, THE GOOD COMPANIONS, ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND, WALLFLOWERING. Chester Gateway, THE SNOW QUEEN, A PASSIONATE WOMAN. She has devised and written musical theatre presentations for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on KANDER AND EBB, THE BRITISH MUSICAL and GEORGE GERSHWIN.

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 Ginger Mercer in the musical TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS. The most recent plays Sally has directed at The Mill are ALL FOR MARY, WHO KILLED SANTA CLAUS, INSIDE JOB, A FOOT IN THE DOOR and POOLS PARADISE. 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. Earlier in the year Sally appeared in TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS, at the King's Head, London.

KAY MELLOR (Playwright) Kay Mellor is a very successful playwright and actress. Film work includes FANNY & ELVIS (writer & director), GIRLS NIGHT (writer) starring Julie Walters, Brenda Blethyn and Kris Kristopherson. Television includes BROOKSIDE and FAMILIES and most recently GIFTED (writer and actress), BETWEEN THE SHEETS (writer), FAT FRIENDS 3 (creator/writer), THE GOOD THIEF (writer and actress), and PLAYING THE FIELD (writer and Executive Producer). Her two 6-part series BAND OF GOLD won many awards including Best Serial. In 1998 Kay was awarded a BAFTA, the prestigious DENNIS POTTER award. For theatre Kay wrote and starred in QUEEN and wrote A PASSIONATE WOMAN which won many awards including Best New Play.