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 Sonning Eye, Oxfordshire, England
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By Alan Ayckbourn Acclaimed by the Sunday Times as "Mr Ayckbourn's finest play", ABSENT FRIENDS is a wonderfully comic observation of the foibles of the middle classes. Colin needs cheering up. For obvious reasons. The love of his life, his beloved fiancée, has been most inconsiderate. Silly girl, she went and died! So his best friends arrange a tea party to jolly up poor Colin. However it soon becomes clear that marital relationships among the party-givers are far from perfect. Whereas Colin with his thoughts of an exaggerated - though gone - idyllic love, is sublimely happy. Dispensing chunks of ridiculous unasked-for psychology keeps Colin forever smiling. And his friends miserable. Memories are easy, living is hard, as this hilarious play proves. As audiences at The Mill know, Alan Ayckbourn is a master at wringing comedy out of a serious situation and he doesn't disappoint in this uproarious play as the laughs come fast and furious. The
action takes place in June 1974 in the open-plan living room
of a modern executive-style house. |
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KENNY
BLYTH (John) Kenny Blyth is from Peebles in the Scottish
Borders. He trained at Queen Margaret's College in Edinburgh,
and upon graduating, won the Carleton Hobbs BBC radio drama
bursary award 2000. He spent nine months on the radio drama
company and has since performed in over one hundred radio plays,
including classics like LITTLE DORRITT and THE SINGAPORE GRIP
and light entertainments ABSOLUTE POWER. Kenny also records
talking books from Ian Banks and Christopher Brookemyre and
voice-overs from Franz Ferdinand to The TV Licence Fee advert
(Sorry) He has appeared in television productions of TAGGART
(SMG) and PERFECT (RDF Productions). He is very pleased to be
making his first appearance at The Mill at Sonning.
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CHRIS
PAVLO (Paul) Chris trained at Webber Douglas back in the
90's and has worked extensively in TV & Radio with notable credits
in comedy; he won the BBC Green Light Award for writing & performing
the critically acclaimed BBC2 show, THE HARRINGHAM HARKER, developed
during a year with the BBC's Radio Drama Company. He recently
featured in Radio 4's epic THE ODYSSEY, 2 series of Sony nominated
sketch show CONCRETE COW, which he co-wrote, and makes regular
appearances in the World Service soap, WESTWAY. On TV, Chris
will soon be featuring in BBC1's EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT MEN
and amongst many other credits are COMEDY NATION (BBC2, 24 episodes),
UNCUT FUNK (BBC2 series) and 7 series of topical comedy THE
WAY IT IS for Radio 4 and BBC1. Lynda La Plante's soon-to-be-broadcast
COMMANDER II (ITV), features Chris as a 'red-herring' murderer,
whilst previous TV appearances include Dimitri in the series
AN INDEPENDENT MAN, several episodes as paramedic DANNY in THE
BILL and BARRY in EASTENDERS. He also features in the Steven
Segal action-movie OUT FOR A KILL, bible epic JEREMIAH, bodice-ripper
LEGACY OF LOVE, and British feature film STRONG LANGUAGE, as
well as several short films. Chris has enjoyed classic theatre
work (HAMLET, MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, TAMING OF THE SHREW,
RICHARD II) from Syria to the Scilly Isles and has been a regular
at the Edinburgh Festival with various drama and comedy productions.
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PENELOPE
RAWLINS (Evelyn) Penny trained at Guildford School of Acting
having previously studied at Elmhurst Ballet School where she
was awarded the 1996 Drama Award. On graduating, Penny played
the roles of Mildred Harris, Paulette Goddard & Oona O'Neill
opposite Tommy Steele in Chaplin at the Oxford Fire Station.
UK national tours include: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? (Joanna
Drayton), Present Laughter (Joanna Lyppiatt), Brief Encounter
(Beryl) and The Railway Children (all for Middle Ground Theatre
Company). Other theatre work includes: The title role in Pinocchio
(Torch Theatre, Milford Haven), Sheringham Summer Repertory
Theatre where she appeared in September Tide (Cherry), Wait
Until Dark (Gloria), Nobody's Perfect (Dee Dee), A Shot in the
Dark (Antoinette) and Wife Begins At Forty (Betty). Lisa in
Collected Stories at the Eye Theatre, Joan of Arc in Forward
to the Right (Greenwich Playhouse), Princess Jasmin in The Lost
Voyage of Sinbad (Proteus Theatre Company), The Caucasian Chalk
Circle (Grusha) and Stepping Out (Lynne) - at the Electric Theatre,
Guildford, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Hermia), Rookery Nook
(Clara Popkiss), Aladdin (Cambridge Arts Theatre) and The Great
British Musicals Event (Royal Albert Hall). Penny has also worked
abroad playing Louise in the premiere of Pushing Limits (Haugesund,
Norway) and Jill Tanner in Butterflies Are Free for Vienna's
English Theatre. Films include: The Mapping of Contour Lines,
The Guide and The Foreseeable Future of Jack. Penny has also
done numerous voiceovers - particularly for computer games and
cartoons!
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IAN
SHAW (Colin) Ian's theatre includes, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING
EARNEST (Royal Exchange, Manchester, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
(Bath Theatre and Bremer Shakespeare Festival, THE SHELL SEEKERS
(No 1 Tour), THREE SISTERS (No 1 Tour), CLOSER, PRIVATE LIVES
(Birmingham Rep), LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN (Windsor/Kenwright),
NUDE WITH VIOLIN (Royal Exchange), THE RIVALS (Derby Playhouse
and Philadelphia, THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (Royal Exchange, Manchester,
THE LAST ROMANTICS (Greenwich Theatre), MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
(Tour and Queens Theatre), PEACE IN OUR TIME (Michael Redinton
Ltd), BROTHERS KARAMAZOV (Royal Exchange Theatre). Television
includes, HIROSHIMA (BBC), CAMBRIDGE SPIES (BBC), THE SLIGHTLY
FILTHY SHOW (LWT), DARWIN (APMS Productions), WUTHERING HEIGHTS
(Granada), BLISS (Carlton), SILENT WITNESS (BBC), SHARPES GOLD
(Sharpe Films) SOLDIER SOLDIER (Central), GHOST HOUR - BLOOD
AND WATER (BBC), CASUALTY (BBC), MEDICS (Granada) Ian has done
numerous productions for Radio 4.
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ANGELA
SIMS (Marge) This is Angela's sixth play at The Mill, having
previously appeared in TEN TIMES TABLE, A PARTY TO MURDER, SEASON'S
GREETINGS, BUILDING BLOCKS and recently STEPPING OUT. Angela
trained at the Guildhall. Her Theatre credits include A MIDSUMMER'S
NIGHT DREAM, THE CARD (New Shakespeare Company, Regents Park),
GASLIGHT, ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR, ABIGAIL'S PARTY (Theatre Royal,
York), MOLL FLANDERS, TOM JONES, FAR FROM THE MADDING CROW,
THE WIZARD OF OZ, A STAR DANCED (The Watermill Theatre, Newbury),
COMMUNICATING DOORS, AND A NIGHTINGALE SANG, HENCEFORWARD and
BLITHE SPIRIT (Octagon Theatre, Bolton). Angela's Christmas
shows and pantomimes include: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (Rose Theatre,
Tewkesbury), SLEEPNG BEAUTY (Corn Exchange, Newbury), CHRISTMAS
CAT AND THE PUDDING PIRATES, THE ADVENTURES OF MR TOAD (The
Castle, Wellingborough), THE IDEAL GNOME EXHIBITION and WHEN
DINAH SAW A DINOSAUR! (South Hill Park, Bracknell). Her TV includes:
6 episodes of THE BILL, 2 episodes of LONDON'S BURNING, HAPPINESS,
GREAT EXPECTATIONS, MCCALLUM, FIVE CHILDREN AND IT, CRY WOLF,
FIFTEEN STOREYS HIGH, THE QUEEN'S NOSE and LONDON BRIDGE. For
BBC Radio, she has recorded A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED, DEAD MAN'S
MUSIC, STAGE FRIGHT, THREE ACT TRAGEDY, GAUDY NIGHTS and most
recently THE ADVENTURE OF THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING! Broadcast on
Christmas Eve! She has also recently filmed THE WILD AND WICKED
WORLD OF BRIAN JONES to be released later in the year .
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TRACY
WILES (Diana) Tracy trained at the Royal Scottish Academy
of Music and Drama. Theatre includes THE CHILDRENS HOUR Union
Theatre, A MOMENT IN TIME, ROYAL GALA PERFORMANCE Richmond theatre,
HAPPY END Central Space, ASH GIRL Birmingham Rep, SIDE BY SIDE
BY SONDHEIM 25th ANNIVERSARY ORIGINAL CAST CONCERT The Stables,
Wavendon, HANSEL AND GRETEL Bolton Octagon, CRAZY HORSE Paines
Plough, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST The Dukes, Lancaster,
CAPTAIN OF THE BIRDS Young Vic Studio, BURDALANE, BAC, THE TRICK
IS TO KEEP BREATHING Tron/Toronto/Royal Court, TARTUFFE The
Tron. Television includes DOCTORS, SEA OF SOULS, PROMOTED TO
GLORY, THE BILL, McCALLUM, A MUGS GAME. Radio includes GRACIE,
MACBETH, THE REMAINS OF THE DAY, THE THIRTY NINE STEPS, MIA
AND MAIA. Winner of The Carleton Hobbs BBC Radio Drama Award.
In March and April Tracy can be seen in the role of Billie Dawn
in a rare London production of Garson Kanins play BORN YESTERDAY
at the Pleasance Theatre.
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IAN
MASTERS (Director) MURDER BY MISADVENTURE is the sixteenth
production Ian has directed at The Mill. Other productions he
has directed here have been; MURDER BY MISADVENTURE, AN EVENING
WITH GARY LINEKER, FUNNY BUSINESS, A PARTY TO MURDER, TIME &
TIME AGAIN, HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES, WHEN THE KISSING STOPPED,
PARTY PIECE, THERE'S A GIRL IN MY SOUP, TWO DOZEN RED ROSES,
ONLY WHEN I LAUGH, THE PERFECT PENSION PLAN, MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM
and UNDER THE YUM-YUM TREE. His directorial debut was with a
play called BECK at the King's Head Theatre, Islington. This
starred Hugh Lloyd and was chosen as a platform production at
The National Theatre. He then directed THE ORANGE PENQUIN an
award winner at the Edinburgh Festival. From there he moved
on to commercial productions which included national tours and
summer seasons- including THE MATING GAME starring Barbara Windsor
and the late Terry Scott - WHO GOES THERE with Trevor Bannister
and Melvyn Hayes - FUNNY MONEY. For the late Derek Nimmo, he
directed ONLY WHEN I LAUGH with William Gaunt, Simon Ward AND
Stephen North; ABIGAIL'S PARTY and recently DO NOT DISTURB starring
Gerald Harper. He directed MUZZY and THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS for
the BBC in Europe. Other productions have included, THE MOUSE
TRAP, RAINBOW and ten pantomimes, the most recent at Cambridge
which starred Ross Kemp.
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MICHAEL
HOLT (Set designer) Michael Holt's design career has taken
him to theatres throughout the United Kingdom and the World
for productions of opera, ballet and drama. He has been associated
with playwright Alan Ayckbourn at his theatre in Scarborough
for over 20 years. His numerous designs for this author/director
include TAKING STEPS, WOLF AT THE DOOR, MAN OF THE MOMENT,
TIME AND THE CONWAYS, A DOLLS'S HOUSE, and the much praised
OTHELLO with Michael Gambon. He also designed the American
premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's SEASON'S GREETING at the Joyce
Theatre, New York. Other international credits include opera
productions for: the Royal Opera House, Copenhagen; the Avignon
Festival; ballet designs for the Hong Kong Ballet Company;
and many plays for Den Nationale Scene, Bergen, Norway and
the Alley Theatre, Houston, Texas, and The English Theatre,
Vienna Most acclaimed among his ballet designs are THE SLEEPING
BEAUTY, MADAM BUTTERFLY and ROMEO AND JULIET for Northern
Ballet. Michael's notable designs for opera include of LA
BOHEME (Sadler's Wells Theatre), Benjamin Britten's BILLY
BUDD (Brisbane) and Vaughn Williams' PILGRIMS PROGRESS (the
Royal Opera House). His West End credits include ABSURD PERSON
SINGULAR (Whitehall Theatre), THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN (Duke
of York's Theatre), ROUGH JUSTICE (Apollo Theatre), and JUNE
MOON (Vaudeville Theatre). He designed JULIUS CAESAR at the
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and the highly successful centennial
touring production of CHARLEY'S AUNT. He has received much
acclaim for the design of the long-running West End success
THE WOMAN IN BLACK. Michael Holt has been a senior lecturer
in the Department of Drama At Manchester University for 25
years . He has written a number of books on stage and costume
design and has published a book on the plays of Alan Ayckbourn.
Michael is currently working on a series of books on design
for the plays of William Shakespeare. |
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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 TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS, 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,
WRITE ME A MURDER, A PASSIONATE WOMAN, FUNNY MONEY, JUST BETWEEN
OURSELVES, 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 and OUT OF ORDER.
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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 ABSENT
FRIENDS. A few of his previous designs at The Mill, include
most recently 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 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 and most recently
STEPPING OUT. 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 50 plays, most of which were premiered
at this theatre; SUGAR DADDIES 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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ABSENT
FRIENDS
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 Stage Crew & Ian Masters |
| Production: | |
| Production Manager | Joan Farnese |
| Stage Manager | James Neal |
| Chief Electrician | Neil Webb |
| Master Carpenter | Ian Stroud |
| Wardrobe Mistress | Jane Kidd |
| Deputy Stage Manager | Jo Vimpany |
| Assistant Stage Managers | Gillian Marchbank, Karen Brown |
| Technicians | Ed Marshall, Toby Gregory |
| Scenic Artist | Tony Eden |
| Trainee Carpenter | Luke McAra |
| Wardrobe Assistant | Evelyn Fidler |
| Dressers | Ann
Baker, Lynn Hinton, Catherine Bristow, Terry Bartholomew |
| Website Production Photography | Chris Berry |
| Theatre Production Photography | Norman Weston |