by Ray Cooney

The Mill at Sonning is delighted to offer as Christmas Fayre this hilarious play by the 'Master of Comedy' - Ray Cooney. The plot involves a timorous accountant called Henry Perkins who picks up the wrong briefcase on the Tube and finds £735,000 in used notes inside. So Henry decides to flit to Barcelona with his best friend's wife. Enter two coppers, one to arrest him for soliciting after he behaved so bizarrely in the local pub, the other to ask him to identify the corpse of a murdered man whose briefcase identifies him as one Henry Perkins. What ensues, as you can imagine, is a spiralling confusion of fibs, false names and frantic deceptions. Mr Cooney's huge West End hit provides an evening of riotous comedy and downright fun.

By arrangement with Samuel French

JOHN ARTHUR (Davenport) After leaving drama school in Birmingham in 1970, John worked for 10 years or so in repertory theatres all round England, playing dozens of roles. Companies played included two seasons at the old Derby Playhouse, two seasons at the Lyceum Theatre, Crewe Theatre, The Swan Theatre, Worcester, and notably three years with the EMMA Theatre Company based in Loughborough. With EMMA John played throughout the East Midlands in village halls, pubs, schools, prisons and risked serious ridicule playing such roles as a Giant Tortoise in the streets of Nottinghamshire. During the summer of 1973 he worked in weekly rep, playing murderers in an endless stream of thrillers. In 1977 John joined Sir Alan Ayckbourn's company in Scarborough where he stayed for three years, followed by return visits in 1981 and 1982. During this time he was delighted to play central roles in 9 new Ayckbourn plays, as well as major parts such as John Procter in Arthur Miller's THE CRUCIBLE Ayckbourn roles included Roland Crabbe in TAKING STEPS revisited here, Len Coker in SISTERLY FEELINGS and Richard in JOKING APART. Subsequently he went on to play in Ayckbourn in other theatres such as The Palace, Watford, Greenwich Theatre and The Theatre Royal, Windsor, and a revisit to TAKING STEPS and SEASON'S GREETINGS here at Sonning makes a total of 15 Ayckbourn productions so far! In November he played Bohr in Michael Frayn's COPENHAGEN for Salisbury Playhouse. In the West End John appeared in Michael Frayn's LOOK LOOK, Sir Peter Hall's revival of PIAF and Alan Ayckbourn's COMMUNICATING DOORS. He has been in two Seasons at The Royal National Theatre, appearing as 'Enery in TONS OF MONEY and Desmond in A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS among others. John has worked for Jude Kelly at Leeds and the West Yorkshire Playhouses where he played Simon Eyre in THE SHOEMAKER'S HOLIDAY. On television he has made numerous appearances over the last 20 years, and is perhaps best known for situation comedy, which has included John in FRESH FIELDS, Constable Dunstable in PILGRIMS REST and currently Phil in Carlton TV's BARBARA. Two recent films are THUNDERPANTS and THE ABUCTION CLUB. John's interests are flying, gardening and classical music and he lives in Banbury with his partner Penelope Gee of the Astor String Quartet. .

PAUL ATKINS (A passer by) Paul was born in 1973 in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. He didn't consider a career in acting until 1996 when he sacrificed his clerical career as an 'Assistant Analyst' and returned to Barnsley College to 'better himself'. Within two years he was offered a place at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff where he not only obtained his degree with honours, but also The James Westaway Memorial Prize for Radio - 2001. Paul has also toured performances in Italy, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Los Angeles and his credits include: LADY CECILY'S SOUNDBOX, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, THE CANTERVILLE GHOST, BBC Television's HOLBY CITY and most recently playing Alfred in HOME at Oldham's Coliseum Theatre.

TERENCE BOOTH (Slater) Terence studied at St Luke's College, Exeter. Terry's recent theatre includes Ashley in SUGAR DADDIES at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough. Kay in the Contractor FOR THE Oxford Stage Company Tour. Leslie in TAKING STEPS at The Mill at Sonning Theatre and Theatre Royal Windsor. Other productions include: TIME OF MY LIFE (Vaudeville); MAN OF THE MOMENT (Gielgud); THE CRUCIBLE, SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY, HOUSE AND GARDEN, FORTY YEARS ON, BODY LANGUAGE (Scarborough); PASSION PLAY, SEASON'S GREETING, THE GENIUS, PRAVDA, HAPGOOD (Leeds Playhouse); THE MAGISTRATE, ONCE A CATHOLIC, NIGHT AND DAY, GREASE (Theatre Royal, York); TAKING STEPS, OUTSIDE EDGE, PYGMALION, THE RIVALS, THE NORMAL HEART (Harrogate); TIME AND TIME AGAIN, HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES, NORMAN CONQUESTS, ONE FOR THE ROAD (Windsor); MRS WARREN'S PROFESSION (Theatr Clwyd); A GOING CONCERN (Southampton); NOISES OFF (Oldham); EYE CONTACT (Riverside, Hammersmith). For television Terence has appeared as Edward Flynn in CASUALTY, as Peter Linehan in ALAN PARTRIDGE II, Patrick in LONDON BRIDGE II, Richards in SILENT WITNESS, TRIAL AND ERROR, Inspector Trent in SO HAUNT ME, Nick Ainley in THE BILL, THE LORELEI, BOON, ENEMIES OF THE STATE and A PATTERN OF LIFE.

BELINDA CARROLL (Jean Perkins) Belinda Carroll has appeared in the West End in THERE'S A GIRL IN MY SOUP with Donald Sinden, NO SEX PLEASE WE'RE BRITISH, with David Jason, Wendy to Dorothy Tutin's PETER PAN, Agatha Christie's CARDS ON THE TABLE, CHARLEY'S AUNT with John Inman, and THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY. Outside London she played Joan in J B Priestley's TIME & THE CONWAYS at The Royal Exchange, Manchester, and toured in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and IDEAL HUSBAND. Belinda has appeared at Windsor, Newbury, Guildford and Sonning many times. Some of Belinda's many appearances at Sonning include STEPPING OUT, BEDSIDE MANNERS, THE GRASS IS GREENER, WIFE BEGINS AT FORTY and FUNNY BUSINESS. TV work includes: BBC PLAY OF THE MONTH, TARTUFFE, BBC2 MELODRAMAS with RONNIE BARKER, A QUESTION OF GUILT, MURDER ROOMS, and most recently, CASUALTY.

ERIC CARTE (Vic Johnson) Eric trained at the Drama Centre. He appeared in the successful West End runs of THE CONSTANT WIFE (with Jenny Seagrove) and FALLEN ANGELS (with Felicity Kendal and Frances de la Tour) and recently appeared in the new play THE HINGE OF THE WORLD at Guildford. Other West End credits includes: HAMLET (with Ian McKellen), CORIOLANUS (with Nicol Williamson) for the RSC, BUTLEY (with John Nettles), UNDERGROUND (with Raymond Burr), TWO INTO ONE (with John Thaw and Daniel Massey). Extensive Regional Theatre and Internatioal Tours include TOWARDS ZERO; M. BUTTERFLY; SEE HOW THEY RUN; DEATHTRAP; ONLY WHEN I LAUGH; THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY; TEN TIMES TABLE; MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM; DEAD FUNNY; DANGEROUS OBSESSION; THE MERCHANT OF VENICE; ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA; I AM A CAMERA; DANGEROUS CORNER; THE LION IN WINTER (opposite Joan Fontaine in Vienna); RUN FOR YOUR WIFE and FUNNY MONEY (for Ray Cooney's Comedy at Sea Company); PRIVATE LIVES; EASY VIRTUE (King's Head); BRIEF ENCOUNTER and THE GENTLE HOOK (Theatre Royal, Windsor. Eric's most recent appearance at The Mill was as Rev Lionel Toop in POOL'S PARADISE. Television includes: ABSOLUTE POWER, THINK MURDER, THE DAY BRITAIN STOPPED, DOWN TO EARTH, CHILLERS, SUNDAY LUNCH, BODY STORY, PEOPLE LIKE US, GHOSTHUNTER, HEARTBEAT, NANCHERROW, TOUCH AND GO, THE WOMAN IN WHITE, POIROT - HERCULE POIROT'S CHRISTMAS, PRIVATE SCHULTZ, THE FAMOUS FIVE GO TO TREASURE ISLAND, BOUQUET OF BARBED WIRE and ANOTHER BOUQUET. Films include DAISIES IN DECEMBER with Jean Simmons and Joss Ackland; THE BEAST MUST DIE and ZEPPELIN.

MICHAEL COCHRANE (Henry Perkins) Michael's long and varied television career includes leading roles in WINGS, LOVE IN A COLD CLIMATE, KINGS' ROYAL, THE CITADEL, FORTUNES OF WAR, CHELWORTH and MASTER OF INNOCENCE. He has also starred in numerous comedies including THE TWO RONNIES, SHELLEY, DEAR JOHN, JUST HIS LUCK, PERFECT WORLD. Recent TV appearances include JONATHAN CREEK due out in the New Year, REVERSALS, ETERNAL TRIANGLE, SPOOKS and ROSEMARY AND THYME. Over the past few years he has been THE FALKLANDS PLAY, THE CRY, SWALLOW, A TOUCH OF FROST, LEE EVANS SHOW, MICAWBER, THE INNOCENT, FISH, LONGITUDE, BIG BAD WORLD, NANCHERROW, THE AMBASSADOR, THE UNINVITED, WYCLIFFE, HEARTBEAT, BECK, RUTH RENDELL MYSTERIES, THE BROKER'S MAN, THE CHIEF, SHARPE, PIE IN THE SKY, KEEPING UP APPEARANCES, A DANGEROUS MAN, TAGGART, A MURDER OF QUALITY, NO JOB FOR A LADY, DARLING BUDS OF MAY and INNOCENTS. He has just finished filming A DIFFERENT LOYALTY with Sharon Stone in Canada, and his other films include ESCAPE TO VICTORY, RETURN OF THE SOLDIER, THE FAR PAVILIONS, INCOGNITO, THE SAINT and MORE IS LESS. His London theatre credits include 13 RUE DE L'AMOUR, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, NOISES OFF, MARRIED LOVE, OVER THE MOON, THE COLOUR OF JUSTICE, THE DANCE OF DEATH, NUREMBERG. He has done national tours of LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST, THE ASPERN PAPERS, CROWN MATRIMONIAL, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, ON APPROVAL, GLYN AND IT. Michael has done over one thousand radio broadcasts and is Oliver Sterling in THE ARCHERS. FUNNY MONEY is his first appearance at Sonning.

PAUL COOPER (Bill) Paul's theatre career has taken him to many parts of the country playing extensively in repertory, on tour, and the West End, most notably as Hopkins in BIG BAD MOUSE at the Prince of Wales, Clumper in BIG WOLF at the Royal Court and Birdy Johnson in the CRUCIFER OF BLOOD at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket and the Actor in THE ACTORS NIGHTMARE at the Arts Festival in Hong Kong. Paul's TV credits include Bill in GRACE AND FAVOUR, Sid in ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES, Flick's Tailor, Hitler, a dog! and the voice of 'London Calling' in four series of 'ALLO 'ALLO. He played Toe Rag Ron in MINDER, Milko in THE TWO OF US, Terry in THE BILL and Truman in three series of THE PIGLET FILES. He was last seen on television as Cat Slater's Chauffeur Peter, in EASTENDERS. His films include BRITANNIA HOSPITAL and LIFEFORCE. Paul appeared at The Mill recently as Brian the carpenter in BUILDING BLOCKS and is delighted to be back here again.

PATSY TOMLIN (Betty Johnson) Patsy Tomlin trained at Drama Studio London and has spent much of the last few years touring in theatre comedy. She has toured in FUNNY MONEY in the UK and also travelled with that show to the Far East and Middle East with the British Airways Playhouse, under the direction of the late, great Derek Nimmo. Patsy played Mrs Pennington in SCISSOR HAPPY, WPC Campbell in KINDLY KEEP IT COVERED and understudied Stephanie Beacham in NOBODY'S PERFECT. Her screen credits include A VAMPYRES TALE and CRIMEWATCH.

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.

DANIEL COLLINS (Set designer) Dan has worked in theatre since 1992 when he started as a flyman at Harrogate Theatre. From the fly floor he went on to become a props maker and then realising he preferred painting; a scenic artist. 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 and WRITE ME A MURDER.

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 and A PASSIONATE WOMAN.