A Comedy
by Richard Harris

This wonderfully funny and heart-warming play was a huge hit for Richard Harris with a deservedly long West End run followed by a feature film with a stellar cast. Set in a North London Church hall STEPPING OUT tells of the trials and triumph of a ladies tap dancing class - eight women and one lone male - as they progress towards an important climactic charity concert. The comedy hots up as personalities clash. There's attractive Maxine and overweight Sylvia; eager Lynne and shy Dorothy; snobby Vera and do-gooder Andy; exotic Rose and embarrassed - well he's the only man around! - Geoffrey. Not forgetting the teacher, Mavis, and ex-professional dancer who failed to make the big time by a soupcon of circumstances and now pushes the class towards high standards and a grand finale.

Richard Harris' string of successes include the plays OUTSIDE EDGE, subsequently made into a TV series; THE BUSINESS OF MURDER; DEAD GUILTY; and earlier this year the comedy A FOOT IN THE DOOR. And TV series SHOESTRING, A TOUCH OF FROST and most recently THE LAST DETECTIVE.

Voted as Comedy of the Year by Evening Standard Drama Awards, STEPPING OUT is guaranteed to send you out of the theatre with a smile on your lips and tapping in your toes.

By arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.

NICKY CALLANAN (Lynne) Nicky trained at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama, graduating in the summer of 1999. Whilst still at drama school, Nicky appeared as Candy in SCRATCHY & CO., a Children's Television Series. Last year Nicky played Poppy in the very successful tour of NOISES OFF. The production then transferred to the West End for a four month season at the Piccadilly Theatre. After graduating from Drama School, Nicky performed in two extensive tours with the Northumberland Touring Company playing Eileen and Jean in THE FLAG and Saltcrone in DAWN OF THE FIREFAWN. Other theatre includes: the title role in SLEEPING BEAUTY at the Waterman's Arts Centre, London, Gail in TEECHERS for the Eye Theatre, Vanity Headcase in SPACE FAMILY ROBINSON at the Pleasance Theatre in London and Bunny in SAUCY JACK & THE SPACE VIXENS at last years Edinburgh Festival where she had previously been seen as Daisy in DAISY PULLS IT OFF and The Duchess in FORNICATZIONE. Nicky has appeared in an episode of MY HERO for BBC TV and she has just played a Doctor in three episodes of FAMILY AFFAIRS.

BELINDA CARROLL (Dorothy) 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 TARTUFFE, BBC, PLAY OF THE MONTH, BBC2 MELODRAMAS playing opposite Ronnie Barker, A QUESTION OF GUILT, MURDER ROOMS and CASUALTY. She last appeared here in FUNNY MONEY with her husband Michael Cochrane at Christmas. They have a son Tom, a potential rock guitarist.

SALLY CHATTAWAY (Maxine) Sally Chattaway trained at the Guildford School of Acting. Television credits include two series of SLOGGERS (BBC), VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE (Anglia), EASTENDERS (BBC) AGENT Z & THE PENGUIN FROM MARS (BBC), THE BILL (Pearson), AGONY (Live TV), THE QUEENS LEGS (World Productions), JACK THE RIPPER (Live TV), Sky One Breakfast Show BOILED EGG & SOLDIERS (Sky), THE LILY SAVAGE SHOW (BBC), DR TERROR horror film season introductions (BBC). Sally also appeared in the feature film, IT WAS AN ACCIDENT (Burkett Pictures). Stage credits include THE GRADUATE (Gielgud Theatre), BUSINESS AFFAIRS (No. 1 Tour), ALBERT & LES (East Dulwich Theatre), NOISES OFF (English Theatre, Frankfurt), HOT ROCKIN' TONITE (Cavalcade Theatre Co.), PRISONER CELL BLOCK H - THE MUSICAL (No. 1 Tour), A BEDFULL OF FOREIGNERS (English Theatre, Vienna), SALT OF THE EARTH and BARTY (Bearcat Comedy Club), PRINCESS FORGET ME NOT (Platform Tour), DICK WHITTINGTON (Buxton Opera House), ALADDIN (Cockpit Theatre), OLDE TIME MUSIC HALL (Boston Arts Theatre), NO SEX PLEASE, WE'RE BRITISH! (English Theatre, Vienna), JOHNNY BALL'S TALES OF BLOOMING SCIENCE (No. 1 Tour), INTIMATE EXCHANGES (Platform Theatre) and UNDER THE YUM-YUM TREE (The Mill at Sonning. Most recently Sally co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in her own comedy show COMMITTED EXHIBITIONISTS which previewed at London Fringe venues before playing at the Edinburgh Festival 2003.

ELIZABETH ELVIN (Mavis) Elizabeth trained at the Arts Educational School. She has just finished filming Northiam Film's feature film, CREDIT, playing the lead Bernadette. Before that she was filming with the BBC in STATE OF PLAY. Other recent theatre work includes: SHIRLEY VALENTINE at The Palace Theatre, Westcliff and The Chester Gateway. Portia in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, Adela in the world premiere performance of Noel Coward's VOLCANO, Lil in FINGS AIN'T WHAT THEY USED TO'BE. Olivia in TWELFTH NIGHT and last summer was spent performing the complete plays of Agatha Christie where she played nine parts in nine different plays! Further theatre credits include: Titania in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, all the female roles in Alan Ayckbourn's INTIMATE EXCHANGES, the Porter in MACBETH, Cruella De Vil in A HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIANS, Fiona Foster in HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES, Glenda in LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE, Gymnasia in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM and Andy in STEPPING OUT. Elizabeth has appeared in many West End productions and National Tour's with rep. seasons at Bristol Old Vic, Perth, Glasgow's Citizens, Birmingham and Cheltenham. Here at Sonning she has been seen in FUNNY BUSINESS, BORN YESTERDAY, A BEDFULL OF FOREIGNERS, BEDSIDE MANNERS, HOLIDAY SNAP and LOVE'S A LUXURY. Film and television include: RINGS ON THEIR FINGERS, THE DANCE, TESTAMENT OF YOUTH, RENTAGHOST, THE JULIO INGLESIAS SHOW, HEAVEN'S GATE and IF ONLY. Elizabeth has also spent a year under contract to MGM in the USA.

DANIEL GILLINGWATER (Geoffrey) Daniel Gillingwater - Essex raised and universited in Cardiff. Musical credits include, CHESS, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, WEST SIDE STORY, THE KING AND I, SWEENEY TODD, LADY BE GOOD, SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM, KNICKERBOCKER HOLIDAY, SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS, ONE TOUCH OF VENUS, TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS and THE BAR. Plays: A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM, AS YOU LIKE IT. Opera: CENERENTOLA, WHAT THE OLD MAN DOES IS ALWAYS RIGHT, THE TELEPHONE, NOT QUITE AT THE OPERA and THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO. DANIEL P GILLINGWATER PLAYS AND SINGS…DON'T COME was a sell out success at London Jermyn Street Theatre and A WEST SIDE STORY - THE TALE OF THEATRICAL FAILURE was an equal hoot at the Water Rats. Dan will be guiding the Sonning audience through the New Year festivities this coming new year and is delighted to be back on the Thames. He will be overdoing it on the roast potatoes of that you can be sure.

MARY MADDOX (Vera) Mary has worked extensively in theatre including: WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, WHEN WE ARE MARRIED (National Theatre), DUSA, FISH STAS AND VI (Hampstead Theatre, Mayfair Theatre), CAKEWALK (Hampstead Theatre, Apollo), Ruth Ellis in BREAKNECK (Stratford East), DOOMDUCKERS BALL Royal Court), CENSORED SCENES FROM KING KONG (Open Space), WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS (ICA), THE NERD (Aldwych Theatre), THE WATER ENGINE (Hampstead Theatre), THE HYPOCHONDRIAC (Lyric), THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Piccadilly Theatre). TV includes: BRECHT AND WEILL (BBC), STRUGGLE (LWT) STOLEN (LWT) THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE (LWT), A FINE ROMANCE (LWT), THE BILL (Thames), RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY (Thames), BOBBY WANTS TO MEET ME (BBC), MINDER (Euston). Film includes: ONE FINE DAY (Stephen Frears), SOLID GEOMETRY (Mike Newell BBC, banned), AMY (Ind), CRYSTAL GAZING (Ind), SLAPPERS (Gina Bellman), LORCA'S - THE HOUSE OF BERNADA ALBA & CHICKEN.

LYNETTE McMORROUGH (Sylvia) Lynette trained at the Arts Educational School. Soon after graduating she joined the Chichester Festival Theatre Company and created the part of Angel Jelly in their original production of the musical FOLLOW THE STAR. She reprised the role in the sequel, ME A WORLD, then went to Hong Kong with the Chichester company for CYRANO DE BERGERAC and OTHELLO. Her many subsequent theatre credits include ONCE A CATHOLIC, COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN, and THE ELEPHANT MAN in the West End; BLITHE SPIRIT at the Lyric, Hammersmith and Derby Playhouse; BREATH OF SPRING and HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES at Bromley; STEAMING, ROMEO & JULIET, ELSIE AND NORM'S MACBETH and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at Worcester; SYLVIA'S WEDDING at Oldham; national tours of PRESENT LAUGHTER, BRIEF ENCOUNTER, GASLIGHT, THE RIVALS, TABLE MANNERS, NOISES OFF, DEATHTRAP, DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE, ONE FOR THE POT, THE RAILWAY CHILDREN, I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE, A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED, THE HEIRESS and STRAIGHT AND NARROW. Lynette's pantomimes (as Fairy) include Canterbury, Brighton, Crewe, Redhill, High Wycombe, Hastings, Torquay, and Stevenage; this Christmas she is waving her wand at the Connaught, Worthing. On television, Lynette is, of course, best remembered as Glenda Brownlow in the original CROSSROADS. Last year she appeared in episodes of SWEET MEDICINE for ITV and GRASS for the BBC. Lynette is delighted to be making her first appearance at Sonning and for the chance to dust off her tap shoes; she would like to thank Berlei for their support!

GERALDINE NEWMAN (Mrs Fraser) Theatre includes seasons at Farnham, Liverpool, Birmingham, Hornchurch, Glasgow and Leatherhead: plays include THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, ROMEO AND JULIET, HAMLET, KING LEAR, THE LADY'S NOT FOR BURNING, THE SECOND MRS TANQUERAY, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, YOU NEVER CAN TELL, RATTLE OF A SIMPLE MAN, MARY MARY, BEDROOM FARCE, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, STEVIE, BODIES, WOMAN IN MIND, LETTICE AND LOVAGE. One woman plays include; LOUISE MICHEL (Tron, Glasgow) QUINT, (Ipswich and Coventry). At the Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, BREAKING THE CODE, PRIN, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, SUMMER LIGHTNING. At West Yorkshire Playhouse: TONS OF MONEY. At Salisbury Playhouse: ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, SINGLE SPIES. In London: PARENT'S DAY, (Globe) Agatha in THE CHILDREN'S HOUR, (National Theatre). TV includes: four series of EVER DECREASING CIRCLES for the BBC playing Hilda, THE BEAST WITH TWO BACKS, AFTER THE SOLO, BACKS TO THE LAND, DEAR MOTHER LOVE ALBERT, COUPLES, MAPP AND LUCIA, BLUEBELL, CAT'S EYES, MISS MARPLE, SOUTH OF THE BORDER, MINDER, AN ACTOR'S LIFE FOR ME, BETWEEN THE LINES, KEEPING UP APPEARANCES, THE VET, HEARTBEAT and WHERE THE HEART IS. Appeared at The Mill in HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES, MURDER MISTAKEN and PASTIMES.

YVONNE NEWMAN (Rose) Theatre credits include: Rose in STEPPING OUT (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Sherma in MERCY (Royal Court Upstairs), Aunt Sarah Lied in CONSECRATED GROUND (Steam Industry, Canada Theatre), Carol in RED CROSS (Bear and Staff Café theatre, London) THE TAMING OF THE SHREW and JUNGLE BOOK (both at the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton), and the world premiere of STEPIING OUT - THE MUSICAL (Theatre Royal, Plymouth). On television Yvonne has appeared in TRIAL & RETRIBUTION VI as the Jury Forewoman and has also appeared in two films HEROIC JOURNEY and BEHAVING BADLY.

ANGELA SIMS (Andy) Angela is delighted to be returning to Sonning. She has appeared here previously in BUILDING BLOCKS, TEN TIMES TABLE, A PARTY TO MURDER and SEASON'S GREETINGS. Angela trained at the Guildhall. Theatre credits include: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and THE CARD (Regent's Park), GASLIGHT, ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR, ABIGAIL'S PARTY (Blue Box Theatre, Keswick), BLITHE SPIRIT, BEDROOM FARCE, MACBETH (Theatre Royal, York), MOLL FLANDERS, COMMUNICATING DOORS, AND A NIGHTINGALE SANG, HENCEFORWARD (Swan Theatre, Worcester), BLITH SPIRIT (Octagon Theatre, Bolton), and A STAR DANCED, TOM JONES, FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD and THE CARD (Watermill, Newbury). Angela's Christmas shows and pantomimes include: JACK & THE BEANSTALK (Tewkesbury), SLEEPING BEAUTY (Corn Exchange, Newbury), CHRISTMAS CAT AND THE PUDDING PIRATES, THE ADVENTURES OF MR TOAD, THE WIZARD OF OZ (Castle Theatre, Wellingborough) and THE IDEAL GNOME EXPEDITION (Southill Park, Bracknell). Television credits include: 7 episodes of THE BILL, 2 episodes of LONDON'S BURNING, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, McCALLUM, FIVE CHILDREN AND IT, CRY WOLF, FIFTEEN STOREYS HIGH, THE QUEEN'S NOSE and HAPPINESS. She also recently filmed a corporate for the London Underground. For BBC Radio Angela has recorded STAGE FRIGHT, DEAD MAN'S MUSIC, A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED and THREE ACT TRAGEDY.

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 and very recently THE FACE OF FEAR. 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. Last year Sally appeared in TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS, at the King's Head, London.