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CHASE
ME COMRADE
The year is 1964. A Russian male ballet dancer has defected to the
West and is being hidden by friends. Complications set in at once. The
house where he is concealed belongs to a naval commander whose duty
it would be to hand him over to authority. So the commander's daughter,
Nancy and her fiance get involved in a hilarious game of hide and seek
in which everybody is pretending to be everybody else. This play is
a riot from beginning to end and was a huge West End hit for Mr Cooney
and Brian Rix's Whitehall Theatre. |
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NICK
BAYLY (Mr Laver) Nick trained at the Birmingham School of Speech
and Drama. After spending two years in the Midlands with children's
theatre he worked in repertory at Southwold, Bromley and Westcliff on
Sea. National tours followed in two Northern comedies; Mike Harding's
FUR COAT AND NO KNICKERS and Alan Bleasdale's HAVING A BALL, Ray Cooney's
RUN FOR YOUR WIFE (Canada), WHY NOT STAY FOR BREAKFAST?, ONE FOR THE
POT, Agatha Christie's ON THE TABLE, THERE'S A GIRL IN MY SOUP, WAIT
UNTIL DARK, CHARLEY'S AUNT, SHERLOCK HOLMES' A CRUCIFER OF BLOOD with
summer seasons of OUT OF ORDER, SEE HOW THEY RUN (Bournemouth) and THE
MATING GAME (Torquay). West End work followed in RUN FOR YOUR WIFE at
the Criterion Theatre, IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY and FUNNY MONEY both at
the Playhouse, Theatre, William Douglas Home's - THE BAD SOLDIER SMITH
at the Jermyn Street Theatre and as Roscoe Chandler in the Marx Brothers
comedy, ANIMAL CRACKERS at the Lyric Theatre. Nick has appeared on television
in HETTY WAINTHROPP INVESTIGATES, GOOD NIGHT SWEETHEART, AN INDEPENDENT
MAN, JACK & JEREMY'S REAL LIVES, SUNNY STORIES and last year as Radio
DJ Danny Green in Yorkshire Television's EMMERDALE and in the BBC series
DOCTORS. Musicals have included SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and ME & MY GIRL
at the Theatre Royal, Lincoln and he has played a variety of roles in
over a dozen pantomimes including Belfast, Aberdeen, Cambridge, the
Lyceum, London and for the last three years the Dame at Lincoln, Llandudno
and the Connaught Theatre, Worthing. Nick was last seen at The Mill
in WHY NOT STAY FOR BREAKFAST? in 1995 and he is delighted to be back
here again. |
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CISSY
COLLINS (Janet Rimmington) Cissy trained at the Welsh College of
Music and Drama. Theatre work includes Pauline Mole in the first national
tour of THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE. For the RSC, Lettice in THE
PLAIN DEALER, Margery Jourdain in THE PLANTAGENETS, Lady Falconbridge
in KING JOHN and Emillie in LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES in both London
and The Music Box New York, Elizabeth Osborne in ABRACADAVER, Doris
in SAME TIME NEXT YEAR and Melba in PAL JOEY at Bristol Old Vic, Donna
Lucia D'Alvadorez in CHARLEY'S AUNT, Boat woman in TOAD OF TOAD HALL
and Miss Haversham in Robert Shearman's adaptation of GREAT EXPECTATIONS.
This is a return visit to The Mill for Cissy who was Doctor Ruth in
NOBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND. TV includes Angela Primero in the Ruth Rendell
Mystery A NEW LEASE OF DEATH, BLISS, THE JILL DANO TRIAL RECONSTRUCTION
(Channel 4) and DISTRICT NURSE. Films: FATIMA, NEW YEAR'S EVE. |
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PAUL
COOPER (Bobby Hargreaves) 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. His last stage
appearance was playing 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, Click'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. |
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LEAH
FLETCHER (Nancy Rimmington) Leah trained at Middlesex University
and Ecoles Jacques Lecoq, Paris. Theatre credits include: THE CHANGELING
(Third Party), SLEEPING BEAUTY (London Bubble), STIG OF THE DUMP, THE
HYPOCHONDRIAC (West Yorkshire Playhouse), ADVANCEMENT (The Royal Court),
THE STORY OF JUDE, SILAS MARNER and THE POWER OF DARKNESS (All at the
Orange Tree), THE PRINCESS AND THE GOBLIN (Northern Stage), DON'T LAUGH
IT'S MY LIFE (Told by an Idiot), THE WEAVERS (The Gate), HATCHET PLAN
and LIFE SUPPORT (Parti-Pris), THE ELEPHANT MAN (Virginia, USA). She
is currently co-writing a play, DANCING TO HER OWN TUNE. TV: THE RAILWAY
KILLERS (BBC1). |
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GREGORY
GUDGEON (Petrovyan) Gregory trained at Webber Douglas Academy and
the Ecole Jacques Lecoq. Theatre includes: LIFE WITH AN IDIOT (Gate
Theatre); THE LION KING (Original London cast, Lyceum Theatre); DREAMING
(Royal Exchange, Manchester and Queens Theatre); THE STREET OF CROCODILES
(N. America and Japan tour); CRIMES AND CRIMES (Leicester Haymarket);
METAMORPHOSIS (Contact Theatre, Manchester); FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (West
Yorkshire Playhouse);GULLIVER'S TRAVELS (National maritime tour aboard
the M V Fitzcassaldo for Walk the Plank); THE BLUE MACUSHLA (Druid Theatre
Co); THE TRIAL and SALOME (East Productions Far East Tour); SLAVE ISLAND
(Company of Clerks); A MADHOUSE IN GOA (Oldham Coliseum); LE MORTE D'ARTHUR
(Lyric, Hammersmith); ENTER THE CLOWN (Company Paradiso); TWELFTH NIGHT
(Cambridge Theatre Co); IN LAMBETH (Dublin Theatre Festival); GALA/.DALI
(Old Red Lion); THE TUTOR, TOO CEVER BY HALF, A FLEA IN HER EAR (Old
Vic). Film and TV include; BERGERAC; THE BILL, A PIN FOR THE BUTTERFLY,
ESTHER KAHN; THE RING, PANORAMA. |
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| BRIAN
MILLER (Hoskins) Brian was born in Birmingham and went to drama school
there. He has appeared in several plays at Birmingham Rep and with the
company at the Edinburgh Festival. His repertory work at Canterbury, Wolverhampton,
Liverpool, Manchester and Scarborough includes the fool in KING LEAR,
Iago in OTHELLO, the common man in A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS and Herbert Soppitt
in WHEN WE ARE MARRIED. His first London appearance was in THE PRISONERS,
a Sunday night performance at the Royal Court for Tomorrows Audience.
He has understudied in Rattigan's MAN AND BOY at the Queen's and played
William Featherstone in Alan Acykbourn's HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES at the
Lyric and in Toronto after first playing it at Scarborough. Brian appeared
as the Auditor in NOT I and understudied Albert Finney in KRAPP'S LAST
TAPE in a Beckett double bill at the Royal Court. He later played Krapp
at the Liverpool Playhouse directed by Tim Albery and appeared at the
Florence Festival with the Liverpool Company in THE LONG AND THE SHORT
AND THE TALL. Brian's fringe work includes CHRISTIE IN LOVE at the Open
Space, and many appearances at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond, including
the first London production of Alan Ayckbourn's FAMILY CIRCLES, and most
recently THE CASE OF REBELLIOUS SUSAN, DR KNOCK and OVERBOARD. His other
theatre credits include SCHWEYK IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR in Jamestown,
New York, OF MICE AND MEN as George, and as Pinter's THE CARETAKER for
the Little Theatre Company Bristol. He has also appeared there with Stephen
Mallatratt in ROBIN HOOD and played Truscott in LOOT as well as Bates
in BRIMSTONE AND TREACLE at the Bristol Old Vic. Most recently Brian has
played Arthur Kipps in THE WOMAN IN BLACK at the Fortune Theatre, also
in Sheffield and Belfast. Brian was a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company
and occasionally plays Jason the Builder in THE ARCHERS. His recent television
appearances include NUMBERTIME, WYCLIFFE, EASTENDERS, THE SALUTE and CASUALTY.
Brian has also appeared in the films BRAZIL and THE PUNK AND THE PRINCESS. |
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MATTHEW
SCARLETT (Constable Pulford) Matthew graduated from the Mountview
Theatre School in October 1998 where he was awarded the Dame Judi Dench
Scholarship. He is delighted to be returning to The Mill at Sonning. He
played Gordon in SYLVIA'S WEDDING a couple of years ago. Matthew made
his professional debut as Ugly Sister in CINDERELLA at the Roses Theatre
in Tewkesbury. Other theatre includes Tim in NOISES OFF for the English
Speaking Theatre in Frankfurt, Ugly Sister in CINDERELLA again, but this
time at the Royal, Northampton. This last Christmas he played The Emperor
in ALADDIN at the Corn Exchange, Newbury. On television Matthew has appeared
in MESSIAH, ACTIVE DEFENCE, THE BILL, SILENT WITNESS and PEAK PRACTICE.
Matthew has appeared in commercials both here and abroad and has also
performed in live conferences for companies such as Sainsbury's and MFI. |
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| STEPHEN
SWIFT (Gerry Buss) This is Steve's first appearance at Sonning and
he is delighted to be at the Mill this summer. He has recently returned
from his sixth successive pantomime at the Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury
where he played Idle Jack in DICK WHITTINGTON. He has worked in theatres
up and down the country; favourite roles include Mervyn in HENCEFORWARD
and Henry Pratt in SECOND FROM LAST IN THE SACK RACE (Swan Theatre, Worcester),
Wilson in RUFFIAN ON THE STAIR (Derby Playhouse) and Laurence in ABIGAIL'S
PARTY (Library Theatre, Manchester). On TV, Steve has appeared in such
shows as COLD FEET and EMMERDALE and was the inept footballer in the recent
One2One advert. |
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JULIE
TEAL (Alicia Courtney) Julie trained at the Webber Douglas Academy
of Dramatic Art. Credits include seasons at Dundee, Harrogate, Theatr
Clwyd, Westcliff, Coventry, Sonning, Liverpool Playhouse, Bristol Old
Vic, Hornchurch, Birmingham, Northampton and several national tours.
Appearances in regional productions include Gloria in YOU NEVER CAN
TELL, Lady Mcbeth in MACBETH, Viola in TWELFTH NIGHT, Helena in A MIDSUMMER
NIGHT'S DREAM, Julia in TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, Cecily in THE IMPORTANCE
OF BEING EARNEST, Sorel in HAYFEVER, Carola in BARE NECESSITIES, Rose
in TURKEY TIME, Polly Perkins in THERE GOES THE BRIDE, Molly in THE
SECRETARY BIRD, Jill in A STING IN THE TALE, Helga in A BEDFULL OF FOREIGNERS,
Paulina in DEATH AND THE MAIDEN, Jacqueline in DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER,
Julia Dickerby in KINDLY KEEP IT COVERED and Connie in WHO KILLED SANTA
CLAUS? . Musicals include ANNIE, HANS ANDERSON, THE WIZARD OF OZ, THE
KING & I, THREE MEN IN A BOAT and SCROOGE in which she played the Ghost
of Christmas Past. Television credits include THE CHIEF, THE BILL, SHE'S
OUT, CLASS ACT, EASTENDERS, HOLDING ON and TOUCHING EVIL. Film work
includes Stephen Poliakoff's film FOOD OF LOVE. |
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COLIN
WAKEFIELD (Commander Rimmington) Colin trained at Webber Douglas.
His theatre credits include BLITHE SPIRIT and WOMAN IN MIND (Octagon
Theatre, Bolton); BY JEEVES! and THE MIKADO (New Vic, Newcastle-under
Lyme); NOISES OFF, THE WINTER'S TALE, THE SECOND MRS TANQUERAY and THE
RECRUITING OFFICER (Salisbury Playhouse); STEPPING OUT - THE MUSICAL
(Albery Theatre, London); THE WAY OF THE WORLD (Theatre Royal, York);
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and THE MAN OF MODE (Cheek by Jowl); THE NORMAN
CONQUESTS (Swan Theatre, Worcester; STEPPING OUT, THE PICKWICK PAPERS
and PRIVATE LIVES (Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham); ROOKERY NOOK (Mercury
Theatre, Colchester); FRANCIS (Greenwich Theatre); THE TAMING OF THE
SHREW and RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET (Bubble Theatre). Film credits
include THREE GUESSES, FOUR WALLS and SOLITAIRE FOR TWO. Television
credits include THE BILL (Thames); THE QUEEN'S NOSE, A CRIME AT CHRIST'S,
VANITY FAIR and A SMALL PROBLEM (BBC); BRIGHTON BELLES (Carlton); BUST
(LWT); RELATIVE STRANGERS, THE RECTOR'S WIFE (C4); VALENTINE PARK (Central)
and THE BRIEF (TVS). Colin's directing credits include TABLE MANNERS,
BUILDING BLOCKS and BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (Jill Freud and Company); THE
LESSON and STUK (Corner Theatre); ALADDIN, THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, CINDERELLA
and DICK WHITTINGTON (Salisbury Playhouse). Writing credits include
MOTHER GOOSE, ALADDIN, THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, CINDERELLA, DICK WHITTINGTON,
JACK AND THE BEANSTAK, ROBIN HOOD and THE BABES IN THE WOOD - all co-written
with Kate Edgar for Salisbury Playhouse; WITCHWOOD, an environmental
musical for schools and youth groups, also with Kate Edgar; and DOUBLE
OR TWIN and ON YOUR HONOUR, co-written with Roger Leach. |
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MICHAEL
PERCIVAL (Director) This is Michael's fifth play at The Mill, but
his first here as director. Most recently as an actor he was here as Christopher
Moore in WHO KILLED SANTA CLAUS? Best known in this country for playing
the amiable, but extremely stupid M15 agent Dexter in THE PIGLET FILES
for London Weekend TV, he has worked extensively in the theatre, both
as actor and director, having been involved in more than 300 productions.
He still holds the record as the youngest ever professional theatre director,
directing for the first time at the age of 19 years and 8 months! He was
Director of the St Helen's Theatre Royal and the Malvern Festival Theatre
Company and directed most of the early productions for Duncan Weldon's
Triumph Theatre Company. He has also directed as a freelance at several
of Britain's repertory Theatres. His most recent production was a promenade
version of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at a vineyard in New South Wales,
Australia. More than 100 appearances on TV, ranging from the impossibly
good Mr Mitchell in GRANGE HILL to the sinister and dangerous Peter Crew
in THE SCULPTRESS. Most recent UK movies, 101 DALMATIANS and FIERCE CREATURES
and in Australia FIGURES IN MOTION. Last year he filmed MY UNCLE SILAS
with Albert Finney, to be screened in the Autumn this year. |
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| CAROLINE
M FEARON (Set Designer) Caroline trained in Cardiff where she completed
a degree in ceramics before going on to the Welsh College of Music and
Drama where she successfully gained an advanced National Diploma in Theatre
Design. Her love of painting then took her to Plymouth Theatre Royal for
seven years where she worked as scenic artist on many West End and UK
national tour productions: COPACABANA, THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, JOLSON,
WEST SIDE STORY, FAME, OLIVER and GREAT BALLS OF FIRE. For a change of
scenery Caroline's painting then took her to Australia for a year where
she worked on FARSCAPE, a Jim Henson production (BBC 2). On returning
to the UK she freelanced in both theatre and television. Caroline's previous
designs at The Mill include WHO KILLED SANTA CLAUS? and UNDER THE YUM-YUM
TREE. |
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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
favourite costume designs include: STEPPING OUT, THE RAINMAKER, NOEL &
GERTIE, BORN YESTERDAY, LEND ME A TENOR, TWO DOZEN RED ROSES, THE PLEASURE
OF HIS COMPANY, TEN TIMES TABLE, A PARTY TO MURDER, WIFE BEGINS AT FORTY,
MAKE ME A MATCH, A SLIGHT HANGOVER, KINDLY KEEP IT COVERED, ALL FOR MARY,
WHO KILLED SANTA CLAUS?, MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM, TAKING STEPS, UNDER THE
YUM-YUM TREE and TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS. |
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| 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 of which include: STEPPING OUT, KISS MY AUNT, BORN YESTERDAY,
LEND ME A TENOR, THE WAITING GAME, DON'T ROCK THE BOAT, LAURA, GRAPES
& RAISINS , SAY WHO YOU ARE, THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY, TEN TIMES TABLE,
KISS OF DEATH, A PARTY TO MURDER, DON'T JUST LIE THERE, SAY SOMETHING!,
MAKE ME A MATCH, A SLIGHT HANGOVER, KINDLY KEEP IT COVERED, WHO KILLED
SANTA CLAUS?, TAKING STEPS and TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS. |
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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, namely: LET'S FACE THE MUSIC with Irving
Berlin, Ruby in DAMES AT SEA (an excerpt of which was included in The
Royal Gala Performance in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales),
Sadie in THE FLIPSIDE, the musical HAPPY AS A SANDBAG, as Penelope Toop
in SEE HOW THEY RUN! as Julia in DEAD GUILTY as Joanna Markham in MOVE
OVER MRS MARKHAM and most recently as Ginger Mercer in the musical TOO
MARVELOUS FOR WORDS. The most recent plays Sally has directed at The
Mill are TEN TIMES TABLE, SYLVIA'S WEDDING, WIFE BEGINS AT FORTY, MAKE
ME MATCH, ALL FOR MARY and WHO KILLED SANTA CLAUS. 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 has
most recently directed BAREFOOT IN THE PARK by Neil Simon at the Jermyn
Street Theatre in the West End. She has recently started singing with
the Piccadilly Dance Orchestra at the Savoy. |
