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WIFE BEGINS AT
FORTY It seems that, for some people, forty is a rather
traumatic age. For Linda Harper it certainly appears to be and as the
dreaded day fast approaches she decides that the zizz has gone out of her
17 year marriage to the good-natured but boring George. The fun begins
with the antics that George gets up to in order to save their marriage and
with a little help from the next-door neighbours, his eccentric ex-RAF
father, their teenage son and a dog called Jazz, they discover that the
flames of passion are not quite dead - albeit in need of a little
fanning. |
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BELINDA CARROLL (Linda Harper) 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 she was Douglas Fairbanks Jr's daughter in THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY, a role that was recently played at Sonning by her daughter Amy Williams. Outside London she has played in TIME AND THE CONWAYS at The Royal Exchange and has frequently appeared at Windsor, Newbury and Guildford. TV Work includes episodes of WODEHOUSE PLAYHOUSE, CALLAN, GENERAL HOSPITAL, PLAY OF THE MONTH, BBC2 MELODRAMAS WITH Ronnie Barker and Warren Mitchell and QUESTION OF GUILT. This is Belinda's sixth appearance at Sonning. She is married to actor Micheal Cochrane and she has three children. | |
| ANITA GRAHAM (Betty Dixon) Anita has appeared at The Mill several times before - most recently playing Maggie in OUTSIDE EDGE. Television roles include Lesley Langton in EASTENDERS, Mrs Endicott in LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE, and Mrs Tebbett in MR THOMAS with Ray Winstone and written by Kathy Burke. She has worked extensively in light entertainment - several series of TERRY AND JUNE, BENNY HILL, KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY, DICK EMERY and MORECOMBE AND WISE. In the West End Anita was Barbara in RUN FOR YOUR WIFE, Mitzi in LOOK NO HANS, Honey in THE MATING GAME and with the RSC at the Piccadilly Theatre with PIAF and ONCE IN A LIFETIME. Her favourite theatre role was SHIRLEY VALENTINE. |  | |
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JOHN JUNKIN (Bernard Harper) John Junkin became an actor after five years as a writer. His earliest job was shouting "Hit him again Mrs McGinty" in an episode of Z CARS. His most recent was as Vic Lomax in SYLVIA'S WEDDING at The Mill. In between time he has appeared in a variety of plays, series and sitcoms, including CORONATION STREET, TILL DEATH US DO PART, and recently SINS. He has appeared in the West End four times, his favourite being Palladium panto. He spends his spare time trying to do crosswords and drinking to forget he couldn't do the crossword. | |
| OLIVER MEEK (Leonard Harper) Oliver Meek was born in London and trained at the Drama Centre, wher his parts included Pergrine in VOLPONE, Count Wermuth in THE TUTOR and Micheal in ARDEN OF FAVERSHAM. He played Rowland in QUEER DORSET BASTARD at the Etcetera Theatre in London and appears as a clerk in BBC's new comedy GENTLEMENS RELISH to be screened this Christmas. |  | |
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MARTYN STANBRIDGE (George Harper) Martyn's theatre work includes seasons at Oxford Playhouse, Birmingham Rep, Bromley, Bristol Old Vic, Cambridge, Liverpool Playhouse, Glasgow Citizens, Theatr Clwyd, Dublin, Exeter Cheltenham, Westcliff, Windsor and Northampton. Plays include MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, PEER GYNT, CHIPS WITH EVERYTHING, THE WHITE DEVIL, MACBETH, TRANSLATIONS, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, SALONIKA, WILD OATS, ABSENT FRIENDS, LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES, BRIEF ENCOUNTER AND DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER. In London: VENICE PRESERV'D at the RNT, THE VORTEX at the Garrick Theatre, BERENICE at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, THE MILLIONAIRESS and THREE SISTERS at The Greenwich Theatre and THE VERGE at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond. Recently, tour of ROMANTIC COMEDY in Vienna and Far East. At Sonning: DEATHTRAP, SAME TIME NEXT YEAR, BEDSIDE MANNERS, MURDER WITHOUT CRIME, THE MAINTENANCE MAN, CAUGHT ON THE HOP, THE BUSINESS OF MURDER anmd LAURA. Television: GOOD AND BAD AT GAMES, A POCKETFUL OF RYE, PARADISE POSTPONED, MURROW, A.D., THE DAY AFTER THE FAIR, HEDGEHOG WEDDING, PARTNERS LOVERS SPIES, THE GOOD GUYS, THE BILL, DOCTOR FINLAY and McLIBEL. | |
| DAVID WARWICK (Roger Dixon) After training at RADA, David spent several seasons in repertory: at Crewe (his home town), Coventry, Leatherhead, Guildford, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Hornchurch, and Birmingham. His many West End appearances include the Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford, Production of BAGGAGE at the Vaudeville Theatre, ITALIAN STRAW HAT and OUT OF ORDER at the Shaftesbury Theatre, and IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY and FUNNY MONEY at the Playhouse Theatre, all under the auspices of Ray Cooney. TV starts with Z CARS in '72, via DR WHO, REGINALD PERRIN, EASTENDERS, THE BILL and recently with REACH FOR THE MOON. His first appearance at The Mill was in TOUCH AND GO. He directed and performed in OUT OF ORDER in '98, and directed this summer's production of OUTSIDE EDGE. |  | |
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JAZMIN LA FEMME FATALE (Jazz the dog) Jazz the dog is 2 years 10 months old. She is a Staffordshire cross with either a Jack Russell or Whippet, and enjoys fishing, canoeing, tennis, golf and eating chocolate. | |
| 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), Alison in A TOUCH OF SPRING, Sadie in THE FLIPSIDE, the musical HAPPY AS A SANDBAG, and as Penelope Toop in SEE HOW THEY RUN! and most recently as Julia in DEAD GUILTY. The most recent plays Sally has directed at The Mill are THE RAINMAKER, BORN YESTERDAY, LEND ME A TENOR, DON'T ROCK THE BOAT, THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY, TEN TIMES TABLE AND SYLVIA'S WEDDING. Sally enjoys a career outside 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 and 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. |  | |
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JACQUELINE HUTSON (Set Designer) Jacqueline Hutson trained in Theatre Design at Wimbledon School of Art. Previous designs for The Mill include: STEPPING OUT, THE RAINMAKER, THE MAINTENANCE MAN, THE LITTLE HUT, PASTIMES, THE BUSINESS OF MURDER, KISS MY AUNT, NOEL & GERTIE, BORN YESTERDAY, LOVE'S A LUXURY, LEND ME A TENOR, THE WAITING GAME, DON'T ROCK THE BOAT, DEAD GUILTY, WORMS EYE VIEW, LAURA, A BEDFUL OF FOREIGNERS, SAY WHO YOU ARE, LAYING THE GHOST, THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY, ONE FOR THE POT, and recently THE PERFECT PENSION PLAN, KISS OF DEATH and DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER. | |
| 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, GRAPES & RAISINS, SAY WHO YOU ARE, LAYING THE GHOST, THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY, ONE FOR THE POT, THE PERFECT PENSION PLAN, FLING!, TEN TIMES TABLE, KISS OF DEATH, DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER, OUTSIDE EDGE, A PARTY TO MURDER and SYLVIA'S WEDDING. |  | |
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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, THE PERFECT PENSION PLAN, TEN TIMES TABLE, KISS OF DEATH, DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER and OUTSIDE EDGE. | |
| ARNE SULTAN (Playwright) Arne Sultan is a former night club comedian who performed in cities throughout the United States of America. He soon began writing for such personalities as Judy Garland, Steve Allen and Jackie Gleeson. In addition to television movies, he has also written the original stories for such feature films as BOYS NIGHT OUT starring Kim Novak and James Garner, PROMISE HER ANYTHING, starring Warren Beatty and Leslie Caron and THREE ON A COUCH, starring Jerry Lewis and Janet Leigh. | ||
| EARL BARRET (Playwright) Earl Barret is a graduate of Los Angeles City College and started in the Theatre as an actor. After several seasons of summer stock and off-Broadway he turned to writing and eventually collaborating with Mr Sultan. He co-authored the television movies, POOR DEVIL starring Sammy Davis Jr and Jack Klugman, and IT COULDN'T HAPPEN TO A NICER GUY starring Paul Sorvino. He is married to english actress Barbara Barnett and they have one daughter Jennifer Kate. | ||
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RAY COONEY (Playwright) In addition to co-writing BANG BANG BEIRUT and ONE FOR THE POT with Tony Hilton, Ray Cooney has collaborated with John Chapman on the highly successful farces MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM, NOT NOW DARLING, THERE GOES THE BRIDE, and on his own, he has written CHASE ME COMRADE, TWO INTO ONE, RUN FOR YOUR WIFE, IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY and most recently FUNNY MONEY. He founded the famous Theatre of Comedy in 1983, subsequently becoming Artistic Director. During Ray's hectic theatrical career he ahs always found time to continue acting and played the last year of RUN FOR YOUR WIFE! in London before appearing in the New York production. Recently he played the lead in IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY and FUNNY MONEY. Ray has been married to Linda for nearly thirty five years and, apart from their son, Micheal (author of CASH ON DELIVERY!) they have an elder son Danny who lives in Australia with his wife and two children. The sequel to RUN FOR YOUR WIFE, called RUN FOR YOUR WIFE TWO has just played with great success at the Theatre Royal, Windsor. |
