Pools Paradise
A farce by PHILIP KING

This wonderfully funny farce is set in the vicarage of the small village of Merton-cum-Middlewick. The vicar's wife Penelope Toop, has been enticed by Ida, the maid and her doltish boyfriend Willie Briggs into a flutter on the football pools, which seem to have come up trumps. The win however is not a certainty. It must be checked and this is where the fun begins. In true farce tradition it has its protagonists, the Rev Lionel Toop and the sexually frustrated spinster Miss Skillon, who are both dead set against gambling. Throw in a clutch of clergymen and another pools coupon and you have a household in a high state of confusion as coupons are switched and switched again, trousers are lost and the inevitable breathless pursuits in and out of cupboards occur that are so familiar to lovers of vicarage farces. This sparkling comedy has every ingredient to send the audience home with their sides aching with laughter.

ERIC CARTE (The Rev Lionel Toop) 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 has just appeared in the world premiere of THE HINGE OF THE WORLD at Guildford. Other West End Theatre 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 International Tours include TOWARDS ZERO; M. BUTTERFLY; SEE HOW THEY RUN; DEATHRAP; 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' Head); BRIEF ENCOUNTER and THE GENTLE HOOK (Theatre Royal, Windsor). Television includes: 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. Film includes DAISIES IN DECEMBER with Jean Simmons and Joss Ackland; THE BEAST MUST DIE and ZEPPELIN.

JACQUELINE CLARKE (Miss Skillon) Jacquie trained at the RADA and spent her early theatrical years in repertory at York, Liverpool and Leatherhead from which THE BOYFRIEND transferred to the Comedy theatre and was Jacquie's first happy year in the West End. Television followed and for a period of ten years she was Dave Allen's character lady in DAVE ALLEN AT LARGE for the BBC. She then appeared as David Jason's wife in four series of A SHARP INTAKE OF BREATH for ATV. Numerous TV credits continued in Light Entertainment and in Radio. Jacquie's West End appearances have been in WOMAN IN MIND at the Vaudeville, RUN FOR YOUR WIFE at the Criterion, OUT OF ORDER at the Shaftesbury, IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY at the Playhouse and DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER at the Duchess. Jacquie toured for a year in the Musical OLIVER for Cameron Macintosh and most recently has enjoyed a Middle and Far East tour in the play HARVEY. Last year she did a season in Jersey in WHEN WE ARE MARRIED and her latest television appearances have been in HEARTBEAT, DOCTORS and MURDER IN MIND for the BBC. Jacquie very recently appeared at The Mill in A FOOT IN THE DOOR. She is married to the actor Barrie Gosney and lives in a 300 year old cottage in the Cotswolds.

ELIZABETH ELVIN (Penelope Toop) 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. 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 GASTE and IF ONLY. Elizabeth has also spent a year under contract to MGM in the USA.

BARRIE GOSNEY (The Bishop of Lax) Barrie's versatility has provided him with many opportunities to appear, with equal success, in films, television and theatre. From the days of DIXON OF DOCK GREEN to the classic CARRY ON FILMS to TEAHOUSE OF THE AUGUST MOON on the West End stage. Theatre credits include: RUN FOR YOUR WIFE at the Duchess Theatre and The Mill at Sonning. A BEDFULL OF FOREIGNERS at Eastbourne and Bournemouth with Terry Scott, THERE GOES THE BRIDE, ANYBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND, OUT OF ORDER, ANYBODY FOR MURDER, ALL FOR MARY, and recently FUNNY BUSINESS all at The Mill at Sonning, CASH ON DELIVERY, HAPPIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE and MY COUSIN RACHEL all at Windsor, THARK at The Watermill, MURDER AT THE VICARAGE at Windsor and Richmond and DICK WHITTINGTON at the Newbury Corn Exchange. He has undertaken several foreign tours, with Derek Nimmo, including RUN FOR YOUR WIFE, WIFE BEGINS AT FORTY and HARVEY. He has also toured OUT OF ORDER for Ray Cooney, PASTIMES which started life at The Mill at Sonning and a national tour with comedian Harry Hill. Barrie has appeared throughout the country in repertory and is a well known face in the pantomime world, over 27 seasons, playing a variety of Dames and other characters. He is constantly in demand for MUSIC HALL appearing all over England. His performance as Lord Brockhurst, in the acclaimed revival production of THE BOY FRIEND was one of the highlights of a very successful career. Television appearances include: KEEPING UP APPEARANCES, DON'T WAIT UP, CASUALTY, THE BILL, FRANK STUBBS, THE HARRY HILL SERIES and has recently finished a second series of TIME GENTLEMEN PLEASE and is delighted to be working with his dear friend Dennis Ramsden sharing the part of The Bishop of Lax. Barrie is married to actress Jacqueline Clarke, they live in a 300 year old cottage in the Cotswolds. He enjoys gardening, golf, fishing and a yearly visit to the Cheltenham Festival. His latest TV with Rik Mayall is BELIEVE NOTHING.

HARRY GOSTELOW (Willie Briggs) Harry began is professional career at The Mill in THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE, JOKING APART and HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES. Since then he has appeared in FORTY YEARS ON (Scarborough), RICHARD III (Ludlow Festival), MURDER AT THE VICARAGE (Theatre Royal, Windsor). PINOCCHIO (Lyric, Hammersmith),IVANOV (Almeida and Moscow), MEASURE FOR MEASURE (Nottingham Playhouse and across Europe) and MR PUNTILA AND HIS MAN MATTI (Almeida and Albery . Recently he has enjoyed several seasons at Shakespeare' s Globe in COMEDY OF ERRORS, AUGUSTINE'S OAK, HAMLET, ANTIPODES and KING LEAR. Harry very recently appeared at The Mill in A FOOT IN THE DOOR. On television Harry has just been in FOYLE'S WAR and MIDSOMER MURDERS. Other TV includes SILENT WITNESS, BREAKOUT, SOLDIER SOLDIER, BETWEEN THE LINES and CLASS ACT. His filmwork includes SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, SHOOTING FISH and AKA.

LOTTIE MAYOR (Ida) Lottie's most recent theatre credits include: Wendy in PETER PAN at The Royal Festival Hall; Amy in WHERE'S CHARLEY and Katherine in LOVE'S LABOUR LOST at The Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park; TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS at The Mill at Sonning; Goldie in ANYROAD at the Bridewell. Lottie started her professional career at the age of 16 understudying and playing the title role in the musical BERNADETTE at the Dominion Theatre in the West End. She created the role of Swallow in WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND at The Aldwych Theatre. Other West End credits include: MARTIN GUERRE at The Prince Edward Theatre; OLIVER at The London Palladium; ELVIS The Musical at The Prince of Wales; Jenny Dillingham in ASPECTS OF LOVE at the Prince of Wales plus the National tour; Liesel in THE SOUND OF MUSIC at the Sadlers Wells Theatre plus the National Tour; Pauline Marsden in FERRY CROSS THE MERSEY, the National Tour. On television she has appeared in THE BILL for Thames television; VIOLET for Fast Eddie films; SIR ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER'S 50th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS, broadcast on ITV from the Royal Albert Hall. Lottie has also performed Live Solos on PEBBLE MILL, GMTV and for SONGS OF PRAISE for the BBC.

ROYCE MILLS (The Rev Arthur Humphrey) Royce is delighted to be back at The Mill again after an absence of some five years. Since his West End debut in the 1967 revival of THE BOY FRIEND (Comedy), appearances include OH KAY! (Westminster), THE BED BEFORE YESTERDAY (Lyric), SMALL AND BRASSY (Wyndhams), THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH (Albery), THE STREETS OF LONDON (Her Majesty's), THE SLOANE RANGER REVUE (Duchess), RUN FOR YOUR WIFE (Shaftesbury and Criterion), SEE HOW THEY RUN (Shaftesbury), THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Her Majesty's) SOME LIKE IT HOT (Prince Edward), DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER (Apollo and Duchess), JEFFREY BERNARD IS UNWELL (Lyric, Shaftesbury & Old Vic), THE FOREST (Royal National), Gillian Lynne's DICK WHITTINGTON (Sadlers Wells) and for The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company - HMS PINAFORE, THE MIKADO, PIRATES OF PENZANCE and IOLANTHE (The Savoy). Royce trained at the GSMD, where he was Major Open Scholar, Gold Medallist and Shakespeare Prizeman. Television debut was in 1955 since when credits range from George Cole's accountant in MINDER, KEEPING UP APPEARANCES and THE MORECAMBE AND WISE SHOW, to Squire Trelawney in Ken Russell's TREASURE ISLAND, OUT OF SIGHT, POLTERGUEST and BERNARD'S WATCH for Carlton TV. Films include UP POMPEII, UP THE CHASTITY BELT, REAL LIFE, SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY, Mel Brook's HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART 1 and a short comedy film entitled MAHOGANY by Alan Orpin. A regular broadcaster, for twenty years he was heard on Radio 4's WEEKENDING and the World Service Compilation TWO CHEERS, also many series based on PG Wodehouse's STORIES FROM BLANDINGS. Recent recordings include a Radio 4 drama entitled EACH WAY YANKEE, BRISTOW and panellist on QUOTE UNQUOTE. He is immensely proud of having given the Daleks voices for four series of DR. WHO.

DENNIS RAMSDEN (The Bishop of Lax) Four years ago at the age of eighty years, Dennis retired and went to live in the Cotswolds with his actress wife - Christine Russell. Recently however, Sally Hughes was casting a forthcoming production of POOLS PARADISE and spotted a character in it - The Bishop of Lax - which Dennis had played in SEE HOW THEY RUN at The Mill in almost his last part before retirement. An agreement was reached - why not share the part with old friend and ex-colleague - Barrie Gosney. It was an offer he could not refuse and he gratefully signed on the dotted line! A lifetime association with comedy started when Dennis joined the Dundee Repertory Company in 1946 after serving in the Royal Air Force throughout the war years. Two years later he was appearing in the West End in some of the successful comedies of the time with Margaret Rutherford in THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE and with John Gielgud in THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL. Later, he joined the Brian Rix Theatre of Laughter Company at the Whitehall Theatre where he created many comedy characters in the Rix Repertoire. As a Director in the 'boom' days of the sixties he pulled off a theatrical hat-trick when three of his productions were running simultaneously in the West End. At the same time he was appearing with Kenneth More in SIGNS OF THE TIMES at the Vaudeville Theatre where he later directed the successful farce KEY FOR TWO by John Chapman and Dave Freeman. His many TV appearances include TO THE MANOR BORN in which he played the family solicitor in several episodes. He spent over twelve happy years at The Mill where he has directed and played in many productions.

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), THE FLIPSIDE, HAPPY AS A SANDBAG, SEE HOW THEY RUN!, DEAD GUILTY MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM 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 TEN TIMES TABLE, SYLVIA'S WEDDING, WIFE BEGINS AT FORTY, MAKE ME MATCH, ALL FOR MARY, WHO KILLED SANTA CLAUS and very recently INSIDE JOB. 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 occasionally sings with the Piccadilly Dance Orchestra at the Savoy.

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 MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM, TAKING STEPS, UNDER THE YUM-YUM TREE, TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS, CHASE ME COMRADE, FUNNY BUSINESS, FUNNY ABOUT LOVE, MY THREE ANGELS, INSIDE JOB, SEASON'S GREETINGS, BUILDING BLOCKS and A FOOT IN THE DOOR.

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 recent ones include: WHO KILLED SANTA CLAUS?, TAKING STEPS, TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS, CHASE ME COMRADE, FUNNY BUSINESS, MY THREE ANGELS, SEASON'S GREETINGS and A FOOT IN THE DOOR.