News & Events 2025
Autumn Production
PEOPLE by Alan Bennett
25th – 30th November 2025.
Directed By Alan Copsey
‘People’ enters the world of Dorothy and Iris, two aging spinsters who live in the crumbling remains of a stately home. When Dorothy’s sister June insists the house is donated to the National Trust, Dorothy seeks other means of maintaining her beloved habitat. From selling her ancient heirlooms to renting out space for the production of adult films, the battle is on to secure her future and preserve her past – with the view of getting central heating and an ensuite bathroom!
Occasionally verging on farce, the show is also distinctly cheeky; counterpointing an elderly couple against a backdrop of underhand businessmen, bishops and pornographic shenanigans, it invites physical humour to compliment a barrage of dry Northern wit and charm.
There is a Cast of Fourteen
Lady Dorothy Stacpoole Pat Thompsett
June Stacpoole Phillippa Riddoch
Iris Barbara MacWhirter
Theodore Allan Brown
Bevan Mark Weeks
Ralph Lumsden Chris Smith
Bishop Richard Sanderson
Bruce Steve Jupp
Louise Trish Dack
Colin Jason Burt
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Brit Helga Crowley
Nigel Andy Marshall
Les Tony Clark
Ensemble-
The Perfect Murder by Hugh Janes from the book by Jeffrey Archer
THE PERFECT MURDER – AUDITION NOTICE for 12th December 2025
The Perfect Murder a novel by Jeffrey Archer, adapted for the stage by Hugh Janes is not so much a
“who dun it?” as a “will he be found guilty?”. John is convinced he has committed murder and declares this to the audience in the opening lines of the play. We then go back in time following the investigation by D.I. Simmons and Sgt “Skipper” Davies and the murder trial run by Judge Buchanan, the council for the defence QC Scott and for the prosecution Sir Humphrey Mountcliff. We discover how John and his wife Elizabeth deal with the challenging situation they face and later we meet Paul Menzies who turns out to be a critical ingredient in the plot. Plenty of really good parts in John, Elizabeth, Simmons, Buchanan, Humphrey and Paul and several worthwhile smaller roles in Sgt Skipper, Alan (John's work colleague), Maria (the couple's cleaner) and Mallins the pathologist. Plus various bit parts as journalists, the clerk of the court and a disembodied newsreader, played by the ensemble.
Characters
Male
JOHN 50s
D.I.Simmons 50s
Paul Menzies 40s/50s
Alan Any age but younger than John
Sir Humphrey Mountcliff 50 – 70
Female
Elizabeth Similar to John
Maria Any age probably 60s
Judge Buchanan 50s/60s
Either sex
Q.C. Scott 40s/50s
Sgt Davies Any age under 50
Mallins Any age under retiremen
QUIZ NIGHT Tuesday 9th December at 7.30pm
Quiz Night – “That’s Entertainment”
We are planning a seasonal get-together along these lines:-
7.30pm - Gather for a drink and organise teams of 4 (which you might do beforehand)
Quiz – First half.
Break for drinks and food
Quiz – Second half
More food and chats.
If you would like to set a round of 10 questions on a subject loosely covered by the theme then please get in touch with Jan 572150, 07802624360. jancopsey@btopenworld.com
Obviously if you set a round of questions you will deliver it and not participate in that round.
Subjects might be, Musical Theatre, Plays and Writers, Actors, Television, Film, 20th Century Drama etc etc……
Please bring your own drinks and a plate of food to share – a bit like our after- show parties. Glasses and plates provided. It should be a lot of fun!
PLAYREADING Friday December 5th 7.30pm
Two into One by Ray Cooney
Summary
Mr. Cooney is truly the leading contemporary practitioner of a great theatrical tradition the sex farce. Two Into One is about nothing more than the hilarious attempts of a Member of Parliament to arrange a dalliance with a secretary for the P.M. in an out of the way little hotel. Unfortunately, he engages one of his aides to arrange the whole thing. The aide is something of a charming bumbler and he gets everything all mixed up. Also on hand are the pompously disapproving hotel manager, a venal ethnic waiter and a female Labour politician who crusades against pornography on the one hand, while on the other she is trying to lure the bumbling civil servant into bed!