News & Events 2025
LAST TANGO IN WHITBY by MIKE HARDING
DIRECTOR: GILL LAMBOURN for information about this play see
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
60+. Impoverished aristocrat and ex-model, the current incumbent of crumbling Stacpoole House. Although not antisocial, she rarely if ever ventures out and longs for hot water and central heating. She has an unintentional acerbic wit
June Stacpoole Phillippa Riddoch
45-60ish Dorothy’s brusque gay younger sister. Pro National Trust and concerned about the future upkeep of the estate. She isn’t really a people person and thinks men are useless.
Iris Barbara MacWhirter
0+ Comes across as downtrodden and not quite the real ticket but really quite astute. Introduced as Dorothy’s companion, but is revealed as Dorothy and June’s Illegitimate half sister. A real character.
Theodore Allan Brown
45-60 Suave and charismatic, a previous lover of Dorothy. Now a dodgy location scout and adult film
Bevan Mark Weeks
40+ Comes from one of the top UK auction houses to assess and value contents of Stacpoole House. Smooth salesman with many irons in the fire.
Ralph Lumsden Chris Smith
40+ The enthusiastic man from the National Trust. Wants to preserve the house, warts and all, for the enjoyment of the general public.
Bishop Richard Sanderson
– elderly. We are led to believe that Mervyn the bishop ‘is not unfrisky and the vestry has seen a number of awkward moments. Important little gem of a role adds to the farcical ’carry on’ quality in the play.
Bruce Steve Jupp
- any age. Film crews grip, ultimate Mr fix-it. Loves to clean!
Louise Trish Dack
20s-50s Caring wardrobe mistress , develops fondness for Dorothy and Iris. Transforms the Delighted Dorothy into her former model self.
Colin Jason Burt
- 20-40 English adult film actor and vegan, Colin is having severe performance problems which is holding up filming.
Brit Helga Crowley
20-40. Latvian adult film actress. Sweet natured, she is the consummate professional. Between film takes, knits tights for her grandmother at home in cold Latvia.
Nigel Andy Marshall
- any age. Assistant director, in charge of filming. Through gritted teeth and some swearing manages the cast and crew.
Les Tony Clark
- any age. Cameraman. Once briefly worked with David Lean. Professionally directs action to get best possible angles and positions!
Ensemble- possibly some non-speaking roles. NT volunteers, visitors, concealing film action and set changes.
I
Friday 25th July
Second from Last in the Sack Race
by David Nobbs
Summary
This play traces the ups and downs in the life of Henry Pratt. Born in 1935, Henry's childhood is disrupted first by war, then by the death of his mother and father. Henry is packed off to prep school and then public school and then lives with grown-up cousin Hilda.
Summary
During the war Joe Keller and Herbert Deever ran a machine shop which made airplane parts. Deever was sent to prison because the firm turned out defective parts, causing the deaths of many men. Keller went free and made a lot of money. The twin shadows of this catastrophe and the fact that the young Keller son was reported missing during the war dominate the action. The love affair of Chris Keller and Ann Deever, the bitterness of George Deever returned from the war to find his father in prison and his father's partner free, are all set in a structure of almost unbearable power. The climax showing the reaction of a son to his guilty father is fitting conclusion to a play electrifying in its intensity..
Friday 12th September
All My Sons by Arthur Miller
The AWD TEAM of Margaret Edwards, Pat Grindey, Steve Pearce and Rona Musker look forward to AWD6 and our next Production - 10 Minutes
on 17th & 18th October 2025.
10 Plays have been written and have been successful.
Note that successful scripts can only be performed if sufficient actors want to be cast in the play and the play has a Director.
