EXPLORE DRAMA
News & Events 2026
APRIL 14th - 18th 2026
The Perfect Murder by Hugh Janes from the book by Jeffrey Archer
Directed by Gill Lambourn
West Ashling &
Funtington District
Hall, PO18 8DN
at 7.30pm
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THE PERFECT MURDER
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.
CAST
John Jason Burt
Elizabeth Clare Burt
DI Simmons Chris Smith
Sgt Davies Mike Ryder
Maria Yvette Walters
Paul Jonathan Rogers
Alan Tony Clark
Sir Humphrey Richard Sanderson
Judge Sue Wilkins
Scott QC Andy Horner
Clerk Tony Clark
Mallins Paul Pridmore
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To find out more
Playreading Friday May 15th
Dear Octopus by Dodie Smith
Summary
Successfully produced in London and New York, Dear Octopus is the story of a family from which none of its members are either able or quite willing to escape. On the occasion of a golden wedding anniversary, the children and grandchildren gather to reminisce and acquaint each other more fully with their activities. The life of this English family is shown in terms of the chatter of the youngsters, the careers and nursery memories of the middle-aged, and the sense of the swift passing of the years; the sweetness of an old nurse, the minor frictions and abiding loyalty of brothers and sisters, the feast-day toast, and the benevolent tyranny of the grandmother. Woven throughout the proceedings is a love story between Fenny, companion to Mrs Randolph, and Nicholas Randolph.
The Church Rooms,
St Mary's Church, Church Lane, Funtington at 7.30pm
AUDITION DETAILS
ENTERTAINING ANGELS by Richard Everett
Wednesday 29th April
West Ashling & Funtington District Hall, PO18 8DN at 7.30pm
Set in an English vicarage garden, Entertaining Angels follows Grace, a recently widowed clergy wife who is finally allowing herself to speak her mind after years of dutiful restraint. Her sharp wit and long‑suppressed frustrations often land on her long-suffering daughter Jo, a therapist, who sees more than Grace would like.
Grace’s world is further unsettled by the return of her free‑spirited missionary sister Ruth. As old family patterns resurface and unexpected truths begin to press in, Grace is forced to re‑examine the life she built, the marriage she believed in, and the faith she’s trying to hold onto.
The play blends humour with emotional honesty, asking whether divine order exists at all or whether life is simply a messy, human attempt at meaning. It’s a warm, witty, and quietly provocative piece about grief, freedom, and the complicated grace we extend to ourselves and others.
There are five characters:
Grace, recently widowed – mid to late 60s
Jo, her daughter – 40s
Ruth, her older sister
Sarah – 30s
Bardolph – mid to late 60s
Scripts will be available to pre-read from Barbara in April.
Autumn Production
PEOPLE by Alan Bennett
25th – 30th November 2025.
Directed By Alan Copsey
See 2025 for Production Photos‘