News & Events 2024
SISTERLY FEELINGS by ALAN AYCKBOURN
NOVEMBER 26th - 30th
Helen writes:
I am delighted to be directing ‘Sisterly Feelings’ in this very special 75th year for the Funtington Players.
This is a play that has two different versions that could be played, dependent on the actresses choices. However, we have rigged one of the versions for our production and we have chosen the route to provide more ensemble playing.
It will be great fun to perform, I played Abigail many years ago and I have fond memories of cycling, kite flying, sandwich switching and running races! What more could you want on Pendon common.
This play is family fun, unpure and simple.
An ensemble comedy with many well-crafted contrasting characters.
Following the funeral of his wife, Ralph brings his family to a favourite spot on Pendon Common. With him are his two daughters, Abigail and Dorcas - businessman husband Patrick and radical poet boyfriend Stafford respectively; his student son, Melvyn - with his fiancée Brenda and her brother Simon, and his brother-in-law, Detective Inspector Len, with his wife Rita. Both Abigail and Dorcas are attracted to the very good looking, athletic Simon. When Patrick has to leave prematurely to attend a business meeting, the rest are left with insufficient cars to get them all home, Abigail and Dorcas toss a coin and Abigail walks home with Simon. The ramifications of this simple, single act are felt throughout the rest of the play. Ayckbourn masterfully weaves a plot full of complications as he follows the ups and downs in the fortunes and changing relationships of all his rich characters.
CAST
Ralph - Tony Clark
Abigail - Louise Kenny
Dorcas - Phillippa Riddoch
Melvyn - Jason Burt
Len - Alan Copsey
Rita - Sue Wilkins
Patrick - Mark Weeks
Brenda - Helga Crowley
Simon - Paul Bennett
Stafford - Chris Smith
Murphy - Allan Brown/Steve Jupp
Major Lidgett - Tony Clark
Rehearsed Readings
of 7 NEW PLAYS
Wriiten by our talented AWD writers
Jenny Dean: Andy Marshall: Paul Pridmore: Yvette Walters:
Louisa Tait: Margaret Edwards: Pat Grindey
& interspersed with Seasonal Refreshments
All are welcome to read
Advanced selection of cast of 30 to enable a practised Reading.
7.15p.m. West Ashling Village Hall
10th December
This is a Member and family only event
Free Tickets will be available in November via the website
Tons of Money by Evans & Valentine
Aubrey has been left the life interest in a fortune which reverts on his death to his cousin George. Since George is thought to have died in Mexico, Aubrey "dies" and then resurrects himself as cousin George, thus eliminating his own vast debts. He is obliged to "die" and take on other identities twice more to avoid complications, until the real George turns up, announcing that the Mexican Government has annexed the fortune.
The Long Christmas Dinner by Thornton Wilder
The Long Christmas Dinner – nine decades long – showcases the lives of several generations of the Bayard family. Wilder breaks the boundaries of time as we measure it, and invites us to partake of “one long, happy Christmas dinner” – past, present and future. As generations appear, have children, wither and depart, only the audience appreciates what changes and what remains the same. “Every last twig is wrapped around with ice. You almost never see that,” young Genevieve marvels, not realizing that her mother made this observation years earlier, or that her daughter-in-law will one day do the same.
AUDITION NOTICE - LAST TANGO IN WHITBY
The majority of the cast are in their 60s and Yorkshire through and through. There are various smaller and cameo roles for younger members, the main two being the waitresses. These a roles can be played by two or possibly three women and one man. All will be much involved throughout.
PAT Recently widowed in her 60s but young at heart, Pat is on stage practically throughout. A large and challenging acting part. In addition a bit of dancing, some snogging and quick changes to made. A lovely part but not one for the faint-hearted.
JIMMY The best friend of Pat's late husband. A nice, caring and happily married man.
JOAN His wife and Pat's best friend. These are good middle sized roles
HENRY Another lifelong member of the group. Henry is one of those good eggs who can bore for England. Great fun, medium sized part. The man we all, love and avoid!
MAUREEN His wife. A nice medium part not too much learning.
KATHLEEN One of those people who we would never be friends with if we hadn't known her all our lives. Embarrassingly outspoken with opinions that would get her arrested in this day and age. A big part with many of the best lines and laughs so great fun to play – although you must accept being described as having a face like a box of frogs!
JESSIE Everyone loves Jessie, a simple soul dominated by Kathleen but we discover she has deeper feelings and understanding than is apparent. She has laughs from her innocent comments and questions. She has a song in the talent contest, you needn't be a good singer but competent enough to get away with it. A very nice middle sized part.
PHIL The male half of the Shangri-Las. A similar age, perhaps a little younger than the group. He has been doing this job for ever, enduring rather than enjoying his marriage to Edna. We need to see him blossom as he discovers life has more to offer than the one he has resigned himself to, if he can find the courage. We must like and empathise with him in a difficult situation. A large part.
EDNA His wife. Not a huge learning role, Edna can seem a rather dreary unpleasant woman, but we learn the reason why she is as she is and the challenge is to make the audience understand her and perhaps root for her and hope that in the end she too might end up
in a better place.
CLARE & DEBBIE Waitresses in the hotel. Fun to play they take the mickey out of the OAPS
THE COACH DRIVER Self explanatory
SALLY & JOHN Pat's daughter and son-in-law
MRS MINGHAM The catering manager
JET SHOP MAN, TEA SHOP WAITRESSES, GINO, HONEYMOONERS - with none or very few lines
LAST TANGO IN WHITBY by MIKE HARDING
A group of life long friends spend a week together at the Royal Hotel every year. Now in their sixties, couples, Joan and Jimmy, Henry and Maureen, simple-minded Jessie, outspoken Kathleen and Pat, a key member of the group who has recently lost her much loved husband, set off in high spirits for their trip to Whitby. Despite her loss, Pat is determined not to feel sorry for herself but keep enjoying life as her late husband would have wished. This year there is a new couple leading the entertainment programme The Shangri-Las, Phil and Edna. How will the week turn out for all concerned? There will be dancing, sightseeing, bingo, fancy dress and talent contests, in fact everything needed for their usual happy holiday. But as things turn out this year will be a little a different and change is in the air for everyone. With lots of dancing, music and jollity, plenty of belly laughs, occasional tear eye moments and a few home truths, Last Tango in Whitby is an
entertaining evening to savour
DIRECTOR: GILL LAMBOURN Contact 01243 545018 or 07990951276 for copies of the script