Trivial Pursuits By Frank Vickery 2000
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The Ghost Train By Arnold Riley 2001
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The Anniversary By Bill Macillwraith 2003
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Tom Jones By Joan Macalpine 2003
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California Suite By Neil Simon 2006
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Tons of Money 2007
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Directed by Sue Hayes
Director's Note Tons of Money is a farce set in the 1920's. Aubrey Allington, an unsuccessful inventor who owes money to everyone, inherits the life interest in a fortune left to him by his long-forgotten brother. However, in the event of Aubrey's death, it reverts to his cousin, George Maitland (who is thought to have died abroad). Aubrey, assisted by his wife Louise, has the brilliant idea of 'dying' so that he can resurrect himself as his cousin and thus avoid payment of his own enormous debts. With the appearance of other imposters and inevitably things going horribly wrong, we have a hilarious play which will have the audience in stitches. Vertical Divider
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CAST LIST
Sprules - Matt Girt Simpson - Lizzie Paton Miss Benita Mullett -Mary Haigh Louise Allington- Karen Bunn Aubrey Henry Maitland Allington - Ian Quickfall Giles - Michael Hedington James Chesterman - Julian Mettrick jean Everard - Claire Turner Henery - Reg Balmforth George Maitland - Steve Henley I am fortunate to have assembled a highly talented cast some of whom are new to Masque Players but who will be familiar to local theatre audiences. My thanks go to them and also to the hard working and supportive Production Team.
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Black Comedy By Peter Shaffer 2008
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Directed by Gary Sharman
Director's Note 'Black Comedy' unusually has most of it's action taking pace in a blackout! The usual conditions of light and dark on stage, are reversed. So when the lights are on, its dark on stage, but when the lights 'fuse' the stage is bathed in light and we see the characters acting as if they are in a blackout. As you can imagine this provides a perfect backdrop for some great moments of 'physical comedy'. Brindsley, a down at heel sculptor, is engaged to Carol an is trying to impress both her overbearing father and a reclusive German art collector, by inviting them over to view his latest sculpture. To try and make the right impression, he and Carol have 'borrowed' all the nice antique furniture and trimmings from his possessive next door neighbour, without asking. Vertical Divider
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CAST LIST
Brindsley Miller - Matt Girt Carol Melkett - Lisa Phillips Miss Furnival - Sue Hayes Colonel Melkett - Reg Balmforth Harold Gorringe - Neil Jackson Schppanzigh - Julian Mettrick Clea - Emma Kettlewell Georg Bamberger - Gary Sharman The evening moves from bad to worse as the lights fuse in the building, then first one then the other next door neighbours turns up unrepentantly. Finally the unexpected arrival of his ex girlfriend and a German speaking electrician ensure this is probably going to be the worst evening of Brindsley's life!!
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A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens Adapted by Shaun Sutton 2009
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Directed by Matt Girt
Assistant Director Sue Hayes Director's Note Welcome to the Masque Players production of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol', one of the most well known of Dickens' works. This is the story of Scrooge and the visits that he receives from the ghost of Marley (his former business partner) and the three ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, who try to make him realise the way he is leading his life is not as it should be and he can change the error of his ways. I was in the Masque Players production of 'A Christmas Carol' in 1992, when I played the part of Peter Crachit and remembering that experience, I decided to direct the same play this year. This is the first time that I have directed a production with the Masque Players and it has been a pleasure working with such a great group. Also, this is the first time in the Masque Players history, we have three generations of the same family in one production, John, Patrick and Gus Cooney. Vertical Divider
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CAST LIST
Woman - Cathy McLean Boy - Jake Tacchi First Girl - Tallulah Tacchi Second Girl - Esme McLean Third Girl - Abi McLean Scrooge - Reg Balmforth Bob Crachit - Patrick Cooney Fred - Philip Sharman & Matt Girt First Portly Gentleman - Neil Jackson Second Portly Gentleman - Neville Woolnough Lad - Jake Tacchi Marley - Gary Sharman Spirit Of Christmas Past - Sonia Mermagen Daniel - Julian Mettrick Farmer Greenrow - John Cooney Daughter - Karen Bunn Scrooge as a Lad _ Gus Cooney Mr Fezziwig - Neil Jackson Dick - Philip Sharman & Matt Girt Mrs Fezziwig - Julie Waters Emma - Lisa Phillips Fanny - Sharon Sturman Dora - Cathy McLean Augusta - Karen Bunn Adolphus - Ian Quickfall Spirit Of Christmas Present - Ian Quickfall First Cockney - Neil Jackson Second Cockney - Neville Woolnough TinyTim - Gus Cooney Agnes - Lisa Phillips Spirit Of Christmas Yet To Come - Sharon Sturman Mrs Cratchit - Amands Cunningham First Businessman - Gary Sharman Second Businessman - Ian Quickfall Third Businessman - Julian Mettrick Belinda - Molly Thomas Sarah - Tallulah Tacchi Peter - Jake Tacchi Martha - Elizabeth Cunningham |
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GREAT EXPECTATIONS By Charles Dickens Adapted by Barbara Field 2000
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Directed by Clive Brynley-Jones
Director's Note "Great Expectations", a most appropriate sentiment with which we all start the 3rd Millenium - let us hope we avoid Pip's disappoinments so far as we can. Remember Pip's over reliance on the propsect of so much unearned "portable property" brought about his downfall! I am not usually very taken by adaptations of great novels into plays, so was a little sceptical when we, the Masque Players, read this version of "Great Expectations" earlier this year. I was, however, very enthusiastic when we finished the reading. We were very fortunate to collect since our last production four new acting members in the shape of Mike Strand, Lizzie Paton, Thomas Haigh and Keiron Brown - four very talented new Masque Players. This was just as well in view of the size of the cast in this play! I hope you enjoy the show. Vertical Divider
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CAST LIST
Pip - Mike Strand Magwitch/Aged Parent - Michael Hedington Joe Gargery - Reg Balmforth Mrs Joe - Lesley McMaster Jaggers/Clergyman - Steve Lyes Pumblechook/Coachman/GalleyVoice - Sam Slade Wemmick - Julian Mettrick Herbert Pocket - Thomas Haigh Miss Havisham - Doris Brynley-Jones Estella - Lizzie Paton Compeyson/Porter - David du Boulay Lieutenant/Drummle/Tailor - Keiron Brown Biddy - Amanda Cunningham Clara/Miss Skiffins - Lisa Phillips Molly - Juliet Lane Mrs Pocket/Coffee house lady - Joan French Narrator - Pat Pomphrey |
A Chorus Of Disapproval
by Alan Ayckbourn 2001
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Directed by Clive Brynley-Jones
(assisted by Doris Brynley-Jones) Director's Note A young man, somewhat lacking in confidence and recently widowed, joins the Pendon Amateur Light Operatic Society. He is given a very small part in the Society's forthcoming production of John Gay's The Beggar's Opera. A catologue of events then conspires to advance him rapidly from obscurity to local fame. Alan Ayckbourn very cleverly uses songs from the Beggar's Opera to parody the lives and actions of the real lives of the various members of the cast. At times Ayckbourn's humour can be described as cruel but it shows how ill equiped the British tend to be when dealing with real feelings, in public. Vertical Divider
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CAST LIST
Guy Jones- Jon Cox Dyffyd Llewellyn- Reg Balmforth Hannah Llewellyn - Lesley McMaster Bridget Baines - Debra Miss Ames - Emma Enid Washbrook - Brenda Rebecca Huntley-Pike- Amanda Cunningham Fay Hubbard - Louise Paine Ian Hubbard - Steve Lyes Jarvis Huntley-Pike - John Ely Ted Washbrook - David du Boulay Crispin Usher - Julian Mettrick Linda Washbrook - Lisa Phillips Raymond - Philip Rawe Chorus - Joan French, Mary Haigh, Peter Hands,Michael Heddington, David Orchard, Katherine Parker, Patricia Pomphrey, Beth Roberts & Debbie Smith. |
The Curious Savage 2002
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Directed by Reg Balmforth
Director's Note Mrs Savage, left 10 million dollars by her late husband, wants to set up a memorial fund in his name. Her grown-up step children can't believe she wants to give the money away and have her committed to a sanatorium. Whilst there, she meets various social misfits who need the help only Mrs Savage can provide. A delightful fantasy where each "guest" realizes some hopeless dream they were never able to attain and along the way, we all realize the importance of a little kindness and understanding. Vertical Divider
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CAST LIST
Florence - Cathy Beckett Hannibal - Jon Cox Fairy May - Louise Paine Jeffrey - John Ely Mrs Paddy - Pat Pomphrey Miss Willie - Lisa Phillips Titus Savage - Steve Lyes Lily Belle Savage - Lizzy Paton Samuel Savage - Julian Mettrick Dr Emmett - Doris Brynley-Jones Mrs Savage - Lesley McMaster John Thomas - Ben Fawcett 
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Fish out of Water 2005
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Directed by Sue Hayes
Director's Note The play is a comedy set in a hotel on the Italian Riviera sometime in the early sixties. The characters are a mixed bunch of people and whatever happens to them are the sort of things that could (and do) happen to all of us on a holiday abroad. We have all met at some time a slightly pompous, well traveled couple, the gentleman with 'an eye for a pretty gal' and his wife who keeps him in check. The sisters one of whom is overbearing and the other submissive. The cockney lad who is 'only after one thing' and the bewildered chap whose life is dominated by timetables and routine. The other characters and their personal stories are interwoven into this delightful, realistic and amusing play. Vertical Divider
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CAST LIST
Brigadier Hubback - Graham Dowe Mrs Hubback - Mary Haigh Marisa - Debbie Hayes Dora Cowley - Sonia Mermagen Agatha Hepworth - Pat Pomphrey Fiona Francis - Jane Gifford Mr Mallet - Gary Sharman Julian Whittle - Jon Cox Len Barrett - John Ely Voice of Italian taxi driver - Pom Rinaldi |
Local Affairs By Richard Harris 2006
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Directed by Gary Sharman
Director's Note Local Affairs is a comedy set in a small superior housing estate at the start of the 1980's. The set ingeniously represents a bedroom, lounge and kitchen from various houses on the estate. The comedy revolves around the trials and tribulations of three couples. Charles and Norma are trying to come up with suitable home-made fancy dress outfits for a forthcoming party. Meanwhile Keith and Susan are spending a weekend without the kids whilst trying to relight the 'spark' in their marriage. Elsewhere David and Hilary are attempting to cope with David's interfering mother, Mrs Hinson. The action switches with increasing rapidity between the various rooms and houses as Mrs Hinson becomes the focus of everybody's anguish. A suicidal ex flame of Keith and white suited colleague of Charles, only adds to the climatic finale. Vertical Divider
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CAST LIST
Norma - Julie Waters Mrs Hinson - Pat Pomphrey Charles - Gary Sharman Susan - Jane Gifford David - Patrick Cooney Keith - Reg Balmforth Hilary - Sonia Mermagen Peter - Julian Mettrick Kathy - Lisa Phillips As my third outing as director, this is one of my all time favourite comedies. My thanks to all who helped put this together. So settle back in your seats and enjoy 'Local Affairs'.
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The Hollow By Agatha Christie 2007
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Directed by Julian
Director's Note Welcome to our latest Masque Players production. We have chosen to present Agatha Christie's 'The Hollow', one of her less well known plays. The action revolves around a weekend family gathering where an unhappy game of romantic 'Follow My leader' explodes into a murder scene. This is my second time as director and I hope it goes down as well as the first, 'California Suite. thanks for coming and enjoy the show. Vertical Divider
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CAST LIST
Henrietta Angkatell - Cathy McLean Sir Henry Angkatell - Michael Hedington Lady Angkatell - Jackie Wilks Midge Harvey - Emma Kettlewell Gudgeon - Reg Balmforth Edward Angkatell - Patrick Cooney Doris - Vaness Jarrold Gerda Cristow - Lizzy Paton John Cristow - Jon Cox Veronica Craye - Sonia Mermagen Inspector Colquhoun - Gary Sharman Detective Sargeant Penny - Matt Girt.y |
Mr A's Amazing Maze Plays By Alan Ayckbourn 2008
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Directed by Reg Balmforth
Director's Note I was looking for a play to direct for this November production, when I came across this little known Alan Ayckbourn. When I read it through for the 3rd time, I was convinced by the Masque Player membership that this was something we should try. A minimilist set and some audience participation should help unravel the mystery of where all the sounds are going. The story that Mr Passerby tells Suzy and the unexpected arrival of a new neighbour convince our young heroine that someone nasty has come to town. Vertical Divider
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