Cast:

(name in parenthesis denotes the character being played in The Beggars Opera)

An O.R.P. production directed by David Ashley
Musical Direction by Rachel Hyde
Choreography by Gemma Tansell

Crew:

We are deeply indebted to Rachel Hyde for her efforts as Musical Director and for playing the part of Mrs. Ames. Also to Mark Moran who came in to the company initially to play a small part, but owing to the ill health of Mike Gutteridge, took over the lead at three weeks notice.

The company would like to wish Mike a speedy recovery from his illness.

The action takes place between rehearsal and first performance of The Beggars Opera in and around an amateur theatre company.

The Play

Ayckbourn at his comedy best as he takes us behind the scenes of an amateur dramatic society preparing for their latest production The Beggars Opera.

When new member Guy joins the company there are tantrums a plenty on and off the stage in this sparkling finale to our season.

The Author

Alan Ayckbourn was born in London in 1939 and worked in the theatre since leaving school.

Acting jobs came and went in local rep. at Worthing, Leatherhead, Oxford and finally with Stephen Josephs Studio Theatre in Scarborough.

Between 1965 and 1969 he produced radio drama for the BBC in Leeds and in 1969 became Director of the Library Theatre in Scarborough.

He now works with a permanent company of actors at the Stephen Joseph Theatre-in-the-Round.

He is the most prolific and successful of contemporary playwrights with hit productions including Relatively Speaking, Bedroom Farce, Norman Conquests, Absent Friends, Henceforward and recently in two of the National Theatre auditoriums at the same time - Home and Garden.