A BUNCH OF AMATEURS
PRODUCTION DETAILS
TITLE: A Bunch Of Amateurs
PLAYWRIGHT: Ian Hislop & Nick Newman
PERFORMANCE DATES: 16th - 18th May 2024
DIRECTOR: Nicki Clay
CAST
Dorothy Nettle - Helen Lawley
Nigel Dewbury - Nigel Fisher
Mary Plunkett - Linda Baillie
Denis Dobbins - Geoff Stockill
Jefferson Steel - Trevor Brittain
Lauren Bell - Julia Millington
Jessica Steel - Alice Hoskins
David / Albany (voice) - Graeme Parker
Click HERE for production programme
SYNOPSIS - A BUNCH OF AMATEURS
Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford – only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard, but a sleepy Suffolk village. And instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench, the cast are a bunch of amateurs trying to save their theatre from developers. Jefferson’s monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic am-dram thespians. As acting worlds collide and Jefferson’s career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself – along with his inner Lear!
CHAIR’S PRODUCTION NOTES
An amateur dramatics group putting on a play about an amateur dramatics group putting on a production of King Lear… what’s so complicated about that! Well, just about everything.
Oftentimes, directors have had previous experience of a play before choosing to direct it; perhaps as an audience member, involvement with another group, or seeing on the TV or big screen. I had no prior knowledge of A Bunch of Amateurs; I was coming into this cold (although I seem to recall I had heard of the title, and I was familiar with writer Ian Hislop). I do now know that it is a very popular choice for fellow am-drammers, and I can see why… the writing is superb, it’s a stonker of a play.
From the outset I knew I wanted to stage the play in a semi-immersive style, and to challenge myself by it being a different layout to the previous plays I had directed. I wanted the village hall to become the ‘barn’ and to use much of the space in and around the audience. Don’t worry, you won’t be grabbed out of your seats to perform… it’s not that kind of immersive!
The complexity of this play spans all elements of this production. The sound and lighting are more technical than usual (and will be keeping the tech crew very busy). The stage crew have not only umpteen scene changes to make, but they are also required as voices off and bodies on stage, multi-tasking at its finest!
And my wonderful cast, you are amazing! Being oh so familiar with the shenanigans of an am-dram group, one might expect it has been a straightforward task bringing the characters to life - it hasn’t – not that I am comparing any of The Monday Players cast with the much less desirable Stratford Players.
This play has required them to learn hundreds of lines, 17 different scenes, a copious number of entrances and exits, recite text from King Lear, and sing and dance (of sorts). To be performance ready we have had to max out and make use of every second in our rehearsals; add in the many hours at home planning, preparing, and learning, this has been no easy feat. A few weeks ago, we received the devastating news of the tragic loss of our friend and fellow member, Nick Leaf, and I thank my cast and crew for rallying and navigating their way through this deeply upsetting time to ensure the ‘show must go on’. I’m certain Nick would have loved this production… likely wanting to be in it.
Dedication, commitment, good humour, kindness, and friendship – I couldn’t be prouder or have wished for more.
I hope you enjoy this production as much as we have.
Thank you for your continued support and patronage, without you, there is no show!
Nicki Clay
Photos taken by Nancy Waters