RUMOURS
PRODUCTION DETAILS
TITLE: Rumours
PLAYWRIGHT: Neil Simon
PERFORMANCE DATES: 18th - 20th May 2023
DIRECTOR: Jan Kirk
CAST
Chris Bevans - Linda Baillie
Ken Bevans - Trevor Britain
Claire Cummings - Julia Birkett
Len Cummings - Mike Waters
Ernest Cusack - Nigel Fisher
Cookie Cusack - Jill Pearson
Cassie Cooper - Nicki Clay
Glen Cooper - Andrew Faulkes
PC Collins - Bob Wells
PC Carter - Doreen Marsh
Click HERE for production programme
SYNOPSIS - RUMOURS
This riotously funny farce centres on the efforts of eight party guests to spare their unfortunate host, and themselves, from scandal.
It opens with Ken and Chris who have found their host Charley, a prominent Government official, in his bedroom, too dazed to speak, with a bullet wound in his ear lobe! His wife, Vivian, and a domestic help are nowhere to be seen.
Len and Claire arrive, themselves injured in a car crash, and are soon joined by Ernest and Cookie and Glenn and Cassie, each with their own problems.
Following a second, accidental, gunshot that leaves Ken temporarily deaf, the police arrive. Len, drawing the short straw, pretends he is Charley and concocts a touching and fantastic explanation.
CHAIR’S PRODUCTION NOTES
Welcome to our spring 2023 production, Rumours by Neil Simon.
Rumours has been on the cards for a number of years; a director was in place, and the set design had begun. For various reasons, mainly availability, it was parked… until now. You might remember our previous Neil Simon offering back in May 2015, the highly successful sell-out play, The Odd Couple (female version). Rumours has taken a Herculean effort from the group to get to production week. With the play having such a large cast, a technical set to design and build, a lighting & sound skills gap and fewer members than pre-Covid, we have drafted in help from previous members and other willing volunteers. On behalf of the group, I wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to Anita & Barrie (bar), John (raffle) and the Joseph Rowntree Theatre technical duo Peter & Tom (who have stepped in to help rig up the sound & lighting, offer guidance, and support us going forward). An extra special thanks goes to David Lane, a familiar face around these parts, having been our Chair for 17 years and a founder member of the group. Although David is no longer a member, he has spent hundreds of hours (no exaggeration) following through on his original plans to design and construct the set, with his able minions in tow (special shout out to Bob). So lovely to have you and your ‘precision engineering brain cells’ around these past few months.
A play doesn’t happen because of one person, it’s a massive team effort, but at the fore is the director. Well done and thank you Jan – I know it’s been a bumpier ride than usual, but it will all be worth it! Sit back and relax… if you can.
This past year has been challenging but not unique to The Monday Players. The landscape for Am Dram groups and the professional arts has changed since the pandemic. Many societies/theatres are not yet back to pre-Covid audience numbers, memberships have diminished and increased running costs are having an impact. So, you may notice an increase in the price of a choc ice (they have been at the same price since we introduced them over 20 years ago) and we will now be running a bar at every production (so please sup plenty), yet you will still get a cracking evening of entertainment for only £10 (with a free programme to boot).
The society is fortunate that we can make some adjustments to help bridge the gap until we are back performing to full houses, but what will really help The Monday Players are new members! If you, or anyone you know, has a leaning towards AmDram - either on or off-stage - why not give The Monday Players a try!
The Monday Players is 30 this year! The very first play was Season’s Greetings in December 1993. To celebrate this milestone, we are planning to stage one of our more informal cabaret-style evenings of one-act comedies! There will be plenty of opportunities for both on and off-stage roles. It would be a perfect time for anyone interested to get involved. No experience is needed, just enthusiasm… you will be made most welcome.
We will be holding some play reading evenings throughout June, which is a fabulously informal way to meet the group, and rehearsals for the Autumn production will begin late August. We meet for rehearsals on Sunday & Monday evenings in the village hall. If you fancy having a go operating lights/sound, acting, set building, producing, directing, making a cuppa, or just being an enthusiastic all-rounder, please get in touch for more information: chair@mondayplayers.com
I would like to offer a very warm welcome to our newer members, who have joined us this last year: Carol Drinkwater, Doreen Marsh, Rebecca Hoskins, Alice Hoskins, and Nigel Fisher.
Thank you to our wonderful audience for your continued support and patronage. We hope you enjoy our latest offering.
Now, get to the bar!
Thanks
Nicki Clay
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
Rumours was planned a while ago but Covid and lockdown had other plans! Now here it is for you to enjoy your evening with Monday Players.
Neil Simon is a particular favourite playwright of mine having directed Plaza Suite, The Odd Couple and Last of the Red Hot Lovers over the years.
It is such a pleasure to work with this talented, hard-working cast, stage manager and assistant director Helen, and the wonderful, supportive back-stage crew and set builders.
You can have a good script, a cast of experienced, committed actors but without the designer and set builders, the stage manager, crew and front of house to support you then you don't stand a chance of staging a worthy performance.
My sincere thanks to all those teams involved in Rumours. You are an amazing group of people.
Also a big thank you to the audience. Your attendance and support make the hard work that goes into each Monday Players production so worthwhile.
Thanks
Jan Kirk
Photos taken by Nancy Waters