Forthcoming Productions
and other events

15^th - 20^th March 2010

"Being of Sound Mind"
by Brian Burton
directed by Jane Spamer

John Pearson	Mark Bazeley
Susan Pearson	Fin O’Leary
Mrs Marsh	Sheila Urwick
A Man	Tony Christopher
Judy Farmer	Karen Bazeley

John and Susan Pearson have rented their usual holiday cottage in France; Susan is particularly looking forward to this holiday as she is recovering from a nervous breakdown. Shortly after their arrival, the cottage's owner turns up to check that everything is in order. She runs out of cigarettes and John leaves to buy her some. 

Thus begins Susan's confusion and terror, starting with the appearance of a man who says he is John and culminating in her being taken to the mental wing of the local hospital. It transpires that Susan is about to inherit all her late father's money, on condition that she is "of sound mind'. Is she the victim of an elaborate plot?

10th - 18th April

One Act Play Festival

1st May (Saturday)

Budleigh Male Voice Choir will be performing a concert at All Saints Church, Exeter Road in aid of the Blackmore Theatre Development Fund

15th May

Creative Cow with "Dumb Show" by Joe Penhall

"Dumb Show" is about a comedian's obsession with stardom and his willingness to go to extreme lengths to satisfy his craving for the celebrity lifestyle. When he is propositioned by two bankers, his desperation overpowers sensible thinking and he finds himself in hot water.

Tickets will be sold through the Tourist Information Centre (01395-222299)

29th May

Exmouth Festival
An Evening with James Taylor - acoustic folk music.

30th, 31st May

Exmouth Festival
Serendipity - energetic and entertaining
(More later)

2nd June

Exmouth Festival
Exmouth Shanty Men

3rd June

Exmouth Festival
The Sam and Dave Show

11^th, 12^th, 14^th - 19^th June

"Shell Seekers"
by Rosamunde Pilcher

Auditions: Sunday 3rd January 2010 at 6.00 pm

Adapted for the stage by Charlotte Bingham and Terence Brady, this play retains all of the appeal of the book.  The story centres around Penelope Keeling, now in her 70s, and her prized possession, a painting by her father entitled ‘The Shell Seekers’.  Its sentimental (and monetary!) value causes division amongst family members.  Throughout the play Penelope re-lives and re-examines her life through a series of flashbacks – her childhood, her wartime romance, her father’s constant love and a misspent marriage.

Cast of characters

Penelope	Possibly in her 70s? A colourful person who has a deep love of nature and the human condition.
Olivia	Second born. Professional fashion journalist who gives up her career for the love of an older man.
Nancy	First born. A bitter lady.
Noel	Youngest. City slick businessman. A play boy and a spendthrift with no thought for tomorrow.
Lawrence	Penelope's artist father. Riddled with arthritis - his hands can hardly hold his paint brush.
Roy Brooks	An art dealer, devoted to Penelope.
Ellen	Daily help, possibly younger than Penelope. A quiet background presence with a devotion to her employer.
George	Husband of Nancy. He is cowed, battered, helpless to assert himself.
Antonia/Penny	This is a DOUBLE part for a young actress. Antonia is an orphan brought back to England by Olivia when her father dies. Penny is the young Penelope.
Danus/Richard	This is a DOUBLE part for a young actor. Danus is employed as a gardener by Penelope; a shy unassuming young man. Richard is Penelope's young love stationed in Cornwall during the second world war.

13^th, 14^th, 16^th - 21^st August

"No Sex Please, we're British"
by Alistair Foot and Anthony Marriott
Directed by Dora Wareing.

A mix up in the delivery address of supplies intended for a local porn shop causes Assistant Bank Manager David and his wife to take ever more desperate measures to hide it from the Bank Manager, from David’s mother and from the Police Inspector.  Getting rid of the evidence proves more difficult than you would credit – and more supplies continue to arrive.

Cast of Characters

Character	Age	Description
Peter Hunter	20/30	Executive in local bank branch: is smart and clearly destined for higher office. Newly married to Frances. Their new home is a flat above the bank.
Frances Hunter	20/25	Enjoying newly married status: vivacious and uninhibited
Eleanor Hunter	50/60	Elegant, sophisticated immaculate. Bad listener and a snob, but with some charm. Mother of Peter. Lovely character part
Brian Runnicles	30/40	Very precise - devoid of sense of humour: devoted to community projects: stickler for rules. A peach of a role - first played by Michael Crawford. Must be athletic
Leslie Bromhead	50/60	Senior bank manager with practised charm and social graces
Superintendant Vernon Paul	50/60	Policeman out of uniform. Seen it all. Bland but with a hint of menace & cynicism - relaxed but wary. (In uniform in act two)
Delivery man	Any age	tiny cameo role at end of act 1
Mr Needham Act two only	40/50	Bank inspector: pinstripe suit; row of pens in pocket; precise and slightly officious. Restless - clears throat a lot. Is an insomniac. Must be agile.
Susan and Barbara Act two only	20s	Prostitutes. Intent on doing their job and moving on - but they are professionals. Delightful cameo roles - a lot of fun. No sex!

25^th - 30^th October

"Arsenic and Old Lace"
by Joseph Kesselring
Directed by Daphne Fensom

Mortimer Brewster, seeking to convey the good news of his recent marriage to his maiden aunts, discovers their secret hobby – killing lonely old men and (with the help of nephew Teddy) burying them in the cellar.  Another nephew (Jonathon) is also in the habit of killing people with the botched aid of his alcoholic side-kick Dr Einstein.  As the story unravels, each family member tries to find resolve in their suddenly flipped upside down lives.  Believe it or not, it’s a comedy!