two programme - menu
DESCRIPTION
Tonight’s Menu Wheatsheaf Players Committee Secretary Mike Hooper Treasurer Georgia Darlison Artistic Director Heather Evans Technical Director Stephen Hocking Front Of House Manager Joanne Crawley Publicity Manager Roni Tillman Member Relations Manager Ruth Carver-Smith Bar Manager Chris Evans Welcome to the Co-operative Theatre for a night of drama We hope you enjoy the performance. 2 C a r t w r i g h t Directors Cut 3 Starters Nicolas James 4 C a r t w r i g h t Christina Cassidy 5TRANSCRIPT
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Welcome
Welcome to the Co-operative Theatre for a night of drama
We hope you enjoy the performance.
If you wish to be kept up to date with happenings at the
Wheatsheaf then please speak to a member of staff and ask
to be put on our mailing list.
For the safety and enjoyment of yourself and others while
you are in the theatre, we kindly ask that you abide by a few
simple rules.
Wheatsheaf Players Committee
Secretary Mike Hooper
Treasurer Georgia Darlison
Artistic Director Heather Evans
Technical Director Stephen Hocking
Front Of House Manager Joanne Crawley
Publicity Manager Roni Tillman
Member Relations Manager Ruth Carver-Smith
Bar Manager Chris Evans
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3 Starters
Directors Cut
Many years ago I performed in
Jim Cartwright’s play ROAD and
fell in love with his beautiful
poetic writing style. Then I saw
TWO in Birmingham recently and
thought “I want to direct that”.
It’s funny, sad, a bit raunchy and
very moving—all you could want
for a night at the theatre!
Luckily, master craftsman Adrian Laing had already
constructed a brilliant bar and most of the props are mimed
so there you go. Cheap. Mind you, I love doing things on a
low budget.
TWO is very much a showcase for actors and in that respect
Christina and Nic have acquitted themselves admirably. They
have made me laugh my socks off and cry my eyes out in
rehearsals (sometimes both at the same time).
I hope you enjoy this production and you recognise someone
you know among these diverse and often quite desperate
characters—Moth, you know who you are!
Oh and the management have said that if you feel like a drink
during or after the show, please don’t copy the actors and
simply mime. Have a real drink, cos it helps keep up the
Wheatsheaf coffers. Every little helps. Cheers!
Alan
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Starters
Nicolas James
Nic trained at the Actors
Company in London. Since
then he has played a variety of
stage characters. He first
worked for The Wheatsheaf in
the summer of 2008. This is
his fourth production with the
group; three as an actor and
one as actor/director. He says
his next objective is to gain
representation so he can find
more work with professional theatre companies.
The play ‘Two’ covers a wide theatrical spectrum. There are
broadly comic moments and surreal moments mixed with
moments of poetry, intensity and anguish. All of these
showing the various lives and loves of the people that can be
found in your local pub. Nic says “I thank Alan for believing in
these different tones and encouraging myself and Christina
to play them to their fullest. I’m sure there are characters
here that you recognise and hope that you find the play both
fun and though provoking”.
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5 Starters
Christina Cassidy
Christina is multi-talented; not
only is she an actress, she is a
singer and songwriter as well.
Christina joined the circus
after finishing drama school
and before moving into
television, working on shows
like ‘Boon’, ‘House of Elliot’
and ‘A Very Peculiar Practice’.
With her music she has
performed solo and with local
bands for a number of years, and once ’Two’ is over she will
be going back into the studio to record some more of her
own work.
This is Christina's first show with the Wheatsheaf Players,
and we are delighted to have her here. ‘Two’ is giving her an
excellent opportunity to showcase her acting talents as she
plays an amazing seven different characters. We hope that
we will see a lot more of her on the Wheatsheaf stage in the
future. Break a leg Christina!
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6
Two By Jim Cartwright
Directed By Alan Wales
Alan would like to dedicate this show to Ian McAllister,
former landlord of the ‘Beer Engine’, who passed away in
February this year
The action takes place over one night, in
a pub, in the North of England
There will be one interval of 20 minutes
Main Courses
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Main Courses
Cast
Landlord Moth
Old Man Mr Iger
Roy Fred
Little Boy
Nicolas James
Landlady Old Woman
Maudie Mrs Iger
Lesley Alice
Other Woman
Christina Cassidy
Crew
Stage Manager Lewis O’Hara Lighting Operation Lewis Sykes
Sound Operation Ethan Flynn Set Design and Construction Adrian Laing
Graphic Design Chris Evans
Heather Evans
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About the Author
Jim Cartwright was born in Farnworth,
Lancashire in 1958 and educated at
Harper Green Secondary Modern
School, Farnworth. His plays are
consistently performed around the
world, where they have won numerous
awards, and been translated into 30
languages.
His first play, ‘Road’, opened at the
Royal Court in 1986, and was subsequently revived that same
year and again in 1987, before being taken on a nationwide
tour. ‘Road’ won several awards, including the prestigious
Samuel Beckett Award, and was adapted for television and
broadcast by the BBC.
He also wrote ‘The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice’, which was
performed at the Royal National Theatre in 1992 and at The
Aldwych Theatre in London’s West End, later that year. This
play was adapted for the big screen and became the film
‘Little Voice’ starring Jane Horrocks and Michael Caine.
Many of his dramatic works, now considered modern
classics, are studied as a set text in schools and universities.
In July 2008 he made his debut as a novelist, with a celebrity
moral tale, Supermarket Supermodel.
Dessert
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9 Wheatsheaf Wednesdays
Our Wheatsheaf Wednesdays are really taking off these days.
Lots of people come along to help out with the building sets,
sorting the wardrobe area, painting, cleaning, having a natter
and meeting friends. It is a great opportunity for anyone to
come along and find out what being a member of a little
theatre is all about - and seeing if they want to be a part of it.
We are always looking for new members to help out - actors,
directors and technical crew are important, but we couldn’t
open a show without those who come along to run the bar
and help out with front of house - and we wouldn’t even
have a show without a beautifully painted and constructed
set!
If you would like to get involved with a friendly group - and
are prepared to join in and have a go (we won’t ask you to go
on stage unless you want to!) please get in touch with one of
the front of house staff, or come along, any Wednesday
(when there isn’t a show on), from 7:30pm. If nothing else,
we’ll have a chat and a cup of coffee!
Dessert
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Wheatsheaf News
Welcome to the Co-operative Theatre for a new season - and what a season too! You will see a fabulous play this evening with 'Two', and a very warm welcome to the Wheatsheaf's latest recruit Christina who is taking a starring role in the show.
Next on the agenda is Bouncers - back for a second showing after its sell-out performances in May 2008. Not for the faint hearted, this gritty show tells the tale of many a night out at night clubs across the country.
We round up the spring/summer season with an all out comedy as they show within a show that is Michael Frayn's 'Noises Off' comes to the stage. This one really will have you rolling in the aisles!
If you are still wanting more - don't worry, we will be back in the Autumn with some more fabulous shows - and some music nights; so Watch this space!
There has been a change to the Committee line-up as unfortunately Christine Rye is no longer able to play as active a part in all things theatre. She has landed a fabulous job and a chance to explore the country if not the world with it, so she won't be as much of a regular as she was. Not to worry though, Joanne Crawley has stepped into the breach as Front Of House manager and is already doing a sterling job. So we would all like to wish Chrissy and Jo the best of luck in their new roles!
More important news for later on in the year - it is the Wheatsheaf Players 80th Anniversary this year (September) and the 30th Anniversary in it's present location. No doubt we will be celebrating later on in the year!
Drinks