the 2016/17 Brochure here

Transcription

Present Laughter (September 2015)
The Hound of the Baskervilles (January 2016)
Rough Justice (October 2015)
Betrayal (March 2016)
Noises Off (December 2015)
Welcome to
The Miller Centre Theatre
2016 – 2017 Season
Comedy, tragedy, tears and laughter are all present
in abundance in the 2016/2017 season at the Miller
Centre Theatre. There are nine plays in the season,
each offering an evening of theatrical magic.
The programme opens with
Quartermaine’s Terms, Simon
Gray’s gentle and touching account
of a teacher coming to the end of
his career. Set in the common room
of an English-language school in
the 1960s, it shows this very English
veteran remaining gallantly optimistic
while accepting that all good things
come to an end. Take a hankie.
Following that, The Anniversary
by Bill Macilwraith, takes us onto
a domestic battleground on
which three sons fight for their
independence from a domineering
mother – a fight led and won mainly
by their female partners. A family
dogfight it may be, but the barbed
exchanges between the warring
parties are also very, very funny.
Ladies in Lavender by Shaun
McKenna offers something more
tender. Set in the 1930s, it tells of two
mature sisters whose uneventful lives
are dramatically overturned when they
take a young man, the survivor of a
shipwreck, into their home and nurse
him back to health. In their devotion
to the young man, they re-awaken
emotions long lost in their spinster
lives. A brief encounter and all the
sweeter for it.
Backstage pyrotechnics enliven
The Actress by Peter Quilter as West
End star Lydia Martin sweeps in to
give her final farewell appearance.
Huge egos collide in her dressing
room where emotional declarations
of love, regret, recrimination and
despair fill the air. She gives her last
performance to thunderous applause
– then returns to the dressing room
to make a final decision about her
future. Outrageous characters.
Terrific fun.
Nothing very amusing about Hamp
by John Wilson. It tells of a simple
soldier who walks away from the
horrors of the Western Front in 1916
and is charged with desertion, for
which the penalty is death. That was
the law and it had to be followed.
Thus, Private Hamp and the officers
of his court martial play their parts in
the execution of a grim ritual. In all,
an unusual and gripping account of
life and death in the trenches.
Lettice and Lovage by Peter Shaffer
is a whimsical affair, featuring Lettice
Duffait, a guide in a run-down
stately home who departs from
her script to entertain tourists with
graphic stories of historical events
which never happened. Caught in
the act, she is fired. But then she is
visited by the woman who dismissed
her, Lottie Schoen, who confesses
sympathy for Lettice and her view
of history. Together, they embark on
a small crusade to bring colour and
imagination to events of the past.
This hugely entertaining comedy
starred Maggie Smith during its long
West End run.
A call girl arrives in the hotel room
of a business man to perform a
small service for him. Thus begins
Communicating Doors by Alan
Ayckbourn. But it is not sex the
man wants from the girl but just her
signature as witness to a document
accusing his partner of murder. That
is odd enough, but when she opens
a door in the room, the girl finds
herself in the same room but twenty
years earlier, coming face to face
with one of the women supposedly
murdered. Confused? You won’t
be because this is Ayckbourn and
he will lead you through a series of
ingenious twists to a satisfactory
conclusion.
The penultimate production of the
season is Nell Gwynn by Jessica
Swale. The familiar tale of the pretty
young orange seller who bounced
onto the stage and into the king’s
bed, brought to life in a riotously
colourful, bawdy, comical show with
all the vitality of the heroine herself.
Nell swaggers through the action,
earthy, quick-witted and the equal of
all around her – actors, stage hands,
theatre managers, tarts, writers, kept
women and, of course, King Charles
himself. All this, with a little music
and a wealth of funny lines, makes
for a most enjoyable portrait of a
fabulous lady.
Rounding off our season as usual will
be the Miller Centre Young Players
with their summer production in the
theatre (21–22 July). Details are still
to be confirmed but this is always a
highlight of the year and a great way
to support the wonderfully talented
youngsters here at the Miller Centre.
22 SEPT – 1 OCT 2016 AT 8PM
27 OCT – 5 NOV 2016 AT 8PM
Tickets: £8 & £10
Call: 01883 349850 or book online: themiller.net
Tickets: £8 & £10
Box Office open daily from 10am–4pm and Saturday 10am–12pm
22 September – 1 October 2016
30 Godstone Road • Caterham • Surrey CR3 6RA
An amateur production presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD.
Registered Charity No. 1044236
B
ooking opens:
Members – 25 July
Public – 1 August (online)
The hero of this touching story is
St John Quartermaine, a teacher at an
English-language school in Cambridge
in the early 1960s. Long past his
prime, Quartermaine is the oldest of
the teaching staff. While he oozes a
kind of desperate hail-fellow-well-met
bonhomie, around him swirl the rest
of the faculty, confessing to him their
triumphs, tragedies, lost-and-found
loves and other personal concerns. To all
of them, Quartermaine responds with
sympathy, understanding, tact and oldworld charm. But few recognise that the
school common room is his home and
that they are his family.
27 October – 5 November 2016
Booking opens:
Members – 25 July
When this play first appeared, the
eminent critic Harold Hobson wrote
that it was ‘conceived in cruelty… and
is very, very funny.’ Since the death of
her husband, Mum has run the family
business with an iron fist. Nobody, not
even her three sons, dares to cross her.
So, when she throws the annual
bonfire party to celebrate her wedding
anniversary, her sons prepare for an
evening of fireworks, especially when
two of them have to tell their mother
news she will not like. But by the end of
the evening the boys – urged on by their
partners – rebel and free themselves from
Mum’s dominating personality.
1 – 10 DECEMBER 2016 AT 8PM
19 – 28 JANUARY 2017 AT 8PM
Tickets: £8 & £10
Tickets: £8 & £10
1 – 10 December 2016
B
ooking opens:
Members – 25 July
It is 1936. The Widdington sisters, Janet
and Ursula, have lived in their Cornish
seaside cottage all their lives – spinsters
who enjoy music, listening to the radio
and knitting. And then, into their serene
and undemanding lives comes a stranger
in the form of an unknown young
man washed ashore from a shipwreck.
The ladies revive him, take him into
their home, nurse him and eventually
restore him to good health. In time, they
discover that the young man is Polish
and is a virtuoso violinist. It becomes
clear that his future lies in the concert
halls of the world. But when he leaves to
fulfil his destiny, he leaves behind at least
one broken heart.
19 – 28 January 2017
Booking opens:
Members – 4 October
Public – 17 October
The dressing room of a theatrical star is
as full of conflicting emotions as there
are on stage. And so it proves, in this
delightful and light-hearted play, as
the famous Lydia Martin sweeps in for
the final performance of her long and
glittering career. Around her are her
dresser, her agent, her daughter, her
ex husband, her new fiancé and the
company manager, bringing with them a
flurry of goodbyes, tears, insults, laughs,
recriminations, kisses and regrets. On
stage she takes her final bow to storms
of applause before returning to the
dressing room to make a final decision
on her future.
by John Wilson
Directed by Ian Grayson
23 FEB – 4 MARCH 2017 AT 8PM
30 MARCH – 8 APRIL 2017 AT 8PM
Tickets: £8 & £10
Tickets: £8 & £10
23 February – 4 March 2017
B
ooking opens:
Members – 8 November
Public – 21 November
Amid the unfathomable horror of war
on the Western Front in 1916, Private
Arthur Hamp took a simple decision.
He walked away from it. He deserted.
He was caught and brought before a
court martial where, if found guilty, he
would be sent to face a firing squad.
Asked why he deserted, Hamp replies
‘I knew for sure I couldn’t stand no
more.’ Faced with the facts and this
simple, uneducated, intellectually
innocent man, the officers of the court
knew that military law demanded the
death sentence, mainly to deter other
soldiers from walking away. It was quite
unthinkable to execute one of their own.
And were it to happen they knew
they would be taking part in an act
of ritual murder.
30 March – 8 April 2017
Booking opens:
Members – 13 December
Public – 2 January
Lettice Duffait is working as a guide in
a run-down stately home. But while
leading groups of visitors though the
house, she departs from the script
and treats them to flights of her lively
imagination, describing colourful
historical events which never really
happened. The tourists love it but her
superiors are less than amused when
they catch her in the act and she is
dismissed by her officious supervisor,
Lottie Schoen. Lettice retreats to her
basement flat and is surprised when, one
day, she is visited by Lottie, who reveals
her sympathy with Lettice’s approach
to the past. Their flowering friendship
nearly ends in disaster when they try
to re-enact the death of Charles I but
they survive and press on with their
crusade to enliven history with a touch
of romantic fantasy. Maggie Smith made
the part of Lettice her own during a long
West End run in this delightful comedy.
11 – 20 MAY 2017 AT 8PM
15 – 23 JUNE 2017 AT 8PM
Tickets: £8 & £10
Tickets: £8 & £10
11 – 20 May 2017
B
ooking opens:
Members – 31 January
Public – 13 February
A businessman staying in a London hotel
hires a call girl to perform certain tasks
for him. Got the picture? Except you
won’t because this is one of Ayckbourn’s
most ingenious comedies and it turns out
that all the man wants is the girl to sign
as witness to his statement incriminating
his partner in the murder of his wives.
That is only the start of the surprises for
when the girl opens a door in the room,
she finds herself in the same room –
but twenty years earlier. What’s more,
the room is now occupied by one of the
allegedly murdered wives who is intent
on re-writing the future. Confused?
You won’t be, for this is a wonderfully
inventive journey through time via Alan
Ayckbourn’s imagination.
15 – 24 June 2017
An amateur production by arrangement with Nick Hern Books
Booking opens:
Members – 7 March
Public – 20 March
This wonderfully entertaining comedy is
a romp through the familiar story of Nell
Gwynn, the orange seller who became
an actress and then the long-time
mistress of King Charles II.
Nell Gwynn is the leading character –
a bawdy, witty, charming, sexy creature
who gives as good as she takes from
anyone and everyone. Surrounding her
are a long list of actors, writers, tarts,
theatre managers, stage hands, society
ladies and gentlemen – and, of course,
the king himself. Altogether, a glorious
picture of late 17th century London
life – both low and high – plus a bit of
music and dance. Altogether, a delight
which we shall be taking to MInack in
July 2017.
THE MILLER CENTRE THEATRE – SEATING PLAN
COMFORTABLE SEATS
RAKED SEATING IN ROWS F–N
AIR CONDITIONED
SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM
LICENSED BAR FOR PRE-THEATRE
AND INTERVAL DRINKS
ICE CREAMS, TEA AND
COFFEE AVAILABLE DURING
THE INTERVAL
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
INDUCTION LOOP SYSTEM
LATE ENTRY TO SHOW
Our performances start promptly at the time published on the ticket. Latecomers may have
to wait for a convenient time to enter the auditorium, and for some productions this may be
at the Interval. Please aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before the performance time and join
other theatregoers for a chat, or have a drink in our fully licensed bar.
AUDITION DATES
QUARTERMAINE’S TERMS
Play reading:
8pm, Tuesday 12 April 2016
Audition:
2pm, Sunday 1 May 2016
THE ANNIVERSARY
Play reading:
8pm, Tuesday 17 May 2016
Audition:
2pm, Sunday 5 June 2016
LADIES IN LAVENDER
Play reading:
8pm, Tuesday 21 June 2016
Audition:
2pm, Sunday 10 July 2016
THE ACTRESS
Play reading:
8pm, Tuesday 6 September 2016
Audition:
2pm, Sunday 25 September 2016
GET INVOLVED
Putting on a season of nine plays a year takes a lot
of effort and a veritable army of dedicated helpers.
We welcome all newcomers.
If you fancy the acting side of things, then please feel
free to come to one of the play readings or auditions
listed on the left. These are open readings and
auditions and so anyone can attend. However, you
will be expected to sign up as a member if you do go
on to be involved in one of our productions.
If treading the boards is not for you, then rest
assured there are plenty of other ways to get
involved including set design, building and painting,
wardrobe, lighting, sound, props, stage management
and front-of-house.
Finally, don’t let a lack of experience put you off.
We welcome newcomers getting involved and
you’ll learn as you go (with some initial guidance
of course). Email: [email protected]
HAMP
Play reading:
8pm, Tuesday 4 October 2016
Audition:
2pm, Sunday 30 October 2016
NELL GWYNN
Play reading:
8pm, Tuesday 29 November 2016
Audition:
2pm, Sunday 11 December 2016
COMMUNICATING DOORS
Play reading:
8pm, Tuesday 10 January 2017
Audition:
2pm, Sunday 29 January 2017
Noises Off (December 2015)
LETTICE AND LOVAGE
Play reading:
8pm, Tuesday 15 November 2016
Audition:
2pm, Sunday 4 December 2016
Production photos by: Gail Bishop, Keith Orton, Liz Whittaker, Tony Gingell, Chris Myers and Tim Gooding
Veronica’s Room (February 2016)
London Assurance (July 2015)
Rough Justice (October 2015)
Glorious! (April 2015)
Present Laughter (September 2015)
Jekyll and Hyde (June 2015)
CROYDON
CLAREVILLE
RD
LA
TU
PW
OO
D
P
NE
CROUDACE
CAR PARK
GODSTONE
FIND US
MILLER CENTRE YOUNG PLAYERS
By car: Parking is available in the side roads around
the Miller Centre. On performance nights (plays and
films) free parking is available between 7pm and 11pm
in the Croudace Homes Group car park in Tupwood
Lane (from Godstone Road, turn into Tupwood Lane
then first right through the yellow gates).
The youth workshop runs children’s theatre
workshops for juniors and young adults aged
between 8–19. To find out more contact
Vicky Bovingdon on 07723 014 723 or email
[email protected]. Their summer 2017
production takes place 21–22 July.
By rail: We are close to Caterham station on the
Southern Caterham branch from East Croydon
and Purley. Change at East Croydon or Purley
onto a train to Caterham Station.
By bus: Bus routes 400, 407, 409, 509 and 540 all
serve Caterham. However all routes except for the
407 usually run to early evening only. Route 407
which runs from Sutton via Croydon and Purley
operates until the early hours.
THE MILLER CENTRE WARDROBE
We have a vast range of thousands of costumes
for men, women and children to hire. We are open
to the public every Saturday morning 9.30am –
12noon (returns by 11.30am please). For enquiries
during opening hours, please call 01883 343944.
BOX OFFICE
Call: 01883 349850 or book online: millercentretheatre.org
The Miller Centre Box Office is open weekdays from 10am–4pm,
on Saturdays from 10am–12noon and every evening during the run of a play.
Please note the Box Office is closed during August but booking is still available online.
Tickets cost £8 on opening night and then £10 for subsequent performances.
This programme may be subject to change due to events beyond our control.

the 2016/17 Brochure here

Transcription

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