Hostess-from-hell Beverley and her husband Lawrence are hosting a drinks party in this relentlessly uncomfortable and yet hilarious take on strained relationships and awkward social situations.
Directed by Tracy Murrey.
What we've done before
Hostess-from-hell Beverley and her husband Lawrence are hosting a drinks party in this relentlessly uncomfortable and yet hilarious take on strained relationships and awkward social situations.
Directed by Tracy Murrey.
Barbara’s well-ordered existence gets torn asunder when her monumentally needy pal, Nikki and fiancé Hamish come to stay. Love isn’t easy and they all end up with bruises and broken bones to prove it.
Directed by Tracy Murrey.
Ginny, after breaking up with her boss Philip, goes to his country home to get back some love letters. She tells her new boyfriend Greg that she is going to visit her parents. Greg secretly follows her, and for the rest of the afternoon there are two couples together in Philip's garden.
Greg believes that Philip is Ginny's father and that Philip's wife, Sheila, is Ginny's mother. Philip mistakenly gets the idea that Greg is having an affair with his wife Sheila, and Sheila is led to believe that Ginny is nothing more than her husband's secretary. But for how long can the real nature of the relationships be disguised?
This popular British comedy from 1967 is still considered to be Alan Ayckbourn's finest, crafted piece.
Directed by Tracy Murrey.
When Gerry Stratton plans a family meal out with his two grown up sons to celebrate his wife Laura’s birthday and proposes an almost prophetic toast to ‘happy times’, he has no idea of the events that will unfold over the course of that evening. Their elder son, Glyn, is now back together with his long-suffering wife Stephanie, and their younger son, Adam has brought along his new girlfriend, an outrageous hairdresser, to meet the Stratton family for the first time.
Family skeletons intrude on cheerful domesticity as we get a glimpse into the past, present and future of the Stratton household. Time of My Life springs several surprises as Ayckbourn cleverly mixes tragedy and comedy in a piece that both entertains and inspires.
Directed by Tracy Murrey.
Written in 1941, Blithe Spirit is a play about how past relationships can come back to haunt us. It is one of Noel Coward’s most enduring and sparklingly witty pieces.
Looking for inspiration for his new novel, Charles Condomine calls upon the flamboyant medium Madame Arcati to hold a séance. However, the séance inadvertently brings back his deceased wife’s ghost, much to the displeasure of his new wife, Ruth. Elvira causes havoc as only Charles can see her… yet everyone feels her effects!
Ken decides to trade in Hilary, his wife of twenty years, after the onset of middle age finds him in the arms of Laura - a young, slim, attractive and vibrant free spirit. The only problem is…she can’t cook!
Missing the food and comfort of his old life, Ken accepts his ex-wife’s invitation to dinner, unaware of the delicacies she plans to serve…
This original take on the love triangle scenario devilishly blends black humour with seasoning and a little dash of sauce.
Widely regarded as one of the wittiest plays in the English language, The Importance of Being Earnest is a classic comedy of manners. Two flippant young men, in order to impress their respected beloveds, pretend that their names are ‘Ernest’, which both young ladies believe confers magical qualities on the possessor. Things start to go awry when they end up in the country together and their deceptions are discovered threatening to spoil their romantic pursuits.
From Ayckbourn's trilogy ‘Damsels in Distress', RolePlay is a laugh out loud play with dark undertones, a vintage ‘dinner-party from hell’.
A young well-to-do couple, living in a posh docklands apartment, have planned a civilised occasion where they hope to introduce their respective parents and also announce their engagement. The tense situation escalates with the arrival of two unexpected guests, a feisty lap-dancing gangster’s moll and her burly gun-toting minder. What her parents (a bigoted northern stereotype and his dim twittering wife) and his mother (a toy-boy chasing lush) find when they arrive reveals that the bourgeois guests, under their respective veneers, are far more frightening than the gate crashers.
Ayckbourn is a master at handling people divided by class, accent, habits and race and here we see each of his characters playing a role to escape reality with hilarious effect.
2070. The Earth is dead and its population has re-settled on Mars.
Aboard a military spaceship, Captain James Macbeth returns to the subterranean zone of New London, to receive commendations from the armed forces supremo – Commander Paul Duncan.
Macbeth is now the celebrated hero of the Alien Wars but during a terrifying meteorite storm, along with his pilot, Thomas Banquo, he experiences ghostly visitations and three spirits who warn Macbeth of his inherent evil...
A futuristic re-telling of Shakespeare’s great tragedy for both adults and children – 8 plus (Year 4 upwards).
Presented during National Shakespeare Week.
A contemporary retelling of Oscar Wilde’s Faustian tale by BAFTA award winning writer John Foster.
The beautiful Dory Gray, professional photographer of crime, war and celebrity, has made a pact with the Devil.
A stunningly beautiful young man, Dorian Gray, has a photograph taken of himself by the woman he loves, Basel Hallward, locking his prepossessing good looks in the digital image for all time. Falling under the malign influence of the amoral Henri Wotton, Dorian is drawn into her hedonistic lifestyle and becomes her lover. Dorian strikes a Faustian pact with the Devil and acquires eternal youth. Immersing himself in a secret life of debauchery and crime, Dorian discovers a wantonly violent darkside to his personality. He gradually builds an international reputation as an award-winning news and celebrity photographer, covering such tops as famine, major disasters and crime, taking a particular interest in a serial murderer known as ‘The Rain Killer.’ The ravages of corruption and depravity are never reflected in Dorian’s enduringly handsome face. Only the photograph Basel once took of him reflects his dissolute soul.
The ageing Ernest and Delia have dwindled into a docile companionship where the most exciting thing they do in bed is eat pilchards. The cantankerous, business-driven Nick and Jan have both settled for second best. Even the playful Malcolm and Kate, who seem the best adjusted, discover their marriage is not all it might be. During one hectic night the marital disasters of Trevor and Susannah wreak havoc in the bedrooms of the three other couples with hilarious results.
Alan Ayckbourn's Bedroom Farce shines a brilliant spotlight onto the trials and tribulations of suburban marriage.
Thanks to all who supported us. We were able to raise nearly £200 for the British Heart Foundation
Written in 1941, Blithe Spirit is a play about how past relationships can come back to haunt us. It is one of Noel Coward’s most enduring and sparklingly witty pieces.
Looking for inspiration for his new novel, Charles Condomine calls upon the flamboyant medium Madame Arcati to hold a séance. However, the séance inadvertently brings back his deceased wife’s ghost, much to the displeasure of his new wife, Ruth. Elvira causes havoc as only Charles can see her… yet everyone feels her effects!
Thanks to all who supported us. We were able to raise nearly £300 for the British Heart Foundation
Doctor Harriet Jekyll is interested in murder, very interested. As a criminologist, she has dedicated her career to the study of why people kill, what triggers the murder gene. Harriet is fascinated by the dark side of human nature and in a series of psychological experiments explores her own malevolence. She obsesses over a serial killer who has committed several grisly murders in Whitechapel. He calls himself "Mr Hyde". Harriet relishes the danger when Edward Hyde begins to stalk her.
A contemporary retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson's iconic tale, Jekyll and Hyde is set in the shadowy, vicious world of gangland London.
Set over three Christmases in the kitchens of three couples: Sidney Hopcroft, an ambitious tradesman, and his submissive wife Jane; architect Geoffrey Jackson and his depressed wife, Eva and banker Ronald Brewster-Wright and his alcoholic wife Marion.
Disaster reigns at all three parties, and the Hopcroft's attempt to advance to prosperity and independence sees the decline of the others.
Set over three Christmases in the kitchens of three couples: Sidney Hopcroft, an ambitious tradesman, and his submissive wife Jane; architect Geoffrey Jackson and his depressed wife, Eva and banker Ronald Brewster-Wright and his alcoholic wife Marion.
Disaster reigns at all three parties, and the Hopcroft's attempt to advance to prosperity and independence sees the decline of the others.
In support of MS Society
Listen to the Bay Radio advert for this event.
Dramatic Productions are proud to announce their association with the next Prequel to Cannes film, television and theatre networking event. It will take place on Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th February 2012 at The Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts, Dorset. Tickets go on sale through Lighthouse Box Office 0844 406 8666 or online just in time for some last minute Christmas or New Year presents.
This is an established and successful top-notch event with professional support from industry led consultants, accredited film folk, creative agencies, organisations and guilds. A must for all those who need to talk about or secure collaboration, knowledge or interest, funding or advice about their film, television or theatre projects.
An action packed two-day line-up, kicking off with 'Pitch Factor' a Masterclass with Lucy V from Bang2write. Then there is a great opportunity to put into practice your knowledge and 'Pitch to the Panel' for the 'Pitch Pot Prize fund' with a guaranteed minimum amount of £50 to the victor.
There will be two other Masterclasses about writing and directing for film and television, with jobbing writer and organiser of Tony Jordan's Red Planet Prize, Danny Stack; one thing you can be sure about is that Danny will tell it as it is, as well as bring structure to your writing career and give you hope that true writing talent coupled with hard work will always shine through.
Prequel to Cannes has teamed up with Dramatic Productions to be able to offer semi-professional or professional actors the opportunity to be 'spotted' during the photo shoots or screen tests, and actors who show great promise or charisma will be invited back on Thursday for a free audition. (Please note that it is not a pre-requisite to have any of the photographic services on offer to be considered for Agency representation; the low cost service is being provided for actors in an attempt to aid their careers).
At a very reasonable cost, Prequel to Cannes has teamed up with London Fashion photographer Ben Trill and Esther Yarnold of Interim, to provide an opportunity to have Black and White head and shoulder photographs taken, that will be suitable for Spotlight. In addition, actors who do not already have a screen test reel (this is not a show reel but a rehearsed piece to camera), will be able to perform a screen test and keep this record for their existing portfolios. The successful visual artist and stylist Hazel Evans, will be on hand to give last minute advice and hints on styling for photographs.
Dramatic Productions will open their Agency books, in an active search to represent new acting talent for film, theatre and corporate work. Prequel to Cannes is delighted to support Dramatic Productions as they launch their new Actors' Agency during the gala packed evening on Wednesday 8th February 2012. Meet the actors, talk to Sasha Paul about her Agency plans and projects and learn how she can help to support your film or business projects.
In honour of Sasha Paul's father; the prolific and successful television, film and theatre writer Jeremy Paul, Creative Thoughts Productions is delighted to launch the Jeremy Paul Award for Theatre Writing. Full details will be available on the night of Wednesday 8th February 2012.
A whole host of fantastic activities will take place in and around the Cinema, with the Cinema Bar being at the centre of the networking hub. The cinema will be the focus for some exceptional sessions you will not want to miss.
If you have ever asked yourself one or more of these four questions then this session will be for you:
You will be able to discover the real facts about getting to Cannes from three Festival veterans, who between them have a string of nominations and awards.
Meet A. D. Cooper the 2009 winner of the Prequel to Cannes short film script competition, Alice has directed her winning script and her film 'The view from the window' currently in post-production. London based Alice, has already received international recognition in New York and Cannes, for her other short film called 'Feet'.
A showreel will showcase some of the leading film talent from across the South and Suzy Wheeler, sister of the uber cool from Strawberry Fields represents, will be on hand to tell you about an exciting new film venture happening in Bournemouth in 2012. White Lantern Film will also be available to talk about their monthly B-Reel film events held at the Dance Pavilion in Bournemouth.
It promises to be one heck of a two day feast...
An innovative interpretation of the classic, steamy and shocking drama ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams. Disturbed Blanche DuBois moves in with her sister in New Orleans and is tormented by her brutish brother-in-law as her reality crumbles around her.
Parental advisory – contains adult themes and moderate violence
In support of St. Anns Hospital, Poole
ONE STEP is a new play written by award winning playwright Sasha Paul. It is a bold, honest account of how a tragic accident can alter peoples lives: the Victim, as well as those who love them. Matt, is a fun loving man who appears to have it all, until a motorbike accident results in the loss of his right leg. It is based on a true story, and the lead role is played by the amputee actor himself. Not for the faint-hearted but dealt with in a sensitive way and a positive message.
Age restriction – 15. Some swearing and scenes of traumatic injury
In support of Help for Heroes
It's Christmas time and the snowy streets are deserted. From brightly lit windows we see the magic of laughter and the sound of singing. But outside a poor little match girl sits sadly in the freezing cold. She hasn't sold a box of matches all day and is too frightened to go home to her angry father. She lights a match! What a comforting warm flame!
Freely adapted from the story of Hans Christian Anderson, Dramatic Productions bring this magical, story to life in the form of a musical. With songs, dances and friendships that help us through the hard times in life.
J.B Priestly's famous stage play set in the year 1912. An upper crust English family dinner is interrupted by a police inspector who brings news that a girl known to everyone present has died in suspicious circumstances. It seems that any or all of them could have had a hand in her death. But who is the mysterious Inspector and what can he want of them.
Set in 1930s America, John Steinbeck's tale tells of two men bound by a unique friendship, Lennie and George, who wander the plains in search of work as labourers.
John Godber's hilarious yet poignant classroom comedy.
Arthur Schnitzler described Reigen, his loose series of sexual sketches, as "completely unprintable" and indeed its premiere in 1921 spurred an obscenity suit. David Hare's adaptation of Schnitzler's 'Reigen' resets circular scenes of love and betrayal in present day London. The Blue Room is a brilliant meditation on men and women, sex and class, actors and the theatre. With deft insight the play takes the treacherous Freudian subject of projection and desire and reinvents it in a bittersweet landscape that is both eternal and completely up-to-date.
Written and directed by Sasha Paul. Jonathon Westwood is a deaf man who hopes that moving house will be a fresh start for him and his wife. Problem is... you can't choose your neighbours.
In support of National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS)
