The Marlow Players

Amateur Dramatics Society, Marlow, Buckinghamshire

Newsletter: July (updated) 2008                Printable

Next Production

Following our three reading nights, we have decided upon “The Constant Wife” as the next play. The casting is as follows:

Constance = Jenny Major

Mrs Culver = Hilary Cox

Martha = Pip Stacey

Barbara = Maura Ross

Marie-Louise = Ellie Spisto

John = Dominic Walker

Bernard = Brian Couling

Mortimer = James Taylor

Bentley = Tony Bew

Director is Gloria Kendrick—this will be the first one Gloria has done for us and Tony is supporting Gloria for this first production.

So congratulations to all concerned! Rehearsal starts Tuesday, 2 September. 

The synopsis is as follows

Constance Middleton, is a calm, intelligent and self-possessed wife of a successful London doctor. Knowing full well of her husband's infidelity with her best friend Marie-Louise, Constance purposefully maintains the fiction held by her other friends, mother and sister that she has no idea of the affair. However, when confronted by Marie-Louise's jealous husband, Constance reacts in a way not expected by her husband, mother or sister. She first deftly conceals the affair from the husband, and then tells her family that she has known all along. She further shocks them by demonstrating a total lack of sentiment on the subject of matrimony.

The modern wife, she explains, is nothing but a parasite, "a prostitute who doesn't deliver the goods." She resolves to establish her own economic independence ("which she considers the only real independence"), going into business as an interior decorator. After a year of successful employment, she pays her husband for her room and board, and then announces she is going off for an Italian vacation with a long-time admirer. Her husband is, in turn, shocked and outraged at this turn of events, but finally capitulates to her outrageous charm as the curtain falls.

Summer Programme     

22-26 July        James in Maidenhead Drama production of  ‘The Dream’ at the Berkshire College of Agriculture from Tuesday 22nd – Friday 26th July.

                         For all fans of Shakespeare, this is a great opportunity to see some very talented people and their interpretation of what is possibly his most loved comedy. For everyone else it is a chance to get drunk in the sunshine whilst pretending to be intellectual and cultured. As it is outdoors in idyllic surroundings, there is the option of a “posh meal” (which will be first rate) or alternatively you can picnic in the grounds.

                          At Berks College of Agriculture. See web site if interested

27 July               Confirmed date for BBQ at Maura’s house. Sunday 27th.  ‘I would like everyone to phone me and let me know numbers, and if the weather is iffy on the day please phone as well.’ Contact Maura on 01491 578252.

26-30 August    Jimmy Keen’s play with the Riverside Players.  Outdoor Production of ‘The Comedy of Errors’.

After many years performing in the grounds of Pangbourne College, this year the Riverside Players will be performing Shakespeares' "The Comedy of Errors" in the beautiful grounds of Heythrop Park Hotel and Country Club  (on the A44 between Oxford and Chipping Norton) from 26th to 30th August. Some details of the play and booking details are below. We hope that you will be able to join us, either just for the play, or for pre-show dinner/show package. There are also special rates if you would like to stay overnight at Heythrop after the show.

Ephesus ... cosmopolitan city on the fringes of Asia ... a place where anything can happen ... a town of merchants and magicians ... nimble jugglers that deceive the eye ... dark-working sorcerers that can bend your mind soul-killing witches ... frauds and quacks ... con-men and tricksters ... and a few honest people too ...

Add to the mix two pairs of identical twins, a courtesan, a schoolmaster who thinks he’s a wizard, a stolen diamond, an old man with a price on his head, an unpaid debt, a vast kitchen maid, a brush with the law and a nun who isn’t quite what she seems. Happily, the resulting chaos is untangled and this riotous Shakespearean comedy ends peacefully: We came into the world like brother and brother, and now let's go hand in hand, not one before another.

Tickets are £15 (concs £11) from Tickets Oxford 01865 305305, or by internet Contact Brian Couling if you going to attend and arrange best dates so we can meet up as a group for a pre-show picnic.

2 September     Rehearsal starts

In addition, Hilary is looking to arrange a visit to the Globe Theatre in September/October. Anybody interested should contact Hilary. 

Subs

Subs were due at the AGM. The cost of subs is currently

£15 per person

£25 per couple

£7.50 for those entitled to a state pension

^{Please send monies to Brian Couling, 21 Gossmore Walk Marlow SL7 1QZ. Cheques payable to ‘The Marlow Players’.}

 

Other dates for your diary:  

 

2008 dates

20-22 November         Autumn production

 

2009 dates

2-4 April (new date)    Spring Production

                                       (Proposed production:

                                       Hands Across The Sea & Still Life)

25 April                         Visit to Les Baladins, Marly

26-28 November         Autumn production

May                                 AGM