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Spring/ Summer 2006

18 – 21 January 2006

Preston Gilbert and Sullivan Society present

The Yeoman of the guard

A comic operetta by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan

The Yeoman of the Guard is set in Tudor England in the Tower of London. Fairfax, under sentence of death, marries a strolling player Elsie, to preserve his estate. Hoping to marry her himself, the jester Jack Point agrees since she will soon be a widow. However, Fairfax escapes. All ends happily for him and Elsie, but not Jack Point.

Despite the sadness, Gilbert manages great comedy and Sullivan highly memorable music.

Box Office

8 – 11 February 2006

The Broughton players present

Strangers on a train

A thriller based on a Patricia Highsmith’s novel

America in the 1950s. Two strangers meet in the dining car of a train – Guy Haines an ambitious architect and Charles Bruno, charming but spoilt mother’s boy with a liking for drink. Because theya re strangers they can “say anything they like” to one another.

So much that Bruno proposes the perfect murder: he will kill Guy’s feckless, unfaithful wife and in return, guy will kill Bruno’s much hated father. Amused, Guy parts from Bruno never imagining he will see him again, or that Bruno is serious. But Bruno was deadly serious and when he kills Guy’s wife, he expects Guy to fulfil his part of the proposition. “A gripping original play rather than a dutiful adaptation”. Charles Spencer, The Daily Telegraph.

Box Office

20-25 February 2006

Preston Drama Club present

Bouncers and Shakers

Comedies by John Godber and Jane Thornton

Mon 20, Wed 22, Fri 24

Bouncers (Revisited)

It’s Friday night, it’s disco-time for Bounders to come alive!

In this outrageous and hilarious parody of the contemporary disco scene, four brutish bouncers portraying over twenty different characters invite us for a night out on the town. We meet the giggly girls, lads on the make, Hooray Henrys, pogo-ing punks, and a smooth- talking DJ, all against the tatty, glitzy glamour, flashing lights and pulsating beat of the disco floor.

Tues 21, Thurs 23, Sat 25

Shakers (Restirred)

Every town has its Shakers, the oh-so trendy cocktail bar where everyone wants to be seen: from the check-out girls to the chinless wonders, from the yuppies to the local lads tittering at the thought of a ‘Long slow comfortable screw’ We are given a wickedly funny glimpse of this world by the four long suffering waitresses, offering a fascinating view of the reality that lurks behind plastic palms and Pina Coladas in the revised version of the ever popular play.

Box Office

8 -11 March 2006

Schoolhouse present

Gaslight

A play by Patrick Hamilton

This classic Victorian thriller was first produced in 1935. Jack Manningham is slowly, deliberately driving his wife, Bella, insane. He has almost succeeded when help arrives in the form of a former police detective, Rough, who believes Manningham to be a thief and a murderer. Aided by Bella, Rough proves Manningham’s true identity and finally Bella achieves a few moments of sweet revenge for the suffering inflicted on her.

Gaslight was a great commercial success. Patrick Hamilton was one of the last generations of writers for whom it was possible to become rich on the basis of a stage melodrama, and the first of the generation who could make money by circulating versions of their work among modern media and having it made into a film.

Box Office

22 – 25 March 2006

The Grimsargh players present

The Scottish Play

A light comedy by Graham Holliday

Michael has always harboured an ambition to direct Macbeth, so when the autumn production of the Shellsfoot thespians is cancelled, he seizes the opportunity.

It soon appears that the jinx surrounding the play extends to amateur productions and to Michael’s own life too, but he is determined to get the show on at any cost and that includes his job, his wife and finding a new venue when banned from using the village hall.

A humorous play, totally true to life.

5 – 8 April 2006

Preston Drama Club present

A Shot in the dark

A comedy thriller by Michael Achard translated by Harry Kurnitz

In the home of the multi-millionnaire French banker Benjamin Beaurevers, the maid has been accused of killing a chauffeur. The maid, one Josefa Lantanay proclaims her innocence despite having been found naked, with the murder weapon in her hand, next to the deceased chauffeur. This looks like an open and shut case for the newly appointed court magistrate Paul Sevigne. However, what he uncovers is a circle of lies within the Beaurevers household that not only provides doubt as to who actually killed the chauffeur, but if he was the true intended victim. It is up to the bumbling Sevigne to get to the bottom of this crime before the Beaurevers family name is destroyed.