by James Goldman

30 June - 9 July 2011

The setting is the castle at Chinon in the Loire valley, a stronghold of Henry II, king of England and ruler of a large part of France. It is Christmas 1183 and Henry prepares to greet his wife, his queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Once, they outraged the courts of Europe by eloping to marry and create an enormous empire embracing England and almost half of France. Now, Eleanor comes to Chinon only because Henry releases her from prison where he has kept her for the last ten years. He brings his latest love, the French princess Alais to meet Eleanor and their three sons, Richard, Geoffrey and John, two of whom later became kings themselves. This reunion brings together a fiery family, dominated by Henry and Eleanor who cannot forgive each other for destroying their one-time love and who now engage in an angry, spitting, furious battle of wills. The play is based on fact and paints an enthralling picture of two mighty personalities whose Christmas ends with both parties having fought to a standstill but remain joined together. They retire to lick with wounds until next they meet, when Henry will let Eleanor out of prison for Easter.  As a play, this is simply stunning. We shall be taking it to Cornwall in the summer as our contribution of the Minack Festival.

by Marc Camoletti

26 May - 4 June 2011

Bernard invites his mistress, Brigit, down to his country cottage on her birthday despite the fact that his wife, Jacqueline, will be there too. To avoid her suspicions, he also invites his best friend, Robert, and asks him to pretend that Brigit is his mistress. Robert is uneasy about this arrangement, never having met Brigit. When an attractive cleaning lady turns up, he is further confused. Increasingly desperate to keep his wife sweet, Bernard gives a masterly display of quick thinking until… well, you will have got the picture. A farce? You’ve got it in one. And a very funny one it is.
Full of sight gags, funny lines and lust, the whole thing spins along at a rate of knots with frantic complications in which identities, plots and even bedrooms are changed in ever more confusion. Unbelievable? Of course. But put logic aside, sit back and enjoy.

by Gerald Sibleyras (trans by Tom Stoppard)

21 - 30 April 2011

This gentle comedy will appeal to everyone. It is Stoppard’s translation of a French play by Gerald Sibleyras and, as you might expect from a master of theatrical wit, he brings a rich humour to a simple concept. The play is set in 1959 in the grounds of an old soldiers’ home where three of the inmates – First World War veterans – live.  What brings Phillipe, Gustave and Henri together is their common purpose – to escape. With military precision, the three would-be escapees  talk, plan and plot whenever they meet, always searching for the perfect scheme to make their getaway. Of course, they have never succeeded but they retain high hopes. When we meet them, they are devising yet another cunning plan to get them over the wall and away. But although escape is their prime concern, they talk of many things – of the war, the other inmates, the Sisters who care for them, the sexual attractions of the young women who work at the home, and the dog. They want to take the dog with them but it’s made of stone and they can’t lift it. It is typical of the lunacy that permeates this lovely comic vignette. You’ll sympathise with the three old fools and you will laugh with them, not at them.

by Clifford Williams

17 - 26 March 2011

Adapted from the novel by Daphne du Maurier, this is the much-read tale of a young girl who marries an older man, Maxim de Winter, and is taken to live on his West Country estate, Manderley. There, her early happiness withers away as she gradually becomes involved in the mystery of de Winter’s first wife, Rebecca, who died in unknown circumstances. Rebecca’s unseen presence fills the house, enthusiastically promoted by the sinister housekeeper, Mrs Danvers, whose loyalty to the dead women is fierce and unhinged. Driven to despair by the dark menace surrounding her, the young wife is on the point of taking her own life when the truth of Rebecca’s death is finally revealed and the de Winters emerge from the shadows to begin their married life together. You may know the ending but this story unfolds with a gripping intensity which makes for superb theatre.

by Bill Owen

10 - 19 February 2011

Yes, that Bill Owen, star of Last of the Summer Wine. The story is based on a real event in 1888 when girls working in the Bryant and May match factory in London went on strike – geddit? – in protest at their dreadful working conditions. One of the effects of making phosphorus matches was that the girls risked developing a disfiguring condition known as “phossy jaw”. Led by one of their number, Kate, they seek recognition of their rights with the help of Annie Besant, an early Labour activist. Of course, they finally win the day. Sounds grim? Not a bit of it. Thisis a lot of fun. There is romance between the girls and their young men, mostly from the nearby London docks - chief among them Kate and her boyfriend Joe. This show is a fast-moving musical laced with Cockney humour and songs, musical numbers and choruses a-plenty. In short, a feel-good show with tunes to make you tap your feet and songs you will long remember.