Previously performed by BATS (as STADS) in 1981: compare details.
Synopsis
A drama society is assembling on the stage of a church hall to rehearse a production of a mystery thriller. The rehearsal proceeds under difficulties until the mysterious death of the caretaker brings the situation of the whodunit even more closely into real life. It transpires that almost everyone might, and could have, murdered the dead man – eventually the identity of both killer and prowler is revealed.
Director
- David Spear
Producer
- Tony Currell
Cast (in order of appearance)
- ‘Alan Wilson’ ~ Jaimes Cooper
- ‘Margaret Stephens’ ~ Sian Cole
- ‘Ted Smith’ ~ Tony Currell
- ‘Phillip Stephens’ ~ Stewart Hiorns
- ‘Ronnie Meadows’ ~ Barry Cooper
- ‘Phoebe Kershaw’ ~ Julie Greenwood
- ‘Patricia Robins’ ~ Helen Gallagher
- ‘Doris Stewart’ ~ Laura Sims
Backstage
- Stage Manager ~ Alan Bailey
- Assistants ~ Mike Turner, Barry Cooper, David Spear
- Prompt ~ Denise Currell
- Props ~ Carol Rood
- Costumes ~ Heather Cooper & the cast
- Hair & Make-up ~ Julie Greenwood & the cast
- Front-of-house, Refreshments ~ Barbara Spear, Maureen Bailey, Roz Brace, Dorothy Morris, Neil Chamberlain, Heather Cooper, Val Hiorns, Leah Williams
Director’s Note
Welcome to our production of “Murder in Company”. Yes, we are back to a play with ‘murder’ in the title. However there is more to this play than murder. It was performed by the Society some years ago and directed by Beryl West. Her husband Sid appeared in the role of Ronnie. This is a play within a play, which requires the audience to consider which is the real life situation and which is the actual play. I should add that our rehearsals are not the same as the rehearsals suggested by the play itself.
As the drama unfolds you may notice that the set is also in the process of unfolding. This is to emphasise that the action takes place during rehearsals. The real life drama unfolds within that action. The plays and standard set by previous directors have ensured that I have a hard act to follow. However once again I have an excellent cast who contribute both ideas and considerable expertise.
I would like to dedicate this play to our chairperson Alison Shepherd who is unfortunately seriously ill at present and is with her daughter in Oxford. We all miss Ma’am, as we warmly refer to her. I have no doubt that she would have been fully involved in this production as she has been in every other. We certainly miss her contribution.
Photos
The Cast.
Back row, left to right: Barry Cooper (“Ronnie”), Stewart Hiorns (“Phillip”), Jaimes Cooper (“Alan”), Tony Currell (“Ted”).
Front row, left to right: Julie Greenwood (“Phoebe”), Sian Cole (“Margaret”), Helen Gallagher (“Patricia”), Laura Sims (“Doris”).
Note that Barry Cooper played “Alan”, played here by his real-life son, in the 1981 production!