Crazy for YouMaghull Musical Theatre Company

by arrangement with Musicscope and Stage Musicals Ltd of New York

6th - 9th NovemberBox Office opens 30th October at 11am

Advance Booking on 01695 632372

The story of this play, written in 1943, is based on a true event. John Rathbone, M.P. for Bodmin, was reported missing on wartime service. His wife took over his role and was returned, unopposed, to take her husband’s place in Parliament. Women in Parliament were even few-er, then, than they are nowadays! It was, subsequently rumoured that Rathbone was still alive!

In du Maurier’s play, Diana Went-worth becomes an M.P., taking Colonel Wentworth’s seat, after his plane crash-

es into the sea. Diana relishes her new-ly found independence in her role as a politician. She embraces social change in the new post - war world to come and, also, begins a new relationship. Then news arrives that Michael, her husband, may not be dead and later more secrets are revealed! The play takes place in the Manor House, home of this wealthy fam-ily, during the forties.

The play has all the narrative skill, conflicting relationships and insightful wit, which are the hallmarks of the play-wright, Daphne du Maurier. This fasci-nating, enjoyable play was forgotten af-ter the war, until revived at the Orange Tree in 2007. As we rehearsed the play, we found complexities that we hadn’t realised existed. Each time we have run through a scene, we have discussed it more and more – the sign of a good script. We believe you will think so too.

Daphne du Maurier was born in London in 1907 into an artistic and cul-tured family. Her grandfather, George du Maurier, was a Punch caricaturist, her mother and father, actors and her cousins, the inspiration for the children in Peter Pan. J.M.Barrie was a frequent visitor to her home. Her books “ Jamaica Inn”, “Frenchman’s Creek,” “My Cousin

Rachel, ” “Rebecca” and others, are now regarded as modern classics. Some have been adapted for the stage and screen. Daphne du Maurier admitted, later in life, that Diana’s emotional dilemma in “The Years Between” was drawn from her own experience – her ambivalent marriage to a secretive war hero, General ‘Boy’ Browning.

Patrons’ NewsletterVolume 3, Issue 1 | SEPTEMBER 2013

The Years Between

Diary

A welcome from our Chairman, Sherel ColeyAs Chairman I would like to offer you a warm welcome to our new season at ‘The Little Theatre’. Our Play Selection andCasting Committee has chosen a wide variety of plays from the award winning drama “The Lady in the Van” by Alan Bennett to “Servant for Two Masters” by Carlo Goldini via Daphne du Maurier’s “The Years Between” and Peter Shaffer’s “Lettice and Lovage” - to mention one

or two. They say the theatre never closes which is true in our case. There are repairs to do, improvements to make and plays to rehearse. Where would we be without our steadfast patrons who continue to support amateur theatre down at The Little? For this we truly thank you and we look forward to seeing all of you this September and in the months to come.

Box Office(01704) 530521/530460

Find out more about uswww.littletheatresouthport.co.uk

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The Years BetweenDirected by Margaret Mann

Written by Daphne du MaurierOctober 25th - November 2nd

Old Actors Never Die Directed by Poppy Flanagan

Written By Lynne Brittney22nd - 30th November

Editor Philip Hutchinson | info@littletheatresouthport.co.uk

Lloyd Webber’s Whistle Down the Wind

Birkdale Orpheus Society5th - 12th October

Box Office opens 28th September at 11amAdvance Booking on 01704 564042

Margaret Mann

Hoghton Street, Southport PR9 0PA

October

25

November

22

Box Office(01704) 530521/530460

Hoghton Street, Southport PR9 0PA

Find out more about uswww.littletheatresouthport.co.uk

Like us on FacebookSouthport Little Theatre

Get involved with the Southport Dramatic ClubThe Southport Dramatic Club is always looking for new members. If you want to get involved, there’s sure to be something for you!

Contact our membership secretary, Lindsay Haywood, on 01704 504800 or on info@littletheatresouthport.co.uk

Acting

Backstage

Barwork

Set construction

Front of house

and much more...

Over the years, the Youth Theatre Committee has put us through our paces with past shows such as ‘Les Mis’, ‘Parade’ and ‘Company’, pushing each member to their limits. Yet it’s safe to say Evita was one of the most challenging productions the Youth Theatre has ever produced. With a record breaking amount of lighting cues as well as hosting harmonies and costume changes like no other, nei-ther principals nor chorus had room for rest in what was quite possibly the Youth Theatre’s most visually stun-ning production to date.

As always, the highlight for the cast on a whole is to work all summer un-der the magnificent direction of Ste-phen Hughes-Alty, Paul Williams and Corinna Davies. Each youth mem-ber sees the summer production as a learning curve, a chance to develop as a performer and enhance our knowl-

edge of the industry. On a personal level, this year did not disappoint as I took up my first lead role as Che, the Narrator.

They say “time flies when you’re having fun” Well there simply are no words to describe how much fun, laughter, opportunity and enjoyment I have taken from the past four years as an SDC Youth Theatre member. As I enter my final year of Initial Prima-ry Teacher Training, I just hope I’m greeted with enough free time to con-tinue to perform alongside such tal-ent and direction.

On behalf of the Youth Theatre, I would like to thank each and every member and friend of the SDC for their continued support – it was evi-dent that audiences enjoyed their eve-ning just as much as we have enjoyed ours! Here’s to the next!

A Remarkable StoryBuy your programme, just £1.50, for an exclusive interview with the director

Available throughout the theatre

The SDC Youth TheatreA Personal Perspective By Joe Perree