THE WINSLOW BOY
17th – 22nd October 2011 By Terence Rattigan Directed by Colin Edgerton
Drama Did Ronne Winslow steal from a fellow trainee at the naval college? An Admiralty enquiry decides he did, but the family is determined to defend its honour and embarks on a David v Goliath battle that draws enormous attention from the media, embroils MPs in the power struggle and puts the Establishment on trial. In his centenary year, we honour Rattigan through his retelling of this true incident.
Cast   Crew Ronnie Winslow Ben Marrow   Set Designer Graham House Violet Rosalind Heath   Set Construction Allan Croft & The Grace Winslow Jan Robinson   Chipstead Players Arthur Winslow Mike Strong   Construction Team Catherine Winslow Lesley Parker   Stage Managers Jeff Stone & Dickie Winslow Liam Anderson   Nick Gane John Watherstone Michael Rahman   Production Manager Louise Delaney Desmond Curry Charlie Crowther-   Lighting/Sound Mike Dyson Smith   Lighting Design John Gallagher Miss Barnes Jennifer Barnett   Furniture Clare Sparshatt & Fred Nick Gane/   Ros Hayes Jeff Stone   Properties Pauline Beckley & Sir Robert Morton Nick Foster   Rosemary Banks   Prompt Sue Peerless
Review: By Theo Spring of The Croydon Advertiser
An edited version of this review appeared in the Croydon Advertiser A stunning set designed by Graham House depicted the drawing room of the Winslow family complete with working fireplace and just the right furniture chosen by Clare Sparshatt and Ros Hayes. An outstanding performance here from Nick Foster as Sir Robert Morton, hired at great cost to the family to defend young Ronnie – accused of stealing and cashing a five shilling postal order. Mike Strong as Ronnie’s father initially seemed a little strong to me but I warmed to his depiction of a parent determined to back his children to the hilt. The cost of the case affected both older daughter Kate, a budding feminist, and older brother Dickie, forced to leave Oxford due to the fees. Lesley Parker created a gentle yet feisty Kate, unafraid of her bombastic father whose support in his decision meant losing her fiancé. Liam Anderson’s perky Dickie seemed to have made Hugh Grant his model in both speech and characterisation. Maid Violet was certainly not of the shrinking variety with the script and Rosalind Heath making her more one of the family whilst Jan Robinson was her gentle mistress Grace, sometimes showing the proverbial iron fist within the velvet glove. Under the influence of his own father, fiancé John Watherstone gave Kate up when notoriety rose and funds depleted. Michael Rahman’s John reversed his commitment with disbelief, giving long time suitor Charles Crowther-Smith (Desmond Curry) an opening which Kate spurned. Ben Marrow brought just the right combination of angst and youthful confidence to Ronnie and Jennifer Barnett’s cameo reporter Miss Barnes was a suitable stereotype of the times. Most of Pat Andrew’s costumes evoked the era, and Colin Edgerton’s knowledgeable direction produced a most engaging show.
PUNK ROCK
7th – 10th September 2011 By Simon Stephens Directed by Grace Hopkins, Sophie Ellicott & Ben Tosh
Challenging drama "Everything human beings do finishes up bad in the end. Everything good human beings ever make is built on something monstrous. Nothing lasts. We certainly won’t..." In the library of a grammar school, seven sixth-formers are preparing for their mock-A Levels and nearing the end of their school lives. Soon Manchester will be a thing of the past, soon there will be new friends and new enemies. When the whole world opens up before you, there’s a danger it’ll swallow you up. Simon Stephens’ urgent and shattering play is brought to the Courtyard Theatre by the talented young adults of the Chipstead Players Youth Theatre.
Cast   Crew Lily Cahill Molly Hopkins   Stage Manager Fiona Milsom William Carlisle Robbie Capaldi     mentored by Nick Gane Bennet Francis Denholm Spurr   Lighting Ben Gilbert Cissy Franks Katie Milsom     mentored by Jonathan Laverock Nicholas Chatman Lewis Khan   Projection Lauren Milsom Tanya Gleason Mary Burke   Sound Fergus Walling Chadwick Meade Lewis Hayes     mentored by Jeff Stone Lucy Francis Fiona Milsom   Wardrobe Roz Hayes Dr. Richard Harvey Rick Thompsett   Furniture Joanne Hopkins   Production Manager Simon Kennedy     Special thanks to Lauren Milsom,   Joanne Hokins &,   Nick Gane
Review: By Theo Spring of The Croydon Advertiser
Seven sixth-formers meet regularly in a little-frequented school library where it could be expected they would support one another as they approach their mock A-levels. This, however, is far from the case in playwright Simon Stephens’ rather adult tale. Unusually, a team of three directed: Grace Hopkins. Sophie Ellicott and Ben Tosh, which threatens seeing the joins, but the thought-provoking production was seamless and showcased excellent characterisations by all. William Carlisle is a self-confessed teenager pleased with his own persona and Robbie Capaldi takes the rising star award for his interpretation of a character portraying pathos, winsomeness, comedy and anger as he builds William to slowly reveal the psychotic tendencies which result in the final horror. Molly Hopkins gave as good too as the school newcomer Lily who captures William’s heart but spurns him for the less complicated Nicholas, given a welcome evenness by Lewis Khan. Then there is the obnoxious school bully Bennet, so well portrayed by Denholm Spurr, consistently undermining brainy scholarship boy Chadwick, a bravura performance by Lewis Hayes. Cissy cares little for school work, more for fun, and is the bully’s girl. Katie Milsom gave the role the requried fluffy interpretation, totally under Bennet’s thumb until her bewildering rejection by him. The more studious Tanya has many attempts at braving the bullying onsluaghts, with Mary Burke becoming realistically frightened at the dénouement. An intense, demanding and shocking production carried off by a highly talented cast.
MURDERED TO DEATH
3rd – 9th July 2011 By Peter Gordon Directed by Will Harris
Comedy We’re in a country house, peopled by quirky residents, staff and guests. Racing one after the other, possible plots emerge with various members of the cast being lined up to be either a corpse or a murderer. Agatha Christie it ain’t!
Cast   Crew Mildred Pat Thompsett   Stage Manager Andy Mills Dorothy Lesley Parker   Set Designer Nick Gane Bunting Don Hindle   Set Construction Mel Morgan and The Colonel Craddock Mike Strong   Construction Crew Margaret Craddock Eve Manghani   Lighting & Sound Jeff Stone Elizabeth Hartley-   Production Secretary Mary Morgan   Trumpington Lauren Milsom   Properties Pauline Beckley, Pierre Marceau Noel Harris   Linda Hall & Joan Maple Jan Robinson   Jo Hopkins Constable Thompkins Michael Rahman   Wardrobe Margaret Ramsdale, Inspector Pratt Mel Morgan   Jennifer Barnett &   Vicky van Manen   Furniture/Set Clare Sparshatt &     Dressing Roz Hayes   Prompt Sue Peerless
Review: By Theo Spring of The Croydon Advertiser
The wow factor for this show was certainly achieved as the curtains opened to reveal Nick Gane's excellent 1930s set design brought to life by Mel Morgan and his construction crew and dressed by Clare Sparshatt and Roz Hayes. There is an inheritance at stake and red herrings galore in this comedy whodunnit with, of course, characters not who they seem to be. Lauren Milsom as Elizabeth Hartley-Trumpington changed her debutante accent to cockney at the flick of a switch and Noel Harris followed suit with a similar change from a good French accent. To solve the crimes the script provides a sensible constable (Michael Rahman) and Inspector Pratt, constantly troubled with malapropisms. Mel Morgan played him in an OTT John Cleese-style which I found quickly grated. There is a butler to suspect – Bunting – and I give full marks to Don Hindle’s drunk butler scene and his comic timing. Niece Dorothy and her aunt Mildred seem devoted with Lesley Parker revealing a scam as the niece and Pat Thompsett not quite so prim and proper as first thought as the aunt. More deception comes from Col Craddock with Mike Strong blustering and boozing his way through the play, married to Margaret, whom Eve Manghani kept upright, prim and proper. Unravelling the murder, unlike her knitting, Jan Robinson played Joan Maple in best Miss Marple mode, replicating her voice and mannerisms and, of course, solving the crime. Light and rather wishy-washy, Will Harris’ direction brought the play to border on a rather weak farce at times, mostly brought about by the antics of the well-named Inspector Pratt. Audience reaction was, however, good, and you can’t please all the people all the time!
OF MICE AND MEN
Mon 23nd – Sat 28th May 2011 By John Steinbeck Directed by Maggie May
Drama The stage version of the classic novel, set in the Californian agricultural belt of the 1930s. It tells of two unlikely comrades, struggling to find work but dreaming of a little place of their own where they can "live off the fat of the land" – a dream that is shattered by a tragic turn of events.
Cast   Crew George David Kay   Stage Manager Nick Gane Lennie Ian Radburn   Set Design Alan Croft Candy Warwick Beazley   Set Construction Alan Croft & The The Boss Paul Valleau   Chipstead Players Curley Brian Jerome   Construction Crew Curley’s Wife Sarah Macdonald   Wardrobe Anne Franks & Slim Jeremy Taylor   Liz Lockhart-Mure Carlson Nick Foster   Props Jill Kiss & Whit Mike Archer   Jennifer Barnett Crooks Sean Lewis   Furniture Clare Sparshatt Candy’s Dog Frasier   Prompt Margaret Ramsdale  (kindly loaned & handled by Sue Mayes)   Lighting Graham House   Sound Don Hindle   Production Manager Rosalind Heath     assisted by Sue Peerless
Review: By Tony Flook of The Croydon Advertiser
Chipstead Players’ magnetic production of this John Steinbeck classic drew the audience inexorably into the world of George and Lennie, itinerant farm workers in 1930s California. The key strength of the show was in the casting of these central roles. Lumbering Ian Radburn brought out Lennie’s simple, childlike mentality, gentle by nature but with a fearful strength he did not recognise. He was perfectly counterbalanced by David Kay, the thinker of the pair, whose loyalty was frequently tested. Not only did the actors understand and have the ability to interpret their characters but their relationship, already well established at the start of the play, grew and deepened through to its tragic climax, which skilfully avoided the all-too-easy pitfall of being melodramatic. The other roles were all crucial in creating the atmosphere and environment. Brian Jerome projected Curley’s bullying nature and jealousy. His lonely young wife, attractively played by Sarah Macdonald, immediately established her flirtatious nature; her fatal encounter with Lennie was impeccably built towards its inevitable outcome. Sean Lewis portrayed Crooks, the misshapen black farmhand, with understanding and lightly disguised bitterness. Warwick Beazley showed that Candy, the old man no longer able to work on the farm due to his mangled arm, still had the ability to dream of a better life. Alan Croft’s simple but versatile set design converted readily to indicate the several locations. Maggie May directed this memorable production of a multi-layered story.
ARABIAN NIGHTS
Mon 11th – Sat 16th April 2011 By Dominic Cooke Directed by Yasmin Nixon Assisted by Noel Harris
A show full of Eastern promise, as the new queen Sheherazad weaves tales of Ali Baba, Sinbad the Sailor, singing trees, ghouls and the hilarious attempts by Abu Hassan to control a giant "bottom burp".
Cast Queen, Marjanah, Sorceress Kelly Burke Thief, Doctor’s WIfe, Mother, Younger Sister/Queen Emily Synott Thief, Doctor, Customer 2, 2nd Sister Georgia Pearson Thief, Sidi 2, The King’s Vizier Ellen Newman Thief, Foe, Maid, Puppeteer, Dancer, Ghoul Rosie Gray Kasim’s Wife, Tailor, Ghoul Izzy Draper Ali Baba’s Wife, Little Beggar, Head Cook Zoe Kirk Dinarzad, Hangman, Ghoul, Dervish Maria Gallagher Bride, Thief, King, Ghoul, Steward Isobel Huber Druggist, Friend Jasmin Draper Thief, Foe, Page, Puppeteer, Ghoul Anna Gray Kasim, Puppeteer, King, Haroun Jordan Crabtree Ali Baba, Steward, Bahman Ben Jeffreys Shahrazad, Puppeteer Hope Elsdon Masud, Baba Mustapha, Abu Hassan, Perviz Ethan Elsdon Ali Baba’s Son, Baker, Thief, Merchant, Sidi 1, Woman Eloise Massimo Tailor’s Wife, Marriage Broker Megan Ridge Thief, Puppeteer, Aunts, Customer 1, Parizade Sophie Hazel Shahrayar, Es-Sindibad Chase Reeve Thief, Porter, Eldest Sister Hazel Barnes Captain, Chief Katie Bignell Thief, Uncle, Amina, Steward’s Wife Emily Foster Thief, Preacher, Passer-By, Young Girl Molly Atkinson Vizier, Thief Molly Rose Headsman, Thief, Watchman Raphael Constantinou   Crew Production Manager Debra Elsdon Stage Manager Lewis Hayes Lighting Ben Gilbert   Lighting Mentor John K Leventhal Sound Fergus Walling   Sound Mentor Jeff Stone Props Colin Edgerton & team Wardrobe Roz Hayes,   Jenna Chapman &   Katie Thurlow Hair & Make Up Georgia Spurr Choreography Sharon Laws &   Siobhan Radburn Set Design & Construction Alan Croft &   Mel Morgan Additional Music Chris Kenyon Puppets Rob Searle (R.S. Theatre Props)
Review: By Theo Spring of The Surrey Mirror
Just as Shahrazad, so confidently played by Hope Elsdon, charmed Shahrayar – a wilful Chase Reeve, so the whole cast charmed the audience with these tales. Director Yasmin Nixon and her assistant Noel Harris brought dance, comedy and tragedy to the stage through a large cast, each of whom took on several roles. Alongside the well known Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, lesser known tales were delightfully told by characters such as the scene-stealing wife of Ali Baba, Zoe Kirk, who did it again as the Little Beggar. Ben Jeffreys also shone as Ali Baba and again as Bahman, and Kelly Burke was the clever slave girl Marjanah who recognised the disguised Captain of the Thieves – a dashing Katie Bignall. Maria Gallagher helped Shahrazad as her sister, Dinarzad, and Ellen Newman was their father, the King’s Vizier. Costumes were, well, brilliant – sparkling and colourful, thanks to the three-team wardrobe. It was a joy to see so many youngsters contributing to the undoubted success of this happy show – it’s just a shame there isn't room to name them all.
DOUBLE BILL
Dumb Waiter   Mon 28th February – Sat 5th March 2011 By Hardol Pinter Directed by Glen Nixon
Dramatic comedy Ben and Gus are hit men, holed-up in a basement kitchen, waiting to be sent out on their next job. Will they know the victim? Who will carry out the hit? This is Pinter at his very best.
Cast   Crew (both plays) Ben Mike Strong   Stage Manager Yasmin Nixon Gus Lars Sawyer   Set Design Graham House   Set Construction David Franks & The   Chipstead Players   Construction team   Lighting John Leventhall   Sound Jon Laws   Wardrobe Roz Hayes   Properties Jo Hopkins   Furniture Clare Sparshatt   Prompts Yasmin Nixon &   Sharon Laws   Production Managers Yasmin Nixon &   Linda Hall
Review: By Tony Flook of The Croydon Advertiser
Superficially, the plays in Chipstead Players’ recent double bill appear to share a common theme – both are enigmatic and sinister and both concern death. There, any similarity ends. The Dumb Waiter is full of Harold Pinter’s trademark pauses, non-sequiturs and unfinished sentences. Two men wait for instructions from their unseen boss, in what may be the basement of a derelict café. Only slowly does it emerge that they are hired killers on a seemingly routine assignment. Graham House (who designed the sets for both plays) created the essence of the stark surroundings, with two unmatched beds and the eponymous dumb waiter, which progressively evolves as the third character. Mike Strong brought out Ben's quiet dominance as the senior hit man, who becomes increasingly irritated at his junior partner Gus's (Lars Sawyer's) constant questioning and complaining. Whereas Ben infrequently moved from his bed, Gus was constantly active; he could, though, have emphasised his jitteriness rather more in his gestures. That apart, the two characters were skilfully differentiated. The unpredictable climax was well handled although, in view of its crucial importance, the final curtain might have been held momentarily longer while the actors froze.
In Camera   Mon 28th February – Sat 5th March 2011 By Jean-Paul Sartre Translated by Stuart Gilbert Directed by Warwick Beazley
Taut Drama What are your visions of hell and eternity? This existentialist play explores the idea that "Hell is Other People".
Cast   Garcin Charlie Crowther-Smith   Valet Don Hindle   Inez Anne Page   Estelle Kirsty Cunnington
Review: By Tony Flook of The Croydon Advertiser
Jean-Paul Sartre’s wordy, philosophical, In Camera is summarised by a line towards its end; ‘hell is other people’. Two women and a man, all recently deceased, find themselves in perdition forced to endure each other’s company, for eternity. It is a chilling prospect as they are destined to hate one another. Anne Page was totally credible as Inez, the lesbian who ultimately articulates the reasons they have been chosen to share a room, furnished with little more than three wooden seats. Charlie Crowther-Smith, Garcin, tended to speak rather much on one level and without sufficient changes in mood (but may have been hampered by his well disguised cracked rib). Kirsty Cunnington was a convincing, self-centred Estelle, attracted to Garcin for his manliness, yet repelled by his cowardice and equally repulsed by Inez's advances. Don Hindle's Valet carried the right degree of calm, remote authority. It was an unsettling vision of what might just be waiting for us.
THE SECRET GARDEN
Wed 5th – Sat 8th January 2011 Sun 9th January 2011 (matinee) Wed 12th – Sat 15th January 2011 By Lucy Simon & Marsha Norman Directed by Jacqui Burke & Emily Evans Musical direction by Ann Slater Choreography by Helen Parker
Family Musical Generations have read Frances Hodgson Burnett’s story of how Mary stumbles across a walled garden that’s been abandoned for years, and in bringing it back to life not only meets a host of friendly creatures but gives new hope to her sickly cousin. Now watch the magic come to life in front of your eyes!
Cast   Crew Mary Lennox Katie Bignell   Stage Managers Graham House, (Wed, Fri,Sat eve, Wed, Fri, Sat mat)   Andy Mills Mary Lennox Maria Gallagher   Lighting John Gallagher, (Thu, Sat mat, Sun mat, Thu, Sat eve)   Ben Gilbert & Lily Craven Siobhan Radburn   Richard Pike Archibald Craven Chris Evans   Sound Mike Dyson Dr. Neville Craven Rick Thompsett   Wardrobe Roz Hayes, Colin Craven Charlie Mabbutt   Anne Franks, Mrs. Medlock Anne Page   Edwina Marrow, Martha Mary Burke   Margaret Palmer & Dickon Alex Marrow   Jennifer Barnett Ben Weatherstaff Ian Radburn   Set Designer Linda Hornzee-Jones Mrs. Winthrop Lauren Milsom   Set Construction Alan Croft & crew Capt. Albert Lennox Peter van Manen   Properties Pauline Beckley, Rose Lennox Sharon Laws   Jemma Chapman, Alice Hope Elsdon   Lauren Milsom, Fakir Kelly Burke   Noel Harris & Ayah Katherine Mill   Jo Hopkins Major Holmes Colin Edgerton   Prompt Grace Mander Lieutenant Shaw Nick Foster   Furniture Clare Sparshatt Lieutenant Wright Alex Greenslade   Production Managers Vicky van Manen & Major Shelley Nick Gane
Review: By Tony Flook of The Croydon Advertiser
Frances Hodgson Burnett’s century-old story of how disaffected orphan Mary transforms her own life together with those of her guardian and his entire household is, undeniably, schmaltzy yet, nonetheless, captivating. This musical adaptation is told as much through its more than 20 musical numbers as by its dialogue; no-one worked harder or to better effect than Musical Director Ann Slater, who always helped maintain the pace from the keyboard, whilst never dominating the action. It is difficult to give a balanced view of a show such as this where two youngsters alternate in the lead but, in Katie Bignell, Chipstead Players have a star in the making. She showed stage presence and confidence well beyond her 11 years and conveyed every emotion from introspection to elation, anger to wonderment, together with a neat line in pouting and wheedling, where called for. Her cue bite and movement were impressive. It was evident that the directors Emily Evans and Jacqui Burke, had worked hard together with a talented performer to achieve such a polished result. It would have been interesting to see nine year-old Maria Gallagher’s interpretation when she took on the role. Chris Evans projected the personality of Archibald, Mary’s uncle, who is grieving for his dead wife. He conveyed his emotions convincingly in his duet "Lily's Eyes" with his brother Neville, played by Rick Thompsett, who also demonstrated a commanding singing voice. Charlie Mabbutt was notable as Colin, Archibald’s sometimes self-pitying, supposedly bed-ridden son. Mary Burke brought vitality to warm-hearted housemaid, Martha and Alex Marrow made clear her brother Dickon’s love of nature. Ian Radburn, showed Ben, the gardener’s dedication to his master's estate. In a cameo appearance, Lauren Milsom immediately established Mrs Winthrop as a purposeful headmistress. Some singers were not well served by using personal mikes which, surely, are unnecessary in a small venue such as The Courtyard. Grouping, a strong feature throughout, was never better than in the trio "I heard Someone Crying", which made attractive use of Linda Hornzee-Jones’ intelligently designed two-level set. Lighting and other effects helped create the right atmosphere for every scene.