Booking Times …

The box off ice opens the Sunday three weeks prior to opening n ight of each product ion .

BOX OFFICE HOURS ARE:

Saturday & Sunday 9am – 12noon Bookings can be made during these t imes , e ither at the Theatre or by

cal l ing us on 4153 1904. P a y b y C r e d i t C a r d ( M a s t e r c a r d & V i s a ) .

T i c k e t s m u s t a l w a y s b e c o l l e c t e d a t l e a s t h a l f a n h o u r p r i o r t o t h e p e r f o r m a n c e .

ONLINE BOOKING ... Did you know that Bundaberg Players Inc has

ONLINE booking? For patrons wishing to pay by credit card you can

book via the internet at www.theplayhousetheatre.org.au

Theatre Diary 2015

For more information please visit our website www.theplayhousetheatre.org.au

There will be an interval of 20 minutes between acts.

Refreshments (tea, coffee, soft drinks & alcoholic beverages)

are available in the upstairs foyer.

SYNOPSIS

In a London fur salon, Arnold Crouch, one of the two owners, has difficulty keeping everything afloat, while his partner, Gilbert Bodley, is off philandering. Bodley decides to sell his new mistress' husband a fur coat for an extremely low price in order to win her affection, and Crouch is stuck presiding over the deal. The husband decides to give the coat to his own mistress, and all hell breaks loose.

SETTING

Early 1960’s, in the elegant fur salon of Bodley, Bodley & Crouch, London.

THE PLAYWRIGHTS

Ray Cooney began his theatrical career as a boy actor in Song of Norway at the Palace Theatre in 1946. He played in Dry Rot and Simple Spymen and then began a writing career including One for the Pot, Not Now Darling, Move Over Mrs. Markham, There Goes the Bride, Chase Me Comrade, Why Not Stay for Breakfast, Wife Begins at Forty, Run for Your Wife!, Two Into One, Out of Order, It Runs in the Family, Funny Money, Caught in the Net, and Tom, Dick, and Harry. A number of which have been performed at the Playhouse Theatre. In 1983 Mr. Cooney formed the Theatre of Comedy Company and he became its first Artistic Director. During Mr. Cooney’s tenure the company produced over twenty plays. During his time with the Theatre of Comedy Company and throughout his career, Mr. Cooney has continued to act, direct, and produce while he writes. John Chapman was a British writer. Initially a stage manager and understudy at the Whitehall Theatre, he subsequently spent a few years in weekly rep before returning to Brian Rix's company with his first play. Dry Rot (1954), which is about dishonest bookmakers, had a four year run. Ray Cooney joined the cast in 1956 and first met the author at this time. Chapman followed Dry Rot with Simple Spymen (1958), which had a three year run, during which Chapman and Cooney had begun their collaboration. Together they wrote Not Now, Darling, Move Over Mrs Markham, My Giddy Aunt and There Goes the Bride. Meanwhile, he also wrote extensively for television including episodes of the sitcoms Hugh and I, Happy Ever After and Fresh Fields, for Thames Television.

CAST

From the Director …

“Not Now Darling” is a clever script and a very funny one at that! Directing it has been a great lesson in precision and discipline that this type of humour requires. The play is a classic of the genre with scantily clad females running in and out of doors, double entendre and an abundance of verbal and visual gags. Farce is one of the most difficult challenges for an actor. It needs a great deal of stamina, an instinctive sense of timing and a great deal of very hard work to get it right. I am fortunate in having found a wonderful cast who have been totally committed to the production and an excellent stage management team who has ensured that everything vital -doors, windows, telephones - works efficiently! I hope you will have as many laughs watching it as we have had rehearsing it.

Tracey Shears

Nigel Dick – Arnold Crouch Nigel has performed in numerous comedies at the Playhouse over the years and acknowledges Ray Cooney as one of his favourite playwrights. He enjoys the frantic pace of the cleverly written script but admits that the retention of copious amounts of dialogue is getting more difficult with age….Nigel hopes you enjoy the hapless yet loveable Arnold Couch…that’s Arnold with an “A” and Crouch with an “ouch”.

Shaun Norden – Gilbert Bodley Shaun first joined the Players in 2000 working backstage. He followed this with his first on-stage role as Jeff in “Brigadoon”. Since then he has been treading the boards in many other productions including musicals and thrillers. Over the years, however, Shaun is best known for his farcical roles in Comedies. “Not Now Darling” sees Shaun returning to work with director Tracey Shears and fellow comedic performer Nigel Dick.

Lina Wagner – Janie McMichael Lina knows that one fine day she will be cast for a role where she does not have to hop around in her underwear. Unfortunately it is not this one and she does apologise. But if she could JUST have her mink and a car then she’ll be on her way.

Rhonda Cutmore - Maude Bodley This is Rhonda’s first time on stage…that does not involve music and dancing. She has been a member since 2000 and has been in almost every musical since. Her favourite shows include Brigadoon, Movie Mania and Chicago. It has been a wonderful experience doing Not Now Darling. There has been so much to learn but being surrounded by such experience and talent has helped (on and off stage).

Tony McGovern – Harry McMichael For Tony, playing a womanising standover merchant is as far from real life as it gets. However, he’s thoroughly enjoyed working with such a talented (and patient!) cast and crew.

Laura Wilson – Sue Lawson Playhouse Theatre is a second home. Every moment spent there is a moment cherished. It has been a pleasure to be involved in “Not Now Darling” and a joy to be surrounded by passionate and loving people. Enjoy the lack of clothing. I know I did.

Di Wills – Miss Tipdale Di is currently backstage wondering why perfectly sane people perform on stage and hopes she does not literally break a leg on her first entry.

Daniel Hand – Commander Frencham Commander Frencham is a challenging character with great complexity and nuance that definitely pulls on the heart strings…well…not really. But Dan has enjoyed the “Not Now Darling” experience and the challenge it represents. A smaller role but by no means a small role. Enjoy the show!

Traci Thornton – Mrs Frenchman Traci got her it off in her first production with the Playhouse, got goosed in her second and is excitedly waiting to be harvested in her latest role! She has enjoyed the hilarity of working with some OLD friends.

Shalyn Knight – Miss Whittington This is Shalyn’s first foray into the world of straight plays. From a musical theatre background, join with her as she explores the complexities of her short-lived yet in-depth character of Ms Whittington.

Behind The Scenes ... Director Tracey Shears Assistant Director Donna Norden Set Design Nigel Dick Lighting Design & Rigging Al Horan Lighting & Sound Operator Rhys Williams Stage Manager Tracey Shears Prompt Sara Gibbs Wardrobe Coordinator Donna Norden Wardrobe Assistants Kim Dick, Tracey Shears and Cast Make-Up Shalyn Knight Construction Coordinator Nigel Dick Set Construction (Core Team) Nigel Dick, Phillip Fresta, Gary Harris Neville Saywell , Shaun Norden, Casper Meerman Set Decor & Props Coordinator Tracie Faithfull Painting (Core Team) Tracie Faithfull, Kim Dick, Jenny Duffy, Nigel Dick Programme Tracie Faithfull Maitre De Bob Adams FOH Coordinator Rhonda Cutmore Box Office Coordinator Philippa Williams Bar Coordinators Raymond Sinnamon & Karen Harris Raffle Coordinator Kim Dick Kitchen Coordinators Lyndall Pratt & Pat Palu

THANK YOU to all our Members who volunteer their time

to put on each and every performance. Bundaberg Players Incorporated is a proud testament to what a

group of amateur theatrical volunteers can accomplish.

Raymond Sinnamon – Mr Lawson In this snappy, explosive role I love each second of the precise comedy timing. This is the Ray Cooney I love so much – brilliant and fun.