WOMAN IN MIND
by Alan Ayckbourn
Presented by Lindisfarne Players
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
Tuesday 9th June - Saturday 13th June 2015
by Alan Ayckbourn
Presented by Lindisfarne Players
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre
Tuesday 9th June - Saturday 13th June 2015
Admit it, we’ve all wondered what life would be like on the other side of the fence; would we be richer, happier, thinner? But is the grass always greener? I’m sure at some point of our lives our minds have often wondered all these things, and more. Lindisfarne Players' latest offering invites us into the mind of middle-aged Susan and produces some startling results.
Described as a “razor sharp” comedy, ”Woman in Mind" was the last play written by Alan Ayckbourn before his two-year sabbatical at the Royal National Theatre.
The play received its world premiere at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round, Scarborough, on 30 May 1985 and has been acclaimed as one of his most powerful plays. To this day it stands as a turning point in his writing career. It transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre, London with Julia Mckenzie in the leading role.
Described as a “razor sharp” comedy, ”Woman in Mind" was the last play written by Alan Ayckbourn before his two-year sabbatical at the Royal National Theatre.
The play received its world premiere at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Round, Scarborough, on 30 May 1985 and has been acclaimed as one of his most powerful plays. To this day it stands as a turning point in his writing career. It transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre, London with Julia Mckenzie in the leading role.
Amanda Whiteford as Susan with Brian Williams playing her husband
The leading role this time around is to be played by Lindisfarne newcomer, Amanda Whiteford. Amanda, however, is no stranger to performing in Southend. She has come to Lindisfarne directly from sell out performances of Southend Shakespeare Company’s The Merchant of Venice just a few weeks ago, where she played the title role as Antonia. I ask Amanda how she has found the quick turnaround. “I was fortunate that in Merchant I wasn’t on stage all the time and so it was easier to learn the lines.” “This one, I am constantly on stage so it has been a lot tougher,” she just about manages to inform me before she’s whisked away to begin rehearsing.
Her character, Susan, is trapped in a loveless marriage to a smug vicar, played by Brian Williams, and a son, Ben Smerdon, who is estranged from her. Following a minor accident with a garden rake, her mind starts to conjure up the perfect fantasy family. But the line between imagination and reality soon becomes alarmingly blurred.
Completing the cast are Nicholas Jacobs as Bill, the doctor, Maggie Hooper as Muriel, Kevin Lehane as Andy, Alan Thorley as Tony and Leah-May Keeble as Lucy - all of whom are newcomers to the Lindisfarne group.
Her character, Susan, is trapped in a loveless marriage to a smug vicar, played by Brian Williams, and a son, Ben Smerdon, who is estranged from her. Following a minor accident with a garden rake, her mind starts to conjure up the perfect fantasy family. But the line between imagination and reality soon becomes alarmingly blurred.
Completing the cast are Nicholas Jacobs as Bill, the doctor, Maggie Hooper as Muriel, Kevin Lehane as Andy, Alan Thorley as Tony and Leah-May Keeble as Lucy - all of whom are newcomers to the Lindisfarne group.
The cast of A Woman In Mind by Alan Ayckbourn
Ben Smerdon appeared in Accrington Pals with the group last year, however, and brought along his fiancé Leah-May to audition for this production. Leah tells me that this will be the fifth production that they have appeared in together having just completed a run of Hairspray at The Palace. They have previously been in The Witches and The Ladykillers with Nineteen12 Productions and Love Begins at 50 with Plays for Laughs which also happens to be Maggie Hooper’s production company.
Maggie came into the production at fairly short notice when the part of Muriel came up for grabs after original cast member, Lynda Belt had an emergency dash to Australia to look after her son when he suddenly became ill. Fortunately all is well now; her son is making a speedy recovery and she is back and in charge of Props with Dave Smith Stage Managing and Roy Turner assisting backstage.
Maggie came into the production at fairly short notice when the part of Muriel came up for grabs after original cast member, Lynda Belt had an emergency dash to Australia to look after her son when he suddenly became ill. Fortunately all is well now; her son is making a speedy recovery and she is back and in charge of Props with Dave Smith Stage Managing and Roy Turner assisting backstage.
Ben Smerdon
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Leah-May Keeble
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Keeping things in the family somewhat, director Graham Smerdon also happens to be Ben’s granddad, although it would seem that Ben doesn’t get away with anything because of this connection.
Alan Thorley who plays Tony says, “I’m really enjoying being in this production. It’s a great play and it’s also nice to be working with Amanda again.” Alan met Amanda 4 years ago when they performed together in a play called I Make Alive staged at The Dixon Studio. Since then they have both been involved in the Essex Writers Festival which produces a huge amount of new writing talent every year.
Kevin Lehane brings with him some experience from Southend Shakespeare Company as well as East Essex Players and was also a member of the Westcliff Operatic Society. He informs me that he’s been really enjoying being part of this production and would definitely like to perform with Lindisfarne again.
Brian Williams tells me with a wink, “I’ve been typecast again!” He’s playing the grumpy husband. “If you want a miserable old git, I’m your man.” he chuckles.
This intelligent play charts, without sentimentality or heartless irony, a middle aged woman’s descent into psychosis.
Some would say that this is Ayckbourn’s most personal play, possibly based on his own mother’s experience. We see the gradual collapse of Susan, through her own eyes. Starved of affectionate companionship and understanding love by a boring husband and a son who appears to be ashamed of her. Susan conjures up an imaginary ideal family who came to her idyllic, but also imagined, garden.
Alan Thorley who plays Tony says, “I’m really enjoying being in this production. It’s a great play and it’s also nice to be working with Amanda again.” Alan met Amanda 4 years ago when they performed together in a play called I Make Alive staged at The Dixon Studio. Since then they have both been involved in the Essex Writers Festival which produces a huge amount of new writing talent every year.
Kevin Lehane brings with him some experience from Southend Shakespeare Company as well as East Essex Players and was also a member of the Westcliff Operatic Society. He informs me that he’s been really enjoying being part of this production and would definitely like to perform with Lindisfarne again.
Brian Williams tells me with a wink, “I’ve been typecast again!” He’s playing the grumpy husband. “If you want a miserable old git, I’m your man.” he chuckles.
This intelligent play charts, without sentimentality or heartless irony, a middle aged woman’s descent into psychosis.
Some would say that this is Ayckbourn’s most personal play, possibly based on his own mother’s experience. We see the gradual collapse of Susan, through her own eyes. Starved of affectionate companionship and understanding love by a boring husband and a son who appears to be ashamed of her. Susan conjures up an imaginary ideal family who came to her idyllic, but also imagined, garden.
The cast in rehearsal
click picture to enlarge
click picture to enlarge
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www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Tickets £13.00 Concessions £11.00
A £1.50 per ticket booking fee applies, capped at four per order. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Tickets £13.00 Concessions £11.00
A £1.50 per ticket booking fee applies, capped at four per order. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.