Secondary Cause of Death
by Peter Gordon
The Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
4th February - 6th February 2016
by Peter Gordon
The Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
4th February - 6th February 2016
Peter Gordon's hilarious comedy, Secondary Cause of Death, is the second play of the Inspector Pratt trilogy which fabulously spoofs the Agatha Christie ‘whodunnit’ genre.
In this latest production, the rather inept and clumsy Inspector Pratt arrives at Bagshot House with grim news for Colonel Craddock, but that’s just the beginning. Who is the strange Polish Count? Is Henrietta really an army Captain? How does the eccentric thespian, Longfellow fit in to the equation? These are just some of the characters who make Pratt’s return a chaotic nightmare as the bodies pile higher and higher.
This touring version will be coming to Southend in its third week and not only is it starring Jeffrey Holland (Hi-de-Hi!, You Rang, M’Lord?, Oh, Doctor Beeching!), Judy Buxton (General Hospital, On the Up), David Callister (The Bill), David Janson (Get Some In, Keeping Up Appearances), and Michelle Morris (The Knock), it also stars in her professional acting debut (albeit by her own admittance - 'briefly'), Southend's very own........[insert drum roll]..... Megan Terry.
Megan has made many regular appearances in amateur productions since she was a youngster and has played some fabulous parts for Southend Shakespeare Company, Lindisfarne Players, The Players Theatre Co and East Essex Players to name but a few. She has played some fantastic parts such as Cordelia in King Lear with the SSC and Jo in A Taste of Honey for Lindisfarne Players as well as many other leading roles. Megan is now making her mark professionally with 'talkingScarlet' Productions and despite being in the middle of a busy technical/dress rehearsal, she managed to take some time out to have a quick chat with me.
All photo credits: Sean Dillow
So, Megan, how are you feeling with just days to go before your first professional appearance?
I'm feeling really good! I'm only on stage for a short amount of time so I spend the rest running around as ASM, making sure that everyone has their props and costume ready to go on.
How long have you had to rehearse?
We have had 2 weeks to rehearse. Most of the rehearsals were in Eastbourne (where we will be performing in March) but the Tech and Dress rehearsals both took place at The Haymarket Theatre in Basingstoke.
The play stars Jeffrey Holland and his wife, Judy Buxton as well as David Callister - have you picked up any tips or tricks from any of them?
Everyone in the Play is so lovely, Judy is so calm and relaxed all the time, Jeff has the most amazing booming voice on stage, and David Callister has so much energy both on and offstage which is fantastic .
I'm feeling really good! I'm only on stage for a short amount of time so I spend the rest running around as ASM, making sure that everyone has their props and costume ready to go on.
How long have you had to rehearse?
We have had 2 weeks to rehearse. Most of the rehearsals were in Eastbourne (where we will be performing in March) but the Tech and Dress rehearsals both took place at The Haymarket Theatre in Basingstoke.
The play stars Jeffrey Holland and his wife, Judy Buxton as well as David Callister - have you picked up any tips or tricks from any of them?
Everyone in the Play is so lovely, Judy is so calm and relaxed all the time, Jeff has the most amazing booming voice on stage, and David Callister has so much energy both on and offstage which is fantastic .
Have they given you any advice?
Not advice as such but we have had many discussions about plays that we have done. They have so many interesting stories.
Tell us what the play is all about?
So the play is a comedy about a Murder Mystery Evening that goes horribly wrong. It is like a very funny Agatha Christie.
Who is your character in the play?
I am playing the part of Martha Armstrong the Housekeeper.
The third leg of the tour is in Southend - how are you going to feel performing in front of a home crowd and who will be coming to see you?
I am so excited to be performing at home, I love the Palace Theatre and it is so familiar to me. I'm a bit nervous about how many of my friends and family already have tickets for it, I keep reminding them that I only have a few lines!
You’ve performed in lots of amateur plays - what would you say is your favourite role and why?
One of my favourite roles has to be Jo in A Taste of Honey. It was such a gritty part and I loved the character development. I would love to do it again in a bigger space and I think it would be fantastic to tour as there is such a small cast and its such a brilliant play.
What is your dream role/part?
My Dream Role would have to be Mimi in RENT, but I would love to play Lady Macbeth at some point in the future when I am older.
What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you on stage?
It was a few years ago, I was doing an Old Time Music Hall at the Palace Theatre and had a solo of "The Boy I Love is up in the Gallery" I got to near the end of the song which the lyrics went "There he is, Can't you see, Waving his handkerchief" and everyone in the audience started laughing. Because of the stage lights I could only see the front row, but I could hear the laughter. I had no idea what they were laughing at and became so paranoid, I suddenly had to look down to see if I was still wearing clothes. It was only after the show when an audience member approached me that I found out that there was a gentleman who had stood up in the stalls and started waving his hankie at me just like the lyrics said.
What do you think the main difference is between am dram and professional actors?
I think the main difference is that professional actors rehearse for 7-8 hours a day for a short space of time, whereas with am dram you can rehearse for months but only 2 evenings a week. I don't know about other professional companies but these guys were so good from day one. I feel safe being onstage with every one of them, they all know their lines and cues and have worked hard to make sure of that.
How long is the tour and do you have any plans for when it is finished?
No plans as of yet, but who knows!
Not advice as such but we have had many discussions about plays that we have done. They have so many interesting stories.
Tell us what the play is all about?
So the play is a comedy about a Murder Mystery Evening that goes horribly wrong. It is like a very funny Agatha Christie.
Who is your character in the play?
I am playing the part of Martha Armstrong the Housekeeper.
The third leg of the tour is in Southend - how are you going to feel performing in front of a home crowd and who will be coming to see you?
I am so excited to be performing at home, I love the Palace Theatre and it is so familiar to me. I'm a bit nervous about how many of my friends and family already have tickets for it, I keep reminding them that I only have a few lines!
You’ve performed in lots of amateur plays - what would you say is your favourite role and why?
One of my favourite roles has to be Jo in A Taste of Honey. It was such a gritty part and I loved the character development. I would love to do it again in a bigger space and I think it would be fantastic to tour as there is such a small cast and its such a brilliant play.
What is your dream role/part?
My Dream Role would have to be Mimi in RENT, but I would love to play Lady Macbeth at some point in the future when I am older.
What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you on stage?
It was a few years ago, I was doing an Old Time Music Hall at the Palace Theatre and had a solo of "The Boy I Love is up in the Gallery" I got to near the end of the song which the lyrics went "There he is, Can't you see, Waving his handkerchief" and everyone in the audience started laughing. Because of the stage lights I could only see the front row, but I could hear the laughter. I had no idea what they were laughing at and became so paranoid, I suddenly had to look down to see if I was still wearing clothes. It was only after the show when an audience member approached me that I found out that there was a gentleman who had stood up in the stalls and started waving his hankie at me just like the lyrics said.
What do you think the main difference is between am dram and professional actors?
I think the main difference is that professional actors rehearse for 7-8 hours a day for a short space of time, whereas with am dram you can rehearse for months but only 2 evenings a week. I don't know about other professional companies but these guys were so good from day one. I feel safe being onstage with every one of them, they all know their lines and cues and have worked hard to make sure of that.
How long is the tour and do you have any plans for when it is finished?
No plans as of yet, but who knows!
Having seen Megan perform many times, in fact I've actually appeared on stage with her a few times myself, I think it's safe to say that she certainly has the potential to go on to bigger and better things. In the meantime, we can't wait to see her up on the Palace Theatre stage where I think it goes without saying that she will be in her absolute element!
For tickets to see the play with Megan and the rest of the cast in Secondary Cause of Death please either call the box office on 01702 351135 or go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk Combination ticket can be purchased from the Box Office for Round and Round The Garden and Secondary Cause of Death. Combination Ticket can not be purchased via the website. A £1.50 per ticket booking fee applies, capped at six per order. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free. |
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29th January 2016