A Double Bill of One Act Plays
performed at
The Railway Hotel
Friday 29th and Saturday 30th June
7.30pm
£8.00 entry
performed at
The Railway Hotel
Friday 29th and Saturday 30th June
7.30pm
£8.00 entry
Southend am dram group, Lindisfarne Players, bring two original plays to Southend's Railway Hotel at the end of June. Both written by local playwright and Lindisfarne regular, Carol Hayes, who takes some time out to tell us a bit more about herself and the plays!
Check out our Q&A with the playwright, Carol below.....
Carol Hayes
1. We’ve seen you ‘performing’ in many plays in various am dram groups in the area, but can you tell us how long you’ve been ‘writing’ plays?
I started writing as a child - I used to compose my own versions of TV shows, and combine two shows, such as Hong Kong Phooey appears on Crackerjack!
2. How many plays have you written?
One every few years (it takes up some time!) - I’ve had 8 performed and many of them have won awards at festivals.
3. How long have you been a member of Lindisfarne?
Nearly 10 years - I joined for The Importance of Being Ernest, when I played Miss Prism.
4. Tell us about the two plays about that you’ve written for Lindisfarne to perform at The Railway at the end of the month.
See below *
5. Where did you get the ideas for the themes of the plays?
I get ideas for characters from observing people, and then I try to find a situation that brings those characters together.
6. Do you ever have actors in mind when it comes to certain characters in your plays?
I have been asked to write for particular actors, but when it comes to casting there are always changes! But it’s hard not to imagine certain actors speaking the lines.
7. Who is or are your writing influences - which playwright would you compare yourself to?
I love Alan Bennett. My style is perhaps more in the line of Victoria Wood or Richard Curtis.
8. You have two different directors for each of the plays - how hard is it to sit back and watch them interpret your plays and would you ever direct yourself?
I don’t think I’m cut out to be a director, but I have assisted the directors of these two plays and found that I was able to contribute with my views on the nuances of the script (some of the script is actually quite subtle, despite some of “boom-boom” punch lines.)
9. As an actor, can you tell us which roles you have enjoyed playing the most and why?
I love comedy most of all, but have a greater sense of achievement for some of the fabulous dramas I have been lucky enough to be involved in, such as The Deep Blue Sea, Dancing at Lughnasa, A Taste of Honey and Steel Magnolias.
10. Have you ever had any embarrassing moments on stage?
I choked on a marsh mallow in Daisy Pulls it Off and then fell backwards over the rostra, flashing my bloomers!
11. Are there any roles you would love to play in the future?
When I get old I want to play all Alan Bennett’s characters.
12. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
All the advice I failed to take, which is why I’m still a secretary and not a famous actress.
13. Why should people come and see these plays?
Because they’re really funny!
* More info re: question 4
“If I said you had a beautiful body…
THE CHOSEN FEW
Matchmaker Rosemary is hosting a speed-dating evening, supposedly not intending to participate until she sets her sights on Travis, the man with everything in his pocket but the kitchen sink. Find out what happens when Kayleigh, who pops in on her way to a night-club, livens up the evening with a drop of Vodka in the punch. A little loose-tongued, they all begin to reveal their secrets.....
…would you hold it against me?”
IDENTITY FLAWED
Lyla Lockhart and her brother Luke arrive at Craggs Bottom Hospital in Lancashire, where their mother has died unexpectedly. Whilst in a room with their mother’s body, they spend the time mocking the past and pondering the future. Wondering whether they will ever be released from the power of their mother’s influence, some surprising items among her effects lead them to believe she wasn’t the formidable character they had thought. This gives them courage, until they make a surprising discovery.....
I started writing as a child - I used to compose my own versions of TV shows, and combine two shows, such as Hong Kong Phooey appears on Crackerjack!
2. How many plays have you written?
One every few years (it takes up some time!) - I’ve had 8 performed and many of them have won awards at festivals.
3. How long have you been a member of Lindisfarne?
Nearly 10 years - I joined for The Importance of Being Ernest, when I played Miss Prism.
4. Tell us about the two plays about that you’ve written for Lindisfarne to perform at The Railway at the end of the month.
See below *
5. Where did you get the ideas for the themes of the plays?
I get ideas for characters from observing people, and then I try to find a situation that brings those characters together.
6. Do you ever have actors in mind when it comes to certain characters in your plays?
I have been asked to write for particular actors, but when it comes to casting there are always changes! But it’s hard not to imagine certain actors speaking the lines.
7. Who is or are your writing influences - which playwright would you compare yourself to?
I love Alan Bennett. My style is perhaps more in the line of Victoria Wood or Richard Curtis.
8. You have two different directors for each of the plays - how hard is it to sit back and watch them interpret your plays and would you ever direct yourself?
I don’t think I’m cut out to be a director, but I have assisted the directors of these two plays and found that I was able to contribute with my views on the nuances of the script (some of the script is actually quite subtle, despite some of “boom-boom” punch lines.)
9. As an actor, can you tell us which roles you have enjoyed playing the most and why?
I love comedy most of all, but have a greater sense of achievement for some of the fabulous dramas I have been lucky enough to be involved in, such as The Deep Blue Sea, Dancing at Lughnasa, A Taste of Honey and Steel Magnolias.
10. Have you ever had any embarrassing moments on stage?
I choked on a marsh mallow in Daisy Pulls it Off and then fell backwards over the rostra, flashing my bloomers!
11. Are there any roles you would love to play in the future?
When I get old I want to play all Alan Bennett’s characters.
12. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
All the advice I failed to take, which is why I’m still a secretary and not a famous actress.
13. Why should people come and see these plays?
Because they’re really funny!
* More info re: question 4
“If I said you had a beautiful body…
THE CHOSEN FEW
Matchmaker Rosemary is hosting a speed-dating evening, supposedly not intending to participate until she sets her sights on Travis, the man with everything in his pocket but the kitchen sink. Find out what happens when Kayleigh, who pops in on her way to a night-club, livens up the evening with a drop of Vodka in the punch. A little loose-tongued, they all begin to reveal their secrets.....
…would you hold it against me?”
IDENTITY FLAWED
Lyla Lockhart and her brother Luke arrive at Craggs Bottom Hospital in Lancashire, where their mother has died unexpectedly. Whilst in a room with their mother’s body, they spend the time mocking the past and pondering the future. Wondering whether they will ever be released from the power of their mother’s influence, some surprising items among her effects lead them to believe she wasn’t the formidable character they had thought. This gives them courage, until they make a surprising discovery.....
Director, Chris Linnat-Scott
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Director, Peter Nawrat
|
The cast in rehearsal
If anyone has a QR reader on their phone or tablet they can scan this which will take them directly to the Eventbrite site to buy tickets online.
Tickets are £8 plus a small booking fee and they will also be on sale on the door each night at £8.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/identity-flawed-and-the-chosen-few-tickets-44303712597?aff=ehomecard
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/identity-flawed-and-the-chosen-few-tickets-44303712597?aff=ehomecard