Oldland Players/A Bunch of Amateurs

'A Bunch of Amateurs'
by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman

24th - 26th November 2022

Synopsis

Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood star Jefferson Steel arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford - only to find that this is not the birthplace of 'the Bard', but a sleepy Suffolk village. And, instead of Dame Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh, the cast are a bunch of amateurs trying to save their theatre from developers. As acting worlds collide, can Jefferson's monstrous ego be tamed? Can the show go on?

The Players
A Bunch of Amateurs
"I know when one is dead and when one lives; she's dead as earth"
Curtain call
"He's just joking Lauren. Theatrical badinage"
"Aaargh I believe you, I beleive you!"
"When thou doest ask me blessing, I'll kneel"
"Put on what weary negligence..."
"Listen Dorothy - this is all horseshit - you must know that!"
"Hiyaa!"
"This appaling lothario is a disgrace to the tradions of the amateur stage"
"You complete and utter arse"
"Jefferson!"
"OK Nigel! If that's the way you want it"
"Wait a minute. I've got a better idea... You're a lawyer Nigel, right?"
"Have you seen the size of the audience out there?"
"We can't keep the audience waiting any longer"
"I know a better cure for stage fright!"
"Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester."
"Come on Jessica, don't die on me!"
"Never mind; here goes!"
"They want me to play a maverick paramedic. Sort of 'House' meets 'The A Team'"
"We've been invited to transfer our production to Stratford, the real Straford, by the RSC"
"Of course I am; I'm Lear!"
Full cast and crew
Gallery

Cast

This amateur production of ''A Bunch of Amateurs" is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk

Dorothy Nettle (Ev Milker); Nigel Dewbury (Simon Crutchley); Mary Plunkett (Sarah Edwards); Denis Dobbins (Barry Pocock); Jefferson Steel (Stephen Coles); Lauren Bell (Natalie Brown); Jessica Steel (Kayi Nam)

Reporters: Vikie Meachin; Abby Williams; Rod Lovell

Director: Kit Muffett

Synopsis

The Players

A Bunch of Amateurs

"I know when one is dead and when one lives; she's dead as earth"

Curtain call

"He's just joking Lauren. Theatrical badinage"

"Aaargh I believe you, I beleive you!"

"When thou doest ask me blessing, I'll kneel"

"Put on what weary negligence..."

"Listen Dorothy - this is all horseshit - you must know that!"

"Hiyaa!"

"This appaling lothario is a disgrace to the tradions of the amateur stage"

"You complete and utter arse"

"Jefferson!"

"OK Nigel! If that's the way you want it"

"Wait a minute. I've got a better idea... You're a lawyer Nigel, right?"

"Have you seen the size of the audience out there?"

"We can't keep the audience waiting any longer"

"I know a better cure for stage fright!"

"Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester."

"Come on Jessica, don't die on me!"

"Never mind; here goes!"

"They want me to play a maverick paramedic. Sort of 'House' meets 'The A Team'"

"We've been invited to transfer our production to Stratford, the real Straford, by the RSC"

"Of course I am; I'm Lear!"

Full cast and crew

Gallery