Wednesday 27 January 2010

David Grindley

This coming Monday we have a guest speaker, the highly esteemed West End Director, David Grindley. His most well-known productions include:

The revival of “Abigail’s Party” at the Hampstead Theatre in 2002 which subsequently transferred to the New Ambassadors and Whitehall Theatres, and then toured nationally.

"Journey’s End” at the Comedy Theatre in 2004, plus subsequent transfers to the Playhouse, Duke of York’s and New Ambassadors, and two national tours.

“National Anthems” at the Old Vic in 2005 starring Kevin Spacey.

His current production, “Six Degrees of Separation”, has only just opened at the Old Vic. The press night was on 19th January, and the reviews on 20th January included the following:

“…. I felt that Six Degrees was worth the lively, absorbing revival that David Grindley has given it.”

Benedict Nightingale, The Times

“David Grindley’s stylish production …. is astutely timed.”

Daily Telegraph

“David Grindley’s production manages to pull all the strings together.”

The Guardian

It really is a huge honour to have such a busy and successful chap coming along on Monday. Thanks to Tony Diggle for sorting it out. Not only that, there's a shortish play Sweatbox by Lexy Howe. She's been a member for a while, directed in last year's showcase, and this, I believe, is her very first play. I've read it and liked it a lot.

So, do come along. Monday, Feb 1st, at the Green Man.

Tuesday 19 January 2010

A Morning with Guy Burgess

Guy Burgess has been played on stage, television and film more than any of the other spies of his era. Perhaps the most famous impersonation came in "An Englishman Abroad", with Alan Bates in the role by written by erstwhile P-P speaker Alan Bennett.



But let's not forget Anthony Hopkins, who gave his best in Blunt, a tv film from 1986.



Not to mention Tom Hollander, who played him in Cambridge Spies.



A hard act to follow? Not when you're as supertalented as Johnny Hansler. In a script from our Chairman John Morrison we have a cast that would do the National proud - Jackie Stirling, Phil Philmar, Daniel Dresner, Pete Picton, Niall-Spooner Harvey, Tim Gambrell, Silas Hawkins, and Anthea Courtenay playing such the likes of Kim Philby, Tom Driberg and Donald Maclean.

If you're not there at 7.45 next Monday, then you won't have the opportunity in years' to come of saying "I went to the very first reading of that, you know" at this lovely little pub called the Green Man.

Be there.

Thursday 14 January 2010

Competition Play-Off

What is says on the tin. Each term we have a competition, and the winner and runner-up go through to the final. This is the final. Six entries, one winner. There is also the added incentive that the winner automatically gets considered for the showcase. This innovation came in last year, and the winner, Bill Gordon's Too Many Queens did indeed get read at the King's Head in December.

Can lightning strike twice? Come along on Monday to find out.

7.45 at the Green Man.

UPDATE: And here are the results, as predicted!

Winner Sherlock Holmes and the Case of Bandages Bill Gordon 177

2 No Business Like It Phil Philmar 176

3 Parts for Male and Female Phil Philmar 172

4 Foolproof Lynne O’Sullivan 169

5 Cava, Niche & Drink It Tim Gambrell 168

6 Space for Love Martin Turay 131


Congratulations to all.

Tuesday 5 January 2010

Skin A Rabbit

I hope Santa brought you a whole bunch of goodies!

Yes we're back, on Monday 11th with a brand new play by one of our finest and most prolific writers, Peter Vincent. It's called Skin A Rabbit. I don't know what it's about, but assume it's a comedy. Anyway, the quality is bound to be high.

Here's how you do it.



7.45 at the Green Man. Be there.