Frame Story

In a change to the published programme, June 30th brings us Frame Story by Joanne Bhouri.

"East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet…

It is 2010. Carl du Bois, once wunderkind auteur of 80’s epics – Dogs of War; Speedy Driver; Alien–ated; etc – is down on his luck. Fired from the studio following a run of turkeys, he hits on the idea of making one last film – a remake of El Cid.

"In search of funding, he and reluctant wife Sandra head out to the tiny North African state of Dharia to gain the friendship, trust, and, most importantly, the money of dictator President Azid Ben Amed.

"Against a backdrop of the Arab Spring and with washed-­‐up, ex-­‐alcoholic onetime film star Brandan Kennedy and pregnant girlfriend McCayla in tow, Carl sets out on his quest to create a truly special movie and realize his dream…"

7.30 at the Three Stags.

Winnie & Son

Last September Carmen Harris brought us Babylicious which proved to be a tremendous success. Now she's back with a tv comedy entitled Winnie and Son, which concerns "Winnie, a vagrant pensioner" who forges an unlikely alliance with "Sonny, an alcoholic suidical" type, "in a London squat of motherless souls".

 I may be wrong but it sounds like black comedy to me. Come along to the Three Stags on Monday 23rd to find out. The usual time, 7.30.

Back For More

Monday 16th June brings us a radio comedy by new writer Michael Barry.

"Charles Fraser M.P. relishes every moment of his life, and finds he is perfectly  placed as a Government minister to find ways to feed his large appetites for sex, food, and money.

It's a job to die for...and then come back for more?"

7.30 at the Three Stags.

Chris Campbell Speaks & Ping Pong

Can it really be more than four years since Chris Campbell last came to give us a talk? Seems so. Last time, he was the Literary Manager for the Royal National Theatre, where, among other things, he said they read every script that was sent there way. Do they operate such a regime at the Royal Court, where Chris now works? Come along on Monday at 7.30 to find out.

Then, after you've hit him with your questions and loaded him with scripts, there will be a short play by Eddie Coleman.

"Tanya wants to improve her game while Simone just wants to watch EastEnders. Walter thinks he’s a champion while Mark fears he’ll never be one. Ping Pong – a comic tale of teenagers, tantrums and table tennis."

Thus far I'm with Tanya.

The Three Stags. June 9th.

Mr. Tarling

After a longer than usual break, P-P is back on June 2nd, with a stage play by one of our most distinguished writers, Peter McKelvey.

"Mr. Tarling is old and lives alone. He pines for his late wife and all that he has lost, but he does not surrender. Instead he makes his situation work. Without moving out of his home his life picks up, and becomes, disturbingly, truly alive again".

Sounds tantalising.

Monday, 7.30 at the Three Stags.

Back in June

Owing to a double booking the scheduled May 19th reading of Pawn Free by Eddie Coleman has had to be postponed. And the following Monday 26th is a bank holiday. But we shall be back on June 2nd.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Daddy's Girl and The Key

After the short break we resume on Monday May 12th with a double bill by a pair of P-P writer/actor veterans. First up is a piece by Napoleon Ryan. Napoleon left us to try and find fame and fortune in Hollywood a couple of years ago, but in between mixing with George Clooney and Ms Angelina Jolie, he's found time to scribe Daddy's Girl:

'Eric loves his new girlfriend.  Her father, Hank, has a way to make sure.  When Eric gets a tour of Hank's secret cellar, making a good first impression is the least of his worries.'  

The play is inspired by a  friend's anecdote about meeting their ex-girlfriend's father and his arsenal of weapons.

There is short break for discussion and the consumption of alcohol, followed by A Key Thing, by Lynne O'Sullivan. Lynne has been very busy of late, what with appearing in Tartuffe at the Tower Theatre Company. Says Lynne:

A Key Thing is a short romantic drama.  Danny, fresh out of prison arrives at the house of  his piano tutor, Jennifer, with whom he once had a brief affair. It’s as if no time has passed for Danny who has spent the last three years planning this reunion. But life seems to have moved on for Jennifer - or has it....?

7.30 at the Three Stags.