Tough Love

February 22nd brings us the long-awaited return of Alison Wilkie. Her last script for us, How Not to Change Your Boyfriend, was a rip-roaring success with the P-P public, and her new one, Tough Love, promises similar garlands. The log-line tells us that it's about:

"An idealistic social worker sets out to save her self-destructive boyfriend from himself…
And ends up saving herself".

Which sounds a bit Ken Loach to me. ( and not in a good way ). For a start, this is funny. The synopsis, which starts thusly, is a bit more user-friendly:

"Annabel, a feisty social worker at a homeless hostel and Barry, a dangerously handsome builder, are in love. And Barry doesn't drink (or take narcotics). Not for two whole years.

That is, not until their return to London from celebrating their engagement in Sri Lanka . …When Annabel's life falls apart. But desperate to have her boyfriend back (and now pregnant) Annabel sets about to save Barry from himself".

Read more here. You can even read the first twelve minutes too, as a taster. But do come along on Monday and judge for yourself.

7.45. The Green Man.

Sweatbox & The Hotel

I've never been inside a sauna, but I have been in a hotel. On Monday 15th, the P-P audience get to do both.

Two weeks ago a tsunami swept through the Green Man. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but it brought the evening to a swift ending, leading to the postponement of Sweatbox, just as the cast were gargling and changing into their costumes. But the show must go on! Instead of kicking the show into the summer, cast and crew have worked 24/7 to rearrange the programme and bring it in now.

So here we go again: Sweatbox, by Lexie Howe.

But what to double with it? Sweatbox is only half an hour long and we can't end the evening at a quarter to nine. So, phones were manned, emails were sent, and another new, short play, The Hotel, has been drafted in. This is by another P-P newcomer, Niall Boyce. Again, it's a two hander, and again it's a bit spooky.

Come to the Green Man on Monday to explore. Bring a raincoat.

Scenes From Childhood

Monday February 8th brings us a new play by multi-talented newcomer ( to us ) Andrew Bridgmont. Acting, playing the violin, writing, and growing a beard, there isn't much Andrew can't do. It's a two-hander, and the man who mentored it said it was one of the best things he had ever read for P-P. Coming from him that is high praise indeed.

I shall be there, and I trust you will be too.

7.45, at the Green Man.

Sweatbox Will Return

Last February we had to postpone a show because of the snow. This February we had to postpone one because of flooding. What'll happen next February? A plague of locusts?

Anyway, for those who were settling down with their popcorn before the tides broke there is good news. Sweatbox is still coming to P-P, in under a fortnight. This is because the previously scheduled piece, Franchise, by John Anderson, has been postponed to a later date. Sweatbox will now be doubled with Hotel, by another newcomer Niall Boyce. Check out the programme on the website, which has been updated to reflect the changes. More news will come, as and when we have it.

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.

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.

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.