| 26th – 31st October 2009 |
By Daphne du Maurier Directed by Val Young |
In her Cornish cottage, the beautiful, widowed Stella meets her new son-in-law, Evan. As the turbulent September tides batter the coastline around them, their relationship deepens. Soon they are swept along by a conflict between generations and the responsibilities of love.
| Cast | Crew | |||||||
| Robert | Will Harris | Set Designer | Robin Young | |||||
| Mrs. Tucket | Rosalind Heath | Set Construction | Alan Croft & The | |||||
| Cherry Davies | Fiona Radford | Chipstead Players | ||||||
| Evan Davies | Lewis Wilmott | Construction Team | ||||||
| Stella Martyn | Anne-Marie Carlile | Stage Manager | Colin Edgerton | |||||
| Jimmy Martyn | Alex Marrow | Lighting | Jeff Stone & | |||||
| Jonathan Laverock | ||||||||
| Sound | Mel Morgan | |||||||
| Properties & Furniture | Jo Hopkins, | |||||||
| Clare Sparshatt & | ||||||||
| Pat Harris | ||||||||
| Wardrobe | Margaret Ramsdale & | |||||||
| Roz Hayes | ||||||||
| Make-up & Hair | Fay Whitmore | |||||||
| Prompt | Sue Peerless | |||||||
| Production Assistant | Mary Morgan | |||||||
| Additional credits: | ||||||||
|
||||||||
| 10th – 12th September 2009 |
By Judith Johnson Directed by Lesley Parker |
It’s almost midnight and the spooky stories being told at Kal’s birthday sleepover are getting boring. But what about the empty house down the road? The one where someone died. The one where the man kept a monkey. It’s a place where your fears have to be faced, until an unlikely hero comes forward.
| Cast | Crew | |||
| Kal | Sully Pearson | Production Manager | Edwina Marrow | |
| Mal | Charlie Bond | Set Construction | Nick Gane & The | |
| Ro | Ben Marrow | Chipstead Players | ||
| Tilly | Sophie Hazel | Construction Crew | ||
| Jaz | Georgia Pearson | Stage Manager | Robert Bradshaw | |
| Boff | Charlie Mabbutt | Mentor | Nick Gane | |
| Lou | Molly Rose | Choreography | Lesley Parker & | |
| Monkey | Jordan Crabtree | Robyn Parker | ||
| Scary Man & | Charlie Crowther- | Photography | Robyn Parker | |
| Nightwatchman | Smith | Props | Abigail Marrow | |
| Clowns | Maria Gallagher, | Costumes | Grace Mander & | |
| Katie Thompson & | Amy Pinder-Hales | |||
| Eleanor Percival | Mentors | Pat Andrews & | ||
| Vampires | Ellie Jones, | Roz Hayes | ||
| Katherine Mill, | Lighting | Ollie Hall | ||
| Benita Murphy & | Mentors | Graham House & | ||
| Remi Jones | Jonathan Laverock | |||
| Jaz’ dead mum | Edwina Marrow | Sound | Rosie Jones & | |
| Glyn Jones | ||||
| Backstage | Lewis Khan & | |||
| Lewis Hayes | ||||
| Make-up | Molly Hopkins, | |||
| Grace Mander & | ||||
| Amy Pinder-Hales | ||||
| Review: | By Diana Eccleston of The Croydon Advertiser |
The combination of youngsters who set their minds to something and really concentrate plus an imaginative director working on a compelling script can be magic.
That was the case with this unusual piece, written by Judith Johnson and directed by Lesley Parker.
With nods in the directions of Psycho and To Kill a Mockingbird (both featuring oddballs who live alone in scary houses), this play involved a bunch of kids having a sleep over and spooking each other out telling ghostly stories. They egg each other on to go and explore a nearby scary house and meet a character who makes them confront their deepest, darkest fears.
The acting of the young cast ’ mostly around 10 and 11 years old ’ was mature beyond their years as they brought understanding and humour to their roles.
Sully Pearson as Kal was the sparky focal point, very assured and putting on a brave face to the very end.
Charlie Mabbutt’s Boff was the sensible one and I loved his characterisation. This boy knows how to punch home a funny line.
Rest of the gang were Charlie Bond, Ben Marrow, Sophie Hazel and Georgie Pearson, all really entering into the spirit of the play though not as petrified of Charlie Crowther-Smith’s threatening stranger as they ought to have been.
And what were the kids’ fears? A trio of clowns (Maria Gallagher, Katie Thompson and Eleanor Pervical), vampires dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller (Ellie Jones, Katherine Mill, Benita Murphy and Remi Jones) as well as Edwina Marrow, white faced and emerging from her coffin as a dead mother.
Molly Rose as Kal’s intrepid little sister Lou and Jordan Crabtree as a manic monkey completed the line-up. A big well done to everyone.
| Review: | By Oliver Cownden of The Surrey Mirror |
As the night draws in, they all tell a scary story to frighten the living daylights out of one another.
Kal, played by Sully Pearson, tells the story of an old derelict house said to be haunted by the ghost of a man who once lived there with his ageing mother and pet monkey. Kal challenges his friends to sneak into the haunted house to show they are not scared.
What indeed is impressive with Chipstead Players Youth Theatre is that many of the production team are also made up of the younger members of the group – the lighting and sound was indeed a highlight of the production.
The functional set was well put together and conveyed both Kal’s lounge at the front of the set and the old house at the back on a raised stage. The props were excellent and were used to good effect especially in the opening scene where the actors shone torches into their faces to scare their friends.
Pearson as Kal gave a charismatic performance and had a stage presence beyond his years.
It has to be said that all of the children from the large cast gave a good performance. I particularly enjoyed Charlie Mabbutt’s performance as Boff who injected both humour and pace in the play, noticeable on the couple of occasions when the pace dropped.
Molly Rose as Lou gave a confident performance and was amusing when she had the stage to herself.
The only adult in the production was Charlie Crowther-Smith who seemed to play with great relish the part of the scary man and night watchman. Jordan Crabtree as the Monkey used the stage well and was fun to watch.
The stage came to life when an assortment of clowns and vampires came on stage to play on the characters nightmares. The choreography in these scenes was strong and the costumes and make up excellent.
If I were to offer any constructive criticism it would be that on occasion several of the actors would have benefited with a slower delivery of their lines and to project their voices better. However this did not detract from a fine performance and director Lesley Parker and her team should be congratulated for putting together a most enjoyable play.
|
15th – 20th June 2009 |
By John Dighton Directed by Pamela Jarrad |
The war may be over, but life is far from normal at Hilary Hall boys’ preparatory when it is ordered by bungling officials to take in those attending the bomb-damaged St. Swithin’s. They’re GIRLS!! How will the heads keep the pupils apart, let alone an inspecting team of governors and an unexpected delegation of parents? A rousing finish to our wartime season from the writer of many Ealing comedies.
| Cast | Crew | |||
| Dick Tassell | Michael Rahman | Set design | Miles Ruffy | |
| Rainbow | Andy Wiggins | Stage Manager | Jeff Stone | |
| Rupert Billings | Glyn Jones | Set Construction | Mel Morgan & The | |
| Godfrey Pond | Colin Edgerton | Chipstead Players | ||
| Miss Whitchurch | Maggie Taverner | Construction Crew | ||
| Miss Gossage | Lauren Milsom | Lighting & Sound | Don Hindle & | |
| Hopcroft Minor | Daniel Baty | John Gallagher | ||
| Barbara Cahoun | Charlotte Morris | Furniture | Clare Sparshatt & | |
| Miss Harper | Fiona Radford | Anne Hopkins | ||
| Rev. Edward Peck | Nick Gane | Props | Delia Lord, | |
| Mrs. Peck | Jennifer Catley | Pauline Beckley & | ||
| Edgar Sowter | Alex Greenslade | Margaret Ramsdale | ||
| Mrs. Sowter | Jan Robinson | Wardrobe | Pat Andrews & | |
| Margaret Palmer | ||||
| Hair & Make Up | Fay Whitmore | |||
| Prompt | Pauline Beckley | |||
| Production Managers | Linda Hall & | |||
| Christine Earp | ||||
Click on an image
to enlarge it
| Review: | By Oliver Cowndon of The Surrey Mirror |
The play is set in the masters’ common room at Hilary Hall School for Boys.
Set designer Myles Ruffy did not disappoint – the standard was as high as any play I have seen at The Courtyard Theatre. A convincing set: you could almost smell the chalk dust. Lighting and sound by Don Hindle and John Gallagher complemented the performance well.
It is the start of a new school term at the school, the first after the Second World War.
Chaos soon descends however, as the staff and pupils of St Swithins Girls' School are billeted at the boys’ school – the headmaster was not expecting this at all.
The pace at the beginning of the play was at times laboured; however this soon changed when Lauren Milsom came on stage as the effervescent Miss Gossage.
For me, she took the acting honours on the night. She earned every laugh from the appreciative audience and her sense of timing, stagecraft and ‘jolly hockey sticks’ manner were reminiscent of a young Joyce Grenfell.
Collin Edgerton was convincing as the headmaster Godfrey Pond – he projected his voice and played the comedy of his part well.
Maggie Taverner as the headmistress of St Swithins, Miss Whitchurch, was perfectly cast as was Andy Wiggins as the school caretaker, Rainbow. Their sense of comic timing and facial expressions at the absurdity of the plot were a joy to watch.
Glyn Jones as male teacher Rupert Billings delivered his acerbic lines in a deadpan manner, perfect for the part. A strong performance from an actor with real stage presence.
Michael Rahman and Fiona Radford as the play’s love interest, Dick Tassell and Miss Harper, delivered the awkwardness of their parts well.
Daniel Baty and Charlotte Morris as the schoolchildren were a fine addition to the cast. Baty had a good sense of mischief about him and delivered his lines well. Morris also gave a good performance. Both actors were well cast.
Director Pam Jarrard should be congratulated for delivering a polished performance from her large and able cast.
|
22nd – 25th April 2009 (Part of a double-bill with "Chatroom") |
By Tony Horitz Directed by Ian Brown |
"You, Me and Mrs. Jones" centres on two unemployed teenagers who are sent on a mission to find "heroes" fit to "save the day". In their quest they encounter a hotch-potch of humanity – violent street gangs, cranky religious sects, unscrupulous pop groups, television characters and even a family of vagrants. Surprisingly, it is in this final encouter that they find their "hero" in the elusive Mrs. Jones.
| Cast | |
| Nobody and Somebody | Lewis Khan |
| No one and someone | Rosie Jones |
| Jack, Arthur, Nick Bethjain, Police Officer | Robert Bradshaw |
| Zap, Electric Crusader, Hoodlum | Ben Marrow |
| Pow, Cat Girl | Hope Elsdon |
| Crunch, TV Announcer, Crutch, Girlfriend, Council Official | Grace Mander |
| Wham, TV Presenter | Abigail Marrow |
| Bam, TV Presenter | Felicity Carr |
| Thump, Fan, Photographer, Landlady | Georgia Pearson |
| Legless Lenny, Mr. Jones | Dan Baty |
| Lena, TV Announcer, Mother | Rachel Reeve |
| McConnemmall, Thunder Woman | Amy Pinder-Hales |
| Leader of the Booties, Boy | Josh Morris |
| Fan, Photographer, Girl | Kelly Burke |
| Fan, TV Announcer, Guinevere, Police Officer | Benita Murphy |
| Bouncer, Catering Manageress | Brianna Daniels |
| Superflash Gordon, Hoodlum | Gus van Manen |
| TV Announcer, Itchy, Mrs. Jones | Mary Burke |
| Lancelot, TV Presenter, Employment Officer | Lewis Hayes |
| Girl in Trouble, Girl | Elisabeth Archer |
| Production Crew | |
| Set design | Anna Sparshatt |
| Production Managers | Vicky van Manen |
| Edwina Marrow | |
| Stage Manager | Alex Marrow |
| Lighting | Christina Lemon |
| Spotlights | Ellie Jones |
| James Mabbutt | |
| Lucy Bennett | |
| Sound | Anna Sparshatt |
| Wardrobe | Julia Jones |
| Properties | Carole Morris |
| Charlotte Morris | |
| Frances Loosley | |
| Backstage | Sullivan Pearson |
| Junior Front of House | Jordan Crabtree |
| Mentors | Nick Gane |
| Graham House | |
| Jonathan Laverock | |
| Jeff Stone | |
| Jacqui Burke | |
Click on an image
to enlarge it
| Review: | By Diana Eccleston of The Croydon Advertiser |
Young members of the Chipstead Junior Players often appear in senior productions but in this double bill showed they can entertain all by themselves.
"You, Me and Mrs. Jones" was written by young performers in Bournemouth and featured a cast of 20 actors where two bored kids are sent on the search for a hero by a mysterious character who lives in a dustbin.
This was a fun piece with a message, as they encountered a violent gang, crazy religious cult and fraudulent pop group before finding a homeless mother who has stolen bread for her children yet offers to share it.
Lewis Khan was a vibrant and strong focal point as Nobody with Rosie Jones a rather sweet and dizzy side-kick as No-one, who by the end of the play have discovered they are actually Somebody and Someone.
Among the legion of oddball folk they met on their travels I liked Josh Morris as the exuberant fake preacher, Robert Bradshaw as Jack in the Bin doubling as the mysterious TV poet Nick Bethjain and the people the friends see on the TV – the parody of the children's programme presenters by Felicity Carr and Abigail Marrow, and the battle over Guinevere between very funny Lewis Hayes and Robert Bradshaw (again!) as Lancelot and Arthur.
|
22nd – 25th April 2009 (Part of a double-bill with "You, Me and Mrs. Jones") |
By Enda Walsh Directed by Lauren Milsom |
We’re in cyberspace, watching six 15 year-olds play out their fantasy lives in online chat rooms which lie beyond adult control. Here, social masks are dropped and insecurities exposed. Strong personal emotions and shifting alliances lead to disturbing manipulation and the ultimate act of teenage rebellion. Edgy and exciting theatre from the team who brought you the award-winning "100" in 2006.
| Cast | |
| William | Alex Marrow |
| Eva | Katie Milsom |
| Jim | Alex Clark |
| Emily | Molly Hopkins |
| Jack | James Mabbutt |
| Laura | Lucy Bennett |
| Production Crew | |
| Assistant Director | Jo Hopkins |
| Lighting and Technical Design | Graham House |
| Jonathan Laverock | |
| Set Construction | Nick Gane |
| Set Design & Wardrobe | Anna Sparshatt |
| Production Manager | Edwina Marrow |
| Stage Manager | Katherine Sparshatt |
| Lighting | Christina Lemon |
| Sound | Gus van Manen |
| Spotlights | Abigail Marrow |
| Ben Marrow | |
| Backstage | Jonathan Land |
Click on an image
to enlarge it
| Review: | By Diana Eccleston of The Croydon Advertiser |
"Chatroom" showed six 15 year olds in unsupervised online chatrooms where all the dangers of communicating with strangers were exposed. The cast of six were excellent and believable, speaking to the audience the thoughts they would have sent online. Their pace and timing were notably good.
Alex Marrow was the clever persuasive, manipulative bully with Alex Clark as the sad boy with family issues who is contemplating suicide. Great work too from Lucy Bennett as the voice of reason, Katie Milsom as the thoughtless bitch, Molly Hopkins and James Mabbutt as caring listeners who get caught up in the story.
Clever bits of video film worked well with both plays.
| Review: | By Oliver Cownden of The Surrey Mirror |
The Surrey Mirror's reviews are now published on their website; at their request, copies of their reviews will no longer appear on this page.
Please follow this link to read Oliver Cownden’s review of both "You. Me and Mrs. Jones" and "Chatroom" (opens in a new window).
| 2nd – 7th March 2009 |
By David Haig Directed by Maggie May |
Rudyard Kipling – not just the writer of The Jungle Books but also respected for his war journalism and regimental histories – is adamant: his cripplingly short-sighted son, Jack, must sign up despite having been rejected twice by the Army. Family tensions explode when Jack is posted missing. Then, two desperate years later, they learn the truth. Based on fact, the play confronts the question of whether the end ever justifies the means.
| Cast | Crew | |||
| Rudyard Kipling | Chris Butler | Set design | Alan Croft | |
| Carrie Kipling | Kirsty Cunnington | Set Construction | David Franks & the | |
| Jack Kipling | Alex Marrow | Chipstead Players | ||
| Elsie Kipling | Sarah Perry | Construction Crew | ||
| Guardsman Bowe | Nick Foster | Stage Managers | Colin Edgerton & | |
| Guardsman McHugh | Steven Jacobs | Philip Laughton | ||
| Guardsman Doyle | Brian Jerome | Lighting | Graham House | |
| Major Sparks & | Don Hindle | Sound | Mike Dyson | |
| Mr. Frankland | Furniture | Clare Sparshatt | ||
| Col. Rory Pottle | Charlie Crowther- | Properties | Jill Kiss & | |
| Smith | Anne Franks | |||
| Wardrobe | Audrey Simpson & | |||
| Liz Lockhart-Mure | ||||
| Production Manager | Jennifer Catley | |||
| Prompt | Margaret Ramsdale | |||
| Music selection | David Kay | |||
| Review: | By Theo Spring of The Croydon Advertiser |
Deserved applause greeted the set as the curtain rose transforming the stage from the slide projection of the outside of Batemans, the home of Rudyard Kipling, to the wood panelled room within.
Designer Alan Croft had solved the setting of other scenes with large fold-out flats, particularly well dressed for the dug out at the Western Front in September 1915.
David Haig’s emotional play is based on Kipling’s young son Jack whose bad eyesight got him rejected from enlisting until Kipling called in a favour from an army VIP, so still only in his late teens Jack was responsible for leading men into battle. Heavy rain, smoke, dust and realistically loud explosions fill the air, but Mike Dyson's rain recording literally drowned out much of the dug out discourse on Monday evening which I do hope was rectified for the rest of the run.
Chris Butler shouldered the major role of Kipling, giving a sense of both the family man and his wider beliefs as he felt he was doing his best in getting Jack a commission, regardless of his wife Carrie's pleas to let the boy serve where his eyesight would not be a problem. Kirsty Cunnington’s Carrie, the family’s organiser, showed her difficulty with her powerlessness over husband and son’s determination. Alex Marrow made a splendid Jack – deferential up to a point but trying to become his own man, and Sarah Perry as his sister Elsie was more feisty with her father, bringing a conspiratorial air to her conversations with Jack.
The difficult job of creating the atmosphere of the dug out fell to Guardsmen Bowe, McHugh and Doyle (Nick Foster, Steven Jacobs and Brian Jerome) who had worked hard to recreate the climate of bravado alternating with palpable fear.
Don Hindle and Charlie Crowther-Smith added small army cameo roles.
Audrey Simpson and Liz Lockhart-Mure had sourced accurate costumes and army uniforms which added much to the period mood.
Maggie May's thought-provoking production, which was the better for omitting the scene when childhood is remembered, had a most poignant ending and benefited greatly from the considerable efforts of a highly competent cast.
| Review: | By Tony Flook of The Surrey Mirror |
Please follow this link to read Tony Flook’s review of "My Boy Jack" (opens in a new window).
| 7th–11th & 14th–17th January 2009 |
By John Morley Directed by Brian Hart Musical direction by Steve Humphrys Choreography by Barbara Richardson |
All the fun, humour and drama of the 19th Century classic that sees an enchanted wooden puppet come to life, stumble as he discovers what it is to be a real boy, and finally triumph through his father’s unconditional love. A show filled with enchantment, songs, dance and laughter from the pen of the undoubted No. 1 author of Christmas shows.
| Cast | |
| Principals | |
| Pinnochio | Hope Elsdon |
| Old Gepetto | Warwick Beazley |
| The Blue Fairy | Amy Pinder-Hales |
| Mr. Cricket | Geoff Thorn |
| Mr. Antonio | Roy Pearson |
| Lampwick | Josh Morris |
| Mr. Fox | Lesley Parker |
| Mr. Cat | Lewis Hayes |
| The Mysterious Coachman | Nick Gane |
| Mr. Fire Eater | Sarah Pearson |
| The Circus Ringmaster | Glyn Jones |
| The High Court Judge | Peter van Manen |
| Harlequin | Eloise Massimo |
| Columbine | Elisabeth Archer |
|
Chorus (In alphabetical order) |
Dan Baty Katie Bignell Felicity Carr Jordan Crabtree Linda Crabtree Maria Gallagher Linda Hall Sophie Hazel Molly Hopkins Rosie Jones Lewis Khan Jonathon Land Frances Loosley Grace Mander India Marsh Katie Milsom Ellen Newman Georgia Pearson Eleanor Percival Charlie Ridge Megan Ridge Katie Thompson Gus van Manen Eimar Varndell |
| Musicians | |
| Piano | Steve Humphrys |
| Bass Guitar | Leigh McLean |
| Drums & Percussion | Dave Lock |
| Production Crew | |
| Stage Manager | Mel Morgan |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Nick Jones |
| Lighting | Kit Wisdom & John Gallagher |
| Sound | Olly Hall & Jeff Stone |
| Wardrobe | Roz Hayes, Pat Andrews, Julia Jones & Vicky van Manen |
| Properties | Anne Thorn, Mary Morgan, Carole Morris & Charlotte Morris |
| Set design & construction | Mel Morgan & The Chipstead Players Construction Crew |
| Scenic Artist | Linda Hornzee-Jones |
| Set Dressing | Anne Franks |
| Make Up | Fay Whitmore |
| Production Managers | Edwina Marrow & Sarah Percival |
| Spotlights | Ellie Jones, Joe Percival, Ben Gilbert & Christina Lemon |
Click on an image
to enlarge it
| Review: | By Diana Eccleston of The Croydon Advertiser |
What a wonderful treat this show was – just the thing to cheer you up amid the doom and gloom of the après-Christmas doldrums.
The story of the wooden puppet who, by finally proving himself to be brave and truthful, becomes a real little boy made a refreshing change from the usual festive fare.
Director Brian Hart’s production had all the right ingredients: well-chosen cast, beautiful sets of an almost professional standard, audience participation, a song sheet, live band and some great musical numbers. These ranged from Pink Floyd’s Another brick in the wall, sung by the excellent chorus of "schoolchildren", to some Abba and Disney favourites such as When you wish upon a star from the movie.
This show would fail if it didn’t have a strong player filling the title rôle and in Hope Elsdon it has a real little star. Her Pinnochio is funny, exuberant and ultimately rather touching.
Josh Morris as her chum Lampwick is a fine sidekick and another youthful performer, Amy Pinder-Hales, makes a pretty and assured Blue Fairy.
It always gives me pleasure to see young people doing well on stage and this show is a real standard-bearer in that department.
I liked Warwick Beazley’s genial Old Gepetto and Roy Pearson’s great cod Italian accent as his chum the policeman.
There were a few performers who really put me in mind of other stars. Was Geoff Thorn’s jolly green Mr. Cricket inspired by W.C. Fields? Was Glyn Jones’s Ringmaster inspired by John Cleese and his silly walks? And I know he couldn’t help it, but under that wig and with those specs, Peter van Manen as the opera-loving judge reminded me of Benny Hill.
They were all great, as was Lesley Parker as the vampy Mr. Fox in her satin skirt and fishnets, and Lewis Hayes as her wicked accomplice Mr. Cat.
You get a lot of villains for your money in this show, with Nick Gane as a weird old coachman and Sarah Pearson, absolutely marvellous as the puppet showman Mr. Fire Eater, encouraging lots of booing from the audience.
I loved this production: it made me smile, it made me laugh and it even made me join in with the song sheet. Well done and thank you Chipstead Players for a really fun night.
| Review: | By Derrick Graham of The Surrey Mirror |
Please follow this link to read Derrick Graham’s review of "Pinnochio" (opens in a new window).