Wargrave Theatre is thrilled to be bringing to the stage the popular comedy ‘A Bunch of Amateurs’ by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, directed by Ann Roberts.
Performances will be from 2nd to 5th April 2025 and tickets will go on sale from this website in mid-February.
The play is about a fading Hollywood ‘star’, Jefferson Steele who, keen to boost his flagging career, arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford – except it is not ‘upon Avon’ but a sleepy Suffolk village and instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench, the cast are a bunch of amateurs trying to save their ‘theatre’ from the developers. Jefferson’s monstrous ego and vanity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic am-dram thespians.
The play’s characters are as follows:
Jefferson Steel – a fading Hollywood star who is arrogant, insecure, brash, gauche, demanding, vulnerable and ultimately aware of his own absurdity.
Dorothy Nettle – director of the Stratford Players and the moving force behind keeping the theatre alive. Her sweet and accommodating manner conceals her inner steel.
Jessica Steel – Jefferson’s teenage daughter who has been neglected by her Hollywood star father and now wants to make him pay for it.
Nigel Dewbury – solicitor and leading light of the Stratford Players. Pompous, stuck-up and self-regarding, he believes he is the star of the show and should play all the leading roles. He also fancies his romantic chances with Dorothy.
Mary Plunkett – owner of the Rectory bed and breakfast. Jolly, generous and an unashamedly adoring Jefferson Steel fan – although somewhat confused about which roles he played in his films, and how keen he is on her.
Dennis Dobbins – handyman and village Mr Fixit. Avuncular though slightly dull. Dennis is star-struck by Jefferson and fancies heading up his entourage of one.
Lauren Bell – thirty-something marketing executive former physiotherapist and the sponsor’s wife. Passionate about the arts and smarter than her husband allows her to be, she’s treated as a bimbo because of her looks.
Journalists – several small speaking parts.
The play has been cast and rehearsals are getting fully underway now that our pantomime is out of the way.
Look out for further publicity and box office opening to ensure you don’t miss this exciting production.