CHRISTMAS is over now and with it HHTC’s colourful panto at the Boxmoor Playhouse , which surely added a touch of festive sparkle to the dozens of Brownies, Rainbows and Guides, not to mention a party from the Boxmoor Good Neighbours and, of course, the many lovely families, who came to see our Cinderella.
Colourful costumes – including an amazing ‘transformation dress’ for Cinders, a fairy lit magic coach, ingenious, hand-painted sets, a seemingly endless list of props and a REALLY messy scene for the Ugly Sisters – helped the enthusiastic cast of adults and children to present the companies’ usual fresh and energised show.
But all that is over now and work is already underway on our Spring production, Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy Bedroom Farce, which will go onstage from March 26 – 29 with a matinee on the Saturday.
The play takes place in the bedrooms of three married couples during one, long night. Ernest and Delia are celebrating their wedding anniversary after many years of marriage; Malcolm and Kate are gearing up to host a party in their new ‘love nest’ while Nick and Jan are trying to cope with Nick’s recent back injury which has left him stuck in bed.
Each couple’s relationship has its problems and they are all tested when Trevor and Susannah’s dysfunctional marital issues are inflicted on them…in their own bedrooms!
It’s hilarious, funny and fast-paced, as is so much of Ayckbourn’s work, and will really be something to look forward to as you wrestle your way through the winter weather.
“We had fantastic auditions,” says director Mariam Gaballa Gill. “We had a large number of people to consider, who gave me very different versions of each character and it was fascinating, opening my eyes to possibilities I hadn’t considered. In the end it came down to the big picture – fitting people together and forming a cohesive cast. I’m very excited!”
And Bedroom Farce is not the only thing going on at the Boxmoor Playhouse just now. January is the month of auditions for Sister Act, HHTC’s next musical, which is scheduled for the end of June 2025. More about that next month!
