From the Directors Chair

Some of you may be familiar with Ray Cooney's comedy plays but whether you are or not really makes no difference because they are such a delight. "Caught in the Net" is the sequel to "Run for your Wife" and remains a firm favourite with both amateur and professional theatre groups. The play is somewhat complex because the stage has one set but it represents two distinctly different house miles apart and occupied by two families. The action takes place in both houses simultaneously presenting a very demanding time for all the actors involved. It is by no means an understatement that the cast and production team have had their work cut out for them with rehearsals being more than a little eventful right upto the curtain going up. To add complications to the process, not only have the team been working hard on rehearsals but they have also spent a considerable number of weekends and evenings installing a new sound and lighting system which was in use for the first time during this production. The Players are pleased to support the Milborne St Andrew Village Hall Trustees in improving and maintaining the facilities we enjoy the benefit from.

This was the first production that the Director Caroline Nobbs had not appeared on stage and she admitted to feeling a little strange in what was a new situation for her. Well done Caroline for an excellent production.

From the Programme

The Players have again found a hilarious comedy for their summer production. Caught in the Net is the sequel to Run For Your Wife and finds our bigamist taxi-driver, John Smith, keeping two families (one in Wimbledon and another in Streatham) happy and blissfully unaware of each others existence. However, his teenage children, one by each of the two wives, have met on the Internet and are determined to see each other in person, especially as it transpires that they have so much in common - same surname, taxi-driver dad of the same age, etc! When it dawns on John that they are about to met, he plunges into a hell-hole of his own making in order to keep them apart. His saviour could be Stanley, his lodger. Stanley is about to go on holiday with his decrepit old father, who turns up thinking he is already at the guest house. The ever-spiralling situation gets increasingly out of-hand as John busts a gut to juggle with the truth.

The cast were in fits of laughter from the first rehearsals and that contiued with our audiences during the two performances. Once again there was a packed house and the Players would like to take the opportunity of thanking all who supported us in the production.

Letters to the Milborne St Andrew's REPORTER Vol 1 Issue 8 October 2009.
www.milbornestandrew.org.uk/reporter

"Caught in the Net"
We thoroughly enjoyed the Players latest production of "Caught in the Net". The laughs were as fast coming as the lines and interactions between the cast.
We are indeed very fortunate to have so many talented folk of all ages living in the village that are willing to give of their time to entertain us so brilliantly.
Looking forward to the panto!

A Breath of Fresh Air
I would just like to thank everybody that participated in the latest Players production "Caught in the Net". What a fantastic job you did. From the opening line to the final curtain there was a smile on my face. With the present state of the country and the miserable weather at the moment, we all need something to make us laugh. The village hall rocked with laughter all the evening.
All the cast were brilliant, particularly Brian Parkinson who was a joy to watch. Definitely Milborne's answer to John Cleese!
It is a pity that all the work and talent that goes into producing a play of such quality only goes out to the public for two nights.
Well done to you all, it was a truly enjoyable evening. To all who did not see it you misse a rare treat. Get a ticket early for the next production so as not to be disappointed.

Names and addresses withheld

The Cast

Gavin - Gren Elphinestone-Davis
Vicki - Sally Potter
Barbara - Joanna South
Mary - Maureen Locke
John - Andy Coetzee
Stanley - Brian Parkinson
Dad - Bill Preston

The Crew

Director - Caroline Nobbs
Assistant Director/Stage Manager - Roy Sach
Lighting/Sound - Ian & Ron Karley
Set - Andy Coetzee
Prompt - Dot Karley
Box Office - Marion Regan
Props - Sid Coe
Front of House - Melva Coe & Team
Publicity & Advertising - Brian Parkinson, Caroline Nobbs & Jon Riddle

At both performances there was a chance to enjoy a pint of Dorset local brew courtesy of The Piddle Brewery.

We are pleased to announce that Piddle beer was on sale during both the performances.

Sponsors for this production

The Dorset Piddle Brewery, Brewers of traditional beers

Blanchard Baileys, Solicitors, Blandford Forum, Dorchester & Shaftesbury

Horrocks & Webb, Fine Jewellers, Blandford Forum

Rafffle prize contribution by Goulds Department Store, Dorchester