Cinderella - January 2013

David Cumming

Banished to the kitchen by her wicked stepmother, stepsisters and easily manipulated father, Isabella's dreams of going to the royal ball are dashed. Renamed Cinderella, she is put to work by Sergeant Puff, she befriends kitchen boy Callum. Her wish of going to the ball is granted, but will she have the strength to beat her evil step-mother?

Calendar Girls - October 2012

Sara Curtis

Six members of the WI, following the death of dear friend John Clarke, decide to raise money for a settee for the Relative's Room of Skipton General Hospital and Leukaemia Research by posing nude for an Alternative WI Calendar. Little did they know what sort of attention this would bring.

Veronica's Room - May 2012

Dawn Symonds

Ira Levin is a master of the psychological thriller as you'll be aware if you've ever seen Rosemary's Baby or The Stepford Wives. Stephen King has described Levin as 'the Swiss watchmaker of suspense', whose gripping plots and multi-layered dialogue (think The Sixth Sense - it all adds up, but you may need to watch it again to see how!) have set the standard for edge-of-your seat drama for years. Veronica's Room opens with a young couple, Larry and Susan on their first date. They are approached at dinner by an elderly Irish couple, who are struck by Susan's resemblance to Veronica, the daughter of a wealthy family who they worked for thirty years earlier. They urge Susan to visit the house where they worked to see a photograph of Veronica and her room. They then make a strange request: would Susan put on Veronica's clothes and impersonate the dead girl to ease the troubled conscience of her one surviving relative? And so begin so begins a nightmare of terror with Susan not knowing what is real and what isn't.

'Allo 'Allo - October 2011

Directed by Sara Curtis

Based on the popular BBC sitcom written by the original writers Jeremy Lloyd and the late David Croft. Set in early WW2 in the little town of Nouvien, France, Rene Artois is the accidental hero who is hiding British Airmen for Michelle of the Resistance and the painting of 'The Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies' by van Klomp for the occupying Germans. On top of this he is trying to hide his affairs with his waitresses (Mimi and Yvette) from his wife Edith. Much fun and farce is to be had with this production and features many of your favourite characters and catchphrases.

Maskerade - May 2011

Directed by Mike Davison

By Terry Pratchett Adapted by Stephen Briggs Agnes Nitt want to be an opera singer, so she joins the Ankh Morpork City Opera House. But there is a ghost who has murderous intentions and it is up to Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg to help Agnes solve the mystery.

A Christmas Carol - January 2011

Directed by Meryl Keeble

Adapted by Karen Louise Hebden Ebenezer Scrooge is a heartless old man who has no regard for his clerk Bob Cratchitt. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by three spirits who show him the error of his ways.

She Stoops to Conquer - October 2011

Directed by Cathy Gill

By Oliver Goldsmith A comical farce full of disguises and practical jokes about a young girl who tries to gain a husband by disguising herself as a maid.

Do Not Go Gentle - April/May 2010

Directed by Dawn Symonds

Like the Da Vinci Code, our spring production, Do Not Go Gentle, contains a mystery in a picture or in this case, lots of pictures! Lillian's house is covered in bizarre murals and paintings. Thousands of eyes peer from the windows, and she's painted the walls with vivid scenes a playground shooting, a girl without a face, a Chinese dragon, to name just a few. Now Lillian is dead, can her family make sense of what she's done? As they gather to sort out her affairs, they are forced to question who their mother, aunt, and grandmother truly was. What do the pictures mean, that she couldn't say in words? Written by Suzan L Zeder, Do Not Go Gentle is a compelling piece of theatre. From the grievances, joys, disappointments and hopes of a 'normal' family, Zeder weaves a tale of self-discovery that is by turns shocking, intriguing and heart-warming. The cast have been raving about it since the first read-through! We are really excited to have Dawn Symonds - who many of you will know as one of Harleston Players' most energetic and talented actors directing this terrific play. And we think you'll be particularly excited by the performances of two youngsters Jake Williams and Naomi Clarke who are doing outstanding work in rehearsals.

Grimm Tales - January/February 2010

Directed by David Cumming and Gill Hawkes

An exciting collection of tales from the Brothers Grimm, adapted by Carol Ann Duffy. The large cast have taken on the challenge of playing several characters in stories ranging in length from 5 to 20 minutes. Using a minimum of props, everyone has embraced each play with enthusiasm and hard work.

Shakers - October 2009

Directed by Emma Matthews

The Odd Couple - May 2009

Directed by Sara Curtis

The original male version of The Odd Couple was a 1975 Broadway play by Neil Simon, followed by a successful film and television series. The plot concerns two mismatched roommates, one neat and uptight and the other more easy going but slovenly. Felix Ungar (Jack Lemmon) a neurotic, neat freak newswriter, is thrown out by his wife and moves in with his friend Oscar Madison (Walter Matthau), a messy sportswriter. The Odd Couple was revised by Neil Simon in 1985 for a female cast.......

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - January/February 2009

Directed by Cathy Gill (Asst. Dir. Mike Davison)

It is wartime and Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are four children evacuated to the country house of an old professor. Whilst playing hide-and-seek, Lucy passes through the back of an old wardrobe, and discovers the magical land of Narnia, where the White Witch has seized power over the fauns and beavers and mythical creatures and has cast a spell making it always winter, but never Christmas. The children soon discover that they must seek out the magnificent lion Aslan, and together set out on their perilous quest to destroy the witch and her minions, and free Narnia from her icy spell.

Brontë - October/November 2008

Directed by Yves Green

In the spring of 2003 the Players presented Jane Eyre, the first play in a trilogy devised and dramatised by Polly Teale, Associate Director for the extraordinary Shared Experience Theatre Company. Such was the creative experience of working on this type of physical and imaginative drama that I was delighted to be asked to direct Brontë, Teale's final work on this most famous literary family. 'How is it possible that three Victorian spinsters, living in isolation on the Yorkshire moors could have written some of the most powerful and passionate fiction of all time?' Brontë seeks to answer this question by dramatising, not only the lives of Charlotte, Emily and Anne but also their fictional characters, Jane Eyre, Bertha (the mad woman in the attic, seen by Teale as Charlotte/Jane's alter ego), Rochester, Cathy Earnshaw and her maid Nelly, Heathcliff, and Anne's creation, Arthur Huntington.

The Merchant of Venice - July 2008

Directed by Cathy Gill

Bassanio is broke. He asks his friend Antonio (the Merchant) to loan him the money so he can woo Portia, the heiress of Belmont. Antonio's money is all tied up in his merchant fleets, so Bassanio goes to Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, and Antonio says he will stand guarantor for the loan, confident that his ships will return long before the bond is forfeit. Shylock and Antonio are old enemies, however. The reasons are 1) a traditional Jewish/Christian distrust and enmity and 2) Shylock charges interest on his loans, a practise that was forbidden in Christian society. Shylock senses an opportunity for revenge, and suggests that instead of charging interest on the loan, this time he will ask only for a pound of Antonio's flesh if the money is not repaid on time. Antonio agrees to the Bond. Meanwhile Portia, in Belmont, receives various suitors. Before his death her father arranged that each suitor should choose one of three caskets of gold, silver and lead, one of which contains Portia's picture. He who chooses the right casket wins Portia's hand in marriage. Back in Venice, Shylock's daughter, Jessica, is planning to steal her father's money, and elope with Lorenzo, one of Bassanio's friends. She will also convert to Christianity In Act 3 Bassanio chooses between the caskets, but as soon as he has chosen news comes that Antonio's ships have all failed, that his Bond to Shylock is forfeit.....and that Shylock is unwavering in his pursuit of the pound of flesh... Come back after the interval to see how Portia steps in to sort it all out...

Gulliver's Adventures in Lilliput - January/February 2008

Directed by David Cumming

A Magical, musical, family show based on Jonathan Swift's classic tale. This exciting adaptation was produced with an original script and music by Alan Huckle and David Black of EYESWRITE. Produced by Helen Farrar.

Sweet Charity - October 2007

Directed by Joan Huckle (Stage) and Stella Brownsea (Musical)

Set in 1960s' New York, Sweet Charity is the poignant and funny story of Charity Hope Valentine who, despite her dead end job as a dance club hostess in the sleazy Fandango Night Club, is an incurable optimist. Her adventures and misadventures bring tears and laughter as we follow her quest for true love and a better life. For this much loved show, the large cast and band will be performing such wonderful Cy Coleman musical numbers as If My Friends Could See Me Now, The Rhythm of Life, I love to Cry at Weddings and the showstopper Hey Big Spender.

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomens Guild Dramatic Society - Murder mystery - April 2007

Directed by Sara Curtis

This hilarious farce followed the antics of the four redoubtable ladies of The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild as they attempted to present Murder at Checkmate Manor. This ambiguous and cunning Agatha Christie-style 1930s drawing room murder mystery requires them to play all 14 roles (aided by their stage manager, Gordon) with hysterical results. As well as performing the play, the ladies also present a Film and Fashion Show and a Murder Mystery Quiz complete with prize! If it can go wrong it probably will..... but surely it will be all right on the night!

Pinocchio - January / February 2007

Directed by Christine Harvey

Pinocchio - an exciting adaptation of this well loved tale. The trials and tribulation of this hapless puppet, and his struggle to become a proper boy, are told in a musical play suitable for all the family. A lively, colourful production about how Pinocchio's nose grows and Gepetto lives inside the whale !

Bouncers - October 2006

Directed by Emma Matthews

It's Friday night. It's disco night, time for Bouncers to come alive. In this adult, outrageous and hilarious parody of the 80's disco scene, four bouncers portraying over 20 different characters invite you for a night out on the town. You meet giggly girls, lads on the make, Hooray Henrys, punks and a smart-talking DJ all against the tatty, glitzy glamour, flashing lights and pulsating beat of the disco floor.

Friar Bacon & Friar Bungay - June 2006

Directed by Cathy Gill

Harleston Players were awarded a grant of £24,000 to stage a local play, written by a contemporary of Shakespeare. Robert Greene was born in Norwich and his romantic comedy The Honourable History of Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay is set in this very part of the Waveney valley. When the King's son falls for a dairymaid, the Fair Maid of Fressingfield, he enlists the help of his best friend, (disguised as a Beccles farmer) and the skills of the world's greatest magician, the infamous Friar Bacon, in order to win her. But things do not go according to plan... Packed with romance, broad comedy and miraculous magic, this was the first time this rumbustious play had been performed for several years.

Sleeping Beauty - January / February 2006

Directed by David Cumming

Most fairy stories begin at the beginning, this one is a bit different. When the play opens we find Goody, a fairy in the forest. She has been waiting, hoping that one day a prince will come, a prince who will wake Sleeping Beauty, and thereby break a curse that she cast many years before.

The Weekend - October 2005

Directed by Roy Goodwin

Based in a Suffolk village, the play explores both the funny and dark sides of family life. Faced with the prospect of his daughter, dreary son-in-law and painful teenage granddaughter, visiting for the weekend, not to mention their poorly house trained dog, Stephen Febble reaches for the whisky and the sarcasm.

Twelfth Night - July 2005

Directed by David Cumming

This is one of the funniest of Shakespeareπs romantic comedies, ideal for a summer's evening. Great entertainment with the riotous behaviour of Sir Toby Belch, cross-dressing of Viola, misplaced love, mistaken identity, pirates and plotters, enchanting music and songs and the fall of the pompous and self-loving steward Malvolio. This outdoor production toured The Ship, Dunwich; Besthorpe Hall near Attleborough; Thornham Walled Garden; Bateman's Barn; Norwich Cathedral and our 'home' outdoor venue at Starston.

The Magic Candleshop - January 2005

Directed by Joyce Blane

A world premiere! Set in England during World War II. The Magic Candleshop tells the story of four children who discover a mysterious shop where lighting candles takes them on fantastic adventures through time and space. However, darkness lurks nearby, and soon the children are drawn onto the frontline in the age-old battle of Good versus Evil... (copyright JAN Promotions)

Steel Magnolias - October 2004

Directed by Sara Curtis

In Truvy's beauty salon, Louisiana, a close knit circle of friends gather to gossip. When tragedy strikes and M'Lynn's newly married daughter needs a kidney transplant they are faced with the harsh reality of life. But these southern belles soon learn that the power of their friendship and laughter is the one thing that helps them heal.

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice - April 2004

Directed by David Green

The story of a young girl who finds her only source of joy, life and escape from her drunken mother in impersonating the songs and voices of all time greats. Her life is turned upside down when a cowboy manager to the stars discovers Little Voice and tries to make her the star she never wanted to be. "A fine production, capable of moving and amusing the audience in equal measure" Stuart Charman, Diss Express. "The cast rose supremely to the challenge" Janet Chambers, East Anglian Daily Times.

Beauty And The Beast - January 2004

Directed by David Cumming

This production won a 'best play award' from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA).

An Experiment with an Airpump - October 2003

Directed by Cathy Gill

1999: at the dawn of a new millennium, Tom and Ellen discover a dark secret buried beneath their house. 1799: in the same house, the occupants eagerly anticipate the new century when the mysteries of life will be revealed by the light of science. Inspired by the painting by Joseph Wright of Derby, this intelligent and witty play - turns chilling and hilarious - explores the emotional detritus left behind in our search for 'progress'.

Jane Eyre - March 2003

Directed by Yves Green

A superb Polly Teale adaptation of the classic - Jane Eyre is poor, plain and unloved. But locked up in the attic of her imagination lives a woman so passionate and so full of longing she must be guarded night and day for fear of the havoc she would wreak. Who is this woman who threatens to destroy Jane's orderly world? A world where Jane has, for the first time, fallen in love. This production won a 'best play award' from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA).

The Pied Piper of Hamelin - January / February 2003

Directed by Joyce Blane