The Rivals was Thespians' Summer Tour in 2008, and sourcing period cartoons for the cover/posters and backgrounds was huge fun. As was playing with ligatures.

1. 1
On tour 2008
80th
season, 8th
summer tour
aunton
hespiansT
By
Richard Brinsley
Sheridan
The RivalsThe Rivals
Director
Peter
Norbury
Souvenir
programme
Souvenir
programme

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Taunton Thespians is a Registered Charity, Number 800217
For the Benefit of the People of Somerſet
The Taunton Theſpians preſent
A COMEDY in five acts called
The Rivals
By Mr Richard Brinſley Sheridan
This ſame Play
to be performed at
ſundry Hiſtoric and Romantick
Outdoor venues
During the Month of June 2008

4. 4
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for
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Telephone: (01823) 335823
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MONDAY to SATURDAY
9 Beaufort Road,Taunton,TA1 1BN.
MasterCard or VISA accepted
mvr have supplied Taunton Thespians with their Tour minibus
and wish The Rivals every success.

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Director’s Notes
When I was invited to be the director of the 2008
Thespians summer tour production, I found myself
faced with the task of drawing up a short-list of three
plays from which a final selection would be made.The
requirement was for an accessible, broadly entertain-
ing, literary comedy, offering a strong set of both male
and female characters, and capable of being realised
with minimal staging at a variety of outdoor locations.
Now that it has reached an age when memory is not
always its most constant companion, my mind went
blank.
Having spent the last twenty or so years working pre-
dominantly (though not exclusively) with children of
school age and Youth Theatre groups, I had inhabited
a world of devising, improvising and writing original
work for performance, deviating along the way to direct
three musical shows, four pantomimes and a handful of
dramatic productions for a variety of theatre and drama
groups. Choosing something for an outdoor tour was an
entirely new challenge.
The decision that I needed some assistance took me to
Waterstones, a place I am incapable of leaving empty-
handed, and on this occasion my usual package of “three
for two” novels was supplemented by a copy of the
Oxford Book of Plays. As I waded through this splendid
A-Z compendium, I felt rather as I do whenever I go
into somewhere like Currys or PC World. With so much
to choose from, what to choose?
How long the alphabet can seem when you have to go
from one end to the other! By the time I had reached
the letter S, only one selection had suggested itself and
I was wilting.Then I opened the page on Sheridan, and
The Rivals hit me right between the eyes. It met all the
aforementioned parameters, and what’s more, it was
something I really fancied doing. If only I had thought
of it in the first place!
Following auditions, a strong cast of actors was assem-
bled to begin the work of realising the equally strong
cast of characters who populate what was described by
Samuel Johnson as “one of the two best comedies of the
age”. And what a collection of characters has descended
on the city of Bath! Jack Absolute is a dashing young
army officer, seeking the hand of the beautiful but capri-
cious young Lydia, whose affections are also sought by
both the buffoonish Bob Acres, ‘up from the country’ to
improve himself, and the slightly seedy Irish adventurer,
Sir Lucius O’Trigger. Hence, the rivals.
To this mix, add Lydia’s cousin, the noble but put-upon
Julia, her maddeningly sensitive and jealous suitor,
Faulkland, Jack’s cantankerous and gouty father, Sir
Anthony, and one of the greatest creations in the history
of comedy, the linguistically tortured Mrs. Malaprop, and
the cake is ready to bake! With the conniving servants
Fag and Lucy to muddy the waters,Thomas the coach-
man and a crew of eighteenth century removal men, this
tale of mistaken identity, misplaced passion and the ups
and downs of love, crackles with wit and laughter over
two hundred years after it was written.
And it has been fun, as much fun as I can remember
deriving from ‘the process’. It has been a smooth voyage
on a happy ship, and I am confident that the exuberance
of those of us fortunate enough to have been involved in
creating the performance you are about to witness will
transmit itself to those of you who have had the perspi-
cacity to be in attendance. Our production is before you.
As they say in another place, I commend it to the house.
Peter Norbury

6. 6

7. 7
Richard Brinsley Sheridan ~
about our Author
Early life
R.B. Sheridan was born in Dublin on October 30, 1751
at 12 Dorset Street, a fashionable street in the late eight-
eenth century. (Fellow playwright Seán O’Casey was
born in Dorset Street 130 years later.) He was baptized
on November 4, 1751, his father Thomas Sheridan be-
ing an actor-manager who managed the Theatre Royal,
Dublin for a time, and his mother, Frances Sheridan, a
writer (most famous for her novel The Memoirs of Sid-
ney Biddulph). She died when her son was fifteen.The
Sheridans’ eldest child,Thomas, died in 1750, the year
when their second son, Charles Francis (d. 1806), was
born. He later carried on an affair with Henrietta Spen-
cer, Countess of Bessborough.
Works
The Rivals (first acted 17 January 1775)
St Patrick’s Day (first acted 2 May 1775)
The Duenna (first acted 21 November 1775)
A Trip to Scarborough (first acted 24 February 1777)
The School for Scandal (first acted 8 May 1777)
The Camp (first acted 15 October 1778)
The Critic (first acted 30 October 1779)
The Glorious First of June (first acted 2 July 1794)
Pizarro (first acted 24 May 1799)
He also wrote a selection of poems, and political speech-
es for his time in parliament.
Family and career
Richard was educated at Harrow School, and was to
study law. However, his highly romantic elopement
with Elizabeth Linley (1754-1792; daughter of Tho-
mas Linley), and their subsequent marriage on 13 April
1773 at St Marylebone Parish Church, put paid to such
hopes; they had a son,Thomas (1775-1817).
Richard’s second marriage was to Esther Jane Ogle; they
also had a son, Charles Brinsley Sheridan (died 1843).
When Richard returned to London, he began writ-
ing for the stage. His first play, The Rivals, produced at
Covent Garden in 1775, was a failure on its first night.
Sheridan cast a more capable actor for the role of the
comic Irishman for its second performance, and it was a
smash which immediately established the young play-
wright’s reputation. It has gone on to become a standard
of English literature.
Having quickly made his name and fortune, Sheridan
bought a share in Drury Lane. His most famous play The
School for Scandal (1777) is considered one of the greatest
comedies of manners in English. It was followed by The
Critic (1779), an updating of the satirical Restoration
play The Rehearsal, which received a memorable revival
(performed with Oedipus in a single evening) star-
ring Laurence Olivier at the Old Vic Theatre in 1946.
Sheridan was plagued by writer’s block and managed
only a limited output during his lifetime.
He was the grandfather of society beauty and author
Caroline Norton, and the great-grandfather of Lord
Dufferin, third Governor General of Canada and
eighth Viceroy of India.The famous ghost story writer
Sheridan le Fanu was his great-nephew.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan. (2008, May 15). In Wikipedia,
The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20:23, June 10, 2008

8. 8
Express Print ad

9. 9
Frank Bond Community Centre
“Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you”
RBS, on meeting his future wife
The Frank Bond Centre was named after its benefaÀor, a local builder by
the name of Frank Bond. He was a private man, with two unuÇual hobbies:
he colleÀed theatre organs and around his garden he had numerous aviar-
ies houÉng exotic birds. He opened his garden once a year to the general
public and all money raiÇed went to charity. On his death he left his houÇe
and garden (now the Centre) and land to the community. The land was uÇed
for development - Çome was uÇed for houÉng and Çome was provided for the
St Margaret's HoÇpice to be built. The Centre was eÌabliÈed in 1983, after
alterations to provide accommodation for reÉdent caretakers upÌairs and
to open up the ground Åoor area for aÀivities. There is a main room, with
a hatch to kitchen and opening into the conÇervatory. In addition there is
a Çmaller Çeparate room. A lavatory and oÂce block were alÇo added. The
Frank Bond TruÌ Limited is a charity and limited company which conÉÌs of eight TruÌees who manage the Centre. The
Centre is open to people who have retired and are Çeeking aÀivity in a local Çetting. We’re delighted to be playing this new
venue (well, new to us) which is Ço cloÇe to our baÇe in Taunton, and hope it will be the Ìart of a fruitful relationÈip.
Cleeve Abbey
“There is not a passion so strongly rooted in the human heart as envy.”
The Abbey was founded in the late 12th century by the Norman baron William de Roumare. The ÄrÌ monks, twelve in all
led by Abbot Ralph, arrived in 1198 at this place which they knew as Vallis Florida – the Valley of Flowers. Cleeve was never
a rich houÇe and its buildings took longer to complete than Çome. This probably pleaÇed the abbots of Forde and Neath, who
raiÇed the mediaeval equivalent of planning objeÀions about the foundation
of another abbey Ço cloÇe to theirs. Like many abbeys it experienced great
diÂculties in the years following the Black Death (1384), when moÌ of its
eÌates were let to tenants and the value of rents fell. By 1450 however, the
poÉtion had improved ÇuÂciently to allow the Abbot, David Juyner, to
re-build the refeÀory and his own lodgings on an impreËive Çcale. DeÇpite
this recovery the abbey’s income was Ìill too low to Çave it from diËolution
with the other Çmall monaÌeries in 1536, although Cleeve was one of the
more fortunate. It Çurvived almoÌ intaÀ, with the exception of the church,
and was uÇed as a manor houÇe for Çome time before declining into uÇe as ag-
ricultural buildings. This did mean that all the buildings were kept weath-
erproof, however, leading to the Çurvival of Çome Ìunning architeÀural and
decorative features. Its 17 monks were deÇcribed as ‘prieÌs of honeÌ life,
who keep great hoÇpitality’, and locally their departure was much regretted.
Fyne Court
“Certainly nothing is unnatural that is not physically impossible.”
Once owned by the CroËe family, Fyne Court is now home to the Somer-
Çet Wildlife TruÌ, being leaÇed from the National TruÌ. In 1894 the main
hall burnt down, leaving the buildings you can Çee today. The owner
in the early nineteenth century, Andrew CroËe, was known to locals as
“Wizard” CroËe, whoÇe houÇe was beÌ avoided (eÇpecially after dark). He
was an amateur ÇcientiÌ with a particular intereÌ in eleÀricity. In heavy
Ìorms, his equipment would cauÇe the windows of his laboratory to be
brilliantly lit by continual ÅaÈes, and loud bangs would be heard coming
from the houÇe! Hence his other title, “The Thunder and Lightning Man”.
In one experiment, deÉgned to create Élicate cryÌals, he paËed eleÀricity
through a Çolution of Åint and potaËium carbonate, dropped onto a piece
of volcanic Ìone that had been Çaturated with hydrochloric acid. After
two weeks he was Èocked to Änd not cryÌals, but Çmall mites! When news
of this got out he was falÇely accuÇed of claiming to have created life. His
friends included the poet Robert Southey, Byron’s daughter Lady Ada Lovelace, Charles Babbage (the father of computers)
and Sir Humphrey Davy (inventor of the miner’s lamp). His Çon, John, was very friendly with Lady Ada Lovelace. When Èe
died Èe left him Byron’s Égnet ring and lock of hair, which are Ìill in his family’s poËeËion. John alÇo had a portion of Ada’s
life inÇurance, in return for which he agreed to deÌroy all Ada’s letters to him.

10. 10
Muchelney Abbey
“Do thou snatch treasures from my lips, and I'll take kingdoms back
from thine.”
Our third abbey of the fortnight, Muchelney, has the beÌ legend attached.
This tells of a man who fell in love with the daughter of a knight. He oppoÇed
their union and therefore forbade them from marrying. The man was heart-
broken and became a monk, eventually moving to Muchelney where, accord-
ing to Çome verÉons of the tale, he became Prior. To his ÇurpriÇe, he found
that his former Çweetheart had become a nun there. They Ìill loved each
other, Ço renewed their relationÈip and planned to elope together. Sadly, they were betrayed. The prior was Çent away to a diÌant abbey,
to repent his Éns. Being a leÇs egalitarian period of our hiÌory, the nun was walled up and left to die in a Çecret paËage Çomewhere within
the abbey. This is, of courÇe, romantic nonÇenÇe, probably dreamt up by a ViÀorian, whoÇe imagination had been inÅamed by Çeeing Çome
table legs without any covering. Muchelney, once a verdant iÊand in the Levels and a quiet haven for monks and recluÇes, is an excellent
venue, with a wall to help aÀors projeÀ and the old foundations providing a Ìepped auditorium. In the DomeÇday Çurvey in 1086, it was
Ìated that: The Church of St. Peter of Micelenye has 4 carucates of land which never paid geld in theÇe iÊands. There is demeÇne and 2
ploughs and 1 arpent of vineyard. There are 4 Çerfs and 18 bordars with 2 ploughs. There are 1 riding horÇe and 21 beaÌs and 6 Çwine and 30
Èe-goats. There are two ÄÈeries paying 600 ells, and 25 acres of meadow and 12 acres of woodland and 100 acres of paÌure. The ancient
ruins vibrate with life and one can imagine it all Ço clearly.
Glastonbury Abbey
“I open with a clock striking, to beget an awful attention in the audience - it al
which is four o clock in the morning, and saves a description of the rising sun, and a gre
ing the eastern hemisphere.”
Quite poËibly the oldeÌ of our venues, if you believe the legend – JoÇeph of Arimathea coming
CruciÄxion and planting the thorn tree. And legends are Çomething GlaÌonbury is drenched in.
when the legends of myÌical Avalon began, GlaÌonbury, a Çmall town in SomerÇet, cradled in a
Çouth of England, was thought to have been a Éte for pre-ChriÌian worÈip. Three Ìone Abbey
laÌ, have Ìood on this Éte over the centuries; and before that the 'Old Church' on the Éte of th
el and St David’s Church to the eaÌ of this. There is even a Çmall amount of evidence of Roman
plus evidence of Bronze and Iron Age occupations in and around GlaÌonbury. We are performin
main arches of the church, and being upÌaged by the Éte where the bones of Arthur and Guinev
HIC IACET SEPULTUS INCLITUS REX ARTURIUS IN INSULA AVALONIA was inÇcrib
found Çeven feet underground with the bones in a Ìone coÂn, although that Éte and the croÇs ar
juÌ after The Anarchy – more famous now becauÇe of Brother Cadfael than the civil war betwe
rule of law and they wonder how convenient the diÇcovery was. Another, more modern myth t
Global warming and the riÇe in Çea level might be about to reveal the truth or oth
Lovibonds Farm, Burrowbridge
“Fertilizer does no good in a heap, but a little spread around works miracles all over.”
This venue is a beautiful open Äeld, giving the aÀors views out to Burrow Mump. According to the SomerÇet HiÌoric
Environment Record, this is a probable Norman motte Çcarped from a natural conical hill at the junÀion of two rivers
on the levels. A terraced track Çpirals up to it, Ìopping Èort of the berm,
and the aÇcent would probably have been completed by Ìeps. An un-
ÄniÈed church Ìands on the Çummit. A hollow path leads up to the church
from the village. The earlieÌ reference is in 934 when the hill was given
to Athelney Abbey under the name of Toteyate. In 1480 it was known as
‘Myghell-borough’. The ‘Free Chapel of St. Michael’ is ÄrÌ referred to di-
reÀly in 1548, and was extant in 1633, but in 1645 was the Çcene of a three-
day Ìand by RoyaliÌ troops. The next reference in 1663 is for its repair
and rebuilding, which was apparently begun c.1724 but never ÄniÈed, and
by 1793 a new church was ÇubÇcribed for with contributors including Pitt
the Younger and Admiral Hood. The building again was never completed.
A Çunken paËageway and a deep Çquare pit which may have been a medi-
eval well were alÇo partly excavated. The hill was given to the National
TruÌ as a war memorial in 1946.

11. 11
back
ed.
ppoÇed
eart-
ccord-
nd
h
bey,
hin
ome
ent
was
d 2
nd 30
ent
e - it also marks the time,
d a great deal about gild-
coming to Britain after the
ched in. In the beginning,
led in a cluÌer of hills in the
Abbeys, each large than the
te of the current Lady Chap-
Roman civiliÇation on this,
erforming between the two
d Guinevere were enÈrined.
s inÇcribed on the lead croÇs
croÇs are both now loÌ. Cynical hiÌorians look at the politics of the time,
r between Stephen and Matilda – with Henry II trying to re-eÌabliÈ the
myth tells of the exiÌence of a zodiac in the earthworks around the area.
th or otherwiÇe in that tale.
The Cleve Hotel & Country Club
“Modesty is a quality in a lover more praised by the women than
liked.”
This was deÉgned by Alfred WaterhouÇe in the contemporary Ìyle of
1866 for JoÇeph Hoyland Fox and his wife Mariana. Originally juÌ called
“The Cleve”, it was the Çecond of the three houÇes of the Fox family in
Wellington, after the original Tonedale HouÇe. (The Foxes, being Quak-
ers, didn’t juÌ think of their own comforts, but of thoÇe leÇs fortunate
than themÇelves. It’s worth knowing that Çugar waÇn’t Çerved to gueÌs at
Tonedale, as it was a produÀ of the Êave trade.) When built, there were
no bathrooms at The Cleve, although a hip bath was provided for every
bedroom. This is not a Étuation gueÌs now have to worry about; not only
are all rooms en Çuite, but there’s a heated indoor Çwimming pool and ÄtneÇs
Çuite they can uÇe too! We’re performing in the gardens, which were deÉgned by JoÇeph Fox, and where he Çpent much
of his time. (Information from “More than Two Hundred Years, Wellington and the Foxes” by John Hagen & Michael
P. Fox, pub. Wellington MuÇeum & Local HiÌory Society).
Taunton Castle
“Remember that when you meet your antagonist, to do every-
thing in a mild agreeable manner. Let your courage be keen,
but, at the same time, as polished as your sword.”
This wonderful building, our Änal Tour venue, only Ìands today
thanks to the eÁorts of the local Archaeological Society, who pur-
chaÇed it in 1874 to Çave it from demolition. It’s now undergoing a
£6.5m refurbiÈment and renovation projeÀ, and we are lucky to be
able to play here as uÇual. The baking heat of the afternoon of the 1Ì of July 2006 was glorious for the T-Èirted
audience, not Ço for the caÌ in full ViÀorian rig. This contraÌed Èarply with the pouring rain that the 2007 caÌ
endured for two Çoggy weeks. The caÌle has a reputation of being haunted, particularly the Great Hall, as this is
where Judge JeÁreys tried many of the rebels of 1685. The echoes of marching feet are Çaid to have been heard in
the caÌle corridors, explained as the Çound of James’s Çoldiers bringing priÇoners to trial. On the caÌle landing a
man in period dreÇs and wig, carrying a Çword and piÌol has been Çeen, although there is no indication as to who
he may be. The caÌle has alÇo been the Çcene for poltergeiÌ aÀivity and the ghoÌ of a fair-haired woman in 17th
century coÌume. No ghoÌs or ghouls in The Rivals, but you may juÌ hear the far-oÁ clank of Çwords during
duels held long ago loÌ in the miÌs of time...

12. 12
The Characters & Players
Fag by Mr. Andrew Miller
Thomas by Mr. Jonny Leach
Lydia Languish by Miss Abi Vickery
Lucy by Mrs. Nikki Court
Julia by Miss Hollie Cooper
Mrs. Malaprop by Mrs. Jane Edwards
Sir Anthony Absolute by Mr. Ray Court
Captain Jack Absolute by Mr. Matt Webber
Faulkland by Mr. Samuel Powell
Acres by Mr. Mark Dawson
Sir Lucius O'Trigger by Mr. Michael Gilbert
ACT I
Scene I. — A street.
Scene II. — A Dressing-room in Mrs. MALAPROP’s Lodgings.
444444
ACT II
Scene I. — CAPTAIN ABSOLUTE’s Lodgings.
Scene II. — The North Parade.
444444
ACT III
Scene I — The North Parade.
Scene II — JULIA’s Dressing-room.
Scene III — Mrs. MALAPROP’s Lodgings.
Scene IV — ACRES’ Lodgings.
A
A
The action of the play takes place in the City of Bath in the Cou

13. 13
Backſtage
Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Norbury
Aſſistant to Mr Norbury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Gilbert
Producer & Tour Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Roberts
Aſſistant to Mr Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Dawſon
Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stuart Lyddon
Sound & Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Graham Reeks
Support Trawl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicola Dawſon
Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pam Fleming
Aſſisted by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacqueline Roberts
Costume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nikki Court & Rose Humphreys
Rehearſal Prompt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joy Reaſon
Tour Prompt . . . . . . . . . . . 1sr
Week: Polly Bray, 2nd
Week Jane Burt
Van Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt Webber
Minibus Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dusty Miller
Buſiness Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tony Beaven
Finance & Box Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacqueline Roberts
444444
ACT IV
Scene I — ACRES’ Lodgings.
Scene II — Mrs. MALAPROP’s Lodgings.
Scene III — The North Parade.
444444
ACT V
Scene I — JULIA’s Dressing-Room.
Scene II — The South Parade.
Scene III — King’s-Mead-Fields.
444444
County of Somerſet over a period of five hours one day in 1775.

14. 14
The Phoebe Rees Awards
Founded by Phoebe Rees and run by the Somerſet Fellowſhip
of Drama, the competition is open to amateur drama societies
and groups in Somerſet. Plays are adjudicated by members of the
Fellowſhip’s committee who alſo run an annual Original Play-
writing Feſtival and the county’s first round of the All England
Theatre Feſtival, and organiſe drama training.
The Rose Bowl Awards
Founded by the families of Walter Hawkins and John Coe, this is now
funded through the Quartet Community Foundation, with individual
awards sponſored by the Briſtol Evening Post.
Amateur operatic and dramatic productions throughout former Avon,
Glouceſter and Somerſet are aſſeſſed by GODA qualified adjudicators.
Taunton Thespians are members of NODA
The National Operatic and Dramatic Aſſociation (NODA), founded in 1899, is the main repreſentative body for
amateur theatre in the UK. It has a memberstip of some 2500 amateur/community theatre groups and 3000 indi-
vidual enthuſiasts throughout the UK, staging muſicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide variety of
performing venues, ranging from the country's leading profeſſional theatres to village halls. Members have acceſs
to a wide range of benefits.
NODA aimsTo give a ſhared voice to the amateur theatre ſector•
To help amateur ſocieties and individuals achieve the highest ſtandards of best practice•
and performance
To provide leaderſhip and advice to enable the amateur theatre ſector to tackle the•
challenges and opportunities of the 21st century

15. 15
The sheer unpredictability of touring is what I love. Dancing in the rain on uneven ground in high
heels or sweltering in a huge wig and nylon voile, then last year I was squelching on a wet mat-
tress in my underwear!. My last acting role was 5 months ago playing Miranda the Yorkshire mermaid,
pushed on and off stage on a rock in The Wayfarers Panto’. Although Lucy, Lydia’s ladies maid, is only a
minor role I have also been busy making the costumes, though luckily not as many as the 30 needed last
year. Let’s hope they don’t get wet!
Here I am again playing in the open air even though I
vowed last year not to do it again. However Sir Anthony
Absolute is a good part for me to play and so once again I
auditioned. Not that I am a bombastic, controlling man,
who has a dismissive attitude to women, though others may
say different. Having acted in three out of my seven touring
productions, I can say without a shadow of doubt that acting
is the easier option. Remember there is a large technical
team behind each production. They have my thanks.
This is my first performance with the Taunton Thespi-
ans, and I hope it is not my last. I got involved through
my older brother, who has played in Thespians’ past produc-
tions. I’ve had fun with the part and it’s done me good to
move on from school plays. My overall ambition is to be in
(perhaps even star in) an upbeat piece of musical theatre, as
it is my passion.The Rivals was an ambitious leap, but it’s a
hilarious play, and I believe I’ve grown as an actor.
Nikki Court ~ Lucy
Ray Court ~ Sir Anthony Absolute
Jonny Leach ~ Thomas
This is my fourth Summer Tour for
the Thespians and Mr Fag is a very
enjoyable character to play. In past years I
have played Sergeant Verges in Much Ado
About Nothing, Mr Brocklehurst in Jane
Eyre, and besides directing Tom Jones last
year, I played Lord Fellamar.These roles
have been interspersed with both Demon
and Hwyl in Wyrd Sisters, and Mark in
Taking Steps. We are all praying to our
own gods for fine weather this year, for
fear of growing webbed feet with another
tour in the rain! Enjoy The Rivals
Andrew Miller ~ Fag

16. 16
I have always enjoyed drama,
but since completing my
drama degree in 2006, I have had
little chance to pursue my pas-
sion. However, when I heard the
Thespians were performing The
Rivals, I leapt at the opportu-
nity. Previously, I had performed
in The Relapse, a 17th Century
comedy, so this was an intriguing
progression from that. My char-
acter, Faulkland, is such a complex
personality, because of his psyche,
that it has been a struggle and a
challenge to comprehend him.
However, through insight and a
lot of hard work, I hope I have
done him justice.
This is my first year with the
Taunton Thespians, and I am
extremely excited to be a part of
this year’s Summer Tour. I am no
stranger to performing on stage;
since college, I have been in a vari-
ety of productions, including dance,
drama and musicals. My passion for
acting has not yet faded, and I hope
this to be the first of many more
Summer Tour performances that I
will take part in.
h
a
i
r
a
I have taken a little break from the Thespians and it feels like I’ve been
away too long! I really love The Rivals with its wonderful language, mala-
propisms and asides to the audience – it’s great stuff! I did actually audition
for it last time it was performed, but the director was obliged, blushingly, to
telephone me to say the part that he had given me was now being offered to
someone else, at which point I immediately challenged him to a duel and ran
the dog through! No, I didn’t.This is my first Tour, so I’m very excited and
will probably make lots of mistakes. Enjoy the show.
Abi Vickery ~ Miss
Hollie Cooper ~ Miss Julia Melville
Samuel Powell ~ Mr Faulkland
This is my 5th Summer Tour with the T
playing an exotic dancer, an escort, a Fre
nally fulfilling my ambition of playing a d
me to my favourite highlight of this Tour
dresses! Last year, when playing the slatte
blouse covered in mud and gravy through
leged now to be wearing a frilly frock! Le
it and that we have as enjoyable a run as
Matt Webber ~ Captain Jack Absolute

17. 17
I’ve been involved in
Thespian shows at the
Brewhouse many times, ei-
ther on stage or working be-
hind the scenes, but this is my
first time acting out on Tour.
I should have known better,
having only finished playing
Sam Blaine in our last show,
Suddenly At Home, a week
or two before the auditions
for The Rivals. Presumably
it’s some kind of masochistic
madness and the 18th Cen-
tury way of speaking makes
it doubly hard. However, I’ve
come round to thinking that
Bob Acres is the most fun
character in the whole play;
ods lines and lapses, I say
he is a fun character, by my
valour!
It is a great privilege to portray one of the greatest female comic acorns in
our literary hermitage, and I shall endeavour to do the lady justice. We join
her at the interception of a delicious little flotation with Sir Lucius O’Trigger,
and she is vaccinating between censoring her headstrong niece, Lydia, for be-
ing in love with a mere Ensign and swooning with the sensationalism of a new
romance. A little foolish she may be, but deeply endearing and well meaning,
and vastly more lustrous than last year’s scrubber. (And at least if I get any of
my lines wrong, no-one will be any the wiser...)
As an Irishman, playing an Irishman can be difficult.There are a lot of bad stereotypes out there, all
full of bonhomie and fighting drunk. It’s wonderful to get a chance to play the dodgy and devious Sir
Lucius, and to outsmart an English eejit for a change. Another huge plus about the part is not coming
on until well into the show. As my friends and family know, punctuality is not my strongest suit... How-
ever, it is a truly great play all round, and is very funny indeed, so sit back, relax and enjoy yourselves.
Michael Gilbert ~ Sir Lucius O’Trigger
Miss Lydia Languish
Mark Dawson ~ Bob Acres
Jane Edwards ~ Mrs Malaprop
h the Taunton Thespians, and after
t, a French child and a wench, I am fi-
ing a dignified young lady... which brings
s Tour: the opportunity to wear pretty
e slatternly Molly, I had to wear a torn
hroughout, so I therefore feel very privi-
ock! Let’s just hope there’s no rain to ruin
run as ever.

18. 18
Many Thanks to Jack Coulthard
For the loan of his paintings for our production of
“Suddenly At Home”
Telephone – 01823 451516
Tainfield, Kingston St Mary,Taunton, Somerset
Taunton Thespians are grateful to the following:
Displaying billboards:.........ASDA Taunton; Yule, Brown,Taunton; Mr & Mrs
Tooze, Chelston; The Westgate Inn,Taunton; The Civil Service Sports Club,
Taunton
Promotional displays:..........Shops & other premises in Taunton, Wellington and
elsewhere
Deploying billboards:..........Ron Roberts, Mark Dawson & Michael Gilbert
Financial support................Our advertisers
Transporting the set...........Webbers Removals

19. 19
Directed by Sylvia Fellgett, at The Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre, Taunton
From Tuesday November 4th until Saturday November 8th, 2008
Curtain Up 7.45pm nightly, Saturday Matinee 2.30pm
Tickets £12.50 Full, £10 Concessions
Wilde’s scintillating drawing-room comedy revolves around a blackmail scheme that forces a married
couple to re-examine their moral standards. A supporting cast of young lovers, society matrons, and a
formidable femme fatale exchange sparkling repartee, keeping the action of the play at a lively pace.
This wry look at the purity of political morals as relevant in the 21st Century as it was in the 19th.
Tauntonthespianspresent
talkingheadsbyalanbennettatthe
tacchimorrisartscentre
wed 24th - sat 27th september 2008
Coming Soon:
d

20. 20
Tilly of Bloomsbury
The Professor’s Love Story
Ambrose Applejohn’s Adventure
The Admirable Crichton
The Rising Generation
Berkeley Square
Hay Fever
Shall We Join The Ladies (OA)
King’s Pawn (OA)
Send Her Victorious (OA)
The House with the Twisty Windows
(OA)
And So To Bed (OA)
A Damsel in Distress
Distinguished Gathering
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Tovarich (OA)
The Vision at the Inn (OA)
Love and How to Cure It(OA)
A School for Coquettes (OA)
Tangled Skeins (OA)
Hay Fever (Act 1?)
Villa For Sale (OA)
The Sickness of Salome (OA)
A Room in the Tower (OA)
Today of All Days (OA)
First Instalment (OA)
Indoor Fireworks
A Hundred Years Old
George and Margaret
Full House
Ebb Tide (OA)
Quiet Wedding
The Middle Watch
When We Are Married
Candida
Laburnham Grove
Rookery Nook
Grouse in June
Arms and the Man
Robert’s Wife
Whiteoaks
Housemaster
This Happy Breed
Carpet Slippers
When Knights Were Bold
Busman’s Honeymoon
Acacia Avenue
Quiet Weekend
Frieda
The Winslow Boy
They Came to a City
Rebecca
Vanity Fair
The Shop at Sly Corner
The First Gentleman
Thark
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Off the Record
See How They Run
Queen Elizabeth Slept Here
Ten Little Niggers
Playbill
The Vigil
The Giaconda Smile
Bonaventure
Great Day
The Cradle Song
The Cocktail Party
The Importance of Being Psmith
The River Line
Arsenic and Old Lace
Lady Windemere’s Fan
The Heiress
The Hollow
Waters of the Moon
The Lady’s not for Burning
Treasure Hunt
Pride and Prejudice
The Poltergeist
Dear Octopus
Ring Round the Moon
Seagulls over Sorrento
Sabrina Fair
Life with the Girls
An Italian Straw Hat
The Applecart
The Confidential Clerk
The Merchant of Venice
A Question of Fact
The House by the Lake
Two Gentlemen of Verona
The Noble Spaniard
The School for Scandal
Separate Tables
The Vigil (Revival)
A Murder has been Arranged
Worlds Apart
The Book of the Month
The Reluctant Debutante
Julius Caesar
As Long as they’re Happy
Reluctant Heroes
Sailor Beware
Witness for the Prosecution
Dear Delinquent
The Fruits of Knowledge
Meet me by Moonlight
Dry Rot
Simple Spymen
The Amorous Prawn
The Chalk Garden
The Deep Blue Sea
The Brontës
Waiting in the Wings
A Taste of Honey
A Streetcar Named Desire
Breath of Spring
Uncle Vanya
Salad Days
Spider’s Web
Fool’s Paradise
Flowering Cherry
The Garden of Adonis
The Irregular Verb To Love
Not in the Book
Teahouse of the August Moon
Romanoff and Juliet
Goodnight Mrs Puffin
Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime
The Happiest Days of your Life
Don’t Listen Ladies
A Penny for a Song
Jane Eyre
The Private Ear and the Public Eye
The Importance of Being Earnest
Tom Jones
All My Sons
Hobson’s Choice
The Glass Menagerie
Ladies in Retirement
The Duenna
Wait Until Dark
Blithe Spirit
The Barretts of Wimpole Street
Rattle of a Simple Man
The Birthday Party
I’ll Get my Man
Dandy Dick
Farewell, Farewell, Eugene
The Crucible
Man and Superman
Wild Goose Chase
Waltz of the Toreadors
Under Milk Wood
Halfway up a Tree
Great Expectations
The Beaux Stratagem
Relatively Speaking
The Devil’s Disciple
Oh! What a Lovely War
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg
Lock up your Daughters
Pride and Prejudice
Boeing Boeing
The Secretary Bird
An Inspector Calls
A Man for all Seasons
Becket
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Eighty Years of Taunton Th

21. 21
Bequest to the Nation
The Lion in Winter
The Rivals
Toad of Toad Hall
Move Over Mrs Markham
Hay Fever
Caesar and Cleopatra
A View from the Bridge
The Real Inspector Hound
The School For Scandal
Anastasia
Habeas Corpus
Barefoot in the Park
Black Comedy
The Killing of Sister George
Three Sisters
How the Other Half Loves
Suddenly at Home
Gaslight
Treasure Island
Charley’s Aunt
Alice in Wonderland
Abelard and Heloise
Twelfth Night
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Crown Matrimonial
The Winslow Boy
Flare Path
Rebecca
Pink String and Sealing Wax
Uproar in the House
Travesties
Taking Steps
Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime
London Assurance
Five Finger Exercise
Birds on the Wing
Worms Eye View
Tom Jones
The Boy Friend
Haul for the Shore
Christmas Carol
The Wizard of Oz
A Flea in her Ear
Under Milk Wood
Quiet Weekend
Vivat!, Vivat Regina!
Death Trap
Blithe Spirit
Cause and Effect
Move Over Mrs Markham
Confusions – Mother Figure
A Family Occasion (oa)
Brief Counsel (oa)
Sailor Beware
Voyage Round My Father
Confusions – Between Mouthfuls
Cinquepace (oa)
Alfie
An Inspector Calls
Confusions
Not Now Darling
Waters of the Moon
Absent Friends
The Shop at Sly Corner
Look Out for the Catch
Dangerous Corner
Hound of the Baskervilles
Great Expectations
Wanted One Body
The Lion in Winter
Witness for the Prosecution
Barefoot in the Park
Hobson’s Choice
Up ‘n’ Under
The Annotator (oa)
Amadeus
As You Like It
The Donahue Sisters (oa)
A Bedfull of Foreigners
Cathedral - Ten Minutes (oa)
Careful Rapture (oa)
Madame De... (oa)
Drama & Other Stories (oa)
The Admission (oa)
Come Blow Your Horn
The Rivals
A Resounding Tinkle (oa)
And Then There Were None
Our Town
The Deep Blue Sea
The Barretts of Wimpole Street
Touch and Go
Charley’s Aunt
Pardon Me, Prime Minister
A Christmas Carol
What the Butler Saw
Journey’s End
Murder at the Vicarage
Worm’s Eye View
See How They Run
Keeping Down With The Joneses
May Day (oa)
Thermal Underwear (oa)
Cinquepace (oa)
Valued Friends (ih)
Philip & Rowena (oa)
The Star Dusters (oa)
The Children’s Hour
Small World (oa)
Communicating Doors
Murder in the Cathedral (tr)
Wildest Dreams
When did you Last See Your Trousers
The Crucible (ih)
A Matter Of Fact (ih)
Maria Marten or Murder in the Red
Barn
Woman in a Dressing Gown (ih)
The Turn of the Screw
Arsenic and Old Lace
Peril at End House
Funny Money
Time and Time Again
Comic Potential
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Thanks a lot Elton (oa)
The Cagebirds (oa)
After the Dream (oa)
The Audition (oa)
New Place & Time (oa)
See if I Care (oa)
Twelfth Night
Can You Hear the Music (oa)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
A Comedy of Errors
Nude with Violin
Diversions 1 (ih)
Merry Wives of Windsor
Thermal Underwear (oa)
Hay Fever
Diversions 2:
The Waiting Room (ih)
The Anniversary (ih)
Move Over Mrs Markham
The Law is an Ass (revue)
The Hollow
The Accrington Pals
Murder in the Cathedral (tour)
Sherlock’s Excellent Adventure
There Goes the Bride
People Who Live in Boxes (oa)
You’re in Room Eight (oa)
The Ghost Train
Free Fall (oa)
Jekyll and Hyde
Suddenly At Home
The Comedy of a Summer Season (oa)
Jane Eyre
Tom Jones
The Zoo Story
Much Ado About Nothing
The Happy Journey (oa)
Cash On Delivery
Wyrd Sisters
The Music Lovers (oa)
Taking Steps
Murdered to Death
on Thespians’ Productions

22. 22
Taunton Thespians are
President - John Meikle
Vice Presidents - Margaret Way,Thelma Wander, Ron Roberts
Honorary Member - Ted Goldsmith
Terry Allison
Julia Apperley
Des Atkinson
Patricia Attrill
Annette Balaam
Michael Barry
David Beach
Tony & Tessa Beaven
Mark Bond
Annie Bowles
Penny Bradnum
Neville & Polly Bray
Charlotte Briggs
Dona Bullion
John & Carol Burbery
Chloe Burt
Jane Burt
Jason Carter
Hollie Cooper
Ray & Nikki Court
Jon Cozens
Kim Crooks
Arthur Duncan Cummins
Barrie Dale
James Davis
Mark & Nicola Dawson
David & Audrey Doig
Jane Dyer
Jane Edwards
Sylvia Fellgett
Terry Finn
Pamela Fleming
Keith Gibbons
Michael Gilbert
Ted Goldsmith
David Goodall
Maggy Goodall
Kate Guest
Anne Hague
Bryan Hallett
Christopher Hancock
Jennifer Hancock
Lynn Henden
Sam Hill
Richard Hockey
Jean Hole
John Howe
Rose Humphreys
Alison Jenkinson
Linda Jenrick
Martin Jevon
Daniel Jones
Cynthia Jones
Carolynn Jureidini
Margot Komarnicka
Judith Laughton
Jonny Leach
Jane Leakey
Michael Linham
Clive Linthorne
Stuart Lyddon
Adrian Lynch
Josephine Mann
Hilary Marshall
Alexandra Marshall
Verity Martindill
John & Audrey Meikle
Andrew (Dusty) Miller
Louise Mitchell
Beryl Morris
David Northey
Marcus Palmer
Andrew Pearce
Nicola Gina Pearlstone
Martin Peters
Samuel Powell
Holly Puckett
Dinah Rawle
Joy Reason
Graham Reeks
Ron Roberts
Jacqueline Roberts
Zoe Ryan
Sarah Saunders
Vivienne Sharland
Sue Shaxon
Robert Smith
Richard Stenner
Martin Stepney
Freda Storey
Nigel Stuart-Thorn
Tessa Sutton
Vera Sweeting
Stuart Symonds
Susanna Tookey
Lucy Tozer
Charlotte Trevithick Ryall
Chris Tuffin
Anthony Venn
Abigail Vickery
Emma Vickery
Thelma Wander
Margaret Way
Matt Webber
Donald Whateley
Georgia Whelan
Angela Widgery
Terry Willis
Alister Wilmott
Helen Witcomb
About Taunton Thespians
The Taunton Thespians have reached their eighti-
eth year, and have been providing live theatre for
and by the people of Taunton and surrounding
area since 1928.That February, Ian Hay’s Tilly of
Bloomsbury was staged for 3 nights at the Lyceum
Theatre, and was a great success. Over the inter-
vening decades we have put on over 300 produc-
tions of all types.
It's fashionable to be patronising about amateur
theatre or “amdram”. We're not sure why. Every
year we entertain thousands of people by:
Staging two major productions at the Brewhouse
Participating in drama festivals in other theatres
around Somerset
Putting on in-house productions for members
Spending two weeks touring a classic comedy
every summer
We also provide Murder Mystery evenings and
Cabaret shows for parties and fund-raising events
around the area, and are developing our outreach
activities further.
To see what's happening in amateur drama in
Taunton, come along to a Club Night.There's no
charge, and you're very welcome. Just drop along
to “The Place” at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday
of any month from October to May.
If you do fancy joining us, there’s plenty to do, and
it doesn’t have to involve getting up on stage. Ac-
tors and actresses are always welcome, of course,
but we do need people who want to design and
build our sets, sort out costumes, do make up and
hair – all sorts of things. Membership is only
£12 a year, and it’s just about the most fun you can
have for a pound a month! The Thespians’ home is
“The Place” in Wilfred Road,Taunton.
For more details call John Burbery on 01823 442118 or email membership@tauntonthespians.org.uk

23. 23
s
d
n
s
Forthcoming Auditions
Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads
Auditions
Are to be held on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 July. Playing dates at the Tacchi Morris Theatre, Monkton Heath-
field are 24 – 27 September. Working copies are available on request to Ron. Rehearsals are a matter of individual
arrangement, since there are three directors involved and one player per piece.The selected materials are as fol-
lows.
A Lady of Letters ………directed by Nicola Dawson.
Irene Ruddock is not afraid to speak, or rather write, her mind. She writes letters to her MP, the police, the chem-
ist – etc., to remedy the social ills she sees around her. After one too many accusations of misconduct from Irene’s
pen, she is sent to prison where, for the first time in her life, she truly feels free.
A Chip in The Sugar …..directed by Freda Storey.
Graham is a middle-aged man with a history of mild, mental health problems, living with his mother in Leeds.
He is an absolutely stereotypical Guardian reader – he wears flares, avoids deodorant, is environmentally con-
scious, likes date and walnut bread and is very anti-Thatcher. It is also hinted that he is a closet homosexual. His
life is dramatically changed when his mother, to whom he is effectively ‘married’, meets her old flame Frank Turn-
bull after many years.Turnbull is bigoted, right-wing and racist but he is also well-dressed and well-off. Graham
becomes increasingly jealous as Turnbull proposes marriage to Mum and suggests that Graham should move out.
But Turnbull is hiding a secret which Graham discovers and confronts his mother with it, restoring the status quo
but destroying her happiness in the process.
Bed Amongst The Lentils ….directed by Ron Roberts.
Susan is an alcoholic, a nervous vicar’s wife, distracts herself from her ambitions and, as she sees him, her vainly
insensitive husband by conducting an affair with a nearby grocer, Ramesh Ramesh. In doing so, she discovers
something about herself and God. Interestingly, she does not feel cheated when he ‘moves on’ to get married.
Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband
Auditions:
Monday 4 August and Wednesday 5 August, both at 7.30pm. Production Dates 4 - 8 November at The Brew-
house. Director is to be Sylvia Fellgett
Characters (Ages are ‘a sensible guide’)
LADY MARKBY (50ish): Pleasant and popular Bemoans the effect of politics and education of women on
married life.
EARL OF CAVERSHAM (55-60ish): Father to LORD GORING. Serious and ‘respectable’. Firmly against
the excesses of his ‘dandified’ son, and constantly urges him to marry and get himself a decent ‘job’.
VISCOUNT GORING (30ish): Son of Lord Caversham. Idle but intelligent. (Some say Wilde based him on
himself) Irreverent, wry and witty. Good friend of Sir Robert Chiltern
SIR ROBERT CHILTERN (40ish): Important member of Parliament. Very ambitious. He hides his past from
his wife because of his love for her He is sometimes harried and nervous.
LADY GERTRUDE CHILTON (Late 20 -30s): Virtuous and upright. Well educated and interested in her
husband’s career
MRS CHEVELEY (35 - 40s): A vicious opportunist, values wealth and power. Part of Sir Roberts ‘past’.
MABEL CHILTON (20s): Younger sister of Sir Robert. Flirtatious, pert but clever. Her wit matches that of
Lord Goring.
Minor parts:
LADY BASILDON AND MRS MARCHMONT Delicate charm and frivolous banter!
VICOMTE DE NANJAC (youngish): Attaché at the French Embassy. (A sort of ‘malaprop’)
MRMONTFORD Secretary to Sir Robert
PHIPPS: Butler to Lord Goring
JAMES, MASON AND HAROLD Footmen

24. 24
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