Programme for Taunton Thespians' production of The Good Doctor

The Good Doctor

Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre 15th – 19th March 2011

present

by Neil Simondirected by Polly Bray

Programme

music by Peter Link

Programme pages.indd 1 3/10/2011 7:42:23 AM

We are grateful to the following:For displaying billboards: Mr & Mrs Tooze, Chelston; The

Westgate; The Crown & Sceptre; Yule, Brown Associates For the garden: Monkton Elm Garden CentreFor deploying billboards: John Burbery & Kai ClarkeFor financial support: Our advertisersFor the Dentist’s chair Mr CatchpoleFor Rehearsal photos Mark DawsonThe majority of the costumes are from our wardrobe, but also:

For costumes loaned: Janis BrockisFor costume hire: Bath Theatrical

Taunton Thespians is a Registered Charity, Number 800217


A Servant of Two Masters

adapted by Dorothy Louise

at stunning outdoor venues across Somerset from June 14th to 25th

COMING NEXT!Taunton Thespians

On Tour 2011 present

Carlo Goldoni’s Commedia classic

Open auditions at The Place, Wilfred Road, Taunton on the 22nd, 24th & 29th of March at 7.30pm

Full details on our websitewww.tauntonthespians.org.uk


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A Note from the Director.A sneeze that had disastrous consequences, a ‘poor defenceless woman’ who wreaks havoc in a

bank; a seduction that doesn’t quite work out as planned; a father’s well meaning attempt to initiate his son into the mysteries of manhood – these are just some of the ingredients of The Good Doctor.Neil Simon, one of the funniest of modern playwrights, has taken a handful of short stories by Anton Chekhov and woven them into an entertainment that is sometimes touching, mostly hilarious. Neil Simon and Anton Chekhov are not exactly a pairing that immediately strikes one as inspired. After all, one is a 19th Century Russian who laid bare humanity’s deepest yearnings and foibles in poignant dramatic plays, while the other is a 20th Century American who exposes the follies and neuroses of modern urban life in tightly crafted, one-liner littered comedy plays. Joined together they seem less natural peers in world theatre and yet the two share a bond from when they were young comedy writers. When he was in his twenties Chekhov devoted much of his literary energies to penning short humorous work in the form of stories, sketches and one-act farces for the stage. Neil Simon also spent his twenties writing short comedic pieces. Given that, it was not so odd for Simon to write The Good Doctor. It served as Neil Simon’s tribute to Anton Chekhov.Chekhov observes his characters with wry amusement but also with compassion; he forgives and never condemns. His advice to actors is to ‘play it simply’. Remember, they are all ordinary people.This little performed play has been a delight to work on and we hope you enjoy the result.

Polly Bray

Who Are Taunton Thespians?The Taunton Thespians have been providing live theatre for and by the people of Taunton and surrounding area since 1928, when Ian Hay’s Tilly of Bloomsbury was staged for 3 nights at the Lyceum Theatre (now a block of flats at the end of Station Road). The Thespians' home is “The Place” in Wilfred Road, Taunton. It's fashionable to be patronising about amateur theatre or "amdram". We're not sure why. Every year the Thespians entertain thousands of people by: Staging two major productions at the Tacchi-Morris Participating in drama festivals in other theatres around Somerset Putting on in-house productions for members Spending two weeks on the road with a touring production every summer Biannually, we also participate in the Ten Parishes FestivalWe also provide Murder Mystery evenings 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. Visit www.tauntonthespians.org.uk for full details and more informationIf you do fancy joining us, there’s plenty to do, and it doesn’t have to involve getting up on stage. Actors and actresses are always welcome, of course, but we do need people who want to design and build our sets, sort out costumes, do makeup 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!

For more details call John Burbery on 01823 442118 or email [email protected]


About the AuthorNeil Simon (born July 4, 1927) is an American playwright and screenwriter. His numerous Broadway successes have caused his work to be amongst the most regularly performed in the world.Early years: Simon was born Marvin Neil Simon on July 4, 1927 in The Bronx, New York City to Irving Simon, a garment salesman, and his wife Mamie. He was their second son and he grew up in Washington Heights, Manhattan during the Great Depression. His father often abandoned the family, causing financial and emotional difficulties. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School and graduated at the age of sixteen.Early career: He attended New York University briefly from 1944 to 1945, where he was enlisted in the Army Air Force Reserve training program. He was assigned to Lowry Air Force Base during 1945 and attended the University of Denver from 1945 to 1946. He was a sports editor for the military magazine Rev-Meter.During 1946, he was discharged as a corporal. Two years later, he quit his job as a mailroom clerk in the Warner Brothers offices in Manhattan to write radio and television scripts with his brother Danny Simon, including tutelage by radio humourist Goodman Ace when Ace ran a short-lived writing workshop for CBS. They wrote for the radio series The Robert Q. Lewis Show and for the television series The Phil Silvers Show.Their revues for Camp Tamiment in Pennsylvania during the early 1950s were noticed by Sid Caesar, who hired the duo for his popular television comedy series Your Show of Shows. Simon later incorporated some of their experiences into his play Laughter on the 23rd Floor (1993). His work won him two Emmy Award nominations and the appreciation of Phil Silvers, who hired him to write for Sergeant Bilko during 1959.Writing career: During 1961, Simon’s first Broadway play, Come Blow Your Horn, began at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, where it played for 678 performances. Six weeks after its closing, his second production, the musical Little Me began to mixed reviews. Although it failed to attract a large audience, it earned Simon his first Tony Award nomination. Overall, he has garnered seventeen Tony nominations and won three. He also won the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Lost In Yonkers.During 1966 Simon had four shows playing in Broadway theaters at the same time: Sweet Charity, The Star-Spangled Girl, The Odd Couple, and Barefoot in the Park. His professional association with producer Emanuel Azenberg began with The Sunshine Boys during 1972 and continued with The Good Doctor, God’s Favorite, Chapter Two, They’re Playing Our Song, I Ought to Be in Pictures, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, Broadway Bound, Jake’s Women, The Goodbye Girl, and Laughter on the 23rd Floor, among others.Simon also has written screenplays for more than twenty films. These include adaptations of his own plays and also original work, including The Out-of-Towners, Murder by Death and The Goodbye Girl. He has received four Academy Award nominations for his screenplays.Simon has been conferred with two honoris causa degrees; a Doctor of Humane Letters from Hofstra University and a Doctor of Laws from Williams College. He is the namesake of the legitimate Broadway theater the Neil Simon Theatre, formerly the Alvin Theatre, and an honorary member of the Walnut Street Theatre’s board of trustees.Personal life: Simon has been married five times, to dancer Joan Baim (1953–1973), actress Marsha Mason (1973–1981), twice to Diane Lander (1987–1988 and 1990–1998), and currently actress Elaine Joyce. He is the father of Nancy and Ellen, from his first marriage, and Bryn, Lander’s daughter from a previous relationship whom he adopted.Information above from Wikipedia


Somerset County Drama FestivalSeven entries this year, in two sessions, both on Saturday 2nd April at Kings College Theatre inTaunton, adjudicated publicly after each session by Marie O’Sullivan, GODA.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON, Starting at 2pm:Troupers: SINKING by Les ClarkeSt Gregory Youth Theatre: AESOP’S FABLES updated by Kim Esop WylieTaunton Thespians: THE TOURIST OFFICE by Cosmo JohnsonSomerton Dramatic Society: THE LAST BREAD PUDDING by Nick Warburton

SATURDAY EVENING, Starting at 7pm:St Gregory Players: SAY GOODBYE TO JILL, EVERYBODY by Les Clarke@2K: THE EDGE by Steve CarleyTaunton Thespians: EDWIN by John MortimerIf there is any change to the running order, this will be posted on the SFD website at least two weeks before the Festival, and also published in April’s Spotlight.Tickets cost £7 per session, and can be ordered in advance by phoning Martin Jevon on 07951 368387 or will be available on the door.The winning production will go on to represent the County at the quarter finals of the All-England

Theatre Festival which will be held at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on Saturday 16th April.

Autumn 2011Agatha Christie’s

A Murder Is AnnouncedReading20th April

Open Auditions August 8th, 17th & 22nd

All at The Place, 7.30pm


Tel: 01823 412381www.monkton-elm.co.ukMonkton Heathfield, Taunton(5 mins from M5 J25)Open: Mon-Sat: 9am - 5.30pm;Sun: 10.30am - 4.30pm

Something for every season

• Family restaurant:Breakfast; morning coffee; hot lunches; afternoon tea

• Extensive range of plants• Huge garden shop• Pots and stoneware• House plants• Patio and shed village• Gifts galore• Garden furniture• Pet & aquatic centre• New craft centre• Water features• Children’s play area• Disabled facilities• Free parking


Production TeamDirector Polly Bray Producer Rene Kilner Stage Manager Stuart Lyddon DSM Brian Lewis Lighting Design Kevin StrattonLighting Rigging & Operation Kevin Stratton and SPACE

Company MembersSound Graham Reeks Musical arrangement (Too Late for Happiness) Tony LeachMusicians (Too Late for Happiness) Tony Leach (Guitar),

Mike Leach (Piano)Costume Charlotte Briggs & Kirsten Whyte Supported by Alison Jenkinson & Chloe StepneyMake Up & Hair Amy ParkerSupported by Mary Elliot, Faith Wignall

and Jess Mills Props Swannie & Kimberly Van-Stein Black Gang John Burbery, Kai Clarke, Chris Key and

Charlie DorrPrompt Karen Kerslake Publicity Ron Roberts, Michael Gilbert, Jane Edwards,

Rene Kilner, Carrie VaughnPoster Design Polly Bray, Janis Brockis, Michael Gilbert Programme Michael GilbertFront of House Laura Richmond


Act OneThe Writer

Narrator Michael Gilbert

The SneezeIvan Cherdyakov Charlie Dorr Mdme Cherdyakov Hayley Watson Gen Brassilhov Mike Leach Mdme Brassilhov Carrie Vaughan

The Governess Mistress Alison Jenkinson Julia Sarah Twomey

SurgeryKuryatin Tony Leach Sexton Mark Dawson

Too Late For HappinessWoman Carrie Vaughan Man Tony Venn

The SeductionPeter Semyonych Mike Leach Wife Sarah Twomey Husband Mark Dawson

Cast and ScenesThe action of the play takes place in various places in the mind of the Narrator in Russia in the 1880s


Cast and ScenesAct Two

The Drowned ManNarrator Michael Gilbert Sailor Tony Leach Policeman Chris Key

The AuditionGirl Hayley Watson Voice Richard Stenner

A Defenceless CreatureKistunov Richard Stenner Pochatkin Michael Gilbert Woman Dona Bullion

The ArrangementFather Tony Venn Boy Tony Leach Girl Jane Edwards

The WriterNarrator Michael Gilbert

The action of the play takes place in various places in the mind of the Narrator in Russia in the 1880s


In the original production, the Narrator morphed into multiple characters; I’m very glad we’re not doing that. The role as it stands is complex, leading the audience through the structure of the play, working with the music and setting the scenes. Working full time constrains one’s ability to focus on a role, so the expansion of the cast is the most sensible route for us to take. The part itself, like the rest of the play, is complex, with a lot of self-analysis and a chunk lifted direct from The Seagull woven skilfully together by Simon to give a strong word picture of the writer at work, and giving me some of the best lines I’ve ever had to deliver. And a bit of fun as a second character, too.

This is my second production with the Taunton Thespians and I have had a relatively small job to do in comparison to my previous role in Alan Ayckbourn’s Game Plan which we performed last November. But ‘there are no small parts, only small actors’ (Stanislavsky) and I have tried to approach my two roles in The Good Doctor with the feverish determination that my character in The Audition displays, only without having to battle ‘a temperature.... (of)...a hundred and three!’...And enjoyably so!

Hayley Watson ~ Madame Cherdyakov in The Sneeze, Girl in The Audition

I wandered into Taunton Thespians one spring evening in 2009, having done very little acting at all, and since then I have appeared in no less than six plays – in all sorts of strange roles. This time last year at the Tachi-Morris I played Reuben Starkadder in Cold Comfort Farm. Since then I have played Orlando in As You Like It and, most recently, Able, in an in-house production of Antic. This time I play Cherdyakov – the sneezer – who, I don’t mind saying, is probably the character I most empathise with. Fortunately I’m not quite as anxious as poor Cherdyakov though, and when you see me sneezing at the General – it hopefully won’t be a real one.

Charlie Dorr ~ Cherdyakhov in The Sneeze

Michael Gilbert ~ The Narrator, Pochatkin in A Defenceless Creature


I have always wanted to work with Polly Bray as my Director and so am thrilled that I have now been given the opportunity to do so – she is so inspiring and so is the rest of her cast. That and the amazing script with its light and shade play on emotions, I am one happy lady right now. I came into the rehearsal process part through straight from playing Bad Witch Hazel with the Wayfarers Pantomime Society and so I have gone from playing one baddie straight to another. Two strong characters and it’s still only March – a good year so far I think

Alison Jenkinson ~ Mistress in The Governess

Well here we are again. It seems like only yesterday I joined The Thespians, for the highly successful Daisy Pulls It Off. It was fun playing Daisy’s mother and a rather dizzy french teacher. Last year in Cold Comfort Farm, a rural lass with a dirty face; and now again, another two parts in The Good Doctor. This is good as long as you remember to change your shoes !! In my spare time I am a Front of House volunteer here at the Tacchi-Morris .I love going to the theatre, cinema, music gigs and visiting friends in France. I do hope you enjoy the show. Thank you so much for coming.

Carrie Vaughan ~ Madame Brassilhov in The Sneeze, Woman in Too Late for Happiness

I joined the Taunton Thespians two years ago and what an incident-packed two years they’ve been - a wild and wonderful variety of accents, two spectacular death scenes, my first-ever stage kiss and a prized opportunity to deliver one of the great speeches in the English-speaking theatre. Plus Squire Harkaway in London Assurance, the most lovable character I’ve ever played, and (until now) the least like me. In The Good Doctor, by contrast, I get to inhabit a character who is among the most nauseating I’ve ever played - and even less like me. I’m sure there’s a moral there, I just don’t see it yet.

Mike Leach ~ General Brassilhov in The Sneeze, Peter Semyonych in The Seduction


Acting, a passion of mine sometimes leaning toward the professional, sometimes not. A passion that has been rather well exercised by the Taunton Thespians for quite a few years now. And how I’ve relished each new role and its challenges, with recent Thespian appearances as Mark Meddle, Attorney at Law in London Assurance, Urk, in Cold Comfort Farm and Baker in Antic being among my proudest moments. In this my latest and perhaps most ambitious Thespian outing to date, I will attempt to convey three separate characters, each rather different in terms of age and status but all sharing a common trait - a rather large degree of incompetency. I hope hilarity will ensue. My other interest is playing music (on instruments, not a CD player) which is why I was especially pleased to act as Musical Director and play guitar in the scene Still Time For Happiness (which also features my dad’s musical début on piano).

Tony Leach ~ Kuryatin in Surgery, Sailor in The Drowned Man, Son in The Arrangement

I first trod the stage with the Thespians eighteen years ago. In all that time there have been several plays which appealed to me more than the others and this one is right up there amongst them. I love The Good Doctor. As a play it allows actors to play different characters whilst you, the audience, have a variety of different, yet linked, scenes to watch. I think it makes for good entertainment, not that it is without its hazards, though; an overenthusiastic dive saw me damage my knee akin to a break during rehearsal. I do this for fun … no, really!

Mark Dawson ~ Sexton in Surgery, Husband in The Seduction

I have always loved performing, having been an Associate of the Royal Ballet and a soloist with the National Youth Ballet from an early age. Throughout my time at school and college I enjoyed taking part in many productions and I became a member of the National Youth Theatre in 2006. Whilst at Cardiff University, reading English Literature, I performed as part of the drama society Act One and also wrote and directed two full length plays, the latest of which was performed at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2010. I hope to gain a place at drama school this year.

Sarah Twomey ~ Julia in The Governess, Wife in The Seduction


Acting has always been a favourist pastime, in everything from school productions to full length plays with SCAT, Dunkery Players, Minehead Amateur Dramatic Society, Barnstormers and most recently the Kingston Players. Since joining the Taunton Thespians in 2007 after a fifteen year break from amateur dramatics, I have enjoyed performing in three productions: Suddenly At Home (Spring 2009), An Ideal Husband (Autumn 2009) and now The Good Doctor. I have also acted recently with the Kingston Players in another production of Suddenly At Home, directed by fellow Thespian Tony Venn. Like most people, I come across the occasional difficult customer, but fortunately, none have reduced me to such depths of despair as the ‘Defenceless Creature’, as you will see...

Richard Stenner ~ Voice in The Audition, Kistunov in A Defenceless Creature

I am currently on a gap year, having completed my A-Levels at Richard Huish College. I hope to gain as much stage experience before a degree in English and Drama at Royal Holloway College, London. This is my first role with the Thespians and has allowed me to further my theatre skills. I have taken lead roles in sixth form productions, written my own play for the college drama festival and recently played the lead in a production of West Side Story performed by Taunton Amateur Operatic Society. Alongside The Good Doctor, I am currently rehearsing for another TAOS production, Hot Mikado.

Chris Key ~ Policeman in The Drowned Man

Each time I was asked which Play had been chosen for our Spring presentation I drew myself up a little and said it was a composite of Neil Simon and Anton Chekhov. A typical response to this was to ask if it was the Cherry-Orchard-Three-Sisters-Chekhov and then to remark that it was going to be depressing. This is not the case. It is the very opposite of the case, for these offerings are immensely amusing. Indeed, one of them has been described as Pythonesque. This means that for me rehearsals have been very satisfying because I have seen the plays develop and grow and have had great pleasure watching others work whilst I have been hugely entertained.

Tony Venn ~ Man in Too Late for Happiness, Father in The Arrangement


I have been involved in many plays with the Thespians over the years – you might remember me as Puck, Viola, Zena Sparkle, Jane Eyre and many other roles. If I am not acting I use my art skills to help behind the scenes and recently produced all props and costumes for Damsels in Distress. I was one of the original cast in this play performed for the One Act Drama Festival; hopefully we won’t lose our crutch this time or rip my skirt. Some say I was perfect for this role but I am not sure how to take that? I am not mad, just expressive.

I’m not sure that my part even qualifies as a cameo, with a total of 12 lines, but it is certainly sweet. And flattering to have been asked… thank you, Polly. I have devoted the time not spent in cramming lines to directing Edwin by John Mortimer for the County Drama Festival to be held at King’s College, Taunton, on April 2nd. I have also taken on the mantle of Co-ordinator of the SFD’s Original One Act Playwriting Competition and Festival. So I have not been idle. But acting remains my first love, and I look forward to chunkier parts again in the future…

Jane Edwards ~ Girl in The Arrangement

Dona Bullion ~ Woman in A Defenceless Creature



Des AtkinsonAnnette BalaamMichael BarryTony & Tessa BeavenPenny BradnumPolly BrayCharlotte BriggsDona BullionJohn & Carol BurberyJane BurtJason CarterThomas CooneyJosh CooperMark CourtRay & Nikki CourtJon CozensArthur Duncan CumminsBen CurreyMark & Nicola DawsonCharlie DorrJane DyerJane EdwardsKaren FearSylvia FellgettTerry FinnKeith GibbonsMichael GilbertDave & Maggie Goodall

Ken & Anne HagueBryan HallettJennifer HancockLynn HendenJack HorwoodRosemary HumphreysSally JagoAlison JenkinsonLinda JevonMartin JevonKaren KerslakeChristopher KeyRene KilnerJonathan LeachMichael LeachTony LeachJane LeakeyPeter LewisMichael LinhamStuart LyddonJosephine MannHilary MarshallJohn & Audrey MeikleBeryl MorrisDavid NortheyAmy ParkerGemma PayneAnnie Phillips

Alan PhilpottRhian PughElaine RawleDinah RawleJoy ReasonGraham ReeksRon & Jacqueline RobertsVivienne SharlandRobert SmithRichard StennerChloe StepneyKatherine StoneNigel Stuart-ThornStuart SymondsSwanniePauline TilleySusanna TookeySarah TwomeyChristine VaughanCarrie VaughanTony VennAbigail VickeryDavid WaringHaley WatsonMatt WebberKirsten WhyteAngela Widgery

Taunton ThespiansPresident – John Meikle

Vice Presidents – Sylvia Fellgett & Ron Roberts


This Production Is Entered ForThe Rose Bowl

AwardsFounded 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

Somerset Fellowship of DramaThe SFD is an umbrella organisation whose mission is to promote amateur theatre across the county. For many years it was a sub-committee of the Community Council for Somerset was responsible mainly for organising competitive drama for its forty nine member groups. Just over ten years ago, with the support of most of its members and under the inspired leadership of then-chairman Mike Linham, it decided to become independent. It was a bold step into the unknown, but it seems to have paid off. Since then there has been a

considerable increase in both membership and in the range of activities provided for them.

NODAThe National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA), founded in 1899, is the main representative body for amateur theatre in the UK. It has a membership of some 2500 amateur/community theatre groups and 3000 individual 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.


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Entertainment & Humor

Programme for Taunton Thespians' production of The Good Doctor