Our Autumn play 'Woman in Mind' will be directed by Jean Hunt. The play will be performed at The Coronation Hall from Tuesday 19th November 2019 through to Friday 22nd November, inclusive.
The Cast are as follows:
Susan Helen Newell
Bill, her doctor Paul Jordin
Gerald, her husband Chris Barron
Muriel, her sister-in-law Kirsty Goodall
Rick, her son Matt Berry
Andy, her husband Edward Rafter
Tony, her brother Duncan Lindsay
Lucy, her daughter Hayley Parsons
Woman in Mind.
Although “Woman in Mind” is one of Ayckbourn’s darker comedies, it is a very funny and thought provoking play.
First performed in Scarborough at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in 1985, it transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre in London in 1986, starring Julia McKenzie as Susan, with Martin Jarvis as Gerald. Starved of affection and love by her rather boring husband, Gerald, and her son Rick, who is ashamed of her, Susan conjures up an imaginary family.
A loving husband Andy, an adoring daughter Lucy, and a brother Tony.
She is happy and relaxed when she is with this imagined family.
The play is set in the small suburban garden of Gerald and Susan, but when she is with Andy, Lucy, and Tony, this rather dull space expands to become bright and lavish.
Other characters who, as well as their own standing in the play, serve to show different aspects of Susan’s character, are Bill, the doctor who has had a long standing crush on Susan but is unable to express his feelings, and Muriel, Gerald’s long suffering sister.
The action is all seen though Susan’s eyes - we see what is in her mind. But gradually Susan loses control over her dream, which breaks down into a nightmare when her real and imaginary families clash.
Image - Jean Hunt, Director