Yes, here we go again. Rehearsals for our final play of the 2018-2019 season began a couple of weeks ago with our cast working through the initial blocking. Now the hard work begins.
We like to mix our styles and give you different plays and Take Away The Lady follows on from our more modern and earthy performance of Double Top with this, a ‘play of suspense’, a whodunnit by Jimmy Chinn. Set somewhere around the 1950s, The Doubletree family gather for a surprise visit, one that raises questions about the death of their mother some 15 years ago.
Jayne Hewson as director kicks off the first rehearsal with the cast
You can read more about the play and also get in early with your ticket reservations by following these links;
Our ‘Double Top’ rehearsal last week was a special event that left us all inspired, exhausted and exhilarated. We had a visit from Ron Rose, the author of Double Top and GarethTudorPrice who directed the original production at Hull Truck back in 2002 for John Godber. They were there to talk about the play and also to provide some guidance on a fight scene.
Ron & Gareth expanded upon the story they first told us when we were selecting this play, about how it came to fruition and the dedicated research the pair undertook in Hull, necessitating frequent visits to pubs and ladies dart matches – and no doubt the consumption of beer added creative authenticity.
Ron Rose & Gareth Tudor Price tell us the history of the playDiscussing aspects of the play and inspiration for the characters
Ron had written the original play many years before for 9 women and 3 men but in 2002 John Godber asked to produce it at Hull Truck – but with a maximum of 5 actors – a big re-write was needed. (Read that story in our earlier post here)
We were enthralled to hear stories from Ron about inspiration for his characters and his scriptwriting days for episodes of The Bill and Heartbeat. Their anecdotes were hilarious and kept us entertained until it was time to get down to some serious rehearsal work.
We had asked Gareth for some of his professional directorial guidance in constructing a hilarious fight sequence for the play. We explained the scene in question and after a couple of polite comments and a “Do you mind if I try a couple of ideas…” he burst into action. It was like flicking a power switch to ‘on’ and being hit with a tornado of his motivational energy.
An hour later we were exhausted, aching, but laughing and on a high. We were buzzing. And if you want to see some of the hilarious results of our fight night just have a look at the slideshow below!
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Trouble viewing? Click the Fight Night header to go to the webpage
DoubleTop is running January 24th, 25th, 26th. Booking information can be found here.
Breaking news – and exciting news too. The 2019 Tour de Yorkshire Cycle Race will be powering and pedalling its way through our home town of Brough – not only that but the route takes the riders right past our rehearsal room The Forum and our village hall theatre.
We’ll be there to watch and support. May 2nd 2019
Tour de Yorkshire
Tour de Yorkshire
Maybe the Petuaria Players cycling group will be there – can you spot them amongst the professionals in the photos above? Not easy eh?
Note – this play contains adult humour and swearing
First performed by Hull Truck in 2002 we are bringing this wonderful play back to the stage for some laughter, pub life and maybe a few tears.
Set in Hull, a women’s darts team, set up as part of a self-awareness study, enter a knock-out competition.Can they put aside their differences, overcome their relationship problems and throw the ever elusive double top?
Directed by Janet Drewery
Cast
Rachel Miller as Marie Wendy Fairburn as Chris Nic Johnson as Jackie Gill Collins as Kath Jayne Hewson as Kirstie
with Rob Newton, Steve Howland, Dan Dyke and Tom Fryer as the men.
Petuaria Players 