Our last play 'Quartet' was staged one year ago: due to accidents, availability of our wonderful actors and not enough hours in a day we were unable to do our production last October. I do hope 'Let's Pretend' will make up for it.
A home away from home, which has definitely seen better days, is the setting for the play; the hotel Nova Paradise on the island of Majorca. An assortment of British pensioners are wintering in the sun and the plot explores their various snobberies and self importance. One couple, Marj and Bill, are the victims of a plundered pension fund; Marj occupies herself by nosing into the private lives of her fellow guests while Bill's vulgarity is fuelled by the stolen booze he gets tipsy on. Alfred tries to maintain a gentlemanly exterior whilst making shy, romantic advances toward Grace. This ill-matched foursome is 'managed' by harassed holiday rep Karen who struggles with their unruly conduct. Entering into this idyll are Melanie and John, two workmates away on an illicit jaunt, who have booked into the hotel by mistake. Suddenly and hilariously the many layers of deceit peel away leaving everyone exposed to the dangers of pretence and deception. 'Let's Pretend' is a lively farce with occasional touches of pure pathos. The Stage said the play was 'A superb evening of riotous entertainment from start to end.'
My thanks to the cast for your support. I am delighted to introduce two new members to our company - Jenna Finnigan playing the part of Melanie and Karis Finnigan who is our prompt for this production.
I hope that you enjoy this production of 'Let's Pretend'.
-- Sophia Kennedy
Director
The Cast
| Margaret Leslie | Marj |
| Harry Kennedy | Bill |
| Roger Barlow | Alfred |
| Rebecca Taylor | Grace |
| Sarah Sherwood | Karen |
| Jenna Finnigan | Melanie |
| Jon White | John |
Production Team
| Director and Producer | Sophia Kennedy |
| Stage Manager and Properties | John Newton |
| Lighting and Sound | Andrew Poole |
| Front of House Manager | Tom Lloyd |
| Prompt | Karis Finnigan |
| Programme Sales | Sybil Crossman |
| Publicity | Alison Dunabin |
| Raffle | Joe Lloyd |
| Bar Managers | Colin Gidman Janet Gidman Keith Phillips Pat Mair Rob Raphael Jane Raphael |
Our thanks are due to Norman Wythenshawe and Keith Phillips for transporting the set and to Kevin Atkins and Chris Wilson for their help with the construction of the set and seating.
Our thanks are also due to The British Red Cross Society of Knutsford for providing us with a wheelchair for use during the performance and to RJ Signs and Graphics for printing the T-Shirts worn by the cast.
This production is dedicated to the memory of Gordon McGrath, who gave his support in so many ways to our company.