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Life at The Little Theatre column: Drama and comedy collide in this glimpse of life backstage

The latest news from Southport's Little Theatre

Georgina Highcock

InYourArea Community, Georgina Highcock

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Life at The Little Theatre column: Drama and comedy collide in this glimpse of life backstage

THE ACTRESS: A sneak peek from rehearsals this week

By Jennifer Corcoran and Andrew Sloman

Congratulations to the cast and crew of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase - an atmospheric and memorable production.

We are back in more modern times for our next production, Peter Quilter’s “The Actress” coming to our stage from Friday 24th March until Saturday 1st April. Quilter is known for writing strong roles for women.

One of his earliest works, “End of the Rainbow” studied the latter portion of the career of Judy Garland. It was adapted into film “Judy” starring Renee Zellweger who won the Oscar, BAFTA, SAG and Golden Globe awards for her portrayal of Garland.

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Another of his popular pieces is “Glorious” which charts the trials and tribulations of American socialite and amateur soprano, Florence Foster Jenkins. Maureen Lipman took the role in the West End in 2005 and we closed our 2016 season with the show.

In “The Actress” we meet Lydia Martin a colourful and complicated character. Lydia is about to hang up her greasepaint as she feels age is getting the best of her. She is engaged, and she plans to marry Charles and move to Switzerland. As she prepares for her swan song, she is visited backstage by an array of friends, colleagues and lovers.

Her fiancé is not the only man in her life - there is also her ex-husband Paul - the stage lights may be going out but their flame may still burn. After all they do share a daughter, Nicole, but mother and daughter do not enjoy an easy relationship.

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Lydia’s faithful dresser Katherine may have tales to tell as she sees all. Completing the picture are her enthusiastic agent, Harriet and the more prickly company manager Margaret. They will all be affected in different ways by Lydia’s plans to retire and emotions run high.

Director Poppy Flanagan, recently seen in our production of “Blithe Spirit”, has assembled a stellar cast for this glimpse of a star back stage.

To book your tickets and see how it all goes - go to the Little Theatre Southport website , or visit the box office in person/ ring 01704 530521 between 11am to 1pm – and from 6pm to curtain up on show nights.

For more information about Southport Dramatic Club, visit our website. For updates, competitions and more follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

The Little Theatre is at Hoghton Street, Southport, Merseyside.

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