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More information on SDC productions in 2011/2012

'Emma'
by Jane Austen
adapted for the stage by Gordon Glennon
Directed by Margaret Mann

24th February to 3rd March


A lively, period, comedy of manners...

Emma is a novel about the perils of misconstrued romance. The novel, by Jane Austen was first published in December 1815. As in her other novels, Austen explores the concerns and difficulties of genteel women living in Georgian England; she also creates a lively comedy of manners among her characters.


Before she began the novel, Austen wrote, "I am going to make a heroine whom no one but myself will much like." In the very first sentence she introduces the title character as "Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich." Emma, however, is also rather spoiled; she greatly overestimates her own matchmaking abilities; and she is blind to the dangers of meddling in other people's lives and is often mistaken about the meanings of others' actions.

Adapted for the stage by Gordon Glennon.

(Wikipedia article, 2011)                               Jane Austen, a back view painted by her sister Cassandra

The SDC Youth Theatre presents
'Our Day Out'

by Willy Russell
Directed by Stephen Hughes-Alty

21st to 24th March

A celebration of the highs and lows of growing up...

The play centres on a school trip to Conwy Castle in North Wales. Mrs Kay teaches a remedial class for illiterate children, called the "Progress Class". The whole class - along with Digga and Reilly, the slightly older class bullies who used to be in the Progress Class - are taken on a coach trip. At the last minute, the Headmaster commissions Mr Briggs, the authoritarian Deputy Headmaster, to supervise the trip.

(Wikipedia article, 2012)

'Proscenophobia'
(or 'Stage Fright')
by Bettine Manktelow

13th April to 21st April


The violence becomes very real...


The action of this clever whodunit takes place in the dressing-room of a provincial theatre during a performance of a thriller. The star, Addie, is attempting a comeback and is understudied by her best friend Millie. Their constant bickering backstage belies a long history of friendship - which includes each one of them having been married to the same charming impresario, Ed Gibb, many years ago. 

Suspense builds when Addie begins to feel unwell and, for the first time, Millie must take her place in the dramatic and violent last act of the play. In a startling twist, the violence becomes very real...

(From a Knebworth Players production plot précis)

'The Dangers of Tobacco'
an entertaining play written by our own Alistair Hewitt.

4th May to 12th May


This is essentially a comedy, with a few serious moments thrown in...

Marie, Cissie and Eva are sisters who have each led very different lives. Marie is a little eccentric, Cissie has a reputation for being a free spirit, while Eva is a local councillor who is organized and a little bit bossy.

Despite their differences the three women have something they share. Rory Tobacco, Marie's ex-husband, is a local businessman with his fingers in many pies; he is successful at lots of things, but not the important ones like relationships...

From the SDC Subscriber's & Patron's Newsletter, April 2009