Trimley SAINTS and ‘The Ladykillers’ …

There are many upsides to being a Village Recorder, not least when an offer comes to view a Trimley SAINTS production in advance of the main event. A short while ago I was fortunate enough to be invited to a rehearsal of the SAINTS forthcoming production of Graham Linehan’s, “The Ladykillers”. I didn’t see the entire play (I’ve  bought tickets for that experience.) However, the extract they presented in all its roguish glory, gave me the zingy  flavour of the play.  The talented cast delivered  their usual  zest and enthusiasm to this classic  drama. I also had the opportunity to talk to the new Director, Lesley McMaster,  about the upcoming production. Lesley, who must have been born  in a stage trunk á la Judy Garland, told me something about herself as well as ‘The Ladykillers’.

Lesley told me,

“I joined Trimley Saints Players in March 2020, for the production of ‘Cash on Delivery’. We had a couple of weeks rehearsals and then went into lockdown! The production was eventually able to go ahead in June 2022. I was then in the chorus for Aladdin. The Director for ‘Aladdin’ had to withdraw early on and Diana Seaman took over. Diana  generally directs the Summer productions and as a consequence I then offered to direct for June 2023. I passed through the committee process along with my choice of play and here I am, directing my first production with the Trimley Saints Players,  I have been involved with amateur dramatics for over 50 years, acting and directing,  predominately with the Masque Players, based in Kesgrave, of whom I am a member and originally joined in 1970!

‘The Ladykillers’ is set in 1956 in a lopsided, North London house with subsidence, which stands next to a train tunnel in Kings Cross, and  it’s based on the 1955 film, starring Alec Guinness, Herbert Lom and Peter Sellers which in turn was based on a play by William Rose. An American remake was made in 2004 by the Coen Brothers, starring Tom Hanks. This comedy thriller by Graham Linehan is an updated version written and first performed in 2011 and based on the Ealing Comedy film of 1955.

The action is set in 1956 in a lopsided, North London  house with subsidence ,standing next to a train tunnel in Kings Cross, and involves Mrs Wilberforce, a sweet, little elderly lady who lets out an attic room to who she thinks are classical musicians. But the motley crew of men are in fact a gang of five criminals, led by Professor Marcus, planning a daring robbery. A quartet of visiting ladies expecting tea and a concert and a police Constable make up the cast of eleven along with General Gordon, a talking ,squawking parrot who joins in the fun.

We are actually heading towards the end of the rehearsal period and I am very pleased with how the production is going at this stage.  This script was written with a revolving stage in mind, and consequently it is quite complex.  It’s  been quite a challenge to adapt for the Trimley stage in order to have a split stage to accommodate a sitting room , an attic room, and a staircase!

The main characters are Professor Marcus, who  is being played by Chris Fryer, last seen as the Dame, Widow Twankey in Aladdin, and Jacky Meehan, who performed as as the Slave of the Ring in Aladdin is the slightly  eccentric Mrs Wilberforce. They are supported by a terrific cast, incorporating some familiar faces of some of Trimley Saints Players most popular actors, along with one or two new faces.”

This production looks set to equal the best of Trimley SAINTS previous productions and the audience are guaranteed to have a cracking night out.  Anyone familiar

Not to be missed. (Tickets available from:  01394 285113)

The cast is as follows:

Mrs Wilberforce                     Jacky Meehan

Constable                                 Wes Moore

Professor Marcus                  Chris Fryer

Major Courtney                      Robert Hutchings

Harry Robinson                     Marcus Nichols

One Round                              Richard Gifford

Louis Harvey                          Neville Woolnough

Mrs Jane Tromleyton           Julie Waters

Mrs Wilberforce’s Guests   Daphne Armstrong, Amanda Cunningham and Sue Simmons