Programme for Taunton Thespians' production of Lords and Ladies

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On Tour 2012 Present
and
and
ords
ords
adies
adies
Dream on...
Dream on...
An Amateur Performance
Terry Pratchett’s
Terry Pratchett’s
comic fantasy
comic fantasy
programme
two pounds
programme
two pounds
LandL Programme.indd 1 6/23/2012 8:35:31 AM

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Taunton Thespians are grateful
to the following:
for displaying billboards: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yule Browne, Taunton
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Crown & Sceptre, Taunton
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mr Richard Moore, Taunton
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr & Mrs Tooze, Chelston
for displaying posters: . . . . . . . . . . . . Local shops and other premises
for deploying billboards: . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Roberts & Mark Dawson
for financial support: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Our advertisers
for franking service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Learning South West
for printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Express Print, Galmington
for billboards & banners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blake Signs
for loan of Squeeze Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gibby Swaine
for all their support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Members of Taunton Thespians
for information on Discworld . . . . . . . . . . The L-Space Web & Wikipedia
Taunton Thespians is a Registered Charity, Number 800217

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Terry Pratchett’s
Lords & Ladies
The Roundworld Premiere
Adapted for the stage by
Nicola Dawson & Martin Jevon
Act 1
Scene 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lancre Stones – “The Dancers”
Scene 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Unseen University
Scene 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Somewhere in Lancre
Scene 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . At the Standing Stone
Scene 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lancre Castle
Scene 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Ogg’s Forge
Scene 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . On the road to Lancre
Scene 8 . . . . . . . . . . . Somewhere in Lancre and in Lancre Town Square
Scene 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The gardens of Lancre Castle
Scene 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lancre Stones – “The Dancers”
There will be an Interval of 20 minutes between the Acts
Act 2
Scene 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Outside Lancre Castle
Scene 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Somewhere nearby
Scene 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lancre Castle
Scene 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lancre Town Square
Scene 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside the Castle
Scene 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lancre Stones – “The Dancers”
Scene 7 . . . . Lancre Castle, the garden of the Goat & Bush, Lancre Forest
Scene 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Near to Lancre Stones
Scene 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Somewhere nearby
Scene 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lancre Forest and Lancre Castle
As you’re leaving, there will be a collection on behalf of the Alzheimer’s
Society; please give generously.

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About the author
Sir Terry Pratchett (knighted in the 2009 New Year’s Honours List for services to literature) is one of Britain’s leading
fantasy authors, published in 38 languages, with worldwide sales in the region of 75 million books (but who’s counting?).
Born in 1948, he grew up in Forty Green, near Beaconsfield, and attended High Wycombe Technical High School
before joining the Bucks Free Press in 1965. In 1970, he moved to the Western Daily Press, and in 1973 to the Bath Evening
Chronicle. In 1979, he became a press officer for the Central Electricity Generating Board, with responsibility for three
nuclear power plants. He gave that up and took up writing full time in 1987.
His first book, The Carpet People (1971), was based on stories he wrote for the Bucks Free Press, but he is most famous for
his Discworld novels, the first of which, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983. There are now 39 novels in the series
and Sir Terry has collaborated on about 50 associated publications, including the Science of Discworld series, the
Discworld diaries, maps and a Discworld Companion (this last with Stephen Briggs, who has also adapted over twenty of
the novels for the stage, most of which have been published).
He received the 2001 Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, and a stage adaptation of his
young adult novel, Nation, was produced at the Royal National Theatre over Christmas 2009.
In 2007, he was diagnosed with Posterior Cortical Atrophy, a rare variant of Alzheimer’s Disease, and the following
year donated $1 million dollars to Alzheimer’s research. Since then, he’s become a public face for sufferers, and has
been successful in bringing about much greater attention to the disease in the media, with a Scottish BAFTA winning
documentary, Living with Alzheimers. In 2010 he gave the BBC’s prestigious Richard Dimbleby Memorial Lecture, which
he titled Shaking Hands with Death, and his most recent programme, shown on BBC2, Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die has
just won the BAFTA Award for the Best Documentary. Long Earth, a collaboration with the leading SF author Stephen
Baxter that’s based on a story Terry wrote in 1986, is being published in June, as is the paperback edition of Bollinger
Everyman P. G. Wodehouse Prize winning Snuff, and a companion volume, The World of Poo (written in conjunction
with Wincanton’s Discworld Emporium). His young adult novel Dodger, set in 1840s London, the latest edition of the
Pratchett/Briggs Discworld Companion, titled Turtle Recall, and a much updated map of Discworld’s famous city, The
Compleat Ankh-Morpork, will all be published this Autumn as well as a collection of his shorter
fiction writings, A Blink of the Screen.

5
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6
Lords & Ladies: the Directors speak
This production has been
conceived, brought to term
and nursed onto the stage by
Nicola Dawson and Martin
Jevon, so it seem only fair to
let them apolo... sorry, give us
an insight into their thinking.
Herewith, therefore, a brief
interview:
Q: Why did you choose this show?
Martin: Both of us really enjoyed Wyrd Sisters a few years back. And the combination of a Terry Pratchett
play and the open air was hard to resist. I also wanted to work with Nicola again as we have done a number of
Thespian things together and I think we work well as a team.
Nicola: The Taunton Thespians have been staging open air touring productions in deepest Somerset
every summer for the last 12 years. (Come ‘rain or snow or glom of nit’....) Typical productions have included:
Shakespearean comedies, Tom Jones, Jane Eyre, The Rivals, The Servant of Two Masters and London Assurance (the
latter because we really, really couldn’t resist a play that features a character called Lady Gay Spanker). We’ve
limbered up on the classics and now feel ready to tackle the heady heights of the Discworld. We felt particularly
drawn to Lords and Ladies because it gives a nod to A Midsummer Night’s Dream and because the summer tour
usually takes place during the two weeks either side of the summer solstice.
Q: Has it been difficult with two directors?
Martin: We both have complementary skills so there have been no major disagreements. It’s bad news for
the actors as it mean we have the capacity for lots of extra rehearsals.
Nicola: Better ask the cast! We spent many, many evenings together adapting the novel into a play script,
and so got all our arguing out of the way at that stage. And Martin is a better dancer than me, so he led on the
choreography.
Q: What have been the high points?
Martin: The writing was wonderful, but seeing it on stage is better. From a purely visual point of view, the
costumes are stunning, but then seeing the actors’ hard work on top! I’m a very happy director at the moment.
Nicola: The teamwork in the rehearsal room; the wonderful costumes (all from our own resources except
one outfit – oook) and superb props; the first time we saw the amazing Standing Stones in action; discovering
which members of the cast are hard-core Pratchett addicts and know all the words to The Hedgehog Song….
Q: What is your next project?
Martin: World domination, or if that doesn’t work out, a one act show called Around the World in 80
Minutes, which I’m about to start writing.
Nicola: Devising new scenarios for the Thespians’ improvised murder mysteries.

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This production is entered for
The Phoebe Rees Awards
Founded by Phoebe Rees and run by the
Somerset Fellowship of Drama, the competition
is open to amateur drama societies and groups in
Somerset. Plays are adjudicated by members of the
Fellowship’s committee who also run an annual
Original Playwriting Festival and the county’s first
round of the All England Theatre Festival, and
organise drama training.
The Rose Bowl Awards
Founded by the families of Walter Hawkins
and John Coe, this is now funded through the
Quartet Community Foundation, with individual
awards sponsored by the Bristol Evening Post.
Amateur operatic and dramatic productions
throughout former Avon, Gloucester and
Somerset are assessed by GODA qualified
adjudicators
Taunton Thespians are members of NODA
The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA), founded in 1899, is
the main representative body for amateur theatre in the UK. It has a membership
of some 2500 amateur/community theatre groups and 3000 individual enthusiasts
throughout the UK, staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a
wide variety of performing venues, ranging from the country's leading professional
theatres to village halls. Members have access to a wide range of benefits.
NODA aims
To give a shared voice to the amateur theatre sector
•
To help amateur societies and individuals achieve the highest standards of best
•
practice and performance
To provide leadership and advice to enable the amateur theatre sector to tackle
•
the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century
Murder Mystery evenings
Are you looking for a fun evening to raise money for your school, local community or favourite charity? Or are
you simply interested in running a lively, different social event? Do you have access to a hall or meeting room?
If so, why not book the Taunton Thespians to run a murder mystery evening for you? We will supply actors to
perform an entertaining who-dun-it right in front of your eyes and will involve the whole audience in solving
the mystery. These evenings work very well when combined with a supper.
For availability, fees and further details, email treasurer@tauntonthespians.org.uk or phone 01823 270249.

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The Librarian
The Librarian appeared in the first novel of the series, The Colour of Magic, and was transformed into an orangutan
in The Light Fantastic. On discovering that being an orangutan had certain advantages for a librarian – he can climb
up to high shelves, for example – he refused to be transformed back into a human and has remained an orangutan
ever since. The other wizards have gradually become used to the situation, to the extent that, from Night Watch:
‘if someone ever reported that there was an orangutan in the Library, the wizards would probably go and ask the
Librarian if he’d seen it.’
Being an ape, he is known for his violent reaction to most people calling him a “monkey.” He speaks a language
whose vocabulary consists primarily of the single word Ook (originally Oook), inflected for simple affirmations
and negations. Eeek is also occasionally heard, particularly in moments of panic or rage. Nonetheless, most people
seem able to understand him.
The Librarian’s name has never been given in any of the books; he is always simply ‘the Librarian.’ If the
Librarian’s true name were known, he could be changed back into a human, and he has, since The Last Continent,
carefully excised his name from the records of the University. The Discworld Companion hints that he may once have
been Dr. Horace Worblehat, which goes most of the way to explaining why he is happier as an orangutan. The Art
of Discworld confirms that the Librarian was indeed Dr. Horace Worblehat, and that his fears of turning back into a
human are baseless at most. Rincewind is apparently the only wizard who still remembers the Librarian’s name, but
has agreed not to tell anyone.
The Librarian served a brief stint in the City Watch during the reign of terror caused by the dragon of Ankh-
Morpork, where he helped to rescue Sam Vimes from the Patrician’s cell. He retained an honorary position with
the Watch, and is considered as of Thud! to be one of the first members of the ‘Specials’ – the Ankh-Morpork
City Militia. In Soul Music, he joined the Band with Rocks In, since his large hands and wide reach make him an
excellent keyboard player. He remains the chief organist for the Unseen University, and does not consider an organ
complete without a vox diabolica stop, a thunder pedal, and a 256 ft Earthquake pipe. Fortunately, the Johnson
organ in the Great Hall of Unseen University is one of the few organs thus equipped.
The Librarian is a member of a small, elite group of senior librarians who have the knowledge and ability to travel
through L-space, an extradimensional space that connects all libraries and other large accumulations of books. He
used this knowledge to save books from the great library of Ephebe in Small Gods and to enter our world via the
library of Sir Francis Walsingham in The Science of Discworld II. The very strict rules that members of this group are
pledged to enforce are:
Silence
1.
Books must be returned no later than the last date shown
2.
Do not meddle with the nature of causality.
3.
Of course, the Librarian has been known to break both the first and
third rules on occasion, but he is adamant about the second.
In Men at Arms, it is stated that the Librarian likes being the Best
Man at weddings because he is allowed to kiss the bridesmaids and
they are not allowed to run away.
The Librarian tends to spend his leisure hours at the Mended
Drum, where he drinks quietly unless provoked, eats prodigious
quantities of peanuts and plays a ruthless game of Cripple
Mr Onion with anyone foolish enough to take him on.
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9
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Lancre
Lancre is based mainly on rural areas of Southern England with which Pratchett was familiar. He has described the
tiny country as "solid folklore"; it is the place where all the legends of our world's countryside really happened. The
name seems to echo Lancashire and the associated witch trials in Pendle in that county in the seventeenth century.
Part of the reason for this is that the Ramtops are a major earthing point for the Discworld's magical field. Headless
horsemen and walking trees are part of the landscape, as are witches. Lancre is famous for witches, especially
since the publication of The Joye of Snackes (an erotic cookbook) by "A Lancre Witch", ie. Nanny Ogg. Lancre also
contains a gateway into the "parasite universe" of the elves. The other thing Lancre is famous for is young people
going off and seeking their fortunes (usually in Ankh-Morpork).
Although most maps show Lancre to measure roughly 40 miles by 10 miles in size, its true area remains unknown
— partly because of its mountainous terrain and the fact that it borders on the Ramtops, but also due to the
warping effect of a high level of background magic. Owing to this background magic, geography in certain areas of
Lancre can take on additional properties that exist either outside, or in addition to, the conventional geographic
dimensions.
Though it is not clear if the phenomenon is related to background magic, Lancre also serves as the physical
location for (possibly two) independent gateways to a "parasite universe" inhabited by Elves. In times past, Elven
incursions were common. Both gateways have been sealed from the Lancre
side by standing stones made from thunderbolt iron, a form of meteoric
ore which is one of the few sources of magnetism on the Disc; humans, but
not Elves (except in exceptional circumstances), may pass through them.
The capital "city" of Lancre is Lancre Town, by dint of being slightly
bigger than the other villages, and containing Lancre Castle. Due to Elven
incursions, Lancre Castle was built to an exaggerated scale in order to
accommodate fleeing citizens.
The Discworld
The Discworld is the setting of most of the books by Terry Pratchett. It is a magical world
in the shape of a disc which is mounted on top of four giant elephants which are
standing on a giant turtle. Another (possibly better) description would be “like
a geological pizza but without the anchovies”. The Discworld universe operates
through the effects of Narrativium, which explains its fundamental properties.
The turtle’s name is A’Tuin, more often known as the Great A’Tuin. At
least, that is the name some people gave the large turtle. It is unknown what
the turtle calls itself. The sex of the turtle is also unknown, but there are some
scientists on the Disc who have devoted their whole lives to finding that out. It would be
an important matter should the Star Turtle ever find a mate.
Because of the world being a disc, the “usual” directions such as north or west do not apply and are unheard
of. Instead, the directions are hubwards (toward the centre of the Disc), rimwards (toward the edge of the Disc),
turnwise (along the direction of the Disc’s spinning) and widdershins (counterturnwise). Seasoned travellers have
learnt to navigate solely by the sensations that they feel. If it gets warmer, you are headed rimwards. If it gets colder,
you are headed hubwards. If you get dizzy, you are headed widdershins. The Disc’s full spin cycle takes 800 days,
where each year contains two summers, two winters and so on.

10
On stage
Taunton Thespians are incredibly grateful to Sir Terry Pratchett for permitting
us to monkey (yes, we are allowed to write that) with his words, and hope we’ve
done them justice. Huge thanks also to Terry’s agent, Colin Smythe, for all his
help and advice throughout the process.
Granny Weatherwax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rachel Buttell
Nanny Ogg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maat Ward
Magrat Garlick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dona Bullion
Mustrum Ridcully, Oberon, Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Leach
Ponder Stibbons, William Scrope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nic Fisher
Jason Ogg, King Verence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Williams
Shawn Ogg, Carter, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adam Smith
Giamo Casanunda the Dwarf*
, Carpenter, Elf . . . . . . . . . . . Hamish Barclay
Tinker, Coachman, Elf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaiih Clarke
Tailor, Librarian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alan Philpott
Elf Queen, Millie Chillum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen Kerslake
Mrs Scorbic, Ogg Daughter-in-Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pauline Tilley
Pewsey Ogg, Magenta, Elf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Catherine Vicarage
Diamanda & Elf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lizzie Knighton
Agnes Nitt & Elf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joanne Swift
Weaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin Jevon
* Three-feet-nine in his high-heeled boots, Casanunda is the most unusual Dwarf on the Discworld. He rejects
the work ethic, the reserve, the conformity of the Dwarfs and dons a character built on Dick Turpin, Pépé Le
Pew and Casanova. He has immense confidence in his abilities as a highwayman and all kinds of swordsman, and
sometimes it’s even rewarded (the Queen of Skund made him a Count; just ask him). Count Casanunda walks tall,
dreams big and rides a big horse... with the aid of his trusty stepladder. Any impression that he is taller than 3’ 9” is
due to the distorting effect of the Lancre air...

11
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Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicola Dawson & Martin Jevon
Tour planner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Dawson
Producer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucy Monaghan
Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gordon Robertson
Costume Design & Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rose Humphreys
Props & banners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dinah Rawle
Set Design & Realisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dona Bullion
Set Build . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Dawson & Kaiih Clarke
Dressers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sylvia Fellgett, Jenny Grey
Lights & Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Walter Plinge
Fight Arranger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stuart Lyddon
Prompts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jane Edwards & Rene Kilner
Front of House Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . Rene Kilner & Jane Edwards
Tour Box Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron & Jacqueline Roberts
Chaperone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emma Vicarage
Tour Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen Kerslake
Stage Crew . . . . Jenny Grey, Tony Leach, Simon Minnit, Lucy Monaghan,
Gordon Robertson, John Skittrell, Swannie
Publicity team . . Ron Roberts, Jane Edwards, Michael Gilbert, Rene Kilner
Poster & Programme Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Gilbert
Cast photos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Dawson
Van Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gordon Robertson
Behind the scenes
Terry Pratchett’s photo on page 4 is © Rob Wilkins.
The Librarian’s costume has been hired from Bath Theatrical, Frome.

12
Granny Weatherwax - Rachel Buttell
I’m SO lucky! I’ve wanted to be a witch almost as long as
I’ve wanted to be a spy. MI5 didn’t seem to want someone
with a suspect education from a 3rd-rate university, with
absolutely no talent for languages and a tendency to fall
into ditches, so playing a witch seemed to be my last
chance to live the dream. Little did I know what stature of
witch I would get to play – witches don’t have leaders, but
Granny Weatherwax is probably the most respected leader
the witches don’t have. I just hope I can get through this
without the real Esme Weatherwax staring at me.
Nanny Ogg - Maat Ward
I’ve not been with the Thespians long, and Nanny Ogg is
not the first speaking role I expected to get. But something
about me must have screamed ‘boozy old witch’, and here I
am – threatening elf kings, chatting up dwarves, and working
my way though as much Chateau Maison as I possibly can
(mostly outside of rehearsals, in the name of research). Nanny
is a character I am honoured to play – her dedication to her
friends, her loyalty to her craft, and her ability to hold vast
quantities of liquor are truly an inspiration.
Magrat Garlick - Dona Bullion
I began on tour as Viola in Twelfth Night, 12 years on and
many roles since. I am cast as Magrat the witch. The great
thing about this part is I didn’t need to do much research
as I am into crystals, herbs and Wicca ummmm? I have
also been making the props with Dinah and I have become
obsessed with my stones; they all have names, Herbert
being close to my heart. This has been a dream for me in
harnessing my creativity to its optimum – never enough
time though. Plus, I get to sword fight – yippee!…..
Jason Ogg, King Verence -
Andrew Williams
This is my first major part(s) with the Thespians and my
first Tour. It has been a real pleasure playing two such
different characters and, having two left feet, learning
Morris dancing has been a challenge, although perhaps one
I may leave in future to the more rhythmically adept. I have
performed at outdoor venues in the past and remember,
whilst in Alan Ayckbourn’s Round and Round the Garden,
delivering the line “at least it’s stopped raining” during a
torrential downpour. Fingers crossed this time…

13
Ponder, William Scrope - Nic Fisher
This is my first appearance with Taunton Thespians, having
recently returned to the West Country after three years at
university in London. Whilst there, I was heavily involved in
the performing arts, appearing in a huge range of productions
ranging from Shakespeare and Mozart opera through to more
post-modern and metatheatrical productions, whilst as a director
I was involved in a variety of shows including Bernstein’s
Candide and Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire.
As a confirmed Pratchett geek, it has been a real pleasure to
get the opportunity to try and explore and develop one of his
wonderful characters; I just hope to do him justice this evening.
Ridcully, Oberon, Death - Mike Leach
Previous Summer Tours have brought me two of the
greatest parts I’ve had in my life, the splendid Squire Max
Harkaway in London Assurance and – every actor’s dream
– Jaques in As You Like It. This year completes a hat-trick:
I love Terry Pratchett’s books, and it’s been both a great
privilege and huge fun finding a voice for Oberon and
trying to flesh out, if that’s the right term, two of my all-
time favourite characters in Ridcully and Death. (I hope you
can hear the capitals). And it’s been a treat working with
such a friendly, committed and (largely) fresh-faced team,
though some of them make me feel awfully old.
Tailor, Librarian - Alan Philpott
This is my third outing with Taunton Thespians, having toured
with As You like It in Summer 2010, and in the Murder Mystery
dinner theatres in Autumn 2011. In between then and now,
I’ve played Buzz Adams in Yeovil Amateur Operatic Society’s
production of South Pacific. There’s been a great atmosphere during
rehearsals, and it’s exciting to be involved in this new adaptation.
This is my first ever time playing an orangutan. If it gets cold,
at least I’ll be warm in the costume! Many thanks to Nicola and
Martin for their direction, and my wife Judy for her support.
Shawn Ogg, Carter - Adam Smith
This will be my second adventure into theatre. Thespians’
production of Outside Edge changed my life. I’ve been bitten
by the bug; now I return to play the eager to please, dim-
witted Shawn Ogg. Being part of an ‘award winning’ Morris
team will be hard to forget, or live down. A classic blend
of good friends, cider, dresses and kung-fu. Acting started
out as a ‘bucket list’ idea; my fingers are crossed for a quick
return. Mum, HUGE thanks for the countless lifts to and
from, to and from, and then some. Thank you Mum! x

14
Diamanda & Elf - Lizzie Knighton
This is my first year with Taunton Thespians and I feel
privileged to be playing a role I see a lot of myself in!
Diamanda is a 17 year old who, with a lot of teenage angst, is
trying to be noticed by creating havoc and having tantrums –
I’m sure we can all relate to that! After a number of years in
the chorus and dancers for other societies, I finally have some
lines!! Everyone has been immensely helpful and I am looking
forward to performing outdoors at so many beautiful venues. I
just hope I can handle the after show parties!!
Pewsey Ogg, Magenta, Elf -
Catherine Vicarage
Despite being only twelve, this is my second venture with
the Taunton Thespians and am delighted at the prospect
of being the youngest ever to go on tour. However, I’ve had
plenty of experience treading the boards with Wellington’s
Pantomime Group and Operatic Society, Bradford Players
and Loganwest Productions, at venues including the
Wellesley Theatre, Wellington, and the Playhouse Theatre,
Weston-super-Mare. I particularly like the costumes for this
play, and am enjoying playing a number of characters, as
well as learning to stage-fight. I also hope to be spared some
of my homework for the two week duration of the tour.
Elf Queen, Millie Chillum -
Karen Kerslake
I’ve been with Taunton Thespians now just over three years
and this is my fourth Summer Tour. But this is my first
chance to really ‘go for it’ in my role as Elf Queen. She’s got
a bit of a temper and (sadly) fancies the wrong guy; but she is
so exuberant about it, I’m sure you’ll forgive her! Millie isn’t
quite so much of a challenge for me; having played a servant
before – however, that role was male! I find Millie my most
comic role yet and can’t wait to introduce you to her.
Agnes Nitt & Elf - Joanne Swift
I have a love for all things theatrical. I was an active member of
the Ilminster Entertainments Society, where I was cast in The
Three Musketeers & Death of a Salesman. Other talents include
ballet, stage & tap, singing, accents & impersonations – I once
performed as Liza Minnelli. My favourite role to date was Juliet
in Romeo and Juliet. When I am not acting or doing my day
job as a hairstylist, I dedicate time to singing. Having recently
joined Taunton Thespians, I have been lucky to be cast in such
a spectacular show, with a wonderful cast, directors & crew. I
am relishing playing 3 completely different parts, my favourite
being young, shy & easily influenced witch Agnes Nitt. She’s my
complete opposite – it’s nice to portray someone more mellow!

15
Weaver - Martin Jevon
Having played 5 parts in the 1st Terry Pratchett play that
the Thespians did, I was glad to get away with just the
writing, directing and one no two, three.... OK I’m very
glad to be performing a number of parts.... Oh and yet
again wearing a skirt. This is becoming a habit. I was last
on stage for Taunton Thespians in Agatha Christies Black
Coffee. I played a very unpleasant Inspector Japp, and the
experience proved to me once again that I cannot learn
lines easily. This is why i decided that directing was the way
to go, so here I am, and this time I know everyone elses
words but the ones I should!
Tinker, Coachman, Elf - Kaiih Clarke
It seems not too long ago when I was involved in last year’s
summer tour, which I felt honoured to have been part of.
This year it is Lord and Ladies and I truly cannot wait. Being
an actor has been a journey of self discovery. It is one of the
only things in my life that I feel gives me purpose, and I am
constantly trying to expand. Currently, I am working on many
film projects, as well as ones that have been entered into film
festivals. Theatre will always be close to my heart, but I hope
to gain more experience with film in time. As well as this, I am
studying film and TV at Exeter College.
Mrs Scorbic, Ogg Daughter-in-Law -
Pauline Tilley
I suspect my family and friends would say that having a part in a
Terry Pratchett piece was most suitable – I believe many may regard
me as being ‘Out There’! Perhaps they are right – I would have a
tendency to ignore conventions – much to my husband’s chagrin.
This tendency has led me to several countries in various continents.
Whilst on these travels, I have dabbled in various aspects of theatre,
from being an audience member to taking an active part in helping
to produce pieces. Such active participation ranged from: treading
the boards, helping with sets, scenery & costumes through to taking
on publicity and front of house duties. I am happy to say that I can
continue along my selected path, encouraged and entertained by
the Taunton Thespians.
Casanunda, Carpenter, Elf -
Hamish Barclay
On joining the Taunton Thespians, I have enjoyed working on our
production on many levels. The cast and directors were very easy to
get along with. The atmosphere was very welcoming and I now look
forward to each time we rehearse. I am primarily a musician who
enjoys acting and usually I find the two often go together (timing
included). I have especially enjoyed ad-libbing with one of my
colleagues which after numerous occasions (or should I say offences?)
has not been interpreted the same way by cast and directors. My part
of Casanunda is one of the roles I always like playing and the costume
is definitely the most extravagant I have ever worn. The Morris dances
are always great fun to be in, even if our turns, spins and jumps don't
end up at the same time... I’m sure they will on the night.

16
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Looking FOrward -
Taunton Thespians’ shows
for the next two seasons
We’ve been working very hard behind the scenes, so to speak, to give both our members and our audience
a long view of our programme, and have got to the point where we can announce our programme of main
productions for the next two years. As ever, all productions will be cast from open auditions, and all sets
and costumes created from our own resources as far as is possible – we did have to hire the orangutan for
this show, but everything else came from the creative genius of our backstage team. That’s the other part
of all our shows, of course: the work that people (who you don’t see on stage) do, which helps to create the
complete image before you. More importantly still, all of us are just ordinary bods, from all walks of life, who
get together to put plays on. We have huge fun doing this, as you may have picked up from the comments
of the cast members, but the greatest buzz of all comes from doing one’s absolute best and delivering a
production that the audience enjoy, applaud and tell their friends to see. If you’d like to get involved in any
of our productions, in any capacity, details are elsewhere in this programme and also on our website www.
tauntonthespians.org.uk.
Autumn Show, 13th
- 17th
November 2012, Tacchi-Morris:
Lend Me A Tenor by Ken Ludwig
Full length, comedy-farce, 4m, 4f, interior setting
Open Auditions at The Place, Wilfred Road, Taunton on the 3rd
, 5th
& 10th
of July at 7.30pm
This night in September of 1934 is the biggest in the history of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. The
understudy who becomes a star overnight is one of show business’ best-loved stories. A charity concert is in
jeopardy because the Italian tenor (Il Stupendo) hired to sing the lead has fallen into a drunken stupor and
is presumed dead. The impresario’s docile assistant blacks up and wins acclaim as Otello. The tenor awakens,
dons his costume and thence follows an hilarious comedy in which the two Moors are absurdly confused by
swooning females. Add a volatile Italian wife, an outrageous bellhop and a cynical impresario and we have a
recipe to rival the classic farces.
Spring Show, 12th
- 16th
March 2013, Tacchi-MOrris:
Snake in the Grass by Alan Ayckbourn
Full length, thriller, F3. A garden.
Auditions will be in December
Miriam has cared for her father with the help of a creepily polite nurse, Alice. On Father's death, Miriam's
older sister, Annabel, comes home after over thirty years in Tasmania to find Daddy has left the bulk of his
fortune to her. Alice complains to Annabel that Miriam has sacked her and is intent upon blackmail, having
evidence, she says, that Miriam did away with the old man. Scatty Miriam and tough Annabel join forces
against Alice and the blackmailer's body is soon hurtling down the well.
Summer Tour, 18th
- 29th
June 2013:
The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare
Full length, comedy, cast of 19, nominally 15m 4f, various simple settings
Auditions will be in April 2013
Falstaff arrives in Windsor very short on money and decides to court two wealthy married women, Mistress
Ford and Mistress Page. He sends the women identical love letters, and asks his servants to deliver them.
When they refuse, he sacks them and in revenge, they tell Ford and Page (the husbands) of Falstaff's
intentions. Page is unconcerned, but the jealous Ford persuades the Host of the Garter to introduce him to

18
Falstaff as a 'Master Brook' so that he can find out Falstaff's plans.
Meanwhile, three different men are trying to win the hand of Page's daughter, Anne. Mistress Page would like
her daughter to marry Doctor Caius, whereas her father prefers Master Slender. Anne herself is in love with
Master Fenton, previously rejected as a suitor by her father, due to his having squandered his fortune on high-
class living. Hugh Evans, a Welsh parson, tries to enlist the help of Mistress Quickly (servant to Doctor Caius)
in wooing Anne for Slender, but the doctor discovers this and challenges Evans to a duel. The Host of the
Garter prevents this duel by telling both men a different meeting place, causing much amusement for himself
and others.
When the women receive the letters, each goes to tell the other and they quickly find that the letters are almost
identical. The "merry wives" are not interested in the ageing, overweight Falstaff as a suitor; but, for their own
amusement and to gain revenge for his indecent assumptions, they pretend to respond to his advances.
Autumn Show, 12th
- 16th
November 2013, Tacchi-Morris:
Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring
Full length, black comedy, 11m 3f (nominally), interior setting
The play is a farcical black comedy revolving around Mortimer Brewster, a drama critic who must deal with his
crazy, homicidal family and local police in Brooklyn, NY, as he debates whether to go through with his recent
promise to marry the woman he loves. His family includes two spinster aunts who have taken to murdering
lonely old men by poisoning them with a glass of home-made elderberry wine laced with arsenic, strychnine,
and "just a pinch" of cyanide; a brother who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt and digs locks for the Panama
Canal in the cellar of the Brewster home (which then serve as graves for the aunts' victims) and a murderous
brother who has received plastic surgery performed by an alcoholic accomplice, Dr Einstein (a character based
on the real-life gangland surgeon Joseph Moran) to conceal his identity and who now looks like the famous
horror-film actor Boris Karloff.
Spring Show, 11th
- 15th
March 2014, Tacchi-Morris:
The Killing of Sister George by Frank Marcus
Full length, play, 4f, interior
Sister George is a beloved character in the popular soap Applehurst, a nurse who ministers to the medical needs
and personal problems of the local villagers. She is played by June Buckridge, who in real life is a gin-guzzling,
cigar-chomping, slightly sadistic masculine woman, the antithesis of the sweet character she plays. She is often
called George in real life, and lives with Alice "Childie" McNaught, a younger dim-witted woman she often
verbally and sometimes physically abuses. When George discovers that her character is scheduled to be killed,
she becomes increasingly impossible to work and live with. Mercy Croft, an executive at the BBC, intercedes in
her professional and personal lives supposedly to help, but she actually has an agenda of her own.
Summer Tour from 17th
- 28th
June 2014:
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer,
adapted by Phil Woods & Michael Bogdanov
Full length, historical play, 7m 5f, various simple settings
In dramatising The Canterbury Tales, Phil Woods takes a deliberately unacademic approach to Chaucer's
classical work, while at the same time retaining the original's sense of fun chivalry, and satire.
Since Michael Bogdanov's exciting 1974 production, this version has been acclaimed by audiences and critics
throughout this country (including the West End) and abroad, and after six prints of the first edition, is now
republished in a new format.
"Like all the best borrowings, Phil Woods' script captures in its own satiric style the comic essence of Chaucer's
glee at human credulity and conformity." The Guardian
"Anyone labouring under the misapprehension that medieval English literature is dry and academic should
catch up with this splendid dramatised version of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales." Western Mail
"Colourful, boozy, good-spirited, compelling entertainment." Stage & Television Today
L
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About Taunton Thespians
The Taunton Thespians have been providing live theatre for and by the people of Taunton and
surrounding area since 1928, when Ian Hay’s Tilly of Bloomsbury was staged for 3 nights at the Lyceum
Theatre (now a block of flats at the end of Station Road). The Thespians' home is “The Place” in Wilfred
Road, Taunton.
Every year the Thespians entertain thousands of people by:
Staging two major productions at the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre
•
Participating in drama festivals in other theatres around Somerset
•
Putting on in-house productions for members
•
Spending two weeks on the road with a touring production every summer
•
We also provide Murder Mystery evenings for parties and fund-raising events around the area, and are
developing our outreach activities further.
To see what's happening in amateur drama in Taunton, come along to a Club Night. There's no charge,
and you're very welcome. Just drop along to The Place at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of any month
from September to May. Over July and August, we have play readings every Wednesday, too.
If you do fancy joining us, there’s plenty to do, and it doesn’t have to involve getting up on stage. Actors
and actresses are always welcome, of course, but we do need people who want to design and build our
sets, sort out costumes, do makeup and hair, all sorts of things. Membership is only £12 a year, and it’s
just about the most fun you can have for a pound a month!
For more details call John Burbery on 01823 442118
or email membership@tauntonthespians.org.uk

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Programme for Taunton Thespians' production of Lords and Ladies