Tonight’s Menu

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Welcome

Welcome to the Co-operative Theatre for a night of drama

We hope you enjoy the performance.

If you wish to be kept up to date with happenings at the

Wheatsheaf then please speak to a member of staff and ask

to be put on our mailing list.

For the safety and enjoyment of yourself and others while

you are in the theatre, we kindly ask that you abide by a few

simple rules.

Wheatsheaf Players Committee

Secretary Mike Hooper

Treasurer Georgia Darlison

Artistic Director Heather Evans

Technical Director Stephen Hocking

Front Of House Manager Joanne Crawley

Publicity Manager Roni Tillman

Member Relations Manager Ruth Carver-Smith

Bar Manager Chris Evans

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3 Starters

Directors Cut

Many years ago I performed in

Jim Cartwright’s play ROAD and

fell in love with his beautiful

poetic writing style. Then I saw

TWO in Birmingham recently and

thought “I want to direct that”.

It’s funny, sad, a bit raunchy and

very moving—all you could want

for a night at the theatre!

Luckily, master craftsman Adrian Laing had already

constructed a brilliant bar and most of the props are mimed

so there you go. Cheap. Mind you, I love doing things on a

low budget.

TWO is very much a showcase for actors and in that respect

Christina and Nic have acquitted themselves admirably. They

have made me laugh my socks off and cry my eyes out in

rehearsals (sometimes both at the same time).

I hope you enjoy this production and you recognise someone

you know among these diverse and often quite desperate

characters—Moth, you know who you are!

Oh and the management have said that if you feel like a drink

during or after the show, please don’t copy the actors and

simply mime. Have a real drink, cos it helps keep up the

Wheatsheaf coffers. Every little helps. Cheers!

Alan

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Starters

Nicolas James

Nic trained at the Actors

Company in London. Since

then he has played a variety of

stage characters. He first

worked for The Wheatsheaf in

the summer of 2008. This is

his fourth production with the

group; three as an actor and

one as actor/director. He says

his next objective is to gain

representation so he can find

more work with professional theatre companies.

The play ‘Two’ covers a wide theatrical spectrum. There are

broadly comic moments and surreal moments mixed with

moments of poetry, intensity and anguish. All of these

showing the various lives and loves of the people that can be

found in your local pub. Nic says “I thank Alan for believing in

these different tones and encouraging myself and Christina

to play them to their fullest. I’m sure there are characters

here that you recognise and hope that you find the play both

fun and though provoking”.

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5 Starters

Christina Cassidy

Christina is multi-talented; not

only is she an actress, she is a

singer and songwriter as well.

Christina joined the circus

after finishing drama school

and before moving into

television, working on shows

like ‘Boon’, ‘House of Elliot’

and ‘A Very Peculiar Practice’.

With her music she has

performed solo and with local

bands for a number of years, and once ’Two’ is over she will

be going back into the studio to record some more of her

own work.

This is Christina's first show with the Wheatsheaf Players,

and we are delighted to have her here. ‘Two’ is giving her an

excellent opportunity to showcase her acting talents as she

plays an amazing seven different characters. We hope that

we will see a lot more of her on the Wheatsheaf stage in the

future. Break a leg Christina!

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Two By Jim Cartwright

Directed By Alan Wales

Alan would like to dedicate this show to Ian McAllister,

former landlord of the ‘Beer Engine’, who passed away in

February this year

The action takes place over one night, in

a pub, in the North of England

There will be one interval of 20 minutes

Main Courses

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Main Courses

Cast

Landlord Moth

Old Man Mr Iger

Roy Fred

Little Boy

Nicolas James

Landlady Old Woman

Maudie Mrs Iger

Lesley Alice

Other Woman

Christina Cassidy

Crew

Stage Manager Lewis O’Hara Lighting Operation Lewis Sykes

Sound Operation Ethan Flynn Set Design and Construction Adrian Laing

Graphic Design Chris Evans

Heather Evans

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About the Author

Jim Cartwright was born in Farnworth,

Lancashire in 1958 and educated at

Harper Green Secondary Modern

School, Farnworth. His plays are

consistently performed around the

world, where they have won numerous

awards, and been translated into 30

languages.

His first play, ‘Road’, opened at the

Royal Court in 1986, and was subsequently revived that same

year and again in 1987, before being taken on a nationwide

tour. ‘Road’ won several awards, including the prestigious

Samuel Beckett Award, and was adapted for television and

broadcast by the BBC.

He also wrote ‘The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice’, which was

performed at the Royal National Theatre in 1992 and at The

Aldwych Theatre in London’s West End, later that year. This

play was adapted for the big screen and became the film

‘Little Voice’ starring Jane Horrocks and Michael Caine.

Many of his dramatic works, now considered modern

classics, are studied as a set text in schools and universities.

In July 2008 he made his debut as a novelist, with a celebrity

moral tale, Supermarket Supermodel.

Dessert

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9 Wheatsheaf Wednesdays

Our Wheatsheaf Wednesdays are really taking off these days.

Lots of people come along to help out with the building sets,

sorting the wardrobe area, painting, cleaning, having a natter

and meeting friends. It is a great opportunity for anyone to

come along and find out what being a member of a little

theatre is all about - and seeing if they want to be a part of it.

We are always looking for new members to help out - actors,

directors and technical crew are important, but we couldn’t

open a show without those who come along to run the bar

and help out with front of house - and we wouldn’t even

have a show without a beautifully painted and constructed

set!

If you would like to get involved with a friendly group - and

are prepared to join in and have a go (we won’t ask you to go

on stage unless you want to!) please get in touch with one of

the front of house staff, or come along, any Wednesday

(when there isn’t a show on), from 7:30pm. If nothing else,

we’ll have a chat and a cup of coffee!

Dessert

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Wheatsheaf News

Welcome to the Co-operative Theatre for a new season - and what a season too! You will see a fabulous play this evening with 'Two', and a very warm welcome to the Wheatsheaf's latest recruit Christina who is taking a starring role in the show.

Next on the agenda is Bouncers - back for a second showing after its sell-out performances in May 2008. Not for the faint hearted, this gritty show tells the tale of many a night out at night clubs across the country.

We round up the spring/summer season with an all out comedy as they show within a show that is Michael Frayn's 'Noises Off' comes to the stage. This one really will have you rolling in the aisles!

If you are still wanting more - don't worry, we will be back in the Autumn with some more fabulous shows - and some music nights; so Watch this space!

There has been a change to the Committee line-up as unfortunately Christine Rye is no longer able to play as active a part in all things theatre. She has landed a fabulous job and a chance to explore the country if not the world with it, so she won't be as much of a regular as she was. Not to worry though, Joanne Crawley has stepped into the breach as Front Of House manager and is already doing a sterling job. So we would all like to wish Chrissy and Jo the best of luck in their new roles!

More important news for later on in the year - it is the Wheatsheaf Players 80th Anniversary this year (September) and the 30th Anniversary in it's present location. No doubt we will be celebrating later on in the year!

Drinks

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Coming Soon

Drinks