IMPACT THEATRE. Tour March 2017 PRESENTS. Dancing. Lughnasa. by Brian Friel. Directed by Patricia Richardson PROGRAMME. programme ROGRAMME

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1 IMPACT THEATRE PRESENTS Spring Tour March 2017 Dancing at Lughnasa ROGRAMME by Brian Friel Directed by Patricia Richardson PROGRAMME programme

2 PATRICIA RICHARDSON - DIRECTOR Patricia has had a lifetime love of the theatre and has appeared in many plays and musicals in the area. Patricia now celebrates her thirteenth year as a Director. Her first production for Bournemouth Little Theatre Club was The Diary of Anne Frank, which won her the Best Drama Award she followed this with The Heiress for which she gained The Best Director s Cup, both in the Daily Echo Curtain Call Awards. Since then she has directed ten more productions for BLTC, including The Chalk Garden;The Deep Blue Sea;The Living Room; Comfort Me With Apples; Shadowlands; Cider With Rosie; Amy s View;The Glass Menagerie;There Came a Gypsy Riding and Proof. For ImpAct Theatre she has directed Someone to Watch Over Me; The York Realist; The Beauty Queen of Leenane; Katherine Desouza, in 2013 her first musical My Wife and the King; Neighbourhood Watch by Alan Ayckbourn and the summer programme of Talking Heads by Alan Bennett in 2014, followed by the successful The Thrill of Love by Amanda Whittington in March 2015, Untold Stories by Alan Bennett in September 2015, Breaking The Code in March 2016, Talking Heads June 2016 and Grief October ABOUT IMPACT ImpAct Theatre is not a club or society. It has no membership, neither is it a permanently established company. It is simply a small group of drama enthusiasts who get together from time to time to undertake theatrical productions of a particularly challenging nature, or which represent work of special artistic or dramatic merit. Founded in 1996 by Andrew Richards, the cast and production team are put together by invitation or by open audition, selecting from the very best of the local theatrical talent, thus meeting Andrew s original goals of casting the best actors available; approaching productions with a level of intensity that could achieve results in weeks rather than months; remaining aware of a responsibility to the audience and being ambitious and totally focused in the pursuit of quality. Since its inception, ImpAct Theatre has won a fistful of awards and a well-deserved reputation for striving to present theatre of the highest possible quality. ImpAct s first production, Educating Rita, was closely followed by Death of a Salesman and by the end of its first year, the company had completed more than 25 performances of 6 different plays in 5 different venues across Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset was one of ImpAct s busiest and most challenging years. It began with the staging of Caryl Churchill s Top Girls, with a cast of 13 women, which was subsequently taken to the Dundalk International Theatre Festival in Ireland. There followed a summer season at the Mowlem Theatre in Swanage, where The Three Musketeers and Murder by the Book ran for 8 weeks, the plays switching mid-week. More recently ImpAct has undertaken annual tours of local village halls with a variety of challenging and thought provoking plays which have included Night Mother, Bazaar and Rummage, Someone Who ll Watch Over Me,The York Realist,The Beauty Queen of Leenane and Katherine Desouza; In 2013 they presented the highly successful premier of the musical by Sam Stuckey My Wife and The King. This was followed by Neighbourhood Watch by Alan Ayckbourn in March 2014 and the summer programme of Talking Heads by Alan Bennett with The Thrill of Love by Amanda Whittington in March 2015, and Untold Stories in September 2015, Breaking The Code in March 2016, Talking Heads June and Grief in October 2016.

3 Brian Friel - PLAYWRIGHT Brian Patrick Friel (9 January October 2015) was an Irish dramatist, short story writer and founder of the Field Day Theatre Company. He had been considered one of the greatest living English-language dramatists, and referred to as an "Irish Chekhov"and "the universally accented voice of Ireland". His plays have been compared favourably to those of contemporaries such as Samuel Beckett, Arthur Miller, Harold Pinter and Tennessee Williams. Recognised for early works such as Philadelphia, Here I Come! and Faith Healer, Friel had 24 plays published in a more than half-century spanning career that culminated in his election to the position of Saoi of Aosdána. His plays were commonly featured on Broadway throughout this time. In 1980 Friel co-founded Field Day Theatre Company and his play Translations was the company's first production. With Field Day, Friel collaborated with Seamus Heaney, 1995 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Heaney and Friel first became friends after Friel sent the young poet a letter following the publication of Death of a Naturalist. Friel was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the British Royal Society of Literature and the Irish Academy of Letters. He was appointed to Seanad Éireann in 1987 and served until In later years, Dancing at Lughnasa reinvigorated Friel's oeuvre, bringing him Tony Awards (including Best Play), the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play. It was also adapted into a film, starring Meryl Streep, directed by Pat O'Connor, script by Frank McGuinness. Dancing at Lughnasa is partly modelled on The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, It is set in the late summer of 1936 and loosely based on the lives of Friel's mother and aunts who lived in Glenties, on the west coast of Donegal. Probably Friel's most successful play, it premiered at the Abbey Theatre, transferred to London's West End, and went on to Broadway. On Broadway it won three Tony Awards in 1992, including Best Play. A film version, starring Meryl Streep, soon followed. World premiere at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin. 24th April 1990 British premiere at Lyttelton Theatre at the Royal National Theatre, London. 15th October 1990 Opened at the Phoenix Theatre, London. Produced by Bill Kenwright and Noel Pearson. 25th March 1991 Originally produced on the New York stage by Noel Pearson in association with Bill Kenwright and Joseph Harris. Opened at the Plymouth Theatre. 24th October 1991 List of works A Sort of Freedom (unpublished radio play, 1958) To This Hard House (unpublished radio play, 1958) A Doubtful Paradise (unpublished, 1960) The Enemy Within (1962) The Blind Mice (unpublished, 1963) Philadelphia, Here I Come! (1964) The Founder Members (unpublished TV play, 1964) Three Fathers, Three Sons (unpublished TV play, 1964) The Loves of Cass McGuire (1966) Lovers: Winners and Losers (1967) Crystal and Fox (1968) The Mundy Scheme (1969) Winners (1970) The Gentle Island (1971) The Freedom of the City (1973) Volunteers (1975) Farewell to Ardstraw (unpublished BBC TV play, 1976) The Next Parish (unpublished BBC TV play, 1976) Living Quarters (1977) Faith Healer (1979) Aristocrats (1979) Translations (1980) Three Sisters (Anton Chekhov translation, 1981) American Welcome (7-minute one-act play, 1981) The Communication Cord (1982) Fathers and Sons (Ivan Turgenev adaptation, 1987) Making History (1988) Dancing at Lughnasa (1990) The London Vertigo (Charles Macklin adaptation, 1991) A Month in the Country (Turgenev adaptation, 1992) Wonderful Tennessee (1993) Molly Sweeney (1994) Give Me Your Answer, Do! (1997) Uncle Vanya (Chekhov adaptation, 1998) The Yalta Game (one-act Chekhov adaptation, 2001) The Bear (one-act Chekhov adaptation, 2002) Afterplay (one-act play, 2002) Performances (70-minute one-act play, 2003) The Home Place (2005) Hedda Gabler (Henrik Ibsen adaptation, 2008)

4 cast In order of appearance Michael Narrator - Boy Lee Tilson Chris Rhiannon Horne Maggie Joanne Owen Agnes Joanna Dunbar Rose Marie Bushell Kate Francesca Folen Father Jack Stuart Glossop Gerry Stewart Barlow The action of the play takes place in the home of the Mundy family two miles outside the village of Ballybeg, County Donegal, Ireland. Act I Act II A warm day in early August Three weeks later Time 1936 There will be an interval of 20 minutes between Act I and Act II

5 pr od uct ion tea m DIRECTOR STAGE MANAGER LIGHTING DESIGN & OPERATOR SOUND DESIGN sound operator Patricia Richardson Brian Beckley John Willmott Gary Hayton Richard O'Sullivan SET DRESSING & PROPERTIES Margaret Eaton CONTINUITY Margaret Eaton WARDROBE Daphne Barber POSTER AND PROGRAMME DESIGN PUBLICITY CO-ORDINATOR Rehearsal PHOTOGRAPHS FRONT OF HOUSE Kevin Wilkins Joanna Dunbar Lee Tilson Daphne Barber

6 Lee Tilson Michael Narrator Boy Now in his seventh decade of amateur theatre, Lee has racked up a wide range of experience appearing in over 85 productions, in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Germany, Cyprus, and The Gulf. Locally he has worked with over a dozen different theatre companies, most notably with ImpAct Theatre, Big Little Theatre, Brownsea Open Air Theatre and Bournemouth Little Theatre. He has previously appeared with ImpAct Theatre in Brimstone and Treacle, Situation Comedy, Death and the Maiden, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Someone Who ll Watch Over Me, Neighbourhood Watch and most recently, as Alan Bennet s father, in Untold Stories Cocktail Sticks. Joanne Owen Maggie Joanne Owen grew up on Merseyside and started acting at school where she played Hermia in A Midsummer Nights Dream. Joanne then went on to do a degree in Drama at Aberystwyth University. After a long break from theatre Joanne started acting again when she moved to the Bournemouth area and on a whim auditioned for Brownsea Open Air Theatre. Joanne landed the role of Kate in The Taming of the Shrew and since then has tried to do a production every year. Other roles include Maureen in The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonnagh for Impact Theatre, Stella in Pinter's The Collection for Mr Metal Productions, Lady Macbeth for Arena Theatre and most recently Adriana in The Comedy of Errors for Bournemouth Little Theatre. Rhiannon Horne Chris This is Rhiannon's first production with ImpAct Theatre and she is enjoying working on the role of Chris the youngest of the five sisters - With a musical theatre background and recently moved to this area, last year she played the lead in Poole and Parkstone Musical Society's production of 42nd Street. Joanna Dunbar Aggie This is Joanna's second production with Impact Theatre, having played Lesley in Her Big Chance, part of the Talking Heads tour of Other recent roles include Laura in Brief Encounter and First Witch in Macbeth, both with Arena Theatre. Joanna has also been a member of Bournemouth Little Theatre for many years, with the role of Nurse Ratchet in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest a particular highlight. Joanna took a break from acting while her three children were very young but now loves being able to juggle her passion for theatre with family life and a career in marketing. Joanna studied drama at the Jellicoe Theatre in Poole and spent a summer working at a theatre camp in New York, as well as two summer seasons with The Balloon Theatre in Christchurch..

7 Marie Bushell Rose Marie has been acting since the age of 6 and has a BA Hons Acting degree. Since leaving the Arts University in Bournemouth she has performed with local theatre companies such as - Arena Theatre, Brownsea Open Air Theatre, Bournemouth Little Theatre and Wessex Actors Company. Marie has recently returned from working at 'Shreks Adventure' in London, where she played the characters such as Princess Fiona and the Witch. This is Marie's third time working with Impact Theatre. She played Magda in the 2014 production of Neighbourhood Watch, Maureen in 2016 production of Grief and is looking forward to working with Impact Theatre again as Rose in Dancing at Lughnasa. She's enjoyed working with a talented cast and hopes you enjoy this beautiful play. Francesca Folen Kate Francesca is a Yoga and Reiki teacher. She also coaches aspiring young actors for Drama School auditions. She has been acting for many years and her favourite roles include: Isabella in Measure for Measure, Epifania in Shaw's The Millionairess, Penelope Maddox in House of Eliott, Lady Florence Craye in Jeeves and Wooster. Her most recent performances with local theatre companies have been as Mrs Lintott in Alan Bennett's The History Boys, Helena in Ibsen's Ghosts and as Kate in Arthur Miller's All My Sons. Red Dwarf fans get excited to know Francesca played Camille in Red Dwarf's episode of Camille! This is Francesca s first production with ImpAct Theatre and she is delighted to be playing the part of Kate Mundy the eldest of the five sisters in this beautiful play. Stuart Glossop Father Jack Since moving to Dorset in 2003, Stuart has been involved as an Actor and on occasions a Director for various groups including Wimborne Drama Productions, Broadstone Players, Castle Players, BLTC and BOAT. Productions include Journeys End, The Hound of The Baskervilles, An Inspector Calls, Julius Caesar. and Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick. Since 2010 he has been involved with the community theatre group The Poole Passion as an Actor and Assistant Director. The Poole Passion was featured on Songs of Praise, attracting over a million viewers on television and many more across the world online. This is Stuarts first production for Impact Theatre and he is greatly enjoying bringing Father Jack to life. Stewart Barlow Gerry Evans Stewart has been involved in theatre for some years both professionally and in an amateur capacity. He has appeared in numerous Bournemouth Little Theatre productions ( ) such as Shadowlands, Amy s View and Blithe Spirit. Stewart has also appeared in a number of Impact productions: Alan Ayckbourn s Neighbourhood Watch (Gareth), Chip in the Sugar by Alan Bennett (Graham), and The Thrill of Love in March 2015 (Detective Inspector Jack Gale). Stewart has also appeared in Impact s production of Untold Stories in September 2015, playing Alan Bennett. He followed this with a performance as Alan Turing in Breaking the Code in March Stewart is delighted to be playing Gerry in Impact s current production of Dancing at Lughnasa.

8 Acknowledgements ImpAct Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of Summers & Co for their continued programme sponsorship. Scene One Magazine Bournemouth Little Theatre Ferndown Village Hall Heatherlands Centre Abacus Van Hire of Ferndown Forest FM Matthew Ellison The Management and staff at all our Hosting theatres Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel is an amateur production and is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd Summers & Co Insurance Brokers of Wimborne We are here to discuss all your insurance requirements We are experienced Independant Professsionals and love to talk about Household, Motor, IMPACT THEATRE Autumn Tour October Property and Business Insurances of all kinds Summers in here for you - Whatever the season 18 Leigh Road Wimborne Dorset Tel BH21 1AF Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority PERLEGE VERBA! at Theatre Venues. See Impact Theatre Facebook Page for more detail.