Entries for the Harold Jolliffe One Act Play Festival 2010 are as follows.

Thursday 11 February 2010

First performance at 7.15pm

Sodbury Players Youth Section

King Henry VIII: a Brief and Unreliable History

by Geoff Bamber

(Comedy)

The action of the play takes place in and around the Tudor court during Henry's early life and during his reign as Henry VIII. It is a modern twist on the well-known history of Henry but, as the title suggests, the portrayal can't be guaranteed for its historical accuracy!

Further Information

See the Sodbury Players website (www.sodburyplayers.org.uk)

Wroughton Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society Youth Section

The Adventures of a Bear called Paddington

by Alfred Bradley, from the stories by Michael Bond

(Comedy)

The stories of the lovable bear, Paddington, who was found on Paddington Station by the Browns and adopted by them, have been favourites with children for years and this series of playlets woven together to make a full-length play have delighted young (and old!) audiences alike.

Pewsey Vale Amateur Dramatic Society Youth Section

Rabbit

by David Foxton

(Drama)

Set in a ruined building in the future, a pathetic group of children have survived a nuclear attack. They attempt to make a life and a community for themselves with little sophistication of language and communication amongst the continual threat and fear of intruders and illness.

Further Information

See the Pewsey Vale Amateur Dramatic Society website (www.pvads.net)

Friday 12 February 2010

First performance at 7.15pm

Pewsey Vale Amateur Dramatic Society

Green

by Les Clarke

(Drama)

The first of a 'Girls v Boys' double bill!

A powerful drama set in a railway waiting room. When two football fans are stranded at a remote railway station, the tedium of their wait is interrupted by a stranger who turns up and starts painting the walls. A thought provoking insight into the effects of drink and prejudices.

A male cast, directed by one of PVADS ladies.

See the Pewsey Vale Amateur Dramatic Society website (www.pvads.net)

Athelstan Players

We Need a Man

by Derek Raby

(Comedy)

This play centres on four 'theatrically challenged' women planning their latest entry for an Amateur Dramatic Competition. As they labour through each play they realise they always 'need a man'.

Finally they decide on a production that sees them playing bits of bush and grass! A storyline that many a company will find empathy with?!

Further Information

See the Athelstan Players website (www.athelstanplayers.org)

Wroughton Amateur Dramatic and Musical Society

'The Hotel Inspectors' from Fawlty Towers

by John Cleese and Connie Booth

(Comedy)

The Hotel Inspectors is all about Basil at his two-faced best. His double-sided personality allows him to change seamlessly between being sarcastic, rude and insulting one second and a grovelling sycophant the next - fawning over the guests when it suits him. Especially when he suspects that they might be hotel guests with an ulterior motive!

Saturday Afternoon - 13 February 2010

First performance at 1.00pm

Pewsey Vale Amateur Dramatic Society

The Rack

by Louise Neilson

(Comedy)

The ladies of PVADS show us their talents, directed by one of the company's men!

This play invites us to gaze inside the walls of a seemingly average family home to greet Mary. She's a colourful maker of exotic costumes and the domineering mother of the piece, along with her put-upon but highly resilient single mother daughter Charlotte.

Then there's the family friend Pamela, who's just suffered a major upheaval. Later, a fourth character appears adding even more spice to this delicious theatrical mix!

See the Pewsey Vale Amateur Dramatic Society website (www.pvads.net)

Shout Out Productions

Last Tango in Old Town

by David Tristram

(Comedy)

Old Town am dram Shout Out, is in trouble. The membership has dwindled to four, the audiences aren't much bigger, and if they don't come up with some rent money soon, they're going to be thrown out.

"There's only one thing that sells tickets these days" argues Gordon the Chairman. "Sex!".

Thus begins the chaotic and hilarious build-up to an evening of extraordinary home-grown drama - an evening the locals would never forget!

An adaption of David Tristram's well loved comedy, "Last Tango in Little Grimley", peppered with references to Swindon and some of its residents!

Clarendon Players

Beware Conjecture

by Liam Munroe

(Comedy/Drama)

A sideways look at the world of television advertising, seen through the eyes of four actresses who meet by chance, having all recently attended auditions for TV commercials.

Funny, and coincidental, we follow the ladies' debate on the advertising industry and discover their common thread at the end.

An original script, being performed for the first time at HJ'10!

Further Information

See the Clarendon Players website (http://www.clarendonplayers.co.uk/1.html)

Old Town Theatre Company

Invitation to a Party

by Bridget Derrett

(Comedy)

It's Millennium Eve and two couples, not the best of friends, are on their way to a party.

With fears of the Millennium Bug riding high in their minds, when the elevator in which the entire play is set breaks down, the true nature of their relationships are revealed,

A comedy of lipstick, computers and toupees!

Further Information

See the Old Town Theatre Company website (www.swindonweb.com/ottc)

Saturday Evening - 13 February 2010

First performance at 7.15pm

Sodbury Players

You and Me Makes Three

by Mark Seaman

(Drama)

Paul and his wife Kathy, on returning home from the funeral of former long-term friend and best man Tony, revisit their past. Some potentially uncomfortable memories and revelations follow for both of them. An original play, directed by the playwright.

Further Information

See the Sodbury Players website (www.sodburyplayers.org.uk)

Whole Hog Productions

The Last Supper

by Phil Regan

(Drama)

In a house in the middle of nowhere, two kidnappers hide their hostage. They're waiting for the all important call that will give them the details of the ransom payment.

But, as time passes and tensions rise, an extraordinary relationship blossoms, leading us to the moment when everybody involved has to face the truth...

An original play, directed by the playwright, and presented by the winners of HJ'09.

The Awards

Following Whole Hog's performance, there will be an interval, adjudications of the night's performances and the all-important awards!