We lift the lid on loo story

Members of the Old Town Theatre Company are feeling flushed with success after they found someone to loan them the use of a toilet or two.

The theatre company, which is performing Willy Russell's Stags and Hens, put out an appeal for the bathroom paraphernalia three weeks ago.

And B&Q, on Fleming Way has come to their rescue.

The store has donated toilets, basins, paint and everything else needed to recreate a toilet on stage.

Director Fenella Harrop said: "They have been really generous and it has been wonderful for them to do this for us. It is very kind."

The play is set in the ladies and gents loos of a Liverpool nightclub where the bride and groom-to-be, unknown to each other, are holding their stag and hen nights. Fenella, who is also playing leading lady Linda, added that the group owed everything to B&Q.

"Without their help we wouldn't have a set, and without a set we wouldn't have a play, so we owe them an awful lot," she said.

"It was nice that they were so keen to help us out."

Jim Knott, deputy manager of the store, said: "This particular request is quite unusual.

"We've not been asked for something like this very often.

"We're delighted to help out.

"We do a lot of things to help local schools and artists so we do what we can. We've got plenty of toilets in stock so why not?"

The play is on at the Arts Centre, Devizes Road between December 8 and 10 at 7.30pm.

Stage is set for chain reaction!

A Swindon theatre company is creating a stink with an unusual appeal for props.

Old Town Theatre Company is desperately seeking toilets and associated items for its latest play, Stags and Hens, which is being shown at the Arts Centre next month.

The Willy Russell play, which is set in Liverpool, revolves around a soon-to-be-married couple whose paths inadvertently cross at the same nightclub while both are on their respective stag and hen nights.

And, with the majority of the story being set in the men's and the ladies' loos, toilets are being urgently sought to make sure the show is not a flash in the pan.

"We need toilet fixture and fittings because a lot of the play takes place in the gents and ladies toilets," explained Ashley Heath, Old Town Theatre Company's publicity officer and actor.

"It centres around a couple who both end up in the same night club on their stag and hen dos. We need to find a supplier who can supply us with everything from urinals to condom machines because we want to make the toilets as authentic as possible."

"We'll make sure we return all the props loaned to us – but not used, obviously!"

Director Fenella Harrop is also the play's leading lady, Linda and she believes Stags and Hens is the perfect night out for a Christmas party.

"It's written by Willy Russell of ‘Educating Rita' fame so you have very funny moments and very hit-you-between-the-eyes moments. It tells of the futility of people who are stuck in the same town. I play the bride-to-be, Linda, and when an old flame of hers turns up at the same night club, it confuses her even more."

"But there are lots of laughs and lots of night-before-wedding gags. The big question is whether Linda and husband-to-be, Dave, make it up the aisle."

The play is at the Arts Centre between December 8th and 10th at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £6 for adults and £4 for concessions, while people purchasing eight tickets at £6 will receive two tickets free.

Kevin Burchall
Swindon Advertiser

OTTC Makes the Adver's Comment Page!

Best seats in the house?

What a pity it's the Old Town Theatre Company searching for lavatory fittings so they can stage Stags and Hens, and not the Swindon Police Drama Company (if there is one).

Then we could at least have done the one about their having nothing to go on.

Never mind – we'll soldier on.

Stags and Hens is an excellent play and the Old Town Theatre Company are excellent players, so if you have facilities with star quality, you know what to do. Put some Dettol on them first though.

Mark Waldron
Swindon Advertiser
Saturday, 12 November 2005