May:
May 28 to May 30: Waves of War, The highly-acclaimed Nightshade Theatre Company is returning to the Manor Pavilion Theatre from Thursday, May 28, to Saturday, May 30, to stage the world premiere of Jane Bennett’s latest play Waves of War, directed by Janette Froud and starring James Pellow and Fiona McGregor. Company bosses Jane and Janette are delighted that the cast will be the same as in last November’s smash hit Homegrown. Waves of War is set in Devon in 1942 and tells the story of Billy and Gracie, two children evacuated from London staying with Marjorie Hall and her nine year old daughter Patricia. Author Jane has meticulously researched this time which leads up to the Exeter blitz and promises an evening full of nostalgia, hilarity and poignancy.
Jane, Janette, James and Fiona are all favourites with Manor Pavilion audiences.
This fourth visit of Nightshade with such a tip-top cast is sure to delight. Performances start at 8pm. On Friday and Saturday May 15th/16th, James is presenting A further evening with James Pellow with Jane and Janette among his special guests, along with much-admired local actress Sandria Stewart and two other well-known local thespians soon to be named. Performances start at 7.45pm. Tickets are £9.50 for A further evening with James Pellow and £10 for Waves of War and are on sale at the Manor Pavilion Box Office - telephone: 01395 514413.
May 27- May 30 Chess, Exmouth Pavilion. EXMOUTH Musical Theatre Company are busy rehearsing for their forthcoming production of Chess. The musical, from the composers of the hit show Mamma Mia, follows the Cold War rivalry of two chess champions - one American, one Russian - as they vie for the world championship and a woman's heart.
Florence, the assistant to American champion Freddie Trumper, and the Russian Anatoly embark on a love affair that packs in great vocals and lots of emotion. Chess includes the popular songs I Know Him So Well and One Night In Bangkok. And with music by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, formerly of ABBA, and lyrics by Sir Tim Rice, it promises not to disappoint! The show will be directed by David Youll and Lynne Caygill is the musical director. Chess will be appearing at the Exmouth Pavilion from Wednesday, May 27, to Saturday, May 30. Tickets are £10.50 for flat seating, £12.50 for raised seating (theatre style seating) contact the Exmouth Pavilion on (01395) 222477 or visit the website www.exmouthpavilion.co.uk
June:
June 12, to Saturday, June 20: Pygmalion, at the Blackmore Theatre. Last summer, Peter Nichols-Rawle successfully directed Marc Camoletti’s frenetic farce Don’t Dress for Dinner at the Blackmore Theatre; he is currently proving his versatility by returning to the director’s chair for Exmouth Players’ production of the George Bernard Shaw classic Pygmalion from Friday, June 12, to Saturday, June 20. This is Peter’s 45th year in the theatre, he first directed at the Blackmore at the tender age of 18. In the four years since retiring from full-time ministry in the Anglican Church, and returning to Exmouth, Peter has also directed a comedy Laying the Ghost and J B Priestley’s classic An Inspector Calls for the Exmouth Players and family shows Peter Pan and Alice through the Looking-Glass at Lympstone.
Peter’s imagination and innovative direction is sure to give a modern feel to the ever-popular Pygmalion and he is delighted to have cast several young people, including the two leads, with Zoe Bishop as Eliza Doolittle and Sam Pike as Professor Higgins. Leigh Steedman makes his Players’ debut as Freddy Eynsford-Hill. There are also well-loved stalwarts like Brian Toye, who plays Colonel Pickering, Pat Cowey as Mrs Higgins and Fin O’Leary as Mrs Pearce.