_In this absurdist piece, set in a dystopian near future, ALDER baffles BETTINA with __red tape and bureaucracy._ PRINCIPAL ROLES ADLER: A dispassionate and unsympathetic petty official in an immigration centre. Passive aggressive jobsworth. Any gender or age. Any heritage. BETTINA: A frazzled and frustrated mother of a 13 year old boy, waiting to be seen. Female identifying. 30- 50 ish (credibly mother of a 13 year old). Any heritage. SUPPORTING ROLES Ideal for newcomers to the stage,if possible, the characters should be of contrasting heritages. CLAIMANT: Two short lines of dialogue. SECURITY GUARD: Takes Bettina into custody. Non-speaking role. Auditions will take the form of a group table read of all or extracts from this short play (7 pages) to judge the dynamic and chemistry between the two main characters.

We are really pleased to announce almost all of the 2025 season up till October. Note that there is a gap over the summer where we plan some building development work, but fear not, we have only lost one show!  We think it is an exciting season - with a mix of genres, new writing and classic pieces, well known and unusual plays as well as a thrilling rock musical. All details are below and please look out for Open Reading and Audition notices for all these productions coming very soon.  * Sat 1st to 8th February: Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Simon Stephens  * Sat 22nd to 29th March: The Southbury Child by Stephen Beresford  * Sat 10th to Sat 17th May: Springboard Festival 2025 * Sat 7th to Sat 14th June: The Bright and Bold Design by Peter Whelan * Sat 18th to Sat 25th October: The Who’s ‘Tommy’ by Des McAnuff and Pete Townshend   PRODUCTION 1: MAIN HOUSE: SAT 1ST TO 8TH FEBRUARY CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME BY SIMON STEPHENS (2012) Genre: Drama, Director: Christine Ingall _Simon Stephens’ Tony and Olivier award winning adaptation of Mark Haddon’s best selling novel. Christopher, 15 years old, stands beside Mrs Shears’ dead dog. It has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight, and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in the book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington. He has an extraordinary brain and is exceptional at maths, but he is ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched, and he distrusts strangers. But Christopher’s detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that turns his world upside-down. A richly theatrical exploration of this touching and bleakly humorous tale._ PRODUCTION 2: MAIN HOUSE: SAT 22ND TO 29TH MARCH THE SOUTHBURY CHILD BY STEPHEN BERESFORD (2022) Genre: Dark comedy drama, Director: Helen Withers _Raffish, urbane and frequently drunk, Reverend David Highland has kept a grip on his remote coastal parish through a combination of disordered charm and high-handed determination. When his faith impels him to take a hard line with a bereaved parishioner, he finds himself dangerously isolated from public opinion. As his own family begins to fracture, David must face a future that threatens to extinguish not only his position in the town, but everything he stands for. A darkly comic drama exploring family and community, the savage divisions of contemporary society, and the rituals that punctuate our lives. It was co-produced by Chichester Festival Theatre and the Bridge Theatre, London, in 2022, starring Alex Jennings and directed by Nicholas Hytner__._ PRODUCTION 3: MAIN HOUSE: SAT 10TH TO SAT 17TH MAY SPRINGBOARD FESTIVAL 2025 Our third year of producing this fabulous week of one act plays, poetry, music and art  bringing together amateur and professionals in one space, with in-house company performances and community/Criterion collaborations alongside external artists, musicians and theatre companies, poetry workshops and art exhibitions.  PRODUCTION 4: MAIN HOUSE SAT 7TH TO SAT 14TH JUNE THE BRIGHT AND BOLD DESIGN BY PETER WHELAN (1991) Genre: Drama, Director: Peter Bagley _Inspired by the life and work of Clarice Cliffe. In the North Staffordshire Potteries in the 1930s, Jessie Frost works for a small traditional firm, hand painting traditional designs in the time-honoured fashion… until the arrival of Jim Rhys as the firm’s new art director. A man possessed with both high ambition and strong views of the future, Jim’s views on design create tension with the factory owner, and his political beliefs gradually lead him into conflict within the small community. But in Jessie Frost, Jim recognises a special talent, one which he promptly sets out to nurture though not necessarily with her blessings. The result is a play of great warmth, charm, passion and grace, an exploration of the true nature of the art of politics, and the politics of art._ PRODUCTION 5: MAIN HOUSE SAT 18TH TO SAT 25TH OCTOBER THE WHO’S ‘TOMMY’ BY DES MCANUFF AND PETE TOWNSHEND (1968/1994) Genre: Rock Musical Director: Deb Relton-Elves, Musical Director: Rob Parrish. _Based on the iconic 1969 rock concept album, The Who's Tommy is an exhilarating story of hope, healing and the human spirit. The story of the pinball wizard who triumphs over his adversities has inspired, amazed and puzzled audiences for more than 50 years. This five-time Tony Award-winning musical was translated to the stage by theatrical visionary, Des McAnuff, into a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical event._