Wilmslow Guild Players' next production is a comedy with the expansive title "Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of Macbeth".
The play, by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jnr, introduces the intrepid ladies of the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society, who, together with their daring producer David and stage manager Henry, are attempting to stage a production of the classic tragedy Macbeth.
"We generally refer to it as just 'The Farndale Macbeth'," said ticket secretary Bill Beton. "It saves such a lot of time!"
Lee Tipton, who is directing the production, said "Farndale plays are something of an institution. This play and others (there are ten in all written by the same authors) all star the Farndale Avenue ladies: a troupe of actors who try their hardest to entertain us with well known plays. This is a play within a play of course, whereby we see the ladies as themselves first of all, who then take to the stage to produce their very special version of Macbeth."
Macbeth is played by Thelma (played by Joan Taylor-Jones), and she thinks she is the star, and better than the others. When Lady Macbeth fails to arrive, stage manager Henry (played by Owen Le Blanc) is press-ganged into taking on the part. He appears as confident and erudite in the part which is a surprise to all and annoys Thelma. As they approach the end of the play the adjudicator (played by David Basnett) reminds them they have only nine minutes left so they try to finish it in double quick time with Plumber the producer (played by Trevor Williams) stepping in to quicken things up.
"My favourite character is Kate the third witch, played by Claire Gwyer," continued Lee. "She has to suffer a broken arm, a broken foot and is wheeled around in a wheelchair. But the show must go on and it does with Plumber stepping in to help wheel her around the stage. There are some very funny visuals with this!"
The Guild Players have new and old hands in the cast for this production. They also have a mix of ages ranging from nineteen to seventy!
"It has been a tough few weeks, with the hard work of learning Shakespeare's lines and then having to deliver them badly as well as learning the everyday parts of the ladies," said Lee. "When people come to see this they should also be aware there is some interaction with the audience. It's not like watching the telly! We hope you come and see it: we'll do our worst to entertain you!"
The play runs from 30th March to 2nd April at Wilmslow Guild on Bourne Street. Tickets cost £6 and can be booked by email or by calling 01625 520126.
For further information visit the Wilmslow Guild Players' web site.
Photo caption: Joan Taylor-Jones as Macbeth, with the three witches (left to right) Laura Boyd, Claire Gwyer and Rebekah Keen.
