2007 Autumn Production. "Play It Again, Sam" by Woody Allen Director: Ian Burroughs Gulbenkian Theatre 22nd, 23rd and 24th November, 2007

If you are a fan of Woody Allen’s early work, or if you just like your heroes insecure, indecisive and inept, which most of us mere mortals are, you have a treat in store coming with our next production of Woody Allen’s comedy, “Play It Again, Sam.” Although the playwright defines his main character early on, and then defines him and defines him, again and again, through a series of fantasy sequences, you will still be fascinated by the clever repartee. There is a story line with a moral dilemma, but it takes a while to get to where the plot matters, but meanwhile – who cares? – the route between here and there is fun.

The main character, Allan Felix, is a professional film critic, who has been recently dumped by his wife, Nancy, who craves excitement in her life, Allan’s favourite actor is Humphrey Bogart and favourite movie ‘Casablanca.’ So when Allan is thrust back into bachelorhood again and is scared near to death of having to try to connect with a woman, it is a fantasy Bogey, who stands in the wings offering advice and encouragement.

His real-life encouragement, however, comes from an unexpected source – from Linda, the wife of his best friend, Dick. Linda, is moved by Allan’s insecurity, since she has more than a little of her own. Her harried husband has made some unfortunate investments and he talks more often with his answering service than he does with his wife. Which allows time for Linda to become more and more involved in helping Allan find a girl.

In the course of the search for the right girl Allan goes through all kinds of encounters, most of them in fantasy before or after a genuine meeting. There are girls that come on to him, and girls who reject him, and girls who laugh at him. …………….. Are you confused yet? …………….You won’t be if you attend a performance. It all works out beautifully.

Woody Allen's "Play it again, Sam."

Playing it again for the laughs.

Review by Elaine Godden, for the Kentish Gazette, 06 December, 2007.

RELUCTANT hero Allan Felix "plays again" scenes from his recent past and rehearsals of his anticipated future in this comedy play.

Scraps of both interrupt the action and reflect his vivid imagination, richly fed by the films he constantly watches, especially those of Humphrey Bogart.

It's no coincidence that Allan' name echoes the surname of the playwright Woody Allen, wonderfully captured in this production by Pip Piacentino, encapsulating Allen's personality, by turn self-deprecating and Bogartesque.

Playing opposite Pip was Anne Hancox as his best friend's wife Linda, conveying warmth and sympathy in every movement and facial expression.

And Andreas Lowson was suitably smooth as Dick, Linda's husband.

Derek Standing's set was eye-catching, as were Susana Gerken's costumes - and humorous too.

The lighting might have dealt better with the various imaginary appearances, but such a slight shortcoming did not detract from the colourful, hilarious and undoubted success of this production.

From JM, audience member: The play went very well I thought and I was very impressed with the set. I think a really good level of detail went into it and all concerned should be proud of their efforts.

Director, cast and crew for Play It Again, Sam.

Director

Ian Burroughs, Honorary Secretary, performance director and actor.

Ian Burroughs. Secretary. Actor: Much Ado About Nothing, Dark of the Moon Performance director: Seasons Greetings; The Birthday Party; Gosforth's Fete; Play It Again, Sam ; Arsenic And Old Lace, Barefoot in the Park. Ian is one of the major stalwarts of the Canterbury Players, working hard behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly: organising sponsorship; publicity; ticket sales; venues; taking part in the choice of performances and a great deal more besides. His first production, as a director with the Players, was Alan Ayckbourn's "Seasons Greetings". This was a joint production between Playcraft and Canterbury Dramatics Society, before their merger into The Canterbury Players. Since then, he since been involved in one way or another with virtually every - if not all - productions. This includes directing "When we are Married" in November 2004; Harold Pinter's "The Birthday Party" and later, Alan Ayckbourn's "Gosforth's Fete", here giving a few of the newer members the opportunity to take their first tentative steps on stage - after which they have never looked back.

Pip Piacentino Read more about Pip? Click HERE

Pip Piacentino Committee Member Actor: Play It Again Sam; Arsenic And Old Lace Performance Director: The Accrington Pals, Fallen Angels; Dark of the Moon; Pip fell in love with Britain when stationed here with the US Navy and decided to make it his home. His links with Kent, especially Deal, stretch back to 1964. Pip first appeared on stage in New York when his father brought the three-year old Pip on stage to liven up his act. He is equally at home as an actor, director or playwright. A member of the South London Theatre Centre, he directed many plays for them including Peter Whelan’s "The Accrington Pals" which he also directed in April 2007 with Canterbury Players. Pip is to direct Canterbury Players in "Fallen Angels" by Noel Coward.

Anne Hancox. Actor.

Anne Hancox Committee Member Actor: RolePlay; Play It Again, Sam; Fallen Angels; Bazaar and Rummage; Two; The Vortex. Anne's early performances were all in music theatre. Later came a shift to straight drama. Her involvement with Canterbury's long-established amateur theatre group Playcraft for 21 years and now, with The Canterbury Players has provided a wealth of acting opportunities. She has enjoyed numerous leading roles ranging from Nora in Ibsen's "A Doll's House", Katharine in Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew"; the drunken and shameless Arabella in Ayckbourn's "RolePlay" and Julia in "Fallen Angels" by Noel Coward.

Dee Neligan More about Dee...

Danielle (Dee) Neligan Actor: La Ronde; Play It Again Sam; The Accrington Pals Recently informed by her mother that she has been usurped in her role as Drama Queen of the family, Danielle begs to differ. Starting out in school nativity plays (though never cast as Mary), she moved on to a spot of TV and drama at Uni. Initially drawn to her first role with Canterbury Players, as the presenter in "La Ronde" - because she dreamed of being a dominatrix with a whip - she is now utterly content flowing around in a corset and a pretty dress. April 2007 saw Dee acting the part of Eva Mason, in Peter Whelan's "The Accrington Pals".

As Dick

Andreas Lowson

Andreas Lowson Actor: La Ronde; Play It Again Sam; Fallen Angels; Much Ado about Nothing; Arsenic And Old Lace; Night Must Fall. Andreas is descending the ladder of nobility. In La Ronde, he was only a count whereas the previous year he was a duke (Twelfth Night) and before that a prince (Caucasian Chalk Circle). He has, however, deigned to play mere commoners in such roles as a dotty priest (Gosforth’s Fete), a burglar, an inspector (Disposing of the Body), a solicitor, a boss and an eccentric puppeteer uncle and now, a husband, for Noel Coward's "Fallen Angels", then back all but full circle as Count John in Much Ado about Nothing.

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As Bogie

Mike Ayris

Mike Ayris Actor: La Ronde; Play It Again Sam; Arsenic And Old Lace; Day After The Fair; Night Must Fall. Michael has been with the Canterbury Players for many years, first acting in Sailor Beware at the old Marlowe. He went on to study theatre at the Rose Bruford College and worked professionally for a time. His love of acting keeps him in touch with the society and he is always open to new challenges.

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As Vanessa

Liz Findlay. Stage manager and actor.

Liz Findlay Actor: Play It Again Sam; Much Ado About Nothing; Stage Manager The Birthday Party, La Ronde, The Accrington Pals, Gosforth's Fete; Play It Again Sam, Fallen Angels, Blue Remembered Hills; Two; Arsenic And Old Lace; The Vortex; Night Must Fall. Liz joined the players in 2005 as prompt for Roleplay, rose to the position of chief of teapot bearing and has been stage managing since then in Pinter's "Birthday Party", Ayckbourne's "Gosforth’s Fete", Schnitzlers "La Ronde", Whelan's " The Accrington Pals" and Woody Allen's Play It Again Sam in which she also took the part of Vanessa. Liz is trained in Fine Art and has exhibited locally. She designed the posters for Fallen Angels, and Blue Remembered Hills, Much Ado About Nothing and The Vortex. Liz is going into business for herself, as a fully qualified Blue Badge tour guide, for which www.kent-and-sussex-tours.co.uk is the website.

Crew

Derek Standing. Set design and construction. More Derek....

Derek Standing President Set Design & Construction Some 42 years ago, Derek responded to an urgent advert from Canterbury Dramatic Society and although only 18 he got a job and even survived giving the cast a nightmare on his first set because he did not know that one has to add size glue to the powder paint. Recent productions: RolePlay; The Birthday Party; The Accrington Pals; Play It Again Sam; Fallen Angels; Much Ado About Nothing; The Vortex; Night Must Fall; The Importance of Being Earnest; Barefoot In the Park.

Susanna Gerken

Susanna Gerken Costumes. Assistant Director / Stage Manager: The Importance of Being Earnest Susanna first trained as a teacher and then studied languages and drama in Italy. She lived abroad for many years and has performed in different amateur groups. Since coming to live in Canterbury she has joined the Players and designed the costumes for "The Birthday Party"; La Ronde"; "Play It Again Sam" and "Fallen Angels". Susanna is a very welcome addition to the Players.

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