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2007 Autumn Production.
"Play It Again, Sam" by Woody Allen
Director: Ian Burroughs
Gulbenkian
Theatre
22nd, 23rd and 24th November, 2007
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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
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Ian Burroughs.
Honorary Secretary.
Performance director (Seasons
Greetings; The Birthday
Party; Gosforth's Fete;
Play It Again, Sam)
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. |
As Allan Felix
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Pip Piacentino
Actor: Play It Again Sam;
Performance Director: The
Accrington Pals, Fallen
Angels
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. |
As Linda
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Anne Hancox
Committee Member
Actor: Arabella in Ayckbourn's "RolePlay";
Linda in Woody Allen's "Play
It Again, Sam"; Julia in "Fallen
Angels" by Noel Coward.
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. |
As Nancy
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
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Andreas Lowson
Actor: La Ronde; Play
It Again Sam; Fallen Angels
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". |
As Bogie
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Mike Ayris
Actor: La Ronde; Play
It Again Sam;
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. |
As Vanessa
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Liz Findlay
Actor: Play It Again Sam
Stage Manager (The Birthday
Party, La Ronde, The
Accrington Pals, Gosforth's
Fete, Play It Again Sam,
Fallen Angels, Blue
Remembered Hills.)
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.
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Crew
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Derek Standing
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 |
Costumes
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Susanna Gerken
Costumes.
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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Sponsors to date:
Big For Men Menswear: Big
Clothes for Big Men
ADS Mortgage & Financial Planning
Local taxi company
Canterbury Cars
01227 453333
Thanet Business
World.
01227 450055
Our thanks also to
Data Repro Graphics
and
John Frost
Newspapers
for their assistance with props once more. |
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