Past Shows - An Evening With Gary Lineker
May 2009 - An Evening with Gary Lineker
by Arthur Smith and Chris England
(This amateur production was presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger
Ltd)
Venue
- The Studio, The Castle, Wellingborough
It's July 4th, 1990. In Italy. England are playing Germany in the semi-final of the World Cup. In Majorca, Bill and Monica are on holiday trying to rekindle a failing marriage.
Monica dreams of an affair with Gary Lineker, the "Queen Mother of Football", though in fact she's been seeing Dan, a friend of Bill's and a travel writer whose books are published by Bill's firm. Circumstances change when Dan unexpectedly arrives at their hotel, ostensibly in Majorca to write an article. But as the game begins, the three, in the company of Bill's colleague Ian and Birgitta, a local German tourist rep they've befriended, settle down to watch the game on TV.
Through ninety minutes, extra time and the infamous penalty shoot out, the field of battle switches between the hotel and the Italian football pitch as Monica, Bill and the England team approach the inevitable.
"An Evening with Gary Lineker" is a hilarious play of two halves - full of quick wit and comical situations that makes for an evening of top entertainment. This was the first play performed by The Nomads and won't be the last. If you missed it you missed a treat.
The Cast And Crew
Nick Gardiner, Tracey Galway, Alan
Galway, Mark Walker, Jane Walker, Jenny Tymon
Leisa Cooke, Leaster Cooke, Dave Freeman, Jane Cox
Character |
Played By |
| Bill Desbackos | Dave Freeman |
| Monica Desbackos | Jane Cox |
| Ian Marshall | Lester Cooke |
| Birgitta | Leisa Cooke |
| Dan Hudson | Alan Galway |
| Barmaid | Jenny Tymon |
| Voice Off and Gary Lineker | Nick Gardiner |
Production Team |
|
| Director | Mark Walker |
| Assistant Director | Jenny Tymon |
| Lighting | Tracey Galway |
| Sound and Prompt | Jane Walker |
| Front Of House Manager | André & Maxine Anthony |
| Front Of House Staff | Suzanne Coles |
| Stewart Lewis | |
What Peple Said...
|
"AN EVENING WITH GARY LINEKER": THE NOMADS MAY 7TH - MAY 9TH AT THE CASTLE STUDIO WELLINGBOROUGH Arthur Smith and Chris England's classic 1992 comedy play came to The Castle Studio this week. The piece is hysterically funny to football and non-football fans alike, and the NOMADS cast did not disappoint in their performances. Set in Majorca on the fateful night of the 1990 World Cup Semi-Final between England and West Germany the story is compacted into the build-up and the main event of the big match. Dave Freeman (BILL) and Jane Cox (MONICA) negotiated a difficult opening sequence with aplomb, establishing their characters thoroughly. Bill's performance as the seemingly (but subsequently not at all) blinkered soccer fan was consistent throughout as was that of Monica, his long suffering wife who turned out to be suffering in more ways than we initially thought!!! Lester Cooke was perfectly cast as the effete, yet scheming, IAN. His character began to annoy me from very early on (for the right reasons I hasten to add) and I just know I went to school with someone rather like him! DAN HUDSON? What can I say? Alan Galway continues to enhance his reputation as a fine comedy actor, his comic timing was superb, switching emotions at the correct times seamlessly. Having had the pleasure of working on numerous occasions with Leisa Cooke I am very aware of her excellent stagecraft and again she showed her incredible versatility in the role of the German temptress BIRGITTA. Leisa has a rare capability of making even the most difficult part "her own". Her character, accent and stage presence never faltered, nor did her ability to underplay when necessary. In summary, the interaction between all the characters was very good indeed. Congratulations to Director Mark Walker. The stage set, lighting and effects worked really well, characterisations were tight and very consistent. The NOMADS continue to fully establish themselves as a versatile Theatre Company and productions like this can only add to there rising reputation. Last but not least - I do believe Jenny T did not get one single piece of dialogue in the wrong place!! Also her cocktail shaking expertise was noted by many male members of the audience (sorry Jenny, I couldn't resist it). A big "well done" to all concerned with this great production. Jonathan Reynolds |
