Rowntree Players

Set in a church hall in Acton, London, this is the funny but moving story of a group of agoraphobic women who, as part of a self help group, decide to break through their troubled and insular lives for one day at least by bravely staging a bazaar and rummage sale. Sue Townsend, author of the very popular Adrian Mole books, has crafted a very entertaining, witty and poignant play of ordinary people striving to overcome all obstacles in an effort to rejoin society.

Gwenda, an ex-agoraphobic, leads a self-help group of three women, Katrina, Bell Bell and Margaret who have been unable to leave their homes for a variety of reasons. She forces them to help at a local bazaar, enlisting the support of Fliss, a trainee social-worker. While sorting through the rummage their individual fears erupt but calm is restored by the ever-sensible Fliss. As they leave the hall it is apparent their agoraphobia is not cured but they have made the effort.

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice tells the story of a shy, reclusive girl, Little Voice, and her larger than life out of control mother Mari.

Desperately missing her dead father, Little Voice spends her time locked in her bedroom listening to his old record collection and perfecting astonishing impersonations of favourite divas including Shirley Bassey, Judy Garland and Marylin Monroe.

When Mari starts dating small time club agent Ray Say, she thinks he's her last chance for a better life. When Ray Say hears Little Voice sing, he thinks she's his ticket to the big time. Little Voice just wants a normal life and to be loved. Not everyone is going to get what they want.

An evening full of laughs and tears, when the worlds collide sparks are going to fly...

Legend tells of Robin Hood and his Merry Men's battle to tame the evil Sheriff of Nottingham - but few know of the part played by the Sheriff's orphaned relatives and the children of the forest.

That is until now!!

This year let Rowntree Players take you deep into Sherwood Forest - where with a little help from the woodland Nymph - and some fantastic catering by Sue the Cook and her able (ish) assistant Preston; the Sheriff will meet his greatest challenge yet. Oh - and keep an eye out for the bears - they're causing the villagers no end of problems!

With silly stories, song and dance, re-cycled jokes galore and plenty of audience interaction it will be, once again, a brand new rollocking romp of a panto!

Two takes place over one night, in a pub, in the North of England. Two people - man and wife - landlord and landlady - a dynamic double act, magnetic hosts of their pub, where they've 'seen it all'. Serving drinks two-by-two to the twosomes in their pub. Each has a story to tell, sometimes quirky, sometimes sad but it's always a tale you identify with. Interwoven with pint-pulling we meet Moth, a man drawn to every flame yet utterly dependent on Maudie; two elderly pensioners; Mrs Iger who simply adores big men; Roy who has Lesley completely under control and two Elvis fans watching TV.

Two takes clever twists and turns before reaching a powerful and unexpected denouement.

Two young gentlemen living in 1890's England have taken to bending the truth in order to put some excitement into their lives.

Jack Worthing has invented a brother, Earnest, whom he uses as an excuse to leave his dull country life behind to visit the ravishing Gwendolyn.

Algy Montcrieff decided to take the name Earnest when visiting Worthing's young and beautiful ward, Cecily at the country manor.

Things start to go awry when they end up together in country and their deceptions are discovered - threatening to spoil their romantic pursuits.

Northern England 1964. Four unwed pregnant tearaways are brought together at St Saviours, a church run home. Over 2 months we share their fears, hopes and aspirations, in their unforeseen and unforgettable circumstances.

Surrounded by the music of the Dixie Cups, the Shangri-La’s and of course the Ronettes, this play couples tragedy with humour resulting in an unforgettable evening of drama that will stay with you for ever.

Will Baron Tightwad ever get his rent from Gertie? Will Houston ever pluck up enough courage to ask Tilly out? Why is Lord Moldevart so interested in Priscilla and will Fairy Floella be able to keep him under control?

The answer to all these questions and more can be found at this years Rowntree Players pantomime Mother Goose with another brand new script, jokes old and new, laughs in abundance, hilarious slapstick rousing songs and dazzling dancing, it really promises to be another rollocking romp of a panto.

Directed once again by the inimitable Howard Ella and this year ably assisted by choreographer Claire Horsley. The part of the Dame will again be played by Barry Benson (who co-wrote the panto with Howard). Together with another superb chorus of all ages and sizes you’re sure to be entertained.

Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Remember your school days? The dreaded detentions, snogging behind the bike sheds and breaktime bust-ups?! Well prepare to be catapulted back to the classroom and take a raw and riotous look at life in a typical British school, in this classic comedy from BAFTA winner John Godber.

Meet the staff; the trendy young Drama teacher making his shaky debut; the Deputy Head who rules the school with an iron rod; the gentle Humanities teacher who is desperate for a quiet life; Doug, the grumpy old Caretaker, and the Headmistress - a boisterous battleaxe and some-time Amateur Dramatics star! And prepare yourselves for the pupils; a wayward mob of disruptive delinquents - determined to wreck havoc, hormones and horror throughout the school!

Nostalgia, mischief and mayhem reign supreme in this classic classroom drama!

The characters are three suburban couples who are linked by the work of the husbands. Fiona and Frank are the top couple, Bob and Teresa are attractive and up and coming, despite the fact she is a utter slob and he is a boor. The third pair are socially hopeless, but earnest.

The action takes place at two dinner parties given on consecutive nights. The set in itself represents two living/dining rooms at once. The furniture and often the people of the two places are intermingled, most notably in the scene that closes the first act, when one hapless couple is having Thursday night dinner with one pair and Friday night dinner with the other couple at the same time! Their lives and friendships are intertwined in more ways than one, add some hilarious and emotional misunderstandings, some comings and goings and the dinner party!

What on earth could go wrong?

This year why not join Rowntree Players on a journey to London and beyond in their brand new, rollicking romp of a panto – Dick Whittington.

With his belongings in a hankie and Tommy the cat by his side Dick Whittington is off to seek fortune and fame. Join us as he meets a a host of new friends; The culinary flan chef extra-ordinaire - Sarah The Cook and her lazy son Idle Jack who shows us a hilarious new way to milk his shy cow Daisy. Meet Fairy Bowbells as she attempts to stop King Rat and his furry fiends in their evil attempt to control the world. Will Alderman Fitzwarren and his daughter Alice save their rat infested Cheese Emporium from becoming another victim of the credit crunch.

With jokes, songs, drama and the odd flying cheese flan; let Rowntree Players get your festive season off to a flantastic start!

In Tom Stoppard’s funnny and poignant translation of Gérald Sibleyras’s Les Vents des Peupliers (The Wind in the Poplars), we meet three veterans from the First World War who pass their monotony-filled days in a hospital by engaging in verbal battles of long-forgotten military campaigns, grumblings about the matron, and reflections on their life. Henri is afflicted by a gammy leg, Gustave suffers from agoraphobia, and Philippe passes out because of a piece of shrapnel lodged in his brain.

Their cantankerous camaraderie becomes strained when Gustave conjures up an escape plan. Looking over the cemetery to the poplars beyond, they dream of freedom. Will today be the day they finally make to Indochina or perhaps only as far as the top of the hill? This translation of the play premiered at Wyndham’s Theatre, London, in 2005 to critical acclaim, starring Richard Griffiths, John Hurt and Ken Stott.

Set in 1934, the farce revolves around renowned tenor Tito Merelli, known to his fans as "Il Stupendo," who is scheduled to sing the lead in Otello, produced as a gala fundraiser for the Cleveland Opera Company. Unfortunately, even before the star leaves his hotel room, everything begins to unravel. Chaos ensues when Merelli's wife, who has mistaken an autograph-seeker hidden in his closet for a secret lover, leaves him a "Dear John" letter. The distraught Merelli accidentally is given a double dose of tranquilizers to calm him and passes out. Saunders, the company's General Manager, is determined the show must go on (for his own financial sake), so he asks his assistant Max to impersonate the opera star. Max puts on the blackface makeup required for the role of Otello, and his disguise succeeds admirably — until Merelli, also in blackface, wakes up and heads for the stage. What follows is a chain-reaction of mistaken identity, plot twists, double entendres, innuendoes, and constant entrances and exits through many doors.

When Yorkshire style Shakespearean prose and tragedy meets rum Northern humour and rugby the result is a modern theatrical classic

John Godber's Up 'n' Under centres on the amateur rugby league team of the Wheatsheaf Arms who can only muster a side of four and whose pride lies in their unbroken record of defeat (54-0 their most spectacular score yet)! For an outrageous bet, Arthur, a retired player, undertakes to train the boys for a match against The Cobblers - the best side in the north of England. Arthur enlists the help of Hazel who runs a body-building gym and he's confident. Will the Wheatsheaf lads beat the terror of the 7-a-side league?

Join Rowntree Players on this heart-warmingly funny journey of pride, desperation, friendship and teamwork.

Director: Howard Ella
Assistant Director: Graham Smith

Loosely based on a famous fairytale with madness and mayhem!

Evil Witch Hazel doesn't get invited to the christening of baby Rose so casts a spell on her so that if she pricks her finger before her 18th birthday she will sleep for 100 years!

Musical spectacular with lots of zany dance routines, silly plot lines, and dont forget the slapstick!

Prepare to be entertained again by the group who brought you Aladdin last year.

Directed by Caroline Heppell, Produced by Howard Ella. Musical Director Vic Heard supported by Dan Hield. Choreographer Claire Horsley supported by Siân Davies

For Pat, recently widowed, this years charabanc trip to Whitby is tinged with sadness. She is determined to enjoy herself, however, in the company of her old friends — warm, kind hearted Jimmy and Joan; gentle, innocent Jessie; Maureen; even garrulous, know-it-all Henry and interfering, outspoken Kathleen.

The holiday gets off to a lively start as Phil and Edna, "The Shangri-Las", provide evening entertainment in the form of old-time dancing. Phil, too, is trying to enjoy himself, despite being trapped in a dead, loveless marriage, and it is during their first dance together that he and Pat feel the unexpected spark of mutual attraction. To the disapproval of friends and family, they decide to sieze this second chance and start a new life together....

Directed by John Hall and co-directed by Caroline Heppell.

Relief drama teacher Mary faces an uphill struggle when she tries to interest sixteen-year-olds Stacey, Kelly and Maggie in dance.

She isn’t helped by the science-obsessed headmaster, nor by the girl’s patent lack of commitment, nor by the lack of funds and resources, but she ploughs doggedly on

A trip to London to take part in a dance competition proves to be a turning point - the girls, though they don’t win, gain confidence, and Mary nearly becomes romantically involved with Stacey’s dad, Jimmy

A classic by the master of the French farce - Where There's A Will examines what happens when the widow of a philanderer re-marries and tries to control the behaviour of her new husband, whom she measures by the standards of the first! Just when she thinks she has him where she wants him, things get complicated by the return of a rival for her affections and close friend of the first husband who had taken himself off to China but returns believing the coast is clear to recommence his wooing.

Step on our magic carpet ride and join the fun with Rowntree Players. Will Aladdin finally meet the princess? Can Abanazar convince Aladdin that he is his uncle? Will Widow Twankey ever get any washing done? Can the Genie and his super cool sister save the day? Have a laugh and let us entertain you with sillyness and slapstick.

Musical Director Mike Thompson and Chorographer Jessica Hardcastle are this year joined by Director Julie Harrison, Producer Caroline Heppell and an enthusiastic energetic cast of all ages.

Foxwell J Sly is a scheming rapacious miser bent on extracting the fortunes from a trio of rich greedy opportunists. Pretending he is at death's door, Sly says he will name each of the three as his sole heir. The depths the trio will plumb to acquire Sly's fortune know no bounds - one goes as far as to disinherit his only son, another offers his wife to the lecherous Sly.

With breakneck pace and a rich gallery of characters, Michael Frayn's brilliantly witty farce follows the on and off stage antics of a touring company as they stumble from dress rehearsal to disastrous last night of the sex comedy 'NOTHING ON'. Everything that can go wrong does, as the cast desperately try to hang onto their lines, their performances and the furniture... resulting in a terrifying descent into chaos.