Presents

   

Her Big Chance / Doubles

In June 2002, EXIT staged a double-bill of plays by two of Britain’s best contemporary, comedy playwrights; Michael Frayn’s witty One-Act play “Doubles”, supported by one of Alan Bennett’s funny and poignant ‘Talking Heads’ Monologues, “Her Big Chance”. This was staged at the Beckenham Studio Theatre in Beckenham, Kent and was a great success for us all round. About the plays

"Her Big Chance"

Alan Bennett's "Talking Heads" monologue, "Her Big Chance", which is a poignant and amusing snapshot from one woman's life, was first performed by Julie Walters and televised in 1988. There were a total of 6 monolgues in the first series which proved to be extremely popular. So 10 years later Alan Bennett produced a further 6 "Talking Heads II", which explore the somewhat darker side of life.

Director:      Graham Butler

Cast : Lesley              Gill Butler

"Doubles"

First performed in July 1998 at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guilford, "Doubles" subsequently moved to the Gielgud Theatre, London in September 1998. "Doubles" is a One Act play where we see two couples divided by class, false politeness and over thin walls, in an adjoining pair of identical hotel rooms, who bicker and eavesdrop on each other. The play was originally staged with Felicity Kendal and Josie Lawrence playing the 2 women's roles as part of the 8 play compendium "Alarms and Excursions". Throughout this humorous meditation on the emotion-deadening routine that many married couples can call into, Frayn ponders the idea of all the evaporated encounters in the look-alike hotels, very much like a tree falling in the forest. Will anyone hear these guests' cries for fulfillment?!

Director:       Mark Vinson

Cast:

Laurence   Lynn Miles                   Melanie

Michael Louca Javona Gustave   Brian Butler   Dominque Fidele

 

Comments taken from Croydon Advertiser Review June 14th 2002 by Donald Madgwick

“Doubles” and “Her Big Chance” Beckenham Studio Theatre

 

“Bennett’s title, Her Big Chance, is an ironical one. It is the narrative of an out of work actress who is offered a part in a film of no artistic merit, which only she takes seriously….”

“Gill Butler’s persona as Lesley was that of a shallow shopgirl with an accent that strove for gentility but only achieved a mindless twitter. So far so good…….…”

“Director, Mark Vinson, put energy into Michael Frayn’s Doubles, a play in which two couples, in adjoining Hotel rooms with thin walls, quarrel……..… The synchronicity of action and speech between the two rooms, highly artificial in itself, but useful for farce, was adroitly managed, likewise the misunderstandings brought about by less than stout walls”.