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Why Me?
A Comedy by Stanley Price
Directed by Joy Wren |
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Cast |
| John Bailey |
Roland Garrad |
| Helen Bailey (John's wife) |
Libby Bellhouse |
| Tom Bailey (their son) |
Thomas Cook |
| Mary Ferguson (Helen's mother) |
Betty Simpson |
| Arthur Hollis (a neighbour) |
Andy Black |
| Gwen Hollis (Arthur's wife) |
Stephanie Morris |
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The action takes place, over a period of several
weeks during one summer, in the living/dining room area of a
Victorian house in South London, which the Baileys are
modernising. |
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Note - This play sees the debut
of three new acting members, namely Andy Black, Thomas Cook and
Betty Simpson, the latter two of which are still both actively
involved in the SHADES Theatre
Company.
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Synopsis
John Bailey returns to his South London home a
member of the "over three million club" and bitter recipient of a
"tarnished chrome" handshake. In the course of the ensuing summer he
struggles bravely with job rejections; loss of dignity in the face
of his wife Helen's hugely successful pizza business; an adulterous
affair with the next door neighbour; the incipient break up of his
marriage; the shattering revelation that his teenage son is a
transvestite rock musician; and repeated forays into his living-room
by his mother-in-law who refuses to stay in her adjoining granny
flat. He finds comfort in the Book of Job, seeing it as a parable
for the recession and, eventually, like his biblical counterpart, the ending is
a happy one. He is united with Helen, both in marriage,
once again, and in a rather tasty new business
venture! |
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