Acting Edition S.
12 total works
When Morris and Jean win the National Lottery their lives are irredemably changed - the question is, for better or worse? The cracks in their marriage widen, Jean keeps on winning and Morris takes off to Amsterdam with an old flame, but will his prophesy that bad luck always follows good turn out to be true? Can money buy happiness? Is enough ever enough? John Godber addresses these questions in his comic play, first presented by the Hull Truck Theatre Company at the Spring Street Theatre in Hull.
Set 'somewhere in the north of England' it centres on the amateur rugby team from the Wheatsheaf Arms who can only muster a side of four whose pride lies in their unbroken record of defeat.-1 woman, 6 men
Mixing comedy with melancholy reflections on mariage, age, class, and friendship, this play becomes a study of the English away from home. Journalist Tom, despite having misgivings about leaving his wife Gail, has joined his freind Andy on a golfing holiday in Spain. Andy, who is married to Gail's freind Lynne, enthusiatically joins the lager-lout brigade at their hotel and makes the most of the opportunities for illicit sex that are available. Tom, holding himself apart from the crowd, embarks on a platonic freindship with Trish. Back in England, Andy keeps his infidelity secret but Tom tells Gail of his innocent friendship with Trish and the seeds of suspicion are instantly sown.
Fast-moving and highly entertaining, Teechers evokes life at a modern school. Using the format of an end-of-term play, the new drama teacher's progress through two terms of recalcitrant classes, synical colleagues and obstructive caretakers is reviewed. Disillutioned, he departs for a safer private school.
Full of warmth, understanding and humour, this is an affectionate and appealing portrait of an ordinary family struggling with change, bereavement and the generation gap. On his graduation day in 1978, John looks back over his teenage years, from 1967-1973, recalling all the embarrassments, tensions, joys and sorrows of family life in West Yorkshire. Older and better educated, he finds himself alienated from his working-class family who cannot understand his growing intellect and theatrical aspirations.5 women, 3 men, 1 woman or man
John Godber's striking, easily staged play explores the complex relationship between a thirty-three year old theatre studies teacher and his elderly parents. Martin Dawson has invited his parents, Joan and Len, to visit him in the Lake District. This 'enjoyable' weekend break evolves into an opportunity for the release of the pent-up frustrations of a lifetime. Godber successfully combines biting humour with serious intent in this thought-provoking comment on age, communication and life in general.1 woman, 2 men
Louise Underwood's life revolves around "Pippins", the hamburger restaurant where she works, and "Peppermints" night club, where she spends most of her spare time. Then she discovers Judo. This play charts Louise's progress to Black Belt. Her personal journey involves numerous sacrifices, crises of confidence both major and minor, and battles with more experienced players who think she has no chance of success. we also meet Stuart, who keeps the club going despite the ever present threat of closure, Andy the dashing Humberside champion, Sarah - Andy's blunt, dangerous girlfiend, and Michele - Louise's best friend, who cannot understand the appeal of Judo and fights desperately to keep their friendship as it was, with disastrous results.
In Amateur Rugby League, everything is personal. The truth of this sentiment is proved time and again in Up 'n' Under II, the hilarious sequel to John Godber's hit comedy about the mixed bag of players making up the Wheatsheaf Arms team. Will the lost honour of the Wheatsheaf Arms be retrieved in their match against the Cobblers Arms? Audiences will be on the edges of their seats before they find out!-2 women, 7 men
Spanning three generations, from 1947 to the present, this compelling saga vividly captures the dreams, ambitions, joys, fears, heartaches and disappointmen's of the Parker sisters, Annie and May, whose hopes centre on May's son, Paul, and his academic success.3 women, 3 men, 5 women or men
Bet and Al lead a quiet, humdrum life in their small Yorkshire home until Bet wins a 'Romantic Breaks' competition in a magazine. The prize, a holiday in Paris, represen's their first experience abroad and has profound effects on the way they look at the world around them once they return home.-1 woman, 1 man
Don and Shirley Weston have come to the Scardale Hall Health Hydro to relax, pamper themselves and just possibly rescue their ailing marriage. Don's experiences with exercise and therapy are far from positive and the rifts in the marriage widen as his mid-life crisis becomes more and more evident, and moments of reconciliation do little to improve the situation.3 women, 3 men, 4 women or men
In the late Seventies, five students on a drama teaching course at a northern college discover sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. Stan, a mature student, and Rich, the local boy-made-good, share a room, as do the girls - upper-crust Charlotte, feisty Helen and religious Tina. Babs, their tutor, does her best for them, supporting them through the travails of teaching practice with unruly kids, but the student parties, romantic intrigues and class conflict take their toll.4 women, 2 men