Darling Buds of May – Cast and Crew

Director

Adelle Powell Graham Evans

Marianne Stone

Children’s co-ordinators

Marianne Stone Caroline Law

Stage Manager

Brian Plested

Brain and his wife Iris have been backstage stalwarts since 2002 and they have now been joined by their son Louis who provides our transportation. It’s nice to keep it in the family.

ASM

Adelle Powell

Adelle is the shy retiring type and that’s why there is no photograph. Adelle is a recent addition to the Players having been ASM for “Murder in Play”

Properties

Pip Racey

Pip is normally on stage for the Players, but she has had a busy year what with giving birth, getting married and sometime later having her honeymoon. I hope the props come out in the right order.

Lighting

Graham Everitt

Graham has been our trusty lighting man for many moons now. Even when he’s not available for the shows, he turns up and sets the lights and the plots. It’s good to have him back.

Sound

Rod Paterson

Rod had a bit of a holiday for the last production, his first break since joining us in 1999, when I think this picture was taken. If you see him about you won’t recognise him.

Pop Larkin

Brian Couling

Brian is in his 18^th year with the Players and last appeared as the egocentric director, writer and producer, Boris Smolensky in “Murder in Play”, where he found a role he could really revel in. Then along comes the role of Pop Larkin and Brian’s eyes lit up and all he can say now is “Perfick”.

Ma Larkin

Suze Ward

Suze first appeared for The Players in 2004 as Alice Hobson in “Hobson’s Choice” and last appeared in “Murder in Play” as the somewhat simple Ginnette, the then incumbent of Boris’ casting couch.

As Ma Larkin, she plays an entirely different character opposite Brian, but this is getting to be a bit of a habit.

Mariette

Elena Spisto

Although Elena is now a seasoned backstage organiser, she started with the Players on stage as Phillipa Haymes in “A Murder is Announced”, and her last major role was as Marie-Louise Durham in “The Constant Wife” in 2008. She seems to have got regained her zest for the limelight and plays the part of Mariette.

Mr Charlton

Graham Evans

Here’s another back stager who has succumbed to the limelight. This is Graham’s first acting role with the Players since joining in 2004 for his first production backstage in “Hobson’s Choice”. Here he plays Charley Boy, the naïve young tax inspector, bamboozled by the Larkin’s unexcised lifestyle. Go for it Graham!

The Brigadier

Robin Teasdill

This is Robin’s second production for the Players having first played the bumbling old ham, Harrison Bracewell in “Murder in Play”. Having enjoyed it he’s back for more playing the part of a decent, but rather bumbling, retired Brigadier. Careful Robin, you could get typecast like that.

Mr. Gorridge

Giles Cox

Another glutton for punishment, this is Giles’ second appearance for The Players, having first played the part of Tim/Major Purbright in “Murder in Play”. He doesn’t get to squeak his lines, but I’m sure he’ll add something to the tax inspector that we weren’t expecting.

Miss Pilchester

Diana Hudson

Di returned after a lengthy lay-off from the Players to play the part of Pat, the unrequited stage manager in “Murder in Play”. As Edith she once more has a for Brian as Pop, but she doesn’t have to resort to the elaborate murder of the wrong person, Pop knows just how to keep her on the straight and narrow.

Pauline Jackson

Jennifer Major

This is Jennifer’s seventh outing with the Players having first played the part of Maggie Hobson in the “Hobson’s Choice” and she last appeared in “Murder in Play”, as the bit part actress, Sophie. Here she takes on the role of stealing young Charley’s affections from Mariette. I’ve seen the rehearsals, he doesn’t stand a chance!

Sir George Bluff-Gore

Andrew Stafford

Andrew has been with the Players for more years than he cares to remember. During that time, he has acted in and directed numerous productions and last appeared in “Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime” as the Dean. Having retired, he now has more time to enjoy his drama and we expect to see more of him both on and off stage.

Lady Bluff-Gore

Hilary Cox

A longstanding member and officer of the Marlow Players, Hilary’s involvement has spanned roles, serious and comic, leading and supporting, as well as backstage. She last played the part of Mrs Culver in “The Constant Wife”. This is not a dissimilar role as Lady Bluff-Gore is one of those very pragmatic types.

Angela Snow

Sara Di Donna

Sara has been in The Players for 13 years on and off but has rekindled her passion for the stage, appearing in the past few years, taking a little time off to get married. She last played the Honourable Gwendolen Fairfax in “The Importance of being Ernest”. Here she plays the local journalist that takes a shine to Pop; scream!

The Children – Thursday evening and Saturday matinee

Montgomery Larkin

Jamie Davenport

I really enjoy acting and got into the ‘Darling Buds of May’ through hearing about it at school.  I now play the part of Montgomery, son of the family.

Petunia Larkin

Chloe Edwards

I go to Great Marlow School.  When I heard about doing this play I was eager to do it, as I love drama and acting.  I am having fun and working as hard as I can with the Marlow Players.

Zinnia Larkin

Emma Green

I got involved with the Marlow Players when my Drama teacher if I was interested in acting in their play.  Gloria came in and talked to us about it.  Then we met her at the Studio and started rehearsing every week.

Primrose Larkin

Rebecca Edwards

I am a student at Wye Valley School.  My life revolves around music and the performing arts.  I play the drums and I sing in a band with some friends from school.

Victoria Larkin

Millie Sloper

I love drama and I heard about the Marlow Players at school.  Now we’re rehearsing our production.  It’s really fun!

The Children – Friday and Saturday evenings

Montgomery Larkin

Alistair Gray

I am thirteen.  My drama teacher at school told me about this play.  I am excited, as it’s is my first production outside school.  Rehearsals are challenging, but they are also great fun!

Petunia Larkin

Rosie Edmonds

I am a student at Great Marlow School, where someone came in to talk to us about this play and about the audition.  I went to the audition and I got the part of an eleven year old called Petunia, who is one of the twins.  And here I am now in the play, doing rehearsals, practising and most of all enjoying myself and looking forward to performing on stage.

Zinnia Larkin

Caitlin Lawrence

I go to Great Marlow school.  I got interested in playing in ‘The Darling Buds of May’ when my Drama teacher mentioned it to me.  I was excited when I was told I was in it, because it is my first proper play.  I enjoy coming to rehearsals because it’s really fun.

Victoria Larkin

Nicola Kenney

I was told about the Marlow Players’ production by my Drama teacher at school.  So I went to the meeting and got a part in the play.

Percy Larkin

Austin Salt-Cowell

I am 14 years old.  I go to school at Gillotts, which is in Henley.  My ambition is to become a film director or a film actor.