The Tethera Valley Players production of

" Up and Running "

by Derek Benfield

Directed by John Thompson

at Loweswater Village Hall

February 5th, 6th and 7th 2010

Staring . . . in order of appearance

Peter Bergius, John Thompson, Sheila King, Alan Marples, Penny Leck and Carol Marples.

Stage Crew : Roger Hiley with Malcolm Ibberson, Keith McNeil, John Hudson, Doug Beebee, Chris Bryans, Gareth Hiley and Kathy Johnston.

Also a big note of thanks to Betty Coulthard (props) Margaret Herd (producer) Barbara Ibberson (costumes & make up) Kath Leck (prompt)

Dave Robinson (lighting and sound) Peter Rothwell (lighting) and Keith Meadley (transport) .

The story starts a long time ago (August 2009) in the land of of the Three Valleys . . .

In a cave high in the hills there was lots of wood of all shapes and sizes in variety of shades from thick dust to bright purple.

From these early beginnings a stage production would grow . . .

but little did we know it would be nearly seven months before the production was " Up and Running ".

The items required were found, dusted off and arranged in order so they could develope into something bigger and better.

Enter the stage crew, Keith and Malcolm . . .	. . . even assisted on one weekend by my son Gareth

traditional artwork by Alan Johnson . . .	. . . and modern art by John.

With the basics sorted and rehearsals underway it was time to take it apart again . . .

and move it up to the Loweswater Village Hall ready for the full production in November.

" Now where did I leave the big ladder to put those lights up ? "

" Beware Wet Paint "

All ready for final rehearsals.

John and Peter discussing 'lost property' he left on the sofa.	They don't do things like that on the "Sixth Floor".

" But I've got a bad leg . . . see ! "

Everything seems to be under control and the cast have completed their full rehearsals . . . just two days to go till the play now.

- - - o o o - - -

Oops . . . do your remember it rained in November ?

Due to the devastating floods that hit the Cockermouth area that Thursday and on though the weekend, buildings were damages, bridges were washed away, roads closed and two members of the cast and crew were forced out of their homes by the floods.

With all the disruption, and potentially no audience either, there was nothing to but to postpone the performances.

- - - o o o - - -

Oh well . . . time to take it all apart and store it away . . . ready for a re-run at a later date.

- - - o o o - - -

Time passes . . . the rains stop and the sun comes out ( that was after the month of snow and icy roads)

and the show is on the road again.

Re-build the stage . . . re-hang the walls . . . re-paint the joints . . .

The tree and the other props are back in the hall . . .	. . . and it's time to build the sound and light systems again.

Ready for the opening night.

- - - o o o - - -

The lighting technician (Dave) is ready

( and so is Barbara his wife . . . sitting in the cheap seats at the back )

- - - o o o - - -

The audience is starting to arrive and seats are filling nicely . . . lights up in twelve minutes and counting.

Beginners ready please . . . and we're under way.

- - - o o o - - -

The scene is set in a London apartment and follows chat show host Patrick who is expecting his new TV boss for drinks.

His womanising neighbour Trevor leaves a girl in his flat . . . just at the wrong moment.

" Girls. . . .with legs "

Rather than appear as a " loose woman" in Patrick's life Jenny pretends to be his wife with comedic consequences.   The first of these is that she gets Reg the rather prim " Head of TV religious Broadcasting in Scotland" to carry her into the bedroom so as to avoid her meeting Trevor again.   However when Trevor, that pink hand bag on the sofa and Reg do actually meet more misunderstandings occur which just adds to fun and games.

" I tell you Patrick . . . fix the door lock to keep out the Riff Raff "	" Yes Reg . . . I'll do it first thing tomorrow . . . after my marmalade "

" We don't have Riff Raff on the Sixth Floor "

	" I was entertaining Virginia from Finsbury Park. I had just gone out to warm me Wok and she disappeared ! "   " Have you seen her ? "

" I've found a girl in our bedroom . . . I supose she just flew in like Peter Pan "

" But you told me you were Patrick's wife "

" I thought I was your wife Patrick "

- - - o o o - - -

Somewhere around this time Virginia ( tall and dark not short and blond) re-appears from the bedroom and bumps into Reg.

" Don't I recognise you ? "	" Hanky panky in the Highlands was it ?"

" You wouldn't want your wife to find out would you . . . I'll call up and see you in the morning . . . on the sixth floor "

So (at last) the play is performed and the audience is duly entertained in grand Loweswater style . . . all that remains are the curtain calls.

[ Applause please and hold your cursor over the picture lots of times to show your appreciation ]

- - - o o o - - -

Technical note: Pictures taken with my Canon G10 digital camera.

Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder.

This site best viewed with . . . . A responsive audience to encourage you on.

Go to Top

© RmH.2010 # Email me here # Guest book (on the front page)

The previous production - 20th / 22nd Nov 2008 "A Secondary Cause of Death"

The next production - 17th - 19th February 2011 Tethera Play 2011 "Party Piece"