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The 1991 BT Biennial - 'Happy Families' by John Godber
Tonight you are participating in history in the making, the greatest event to hit the amateur stage, the WORLD PREMIERE of 'HAPPY FAMILIES' by John Godber, at The Nomad Theatre, East Horsley.
50 little theatres, all members of The Little Theatre Guild, have been busy rehearsing in preparation for this unique production, the biggest First Night in the history of British Theatre, with a potential audience of 10-15,000 people, involving over 500 actors!
This is the first time an established playright has been commisioned especially to write for the amateur stage. John Godber is currently the third most popular playwright in Britain, after Shakespeare and Alan Ayckbourn, best known perhaps, for this position as Direct of the Hull Truck Theatre Company, his prizewinning plays 'Bouncers', 'Up 'n' Under' and 'Teechers', and his many TV credits, the latest of which was 'Chalkface', screened on BBC1 earlier this year. This challenge was new for John, writing for many more characters than normal, more women and a wider age range, and once he'd written the script, he had to hand it over to 50 different directors to produce!
'Happy Families' is largely autobiographical, a bitter-sweet comedy about hopes, dreams and aspirations, jealousy, ambition and class. It looks in details at teh life of 'John' (Master Taylor) from the ages of 11 to 21, but viewed from the perspective of 'John' now, (Mr Taylor) aged 35.
BT's involvement with the whole concept has been most impressive, not only have they commissioned the play, but they have assisted smoother productions by organising press launches and workshops, and help with marketing the event, from posters to sweatshirts. It is hoped that this will become a Biennial Event, with new, exciting plays written by today's most talented playwrights every two years. Already there are plans to produce 'Happy Families' in the West End next year. You have the opportunity to see it first, in East Horsley, at The Nomad Theatre, be thoroughly entertained by one of the wittiest playwrights of our times, and at the same time participate in an historic event, the largest ever world premiere! |
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