Arsenic And Old Lace

by Joseph Kesselring

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Studio 2 N.A.P.A, Anlaby Rd
Nov 28-30 2003

When Mortimer goes to tell Abby and Martha, his two dear, sweet old aunts, the good news about his marriage to Elaine, he makes a grim discovery in the window seat. Meanwhile his eccentric brother thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt and spends many a happy hour digging the Panama Canal in the cellar. When their other brother makes an unwelcome visit, chaos and confusion break loose in this wonderful American farce.

Cast
Abby Brewster Helen Robinson
Dr Harper Ray Rumkee
Teddy Brewster

Brian Watson

Officer Klein Tanya Platten
Officer Brophy Neal Coulman
Martha Brewster Jenny Stewart
Elaine Harper Louise Brown
Mortimer Brewster Ed Dixon
Mr Gibbs Tony Conboy
Jonathan Brewster Simon King
Dr Einstein Mary Rose
Officer O'Hara Ali McNulty
Lt Rooney Mandy Timmins
Mr Witherspoon Andy Hodgson

Directed by Irwin Williams & Ailsa Oliver

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Jonathan goes wibble

Director's Commentary  We really enjoyed directing this one. Each cast member was just right for their part, and put in huge amounts of effort. Neal not only took part as one of the police officers, he took on the Herculean task of producing for us, and also built a splendid set with minimal time and resources. We were thrilled at the number of people who came to see it, and very glad that we’d decided to do something well-known, despite the worry that people would be comparing us with the film. It was really good to collaborate again too. Twelve Angry Men is still waiting for us…..to be continued…. Irwin & Ailsa

Quote, Unquote  Had such a giggle doing this play; got to poison (or try to poison) many men with varying success. Most of the cast were suffering from the flu bug - myself included; I thought at one point we wouldn't be able to go on, let alone be heard at the back of the theatre. Louise and I swapped cough drops in the dressing room and Irwin must have had shares in Night Nurse Cold & Flu tablets - he was recommending them to everyone! I've often wondered what it would be like to have a sister and found a great one in Jenny, I had a fabulous time working along side her Helen
This production was great fun to be involved with I thoroughly enjoyed playing a batty old lady with a hidden agenda.  Every one worked really hard to bring it all together and Neal's set was wonderful even if the handle did fall of the door, and great reaction from our audience which always helps Jenny
Quite a lot of fun was had playing Teddy. Special mention must be made of the moustache which made its acting debut. The bugle playing should be ignored and Neal should be thanked for building not one but two sets of stairs that got steeper as the night wore on. Many thanks to  for giving me the chance to wear another hat or two. I have refused to use the words "Charge", "Bully" or "Dee-lighted" in the writing of these comments Brian
It was strange for me to be in a play for the first five minutes and then have to wait in the dressing room until the curtain call. Quite relaxing really. Great show, though, and our best audiences for ages so I'm really pleased to have been involved Ray
As usual, it's unfair to pick out anyone over the rest of the cast, but Ali took to it like a duck to water, it was one of Helen's best ever performances, and Ed was absolutely magnificent. Mortimer's part is the flywheel that keeps the play's momentum going, and Ed made sure it flew along. I've never seen him better Andy
As a newbie, thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Can't thank Irwin and Ailsa enough all the guidance and giving me a part. I found that ALL the Chameleons are excellent people to hang about with. A big thank you to everyone for making me feel so welcome Ali
Everyone I spoke to seemed to think it was a very "professional" performance. I was delighted with the near capacity first night audience - a record for a Chameleon production. All the hard work and traumas paid off! Betty

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