Surprise Package: June 2002
By Duncan Geenwood and Derek Parkes
Wish you were here? You should.
Dear All,
Hotel has dodgy plumbing. Weather stormy. Residents up to all sorts of hanky panky.
Sheringham Players' summer farce is a holiday island romp which sends waves of laughter through the seaside audience.
A strong cast unpacks a suitcase of powerful oddball characters, slick action, and good gags into a plot which brings two northern families together at the Pension Maria.
It is a cross between Fawlty towers and Holidays from Hell as anything which can go wrong, does go wrong.
Special mention should go to Colin Prentice, who was superb as the long-suffering Alfred "I wish we'd gone to Blackpool" - Tinsley - stepping into the role at only two weeks' notice.
He is the hub of the action as his son, Ron (Simon Thompson) tries to patch things up with his ex-fiancée Gloria (Sarah Westlake). she is handicapped by the presence of her mother, Mildred (Angie Maddigan).
German guest Fritz (John Meikle) finds himself torn between the attentions of Mildred and teacher Elsie (Bernadette Alexandrou).
Hotel host Juanito is played by Nick Bird helped by the sultry Rosita (Jocasta Corran) who helps the guests' temperatures soar.
Add in Alfred's battleaxe wife Nora (Susan Knights), and grouchy grandma (Joan Spall) and the play, produced by Joyce Harvey, is a good evening's entertainment to get you in the summer mood.
Richard Batson
Scroll down for photos, cast and crew.
Cast | Backstage |
Juanito: Nick Bird | Producer: Joyce Harvey |
Fritz: John Meikle | Props: Coral Batchelor |
Alfred: Colin Prentice | Prompt: Mary Stocks |
Ron: Simon Thompson | Set: Kees Van Woerkom, Gerry Francis |
Nora: Susan Knights | |
Grandma: Joan Spall | |
Elsie: Bernie Alexandrou | |
Mildred: Angie Maddigan | |
Gloria: Sarah Westlake | |
Rosita: Jocasta Corran | |
Greta: Coral Batchelor |