Breath of Spring
Written by Peter Coke
Directed by Barry Hooper
9 – 14 November 1998
From left to right: John Midlane, Betty Bailey, Margaret Penny and Audrey Christianson
When Dame Beatrice is given a mink stolen by her maid, she is reminded of the maid’s shady past and immediately suspects that it was stolen from the the next flat. A former army officer and other lodgers endeavour to return the mink. The plan is devised with care and all of them take such delight in the secretive scheme that they wonder why they don’t do this more often. They form a syndicate for stealing and returning furs. Everything goes well until a loss is reported and the police come charging in. The maid is horrified to discover what has been going on behind her back, but agrees to employ her talents to bail the amateurs out of trouble if they agree to never touch another fur. She succeeds, the police leave, and life returns to its humdrum ways until someone remembers that it was only furs they had promised not to touch!
Cast
Miss Nanette Parry – Betty Bailey
Brigadier Albert Rayne – John Midlane
Lily Thompson – Judith Brace
Alice, Lady Miller – Jean Midlane
Dame Beatrice Appleby (“Bee”) – Margaret Penny
Miss Elizabeth Hatfield (“Hattie”) – Audrey Christianson
Pape – Steve Hunt
Kemp – Roger Hodge
Crew
Stage Manager – Roger Hodge
Lighting – Alan Hunt
Sound – Graham King
Set Design – Colin Burring
Set Construction – Roger Hodge, Barry Hooper, Eric White, Colin Burring
Prompt – Maggie Baird
Costumes – Marjorie Sawyer
Props – Pat Vale, Emma Stewart