Stage double bill
The youth wing of Henfield Theatre Company gets its chance with the company’s latest production.
They will be providing one half of an enticing double bill of contrasting pieces. As spokesman Martin
Love explains: “The youth wing of HTC has been going from strength to strength recently but audiences have been limited to invited members of the company, friends and relatives – that is, until now. Their last production was so admired that many said they should definitely be performing to the public and that is what is about to happen. They will be presenting
The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard, a classic whodunnit, but with an unusual twist.
“This is a play within a play and it is a lot of fun.
Two theatre critics come to review a play and get mixed up in the performance on stage, engaging alongside the fictional characters as themselves.
“The Henfield production is directed by Karen Blunden, who is experienced with drama education and has been largely responsible for the development of the HTC youth wing.
“The second play in this double bill features some of the more senior members of the company.
“A Cold Supper Behind Harrods was written by David Morley after he met veterans of the Special Operations Executive
(SOE) and became aware of elements of animosity amongst them.
“Invited to the Special Forces Club, which he describes as an anonymous building behind Harrods, he learned from one veteran that the official version of the history of the organisation concealed instances of incompetent leadership and betrayal in the field.
“In the play, which is based on true events, three former SOE operatives are reunited in 1997 when the BBC are making a television series about heroes and heroines of World War Two.
“As they await their turn to be interviewed, they discuss the circumstances surrounding the death of a lovely, spirited, young woman who was arrested as soon as she had landed in occupied France. Set in the garden of an English country house, what appears at first to be a gentle story of three elderly people reminiscing becomes an intriguing one of unfinished business, guilt and revenge.
“Don’t miss these two fascinating, but very different, plays which will be staged as one production at The Henfield Hall on Saturday, May 21. There are two complete performances (each including both plays), a matinée at
2.30pm and at 7.45pm. Tickets, £10, online (www. henfieldtheatrecompany. com) or at Stevens Estate Agents, Henfield High Street on 01273 492141.