Notes for FUNNY PECULIAR By Mike Stott Welcome to a described performance of FUNNY PECULIAR by Mike Stott. I am Sue and I will describe Act 1, Cynthia will describe Act 2. The notes have been prepared by Clare. The play is in two Act’s with a number of scenes in each Act. The performance will last approx 2hrs with one interval of 15mins. CAST (in order of appearance) Trevor Tinsley………………………………………………………………….Craig Gazey Irene Tinsley……………………………………………………………………Suzanne Shaw Rev A J Thwaite……………………………………………………………….Dominic Cazenove Sgt Harry Asquith…………………………………………………………….Mark Heal Mrs Baldry……………………………………………………………………… Vicky Entwistle Stanley Baldry………………………………………………………………….Steven Blakeley Shirly Smith……………………………………………………………………..Gemma Bissix Eric Smith………………………………………………………………………. Sam Nicholl Desmond Ainsley…………………………………………………………… Simon Naylor Shane Pritchard……………………………………………………………… Dominic Cazenove The action of the play takes place in a village somewhere in the Pennines in the mid 1970’s. The theme, both absurd and liberating, shows how the permissive society has penetrated the outer reaches of northern, provincial humdrum existence. Trevor Tinsley is a small town grocer with a devoted wife Irene and new baby daughter, but he has a desire to taste the forbidden fruit of free love. Hilarious misadventures ensue as the play unfolds THE SET Act1 There is an invisible division between the Tinsley’s living room to the left and the village shop to the right. Between the two to the rear is the outline of the exterior of the Tinsley’s home with a blue front door. The living room rear wall is decorated with a vibrant 1970’s wallpaper and a fan shaped wall light to the left hand side. The bottom half of the wall is panelled in light wood. A wood panelled door on the right hand side leads to the cellar. Just behind the wall are stairs leading to the upper floor, only the bottom stairs are visible. Against the left hand wall to the rear is a low clothes horse full of drying washing. Forward centre in the living room is a table with a blue formica top and a ladder-back dining chair on each side. Right of the table is a brown upholstered armchair with wooden arms. On the right hand side of the stage the inside of the village shop is decorated in a dark green colour. The left hand section of the shop has a rear wall with shelves displaying goods on sale, tins, packets etc. Stuck to the wall are advertising posters and various notices. At right angles to the wall coming forward is a counter with a central part that lifts up. The section nearest to the wall holds a large till, jars of sweets and eggs. To the front of the counter there is a cheese selection covered in glass. The centre section of the shop forward is left clear. To the rear is a half glazed door with a window blind, letterbox and bell. There are windows to each side of the door with blinds. Visible through the shop windows is a brick wall. Below the right hand shop window is a display of fruit, veg and groceries on tiered shelves. There is also a small mobile display unit for fruit or veg which is sometimes wheeled forward. CHARACTERS Act 1 Irene A petite young woman with mid length blonde hair. She wears a pink overall over a straight knee length dress and flat brown shoes. Later she changes into trousers under her overall and also wears a blue coat when she appears from outside. Sometimes she will wear a flowery apron. Trevor Medium height and slim build. He wears a grey overall over grey trousers and white shirt. Later he adds a Fair Isle tank top under his overall. Stanley A gangly bespectacled young man wearing grey trousers, white shirt, knitted tank top and a blue anorak. Mrs Baldry A short plumpish woman with long dark brown hair pulled back into a slightly straggly bun. She wears a plum knee length coat which is not quite long enough to cover the skirt underneath. The bag she carries is brown as are her flat shoes. She peers through spectacles. Shirley A glamorous fashion conscious blonde with wavy hair falling to her shoulders. The belt on her white knee length mac is pulled in to show her small waist. Under her arm she carries a tan bag which matches her knee length leather boots. Rev Thwaite In ecclesiastical clothes Sgt Harry Asquith In police uniform THE SET Scene5 The opening of Scene5 reveals the Smith living-room, centre. To the rear is a window covered by blue curtains. Below is a cabinet with drinks, a soda siphon and round orange coloured ice bucket. LP’s are stacked along the lower shelf. On top of this is a hi-fi. Forward centre is a round multi-coloured rug and an armchair with tiled top side table to the right. Characters Shirley Wears a floaty, blue knee length waisted dress with a V neck and high heels. Eric A dark medium built man wearing a smart grey suit and white shirt and tie. ______________________________________________________________________________ Act2 Set as Act1 opening but the clothes airer has gone and the mobile trolley in the shop has been moved forward. Characters Desmond A cheery character in a white overall with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, blue jeans, tie, shirt and white shoes. Shirley Wears a sleeveless straight knee length dress with a slit up the front. It is cream in colour with a V neck and red collar. She carries a leather shoulder bag. Irene Wears A line grey skirt, blouse with billowy sleeves, elasticated at the wrist,a flowery apron and flat shoes. Hospital scene Two green hospital type screens are on either side of Trevor’s hospital bed. In bed Trevor is spread-eagled by ropes and pulleys. Both arms and both legs are broken, and in plaster. He’s bandaged round the head. Sgt Harry Asquith stands with one foot on a bedside chair, munching grapes. Behind the right hand screen, unseen, is Shane. Eric is in grey casual trousers, a striped grey/multi jacket and open necked shirt. Shirley wears an orange figure hugging straight dress with a mix and match short jacket and matching orange shoes. She carries a large white shoulder bag with a chain handle. Irene Irene is smartly dressed in a pale green suit with an A line skirt and fitted jacket. She wears high heels and carries a white handbag with chain strap. Harry Wears a camel coat and dark trousers.