The Valley Troupers Northleigh
Formed in 1992, The Valley Troupers have staged a wide variety of productions at Northleigh's Village Hall. A one-night entertainment at the Harvest supper that year has grown into a regular annual production. We are always looking for members, so if you are interested in acting or helping behind the scenes, do get in touch. Rehearsals at Northleigh's village hall usually start at 7.45pm each Thursday evening from mid September until performance dates in late March or early April. Ask any member of the Troupers for details of the current production.
Farndale etc. Murder Mystery
As the cast and support team found in the weeks leading up to the play, it takes a great deal of practice to be this good at being that bad. With the help of David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr, The Farndale Towns-womens' Guild (a kind of W.I. but with fewer Range Rovers) somehow manages to elevate bad stagecraft and worse timing into an art form. To misquote the late Eric Morecombe, 'they say all the right lines, but not necessarily in the right order'. The plot hardly matters, although it is recognisable enough to make Agatha turn in her grave. Well done to Sue, Matt and all for launching The Valley Troupers into uncharted waters and for making the voyage such a success!
Cast and Production Team
Mrs Phoebe Reece Kate Tuke
as Clarissa Rook, Regine (a French maid),
Patricia Bishop & Letitia Bishop.
Thelma Greenwood as Daphne Bishop Juliet Hall
Gordon Pugh as Inspector O’Reilly Matt Shaw
Audrey as Lady Bishop & Joan Bishop Abigail Anthony-Edwards
Frank as Pawn (a butler) & Colonel King Phil Hodder
Helen as Rose Bishop & Mrs King Mandy Furnival
Gloria as Violet Bishop Tara Huffman
Jethro as Mr Goodbody (solicitor) John Tristram
Anastasia as the stage manager Oksana Kryviak
Adrian (lighting and sound) Philip Goddard
Director Sue Woodruff
Stage construction Tim Bucknall, Richard Hare
Stage painting and decorating Tara Huffman
Special effects and electronic wizardry Phil Hall
Producer Matt Shaw
