Wednesday July 12th
7.30pm GKR
Written by Amanda Whittington
Directed by Mark Scanlon
Come and audition for our November production, The Thrill of Love.
This gripping and atmospheric drama written by popular playwright Amanda Whittington focuses on Ruth Ellis, the last woman hung in Britain in 1955 for the murder of her womanising and abusive lover.
In film noir style, detective inspector Jack Gale tries to understand more of the background and reasoning as to why Ruth Ellis shot her lover dead: why does she make no attempt to defend herself? What drives her to kill him? Why does she show no remorse? Delving into Ruth’s work life in the not so glamorous world of gentlemen’s drinking clubs, he seeks to find the elusive answers.
In typical Amanda Whittington style, the play features a mostly female cast (four women, one male). Many will remember the other plays of hers we’ve performed namely ‘Ladies’ Day’ and its sequel ‘Ladies Down Under’ - both popular productions.
For further details contact director Mark Scanlon at: website@sudburydramatic.com or on 07976 639787
Scripts available for short term loan NOW from the Quay Box Office (open 10.00am - 4.00pm Tue - Fri and before shows)
Performance run: November 7th - 11th
Rehearsals start: around week commencing September 4th
Character Notes:
Ruth Ellis - divorced with a young child, Ruth works hard and plays hard in the not so glamourous world of gentlemen's drinking clubs. Not so lucky in love with various broken relationships behind her, Ruth meets David - an abusive and womanising racing driver with whom she becomes obsessed in a union that sets her on her tragic course.
Jack Gale - middle aged detective inspector of the old school with possibly a military-like bearing, he patiently delves into the world Ruth inhabits: interacting with other characters and the audience in a film noire style to try and get at the real truth as to why Ruth was driven to murder, and her puzzling attitude in the aftermath.
Sylvia Shaw - manageress of the club Ruth works in: businesslike, worldly wise with a touch of cynicism both about the type of men who inhabit her establishment, and the young women who work there who think it's a passport to the glamour life and a way out of the grinding drudge of 50s Britain.
Vickie Martin - like Ruth Ellis, the character of Vickie Martin is based on a real life person who also meets a tragic end although not in the same manner as Ruth. Vickie arrives full of optimisim, and the conviction that landing a job in Sylvia's night club will be her route to the big time, fame and money.
Doris Judd - works as a char at Sylvia's club and her ambitions lie in simply moving a rung or two up the ladder in her work. Engaged and settled in love, she doesn't mix with the customers in the way Ruth and Vicky do.
Director's comments:
In terms of playing ages, while Ruth and Vickie were historically in their late and mid 20s respectively at the time of the play, and Doris would likely have been in a similar age range, I'm open minded as to actual ages - it will be down to what looks and sounds right at the audition.
If you have any questions or require further information please contact me via email at website@sudburydramatic.com or on 07976 639787.
Look forward to seeing you there!