Group 1: ‘My Mother Said I Never Should’ by Charlotte Keatley

Background
Of course Doris didn't want children but you know how it is, and her daughter was going to get a proper job... and, of course, her daughter was going to do it all differently. And then there was Rosie, who flies kites and can beat the solitaire game, so things really will be different now, won't they...?

The look at the ever-turning mother-child relationship provided a marvellous challenge for our four actresses Serena, Jools, Shanah and Anna.

Group 2: ‘The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband’ by Debbie Isitt

Background
Kenneth and Hilary have been married nearly twenty years, but as middle age approaches, Ken finds himself in the arms of another woman. At first, Laura appears to be everything that is missing from Ken’s life with Hilary - young, slim, attractive and a vibrant free spirit - but his little fling quickly becomes desperately out of hand. Juggling the affections of two women, his world becomes a tangle of lies and deceit. After his initial denials to Hilary’s increasing suspicions, he is soon forced to confront the truth and leaves Hilary for Laura. Only one problem - Laura can’t cook. As time passes, Kenneth mourns the loss of Sunday roasts and haute cuisine, and the comforts of the settled life he once knew. When Hilary invites Ken and Laura over for dinner, he readily accepts, unaware of what delicacies Hilary plans to serve. Told through a series of flashbacks interspersed with the `last supper’, ‘The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband’ is a highly entertaining exploration of the old adage, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”!

Well done to Shanel, Charlotte and Veja for a wonderful performance.

Group 3: ‘Teechers’ by John Godber

The four very talented cast members, Issy, Alice, Holly and Louise, seemed to switch effortlessly between roles by simply putting on jackets or scarves. The characters they played were recognisable to many in the teaching profession and also to many with memories of their own schools. It was almost too realistic to be funny. Having said that, it was a very amusing play, with a serious message at its heart.

Background
The main story is about a new extremely able drama teacher, Geoff Nixon, who is able to enthuse his classes at a tough comprehensive known as Colditz. Other characters include the strict Mr Basford, whose policy is to “hit them low and hard”, the nervous weak teacher whose main threat is to call in Mr Basford, and the usual selection of pupils such as the school bully and the schoolgirl who wants to seduce the teacher.

Group 4: ‘Find Me’ by Olwen Wymark

Background

‘Find Me’ is a play based on a true story set in the early 1980s. The central character is a girl named Verity Taylor who suffers with mental health problems. The play studies the effects that her condition has on her family and questions the treatment she receives by the healthcare system.

Well done to Mireira, Chloe, and Hattie for bringing this to life.