Cast

Synopsis

Inspired by the true wartime history of the Osiris Players, this new comedy follows the adventures of a small group of women who came together to form a “girls only” theatre company to take the plays of Shakespeare around a culture starved Britain. These mismatched individuals, from entirely different social backgrounds, embark on a crazy adventure, an uplifting, touching and often hilarious story of the overcoming adversity with dogged determination and a passion for theatre.

Directors Notes

We few; we happy few,

we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition; and gentlemen in England now abed shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispins day.

Shakespeare. Henry V.

“Amateur” – sometimes used in a derogatory way by professional dramatists – actually means “for the love of” something. In that sense the word describes both the subjects and the presenters of, tonight’s play. Imogen Stubbs’ first play tells the true story of The Osiris Players, a group of women who toured the country from the “30s to the “60s putting on plays – largely Shakespeare – in a variety of settings, from school rooms to church halls, bringing Drama to pre-TV cultural deserts. The inspiration of the troupe was Nancy Hewins – Hetty in our play – who, with others in the group, was based in the Cotswolds village of Willersey. On a recent visit there, I was able to see not only the barn where the costumes & props you see at the beginning of our play were stored in real life, but the village green where the women played to a local audience, to speak to older residents who remember the ladies and to visit Nancy’s grave. When I told people why I was making enquires I was also requested to take the play there on tour! The play’s narrative is compressed into the War Years – which gives us a nice excuse to wallow somewhat in nostalgia! This has been a real fun play to produce, and, more than most, a real team effort. What you see before you tonight is the result of many months’ hard effort by a talented group of enthusiasts – rather like the Osiris Players, in fact!!

All of us have combined in a symbiotic relationship to culminate (we hope!) in what you see tonight. At times it’s been a headache, but always a joy. We hope you enjoy the show, and the nostalgia – for a time long before you were born, of course!