Cast

Synopsis

“There’s a little piggy that I’m telling you about; It’s a secret little piggy! Don’t let anyone find out!”

Set in a typical, small, Yorkshire town in 1947 which, like the rest of the country, bears the scars of the recent war and the rationing that is still in place in Austerity Britain. Betty Blue Eyes is based on the 1984 Alan Bennett film, A Private Function. There is a pig, a chiropodist, a community determined to come
together to celebrate the Royal Wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, antics and shenanigans aplenty and the burning questions of whether this private function will ever succeed and who will get a VIP
invitation to the celebration – with a large helping of roast pork!

Directors Notes

‘There’s a pig in the ‘ouse’ and she goes by the name of Betty Blue Eyes’.

For those outside of musical theatre circles, this is a show people may not have heard of, but they may remember the film on which it is based: A Private Function. Set just after the end of World War II, the story
centres around Gilbert, a chiropodist, new to town with his socially ambitious wife, Joyce. Joined by Joyce’s unpredictable parent, Mother Dear, they attempt to fit into the rural Yorkshire town of ‘Shepardsford’ which they struggle to do until they happen upon a way to the town’s heart – through their stomachs! Throw in more eccentric characters like a narcissistic, fascist town doctor, an unhinged government inspector with more than a passing penchant for ‘meat’ and of course, the beautiful Betty and you have a show that will make you laugh and cry in equal measures.

As a production team, we have attempted to capture the show’s unique blend of humour and heart. You may not know the songs before you walk in the theatre tonight, however, I’m pretty sure you will by the time you leave. Personally, what I love about this piece of theatre is the fact that it truly is an ensemble piece, and it would have been challenging to bring it to the stage without the calibre of supporting cast we managed to
pull together; finding such talent to fill those smaller roles is what makes any production truly outstanding. I also couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated, diligent production team; I thank you all. When asking what
my vision was for this show, I guess it would be that the audience go away feeling uplifted and think twice before eating that last sausage!

Enjoy the performance! It’s some good old fashioned British humour with doubles entendres, sexual innuendo and toilet jokes aplenty!