Spring production 2026 - Announcing our directors
'Love and Other Misunderstandings' is a trio of short plays by Anton Chekhov, Georges Feydeau and Bernard Shaw. Spanning three countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the plays all offer a light-hearted, humorous yet perceptive look at matters of the heart.
- Chekhov, The Proposal - Dir. Morgan Sweeney
- Feydeau, Love & Piano - Dir. Stewart Grant
- Shaw, How he lied to her husband - Dir. Bill Bewley
Feydeau - Amour et Piano
George Feydeau (1862-1921) was a Parisian Playwright, remembered mostly for his farces. He wrote around 20 full length and 19 one act plays. Our forthcoming production Amour et Piano (Love and the Piano) was his first professional production; his first ever production was performed by an amateur group so we're in good company. Our play depicts the confusion arising when a young lady receives a young gentleman who she thinks is her new piano teacher; he has come to the wrong house and believes he is calling on a glamorous female socialite whom he is hoping to woo. A classic farcical device of mistaken identity. Three characters are needed:
- Baptiste: A worldly wise, seen it all, somewhat cynical servant. Could be played by a male or female actor.
- Lucille: A young, well-to-do, woman in high society, learning to play the piano. In the script we are told she is 20, however our emphasis will be on glamour rather than age.
- Edouard: A man from the provinces, relatively rich and determined to live as a sophisticated, fashionable Parisian. He has all the accoutrements, including money, to live such a life except a 'society mistress'. He thinks he is calling on one such when he mistakenly calls on Lucille.
Please come and audition, the play is hilarious and we'll have a lot of fun while we're working hard. If you can't make the audition please contact Stewart Grant via stutgrant@gmail.com.
Anton Chekhov - The Proposal
When Stepan Chubukov is visited by his neighbour, Lomov, he is delighted to learn that his daughter is to receive a proposal of marriage. Unaware of Lomov's intentions, however, Natalya brings up an old boundary dispute and the situation descends into acrimonious debate. As the sparks fly, their mutual hostility seems to make the pair totally incompatible. Or does it? And can Lomov survive his palpitations long enough to find out?
Cast:
- Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov: A middle-aged Landowner.
- Natalya Stepanovna: Stepan's daughter, twenty-five years old.
- Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov: A neighbour of Chubukov, landowner and hypochondriac.
Loud, fast, desperate and manic, this short play is going to be a blast to perform! Please come and audition and join the fun.