The Allotment

by Gillian Plowman

The Allotment had 3 performances almost 19 years ago (between the 6th of October 2004 and the 7th of June 2005) at Welwyn, Riverside Arts Centre and Rhoda McGaw Theatre

Four women are doing community punishment orders working on a allotment growing vegetables for soup kitchens.

On the allotment they feel they can choose how they want to be.. They can choose who they are and what they do. They can forget their cromes and pretent that they never happened. In their fantasy garden they are good and kind and honest and have a lot of fun. They care for each other and choose who they will have in their lives. They create a sharing, caring world making their garden grow.

Their new probation officer, Daisy, arrives into their Eden believing in the redemptive power of facing the truth - with surprising results.

This is a brand new play, written for the group to perform by Gillian Plowman, a successful and well respected playwright.

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Marcie - Jill Payne

Marcie is 70, convicted of dangerous driving. She ran over her husband. Smokes and has trousers with many pockets containing all her necessaries

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Norah - Jane Walters

Norah is 65 and hasn't recovered from the death of her little girl, 30 years ago. She is a serial shoplifter

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Belle - Linda Russell

Belle (Isabel) is a PA in her 50s. Convicted of blackmailing her boss, who had spurned her for a younger secretary. Very neat and well groomed.

Original

Lorna - Frankie Godliman

Lorna is 59, an actress and singer, convicted of criminal damage to the theatre where she no longer performs. She wears a glorious hat to protect her skin.

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Daisy Barnes - Nicola Anderson

Daisy is the new Probation Officer monitoring the women. She is 41

Winners Woking Drama Festival - 2004
Best New Play Woking Drama Festival - 2004
Winners Spelthorne Drama Festival - 2004
Best New Play Spelthorne Drama Festival - 2004
Mayor's Backstage Award Spelthorne Drama Festival - 2004
Stage Presentation Award Spelthorne Drama Festival - 2004
Best Actress Jane Walters Spelthorne Drama Festival - 2004