White Lies

by Richard James

White Lies had 1 performance almost 14 years ago (on the 3rd of March 2011) at Cecil Hepworth Playhouse

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This play is a wonderful comedy with a great comic script written for five women. The comedy is easily found in the text and will require straight delivery to get the most out of the lines. Each character will have to be played truthfully getting to the bottom of each part and understanding what has brought them to this point in their lives. The actors will need to assess their relationship to all of the other women to make these roles believable. There are some wonderful characters for a strong team of actresses to get their Teeth into. The piece requires good team playing and comic timing in the delivery of the lines. There are 4 main female roles and 1 smaller role for a waitress (this role has some very cutting and funny lines). Four women gather at a restaurant thirty years after their graduation. All four have lived very different lives and each started out with very different aspirations in life. As they start to reminisce, we gradually get to know each character and how their lives have panned out over the years. The play is a reflection on life and how we can often lose sight of what we set out to do. It is also about those who take life by the horns and make the most of it, no matter what life throws at them.

Descriptions of each character is given below under 'Cast'

This production is our entry in the 50th Elmbridge Drama Festival at the Walton Playhouse during the week 28th Feb to 5th March.

• Cast
• Backstage
• Awards (4)

	Bea - Frankie Godliman Age 50’s. Likes the finer things in life, has a rather chequered past, using men to get what she wants. Described by Ruth as, “the only bike in Cambridge without a saddle”. Essentially a very selfish and self centred lady.
	Ruth - Faith Powell Age 50’s. Frumpily dressed! She met her husband whilst at university and has made being a mother and housewife her main aim in life. Very caring at heart and trusting
	Judith - Linda Russell Age 50’s. A mouse of a woman, timid and carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders – a constant victim in life. She is now a playwright, drawing on her life experiences; she uses writing as a catharsis, to help her overcome her past pain.
	Pam - Paula Foster Age 50’s. Eccentrically dressed but a no-nonsense woman able to hold her own – confident in herself and very comfortable with her past with no regrets.
	A Waitress - Helen Skinner Age 20’s (though could be any age). A lovely, essential cameo role with some very funny lines.

	Director - Nancy Lund
	Stage Manager - Clare Pinnock

Alice Sharp Trophy for Best Actress	Faith Powell	Elmbridge Drama Festival - 2011
W. Erskine Thomas Rosebowl for Runners Up to Best Play		Elmbridge Drama Festival - 2011
L H S Ellis Trophy for Best All Male or Female Play		Elmbridge Drama Festival - 2011
Tony Dudman Trophy for Best Stage Team		Elmbridge Drama Festival - 2011