I am quite sure that Belmont Theatre Company’s next production – Separate Tables – will be familiar to most of the members.  We are performing it from October 25th – 28th. You will recall that it is actually two one act plays both taking place in Beauregard Private Hotel in Bournemouth.
I am intending to amalgamate the two plays so that the two featured storylines occur concurrently – which is how it was presented on film and television.
One storyline concerns a down-at –heel journalist confronted by his ex-wife, a former model.  They had a volatile marriage, which ended when he was imprisoned for physical violence towards her. This ruins his budding political career. After many years and another failed marriage she tracks him down – realizing that she is still in love with him.
The second storyline concerns a “self made” army major whose loneliness and insecurities lead him into reckless behaviour and criminal charges are brought. He receives comfort from an unlikely source – a timid spinster overshadowed by her domineering mother.
Another essential character in the problem solving for both storylines is the capable and self- sacrificing hotel manager Miss Cooper.  There are other interesting guests staying at the hotel each with their own interesting background story.
CHARACTERS:-

• Miss Cooper : Hotel Manager  - Middle aged  Capable,  efficient and in love with the journalist.
• John Malcolm:  Troubled journalist – 40s-50s – drinks too much, violent temper, embittered by his self destruction.
• Anne Shankland: Glamorous model – 40s-50s – Spoilt, self-obsessed but lonely, worried about getting older.
• Major Pollock:  Military man – 50s-60s – who, for all his bravado is shy and insecure.
• Sybil Railton-Bell :  Very timid, spinster – 30-40 ish. Totally dominated by her mother.
• Mrs Railton-Bell:  Strong, bigoted woman – 60s-70s. Presumed widow likes to have her own way.
• Lady Matheson:  Meek, former nobility – 60s-70s.  Widowhood has left her impecunious. Frightened by Mrs Railton-Bell.
• Miss Meacham : A bit of an eccentric – 70+ Not intimidated by anyone. Likes to study the horse-racing form.
• Mr Fowler – Retired public school housemaster – 60-70. Pedantic, always reflecting on past and old school boys.
• Waitresses – 1 or 2 depending on availability.
• Some of the action takes place in the dining room when food is being served – so we will be needing a couple of chef’s s well! These do not appear on stage.

I believe this play will suit our company and audiences alike and I look forward to seeing plenty of members at the read through and auditions. (Well I can dream can’t I)
Carole Baynes (Director)

Belmont will have a publicity stall set up promoting the group and also we will be providing the entertainment. We took part in this event last year. It was great fun and a worthwhile way of connecting with the local community.

The stall will be set up by Mary Woolf, thanks Mary for this, and our entertainment will be organised by Estelle. Thanks to you both for volunteering to help.
 
It opens at 11.00 am and the entertainment will happen about 12.30 pm.
Entertainment Lined up so far - Dawn Harvey (Belly Dance) Natasha Welch (Fusion Dance)
Graham Broderick (Singing)

Please come along and support the group. It’ll be fun and a bit of a social event for the group. They made us so welcome last year.