The Marco Players were adamant the show must go on and have switched productions to stage an evening’s entertainment in the top room of the Doffcocker Inn on Chorley Old Road.
The group had been due to stage a double bill of two one act plays, featuring an Agatha Christie classic and one of Tom Stoppard’s funniest offerings, but in their place they are now presenting three of Alan Bennett’s brilliantly entertaining monologues from his ‘Talking Heads’ series which is more suited to the venue.
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“We chose ‘Talking Heads’ because we had to do something with minimal set and costume, and realised it was the ideal choice.” says Peter Haslam, Marco founder member and the show’s director.
He added: “We’ve held events at the Doffcocker in the past, so we knew the space and realised it was the ideal venue to stage an impromptu performance. I just hope we can persuade our loyal audience to follow us there.”
“It’s going to need a concerted effort to keep our audience”, said Richard Leigh.
He added: “I was looking forward to directing my half of our double bill, but it would have needed a proper stage so there’s no way we could do it until we find a suitable venue, but ‘Talking Heads’ you can do anywhere really.”
The theatre society says it is fortunate to have found three talented performers to bring Alan Bennett’s ‘Talking Heads’ characters to life.
Christine Morton is a new face to Marco, but not to the stage.
She has performed across the North West for the last 20 years, and is set to portray lonely spinster Irene Ruddock in ‘A Lady Of Letters’.
“I expect readers will remember Patricia Routledge playing the original on TV,” says Christine, “She’s a fascinating character who writes obsessively about anything and everything on her mind from cemetery gardeners to policemen wearing glasses.”
Ben Latham, who has been performing with Marco now for some 15 years, takes on the part that Bennett himself played in ‘A Chip In The Sugar’.
“I think that’s my favourite one,” says Ben, “but following in the great man’s footsteps is a fairly daunting task to be honest” he admits.
Laura Duffy joined the group in 2023.
She is playing Lesley, an aspiring actress in ‘Her Big Chance’, the piece originally performed by Julie Walters.
“She’s another of Alan Bennett’s brilliantly described characters,” explains Laura, “I can’t help but admire her determination. Even though she’s never had a significant acting role, she seems to have no doubts as to her own ability and her position in the industry – even offering advice to directors! I mean, it’s confident to the point of being deluded.”
Landlords John and Gee Bradford are enthusiastic about the new partnership.
“It’s like having your own pop-up theatre,” says John, “with, of course, a dedicated theatre bar downstairs!”
“I actually used to work behind the bar at the Doffcocker when I was 18,” says Ben, “and we’ve been coming here after rehearsals for a while now, so it seems like the perfect fit.”
“ I hope we can arrange to do something else here after this one,” said Peter, “who knows – perhaps it’ll be a regular fixture.”
‘Talking Heads’ runs from Wednesday, May 14 to Saturday, May 17 in the upstairs function room at The Doffcocker Inn, Chorley Old Road, Bolton, BL1 5QD.
For tickets book via www.themarcoplayers.net.