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Bunch of Amateurs, A

Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford -- only to find that this is not the birthplace of the bard, but a sleepy Suffolk village.

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Description

  • Full Length Play
  • Comedy

  • Time Period: Present Day, Contemporary
  • Target Audience: Appropriate for all audiences
Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford -- only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard, but a sleepy Suffolk village.

And instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench, the cast are a bunch of amateurs trying to save their theatre from developers. Jefferson's monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic am-dram thespians. As acting worlds collide and Jefferson's career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself -- along with his inner Lear!
REVIEWS:

"Terrific comedy packed with killer comic dialogue... plenty of twists and turns."

 WhatsOnStage

"Deliciously stuffed with Shakespeare... a laugh-a-minute."

 Mail on Sunday

Premiere Production: A Bunch of Amateurs was produced by The Watermill Theatre on 22 May, 2014 in association with Trademark Films.

Characters

  • Casting: 3M, 4F

  • JEFFERSON STEELE - A fading Hollywood star who is arrogant, insecure, brash, gauche, demanding, vulnerable and ultimately aware of his own absurdity.

  • DOROTHY NETTLE - Director of the Stratford Players and the moving force behind keeping the theatre alive. Her sweet and accommodating manner conceals her inner steel.

  • JESSICA STEELE - Jefferson's teenage daughter, who has been neglected by her Hollywood star father and now wants to make him pay for it.

  • NIGEL DEWBURY - Solicitor and leading light of the Stratford Players. Pompous, stuck-up and self-regarding, he believes he is the star of the show, and should play all the leading roles. He also fancies his romantic chances with Dorothy.

  • MARY PLUNKETT - Owner of the Rectory bed and breakfast. Jolly, generous and an unashamedly adoring Jefferson Steele fan -- although somewhat confused about which roles he played in his films, and how keen he is on her.

  • DENIS DOBBINS - Handyman and village Mr. Fixit. Avuncular though slightly dull, Denis is star-struck by Jefferson and fancies heading up his entourage of one.

  • LAUREN BELL - Thirty-something marketing executive former physiotherapist and the sponsor's wife. Passionate about the arts and smarter than her husband allows her to be, she's treated as a bimbo because of her looks.

  • JOURNALISTS - We only hear them offstage.

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    Bunch of Amateurs, A Script This is optional. Order Now

    Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford -- only to find that this is not the birthplace of the bard, but a sleepy Suffolk village.

    And instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench, the cast are a bunch of amateurs trying to save their theatre from developers. Jefferson's monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic am-dram thespians. As acting worlds collide and Jefferson's career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself -- along with his inner Lear!

    		$24.95

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