Nuffield Theatre
onTuesday 16th to Saturday 20th January 2001
Director's Note
Why Misery? Hardly a title to put a smile on post Christmas amd New Year lips!
I am probably one of the few who had neither read nor heard of the book, nor seen the award winning film - but I liked the script, which the author Stephen King had produced with Simon Moore for a West End production. I was excited and challenged by the technical requirements and felt the chilling thriller would provide a good antidote to Christmas excesses!
I needed two good actors and was fortunate to have cast Maria and Steve who have worked exceptionally hard over a short rehearsal period with seasonal interruptions. The technical and management supprt of Maskers, and friends, has been outstanding and we hope that all our efforts meet your expectations.
Philippa Taylor, January 2001
Stephen King
Born in 1947, Stephen King was writing prolifically whilst still at high school. By the age of 18 he had already published short stories himself, and I Was a Teenage Grave Robber was taken up by Comic Review Magazine. However it was another eight years, when as a $6,400 p.a teacher, Stephen sold the rights to his book Carrie to New American Library for $200,000. This was the book that launched his career. It was also the script retrieved by his wife from the rubbish bin when he had lost patience with it.
Many of Stephen King's books have been made into films, including Carrie, Pet Sematary, The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining and of course Misery. Kathy Bates won an Oscar for the 1990 film Misery which also starred James Caan. The stage version was adapted by Simon Moore and first performed in London in 1992 with Sharon Gless (Cagnew and Lacey) and Bill Paterson.
Like Paul Sheldon, Stephen King has received many awards. Also like Paul Sheldon he suffered horrific injuries in a hit and run road accident in 1999. Fortunately Stephen is now on the road to recovery having received better care than the character portrayed in Misery.
| Cast | |
| Paul Sheldon | Steve Clark |
| Annie Wilks | Maria Head |
| For the Maskers | |
| Director | Philippa Taylor |
| Production Manager | Christine Baker |
| Stage Manager | Belinda Drew |
| Lighting | Martin Clift, Ron Tillyer |
| Sound | Lawrie Gee, Jan Gee |
| Special Effects | Tony Lawther, Geoff Wharam |
| Assistant Stage Managers | Val Barwell, Angie Barks, Helen Officer |
| Set Design | Peter Liddiard |
| Set Construction | Alan Baker, Graham Buchanan, David Jupp, Douglas Shiell, Alan watson |
| Set Painting | Maureen Cashman, Shaun Dodimead, Jim Officer, Nichola McKinley, Richard Peaty |
| Properties | Gill Buchanan, Ella Lockett |
| Wardrobe | Beryl Smith, Kate Ward |
| Set Dressing | Sonia Morris, Nicky Housham, Helen Wharam, Angela Stansbridge |
| Transport | Tony Austin, Jim Officer |
| Photography | Clive Weeks |
| Marketing | Jan Ward |
Read the Echo review below:
click on a photo to enlarge it
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