by Willy Russell

19th to 21st September 2024 | Broadbent Theatre, Wickenby

Educating Rita is not a play to be undertaken lightly: two and a half hours of poignant drama, two actors and one set. But we never shirk a challenge, and our production of this Willy Russell classic will go down as one of our best.

That’s thanks in large part to the excellent direction of Su Toogood and to some outstanding performances by our two actors: Lincoln theatre veteran Colin Brimblecombe, appearing in a Common Ground production for just the second time, and relative newcomer Gi Vasey. They were utterly convincing as Frank, the washed up university tutor, and Rita, the working class hairdresser desperate for an education to change her life.

These two fine actors struck up a rapport and a chemistry which was plain for all to see, so that our audiences were by turns moved and amused by their growing, sometimes painful, relationship.

The stage at the Broadbent Theatre was transformed into Frank’s untidy, idiosyncratic, book-stuffed office, thanks to some sterling work by another newcomer to Common Ground, Roger Saunders, and his set-building crew.

We broke our own record for ticket sales at the Broadbent, selling out on two evenings out of three and attracting a total audience of 278. As you can see from the audience responses below, the production was very well received!

* * * * *

“Amazing production. I haven’t enjoyed a play at the theatre this much in years.” – Joanne Horrocks

“It’s a sensational triumph by two incredibly gifted actors bringing immense energy to a still strongly resonant script. Thanks Common Ground Theatre Company, you continue to deliver the excellence you’re justly renowned for.” – Jason Hippisley

“Wow! What a production. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We loved the two actors – amazing.”

“A fantastic production, superb acting from both actors, I thoroughly enjoyed it.” – Anna Maria Vesey

“It was a wonderful production. Thoroughly enjoyed it!” – Gina Ashforth

“The whole experience was fantastic! Congratulations to [Su Toogood] for the talent and inspiration you have given to your team and to the actors for their stunning performances!” – Clare Lee

“Amazing. Such fun.” – Julia Hepburn

“Absolutely loved this.” – Peter Martin

“If you’re going, you’re in for a treat. Colin and Gi are so, so good.” – Cath Hayden

“Such an incredible show, both actors are so very talented and I enjoyed this so much both times.” – Ben Harris

“Absolutely amazing performances – well done everyone involved in the production. Excellent casting, fabulous evening.” – Jane White

“Wonderful show! Willy Russell would be dead proud of your production! Cast were amazing and obviously very well directed. Couldn’t believe Gi is not a Scouser! Great job all round.” – Anne

“Fantastic performance on opening night – well done all.” – Mark Bainbridge

“We did enjoy Educating Rita – outstanding acting!” – Diana and David

“Terrific performances from both actors, well done.” – Karen Ryan

by Michael Dennis

11th to 13th April 2024 | Broadbent Theatre, Wickenby

It was a bold decision for us to stage an unknown play about bad sci-fi and navigating love and friendship in the LGBTQ+ community – but we’re glad we did, because Dark Sublime was one of our best and most memorable productions.

Director Vicky Ashberry first saw Dark Sublime in London in 2019, chiefly because she’s a fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the lead role of Marianne was being played in this world premiere by Marina Sirtis, aka Counsellor Deanna Troi.

Dark Sublime is the title of the 1980s TV sci-fi series in which the lead character Marianne starred many years ago; nowadays her star is on the wane, but she’s reminded of her days as the villainous Ragana when she meets Oli, a young fan who’s as lost in unrequited love as she is.

The play gave us some great roles for older women and the chance to show off some fantastic sound and lighting effects as the action switched from the present day to action scenes from the TV series.

As is often the case with Common Ground, we welcomed a number of new faces: four of the six actors cast in Dark Sublime were completely new to our group, including James Ross playing the rakish Bob (Vykar in the TV show), the ship’s computer played by John Edmondson, Suzanne played by Jemma De Ath, and newcomer Bianca Hutchings, who pulled off the difficult trick of playing the young Oli with panache.

Sadly we didn’t attract large audiences, but those who supported us seemed to enjoy the show, and we got some very good reviews!

* * * * *

“I was a little bit sceptical reading the highlights and the sci-fi element of this play before heading out to Wickenby last night in the dark to see the opening night of Dark Sublime at the Broadbent Theatre, but I needn’t have worried. The play was moving, funny, dramatic and had quite a bit of humour.

“It was fabulous to see one of our previous CAODS actors Pamela Marnie (most recently Sweeney Todd), plus some other friends that many will remember from the Jesus Christ Superstar days in 2015 and a number of other great actors come together to bring such a story to life. Not so much sci-fi but a rare personal drama about an older gay woman trying to find her place and identity in a changing world, with plenty of laughs – particularly aimed at the world of showbiz – and some interesting questions about the nature of ‘fandom’.

“Pamela Marnie was brilliant, and I take my ‘Sweeney wig’ off to her for remembering all those lines while drinking so much alcohol (or hopefully not alcohol) on stage! It was lovely to also see Jemma De Ath and Anita Quigley. In fact the whole cast was brilliant, despite Vykar making me jump coming through the side door!” – Eira Hammond

* * * * *

“I was there as an audience member last night!  WOW!… Love… love… loved – Dark Sublime.  Outstanding performance by all the cast.  ‘Performance’ undersells each and every one playing their ‘believable’ character; they didn’t ‘perform’, they were their character! 

“This beautiful theatre so deserves to be supported.  It’s like a tardis.  The exterior in no way reflects the interior – a quaint, beautiful, real theatre when you first step inside!  

 “I absolutely loved the play. I don’t know what I expected but it wasn’t that! It was so well performed and executed by everyone on stage!” – Sam

* * * * *

“This show is absolutely amazing!”

“An excellent performance”

“Fantastic show – don’t miss out!”

“The show was absolutely fabulous last night and I can’t wait to see it again. The cast is incredible.”

by Amanda Whittington

11th to 13th May 2023 | Broadbent Theatre, Wickenby

The cast and crew who staged Ladies’ Day in May 2022 enjoyed it so much that director Su Toogood couldn’t resist getting the old gang together for an encore!

In Ladies Down Under our four fish filleters spend their winnings on the trip of a lifetime to Australia, where Jan aims to be reunited with Joe, their old boss.

Kate Bartlett, Anita Quigley, Fraya Grove, Nicole Doyle and David Hitchings all reprised their roles from the first play in the series, while some new faces were added to the cast, including debutant Jay Harrison.

Director Su Toogood employed a minimalist set which provided a counterpoint to the visual fireworks in the finale set during the Sydney gay and lesbian Mardi Gras.

An enjoyable production for cast, crew and audiences alike!

by Patrick Hamilton

2nd to 4th March 2023 | Broadbent Theatre, Wickenby

The term ‘gaslighting’ has never been more current. It describes a manipulative tactic in which a person plants seeds of uncertainty in someone’s mind in order to gain power and control over them.

The origin of the word used in this sense can be found in the play Gaslight, written in 1938 but set in Victorian London. The villain Jack Manningham is brought to justice in part because his wife Bella sees the gaslights in her home going up and down, a curiosity which leads her to suspect her husband is up to no good.

Our first attempt at staging this tense thriller in the autumn of 2022 was defeated by several bouts of Covid-19 among the cast, so we postponed the production until the following spring. With a new Jack Manningham in the male lead role and a short rehearsal schedule, we had to pull out all the stops to make sure the play was ready for an audience at the beginning of March.

As it turned out we needn’t have worried, as the experienced cast rose to the occasion, as did our set builder and stage manager Nick Dunnett, whose Common Ground swansong this was. His ingenious set drew a good deal of admiration, featuring as it did a realistic fire in the grate and two authentic-looking gas lamps which glowed and faded as the plot required. 

Jason Hippisley brought a deliciously sinister playfulness to the role of the villain Jack, contrasting his wicked levity with occasional flashes of frightening menace. Laura Turner, making her Common Ground debut, skilfully portrayed a young woman who fears she is losing her mind but who triumphs in the end over her own doubts and her husband’s evil plan. Jez Ashberry brought experience and gravitas to the role of the retired detective Sergeant Rough, and Vicky Ashberry and Flo Harrison introduced some comic relief with pitch-perfect performances as the domestic help.

Credit must go to our director Julia Ross who overcame numerous obstacles before staging one of our most memorable productions. 

by Amanda Whittington

26th to 28th May 2022 | Broadbent Theatre, Wickenby

After a hiatus of two and a half years caused by the global pandemic we returned to the Broadbent Theatre for the first time since 2008 to stage the well loved comedy drama drama Ladies’ Day.

Covid-19 put paid to our first attempts to stage this play in both 2020 and 2021, so it was a great relief to everyone involved when we finally got the production onto the stage.

Su Toogood did an able job directing an excellent cast, who interpreted the story of four fish factory workers from Hull who go for a day at the races looking to make their fortunes. All four female cast members contributed to an excellent and often hilarious ensemble performance, while special mention must be made of David Hitchings, who demonstrated his versatility by taking on all four male roles.

Audience numbers were healthy – we attracted 210 paying customers over three nights – and the production made a healthy profit which was certainly good news for the company coffers!