Mixed Doubles is a compilation of short pieces by seven different playwrights, brought together by the brilliant Alan Ayckbourn. Director Diane Mayall says "This piece offers a challenge in staging and characterisation and I am really excited to be given the opportunity to direct it. 

I am not going to stipulate ages etc at this stage. I would like to encourage people to audition to take part in the ensemble and then distribute roles thereafter rather than audition people for individual roles at this stage."

It is at times very funny, but in true Ayckbourn style it is also often a little dark. It will make you laugh, it may make you feel a little uncomfortable at times and it is also often very poignant. The characters are all beautifully observed and written and the plays offer a real opportunity to work on characterisation and meet the challenge of creating a new persona.

All the pieces are short and all have only two players. Thus there is opportunity for a cast of seven women and seven men, all of varying ages.Similarly, it will be possible to double some roles up and perform the piece with less people if required.

The plays tell stories of marriage at different stages;

• A Man’s Best Friend by James Saunders, sees two newly weds taking a train journey to their honeymoon hotel. A confident happy bride is accompanied by her nervous groom who is more than a little worried about the expectations that await him! Sweet and funny.
• Score by Lyndon Brook is set amidst a tennis match. A married couple plays as a team against an (unseen) attractive and talented opposition. Funny and clever.
• Norma by Alun Owen. One of the slightly darker pieces, Norma is about the ending of an affair between a married woman and her lover. Honest and a little sad.
• Permanence by Fay Wheldon is set in a tent in the rain! A couple, married for over 18 years, is enjoying a regular camping trip. Helen, who has broken her glasses and therefore cannot read, wants to talk, Peter her husband clearly does not!! Bitter sweet.
• Countdown by Alan Ayckbourn. This older couple spends most of the play talking under their breath and to the audience about the other one as they go through a daily routine of serving a cup of tea. Quirky and funny.
• Silver Wedding by John Bowen. This is one of the more poignant, darker pieces. A couple prepare to celebrate their silver wedding but when the husband is late home from work and the excuses follow the conversation becomes more and more difficult. Poignant
• Resting Place by David Campton. In this piece an old couple, clearly together for most of their lives, take a rest in a churchyard on their way home. Touching.

Rehearsals will take place on Tuesday evenings from 7.45pm. As all these plays are two-handers, not all cast will be required at all rehearsals (unless parts are doubled up).

If you would like to be involved but cannot make the auditions on the 2nd, or you'd like a script before then, please contact Diane (mob: 07808 275291).