Fighting for Love The Edwardian Way

Two light-hearted one act plays explore the theme of love in an early decade of the 20th century. Love that is fought for and fought over – forever lost? And faithfully won?

Overtones (1915) by pioneering American writer Alice Gerstenberg is a seminal work for depicting split personalities on stage. Gerstenberg’s lasting legacy from a distinguished career. On the surface we see two old friends having tea, simultaneously behind the civility we find jealous rivals.

MARGARET – Leonie Wiffen.

HARRIET - Emma Banks

MAGGIE – Tricia Fitzpatrick

HETTY – Liz Webb

Interval

When Cupid Came to Earl’s Court (1911) by prolific author and playwright Cosmo Hamilton. Cupid is making his way to the comfortable home of the Robertson’s to ensure the correct pair of love-birds are together at the end.

HENRY ROBERTSON – Keith Leech 

MRS.ROBERTSON    - Emma Banks

HARRY, their son - Nathan Parkin  

PHYLLIS, their daughter   - Leonie Wiffen

ARTHUR TILNEY, a friend – Stephen Rose

BERYL MACMURDO, a friend – Heather Leech. 

COOK – Liz Webb

The players are local actors who have met through various routes to put on these two short plays. We have set both plays in the Earl’s Court area known at that time for its upwardly mobile trajectory inhabited by those with social and monetary stability and whose manners were culturally urbanite.

Tricia Fitzpatrick studied drama at St Mary’s College, Twickenham.. She has since performed numerous stage roles ranging from: Joan of Arc in Jean Anouil’s  The Lark to Ratty in The Wind in the Willows. Theatre credits include: Kay in Do not Forget Me Quite (Worcester and Sevenoaks Festivals}; Mr Tackleton in The Cricket and the Kettle, (Dickens Festival); Kitty the Witch in the children’s musical Powder Monkeys at Upnor Castle, and Gladys in The Mystery of Dick Whittington (Cyclops productions: Sevenoaks and St Giles in the Fields). Her most recent role was Audrey in Life at The Compound, St Leonards. Tricia’s most memorable appearance was on BBC’s The One Show where she was completely upstaged by her dancing dog, Rufus!

Heather Leech. Studied drama education at Wolverhampton University and Theatre Studies at Rose Bruford College of Performing Arts, she works with local puppetry company Idolrich Theatre Rotto and is  Co-Director / Artistic Lead of Gleowit Productions, she is renowned for writing, and featuring in, her own work of one-woman plays: Guy Fawkes’ Mother, King Harold’s Mother and Anne Boleyn’s Mother; all of which have toured nationally gaining four star reviews. Heather has also been a leading local drama teacher and is currently a drama examiner. 

Keith Leech (MBE) is known for his work on the Jack in the Green and Bonfire celebrations. He is Co-Director / Producer of Gleowit Productions and works with local theatre company Idolrich Theatre Rotto.  As well as performing internationally in various TV commercials and advertisements, Keith has featured in film roles which include Kestrel House, Going Home, Malhollands Diner and Wine (co-starring with Declan McKenna) and Undisputed. 

Nathan Parkin  began in repertory theatre and has since acted in small roles in film. He has been in a wide range of productions including works by Pinter, Chekhov and Gogol. 

Stephen Rose has had small parts in sitcoms over the years, similarly a part in a feature film ‘Van Wilder – the Rise of Taj’, and has done many commercials, both here and abroad. He’s appeared in 3 previous productions at The Stables, including a two-hander ‘Not About Heroes’.

Leonie Wiffen is in her final year as a BA Fine Arts student. With a background in the corporate sector and interior design, she has a lasting fascination with bygone eras, particularly Film Noir and period drama. As part of her higher education, she has embraced the world of performance, with experience to date including script-in-hand readings on stage and on film, as well as a monologue, all facilitated by a local daytime theatre company. Leonie has also appeared in a two-hander by a local playwright. These experiences reflect her growing commitment to performance and storytelling.