Written by Ian Hislop & Nick Newman
A Bunch of Amateurs is a love-letter to amateur dramatics. Its a world with which the authors are very familiar – from disastrous school productions to hilarious village hall Victorian melodramas.
The story of A Bunch of Amateurs began in 2004, a tale set against the backdrop of an amateur dramatic production of King Lear, in which a failing Hollywood star arrives to create mayhem.
The action takes place mainly in the barn which the Stratford Players use for rehearsals and performances of their amateur productions. The barn has a door and a window. Throughout the play the barn will be transformed gradually into a stage set for King Lear. There are some scenes in the local bed and breakfast. Scene changes are accompanied changes of lighting and musical accompaniment of the Fool’s Song delivered in various permutations.
Characters
Jefferson Steel – 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 Steel – 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 Steel 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, Dennis 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 – heard offstage.