A Bunch of Amateurs

And Malvern Theatre Players understand only too well how mishaps can happen, even before the curtain goes up.

A spokesman said: "It’s back! Following its postponement when our leading lady broke her ankle in the final rehearsal, A Bunch of Amateurs, a comedy by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, will be the Malvern Theatre Players’ next production."

But what is the play about?

A spokesman said: "Facing the loss of their community theatre, an amateur dramatic group from the Suffolk village of Stratford St John decides that their only hope is to cast a celebrity in their final production.

"To their astonishment, ageing Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steel accepts the role of King Lear. Keen to boost his flagging career, Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford – only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard, but a sleepy Suffolk village.

"And instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench, the cast are a bunch of amateurs trying to save their theatre from developers. "Jefferson’s monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic am-dram thespians. As acting worlds collide and Jefferson’s career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself – along with his inner Lear!"

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s comedy about a village drama group was originally conceived as a film starring Burt Reynolds, Derek Jacobi and Imelda Staunton.

A Bunch of Amateurs marks a significant first for the Players - a joint production. The Players are are delighted to be working with Melting Pot, an independent theatre company.

Amanda Bonnick, (founder member) said: “We really look forward to working with The Malvern Theatre Players, who have consistently high production and entertainment values."

A Bunch of Amateurs opens at The Coach House Theatre in Malvern on Monday September 30, and runs until Saturday October 5, with evening performances at 7.30 pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30 pm.

Tickets: 01684 892277.