Our Summer 2025 production was The Italian Straw Hat. A farce by Eugene Labiche & Marcel Michel, translated and adapted by our own Tony Boyd-Williams. It was performed at Frodsham Arts Centre 26-29 June 2025.
"Welcome to the lovely setting of Castle Park Arts Centre and our production of this popular French farce. When it was first produced, the play won almost immediate acclaim, not only from the audiences, but also the critics. They considered it was a classic of both vaudeville, satire, and indeed, slapstick. It is suggested the play also influenced the character of Basil Fawlty in the late 1970’s BBC television comedy Fawlty Towers. I am so very grateful to my hardworking cast and crew, who have put in so much work and support into our rehearsals. The Italian Straw Hat has proved to give much pleasure and laughter to many audiences, and we hope that you will join them at this performance."
Tony Boyd-Williams
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Cast
Bobinet - David Varley
Boulot - Martin Stockdale
Railway Clerk - Emily Earps
Matilde - Martina Keith-Stewart
Gigi - Carol Crooks
Joseph - Jack Boyd
The Baron - David Leslie
The Baroness - Sue Southern
Visitor from Brazil - Ian Lancaster
Visitor from Spain - Clare Prebble
Visitor from America - Sue Elliott
Visitor from Wales - Glenda Boyd-Williams
Visitor from Italy - Ali Wheeler
Virginie (Maid to Madame Ventoux) - Emily Earps
Felix (Manservant to Monsieur Fadinard)) - Jack Boyd
Vezinet (an Elderly Uncle) - David Leslie
Fadinard (the Bridegroom) - David Varley
Anais (wife to Monsieur Ventoux) - Ali Wheeler
Emile Tavernier (Army Officer) - Tony Boyd-Williams
Madam Nonancourt (Fadinard’s irascible Mother-in-Law) - Carol Crooks
Hélène (Fadinard’s bride - not very bright) - Sue Southern
Robin (Her cousin - a Tomboy) - Martina Keith-Stewart
Clara (Owner of the Hat Shop) - Clare Prebble
Tardiveau (Bookkeeper & Special Constable) - Ian Lancaster
The Countess de Champigny (A Society Lady) - Sue Elliott
The Duchess of Quelque Place (Her friend) - Ali Wheeler
Jules (Butler to the Countess) - Jack Boyd
Marie (Maid to the Countess) - Glenda Boyd-Williams
Ventoux (Husband to Anais and VERY bad tempered) - Martin Stockdale
Delaforce (Female Special Constable) - Clare Prebble
Creative Team
Director - Tony Boyd-Williams
Stage Management - Iona Keith-Stewart
Sound - Andrew Walker & Iona Keith-Stewart
Costume and Props - Members of the Production Team
Hair and Make-Up - Shae Keith-Stewart
Marketing and Programme - Martin Maris
Publicity - Sophie Flowers
FOH - Fiona Barry and Team