Move Over Mrs Markham

SPANNING twenty years and in excess of fifty productions MATES Theatre Society have entertained the people of Redlands City, and that tradition continues in a few short weeks time when the group opens 2010 with the comedy Move Over Mrs Markham.

Written by Ray Cooney and John Chapman audiences will follow the life of Philip and Joanna Markham as the couple struggle to hide the adulterous affairs of their friends Henry and Linda Lodge, and the presence of a frustrated interior decorator who is renovating their London apartment where this hilarious comedy takes place.

Philip Markham, played by thirteen year MATES’ veteran Mark Harrison, is a publisher of children’s books and together with his business partner Henry Lodge they attempt to secure a new, lucrative book publishing deal during the course of this hilarious story.

Infancy meets adultery with hilarious results when Phillip agrees to lend the apartment to Henry to entertain his mistress on the same night that Joanna, played by another MATES’ veteran Victoria Nicholson, makes a similar arrangement with Henry’s wife Linda to use the apartment to entertain her lover.

Misunderstanding creates hilarity when Phillip discovers a saucy letter and suspects that Joanna has been fooling around with their interior decorator Alistair, played by MATES’ new face Shane Webb.

Set in 1970s London, audiences are welcome to get into the spirit of the time and come along dressed in their best seventies attire; but no matter how audiences decide to enjoy this production they will enjoy another complete and affordable evening of entertainment with MATES.

Ticket price includes a light supper at interval and group bookings are encouraged to take advantage of MATES’ relaxed theatre-restaurant atmosphere where a licensed bar is available with reasonably priced refreshments.

Achieving a milestone anniversary in 2010, MATES Theatre Society extend a special thank you to their friends and supporters with whom the group have shared a special bond with since 1990, and they look forward to welcoming you and your friends to their current production.

MATES’ four week season commences on Saturday, 17^TH April but before the curtain goes up on the group’s fifty-first production they are proud to lend their support the Redland’s Evening VIEW Club by hosting a charity preview performance to raise money for The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.

Doubling as the final dress rehearsal for the MATES’ cast and crew, the money raised by the Redland’s Evening VIEW Club goes towards The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program which assists more than 65,000 disadvantaged children and young people to access comprehensive education programs from early schooling right through to tertiary study.

No one would deny that children are Australia’s future, yet right now one in seven Australian children are living in disadvantage and do not have access to the same education, health or life opportunities that many of us enjoy and often take for granted.

Without support, the disadvantage many children experience today is likely to continue into adulthood – and on into the next generation.

Education is the silver bullet which unlocks a wealth of opportunities, and through their ongoing support of the Redland’s Evening VIEW Club, MATES Theatre Society are proud to lend a hand to take aim at helping disadvantaged Australian children shoot for the stars with the assistance of the Learning for Life education and learning programs provided by The Smith Family.

Fast Facts
· Performances: Saturday 17^TH, 24^TH April and 1^ST and 8^TH May, and Friday 23^RD and 30^TH April.
· Time: Doors open at 7pm, and show starts at 7.45pm.  Patrons requested to be seated by 7.30pm.
· Venue: Birkdale School of Arts Hall, 101 Birkdale Road, Birkdale (opposite Domino’s Pizza).
· Tickets: $18 Adults, $15 Aged Pensioners and table of ten or more $15.  Group bookings are encouraged, but patrons are reminded to book early to avoid disappointment.  Admission includes a light supper and a licensed bar operates.
· Patrons are welcome to come dressed in their best seventies attire!!!
· Contact: BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL.  Telephone Pat and Grahame Brown on (07) 3286 5820.