Author : Paul Foster

I was delighted when my play ‘Prerogative’ was chosen by the Barn Theatre to be rehearsed and performed in lockdown. I have been involved in local community drama all my adult life, mainly as an actor and I am currently Zoom directing a play for the first time, which we hope to perform in the summer. I have felt very strongly that drama groups should do all they can in lockdown to keep active so I am doubly pleased that The Barn have forged ahead. I wrote Prerogative as a retirement project, with amateur groups in mind. It is my first attempt at writing a play. Prerogative has been performed once before by a village group in Northamptonshire, I attended the performance and was pleased (and relieved) to hear the audience laughing at the jokes. I am 62 years old (just) and live in Virginia Water with my wife Anna and our cat Rolo.

Director : Karen Buchanan

Karen, having been an active member of The Barn Theatre for over a decade, has really enjoyed this latest venture into showcasing new writers. Having spent lockdown producing her own website and encouraging new writers, actors and directors to participate, she is delighted to be under the wing of The Barn once more, finding Prerogative a pleasure to direct.

Cast:


Veronica - Enid Gayle

3 newbies for Enid, wonderful new writing, fabulous new team and first time treading the boards at The Barn. Enid can't wait to meet everyone in the flesh, but will have to remember to keep her arms to herself and refrain from being the champion hugger that she is! 


Stan - Ian Stewart

Ian’s stage experience has mostly been behind a bass guitar, but during lockdown he edited and appeared in several radio plays, working alongside Barn Theatre regulars. He is relishing the opportunity to spread his wings and appear on stage playing Stan in the Prerogative.


Lavinia - Miranda Loughrey

Miranda has been a member of The Barn for about 10 years, appearing in numerous productions in this time. Taking the lead in Veronica Bennetts' Charlie!, regularly featuring in pantos, musicals and comedic plays as well as a backing singer for the 'spectacular' Spectacular!, Miranda's repertoire here at The Barn has certainly been varied. Miranda is also a member of the committee and is involved with producing all our fantastic programmes and flyers.  During lockdown, Miranda has also featured in a number of The Barns radio plays and our 'Panto Allsorts' at Christmas 2020. "Playing Lavinia has giving me a chance to explore my more neurotic side which has been great fun, although the short timeframe and even shorter number of face-to-face rehearsals has been a challenge! Let's hope I do her justice.."

Sue - Claire Bender

Hello, I am Claire, a Molesey mum of two boys, aged 3 and 7. My professional life has been spent working as a vocalist, so it’s novel for me to be cast in a play. When I am not mummying, I am running my children’s theatre company Pop Star Performers. (www.popstarperformers.co.uk).  From the very first read-through, this play made me laugh out loud a number of times so I really hope you find it enjoyable too. 

Trevor - Brian Nathan

Brian, who has enjoyed many years of acting at the Barn, is now an old age git but has managed to master the few lines he speaks in Prerogative. He remains Honorary Treasurer of The Barn and cracks the whip if there is a hint of overspend.