Written and performed by Alison Neil
Directed by David Collison
This lively and affectionate play remembers Richmal Crompton, who wrote
the much-loved William books (there are thirty-nine of them), as well
as many other short stories and articles, and forty published novels!
Born in Queen Victoria's reign, she witnessed two World Wars and was
still writing as space rockets circled the earth. She was a Suffragist,
a Classics mistress, and later a prominent London literary figure.
Crippled with polio as a young woman, she turned personal tragedy into
lasting success.
Richmal Crompton was a much-loved Aunt at the centre of a large and
eccentric family; there was the brother who ran away to Africa, the
grandfather who drank acid, the nephew and niece who were kidnapped,
and the mother who saved Richmal's life. There was also Tommy,
Richmal's nephew and the real-life inspiration for William Brown.
"The play is really excellent. Even though of course I knew the story, I found it rivetting" Margaret Disher, Richmal Crompton's eldest
niece.
|
FULL VERSION (ONE interval) |
ACT ONE | Running time: 52 minutes |
| ACT TWO | Running time: 52 minutes | |
|
ONE HOUR VERSION Edited play with NO interval. |
Running time: 1 hr 6 min with a short pause between Acts |
"SIMPLY A MASTERPIECE OF THEATRE" BORDON HERALD
"Beautifully presented and very professionally acted...splendidly entertaining... it delighted all" TENBY OBSERVER
"Moving the audience to laughter and tears in equal measure" SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
"YOU DON'T EVEN NEED TO HAVE READ A WILLIAM BOOK TO ENJOY TWO HOURS IN THE COMPANY OF THIS MESMERICALLY GIFTED ACTRESS" SOUTHEND EVENING
ECHO
"Superbly crafted play... A captivating performance." TENBY OBSERVER
"You leave the theatre feeling you have seen a cast of many" SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
"Slickly directed... this amusing and engaging story was substantial in content, gripping onlookers throughout" THE STAGE
"truly remarkable - and very touching" THE JUST-WILLIAM SOCIETY MAGAZINE
"JUST BRILLIANT" LEICESTER MERCURY
"JUST WONDERFUL" WARMINSTER JOURNAL
"JUST PERFECT" BORDON HERALD