Three plays by local talent

Three plays by local talent

The Sum Of Our Parts, Barking Up The Wrong Tree, Switching Tracks, The Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter, Friday 24th June, 4pm

Phonic FM director Audaye Elesedy will be taking to the stage for his acting debut in a new local play.

The evening of three topical plays written and by, performed by, and directed by local people takes place as part of the Exeter fringe Festival.

After their glowing reviews when the show was performed in Exemouth earlier this year, The Wind Up Theatre Company is back. They will be performing three plays that take a wry look at controversial subjects such as The Big Society, multiculturalism and even dementia.

The scripts are full of comedy and playfulness and bring to the stage larger than life characters from shy spinsters to trophy wives to feisty cleaning ladies.

The Sum Of Our Parts by Lucy Bell

Gate-crashing is a dangerous business. An uninvited guest stumbles into a cocktail party and his made to feel far from welcome. However, he quickly realises he has something the strange guests need, and if they have their way he may never ever leave! Prepare for a gruesome twist in the tale.

This script was shortlisted by Plymouth Theatre Royal Short Play Festival.

Barking Up The Wrong Tree by Cally Hayes

In this topical tale a lonely spinster takes a bizarre journey through the health service and makes a life changing discovery about what it means to be part of The Big Society.

Switching Tracks by Nick Discombe

Devonians can expect local references in the story of Cissy and Nell, two strangers who meet beneath the tracks of St Thomas station. The women strike up an unlikely friendship and make a controversial deal that will allow each to pursue their dreams.

Wind Up was started in 2010 when like-minded dramatists met at Nick Discombe’s playwriting group. The company contains more than its fair share of public servants – four teachers, a social worker and a health worker.

Play director Lucy Bell said: “We stage new plays in local venues and the scripts are often set in Devon and based on topical issues. One of our writers guided tours around the Exeter underground passages so we are all about local connections. ”

Marnie Pyne, also a director added: “It is very much a Devon-style company – we have had toddlers, babies and dogs roaming through our rehearsals. But it all comes together because everyone is so committed to what they do.”

Reviews for The Sum of Our Parts:
“Warm and funny with lovely rich lines” – Dave Simpson, playwright
“Very well-written, bleak black and self-contained” – Soho Theatre
“Great fun and well-acted with perfect comic timing” – Fringe Review