"Not Now, Darling" is a naughty English comedy- guaranteed fur laughs! It is rated M- for Mature Audiences and contains adult themes and scantily clad actresses!
A tremendously successful West End hit in the 1970s, this madcap comedy about minks and minx takes place at Bodley, Bodley and Crouch- an exclusive fur salon in 1960's London.
The plot is based around the antics of flamboyant womaniser, Gilbert Bodley, and his very straight-laced business partner, Arnold Crouch. Bodley gets more than he bargained for when he tries to “close the deal” with showgirl Janie McMichael by selling her mobster husband a luxurious mink coat for a fraction of its worth.
However, instead of doing his own dirty work, he enlists his very reluctant partner, Crouch, to do it for him. Events quickly go "pear-shaped" and mistaken identities, scantily clad women hidden in closets, suspicious wives and misguided shoppers keep this hilarious farce rollicking along in the spirit of the "Carry On" movies!
PRODUCTION CREW
Director Jayne Arnold
Producer Derek Clarke
Stage Manager Jodi MacNish
Lighting and Sound Andrew Bounds
Set Construction Peter Burrows, Andrew Bounds
Set Design Director Jed Carson
Assistants Naomi Bailye, Blaise Graham, Kristy George, Bob Stevens, Carolyn, Kieran and Aaron Chambers
Costumes Flora Yetman, Carol McLeod, Carolyn Chambers, Janet Graham
Properties Lyn Penketh
Stage Crew Caitlyn Edwards, Josh Hooper
Graphic Design Nick Stevens
Photography Marni Topping
THE CAST
DIGBY BRANDENBURG- Arnold Crouch
Digby is a Student Mentor at Esperance Senior High School. He first appeared at the Bijou in The Bespoke Overcoat (1999) and then returned as “Toad” in The Weasels Revenge (2006). He has completed a certificate course in Musical Theatre at WAAPA. “Playing the repressed and nerdy Crouch came easily to me- I suspect type casting! The continual whip cracking from Jayne allowed me to reach the heights our illustrious Director expects! At least Derek was there to take some flack!
KRISTY GEORGE- Janie McMichael
Kristy graduated from the drama course at John Curtin College in 2002 and her first Bijou appearance was in Summer of the Aliens (2003). She has performed in Aladdin and the Genies Jewel (2003) and Cinderella (2005). She also wrote and directed Living Dolls (2008). “I seem to go from one extreme to another. From being a man in Cinderella to a stripper in this production, I seem to be rediscovering how to be a female on stage…”
BEN STAADEN- Harry McMichael
Ben has recently returned to town after a 5-year stint as MC for “Manpower”. This is his debut on the Bijou stage, and he has just finished filming his role as “Tony” in Woody Island. Having taken to acting like a fish to water, we expect to see much more of Ben in the future. “My first experience with the Bijou has been a real giggle from start to finish. Harry was a funny character to develop- had a ball with the accent and his staunch persona. I’m glad he loosens up at the end… not!”
DEREK CLARKE- Gilbert Bodley
Derek has appeared in 25 productions and directed two others at the Bijou since 1997. Many of his favourite roles have been villenous ones, including “Vileun the Vile” in Santa in Space (2000), “Hook” in Peter Pan (2002) and a wicked stepsister in Cinderella (2005). “This script grabs you by the funny bone and never lets go. We’ve done everything from Shakespeare to big time musicals- but the English comedies with Jayne at the helm have always taken the cake!”
CAROLYN CHAMBERS- Ambrosine Tipdale
A bookkeeper with a penchant for musicals- Guys & Dolls (2001), Bye Bye Birdie (2004)- Carolyn possesses a wealth of valuable theatrical talents including acting, music, singing, sewing and property management. “Occasionally a tornado rips through the Bijou in the form of a raucous band of monkeys. There is much laughter, along with some tears (from the Director) and then- all too soon- closing night is upon us and we become everyday citizens again!”
NAOMI BAILYE- Maude Bodley
A teacher having majored in drama, Naomi made her debut at the Bijou in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1993), followed by Merry Moments (1996). She makes a welcome return to the Bijou stage since having last appeared in Mother Goose (1996). “Maude is a strong, savvy lady, who is not easily put out. I love the opportunity to put on an accent, get dolled up and have a “secret affair” with only 150 people to witness it. What a hoot!”
BLAISE GRAHAM- Sue Lawson
Blaise is a florist at Beeline Florist and made her first appearance onstage in Santa in Space (2000). She then performed in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2001) and studied drama in High School, taking part in The Wizard of Oz and Back on Our Selection (2004). “I think Sue is really quite a deep character… not! It’s great to be back on stage after four years- I’ve missed it. This show is so funny- the audience will absolutely love it!”
JED CARSON- Charlie Lawson
This performance is Jed’s debut at the Bijou, but he took part in a Rock Eisteddfod in 1999 and studied High School drama in South Australia. We like to think we’ve cracked the shell of this mild mannered accountant! “Life is like a box of chocolates- you never know what you are going to get. My experience at the Bijou has been much like a box of chocolates! Watching characters develop and actors become engrossed in the play has been most amusing.”
DANNY ELLEFSEN- Cdr. George Frencham
We welcome Danny to the Bijou for the first time but he has a wealth of theatre experience, having been in musicals such as Grease and West Side Story. Enjoying drama so much, he completed a degree in secondary education, majoring in drama at ECU. “My character is a happy, terse sort of fellow who enjoys bossing people around. The show has been enjoyable and the cast have been supportive throughout the production process.”
MARY ROGERS- Harriet Frencham
Mary is the administrator for Esperance Community Arts and has become a major part of the arts community. This performance is her second at the Bijou, after debuting last year. She was involved with the Jerda-cuttup Players for The Rats and Who Stole the Fairy Tales? (2004), Opportunity Knocks (2005) and And So Say All of Us (2006). “I saw this show played by a local repertory in 1981 in Whakatane, NZ when I was 11 years old and as my sewing teacher played Janie, it stuck in my memory!”
JANE KING- Miss Whittington
Jane is a fitness coach at Curves and cites her theatrical experience as hi-jinx at the Pier Hotel after 3am! While the part of “Miss Whittington” is her first true acting role, Jane is a talented singer, having performed with local bands from 1997 to 2000. “I think my character has aspirations of being a high class model elsewhere. I’m having fun being part of this production. What a talented bunch of people. Three cheers for the extroverts- love your work!”
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