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New Era Players

The New Era web site is at www.neweraplayers.org. Twitter @NewEraPlayers or Facebook.

We are now doing fortnightly improv sessions. See below.

Next production

Where

New Era Theatre, Wash Common, Newbury RG14 6NU.

Box office

07919 916009 or email . Book tickets online at the New Era web site.

Review of Boeing-Boeing

28th November to 7th December 2024

Review from the Newbury Weekly News.

50s flight of frivolity: Boeing Boeing in Newbury

New Era’s latest offering is Marc Camoletti’s 50s flight of frivolity Boeing Boeing, an outrageous farce set over the course of a night at Bernard’s bachelor pad.

Bernard maintains a charmed life, with the schedules in and out of Orly airport carefully timetabling his diary with each of his three flight attendant fiancées.

However, the arrival of an old friend, new aircraft engine technology and a storm brewing over the Atlantic, mean his salubrious lifestyle is about to be tipped upside down.

Adam Wells (Bernard) and Neil Padgen (Robert) both give excellent interpretations of their respective characters, as they enjoy significant moral and emotional journeys.

Wells begins suave and assured, as Bernard extols the virtues of polygamy to Padgen’s nervy and credulous Robert.

As the action unfolds and Bernard goes to pieces, Wells becomes noticeably rattled and disheveled, while Padgen stands taller and increasingly confident with the opportunities Robert finds himself faced with.

While elements of the play may not have aged so well, the three fiancés remain strong female characters who give their future husband hard times in equal measure.

Each a national stereotype, Gloria (Jo Caruana), Gabriella (Carla Hart) and Gretchen (Lydia Stubbins) are played with well-considered characterisation. Caruana is a splendidly brattish Southern Belle, who knows what she wants and how to manipulate Bernard to get it.

Hart’s Gabriella is a kind-hearted and passionate Italian, keeping her Bernard on a short leash. Stubbins’ Gretchen is a force of nature, an enthusiastic, if somewhat intimidating Lufthansa stewardess!

Trying to hold everything together is malcontented maid Berthe, portrayed with beautiful bafflement by Karen Ashby, who plays the straight woman to excellent effect, as chaos reigns around her.

In the programme notes, director Keith Phillips explains that he selected Boeing Boeing “simply because it is fun.” This is something he draws well from this excellent cast, who are clearly having a blast on stage. There are opportunities to do more here, to ramp up the ridiculous, as well as some potential to modernise elements of France’s most widely performed play in the world.

TONY TRIGWELL-JONES

About New Era

This small, friendly and very successful theatre group was established in Newbury in 1978, and we are lucky enough to have our own small theatre in Wash Common. (click here for a map). We produce several plays each year covering a wide variety of theatrical styles.

New Players Acting Membership

Share the experience of performing on stage; join the challenge of set-building or the creativity of costume design; enjoy the teamwork in whatever direction your talents take you. You could be an active participant in our future productions, or join us for play readings, workshops, theatre outings and a variety of social events. Whether you are experienced or just have bags of enthusiasm, you can be assured of a warm welcome.

If you are interested in becoming an acting member please email our membership coordinator at the address .

New Era - ImprovNew Era - Backstage halp wanted

Audience Membership

To book tickets for any of our productions, please contact our Box Office on 07919 916009 for more information.

Previous productions