THE first rehearsal for the hit musical Betty Blue Eyes (based on the comedy film A Private Function) - to be staged at Bingley Arts Centre next month – turned into a private function all of its own last week.
Two of the cast members recognised each other across the room who had last met 40 years ago.
David Kirk, who has produced numerous musicals over the last four decades in Yeadon, Guiseley, Ilkley and Bradford Alhambra, is playing the role of pompous ‘Cllr. Swaby’. Trish Ellis, a new member to the company, is playing ‘Mrs Lockwood’, the town solicitor’s wide. Trish takes up the story:
“I looked across the room and instantly recognised David from the Barnstormers Theatre Company that used to perform at Guiseley Theatre. I was 16 when I played the leading role in The Boy Friend and David was the director. Our paths haven’t crossed since, so it was a wonderful surprise to meet him again. It’s great that we will be working together over the next two months in this wonderful show!”
David added: “I can still remember Trish’s marvellous performance from all those years ago, particularly her superb singing voice. It’s so good to know that all the young people we nurtured at the Barnstormers all those years ago are still performing.”
Betty Blue Eyes is based on the 1984 film A Private Function, scripted by Alan Bennett. Set in a small Yorkshire town just after the Second World War, when austerity and food rationing is starting to bite hard, a group of local dignitaries plan to raise and slaughter an illegal pig for an exclusive, private function to celebrate the impending wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Phillip.
Alongside this runs the story of timid chiropodist, Gilbert, and his social-climbing wife Joyce, who are thwarted in their efforts to get a foothold on the town’s social ladder and decide to steal the pig as an act of revenge (and hunger!) The villain of the piece is the government meat inspector, Mr Wormold, who paints any illicit meat green.
Betty Blue Eyes runs at Bingley Arts Centre from May 19 - 26.
Tickets can be reserved online www.bingleyartscentre.co.uk or are available from the box office 01274 567983 (open 10am to 1pm Monday – Friday).
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