Information on 'Leading Ladies'

Leading Ladies – A Guildonian Players production

Show dates 13-16 June 2024 at 8pm plus Saturday matinee 2.30pm
Regular rehearsals from Wed 3 April. All cast read-through & recording sessions before Easter.
Leading Ladies written by Ken Ludwig premiered in October 2004 under his direction at The Alley Theatre, Houston, TX

BRIEF PLOT SUMMARY

Philadelphia:  1952

In this hilarious comedy, two English Shakespearean actors, Leo and Jack, find themselves so down on their luck that they’re performing "Scenes from Shakespeare" on the Moose Lodge circuit in the Amish country of Pennsylvania. But then, what luck!  They hear that dear old Florence of nearby York, PA is about to die and leave her fortune to her two long lost English nephews whom she has never seen.  For Jack and Leo it is the work of an instant to turn themselves into nephews Max and Steve and grab the cash.  And that’s when the complications set in…

The ‘nephews’ are ‘nieces’ and romantic entanglements abound, as Twelfth Night meets Some Like It Hot in this screwball comedy filled with bad behaviour, high heels and a world of comedy.

Expect 30 costume changes (including 16 quick changes), a sword fight, a waitress on roller skates and a group tango … simples! There are a few small extra roles.

The pics from this production give a good flavour: https://www.kenludwig.com/leading-ladies

This play will be our entry for the 2024 Havering Drama Festival of full-length plays.

LEADING LADIES - THE CHARACTERS (5M 3F)

			Note on Leo & Jack:
	approx age	accent	Challenging roles: need excellent comedic understanding, ability & stamina. Physically demanding – Leo slightly larger role & bit more physical than Jack.
	30's	English	English Shakespearean actor (3 years at RADA) still dreaming of success but feeling desperate
Jack Gable	30's	English	English Shakespearean actor who now longs for neighbours … a house … neighbours who care about him …
Rev Duncan Wooley	45/50	US	Bumbling minister in his own world - with definite – possibly avaricious - dreams of his own foundation. Older than Meg in so many ways, but engaged to her ...
Doc Myers/ Chief Moose	60s	US	Curmudgeonly old country doctor/doubles as Chief Moose
Butch Myers/ Frank	early 20s	US	Young, fit, handsome & not overly bright - he's a Jock! Doubles as Frank, a Moose who’s had enough of the show
Meg Snider	late 20s	US	Florence's vivacious somewhat naïve niece engaged to Wooley – but has secret dreams and longings … which are soon to be awakened
Florence	80s	US	The rich old lady, very shortsighted, grumpy & possibly near death …
Audrey	early 20s	US	Beautiful roller-skating waitress! Yes, the actress will skate!