‘For One Night Only’ an evening of three short plays by Rachel Cochrane

Thanks to everyone who came along to Stocksfield Community Centre and made For One Night Only such a success.

This evening of 3 short plays written and directed by myself was a great success thanks to wonderful actors Penny Lamport (Celia) and from The Stocksfield Players Jo Harrison and David Mitchelson (Revenge is a Dish…) and Ray Moore (Clifford Gee).   Swearing, sexual references and chest hair were also promised – and delivered!

The evening started with Revenge is a Dish…. where out on a common it’s the end of the affair for Alex and Jude.  This was the shortest of the three plays, performed by Joanne and David who delivered body language and facial expressions worthy of professional actors.

Many of the audience remarked afterwards ‘We will never look at a jar of Marmite in quite the same way again!’

For the second play, the audience could be forgiven for thinking they had arrived in a time warp as ageing crooner Clifford Gee took to the stage in a 1970s style bright purple nylon ruffle shirt (remember those?) complete with bow-tie and microphone to work the tables and serenade the ladies.  Ray gave a fabulous performance ensuring just the right balance of laughter and pathos as Clifford looked back on his days on the ‘Lancashire Club Circuit’ and lamented the estrangement from his wife Janine.

Following on from its performances at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival came ‘Celia’, an hour-long monologue of mid-life musings performed to perfection by Penny Lamport which left a spellbound audience laughing and crying in equal measure.  Celia is a middle-class housewife living in a leafy lane who fall for Simon at the village ‘Greenhouse and Gardens’ Society’.  This proves to be not only a farcical affair but also the unravelling of Celia’s mental state as she fights against her conscience.

The tone for ‘Celia’ was also set by the fine musical accompaniment composed and played by Rosie Cochrane.

This production also had a fine support team including David Mitchelson (technical production), Rosie Cochrane (sound desk), Julia Deans (Front of House) and Karen Kirkland (Front of House and Co-director).  A total of £250 was raised for SICA funds.

For One Night Only: lovely comments from the audience!

Just letting you know how much we enjoyed Friday night. Every aspect was wonderful. So well done   You are a very talented lady.  Please give my thanks to all for a lovely evening and a big pat on the back to everyone concerned.  I always think when I come away from local productions how fortunate we are to be able to go and see such enjoyable performances.  Better than some I’ve paid serious money to see……  Best wishes  S

Mam and I had a delightful evening. Everything was exceptional – the acting, the music (was it your daughter who wrote the theme tune to Celia?), the atmosphere and your wonderful scripts. It was a privilege being there. D

Just had to contact you to say how much we enjoyed the whole evening – fabulous scripts, super acting and Rosie’s beautiful haunting music. It really couldn’t have been better! Very well done – you can be justifiably proud of yourselves. D

What a powerful, moving and entertaining evening of drama. We laughed ourselves silly at Clifford Gee and were gripped by Celia’s dilemma and decline. There was some wonderful dialogue and funny lines and so much pathos too.   And it was also expertly acted and well produced. It was was a first class evening, thank you and all involved! And I will never look at marmite in the same way again!  Best wishes, G

Once again, many congratulations on an entertaining and thought-provoking evening last Friday – most enjoyable.  Interestingly, I was on an organised trip to Helmsley Walled Garden and Harlow Carr in Yorkshire on Saturday, and people were talking about it on the coach… E

Just wanted to let you know how much we all enjoyed last night. Celia in particular was wonderful, for Penny to remember all those lines and speak them so naturally left us all spellbound. A true professional. Although individually we all wondered how it would end it still came as a surprise and not all contrived. And as for the 50 shades of marmite, I will never look at a jar the same way again. I thought Rays performance was inspired, better than many I have sat through on cruise ships.

 The atmosphere in the hall was so nice, I met up with a couple of friends I hadn’t seen for a long time and even though we didn’t win the raffle a good night was had by all. I am sure we will all be back to Stocksfield for future performances if this is the standard achieved, Regards P

For One Night Only photos taken by Sarah Loveland Photography.

Celia at The Brighouse Arts Festival!

Missed out on seeing Celia?

Then there’s another chance to see Penny Lamport’s fine performance, which has been selected for the Brighouse Arts Festival 2017.

For more info and to buy tickets CLICK HERE