Past productions

A BUNCH OF AMATEURS

by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman
From the original story by Jonathan Gershfield and John Ross

17 – 26 September 2026

Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford – only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard, but a sleepy Suffolk village. And instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench, the cast are a bunch of amateurs trying to save their theatre from developers. Jefferson’s monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic am-dram thespians. As acting worlds collide and Jefferson’s career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself – along with his inner Lear!

This amateur production of ‘A Bunch of Amateurs’ was presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. concordtheatricals.co.uk

Cast

Photography by Chris Fenton

Review | September 2026 | Theo Spring

There wasn’t a spare seat in the Miller Theatre the night I attended, as theatregoers welcomed this delightful comedy to kick off the theatre’s new season of plays.

Ringing true with anyone who has ever been involved in amateur theatre, the plot is based on the problems faced by The Stratford Players, based in the Barn Theatre in the small Suffolk village of Stratford St. John. They are short of money and need £50,000 to allow both the building and The Stratford Players to continue, and they are, to say the least, a very small but enthusiastic group.

Leading the group, and with some professional theatrical experience herself, is Dorothy Nettle with Claire Connery using her inimitable acting ability to take charge, both from Dorothy’s initial rehearsal speech to a meeting called to save the theatre, to which, sadly, no one then turned up, right through to her determination not to let The Stratford Players fold. The Players have bravely planned a production of King Lear, but with their low numbers, a doubling up of roles was necessary, and Dorothy was the Director, but also Cordelia and Fool at different times. Hardly off stage, Claire’s own acting experience created an enthusiastic, patient, diplomatic and very engaging Dorothy who kept The Players going through both their personal and their acting difficulties.

Playwrights Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s cleverly devised script brought a light bulb moment to The Players. How to bring in an audience? How to get media coverage? How ultimately to continue? Solution – bring in a well-known star to play King Lear – surely that would work.

A-Listers declined but finally – success. Film star Jefferson Steel agreed to come to Stratford and take the role. Film offers had slowed and his previous films had had low ratings but here was an offer to star in a wonderful role at the RSC. When reality sets in and the mix up revealed, Kevin Edwards as Jefferson is apoplectic. This role required a strong and steady American accent with which Kevin never failed. His ire and curmudgeon at his Agent’s mistake kept boiling over and only towards the end of the play did he turn from demanding tyrant to consummate actor. This was the second time Kevin had played Jefferson, the first way back in 2022, and here he added the ability to climb high up on an escape rope to his memorable effervescence and certain thespian skills.

Mary Plunkett is the mouse that roared. Berry Butler was a meek and charming Mary, totally enamoured of Jefferson and forever quoting his roles in films in which he had not starred. It was at her Bed and Breakfast that Jefferson stayed, and it was there, when he was receiving physiotherapy for a very bad back that her affection for him dissolved. The bad back? Trying to carry the dead Cordelia (Dorothy) in his arms. Lovely comedy. The Physio was Lauren Bell whose husband’s brewing company were sponsoring the show. Harriet Datta as Lauren breezed in an out of scenes with crates of beer, frequently renamed to reflect the production. Lear Beer etc. A small role but delivered with much enthusiasm – particularly in the aforementioned physio scene which was skilfully achieved.

Most – well possibly every, amdram group has an actor who believes themselves a peg or two above as far as acting ability goes, and here we had a Nigel Dewbury with Peter Calver creating a Shakespearian stalwart who actually believed he should be Lear and who knew all the lines. A splendid portrayal of a character vascillating between pomposity and false modesty and very elegantly dressed to boot.

In complete contrast Phil Fry created a Denis Dobbins – actor, handyman, amenable and resourceful – all for The Players. Devoted to Dorothy and a ‘can do’ man. His variations on how to deal with Shakespeare’s call for Gloucester’s blinding were so well contrived and very funny.

Throwing a real spanner in the Jefferson works was the unexpected arrival from Los Angeles of his daughter, Jessica Steel. Another excellent American accent from Rosie Chambers who delivered a feisty, determined Jessica, constantly reminding her dad what a non-existent father he had been and written in by the playwrights to underline the similarities between this play and the synopsis of King Lear. Her characterisation was spot on and her delivery of Cordelia’s lines, the role in the Lear production she eventually played, were full of justified emotion.

Katie McMullen’s set was really barn-like with huge double doors centre back and there were well-resourced theatrical props by James Shapcott. Jay Rolfe had many quick-fire sound cues to deliver, all done right on cue, and Berry Butler added to her acting role as the turn-coat Mary by being in charge of costumes.

In his debut directorial role for the Miller Theatre, David Purcell certainly delivered a comedy winner, helped by a skilled and talented cast and I suspect that all the quotes from Lear, which were included in their lines, will stay in their hearts and minds long after the play ends its run.