by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman
Directed by David Purcell
Play Reading: Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 7.45pm, in the studio
Auditions: Friday 10 April at 7.45pm or Sunday 19 April at 2pm, in the theatre
Performance Dates: 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!
“Terrific comedy packed with killer comic dialogue… plenty of twists and turns” – WhatsOnStage
This amateur production of ‘A Bunch of Amateurs’ is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. concordtheatricals.co.uk
Characters
Jefferson Steele | 50s/60s. A fading Hollywood star. American accent.
Dorothy Nettle | Late 30s/40s. Director of the Stratford Players.
Jessica Steele | Late teens/early 20s. Jefferson’s teenage daughter.
Nigel Dewbury | 40s/50s. Solicitor and leading light of the Stratford Players.
Mary Plunkett | 30s-50s. Owner of the Rectory B&B.
Denis Dobbins | 50+. Handyman and village Mr Fixit.
Lauren Bell | 30s. A marketing executive.