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Spring 2002
Brief Outline
Laura Langdon is a hugely successful writer of crime novels, all of which feature the suave and debonair 1920s detective, Inspector Sheffield. However, she is fed up with writing in this genre and decides to branch out. In order to do so, she puts Sheffield “on the shelf”, vowing never to write about him again. Unfortunately, her attempts at writing in other genres are complete failures and now the taxman is baying at the door. In desperation, she wishes that her various characters would “come to life, like Sheffield used to”. They do, and a more motley lot is hard to imagine. They are two-dimensional and self-possessed, with no idea of where their plots are taking them. They take over Laura’s house and her life and she is in despair. Enter Sheffield, the man who can solve anything. But he is miffed at having been “murdered” by Laura and initially does not help. However, he does know how to return the two dimensional characters (2Ds) to whatever dreamland they inhabit. He simply refuses to let on that he knows. Meanwhile, as the 2Ds turn her life into a circus, Laura sinks deeper into despair. She is losing her grip on sanity, let alone reality. As she becomes more and more ragged, her relationship with Sheffield deepens until both realise that they love each other. Sheffield takes pity on a Laura who is by now almost over the edge and decides the time has come to rectify the situation by sending the 2Ds back. Herein lies the sting – if he sends them away, he must depart also. Although he loves Laura, he must leave in order to save her. But don’t worry, it has a happy ending!
Characters
Laura Langdon – Smart and sassy, she appears confident and in control, but it’s an illusion she has created.
Inspector Sheffield – A true old-fashioned gentleman, seemingly flawless. Intelligent and urbane, he too is flawed.
Timothy – Laura’s agent and friend. Laura’s only real contact with reality. Deeply concerned about her problems – both financial, personal and mental.
The 2Ds – Now, here’s where we start to get really organic! At the moment, they include:
 | a cowboy who is allergic to leather |
| a space traveller |
| his companion who does nothing but scream energetically |
| a dreadful Shirley Temple clone |
| a busty wench from an historical novel who is okay with the busty but has definite problems with the lusty |
| a paranoid James Bond clone with designs on Laura |
| a monster from a horror novel who is afraid of the dark |
| a power dressing PR lady a la Dynasty |
| But there’s room for changes and more! |
Cast
| Timothy, Laura's agent and friend | Adam Greaves |
| Laura Langdon, best-selling crime novelist | Carolyn Noble |
| Ray-shell, Time traveller | Clair Richardson |
| Poppy, Vampire who is afraid of the dark | Anwen Pugh |
| The Professor, Time Lord | Peter Vialls |
| Chuck, Chapman Cowboy | Roger Trencher |
| Celestine, 17th Century Wench | Rachel Greaves |
| Stella, Make-Over Artist | Lorraine Edwards |
| Sam Bush, International Superspy | James Dixon |
| Cookie Monster, Misunderstood Monster | Ray Livermore |
| Inspector Sheffield, Suave 1920s detective | Bob Pugh |
The Crew
| Prompt | Lorna Gotts |
| Stage Manager | Chris Hunnam |
| Set Construction | Chris Hunnam, Kevin Attwood, John Morgan, Ruth Morgan
... and members of the cast who pitched in! |
| Costumes | The Cast! |
| Sound & Lights | John Morgan, Nathaniel Edwards |
| Front of House | Gordon Greaves, Liz Greaves, Eric Joyce, Graham
Wilkinson, Sarah Wilkinson, Maggie Shakespeare, Rhiannon Morgan, friends and members of the Huntingdon Drama Club |
Some Photographs
