The programme takes the form of a mock newspaper, the Daily Scandal, priced £2.50 (members £2). The script was originally written as an A-level theatre studies text and performed once, at Helenswood School in Hastings, in front of an A-level examiner; Stuart Scott then adapted it for the New Theatre. Ben Heusner, a student at Reading University, and David Todd were the two other writers.
The set was inherited from The Cocktail Hour, staged the week before: originally built by Andy Davis and Jared Manley of J&A Set Design and Creative Effects with the assistance of Catherine Butler and Anne Price, it was altered into a pub set by the cast and crew, “finished off perfectly by Tania Wood and Claire McKenzie’s juke-box”. Director Jolin Warren gave permission for the reuse.
The programme carried an article, “No Impact”, criticising Impact magazine for not printing a preview of the show. A hand-written apology was subsequently inserted into the programme: “It has come to our attention that some people have been offended by the ‘No Impact’ article in our programme. This article, like the others in the mock newspaper, was not written as a serious piece… We were not trying to demean the work of Impact magazine or its staff. Indeed ‘The New Theatre’ greatly values both the coverage and support given by Impact… It was certainly not our intention to offend anyone and we would like to sincerely apologize if any offence has been caused by this article. — The cast + crew.”
- Was "Who Claimed Roger's Habit" performed, not once but twice on Monday 17th March? Ten minutes after the show had finished, and most of the cast were having post-first-night drinks in the Buttery, there was a knock at the theatre door. It was Ben Heusner, co-writer of the script, and his girlfriend. They had driven for two and a half hours from Reading, only to arrive twenty minutes late, as they couldn't find the theatre! They had to return that night and were unable to be in Nottingham for the two other nights. A solution was suggested; the show could be run again!! Amazingly, the entire cast, stage manager and lighting director all agreed to take part! The alcohol enhanced show proved to be highly enjoyable for both the cast and crew, and the audience of five!!!
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