The Village Fete                              February 26th to March 1st 2003
by Peter Tinniswood

Directed by Meg Morton
 By Arrangement with Samuel French

Synopsis

Nancy is at the helm of the unhappy Empson family who, for the sake of Father's health, move from London to a small country village. Their new house is in a state of disrepair, but they find that a local handyman, Winston, is keen to help them out. But he is no ordinary 'jobber', and he moves in with the family, breaking their resistance to him with his irreverent wit, gourmet cooking, free repairs and liberal doses of sexual advice.
Gradually the family is transformed by his presence. But Nancy resents seeing her brother 'in love', her sister 'happy' and her father 'healthy' and she is thrown into despair. She refuses to join in the preparations for the yearly village fete and becomes more and more alienated until she finds happiness where she least expected to.'

In a dramatic departure from the traditional stage play, Otley Little Theatre demolishes the gap between the stage and auditorium, taking the action out into the audience, who are invited into the homes of the Empson family as though they were house guests!

Peter Tinniswood’s witty and wonderful blank verse will enthrall you from the start as the characters unfold; some of you may even be asked to help the action along at the beginning of the play! And Nancy, poor misunderstood Nancy, will confide in you throughout as she tries to hold her troublesome little family together.

Come and be captivated by a play previously performed in many arenas – on radio, in the round, outdoors – and now proudly presented to you in our most intimate setting to date!

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