This lively and affectionate play with West End actress Alison Neil remembers Richmal Crompton, who wrote the much-loved William books (there are 39 of them), as well as many other short stories and articles, and 40 published novels.
Born in Queen Victoria's reign, she witnessed two World Wars and was still writing as space rockets circled the earth. She was a Suffragist, a Classics mistress, and later a prominent London literary figure. Crippled with polio as a young woman, she turned personal tragedy into lasting success.
Richmal Crompton was a much-loved Aunt at the centre of a large and eccentric family; there was the brother who ran away to Africa, the grandfather who drank acid, the nephew and niece who were kidnapped, and the mother who saved Richmal's life. There was also Tommy... Richmal's nephew and the real-life inspiration for William Brown.
"The play is really excellent. Even though of course I knew the story, I found it rivetting." -- Margaret Disher, Richmal Crompton's eldest niece.
Written and performed by Alison Neil
Directed by David Collison.
About Alison Neil
Alison Neil began her professional acting career in 1978.
Before embarking on her one-woman shows, she appeared in many
theatre productions including the national tour and West End production of Stoppard's Rosencrantz And Guildernstern Are Dead (playing Ophelia), and the national tour, West End and Canadian production of Little Lies (with Sir John Mills) playing Beattie Thomlinson.
Other theatre roles include Elvira in Blithe Spirit, Mrs De Winter in Rebecca, Cecily in The Importance Of Being Earnest, Maria in The School For Scandal, Kitty in Ayckbourn's Taking Steps and Connie in Allan Bennett's Habeus Corpus. She has also worked extensively in children's theatre, including many productions at the Polka Children's Theatre, London and for Krazy Kat Theatre.
Alison has worked for BBC radio and appeared in a number of television productions.
Her first one-woman play Bella - The Story Of Mrs Beeton opened in 1988 and toured until 2002. The huge success of this first play created a demand for a succession of one-woman shows.
"an extraordinary one-woman show...such was the power of Alison Neil's performance that I am convinced I now know Mrs Beeton personally"
Paul Heiney - THE TIMES
"A totally rivetting performance…which deserves to become a theatre classic" LYNN NEWS
become a theatre classic" LYNN NEWS
"Worthy of Joyce Grenfell" OXFORD MAIL
'Comparable with the one-woman performances of the great Ruth Draper" LYNN NEWS
"…the linguistic power of Alison Neil's script and her mesmeric performance of it" HALSTEAD GAZETTE
Both Bella - The Story Of Mrs Beeton and The Just-William Lady were adapted for BBC Radio 4 and broadcast in 2001.
Her skills as a writer and historical researcher led to a second career producing scripts and brochures for visitor attractions such as RAF Upper Heyford, Newhaven Fort, Tonbridge Castle, "The 1066 Story" and "A Smugglers Adventure" (both in Hastings), plus historical information for large scale events such as the VE Day Celebrations in Hyde Park, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Pageant in London and many Royal Tournaments and other royal and military events.
She has also been a member of Past Pleasures, interpreting medieval history at the Tower of London and working on special events as a historical interpreter.
Alison lives in a secluded farmhouse on a hilltop in South Wales with her husband, David Collison, who has directed her three most recent one-woman plays.
Doors open 7.00. Performance starts at 7.30. Tickets £11 (members £10).
