Penrith playwright Zoë Badder is set to deliver a “Bad Reception” in Carlisle next month, with the premiere of Bad Reception, written by Zoë is described as Fawlty Towers” meets “Crossroads”… but with a twist will be at West Walls Theatre presented by The Carlisle Green Room Theatre Club in February.
Classic British sitcom humour abounds in the first show of the Green Room Theatre’s 2025 season. Bad Reception is a full length comedy drama with wide appeal and a few twists and turns along the way.
The play will take the audience up to the small fictional village of Myrtle Maisey, near Inverness in Scotland, where you’ll find a lot of rain, a quirky brewery, an interesting history and, most importantly for us, a small family run hotel.
There we will meet Mandy and Duncan, the eccentric couple who run the hotel, along with guests Helen, Sophie and Viv who are visiting for the weekend on a post-funeral holiday, and long term guest and travel writer Peter. Watch as the chaos unfolds with family drama, dark secrets, escaping parrots and a chef you’d rather you never met.
The cast comprises of Dale Howcroft as Duncan, along with Heather Gorst as his long-suffering wife Mandy. Kate Sparkes-McSevich and Olivia Atkinson play sisters Helen and Sophie. Kath Paterson is Helen’s unbearable mother-in-law Viv, and David Ross plays mysterious travel writer Peter.
Zoë has previously had shows performed at Penrith Players (Improving Things Inconveniently in 2013 and Wrong Side of the Line, as part of a one-act play evening Behind Closed Doors in 2017). Her original pantomime Pantomania was produced in Langwathby in 2015, and had her short play This Old Tin Roof selected and produced at London’s prestigious Southwark Playhouse by Director’s Cut Theatre in 2019. She also had her short play produced by Knock and Nash which starred screen actress Emma Rydal. She also self-published her first novel on Amazon in 2012 aged only 18, along with two collections of poetry.
Her particular love of comedy writing has been influenced over the years by classic British comedies such The Vicar of Dibley, The Two Ronnies and Blackadder, along with more modern sitcoms such as Miranda, Motherland and The Office. Zoë has also had her love of dark comedy nurtured by The League of Gentlemen and Misfits. Fans of these shows are sure to love Bad Reception.
Zoë says “I’m so excited to bring Bad Reception to Cumbrian audiences. Theatre isn’t as accessible in Cumbria and opportunities for Cumbrian writers are even less accessible. I also feel a lot of ‘new writing’ plays these days can be experimental and targeted more towards existing contemporary theatre-goers, and I was keen to bring something with classic, commercial comedy appeal to the stage that everyone can enjoy, and in turn encourage more people to go to the theatre. It’s not just about the play, the characters and the story – it’s about the audience having a really good night out - having a laugh and getting lost in another world, while keeping it relatable. I think everyone will see qualities in these characters they recognise from real life!”
The show is being directed by experienced director Judith Henderson, also of Penrith, who has both acted, directed and many things besides as a part of multiple theatre groups during her life.
Director Judith says “It has been a great opportunity for me directing this dark comedy. The cast are a pleasure to work with and I’m honoured Zoe asked me to direct it. The West Walls Theatre is an intimate setting which is absolutely ideal for Bad Reception. You will feel you are sitting in the Verness Hotel along with the other guests. Whilst sitting there, you will witness comedy, drama, pathos, mystery, two men called Robert, a didgeridoo and a hanging parrot! What more could you ask for? Come along and enjoy an entertaining evening out with the guests at the Verness Hotel!”
Booking is essential. Tickets are £10 (+ booking fee) or £9 for Green Room Theatre Club members, and are available from https://www.carlislegreenroom.uk/event/bad-reception/
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