PRODUCTIONS

KEEP YOUR SUNNY SIDE UP!

Our latest production is a musical play Keep Your Sunny Side Up! (The Gracie Fields Story) by David Hampshire which played to full houses and standing ovations at the Lantern Theatre, Brighton in September 2025. The play featured Lisa Rouselle as The Girl/Gracie Fields. Direction was by Maurice Thorogood, musical supervision by Moody & Moody and movement and costumes by Crissy Mullen.

Keep Your Sunny Side Up! has been nominated in 4 categories in the 25/26 National Fringe Theatre Awards: Lisa Rouselle (Lead Performance In A Musical), David Hampshire (New Musical (Book), Pete Moody (Musical Director) and Outstanding Production.

A review of the play can be found here: Keep Your Sunny Side Up – FringeReview

In the mid-1930’s Gracie Fields (1898-1979) was Britain’s most successful variety artist, who at the height of her fame was the highest earning female performer in the world.  A ‘superstar’ before the word had even been invented Gracie Field’s songs such as Sally, Sing As We Go, The Isle of Capri, The Biggest Aspidistra In The World and Wish Me Luck (As You Wave Me Goodbye) instilled themselves in the national consciousness and many are still fondly remembered today.

Reviews

‘’A wonderful five star play. Funny, touching, beautifully realized and full of heart and truth. It’s ‘The Good Companions’ meets ‘The Entertainer’ and it’s as good as Priestley and better than Osborne. Seriously.’’
Gyles Brandreth

‘’A heart-rendingly funny play and an important piece of literature; well observed and essential for the understanding of a modern audience. Five stars.’’ 
Remotegoat

‘’It’s moving and entertaining with great writing and fabulous performances. It made me laugh and cry and it should be a major hit. See it.’’ 
Su Pollard

 ‘’A vintage piece that reflects a bygone age; delightful, funny and sad, and exactly what good theatre is all about.’’ 
forallevents.com

‘’A magical play that warms the heart and lightens the soul.’’ 
Adrian Barry, Director, The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain

Funny Turns

In November 2023 we presented Funny Turns by David Hampshire, a comedy set in a theatrical boarding house in 1935. The production featured Jeffrey Holland and Judy Buxton and played to sold-out houses at the Grove Theatre, Eastbourne. Direction was by Maurice Thorogood.

 ‘‘A darling show.’’ Dame Joanna Lumley

Set in a theatrical boarding house in 1935.  Struggling comedian Norman Tate passes his time rehearsing his average act with Sally, the daughter of his landlady Alice.  When Norman’s ex-wife Nellie Price moves into his lodgings it sets in motion a chain of events which changes Norman’s life forever.  A tale of humour, heartbreak and eventual redemption which demonstrates that life is indeed full of Funny Turns.

With Jeffrey Holland, Judy Buxton, Mansel David, Kenn Oldfield, Georgia Bellett, Crissy Mullen, Carl Lovejoy and Maurice Thorogood. Direction was by Maurice Thorogood.