Robert has managed to talk Lynda into coming out of retirement from organising community events and set to work on a Christmas Show. Lynda has a wealth of experience at the helm of Ambridge productions, most of which have need snatching from the jaws of defeat only hours before opening night.
So long has Lynda’s reign been in the world of Borsetshire amateur-dramatics, she has established arch-rivals in the form of the Felpersham Light Operatic Society or FLOS. Lynda prefers to call them FLOPS.
Before she takes her next masterpiece, perhaps she should be reminded of the horrors that recently stood in her way of achieving theatrical success.
Calendar Girls (2015)
It’s barely 12 months ago that Lynda had to deal with the diva that is Jean Harvey. Not only did she get on the nerves of the rest of the cast, she requested Lynda to update all the show’s promotional posters with “also starring Jean Harvey”.
Blithe Spirit (2014)
Lynda had to cope with the pressures of being an actor-director for this production. As well as taking on the role of Madame Arcati, Lynda also had Alice fussing to be assistant director. There was also the drama of Helen, who was due to play a key role, pulling out at the last minute. Lilian stepped into the breach but Lynda had to tell her off for her disruptive behaviour in the last-minute rehearsals.
Dame Angela Lansbury sends Lynda a special message
Robin Hood (2012)
Lynda cast Rob as Robin Hood opposite Kirsty as Maid Marian. Even back then Kirsty had a distrust of Rob – choosing that pairing was never going to end well. In the end Rob pulled out, causing a headache for Lynda but relief for Kirsty. In Rob’s place, Kirsty co-opted her then fiancé Tom. Despite the production was a roaring success, Tristram Hawshaw’s review in The Borchester Echo was headlined “Ambushed in Ambridge” and went on to say "even a script in rhyming couplets couldn't prevent the Merry Women sounding like a Tufnell Park consciousness-raising group circa 1977.” Ever-loyal Robert called Tristram a fool.
An Elizabethan Christmas (2012)
Rather than a full-length play this was a collection of extracts from Shakespearean plays and Elizabethan songs. When Lynda realised someone was needed to hold the whole show together, she knew Kenton would be the perfect person. Unfortunately for Lynda he was Lord of Misrule off the stage as well as on. Added to this, Lynda had to deal with a general costume nightmare and Susan exclaiming she was going to have her hands full getting Pat Fletcher into a boned bodice!
When it comes to the nightmares that can beset theatrical productions, Lynda has almost definitely faced them all. What will she create for 2016? It'll be the first Christmas Show to grace the village hall's stage since its new curtains were installed. Break a leg Lynda!
