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Bouncers & Shakers

Posted on 19th Aug 2011 by Steve Smith

When Richard Lloyd takes to the stage in BrassNeck Theatre’s production of John Godber’s hilarious play Bouncers next month, he will be revisiting a play that he has come to know very well over the last 14 years.
Richard’s first encounter with Bouncers was whilst he was studying to be an actor at the acclaimed drama school Guildford School of Acting in 1997 when he was offered the role of Lucky Eric in the play. Moving on to 2002, when Richard had returned to the local area but was still acting professionally, he decided to put on a production of the play at Guiseley theatre. The production, which Richard directed, was such a hit that the play swept the board at the Wharfedale Theatre Festival and the company were asked to perform the play at Ilkley Playhouse. Now in 2011 Richard is back acting in Bouncers and back playing Lucky Eric, the role he first created back in Guildford in 1997.
‘I have a long and strong association with Bouncers and in particular the role of Lucky Eric’ Said Richard ‘Fortunately I absolutely love Godber and the play so I don’t find it tough to re-visit and have another go.’
After appearing in many professional productions around the country, lots of adverts and a plethora of TV programmes including Band of Gold, Emmerdale, Doctors and A Touch of Frost, Richard settled back up north and now teaches performing arts at Beckfoot School in Bingley where he is head of drama. He was a founding member of Stampede Theatre Company which later joined with Grove and Rawdon Theatre Company in 2010 to form BrassNeck Theatre.
‘Of course I miss being a professional actor but I am very lucky that I get to go stage with some amazingly talented people and still get the adrenaline pumping. Funnily enough, I am exactly the right age to be playing Eric now even though I did it all those years ago!’
Richard was last seen playing Max Bialystock in BrassNeck Theatre’s much acclaimed production of The Producers back in May and he is joined in Bouncers by Andrew Walton who played the hilarious and outrageous theatre director Roger DeBris in the same production. Young up and coming talent Freddie Bolt and well known local actor Anthony Gilmartin make up the rest of the Bouncers cast who have to play about 30 roles between them in this fast paced, funny and often poignant play about a typical ‘Northern working class night out!’
Not only will BrassNeck Theatre audiences get to see Bouncers but they will also be treated to the equally funny Shakers in a Godber double bill. Shakers is the female equivalent of Bouncers with four actresses playing all the roles to create a trendy cocktail bar in the local high street. Every town has its local trendy cocktail bar where everyone wants to be seen, from the local check-out girls to the chinless wonders, from the yuppies to the local lads tittering at the thought of a `long comfortable screw’. We are given a wickedly funny glimpse of this world by the four long-suffering waitresses who work there. Rushed off their feet, underpaid and overworked, they try to smile and help the difficult customers whilst coping with their own personal problems. A fascinating and often hilarious view of the reality which lurks behind the plastic palms and the pina coladas.
Another wonderfully talented cast has been assembled for Shakers with BrassNeck Theatre regulars Caroline Bayfield (Ulla in The Producers) and Jo Hodges (Sarah in Our House) taking on two of the roles. Lisa Simpson who was seen in Stampede’s We Will Rock You (Killer Queen) and GRTC’s Jekyll and Hyde (Lucy) also appears alongside BrassNeck Theatre newcomer and professional actress Jodie McEnery.
Bouncers and Shakers is a night not to be missed, an hilarious riot of an evening that will leave you wanting more. Tickets are on sale and understandably going fast so book now to make sure that you don’t miss this fantastic production from this great theatre company. If you haven’t seen a BrassNeck Theatre show yet you really have missed out.
Bouncers and Shakers will be performed at Yeadon Town Hall from 13th-17th Sept at 7.15pm each evening. Call the box office on 0113 2505011 to book your tickets now or book online at www.brassnecktheatre.com