Impossible Spaces is here and available to buy from Amazon .
Sometimes the rules can change. Sometimes things aren’t how they appear. Sometimes you can just slip through the cracks and end up… somewhere else. What else is there? Is there somewhere else, right beside you, if you could only reach out and touch it? Or is it waiting to reach out and touch you?

Don’t trust what you see. Don’t trust what you hear. Don’t trust what you remember. It isn’t what you think.

A new collection of twenty-one dark, unsettling and weird short stories that explore the spaces at the edge of possibility.

Stories by:

Ramsey Campbell, Simon Bestwick, Hannah Kate, Jeanette Greaves, Richard Freeman, Almira Holmes, Arpa Mukhopadhyay, Chris Galvin Nguyen, Christos Callow Jr., Daisy Black, Douglas Thompson, Jessica George, Keris McDonald, Laura Brown, Maree Kimberley, Margrét Helgadóttir, Nancy Schumann, Rachel Yelding, Steven K. Beattie, Tej Turner, Tracy Fahey



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Impossible-Spaces-ebook/dp/B00E0YODAK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1375116104&sr=8-1

Hi all, well 'The Herbal Bed' had a great review in the local paper, but the review was slightly shortened.

 The reviewer - Leo Capernaros - kindly sent his Sentinel review of 'The Herbal Bed' to the Director who in turn has forwarded it on to myself.

So here is the review in full.....

 "The Herbal Bed is based on a true story that took place in Stratford-upon-Avon during the summer of 1613, it focusses on the lives of Dr John Hall and his wife Susanna, who also happened to be the beloved daughter of William Shakespeare. The plot revolves around the public accusation of adultery, an accusation which ignites a powerful drama and shines a harsh light on 17th Century British society.

The central themes of the play are serious; love, morality, monogamy, religion and justice are all confronted as the plot unfolds and whilst this play is exceptionally well written, Stoke Repertory Players deserve huge credit for providing a performance that would put many professional
productions to shame.  The highly talented cast of eight immediately launched in to the dialogue at excellent pace, each finding humour and tragedy with confidence and ease throughout. 

The set was well considered, full of texture and depth it allowed for free-flowing action and fully supported the absorbing performance of the actors.  None more so than Susanna played with skill by Catherine O’Reilly, who on more than one occasion gave us the sense that the daughter of the world’s greatest poet was indeed a chip off the old block.  James Freeman played her husband the doctor intelligently, allowing himself an understated first act to give his character room to flourish in the second.  Amy Keen-Wicks played the Hall’s six year old daughter Elizabeth beautifully, it was a real treat to see such an engaging performance from such a young actor.  

As the play continues it becomes increasingly difficult to work out who exactly is the ‘villain’, but Jack Lane the doctor’s apprentice is the most obvious candidate.  Intent on accusing Susanna of adultery, James King played the part with all the wit and swagger it required but kept just enough back to ensure we never lost sight of Lane’s vulnerability.  The co-accused came in the form of the local haberdasher Rafe Smith, played well by Philip Milward.  Smith himself trapped in a loveless marriage seeks solace in the company of Susanna, but he too has to wrestle with his moral conscience. 
Also caught up in the tangled web is servant Hester Fletcher, played wonderfully by Angela Dale who gave this character depth, heart and when required inspired intelligence.

In the second act we are transported to Worcester Cathedral as Jack Lane’s accusation of adultery finds itself being disputed in a religious court.  Here we are reintroduced to the Bishop Parry and Vicar Barnabus Goche.  The two actors did an excellent job of portraying different sides to the church of the time. Brian Rawlins softly ensured the older Bishop embodied the warm, nurturing aspects, whilst Steven Beattie played the paranoid and judgmental vicar with intensity and power.  From start to finish this was a fully engaging piece of theatre and the production is a credit to directors James Freeman and Sarah Stockdale."

Calling all actresses, see below an email from Shaun Guillan:

Hello,
myself and a friend are planning to shoot a short film within the next week and
need an actress to co-star. We're wondering if you'd be able to help us by
putting us in contact with anyone who'd be interested or anyone who could
help.

It is a no-budget short, 3-5 minutes in length. A very simple one
camera, one angle silent film about two people meeting. We're looking for an
actress between the ages of 18-28 for an unpaid role. We're planning to submit
the film to a short film festival and so have a deadline of shooting it by
Friday 22nd February at the very latest.

We'd be very grateful for any assistance you could provide.

Shaun Guillan

If Interested please contact : [email protected]

Productions this year will run differently from previous years. All shows will open on a Friday. A Saturday evening performance will follow. Evening Performances from Tuesday to Saturday the following week including a matinee performance on the final Saturday. There will be no performances on Mondays
this  year.
If you wish to book tickets please visit the online  ticket reservation service or contact the Rep Box Office on 01782 209784.

Tickets for all plays: £9.50 ( £7.50 opening night and Matinee) £5.50 Students

84 CHARING CROSS ROAD by Helene Hanff
 (Adapted by James Roose-Evans)

Directed by Alan Clarke
 
8th, 9th, 12th-16th March 2013
7:30pm (inc 2:30 on 16th March)

In 1949, struggling American writer Helene Hanff, hoping to indulge her love of beautiful books, started a correspondence with the staff of a company of British antiquarian booksellers that was to last for twenty years.

Based on Hanff’s own book(84 Charing Cross Road),James Roose-Evans’ stage adaptation once again brings to life a literary love affair, suffused with warmth, enchantment and charm.

THE HERBAL BED by Peter Whelan

Directed by James Freeman

26th, 27th, 30th April-4th May 2013
... 7:30pm (inc 2:30 on 4th May)

This classic costume drama is based on actual events which occurred in Stratford-upon-Avon in the summer of 1613 when Shakespeare’s married daughter, Susanna, was publicly accused of having an adulterous relationship having been seen late one moonlit night in the herb garden with her neighbor, Rafe Smith. 


Despite a recanting by her accuser, Susanne, desperate to clear her name and protect her husband’s reputation within the town, bravely decides to sue for slander at the bishop’s court at Worcester Cathedral.  It is a risky gamble and private lives are held up to public scrutiny in this emotional thriller in which
the outcome is far from certain and poses the question: ‘Is the real adultery that which we commit with our hearts?’ 

Friends United & Stoke Rep present -
MOVIE MOMENTS - A CHARITY EVENT

Directed by John Collier
 
9th-10th May 2013 - 7:30pm

Tickets: £10 every penny raised will go to Cancer Research UK


(More details to follow soon)

TEECHERS
by John  Godber

Directed by John Collier

14th, 15th, 18th-22nd June 2013
7:30pm (inc 2:30 on 22nd June)

(More details to follow soon)

The Young Rep present:
THE ROYAL HUNT OF THE SUN by Peter shaffer

An epic tale of honour, respect, loyalty and allegiance set against the Spanish invasion of Peru.

Directed and designed by Brian Hadley

17TH-20TH JULY 2013
Tickets: £6.00 (£5.00 for students)

(More details to follow)

The Sound of Music
28th Jan - 2nd Feb, Regent theatre, Stoke-on-Trent.

Directed by Tim Churchill
Musical Director: Jonathan Cliffe
Choreographer: Grace Forrester

Starring Denise Leigh (Winner of Channel 4's Operatunity) as Mother Abbess, Shelley Ann Rivers  as Maria and James Freeman as Captain Von Trapp. (And yes i make an appearence to!!)

Come along and see a great show and have a sing a long to some of theatre's greatest song's.