Queen Elizabeth Slept Here

Buying a house is seldom a straightforward operation. Though frequently fraught, successful completion of such a task often results in the purchaser accomplishing a sense of achievement despite acquiring a plethora of problems. Norah Fuller (played very competently by Emma Albuixech) has purchased a cottage from the Elizabethan period with which she is overjoyed, particularly as it is rumoured that Queen Elizabeth 1 had herself spent a night there. Not so her husband Michael (played by Nigel Guilliatt) who is unimpressed by the age of the building or the rumour of a royal visitor having once been an overnight guest; he is further put off when he discovers the building is in a dilapidated condition, has no running water or other modern conveniences. This play details the couple’s experiences in trying to deal with a multitude of problems with which they are confronted. The harbinger of many of the problems is local villager, Mr Kimber (played capably and enthusiastically by Lionel Rudkin) who, despite his claim to have solutions, doesn’t seem to be able to find water or keep the insects at bay but can order more gravel. Another ten characters make appearances with all of them contributing to the chaos and hilarity developing on stage. All appears lost when it is learned that the bank is to take possession of the property since Norah has been unable to keep up the payments. However, salvation comes in the form of an ancient map which shows Norah owns far more land than was first thought. The set, a masterpiece of construction, duly fell apart at the appointed times in the play and the multitude of sound effects were delivered ‘spot on’ at the appropriate times. A great evening’s entertainment which prompted much applause and laughter from the appreciative audience - Well done SLT! As well as writing plays that contained an abundance of humour, this author was also a prolific screen writer producing many of the screenplays for the popular ‘Carry on’ films in which he made extensive use of his talent for creating puns and innuendo.

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