SUNDAY 30 MAY

11.15am, 4 hours incl lunch, meeting at 14 Canons Way, Steyning, BN44 3SS £16 including lunch, £10 without lunch

Theatre Trail 1 presented by The Company

The Company return with their ever-popular rehearsed readings of unperformed scripts by playwrights from the South East. Each play takes place in a different Steyning location, with the audience walking between these venues. Lunch can be included in the ticket price, and this year, Chris Taylor of New Writing South, will be hosting a Q & A session at the end, for the audience to discuss the plays with the writers, actors, and directors. Please note that due to limited audience size these events sell out very fast. Also be prepared for inclement weather as one performance from each trail takes place outside.

11.15am Neighbourhood Watch by Jennifer Mills at 14 Canon's Way. 'Meet the neighbours from hell!'

12pm Lonesome Pine by Mike Hickman and Mark Wakeman at the Steyning Health Centre. 'Who will cry for the lonely clown?'

1pm (app) Buffet Lunch at the Chequer Inn

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2pm On our watch by Josie Melia, at The Steyning Bookshop. 'Parties, neighbours, A&E... Life's a dog!'

SUNDAY 30 MAY

2.30pm and 7.30pm & MON DAY 31 MAY, 7.30pm Steyning Grammar School, 2 hours, £8/£6 concs (MATINEE OFFER ON LY £5 for parties of 10 or more)

TALKING HEADS

Two of Alan Bennett's wonderful monologues from his first series of Talking Heads, staged for SF'08, make a welcome return for the Uniting Generations themed SF'10. 'Soldiering On' Muriel must adapt to widowhood with fortitude even though life takes unexpected turns, and her son's unexpected decisions. Deborah Sparkes captures perfectly this feisty, no-nonsense character and all her frailty.

'A Chip in the Sugar' Graham is unsettled by his mother's new gentleman friend as the past comes back to haunt him. Steyning actor Nicholas Gilbrook plays the role with heartbreaking warmth and truth.

Both these beautifully observed pieces are full of delightful characters, and, despite an underlying poignancy, are full of wit, wisdom and humour. If you missed it last time, here is your opportunity to catch the sell-out production from SF'08.

MONDAY 31 MAY

Country Fair, Steyning High Street, 11am to 3.30pm Street Theatre - Bootworks present

The Good, the Bad and the Box

Enter into the world of the Wild West and open the saloon doors of the gun slinging, bullet dodging and poker-playing cowboys, who will stop at nothing to get what they want.

Bootworks bring together the spaghetti classics of Sergio Leone with more than a hint of the modern epics in slick 5 minute shows which run back to back on the High Street during Steyning Country Fair. An audience of one in the Black Box, but unlimited observers outside the Box.

“The funniest thing I have ever seen, made me laugh so much” Phil Myhill, Glastonbury Festival

“A great, ingenious, joyful spree into being inside a film. Only theatre could do this.” Jude Kelly, OBE,Metal Culture and South Bank

TUESDAY 1 JUNE

Steyning Grammar School, 2.30pm, 70 minutes, £8/£6 concs (MATINEE OFFER ON LY £5 for parties of 10 or more)

What Would Helen Mirren Do?

See Wednesday 2 June.

TUESDAY 1 JUNE

St Andrew's Primary School, 7pm, 2 hours, £6 (Booking form available from Steyning Bookshop)

Theatre Workshop for Adults

Have fun with your voice and get into your body!
Britt Forsberg, local resident, founder of Theatre 21, and highly accomplished theatre practitioner will lead this two hour workshop to refresh your performance skills. Although directed at performers, this workshop is ideal for anyone wanting to develop good communication and presentation skills, self-confidence and general well-being.

You will leave feeling energised and uplifted!

For more information contact Britt Forsberg britt@brittforsberg.com 01273 491660

WEDNE SDAY 2 JUNE

St Andrew's Primary School, 2.30pm, approx. 1 hour, £5 The Jumping Bean Theatre Company presents

Mable Mackintosh and Her Enormous Pants

How big are your knickers? Bet they're not as huge as Mable's! Come and meet Mable Mackintosh and her enormous pants and see how much trouble they get her into….This original piece of writing sensitively tackles important issues around bullying, being different and the life-long challenge of being accepted by others. Packed full of fun, laughter, tender moments and larger than life characters - does Veronica get her comeuppance? Will Mable have the courage to be proud of who she is? This new musical for 5-9 year olds provides plenty of opportunities for audience interaction, so come and join in with the songs, help the characters along the way and be a part of Mable's famous pant dance! A unique theatrical experience not to be missed!

WEDNESDAY 2 JUNE

Steyning Grammar School, 7.30pm, 70 minutes, £8/£6 concs

What would Helen Mirren do?

For starters she wouldn't spend her life on checkouts at the supermarkets in Oldham. She'd know how to spread her wings and fly. And on her way she'd sort out Steve, the supermarket boss with his dodgy 'hands-on' method of management. When Susan is being trained for an unexpected promotion, she is forced to adopt a role model and, in a panic, she picks Helen Mirren. But once she sees life through Helen's eyes, there's no going back to baskets only. Anita Parry plays Susan in this brand new one-woman comedy drama, written by Josie Melia and directed by Peter Ellis (The Bill).

“The audience loved this play.....Highly recommended. A show that shines.....

Helen Mirren is, of course, the icon of the older woman, ballsy and full of life.

As a writer, so is Josie Melia. As a performer, so is Anita Parry.” Fringe Review

Also on Tuesday 1 June.

THURSDAY 3 JUNE AND FRI DAY 4 JUNE

St Andrew's Primary School, 10am to 1pm, £10 (Booking form available from Steyning Bookshop). Attendance on both days compulsory.

The Digital World

Theatre Workshop for 6 -12 year olds
Limelight Performing Arts Company invite you to join them in a dynamic two day Techno/Drama workshop. Take a character from your favourite computer game or a funky piece of music from your iPod and turn it into an original piece of creative performance. Not only will you walk away with a range of new and exciting performance skills, you will have an opportunity to perform in Limelight's official Festival Showcase: 'Our Generation' on Saturday 12th June. All you need to bring is bags of energy and be prepared to have lots of fun!

For more information contact limelightstudios@live.co.uk or phone 07729 599606

THURSDAY 3 JUNE

Steyning Grammar School, 8pm, 1¼ hours, £6 - Suitable for all ages

EXPRESSO PRESENTED BY THEATRE 21

This uplifting and poignant piece of physical theatre by Brighton's innovative new company might just give you the kick you need to get on with what's important in your life!

FRIDAY 4 JUNE

Steyning Grammar School, 8pm, £6 - Not suitable for under 15s

Kvetch by Steven Berkoff

Described by the Guardian as “a work of genius..” and an Evening Standard Comedy of the Year, KVETCH is Berkoffs' magnificent study of the effects of anxiety and miscommunication! Performed by Theatre 21, a new not-for-profit theatre company set up to provide an innovative range of training and performing opportunities for professionals and amateur enthusiasts

SATURDAY 5 JUNE

Steyning Grammar School, 7.30pm, 2 hours, £8/£6 concs

Steyning's GOT Talent

Comedian and compere, Simon Sands, hosts the Grand Final of this most popular show featuring guest star, Keith the Thief, finest pickpocket in Britain. Join our judging panel to discover the stars of tomorrow. This is family entertainment at its best – to unite generations, showcase local talent and gladden the heart – a winning combination.

Heats will take place on 15th May and 5th June. To register or find out more, email jacque.g@btinternet.com or phone 07795 186299

FRIDAY 11 JUNE

Chatfields, 8pm, 1 hour 15 minutes, £8/£6 concs - Not suitable for under 10s.

Random Acts present Playback Theatre

An interactive experience you will never forget! If you have a story to tell, then this is the place to be. You, the audience, provide the material for the actors. Watch as the stories unfold and are transformed instantly without any rehearsal. “Improvisational theatre of a calibre so high that it is almost shocking to witness” The Stage, Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

SATURDAY 12 JUNE

The Towers School, 2pm, Adults £7.50, Children (aged 3 to 12) £4, 2 and under go free

Our Generation

Limelight Performing Arts Company present their cutting edge showcase 'Our Generation', featuring participants of Digital World workshop (see Thurs 3rd June). There's something for everyone in this original showcase, so join us to explore how we can bridge the gap between generations!
For tickets and information call 07729 599606 or email limelightstudios@live. co.uk

SUNDAY 13 JUNE

11.15am, 4 hours incl lunch, meeting at Saffrons, Holland Road, BN44 3GJ. £16 including lunch, £10 without lunch

THEATRE TRAIL 2

presented by The Company
The Company return with their ever-popular rehearsed readings of unperformed scripts by playwrights from the South East. Each play takes place in a different Steyning location, with the audience walking between these venues. Lunch can be included in the ticket price, and this year, Chris Taylor of New Writing South, will be hosting a Q & A session at the end, for the audience to discuss the plays with the writers, actors, and directors. Please note that due to limited audience size these events sell out very fast. Also be prepared for inclement weather as one performance from each trail takes place outside.

11.15am Snap by Alison Stoker at Saffrons, Holland Road. 'The Paparazzi come to Steyning!'

12pm Happy Birthday Ruth by Lisa Parry at Old Brewery Barn, Dog Lane. 'Ruth was expecting presents on her birthday, not surprises.'

1pm (app) Lunch at Chez Joel, 96 High Street

2pm the delicate art of keeping in touch by Matthew Wilkie at Strivens Barn, Middlemead.

'A bitter sweet tale of birthday cards and one man's obsession.'