Performed in October 2006

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Director : Paul Warne

An Evening with Gary Lineker was your directorial debut; what made you want to direct?

I have been a member of Hamble Players for over 10 years and although I had assisted several times I had never directed. In some respects I felt it was about time I stepped up as I had always had the desire to direct and I had already experienced the other non-acting roles, such as Stage Manager and Sound - I even helped out with Lighting once. I also wanted to do something a little different. An Evening with Gary Lineker was a play that I understood.

Why did you choose An Evening With Gary Lineker for your debut?

Growing up playing and watching football, I understood the fanaticism of football fans so could associate with their reactions and emotions. And like the characters I remember watching the semi final in a hotel bar in Majorca. The play also interested me as it isn't about football; football provided the reason for the characters to be together at that time, but the play was about life and relationships.

Complete the following (eternal) question, "When I grow up I want to be a..."

...football player. This probably explains my absence from the stage between the ages of 8 and 16 when I was playing football and performing was definitely not cool with my friends.

How did this play come to fruition?

The first time I submitted the play it was rejected by the committee, but I persevered and after I was unable to obtain the license from Warner Bros for Theatre of Blood I resubmitted and was successful.

Could you provide us with a rundown, from start to finish?

I began by putting a team together, I was able to convince Kay to be my assistant Director, Fred to Stage Manage for me, Lorna to do Wardrobe, Julian and Jeremy to do Lights & Sound and Leanne to do Props be a Stage Hand.

Although I had read the play, I had never seen it on stage, so I went with Bev to Frome to see another company perform. This was very useful as it gave me a visualization of the set and how the balcony scenes could work. I then auditioned the parts and was able to cast three new members in the roles, Martin, Sarah and Rachel, supported by existing members Dave and Wayne. Lastly, I found Gary Lineker and the rest, as they say, is history…

What was the biggest challenge?

Two scenes were outside the hotel room : the balcony and the bar.  It was difficult to visualise how these scenes would work on our small stage, but following my trip to Frome I had an idea about using a rotating flat for the bar scenes.

Please tell us about the technical side of the play?

There were no special effects, but a relatively lively change and combination of lights between the room, balcony and bar was required.

If you could perform in any play, which one would you choose?

I would love to be in Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose.

And which theatre would you choose?

As for Theatres I have always liked the look of the Minack Theatre (Cornwall), or the Globe.

What's next for you?

Acting : I play Frankie in this year's Panto : Frankenstein, the Panto!
Directing : I regularly review new play releases and when I find a play I will be submitting it to the committee.

Do you have any advice that you could provide for those aspiring directors out there looking to get a start?

Yes, find a play that you are passionate about and have a vision of how it will work. Then put a strong team together to help you. Lastly, if you are a small company, do not underestimate the size of the role, as you are also required to produce as well as direct the play.

And finally…what is your all time favourite play, and why?

I don't really have a single favourite play. I really enjoyed seeing The Mousetrap and I am still kicking myself for changing my mind about the culprit. My favourite play I have acted in was Journey's End.