purpledreamsproductionslogo

Romantic Centre (2006)

AWARD WINNING

'Romantic Centre' was the 8th Purple Dreams production and was the first play written for the group in 5 years. It was the fourth Purple Dreams play written for the Drama Festival.

Best Actor 2006 - Tobias Nicholls

Best Original Script 2006

Cast and Crew

The Plot:

Tobias Nicholls (Sebastian O'Connell)
Claire-Marie Brown (Lucy Hawkes)
James Willis (Andy Phillips)
Sarah Wilkes (Jessica Farraday)
Elaine Verweymeren (Cynthia Hawkes)
Ashleigh German (Rhiannon O'Connell)
with Andrew Nattras (Joseph O'Connell)
and John Wrigley (Tarquin Biggs)

Lights & Sound - Ross Thaxton
Stage Manager - Stuart Cato
Assistant Director - Christina Orchard
Written & Directed by Tobias Nicholls

Sebastian just wants a quiet night in so that he watch the Big Brother final with his girlfriend Lucy. His night becomes anything but quiet however. His Uncle Tarquin turns up wanting somewhere to stay, something Sebastian is reluctant to offer. Sending him on his way, next to pay a visit is his father Joseph. He's got something on his mind, and he's not sure how to tell his son - he's started seeing someone. The first time since the death of his wife, Sebastian's mother. Sebastian's fine with it and Joseph goes away happy. Lucy is acting shifty and wants Sebastian out of the way. It becomes apparent that this is because her ex, Andy, wants to see her. Sebastian finds out and then they go to war - with a light saber fight, much to Lucy's annoyance. Lucy sends Andy packing. Just when it looks like the evening can settle down - yet another visitor... neighbourhood maneater Jessica! And she's got her eyes set on poor Sebastian. Her attempt to seduce him ends up with him getting slapped by both her and Lucy. Lucy lays into Jessica but the pair make up and Jessica just pops to the toilet. Tarquin returns and has a quick chat with Sebastian, but he also needs to toilet, which he goes off to - Sebastian not realising that Jessica is in there. Lucy is very stroppy with Sebastian, which is bad timing for him as her mother Cynthia arrives. She's got some news for Lucy - she's found herself a man. One by one things start to fall into place. Joseph's return cements Sebastian's fear - Sebastian and Lucy's parents are getting together. Rhiannon, Sebastian's little sister turns up, and she already knows about them, but she's got her own news... she's found 'the one'... and new boyfriend - which turns out to be Andy, Lucy's ex - much to Sebastian's distress. Just when he thinks that things can't get any worse Jessica and Tarquin emerge from the bathroom, also an item. Sebastian goes off on a rant - insulting everyone. It is eventually Rhiannon who tells him to get over himself. Everyone leaves in their partnerships. Sebastian and Lucy talk. He gives her a speech on how he loves her. She tells him, that she understands that while he doesn't always show it he does have a romantic centre. They settle in for the night - and as they do so, he surprises her with a ring as he proposes..

Tobiasheadshot

Tobias
Nicholls

Claireheadshot

Claire-Marie
Brown

Behind The Scenes:

After a 5 year gap, Tobias needed a new bunch of actors, and the first of the new batch to join up was Claire-Marie Brown who he had met during rehearsals with another group. Also coming on board in the early stages was James Willis, originally cast as Tarquin. The role of Andy was written for one of Tobias' workmates but he pulled out early on. After asking a few options James Willis moved over to that role, leaving the role of Tarquin to be filled by John Wrigley. This changed Tarquin from Sebastian's brother to his Uncle. Leigh Woolsey (who would eventually join Purple Dreams) agreed to come into the fold, but pulled out and was replaced by Ashleigh German as Rhiannon. The roles of the parents also went through several actors, both not being cast until very late in the run...