The Just William Lady
Written and performed by Alison Neil
Directed by David Collison
This lively and affectionate play celebrates Richmal Crompton, who wrote the much-loved William books (there are thirty-nine of them), as well as many other short stories and articles, and forty published novels!
Born in Queen Victoria's reign, she witnessed two World Wars and was still writing as space rockets circled the earth. She was a Suffragist, a Classics mistress, and later a prominent London literary figure. Crippled with polio as a young woman, she turned personal tragedy into lasting success.
Richmal Crompton was a much-loved Aunt at the centre of a large and eccentric family; there was the brother who ran away to Africa, the grandfather who drank acid, the nephew and niece who were kidnapped, and the mother who saved Richmal's life. There was also Tommy…Richmal's nephew and the real-life inspiration for William Brown.
"The play is really excellent. Even though of course I knew the story, I found it rivetting"
MARGARET DISHER, RICHMAL CROMPTON'S ELDEST NIECE.
FULL VERSION
ACT ONE Running time: 52 minutes
Interval
ACT TWO Running time: 52 minutes
ONE HOUR VERSION
Edited play with short break, but NO interval. Running time: 1 hour 10 minutes
"What an amazing performance you gave us! We were spellbound not only with the story but also by your incredible portrayal of Richmal Crompton, and your memory! How do you do it? I hope you could sense our enjoyment, so many people came to say how much they had enjoyed the evening afterwards.
May I say a enormous thankyou."
ORGANISER, FRIENDS OF HOLY TRINITY PARISH CHURCH, SUTTON COLDFIELD 2017
"An email of appreciation for the wonderful performance you gave us! The Fossil Lady of Lyme and Mrs Beeton, My Sister were so good that I wondered if it could be possible for you to have yet another production to equal them - but you came up trumps once again. I love the way that your enactments not only enable us, the audience, to empathise with the characters but also they encourage us to consider the times in which the characters lived."
ORGANISER, BOUVERIE HALL, PEWSEY 2017
"I’ve just got back from watching you perform, and just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your play. I didn’t know what to expect really, but I loved it. I’ve never seen a one-person show and was very impressed that you could hold our attention for the whole time. So thank you – I had a most enjoyable evening."
AUDIENCE MEMBER, HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, SUTTON COLDFIELD
"For the first time in my life, and I am now just approaching 70 for my sins, I attended a theatre performance. I have to say how much I both enjoyed and admired your play about Richmal Crompton. Thank you again for an enjoyable evening, with some informative insights into Richmal."
AUDIENCE MEMBER, PEWSEY
"Everyone agreed that "Just William Lady" was an outstanding performance, as usual. She really is amazing"
AMMANFORD ARTS CLUB
"SIMPLY A MASTERPIECE OF THEATRE" BORDON HERALD
“A compelling, witty – and often moving – portrayal of his brave and likeable figure” OXFORD TIMES
“An outstanding play…the quality of the writing and acting are second to none” BORDON HERALD
“Heartwarming…a charming tale” THE STAGE
“She’s so good it seems impossible she isn’t the real thing” SOUTHEND EVENING ECHO
"Beautifully presented and very professionally acted...splendidly entertaining...it delighted all" TENBY OBSERVER
“Her superb one-woman show….you don't even need to have read a William book to enjoy two hours in the company of this mesmerically gifted actress" SOUTHEND EVENING ECHO
"Moving the audience to laughter and tears in equal measure" SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
“Superbly crafted play… A captivating performance.” TENBY OBSERVER
“Fascinating and highly enjoyable. You leave the theatre feeling you have seen a cast of many" SEVENOAKS CHRONICLE
"Slickly directed...this amusing and engaging story was substantial in content, gripping onlookers throughout"
THE STAGE
"JUST BRILLIANT" LEICESTER MERCURY
"JUST WONDERFUL" WARMINSTER JOURNAL
"JUST PERFECT" BORDON HERALD
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