And when the audience spontaneously began clapping to the closing rousing march When our boys come marching home, writers Trevor and Alan knew they had a success on their hands. Word quickly spread and people had to be turned away on the sell-out last night. The press were delighted too. So Alan set about looking for other societies and venues.
The result was an outstanding six-night run in April 2003 by the Javea Players in Gata, Costa Blanca. This time the reviews were even more ecstatic.
www.javeaplayers.com
Audiences were enthusiastic and the show sold out for both matinee and evening performances on the last day. www.utopians.org.uk
And again both cast and public were full of praise. www.riversideplayers.com
This time by Storth and District Entertainers in Cumbria, with every night a sell-out.
First came The Apollo Players on the Isle of Wight where the show was presented as a play with music for TEN performances, raising £1500 for Cancer Research UK:
www.apollo-theatre.org.uk
Then in April 2010, there was a two-night community production in Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys and the same month saw the ninth production by the Hitchin Young Thespians, whose ages ranged from 10 to 18: www.hitchinthespians.org.uk
For four nights in October 2010. Fans of the show – which included the authors – voted it one of the best so far, with strong characterisation from everyone involved.
www.wantagestagemusical.co.uk/BelowStairs/index.html
The 11th production – by Mytholmroyd St Michael's Amateurs on 17–21 May 2011 in the 200-seater St Michael's Parish Hall – was a great success, raising £1400 for Yorkshire Cancer Research. The show also resulted in a NODA North East District 10 award for best female performance for leading lady Felicity Dargan-Bell as Lucy and a NODA award for best choreography by Rowena Sweeney.
www.stmichaelsamateurs.org.uk
After the first production in 2002, Jennifer Dewar's reaction was “I'd pay money to take the part of Lucy again! It's my favourite role of the many I've played”. (see below pic)
Next, Gillian Hodges, Lucy in the Spanish production, said: “Below Stairs is a lovely show, a great experience. Although I have portrayed some really wonderful parts, including Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady and Dolly in Hello, Dolly! I now have a very special place in my heart for Lucy, who is truly the 'new kid on the block'!”
Danielle Winter of the Utopian Operatic Society, who played the leading role in 2003 and 2007, adds “Lucy is a fantastic role. If you enjoy getting your teeth into something, you can't go wrong. It was great to play such a lovable character. I am certain Lucy will go far and am looking forward to hearing my grand-children whistling the tunes”.
In July 2004, Vicki Skelley of Riverside Players said “I have never enjoyed a role as much as I enjoyed playing Lucy. And if I could give up my full-time job and perform as Lucy every night, I would!”. (see above pic)
And Storth's Marie Herron agrees. “It's a role to die for, with so many rewarding challenges. I'd do it again tomorrow!” (see above pic)
NODA winner Felicity Dargan-Bell. “The more I got to know Lucy the more I loved her. She is ambitious, daring and seductive but with that comes a naive vulnerability and I have to say she got under my skin. I thoroughly enjoyed playing Lucy Ambleside and I would do the part again any day” (see above pic)