Littlehampton debut for director promises to be Sofa, so good

But this week she will complete a remarkable progression to leading Stage-Door Theatre Company as co-director, with Jamie, of the Littlehampton group’s 15th anniversary production, Back to the Sofa.

Her idea for a revue with a difference to mark the milestone was accepted by the committee and, a year ago, Tracey started writing the script.

The stage story begins with a couple, Neville and Betty Entwistle, stuck in the house on yet another traditional British bank holiday of bad weather.

Reluctantly settling down on the sofa to watch the bank holiday tele fare of good old musicals, they suddenly find themselves drawn through the screen and into the action when they press the remote control.

“The first time it happens, they are stunned. But as they click the remote. they become more and more settled and begin to enjoy it,” said Tracey.

“We are doing a couple of numbers from each show, and there’s a part where they go through several commercials.

While this is her first time as a director, Jamie has acted in a number of Stage-Door productions over the past decade, and will be treading the boards for Back to the Sofa, which is also his directing debut.

Tracey explained: “I wanted to put something together that was fun and upbeat, combining lots of music that everybody knows and loves, with some comedy and a thread running through it.”

Among the musicals featuring in the show will be The Wizard of Oz, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Annie.

Members of the Angmering School of Dance will augment Stage-Door’s cast for some of the numbers and a voice coach was recruited to help, too.

Tracey readily admitted that honing the script and making it flow as a production was down to good teamwork, and she appreciated the welcoming attitude towards her, as a newcomer to the role.

“Everyone has put so much work in. Seeing on stage what I imagined in the early stages, I’m now more excited than nervous.”

Back to the Sofa runs from Wednesday (November 28) through to Saturday, nightly at 7.30 and with a Saturday matinée at 2.30pm. For tickets, call the Windmill box office, 01903 722224.