Actonians Drama Group

Synopsis

Gabriel Chevallier's famous comic novel was first published in English in 1936 and was set in provincial France in the 1920's. Republicanism and modernity were ranged against the traditional forces of the Church and the local aristocracy when an ambitious Mayor had the idea of building an urinal.

The novel was enormously successful in its native land and was made into a film there in the 1950's. It became a best seller in English as well and in the 1970's was made into a successful BBC television series, which many people remember with great affection, but which I never saw.

It has been described as 'Rebelaisian' and ' A fine satire, filled with humorous incidents and subtle philosophy', but when it crossed my mind as a possible source for a large cast play, that might appeal to a village, I couldn't find a published version in the catalogue of plays. In the end an account of another production caught my eye in Amateur Stage and I was able to get in touch with Julian Sluggett whose play is the official English translation and he sent me his script which landed on my desk and caused me to think "Now how do we do that?"

It could have been played with a small cast all playing a multitude of parts, but with an excellent response from our members I felt it was better to direct it as a community company reflecting life in another community across the Channel - ninety years ago.

This production is how the Actonians have coped with its challenges on our small stage - and as winter draws in we hope it gives you a taste of a warm wine-scented area of France.