Audiences will be treated to a feast of one-act plays from St Austell Players on March 15 and 16.  

Starting the evening will be two of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads monologues, directed by Penny Mergler, chairman of St Austell Players and widow of local theatre treasure Richard Hope Pears.  

Bed Among the Lentils will be performed by the talented Tracey Clark and A Chip in the Sugar by St Austell Players regular Kim Rowe.  

“I am so excited to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself in this new role of director after years of performing on stage,” says Penny. “My late husband was a fabulous director, and I have been inspired by him to not only take the lead, but also apply some of the skills he shared with everyone he worked with.” 

The second half of the night will see the directorial debut of 16-year-old Alexys Harrison. She is producing Nick Warburton’s Easy Stages, an amusing, subtle parody of the backstage goings-on of an amateur dramatic society. 

Alexys has been involved with St Austell Players since the age of six, when she played the part of Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol. 

“I have learnt from many directors over the last 10 years, and am so excited to have a go myself,” she said. “The cast are all so talented, and I am really enjoying myself.” 

Penny continued: “We at St Austell Players pride ourselves on pushing the boundaries and staging innovative and exciting productions. We invest in our company and encourage members to take on new challenges to explore and improve their skills.” 

“I am very excited that we are looking to the future and enabling our younger members to develop.” 

Performances will take place at St Austell Arts Centre. Tickets are available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/st-austell-players