The show goes on in a pub near you

Jun 19 2009 by Lisa Boyle

THE GAIETY may be closed and boarded up. But that’s not stopping one determined group of thespians.

Their clever, gritty, hard-hitting, funny play is coming to a pub near you.

Chris Taylor and his pals Rikki Chamberlain and Donald Stewart are bringing the production to the Market Inn.

The play, Statistics, was written by Chris three years ago and was shown at Ayr College.

It was a massive success and the guys now want to bring it to a wider audience and keep theatre alive and well into the bargain.

But first, Chris is calling on all aspiring actors.

The team are holding auditions next month and hope that scores of people looking for their break will come forward.

Chris explains: “Most of the play is set in a pub and the Market Inn have agreed to let us use their function room for a week, which is ideal.

“The play starts with a guy getting discharged from the army having been sexually assaulted. He meets his pals in a pub.

“He then goes on to develop a cocaine habit and he gets involved with a gangster. But all is not as it seems.

“It’s really gritty but we want people to find it funny in parts too.”

And part of the story rings true for Chris, 26.

He explained: “I was in the army and I was sexually assaulted by my sergeant. He was jailed for three and a half years.

“I had just finished my HNC when I wrote the play and I was in a pretty dark place. But I’m a very positive person and I’ve moved on.”

Rikki is currently studying in London having been given the Dame Judy Dench scholarship.

Donald directed the Ayrshire Youth Theatre for 14 years before handing the reigns over to Chris.

The trio have now started their own company and Statistics is their first project.

For more information on auditions contact Chris on 07725341299 or email christaylor.and.ayt@hotmail.co.uk