Vera Hughes, BA FRSA, trained at LCTS, she has been involved in the theatre as director and actor for many years. Productions include 'Twelfth Night', T S Eliot's 'Family Reunion' and Don Taylor's 'Roses of Eyam'. Roles have ranged from Anastasia through Donna Lucia d'Alvadorez to Principal Girl in pantomime!

Speaking topics:

• 'FROM PAGE TO STAGE'
  A behind-the-scenes look at how a show develops from the words in the script to its final professional production. From the London fringe theatre, to a private residence, to a bishop's palace, this lively talk reveals the background to getting a show 'from page to stage'.
  
• 'FROM CANTERBURY TO CANBERRA'
  Chaucer's Canterbury Pilgrims become pilgrims on the cruise liner Canberra. Vera has taken ten of the tales and adapted them (very freely) and placed them in 21st century settings. She tells the story of this literary adventure, and includes her own telling of two or three of the tales.

David Weller is an actor, international speaker and presenter. He brings to these productions a wealth of knowledge and experience in many areas of the entertainment industry, including films, commercials and television as well as theatre, where he began learning his craft in weekly repertory and provincial theatre.

Speaking topics:

• 'A PLAY A WEEK'
  In this entertaining talk David invites you to share a nostalgic look at his days as a member of resident repertory companies who performed a different play each week. This talk is full of interesting anecdotes about a fascinating way of life (sadly no more) and some insights into the grind behind the glamour.
  
• JOHN AUBREY - 'MAN OF THE MINUTE'
  David tailors his presentation of John Aubrey (See John Aubrey page) to suit WIs, history and literary societies and clubs.

The AA Man

Sir Stenson Cooke, the first Secretary of the AA, and his wife Lady May tell of the conception and birth of the Automobile Association one hundred years ago, and of its many innovative ideas, taken for granted today. (See The AA Man page.)

The Canterbury Tales

An entertaining selection of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales freely adapted for the 21st century by Vera Hughes as The Canberra Tales, with modern-day characters, and set on the cruise liner Canberra. (See The Canberra Tales page.)

Dickens at Christmas

Enjoy some of the well-known Dickens characters and episodes, and others not so familiar, from A Christmas Carol; Great Expectations; Nicholas Nickleby; Oliver Twist; Pickwick Papers; all with a traditional flavour, presented in their own inimitable manner as a dramatised reading in Victorian costume. (See Dickens at Christmas page)

‘East Lynne’ - the Victorian Story

This powerful Victorian story of murder, love, jealousy, class, elections, money, illness and death is presented as a dramatised reading, in full costume, lasting just over an hour. (See East Lynne page.)

Lady Windermere

Lord and Lady Windermere’s secrets are revealed 35 years after the original near-disaster of Lady Windermere’s fan. Set in 1960 Lord and Lady Windermere are dressing for dinner when a discovered bank statement sets off an emotional train of events for them both. (See Lady Windermere page.)

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