The three-night run, beginning at Cumbernauld Theatre tomorrow, is virtually sold out.

But staging the show hasn't been quite so easy – despite the fact that the bittersweet Glasgow comedy drama by Tony Roper is played out in the one setting and has a relatively small cast.

"It's the small things you have to get right," said Robert Grice from Abronhill, who is directing for the first time and has been conducting seemingly endless rehearsals in the Muirfield Centre since May.

"For example there's a whisky mentioned in the script – McKinlay's – and it is very difficult to get now, but we got it. We also had to use tin baths which are practically impossible to get hold of but fortunately we were able to get a loan of some from Summerlee Heritage Park in Coatbridge," said Robert, a former pupil of Abronhill High School.

"I also had to get my mum to make the 'pinnies' worn by the cast as we couldn't find any anywhere," added Robert, who works in the warehouse of Japanese firm Yaskawa Electric UK.

"The set itself was difficult as you need a lot of sinks. There is a scene with a bath where blankets get trodden on but we had to do it without water as it was too complex," he said. But Robert's problems didn't end there – especially as the production is quite literally 'all singing and dancing.'

"There are songs in the original called 'Pals' and 'Dreams Come True' - and the lyrics are in the script but there was no sheet music for them," said Robert who managed to track down their composer who thankfully agreed to help.

And Robert is very pleased with the musical input - especially as it features the live keyboard accompaniment of maestro Mark Wilson and vocalist Lynn Robertson. Her dulcet tones are in sharp contrast to the scathing wit employed by the ladies onstage as they have a go at the only male character in the play - janitor Andy.

And to his cost, that is something that Robert knows a thing or two about!  "The women are always laughing at him– and I have to say when I'm surrounded by this all-female cast, let's just say there has been a bit of banter!''

The upside to Robert's woes has been quite simply that director and cast alike are delighted with the finished product – and they feel sure the audience will love it too.

"Obviously a lot of people saw the original starring Dorothy Paul and we wanted to put it on because we know it is such a popular play,'" said Robert who admits that the three sell-out performances have brought a much - needed boost to club funds

"We don't have a lot of money for this and we obviously wanted to bring people in, but I have to say that we didn't expect it to be quite this successful," said Robert.
Something which may surprise locals is the fact that the Apex Players comprise just eight people and Robert hopes that some of the audience might be persuaded to join their ranks.  "We are at a stage where we really need more members and we would be delighted to have more people come on board."

With amateur dramatics recently rated as one of the most fulfilling hobbies in Britain in a poll taken last year, Robert is in complete agreement that it's one of the most enjoyable leisure activities.

"I think it's just the fun of pretending to be someone else. Even taking a break is enjoyable because you get a chance to catch up with all the gossip over a cup of tea!" he said.

Cumbernauld News, November 2006