Hill Street Theatre, Edinburgh 19th to 25th August
A discreet pastime in comfortable surroundings. 100% safety and confidentiality guaranteed.
James and Jennifer Rogers. Professional Couple. Open-minded, within reason, seek likewise. Can travel, but have lovely house if you want to come to us. Morningside area. No pets.
James and Jennifer Rogers have been seeing a marriage guidance counsellor. She's told them they should try something new. James has decided this can only mean one thing - wife swapping. Not that he wants the neighbours to know, so to keep his new hobby a secret he’s been trawling the internet to find a suitable couple for their first causal encounter. He thinks Peter and Annette Morgan are the ones for them. Of course, not everyone tells the truth online. And James and Jennifer may be about to find this out when Peter and Annette Morgan enter their house. |
About Casual Encounters
Casual Encounters offered appointments for discerning clientele in relaxed surroundings across the UK between 2012 and 2014. The organisation was disbanded that year shortly after a two week residency at Edinburgh Surgeon's Hall and a final five nights offering our services to the good people of Hoxton at the Courtyard Theatre. To celebrate ten years since these never to be repeated events, recognising that irony is at the root of all good comedy, we are repeating them and reopening for business for a strictly limited period only. Edinburgh residents and national and international travellers can book a Casual Encounter for any day between 19th and 25th August at the Hill Street Theatre . Casual Encounters - Change your life for less than the price of a cheese burger or other Fringe food items. |
Casual Encounters - Client recommendations
To ensure the quality of your experience, Casual Encounters have already run two successful test events at the Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh and McLaren Hall, Killin, where customers have said the evening was 'handled very well' with performances that 'were accomplished throughout' and a 'nice chemistry between performers' who were 'working well together, responding and reacting to what was going on around them.'
More detailed recommendations from clients are set out below.
'A fun and very funny comedy handled very well by its director and cast. We saw the hand of a confident director of comedy. The laughs were many and loud. Ade Smith is an actor who clearly knows how comedy should be played and demonstrated that all through the performance. I admired the way Suzanne Senior maintained her character all through the hazards thrown at her. David Roach gave us a relaxed comedy performance avoiding the temptation to go over the top into drama. Kelly Edie was a spot on bimbo and reveled in the power she was wielding as Annette. Gillian Scott managed the part of DI Cook very well, remaining formal and by the book but gaining laughs. Ended the evening sending the audience out with a smile and all deciding not to indulge in wife swapping!' Keith Phillips, Adjudicator, Killin drama festival
'An exploration of marriage, relationships, gender roles, class, mores and more. Each is interwoven into a strong piece of theatre. The acting is assured and the direction crisp. I can certainly recommend it to you' Buxton Fringe Review
'Simultaneously timely and timeless. Lovely performances from all the five cast members. All led by a diamond-sharp direction and story structure.' View from the Gods
‘Terrific, very funny, with brilliant use of gags to achieve and support the three act structure.' Richard Bean, (One Man, Two Guvnors) One Act Play Festival, The Orange Tree, Richmond
'All the principal actors are strong. The script delivers a properly startling plot swerve together with a few interesting thoughts about the different types of hold we all have over each other. An entertaining eyebrow-raiser. I’m glad I gave this one a whirl' Fringe Guru
'A wry curtain twitching look at suburban sexuality. The play gives commentary on our expectations and the sense of not knowing our neighbours or what goes on behind closed doors.' Broadway Baby
To ensure the quality of your experience, Casual Encounters have already run two successful test events at the Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh and McLaren Hall, Killin, where customers have said the evening was 'handled very well' with performances that 'were accomplished throughout' and a 'nice chemistry between performers' who were 'working well together, responding and reacting to what was going on around them.'
More detailed recommendations from clients are set out below.
'A fun and very funny comedy handled very well by its director and cast. We saw the hand of a confident director of comedy. The laughs were many and loud. Ade Smith is an actor who clearly knows how comedy should be played and demonstrated that all through the performance. I admired the way Suzanne Senior maintained her character all through the hazards thrown at her. David Roach gave us a relaxed comedy performance avoiding the temptation to go over the top into drama. Kelly Edie was a spot on bimbo and reveled in the power she was wielding as Annette. Gillian Scott managed the part of DI Cook very well, remaining formal and by the book but gaining laughs. Ended the evening sending the audience out with a smile and all deciding not to indulge in wife swapping!' Keith Phillips, Adjudicator, Killin drama festival
'An exploration of marriage, relationships, gender roles, class, mores and more. Each is interwoven into a strong piece of theatre. The acting is assured and the direction crisp. I can certainly recommend it to you' Buxton Fringe Review
'Simultaneously timely and timeless. Lovely performances from all the five cast members. All led by a diamond-sharp direction and story structure.' View from the Gods
‘Terrific, very funny, with brilliant use of gags to achieve and support the three act structure.' Richard Bean, (One Man, Two Guvnors) One Act Play Festival, The Orange Tree, Richmond
'All the principal actors are strong. The script delivers a properly startling plot swerve together with a few interesting thoughts about the different types of hold we all have over each other. An entertaining eyebrow-raiser. I’m glad I gave this one a whirl' Fringe Guru
'A wry curtain twitching look at suburban sexuality. The play gives commentary on our expectations and the sense of not knowing our neighbours or what goes on behind closed doors.' Broadway Baby
About the company
Casual Encounters incorporated is situated in, and supported by, Edinburgh People's Theatre. We thank them for the staff, facilities and biscuits that have made it possible for us to bring our services to you, our loyal customers and new patrons.
Your hosts for the evening
Entertainment will be provided by Ade Smith playing the part of James Rogers. Suzanne Senior will be appearing as his wife Jennifer.
The parts of Peter and Annette Morgan will be played by David Roach and Kelly Edie
Gillian Scott will be completing the quintet of performers, but we don't want to let you know what her role in the proceedings will be, so as not to give you too many clues...
Andy Moseley has provided the concept, script and direction for the performers to follow.
Production History
Casual Encounters was originally written for SEDOS 6 plays 7 Days project, where writers met actors one Sunday, and were given till the following Thursday to write a 15 minute play. Directors and actors got together on Friday and the plays were performed on Saturday.
It was also performed by OHADS at ArtRichmond's 2013 new writing festival at the Orange Tree, Richmond. The judging panel, including Richard Bean, writer of One Man, Two Guv'nors, described the play as ‘terrific, very funny with lots of good gags. More than that, it made brilliant use of the gags to achieve and support the three act structure.'
An extract of the play was published in UEAs 2012 Scriptwriting Anthology.
The one-act version of Casual Encounters was premiered at Buxton Festival Fringe in July 2013 and went on to achieve a sell out run at Etcetera Theatre, Camden as part of Camden Fringe 2013. Updated for 2014 the play was performed at Henley Fringe and London Theatre Workshop in July, before a hugely successful run at theSpace at Surgeons Hall for Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2014, leading to the transfer of the play to The Courtyard Theatre where it was performed in September 2014.
Casual Encounters incorporated is situated in, and supported by, Edinburgh People's Theatre. We thank them for the staff, facilities and biscuits that have made it possible for us to bring our services to you, our loyal customers and new patrons.
Your hosts for the evening
Entertainment will be provided by Ade Smith playing the part of James Rogers. Suzanne Senior will be appearing as his wife Jennifer.
The parts of Peter and Annette Morgan will be played by David Roach and Kelly Edie
Gillian Scott will be completing the quintet of performers, but we don't want to let you know what her role in the proceedings will be, so as not to give you too many clues...
Andy Moseley has provided the concept, script and direction for the performers to follow.
Production History
Casual Encounters was originally written for SEDOS 6 plays 7 Days project, where writers met actors one Sunday, and were given till the following Thursday to write a 15 minute play. Directors and actors got together on Friday and the plays were performed on Saturday.
It was also performed by OHADS at ArtRichmond's 2013 new writing festival at the Orange Tree, Richmond. The judging panel, including Richard Bean, writer of One Man, Two Guv'nors, described the play as ‘terrific, very funny with lots of good gags. More than that, it made brilliant use of the gags to achieve and support the three act structure.'
An extract of the play was published in UEAs 2012 Scriptwriting Anthology.
The one-act version of Casual Encounters was premiered at Buxton Festival Fringe in July 2013 and went on to achieve a sell out run at Etcetera Theatre, Camden as part of Camden Fringe 2013. Updated for 2014 the play was performed at Henley Fringe and London Theatre Workshop in July, before a hugely successful run at theSpace at Surgeons Hall for Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2014, leading to the transfer of the play to The Courtyard Theatre where it was performed in September 2014.
