Bouncers muscle their way into heat (From Stroud News and Journal)

Bouncers muscle their way into heat

DEAD Ernest Theatre Company were, to their considerable delight and surprise, triumphant at the All England Theatre Festival Gloucestershire heat at Cheltenham's Playhouse last week.

The company took their production of Bouncers, shaved to one act to meet the conditions of the Festival, to compete and came runners up on the night, a respectable result worthy of celebrating wholeheartedly in the bar afterwards.

"The director, Gavin Hurley, also won Best Director," said company member Rob Thom, "And Chris Stimson had been nominated for Best Actor, but we thought that was it so we were celebrating with a few drinks when someone came in and said 'There's been a development!'."

As it turned out, the Oldlands Players, who won on the night, had already entered the competition in the Avon area, where they had come runners up.

As a consequence, competition newcomers Dead Ernest will be representing Gloucestershire in the next stage, which takes place in Ilminster on April 23.

"Unfortunately for them, they'd nominated themselves for the other competition and they didn't win it," said Cotswold Playhouse representative Ann Wessen.

It has taken some time to sink in, but Dead Ernest are delighted with the result. "It all turned out very nice in the end," said company member Gary Gallagher. "The new boys didn't upset the apple cart, but they got through anyway!"

Dead Ernest will be representing Gloucestershire against Avon, Bristol, Somerset and Wiltshire in Ilminster and are quietly hopeful for their chances.

"If we click the way we know we can," said Gary, "then we won't embarass ourselves!" If anyone wants to support Dead Ernest in Ilminster on April 23, there are tickets available from The Queen Victoria, Gloucester Street, Stroud.

The full show of Bouncers will be going on tour this spring and summer, culminating in one final show in Stroud this August. Date and venue are yet to be confirmed.