The cast of Penrith Players’ stage adaptation of Montmorency were thrilled to meet the author of the book on which the play was based last night.
Eleanor Updale, accompanied by her husband James Naughtie – the well-known BBC radio and news presenter – caught up with the cast and crew after the performance and said how much they had enjoyed the show set in Victorian London.
Eleanor, who had created the character of Montmorency, who has an alter ego, Scarper, as a bedroom story for her children, who, she said, were obsessed with sewers.
The play follows the adventures of gentleman-about-town Montmorency – whose lavish lifestyle is funded by the murky dealings of Scarper – who uses the newly installed London sewerage system to steal jewellery from unsuspecting passers-by and then disappears without trace.
Andy Keogh, who plays Montmorency and Scarper, presented Eleanor with a commemorative script of the play written by Tash Binder, who has also directed the play.
The play is running at Penrith Playhouse, behind Morrisons supermarket, until tomorrow, Saturday. Tickets can be bought at Penrith TIC, on the door, and from the Penrith Players’ website.
