Touring theatre company still 'keen as mustard' after 18 years of drama

Since 2004 a small group of performers at Mustard Theatre Company have tried to dispense with amateur acting group norms and give themselves a bit of a challenge.

Rob Blackhouse, a founding member, said: "We're always looking for new venues and bigger audiences, but not always with mainstream shows.

"We've been successful, won some awards and have been nominated again for Best Play During Lockdown with the Killing of Sister George.

"In the past 10 years, we've tried to perform things that are slightly more challenging for us and the audience, interspersed with things that will bring people in.

"We don't have a large membership but we have a hardcore of people that do things."

For example, Steven Phipps is the director and also gets involved in casting, building sets, technical decisions and even driving the van to shows.

This hands-on attitude is one of the reasons the company has continued for 18 years.

Mustard's 29th show in that time will be a run of performances of The Girl on the Train, based on the best-selling Paula Hawkins book.

Mr Blackhouse said: "It's relatively early for ticket sales but there's been quite a bit of interest.

"We've partnered with Lighthouse Women's Aid. We try to find a charity with some kind of connection to the play we're putting on.

"We offered the chance and they jumped at it, so we'll have leaflets, bucket collections and hopefully a visit or two to the show from leaders at the charity.

"The drama addresses issues of domestic abuse, particularly emotional, so we thought we'd raise awareness, really, and it's an opportunity to be able to support and highlight that particular charity and the work that they do."

The production is premiering at Beccles Public Hall on May 4 and then showing at six more theatres across the region, including Kesgrave Community Centre on May 7 and Seckford Theatre in Woodbridge on May 15.

To book tickets, visit mustardtheatrecompany.org.uk/.