The latest offering by the Yateley-based drama group Theatre 64 is 'The Day They Kidnapped the Pope' by Joćo Bethencourt, a comedy set in Brooklyn, New York. Pope Albert decides that he has had enough of his heavy schedule, and one afternoon gets into the back of an ordinary New York taxicab. Unfortunately for the Pope, the driver of the cab, Sam Leibowitz is no ordinary cab driver and, seizing the opportunity, decides on kidnapping the Pope. Sam's aim is to ransom the Pope but not for money; he has a very much more altruistic demand. The result is not only hilariously comical but also gives a wonderful insight into human nature, and how one event can change the world.
The play has been extraordinarily successful in Europe and South America. The Vatican newspaper, Osservatore Romano, devoted a full page to the play, giving the production at the Teator San Bailia in Milan, a rave review. However, the play has been translated into English and released for performance in the United Kingdom only recently."We have a wonderful cast for this production", says Helen Nicholls, the director. "Sam, the taxi driver, is played by a real, live taxi driver (John Eustace); the Cardinal is played by the President of our group (Brian Lillington) who is the Parish Priest of Eversley, and the Rabbi is played by a ex-Chairman of the group (Nick Felgate), who is a committed atheist".
The performances of the play are Wednesday 25th until Saturday 28th October in the Main Hall at the Yateley Centre, Yateley. Cost is £5 for adults, £3.50 for concessions, with a discount of 10% for advanced booking. A further 10% discount is available for parties of 10 or more. Tickets are available on (01344) 774266 or in person from Travallen Travel, Yateley. For further details access the website www.theatre64.org.uk.
