MKTOC More Ripping Yarns

26th to 28th August 2021 at the Arches, Clifton Reynes, Milton Keynes.

Back in 2009 MKTOC brought you an exclusive stage production of a number of tales from Ripping Yarns – the Boy’s Own adventure parodies by Michael Palin and Terry Jones  (Originally BBC TV 1977). You can read more about the Ripping Yarns series here on Wikipedia.

In Summer 2021 (Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th August), we staged 3 more of these daft stories in the atmospheric open air setting of the Arches theatre.

‘Tomkinson’s Schooldays’: New boy Tomkinson struggles to adjust to the horrors of boarding school and dreams of escape back to his family…

‘Golden Gordon’: Barnstoneworth United Football Club’s greatest fan, Gordon Ottershaw comes to the rescue of the failing club in a crucial match against Denley Moor FC…

‘Escape from Stalag Luft 112B’: Major Phipps, celebrated WWI escaper, attempts to break out of the infamous German POW camp…

This production, by kind permission of Michael Palin and the late Terry Jones’ wife, Alison, donated all profits to the National Brain Appeal – a dementia charity and we were delighted that through the generosity of our audiences and many of our team (who donated their services for free or waived costs), we raised a total of £5,070 for this worthy cause which was then matched by an anonymous donor for the charity raising this to £10,000!

You can view the online show programme here!

MKTOC - National Brain Appeal donation

David Pibworth (right) presents a cheque for £10,000 to the National Brain Appeal in the presence of Alison Jones (centre) and Michael Palin.

Show Dates, Times and Ticket Prices

Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th August at the Arches, Clifton Reynes, near Olney,  Milton Keynes MK46 5DT
Thursday 26th August 2021 at 7.30pm.
Friday 27th August 2021 at 7.30pm.
Saturday 28th August 2021 at 2.00pm.
Saturday 28th August 2021 at 6.00pm.

Cast

We brought together members of our previous Ripping Yarns cast, other MKTOC regulars and new talent for the best possible show!

Tomkinson’s Schooldays:

Narrator – Richard Duncombe
Tomkinson –
Stephen Johnson
The Headmaster –
Gary Martindale
Grayson – the school bully –
Keith Lennox
Mr Ellis –
Roger Mann
Mr Roach –
Andy Oxford
Mr Lendon –
Linda Davy
Tomkinson’s Mother –
Sue Walmsley

Golden Gordon:

Gordon Ottershaw – Jon Davis
Eileen Ottershaw –
Jodie Commercial
Barstoneworth –
Benjamin Hall
Cyril the barman –
Keith Lennox
Mrs Rockworth – Emma Dell
The Team Manager – Dave Pibworth
The Chairman – Andy Oxford
Mr Foggen –
David Lovesy
Davitt the butcher –
Carl Defriend

Escape from Stalag Luft 112B:

Major Phipps – Jon Davis
Narrator – Richard Duncombe
Col. Badger-Owen – Gary Martindale
Vogel – David Lovesy

In all three episodes:

Ensemble of masters, nurses, maids, school boys, ‘hoppers’, grizzly bears, football fans and players, Yorkshire folk, German Guards and British POWS – Howard Potten, Robert Lindsay, Roger Widdecombe, Phil Tipper, Steve Clark, Matthew Clark, Linda Davy, Jon West, Natalie Stevenson and those listed above!

Production Team

Directors – Dave Pibworth (Golden Gordon), Keith Lennox (Escape from Stalag Luft 112B) and Steve Clark (Tomkinson’s Schooldays)
Production manager – Steve Clark
Marketing & Publicity David Lovesy
Sound & Lighting – Peter Lawson and Mark Luckin
Stage Management – Dave Greenaway, David Howard, Jade Johnson & Mac
Props – Pam Buckle
Make up and hair – Emma Dell (One Salon)
Costumes – MKTOC, Admiral Costumes
Wardrobe Mistress  Emily Thomas
Front of House manager – Phil Tipper