Holly Smith
Just Between Ourselves
Devonshire Park Theatre | Eastbourne
London Classic Theatre this year celebrated it’s 25th anniversary with a nationwide UK tour of Alan Ayckbourn’s Just Between Ourselves. The play premiered nearly 50 years ago at at the Library Theatre, Scarborough and its current tour of 20 venues (including the Devonshire Park Theatre Theatre in Eastbourne) concludes in summer at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham .
Michael Cabot, the founder and Artistic Director of London Classic Theatre, directs Joseph Clowser (Neil), Helen Phillips (Pam), Tom Richardson (Dennis) and Holly Smith (Vera) and Connie Walker (Marjorie).
Five birthdays. Two unhappy marriages. One possessive mother.
It is 1976. Dennis tinkers in his garage, cheerfully indifferent to wife Vera’s impending breakdown. Marjorie hovers in the background, making tea and finding fault. Neil has planned a birthday surprise for his wife, but Pam doesn’t share his enthusiasm, preoccupied by frustrations of her own.
Holly Smith makes a welcome return to London Classic Theatre to play the role of Vera. We asked her a few questions about herself and the play.
Tell us about the London Classic Theatre Company and the sort of productions they produce, what are they like to work with?
London Classic Theatre are a touring theatre company who produce both classic and modern plays by some of the world’s greatest playwrights. They are a really wonderful supportive company to work for. I am loving every minute.
Alan Ayckbourn plays are extremely popular in Eastbourne and a firm favourite at the Devonshire Park Theatre. What should we expect from ‘Just between Ourselves’?
Just Between Ourselves is a tragic comedy at times as funny as it is moving. Audiences can expect a brilliant night at the theatre with one of Alan Ayckbourn’s greatest masterpieces.
You play Mrs Prentice, tell us about her role in ‘Just between Ourselves’. What sort of character is she like to play? Does she present any challenges?
Vera is a traditional woman of the past. A sensitive genuine person who is suffering with her mental health. She is a gift of a part to play and is really stretching my emotional range as an actress.
You have a lot of previous theatre and TV credits to your name. What sort of role do you prefer and why?
I really love playing a role that stretches me in my acting. I love comedy and the challenge of making an audience laugh. Best feeling in the world.
Why do you think Ayckbourn is so popular even with today’s audiences?
I think Alan Ayckbourn is so popular because he writes plays about real people in real pain. He writes emotionally charged plays that will really make you laugh and connect with the characters.
Is there any particular character (Ayckbourn or otherwise) that you would like to play and why?
I would really love to play Hester in the Deep Blue Sea by Terrence Rattigan and Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie. Both brilliantly crafted roles that would really challenge me as an actress.
Do you have any connection with Eastbourne at all? What are you looking forward to doing while you are here?
I have toured many times to Eastbourne with various theatre companies. I am very much looking forward to fish and chips and a walk on the beach with my little dog Buster.
Questions asked by Sammi O’Neill
Holly will be performing as Vera in Just Between Ourselves at the Devonshire Park Theatre Eastbourne Tue 11 Mar 2025 – Sat 15 Mar 2025