Held in the charming timber hall that is the pride of tiny Upper Lansdowne village, this show is a return to the Players’ comedic tradition of British farces.

The very title, 'When Did You Last See Your Trousers?’, says it all!

It is directed by actress and producer Jodie Lee, who has returned to her home town of Taree after working in film in Queensland, and recently in Hollywood.

She is loving her first time as director. Having acted with the Upper Lansdowne Players herself from when she was 15, Jodie chose this madcap play because it reminded her of the sort the Players did then. 

For the varied cast of 10, Jodie has gathered together a great troupe of actors, bringing fresh attitudes and energy to work alongside familiar Players. They come from all over the Manning, as do the audiences!

Wes Richardson is returning to the Players, after a nine year absence, to play the philandering Howard – who gets caught with his pants down, so to speak. While he’s asleep in his lover Penny’s flat, a burglar steals his suit, so how to get home to his wife? 

Mayhem results, with a cavalcade of wacky characters appearing and disappearing in and out of windows and doors, often in Keystone Cops’ style and pace. There’s also a lot of dressing, undressing and cross-dressing. 

The sensible and long suffering Penny is played by Old Bar resident, drama teacher Melissa Cotton, whose highly expressive face gives the audience an ongoing opinion of the craziness around her. In the role of Howard's fun-loving and amorous Danish au-pair, Tové, is lively and appropriately curvaceous Lauren Holdsworth, dancer and singer, new to the Players.

In his first stage role, keen short film maker Mitchell Knapp plays it cool as the punk party-going Jimmy, as well as a suit-stealing burglar and singing telegram gorilla.

Regular showgoers will recognise Vivienne Scott, a frequent director of the plays as well as a founding member, acting with them since 1983. Vivienne plays next door neighbour Deirdre, while as her lover Roland is the equally familiar Richard Coleman, whose suit also gets stolen, so gets to spend much of the time in his underpants. 

Richard always does a lot of the technical work for these shows –set, lights, sound, etc. He is very grateful that Ian Lythgoe, who has acted in several past productions, has taken on the responsibility for managing the lights and sound in this one, as he did in the May production.

The role of eccentric Captain Webber is Tony Shurety's, who’s acted and sung in many productions, for the Players, Taree Arts Council and others. Also familiar will be chef, teacher, and actor, Laurent Gonfond, as the persistently randy Constable. 

His Inspector is played by Chris Alcock, a newcomer to the Players, but highly trained and experienced in theatre in his native UK and now here, having worked on several Taree Arts Council shows.

The twists and turns of the plot ensure orchestrated chaos and frustration for the characters…and a night of outrageous fun and laughter for the audience. As always, the food will be excellent and plentiful, proudly created in the Hall’s new commercial kitchen – paid for by events like this. 

The show will run for three weekends of Saturday night dinner shows (October 7, 14 and 21) and Sunday matinées (October 8, 15 and 22).  

Dinner shows (7pm, three courses, BYO, $37.50) on October 14 and 21 are already booked out, but opening night still has seats, as do the matinées (2.30pm, two courses, $25).  

If demand is high, an extra show may be possible. Book tables of eight or individuals at www.upperlansdownehall.org.au/events/plays, or call Sue on 0405 449 060 or 6556 9290.

'When Did You Last See Your Trousers?’ is written by Ray Galton and John Antrobus and performed by arrangement with Origin Theatrical.