Wycliffe Drama Group

Wycliffe Drama Group's upcoming production 

 Directed by: Julian Mitchell

A Bunch of Amateurs 

Written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman

Date:14-16th May 2026

Venue: Lutterworth College

Synopsis:

Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford – only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard, but a sleepy Suffolk village. 

And instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench, the cast are a bunch of amateurs trying to save their theatre from developers. Jefferson’s monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic am-dram thespians. 

As acting worlds collide and Jefferson’s career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself – along with his inner Lear!

The play tracks the rehearsal process of the Stratford Players production of King Lear with a very reluctant Hollywood star, culminating in the opening night. Of course nothing goes to plan but the journey is good fun.