Not A Game For Girls

It's girl power in this enthralling play

Debbie Hall - Olney Phonebox Magazine

Not A Game For Girls at Stantonbury Theatre: a review

Cara Lee - Cara in the Light

I’m very grateful that you chose to produce my play and was thrilled by the result. More importantly though it has helped keep the story of accomplishments against the odds alive and given young students in Milton Keynes a wonderful opportunity to experience being part of a theatrical production.

Benjamin Peel

Not A Game For Girls - Pepper's Ghost Theatre Company, Stantonbury Theatre until Sunday 19th May. (£15/£12). 

Very appropriate material for Milton Keynes - home to Gill Sayell of the 1971 England's Women's Team (the Lost Lionesses) and Leah Williamson who won the MK Community Foundation Sports Bursary and went on to captain the national side. This interesting play explores women's football in northern England during the first world war, the rise to prominence of the Dick, Kerr's Ladies and the decision by the FA to ban women's football from their grounds in 1921. 

The major strength here is the ability of director Rosemary Hill to bring a game for 22 players to the stage and make matches believable with barely half a squad. The trick is assembling a very strong production team. The first thing that strikes is the wonderful set complete with smoke eminating from a chimney, a goal shaped central entrance and simple pitch markings. James Smith has delivered just what is needed and the lights (James Tearle) set this off very subtly. 

The games and the crowd responses are choreographed by Carly Halse and I was not alone in my appreciation of a wonderful trio of Michael Hansell, Alexander J C Forni and Nathan Chinery strutting their stuff with a nod to Fred Astaire and the Keystone Cops!

There is many a quick change with four or five people playing more than one role and the hair team does particularly well adjusting styles.

Shahnaz Hussain delivered two self-penned songs, a joy to listen to,  but not everyone was as clear with their diction and some aspects of story were lost as a couple of younger cast members were challenged with the northern accents. 

Brava to Jasmine Bromme and Vie Graham (well togged out by costumes from Susan Lee Burton) as players from St Helens brought in to strengthen the squad. 

Quite how people have had the brass-neck to treat women so badly, stifling their enthusiasm and abilities over the centuries really beggars belief and yet this play reminds us that in 2024 misogyny is still with us. Well done to the pioneers and their male allies whether in sport or other fields. 

A clever production, good value and four stars from me.

Shirley Jones

Congratulations to all involved. Loved the show. Enjoyed being transported back in time through the writing, the setting and some wonderful performances. Loved the song 'On a cold December morning' which I assumed was a beautiful folk song of it's time so surprised it was recently written for the show.

Frank Scarito

Came on Sunday. Really enjoyed it!

Laura Keen

Great show!! really enjoyed it. Well done everyone

Cecile Whidborne

Congrats to everyone involved for crafting such a terrific production. You should be very proud! ❤️

Bart Gamber

Have I said how much I have loved working on this show? Rosemary is a truly great director and I love working with her. What a wonderful creative team she has put together and the cast have been wonderful too. I love working with young people so much, helping them to move out of their comfort zones and give them an experience beyond anything they could imagine. It is so rewarding.

Shahnaz Hussain

I needed to take a day to rest and reflect on "Not A Game For Girls" by Benjamin Peel. Thank you to everyone who came to see it. Thank you also for your comments. I am never afraid of constructive criticism as I see it as a gift for learning. For me this show was about telling an important story that had been erased from history. It was about people pursuing their passion and living their lives as their true selves.  Our production was also about giving young people an opportunity to work in the arts alongside a professional team and more experienced actors.  The MK College students started on a demanding journey and stuck with it. They have told us they learned a great deal and they enjoyed the learning process.  Many of them have also said it helped boost their confidence. It also helped their mental health. They enjoyed working with the other actors and the creative team. To me it is vital everyone has access to the arts. There are many theatre companies in MK who are all offering wonderful experiences and it is vital that they continue and that we all support one another in our endeavours. That is the most important thing. It is vital that the arts and theatre are accessible to all. We have seen numerous cuts in the school curriculum to the arts and in funding yet these subjects are so important. They are not an "add on".  They are essential to our well being as individuals and as a society.  So I thank everyone - Ben the playwright, the actors, the production and creative team and the last vital ingredient the audience. You the audience are keeping theatre alive. Let's all continue to support one another. Let's keep supporting local (and national) theatre and beat the tide at the moment which seems to be moving towards making the arts only for the rich and elite. We can make a difference by working together.

Rosemary Hill

The Arts, theatre, music and dance are by far the greatest antidote to those who suffer from mental health issues, low self esteem, asthma, etc etc (I could go on), than drugs.

Shahnaz Hussain

Congratulations Rosemary, I’m glad it was a success and a big yes to all the benefits of theatre and the arts in general you describe 👍

Guy Jones

I could talk for hours about the benefits of music, drama, storytelling and collaboration. I know the impact it's had on my life and one of the greatest joys is seeing the impact it has on others lives.

"Not A Game For Girls" was another wonderful example of this. Experienced working with those just starting out. All different ages working together to create something beautiful as a collaborative achievement. Wonderful memories created together that will last a lifetime.

I enjoyed it as an audience member and found myself wishing I'd been part of it.

You should be rightfully proud 💪🏻

Frank Scarito

Beautifully articulated, and learning curve for The Arts and Artists

Cora Anne Williams

Absolutely Rosemary Hill- keep doing what you are doing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Shelagh Scarborough

It most certainly was a collaborative piece; from an audience point of view it seemed that everyone worked together well and pulled it together as a whole.

Beverley Webster

Well done Rosemary, you and your team told that story well. MK College did so well. I wish the best on their own theatrical journeys.

Andrew Powell

Couldn’t have put it better myself. Love seeing the confidence boost our shows are giving to people in Liverpool. And yet funding is getting harder to come by. We are creatives and the business side is hard for us, especially the demanding bids you now have to write whilst you are running on fresh air and three people working for nothing.

Sharon Colpman

Beautifully expressed 💜 MK is blooming lucky to have you! X

Lisa Stenhouse

This reminds me of my experience working on ‘Our Town’ with you Rosemary. A truly fulfilling and imperative experience that I see as vital to my early training. So glad to see you continue your relationship with MK college! Wish I could have seen the show, it looked fantastic. Long may this important and vital work continue ❤️

Rosemary Wilkinson

Rosemary Wilkinson absolutely second this comment. I always look back to 'Our Town' and 'Austerity' and think back to how much I learned under your guidance. Both were incredible opportunities which I thoroughly enjoyed, and despite not being able to do performing arts anymore (never say never though!), I look back with very fond memories 🥰

Holly Cameron-Clarke

So true Rosemary Hill . Those young cast members will carry those memories forever.

Genki Jen Kenny

Excellent play. The renditions of Abide With Me were particularly moving.

John Pinkerton

Boom ! Mic Drop......brilliant words. Congratulations on what I'm sure was a marvellous show. Keep fighting the good fight 💪 Rosemary Hill !!!

Richard Galloway

Congratulations, Rosemary. What a rallying cry.  X

Carole Woddis

I headed off to Stantonbury Theatre for Pepper’s Ghost Theatre Company production of Not a Game for Girls. I really enjoyed the evening it was a fantastic play about Dick Ker’s Ladies – one of the most famous women’s football team during the First World War. It was great to meet playwright Benjamin Peel and producer and director Rosemary Hill. To find out more visit Not A Game For Girls (stantonburytheatre.co.uk)

Mayor of MK

👏👏👏👏👏

suzettecoon100

I enjoyed watching this play yesterday. Thank you for the invitation. Well done to all involved. 

nanaoforiattaoguntola

I’m very grateful that you chose to produce my play and was thrilled by the result. More importantly though it has helped keep the story of accomplishments against the odds alive and given young students in Milton Keynes a wonderful opportunity to experience being part of a theatrical production.

venyhamin71 (Benjamin Peel)

Had a brilliant time working on this theatre production with @hollys.palette. Being the hair designer for a WW1 successful women’s team the Dick, Kerr Ladies. It’s an incredible tale of pioneering women. Also helping with running backstage and the many quick changes behind the scenes!

A big thankyou to Rosemary for giving me and Holly this opportunity to lead the department and to be apart of this story. Everyone was so fun and lovely. Going to miss all the cast very much. Definitely something I won’t ever forget.

Sophiecaulder.hmua

It’s the final show this afternoon and once again I’ve been thrilled at how this play can be interpreted so differently. Thanks to everyone involved as they’ve put in a tremendous amount of work and that commitment and passion shines through in every way. 

venyhamin71 (Benjamin Peel)

A massive well done to our amazing Performing Art Students on a fantastic opening performance of “Not A Game For Girls”. You all showcased excellent commitment, dedication and performance skills.. Alongside this and GCSEs and final Major Project. Well done for showcasing an incredible work ethic. Congratulations to @playsthething and the amazing team behind the production and thank you for offering work experience for our learners. Excellent. A wonderful performance. 

MKcollegeperformingarts

The cast did brilliantly!

Debbie Hall – Olney Phonebox

I had a great time, thank you so much for inviting me!

Cara Lee – Cara in the Lights

Not A Game For Girls