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PARROT PRODUCTIONS
from Perspectives
A NEW THRILLER FROM PARROT PRODUCTIONS
Although Cheltenham is not usually associated with the thriller genre, a new audio play by Parrot Productions found inspiration in the real-life story of the poet Cecil Day-Lewis, who, during the 1930s, while working as a master at Cheltenham College, was suspected of being an active member of the Communist Party.
The play, called The Man in the Grey Coat, is written and directed by David Elder. The three characters - Cecil, Mary (Cecil’s wife), and Charlie (a police-man assigned on the secret surveillance mission to monitor Cecil) – are played by Gloucestershirebased actors James Reynard, Claire Tucker and Edward Derbyshire respectively. Will this be the big career breakthrough Charlie’s been looking for? And will Cecil be tempted to start some sort of revolutionary activity in the town? The play was produced to coincide with this year’s Heritage Open Day events on 9-18 September. It can be freely accessed via Spotify and Apple podcast services and also via the following web sites: Cheltenham Civic Society (see https:// cheltcivicsoc.org/events/heritage-opendays/); and David Elder (see https:// davidelder.net/podcasts). Parrot Productions are grateful to the following: Cheltenham Arts Council for their generous financial support; Sarah Harvey of Art Works for designing the publicity poster; The Cotswold Listener for the use of their recording studio; and David Holland for the sound production.
