‘The Club’

The Nagoya Players Spring 2015 show was David Williamson’s The Club.

Tradition versus modernity; loyalty versus the almighty dollar; such are the competitive forces at play at The Club. The Nagoya Players return performance following their successful Spring 2014 production of Anger. In The Club they will be presenting a modern take on Australian playwright David Williamson’s iconic work on the changing face of sport as a commentary on the changing values of the greater community.

The action centers around a football club boardroom in the hours before a crucial meeting of the membership. There has been tension building within the halls of the club for years, and a severe slump on the field has brought all of the tensions to a head. Grudges both old and new abound between management, coaches and players, and the future of not only the club itself, but also everyone within it is on the line. There is a power struggle underlying all of this, and who will emerge with their place within the club, let alone their reputation intact, is far from certain.

The Club was performed at Himawari Hall in Marunouchi and ran:

• April 10th at 7pm
• April 11th at 1pm and 6:30pm
• April 12th at 1pm and 5pm

CAST

	The Club was directed by Ashley James in his directorial debut.
	Jessica Conklin as “Gerry Cooper,” a new breed of go-getting, ambitious female administrator with a deep desire to see her visions for success become a reality, regardless of the consequences.  This is Jessica’s theater debut! Break a leg!
	James Venema as “Ted Parker,” a deeply flawed local businessman and reformist Club President who lives vicariously through the success and failure of The Club, and is willing to do whatever it takes to win. James Venema as Ted Parker. James Venema last appeared in the Nagoya Players production of “Murder me Always” in 2011.
	David Alcock as “Laurie Holden,” former star player and pragmatic no nonsense head coach. An excellent leader and reader of people with no fear of conflict as a means to an end.  David Alcock last appeared in the Nameless Theater production of “Treasure Island” in 2013.
	Dan Pousson as “Danny Bower,” the fiercely loyal current Club Captain with his fair share of character flaws and an intense desire to succeed.  Dan was last seen in the Nagoya Players production of “Anger.” Dan Pousson last appeared in the Nagoya Players production of “ANGER” in 2014.
	Michael Kruse as “Jock Riley,” an aged former player and coach and current Club committee member. Jock is nosy, jealous, egotistical, and intensely protective of his achievements and place within the history of The Club. Michael Kruse was last seen playing Winston Churchill, in KPB Theaters production of “Churchill in Love.”
	Ritchie Croan as “Geoff Hayward,” a raw, young, highly talented recruit with a stratospheric ego matching the amount of money The Club paid to recruit him.   Ritchie Croan last appeared in the Nameless Theater production of “Treasure Island” in 2013.

The Club

Photography courtesy of Andy Boone.