York Settlement Community Players cast members Heather Patterson, Adam Marsdin and Helen Wilson in rehearsal for Richard Harris’s Party Piece
AMERICAN stuntman, director, writer and producer Martin T Brooks is directing York Settlement Community Players for the first time in Richard Harris’s calamitous comedy Party Piece at Theatre@41, Monkgate, York, from October 28 to November 1.
“Last November, a friend of mine suggested I apply to direct a show for the York Settlement Community Players, but not having much notable experience directing theatre, I didn’t think I had much of a chance,” he says.
“Luckily for me, and many others, YSCP’s mission is to give aspiring directors the chance to direct. So, I did my research, got my ducks all in a row and made my pitch to the committee. Must have done something right because here I am. Directing Party Piece.”
Here Martin discusses his YSCP debut with CharlesHutchPress.
What happens in Party Piece?
“Michael and Roma are meticulously preparing for their fancy-dress housewarming party. Roma is treating the event like the coronation of the newest monarch, with Michael thinking he is planning the Normandy landing, as well as manning the barbeque with five-star determination and the personality of Gordon Ramsay.
“Mrs Hinson – who is not the biggest fan of her upper-class new neighbours – keeps a watchful and criticising eye on the attendees with the evening looking to be the social event of the neighbourhood.
“That is until a series of disasters strike, including an embarrassing lack of guests, a burning barbeque, a marauding Zimmer frame and a corpse showing up at the front door, turning the party into a hilarious misadventure.”
What attracted you to directing Party Piece? What are the play’s strengths, and why put it on in 2025?
“I selected Party Piece for several reasons. One being that with everything going on these days, I think we could all use a good laugh – and this show as them in abundance. I can remember, back in the day, my dad was playing a recording of an old radio broadcast of Steptoe And Son.
James Wood’s Michael Smethurst, left, Darron Barrott’s Toby Hancock and Catherine Edge’s Roma Smethurst rehearsing a scene from Party Piece
“Being only six or so, I didn’t really understand the jokes, but my dad sure thought they were funny. And dad didn’t laugh much. I guess this is when I first realised there was something special about old-time British comedies.
“Party Piece reminded me a lot of the classic British sitcoms I used to watch when I lived in the States, such as Fawlty Towers, Are You Being Served, Chief (remember that one?) and my favourite, The Good Life – which Party Piece has a lot in common with.
“The show also includes special effects, such as a smoking barbecue and wig, exploding fairy lights and a collapsing chair. As a former professional stuntman, I always like to create such effects, especially for the theatre.”
What is the history of Party Piece? When and where was it first performed?
“According to Theatricalia.com, the play, written by award-winning British playwright Richard Harris, was first performed at the Thorndike Theatre on September 15 1987. Although its official publication date is 1992.”
Have you seen a previous production of Party Piece?
“I have not seen the production live and could only find a few photos of previous production by Am Dram groups.”
Have you brought new faces to the Settlement ranks or gone with settled Settlement faces?
“The auditions were open to anyone and brought in the usual suspects of veteran actors from the North Yorkshire area. We do have one newcomer in Heather Patterson, who will be making her stage debut with YSCP. I consider myself very lucky that I was able to find experienced actors who fit the characters they are portraying so perfectly.”
Darren Barrott, left, Catherine Edge and Adam Marsdin in rehearsal for Martin T Brooks’s production
What will be the set design for the show?
“I created the overall design and based it on the description in the script and what a typical English back garden would look like in the early 2000s. The set is being constructed by Richard Hampton.”
Will there be music for the party?
“One of the funniest running gags in the play is Michael’s many failed attempts to get the music planned for the party to play properly. I’ve selected a few appropriate party pieces of music like Whitney Huston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody and Wham’s Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, which play well alongside the comic action taking place on stage.”
What makes a good party?
“The people, the food and the music.”
What makes a bad party?
“Music that is way too loud.”
Do you have your own party piece that you can reel out at a gathering?
“Like most blokes, after a few pints, I think I’m a pretty good stand-up comedian and can tell a few good ex-wife jokes and what it’s like being an American living in the UK.”
York Settlement Community Players in Party Piece, Theatre@41, Monkgate, York, October 28 to November 1, 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee. Box office: tickets.41monkgate.co.uk
Martin T Brooks: back story
American director, writer, producer, historian and author Martin T Brooks
1974: Auditioned for his first community theatre production, Oliver!. “I was severely bitten by the theatre bug,” says Martin. “I’ve been involved in the theatre, TV and film industries since that time, and I can’t imagine a world without myself being involved in these creative art forms.”
1985 to 1987: Writer/producer/director for local TV station (KABL-52 in Minnesota, USA), responsible for directing and broadcasting a variety of live and in studio productions. “During this time, I was recognised for my contributions to the local community and was awarded the Community Access Merit award,” says Martin.
1985 to 1995: In his ten years as a stuntman, Martin appeared (uncredited) in the film Drop Dead Fred, as well as a few pilot TV shows filmed in Phoenix, Arizona. “Most of my work was on live stunt shows like Thrill Show 2000, which you can find on my YouTube channel,” he says.
2007 to 2011: Deputy Manager and lighting technician for Watersmeet Theatre in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. “This provided me with many opportunities to be part of the technical/production staff, as well as stage manage numerous professional and amateur productions,” says Martin.
2011: “While working for St Michael’s Catholic High School in Garston, Hertfordshire, I was asked to direct the Year 9 & 10 production of Romeo And Juliet, as well as other shows put on by the senior performing arts students.
2017: Wrote and directed a series of “living history” plays based on real-life characters researched by Martin while writing the book Acts Of Caring And Other Heroics, Stories from the Leavesden Asylum/Hospital (1870 to1995).
“These plays were performed on an open-air stage during various history/Heritage Day events sponsored by the local district council, or in many primary schools as part of their local history/heritage studies,” he says.
2022 to 2024: Appeared in leading roles in 11 student/independent films and received Best Actor award from 2023 Alternative Film Festival, Toronto, Canada for portrayal of Charles in the short film The Beggers Story, produced by students at University of York’s TV/film programme.
2024: Wrote, produced and directed a short film, again based on real-life characters researched while writing Acts Of Caring And Other Stories. His film Going Home can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/986560818.
2025: Directing York Settlement Community Players for the first time in Richard Harris’s Party Piece.
Who’s in the Settlement Players’ cast for Party Piece?
JAMES Wood as Michael Smethurst; Catherine Edge as Roma Smethurst; Helen Wilson as Mrs Hinson; Adam Marsdin as David Hinson; Heather Patterson as Jennifer Hinson; Xandra Logan as Sandy Lloyd-Meredeth, and Darren Barrott as Toby Hancock.