Directors programme notes from Phil.

Welcome to Mortimer Dramatic Society, and our production of “The Riddle of Bletchley Park”. This is, to my knowledge, the first time the society has tried something like what you’re about to experience – a mix of escape-room style puzzles and live theatre.

My love for theatre interjects nicely with my love for puzzles, games and escape rooms; themselves a fairly new idea in which a group of friends work together in a themed room, to solve challenging puzzles where the goal is often to simply escape from the room (by solving the puzzles – bulldozers not allowed).

This is also my first play as a writer and it has been a fantastic experience to see the characters on the stage. I am so grateful to the amazing cast who have worked so hard to bring the story to life, and for the belief the committee has shown in this new type of production. The team around me have been of immense support and I thank them for all their hard work in helping stage this production.

Special thanks to my wife, Amy Kimber, who has been above-and-beyond supportive and has played a huge role in helping design and develop the puzzles put before you, and also to Paula Stenson who has been a big help in finding my feet as a playwright and to continue to learn as a director. Her guidance throughout this process has been invaluable.