​What a run! Q2 Players’ production of ‘Comic Potential’ wowed audiences across 6th, 7th, and 8th November with laughs, charm, and a touch of futuristic fun. 
​A sold out audience on the Friday, a visit from the Deputy Mayor and an audience singing nothing but praises for our large cast.
Here are a few highlights from the three amazing days — a huge thank you to everyone who came and supported us!
Click below for the full gallery:
Past Productions - Q2 Players

Tickets are now on sale for our Autumn production of Alan Ayckbourn's futuristic fantasy, and we are we couldn't be more excited.

'Q2 Players are journeying into the not-so-distant future with Alan Ayckbourn's highly praised Comic Potential. The story involves a young writer with wild ideas about reviving traditional comedy, who finds himself drawn to a synthetic actress, or 'actoid', because she's inexplicably able to laugh. The play features comedy and romance, all set within a retro-future aesthetic, and questions whether a machine can ever truly understand love and laughter.'

Show times are below, book early to avoid disappointment.
​
Thursday 6th November 7:45PM
Friday 7th November 7:45PM
Saturday 8th November 2:30PM and 7:45PM
The National Archives, Kew, Richmond TW9 4DU
Tickets: £14 (£12 concessions)
https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/91330

​Q2's November production of Comic Potential has been cast!

Following a few setbacks earlier in the year, we are delighted to be running with a full cast for Alan Ayckbourn's retro-futuristic comedic take on Artificial Intelligence, showing on the 6th, 7th and 8th of November at The National Archives in Kew!

Jacie - Anna Piggott
Adam - Paul Huggins
Chandler - Tony Cotterill
Carla - Karen Heyworth
Prim - Susan Gerlach
Trudi - Andrea Wilkins
Lester - Stephen Tester
Mother/Wife - Harriet Muir
Marmion/Son/Technician - Harry Doyle
Doctor/Farmer/Man in Dress Shop/Turkey - Colin Rogal
Shop Assistant/Prostitute - Enid Gayle
Woman in Dress shop/Restaurant - Antonella Harrison
Hotel Receptionist/Waiter - Christopher Hodges

Tickets will be available nearer the time. Until then, keep your eyes peeled for trailers and updates via social media and through the Q2 email list.

Comic Potential is a romantic science fiction comedy set in a near-future world where television shows are acted out by androids called "actoids." The story follows Adam Trainsmith, a young, idealistic writer, who discovers that one of the actoids, JC-F31-333 (nicknamed "Jacie"), has developed an unusual sense of humor—a trait considered a malfunction in androids.

As Adam tries to nurture Jacie’s comic abilities, he clashes with the cynical producers and executives who see her only as faulty equipment. Their growing relationship raises deeper questions about creativity, individuality, love, and what it means to be human.

Ayckbourn’s play is both a sharp satire of the entertainment industry and a touching exploration of artificial intelligence and emotion, blending comedy, romance, and futuristic speculation.

Attached are the audition pieces, an audition slip and below is some information about the characters.

Auditions are being held at the Kew Scout hut, Station Avenue, Richmond TW9 3QA next Wednesday the 20th of August at 8PM. If you are unable to make this date, you can contact us to make other arrangements.
The show will be performed at The National Archives, Richmond from the 6th to the 8th of November 2025.
If you would like an audition pack, or have any questions, please contact us.
Contact - Q2 Players

Lead Characters:
JCF 31333 - Jacie Triplethree
(20's - 30's) Jacie is an android (actoid) who laughs at one of the errors another actoid makes; she is not meant to be able to do that, which sets her apart from other actoids. Jacie is witty, clever and physically strong. She has a unique charm that sets her apart, and sometimes above, the other human characters.
Adam Trainsmith
(20's - 30's) Adam is a naive yet aspiring writer who becomes attracted to Jacie and begins creating a story that is based around her for a new tv soap opera; he is desperate to prove himself  to those around him. When Jacie is in danger, he takes her away and hides with her in various hotels in the city.
Chandler 'Chance' Tate
(Late 50's) Chandler was a film director with a good reputation, but now has ended up working with community television and a cast of "actoids" (non human actors), churning out TV Soap Operas. He gradually realises Jacie's potential.
Lester Trainsmith
In his 80's, who doesn't speak (until later scenes). He is in a wheelchair. He is the wealthy owner of the television station.
Marmion
(30's) Marmion is the speaker for Lester Trainsmith and voices Lester's thoughts and opinions.
Prim Spring, programmer.
(30's) Prim is responsible for the actions of the actoids and if there is an issue or problem, she needs to rectify it. Prim can alter the emotional responses of the actoids.
Trudi Floote, technician.
(30's) Trudi is like a floor manager and oversees technical aspects of the filming.
Carla Pepperbloom
(40's - 50's) Carla is flamboyant, demonstrative, quite theatrical, histrionic and overbearing. She is ambitious and sees herself as the next director of Lester's company. She would be an awful employer.
 
ENSEMBLE:
Doctor Actoid
Gives the young man in the hospital bed the bad news about his operation. The doctor is the actor who mucks up his lines which sets Jacie off.
Son Actoid
Young man, a patient in the hospital bed.
Mother Actoid
(40's - 50's). Tearful and emotional, she is sad about her son's condition. She is able to be much more emotional when she is programmed to cry and be much sadder about her son.
Hotel Desk Clerk
Registers Jacie and Adam in the hotel.
Waiter 1
Serves Jacie and Adam in the hotel restaurant. He whispers to Jacie that he is aware she is an actoid and she needs to leave immediately or will blow her cover.
Waiter 2
Serving other customers.
Man in Dress Shop
Rich, older man who is impatient about having to wait while his young partner tries on outfits.
Girl in Dress Shop
Rich man's young, slender girlfriend dressed in a skimpy outfit.
Dress Shop Assistant
She happily assists Jacie who enthusiastically chooses outfits.
Prostitute
Mature woman. A rough diamond. She jumps to conclusions about why Jacie and Adam are in the hotel room.
Turkey
A pimp. He also jumps to the conclusions about why Jacie and Adam are in the hotel room and approaches them aggressively
Farmer - Adam's TV Plot
An older man with kindly intentions.
Farmer's wife - Adam's TV Plot
A mature woman who helps Jacie in need​

Tickets for the next Q2 Players production, Laburnum Grove by JB Priestley, are on sale now!

This show, at The National Archives in Kew, will run from 15th to 17th May 2025 at 7.45 pm, with a matinee at 2.30 pm on Saturday 17th.

Tickets from: 


https://www.trybooking.com/uk/80709

or on the door.

(poster with details and QR code attached)

Set in the 1930’s in the North London suburb of Shooters Green, it’s the story of George Radfern who is a decent, respectable householder. He likes to spend his Sunday evenings in his greenhouse listening to the wireless. When his money-grasping relatives try to coax money from him, the façade of middle-class respectability falls away, as George reveals he has a completely different side to his character. Is this a ploy to scare off the spongers or is there more to it? The play observes the changes in family dynamics as the various members come to terms with what George reveals.

Auditions for Comic Potential written by Alan Ayckbourn will take place on Wednesday the 29th of January at Kew Scouts, Station Avenue, Richmond TW9 3QA at 8 PM. Please arrive promptly as there is a lot to go through.

Characters:
Adam: A young(ish) impetuous and aspiring writer with romantic ideas of making 'real comedy'.
Jacie: An actor android (or Actoid) who learns about love and laughter for the first time.
Chandler: A bitter and down-trodden, formerly great movie director relegated to the slums of TV soaps.
Prim: A charismatic and caring producer who does all the real work.
Trudi: Prims techy partner.
Carla: A ball-busting senior TV exec.
Lester: An aging TV tycoon.
Marmion: His flamboyant assistant.
​
Ensemble: Various waiters, technicians, restaurant goers, dress-store patrons and fellow Actoids.

This is a lively and vibrant play with lots going on and with an opportunity to bring a variety of unique characters to life, all within a retro-futuristic setting.
If you have any questions, are unable to make the auditions or want to request audition pieces please email [email protected]

​ Step Into the Retro-Future with Q2 Players!

Q2 is journeying into the distant future of 1999 with Alan Ayckbourn’s highly praised COMIC POTENTIAL!
​
The Story: A young writer with bold ideas about traditional comedy finds himself captivated by a synthetic actress, or “actoid,” who’s mysteriously able to laugh. Packed with romance, humor, and a unique Neon-Noir aesthetic, this play offers plenty of laughs and heartfelt moments, along with some fun technical challenges!
What We’re Looking For:

• 5 male roles & 5 female roles (many can be doubled, depending on auditions).
• Backstage crew to help bring the magic to life!

Key Dates:
• Read Through: Wed, 22nd Jan 2025
• Auditions: Wed, 29th Jan 2025
Kew Scouts, Station Avenue, Richmond TW9 3QA

Show Dates:
15th–17th May 2025
​The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU

Q2 Players’ Nominations and Winners

Best Lighting and /or Sound Design
Bob Gingell (Lighting) and Felicity Morgan (Sound) for ‘Bullshot Crummond’ WINNER

Best Leading Performer in a Play in a Male Role
Hugh Cox as Hugh ‘Bullshot’ Crummond in ‘Bullshot Crummond’

Best Leading Performer in a Play in a Female Role
Anna Piggott as Rosemary Fenton in ‘Bullshot Crummond’

Best Supporting Performer in a Play in a Male Role
Matt Tester as 7 different characters in ‘Bullshot Crummond’ WINNER

Best Ensemble
‘Bullshot Crummond’

The Cygnet Award (for societies without a permanent theatre home)
‘Bullshot Crummond’ - Dominic Parford WINNER
‘Marble Arch’ – Harriet Muir

The 'Wild Swan' Award WINNER for Dogfight video in ‘Bullshot Crummond’ – Dominic
Parford