A MEETING with renowned playwright Sir David Hare was the icing on the cake for Eileen Riddiford who is the lead in the Winton Players’ production of his play Amy’s View.

During rehearsals for the drama, on at the Festival Hall on April 13, 14 and 15, she noticed that David Hare was giving a public lecture in Oxford, so she went along with the hope of having a chat with him.

“It was very exciting to be able to talk to him about our forthcoming production of his play here in Petersfield,” said Eileen. “He was very supportive, wished us all luck and signed my now treasured script.”

Amy’s View was a sell-out at the National Theatre and transferred to the West End in 1998. It tells the story of a well-known actress, Esme Allen, played by Eileen, who is in the West End at a time of uncertainty. The visit of her daughter with a new boyfriend sets in motion a series of events. Love, death and the theatre are in a heady mix.

In the cast are Francesca Williams, who plays Amy, Ryan Watts, John Edwards, Jane Blower and Ed Sheehan.

Tickets are on sale now, at Petersfield library, and from www.wintonplayers.org.uk