“LipService - The Laurel and Hardy of literary deconstruction” The Independent

As a tribute to the late Maggie Fox LipService present Chateau Ghoul Encore Une Fois

Earlier this year our stage tour of Chateau Ghoul was tragically cut short by the sudden death of co-founder Maggie Fox . However, we had always planned an online version of the show, building on the success of our many Zoom performances during COVID.

By editing together pre-existing filmed sections from the stage show, the earlier Chateau Ghoul Zoom show and archive LipService footage we delivered these performances in February/March. We made a recording of the live Zoom show and in true Encore style prefaced it with an interview hosted by Gwenda Hughes. The show features lots of Maggie on film, plus there is a very special cameo performance from LipService favourite Darren Southworth. Darren revisits his role of Dean from Desperate to be Doris. This time round Dean is the caretaker at Chateau Ghoul, possessed by the spirit of Judy Garland.

Sue is joined by comedy actor Mark Chatterton. Mark is an old LipService friend, he directed many LipService shows including King Arthur & the Knights of the Occasional Table, Women on the Verger, Hector’s House, Very Little Women, Horror for Wimps and Jane Bond.

You can watch the show here

Praise for the Chateau Ghoul Zoom Show delivered during lockdown

“Thank you so much for inviting us to Château Ghoul and for cheering us up with what was one of the best online theatre shows we’ve seen since C-19! You managed to maintain everything special about Lip Service using the Zoom platform - and add to it”.

“Thank you for a welcome dose of daft amid these dreary days”

“A real breath of fresh air. I loved the interactive element. Almost as if we were there with you! Please do more”.

Cast & Creatives

Written & performed by Maggie Fox, Sue Ryding, Darren Southworth and Mark Chatterton with puppetry llamas by Julie Westwood

Directed by Lawrence Till

Designed by Alison Heffernan

Music composed by Oliver Vibrans

Physical Theatre specialist Dominic Biddle

Video artist Connoll Pavey

BSL interpretation by Emma Jane Heap

Audio Description by Anne Hornsby at Mind's Eye