The drama group wasn’t able to hold it’s AGM in April because of Corona Virus, we hoped it might be possible to arrange something over the summer but the opportunities weren’t there. Most of the agenda items can be held over until it is safe to hold the meeting but one item in particular has had to be dealt with outside of the AGM. For some time, Don, Janet and Ian have wanted to stand down from the committee and the plan was for this to happen in April at the AGM.
We have had to cancel the November production because of uncertainty around Corona Virus restrictions and the next production won’t be staged until April, so it’s a quiet time for the drama group and this has offered the opportunity for Don, Janet and Ian to stand down with immediate effect from the committee. Fortunately, there are people willing to replace them on the committee. No doubt the new committee will be publishing information on the website and Facebook in the near future about their plans and who will be filling the committee roles.

This week the groups committee took the reluctant decision to cancel attempts to stage a production in November 2020. It may seem that we have acted too soon, perhaps we could have waited a while to see how restrictions and infection rates alter over the coming weeks or months. However, the reality is that to stage a production in November we have to commit to that production by mid July at the very latest because there is so much preparation required to get a show staged.

We took into account a number of factors:

• Uncertainty about theatres being opened to stage live shows
  
• Uncertainty about restrictions that will be in place during the rehearsal period
  
• The risk of an autumn or winter infections spike and the reintroduction of restrictions
  
• Risk factors for vulnerable members of our audience
  
• Risk factors for vulnerable members of our group during rehearsals and performances
  
• Financial risks if the show had to be cancelled or it was not well supported - insurance does not cover cancellations or losses for Corona Virus.
  

The committee felt the risk factors were too high and could not be confidently mitigated.

We already have plans to stage a show in April 2021, news on this will follow.

The group hasn't met for several weeks because of the Coronavirus outbreak and as you all know we had to cancel our production of A Writer In The Family, which, was great shame; I'm sure it would have been good.
Also cancelled is the groups AGM, we were planning to hold this 29th April but with so much uncertainty with the outbreak it's better we cancel and make new arrangements once things have settled down.
As soon as we have details about future plans we will let everyone know.

When the drama met for rehearsals last week we talked through options for determining whether or not the production of “A Writer in the Family” should go ahead and we agreed to leave any decision until this week. Since then national and international circumstances have changed considerably worsening what was already a gloomy picture.
The latest government advice includes recommendations to avoid non-essential social contact, avoid gatherings, at risk groups will be asked to stay at home for 12 weeks, anyone who has a cough should isolate for 14 days et al.
Having considered government advice and having sought views of the drama group we have come to the decision that we have no choice but to cancel the production. We are attempting to notify all people who have made ticket reservations. Updates on what we do next will be posted on our website and on Facebook. The group does not have plans to meet again until our AGM in late April.
On behalf of the committee, the cast and the group as a whole I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sarah Hopkins for bringing the play to the group, for working so hard to get it ready in a very short period and for coming to the groups rescue when we were struggling to find a play to stage. Rehearsals have been very enjoyable, there has been a great atmosphere each week and I think we would have staged a memorable production. It really is a great shame the play won’t go ahead, thanks Sarah for all your efforts. We really hope Sarah will continue with the group and that there will be an opportunity in the future to perform the play.
Thank you for supporting the drama group, we will be back!

Thanks to Alan Besien for organising our recent skittles match. Now we can concentrate on the next production - "A Writer in the Family", tickets are on sale 01242 520388, performances April 1/2/3rd.

Our next production is going to be "A Writer in the Family" by Ian Preston. A brief overview - A successful writer inherits a family home in Scotland but not everyone is happy about his inheritance, murder ensues. Who dunnit, with what and why?

The great news is that the audiences at our three panto performances were even more generous than usual, we collected £750 through the retiring collections and the group has added £150 to that figure which means we can donate £900 to the Cobalt Appeal. Well done everyone.

We are not meeting on the 11th December but on the 18th we will be at Badgeworth Village Hall for our Christmas get together and hopefully to cast our next play for performance in April. Once the cast is sorted we will let you have more details about the play.

Tickets for the panto now on sale - see our Home Page for details.

What does Maria Sophia von Erthal have in common with Snow White?
It is believed Maria was the inspiration for the character of Snow White, she was harshly treated by her step mother, died in 1796 and the headstone from her grave has just gone on display in Bamberg, Germany. Not a lot of people know that!
Come and see the panto, book your tickets now. Details on the Home page.