Opening night went off with a bang. It was a huge relief after such a long break between productions. We have lots of new members both backstage and in the cast so it was a steep learning curve and all worked very well together. However, our musical variety shows created and directed by Marilyn are always very popular and so we had every confidence it would be a success.

What a fabulous lively audience we had too. They were very lively and interactive. Lots of laughter and singing along.

We have had some lovely comments off them:

”First night nerves never showed. Great happy show, first time we have seen you. Looking forward to your next production.”

”Just got back from seeing the show. What a great night out. Full of entertainment and laughter. We haven’t laughed so much for a long time!”

“Went last night n had fabulous time. Well done all round including the food. Got better n better as night went on. thoroughly enjoyable and recommended. w xx”

“So wonderful to see you all last night. An absolutely amazing show 🤩”

“ fantastic show last night… really enjoyed it! Well done to everyone involved.. wonderful singing, dancing and lots of laughs too!”

It’s not too late to reserve tickets for Thursday or Friday on 01242 520388.

Unfortunately it will be too late to add you to the catering for sandwiches and cakes in the interval so feel free to bring your own.

The retiring collection for the show will go towards local charity Jenson’s Journey.

​Jenson is a 9 year old boy with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and the charity aims to raise awareness and raise funds for medical research into the disease.

We have been busy working away on our next musical variety show directed by Marilyn Webb on 29th, 30th June and 1st July 2022.
Box office is now open and tickets can be reserved on 01242 520388.

As with all our musical variety shows in recent years, you will be seated around tables of 8 to 10 people. It’s a nice social content where you can make new friends or you can book a whole table for your own friends and family. Light refreshments of sandwiches and cakes will be served to these tables during the interval. This is included in the price.

You will also be able to purchase teas and coffee is in the hall, or drinks from the bar which opens at 7 pm.

Please bring cash for programs and raffle tickets and a retiring collection (to be decided)

Details to follow soon as busy with latest production…….

On 5th May 2021 a new committee was elected. Meet your new committee here!

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!