News

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Spring 2024 Production - Heroes by Gerald Sibleyras, translated by Tom Stoppard

"It's 1959 and Philippe, Gustave and Henri, three veterans from the First World War, dream of making their escape from the soldiers' home, if not to Indochina then at least as far as the poplar trees on the hill..."

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Heroes, the English-language version by Tom Stoppard of Gerald Sibleyras's comedy Le Vent des Peupliers,  premiered at the Wyndham's Theatre, London, in October 2005. Heroes received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2006. To be directed by Ian Hartley.

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The read-through will be on Tuesday, 5th December at 8pm in the Small Hall. "Nibbles" will be provided, please bring along your own drinks / glasses.

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November Production - The Ghost Train

Arnold Ridley’s classic comedy-thriller, The Ghost Train, has been a firm favourite since it was first produced in 1925. Six passengers find themselves stranded late at night in the waiting-room of an isolated Cornish railway station. Ignoring the ghostly tales and dire warnings of the stationmaster, they decide to stay where they are until morning – with terrifying consequences. Finally, all is revealed and the details of a fiendish plot are laid bare. Directed by Iain Coleman, assisted by Chris Lyon.

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Special thanks to everyone who came to see the show and to the many people in different roles involved in staging the production.

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​2023 Annual General Meeting - 27th June at 8pm

Thanks to everyone who attended the AGM at Pattingham Village Hall.

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Nigel Slater's Toast

First of all, thank you to our audience. Everyone involved in Toast appreciates your continued support. Well done to the cast and stage crew, director and producer, Front of House and refreshments and everyone else who played a part in staging this production.

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Quiz night - Tuesday 21st February

A special thank you to Ian and Melanie Hartley for organising and hosting the quiz. The questions were interesting and entertaining. Who knew Canada had so much coastline, and Sweden so many islands! Also thanks to everyone who joined in and had some fun.

May 2023 Production - Nigel Slater's Toast

Toast is the story of Wolverhampton-born Nigel Slater's childhood, told through the tastes and smells he grew up with. From making the perfect sherry trifle to waging a war over cakes and from the pressured playground politics of sweets to the rigid rules of restaurant dining, this is a story of love, loss and...toast.

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Adapted for the stage by Henry Filloux-Bennett. Toast will be directed by Susan Hay. Performance dates are 17th-20th May at 7.3opm at Pattingham Village Hall.

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Thanks to everyone who attended the read-through on Tuesday 6th December..​

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David Challinor – friend and long-serving member

The group would like to pay a warm tribute to David Challinor, one of our longest-serving members, who has passed away. David occasionally “trod the boards” but it was behind the scenes where he made his greatest contribution, as stage manager and constructing sets, and in technical roles such as lighting and sound. He was a committee member for many years  and had chaired the group.

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Condolences to Norma, Alison and Anthony, and all David’s family and friends at this sad time.
 

Absurd Person Singular

Well done to the actors, backstage, front of house, and countless other roles for making this production a success, not forgetting a big Thank You to everyone who supported the group by attending the show!

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"Play and a Pint" social event - 21st September

Thanks to Helen Wallington and Sue Hay for hosting this evening of readings. We read extracts from Handbagged by Moira Buffini and the stage adaptation of Nigel Slater's Toast in the first half, and All My Sons by Arthur Miller and the "encore" from Tom Stoppard's The 15-minute Hamlet in the second half.

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Thanks to everyone who joined in and made this an enjoyable evening.

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November production

Our November production will be Absurd Person Singular  by Alan Ayckbourn. The play is celebrating its 50th anniversary, having premiered at Scarborough in 1972. The cast comprises three couples, with each act taking place at drinks parties on successive Christmas Eves. The drama group staged the play in 1992 when it was directed by Chris Fawson. This production will be directed by Bob Hughes.

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Thanks to everyone who attended the read-through at the village hall on 19th July.

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2022 Annual General Meeting

This year's AGM took place at the Village Hall on Tuesday 7th June at 8pm. Thanks to all members who attended.

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May production - Taking Sides
Taking Sides was well-received with better than expected ticket sales. One audience member said it was "a powerful and compelling play ... executed with great style". Congratulations to the cast, director, producer and everyone else involved in this production.

The committee agreed that monies from programme sales would be donated to the DEC Ukraine Appeal.

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Flickr photo and picture archive

We now have flickr photo albums for some of our more recent shows.

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