Spring Edition – 75th Anniversary Special

Hi Everyone

Hope you had a lovely Easter! Spring is here with all the cherry blossoms and wonderful flowers in bloom. This 75th Anniversary is certainly off to a good start with an amazing cast busy putting the finishing touches to the play “The Actress.” If you haven’t got your tickets yet, hurry up! You don’t want to miss it. Straight on its heels is the Walton May Pageant, with a carnival theme so be sure to watch the procession. I also need you to start collecting bottles for our tombola stall. The summer is packed with auditions for a Murder Mystery written and directed by Pip Rolls and “Enchanted April” by Matthew Barber which I am so excited to direct; it’s got such a good feel factor!

May
The box office is taking last minute bookings for The Actress by Peter Quilter. Performances will take place on 1, 2, and 3 May at 8 pm at Riddell Hall, Walton on the Hill. Make a note of the dates to see our brilliant cast perform this theatrical comedy-drama exploring the backstage drama of a celebrated actress’s emotional farewell performance, directed by Debbie Nichols. Tickets are £12.50 and can be purchased on 01737 812703 or via email at friends@thegageplayers.co.uk

STOP PRESS – Bottle Donation Deliveries 11-15 May
The Gage will be manning a bottle tombola stall at the Walton May Pageant to be held on Saturday 17th May. Please save and donate bottles – the more money we make, the more wonderful productions we can put on. We are collecting all kinds of bottles from alcohol to cooking oil, fizzy drinks, and squash to bubble bath or shampoo – anything you can think of that comes in a bottle. You can deliver to Gill and Rod from 11-15 May but please ring first on 01737 812 703.

The Walton Pageant will be on Saturday 17^th May and opens at 11.30 am with a Carnival Procession starting at Walton Pond from 2 pm and walks through the village to the grounds at Howard Close. See attached flyer and spread the word! I’m taking it seriously and will be dressed in a colourful costume. Make sure to catch Pip Rolls, as compere and who will be truly immersed in the carnival spirit.

July – Call Out for Actors

Audition for Enchanted April by Matthew Barber on Wednesday 2^nd July 8pm location TBC

 Performance dates: 27, 28, 29 November at The Lord Riddell Memorial Hall in Walton-on-the-Hill.

Synopsis: Feeling lost in the shadows of marriage and 1920s post-war society, two London housewives rent a villa in Italy for a ladies-only holiday getaway. Reluctantly recruiting a pair of difficult upper-class women to share the cost and the experience, the four women clash – and then begin to bond and bloom – until men, once again, upset the balance.

Rehearsals: schedule finalised after casting. There will be two weeks of rehearsals from 7th July than rehearsals will be from September to November.

To discuss further please contact me, Bernie at friends@thegageplayers.co.uk

Summer Auditions for Murder at the Fete to be performed on September 20th
Who poisoned the jam that killed Donald, the not-much-loved banker? Was it his ‘friend’ who stands to inherit or was it his rejected mistress? Maybe it was his wife, who thinks he let down her father financially. But then again, it might be Margaret or Cynthia. Come and help us find out in the “Murder at the Fete” where the audience is key to solving the mystery. To discuss further, please contact Pip on pip.rolls@yahoo.co.uk.

Socials
Preparations for our summer lunch are in full swing, and this year we’re adding a quiz to the festivities to challenge and entertain our minds. As I look through the calendar to find suitable dates, I can’t help but feel excited about the fun that all the events will bring.

Dates for Your Diary

Saturday 17th May – The Walton May Pageant

Saturday 20th September – Murder at the Fete by Pip Rolls at 7 pm, Riddell Hall

27th, 28th, 29th November – “Enchanted April” by Matthew Barber at 8 pm, Riddell Hall

Saturday 6th December – 75th Anniversary Finale of light entertainment at 8 pm, Riddell Hall

We look forward to seeing you at one or more of the above events.

Best wishes,

Bernie, Chair of the Gage Committee

Hope you are keeping well and enjoying the brief sunshine moments. Since we have the AGM on 26^th March, I thought it would be good for this newsletter to just focus on our May events and then send a more detailed newsletter afterwards.

We are pleased to announce that the box office is now open for our Spring play,

 “The Actress” by Peter Quilter. Performances will take place on 1, 2, and 3 May at 8 pm at Riddell Hall, Walton on the Hill. Rehearsals are going well and are greatly enjoyed under Debbie Nichol’s direction. This theatrical comedy-drama explores the backstage drama of a celebrated actress’s emotional farewell performance. Tickets are £12.50 and can be purchased from the box office at 01737 812703 or via email at friends@thegageplayers.co.uk.

Be Part of the Drama – Advertise with The Gage Players

We are thrilled to offer local businesses an opportunity to advertise in our upcoming programme. If you want to advertise or know someone who does, by placing an advert in our theatre programme, you not only support the arts but also reach our local community. Whether you’re looking to promote your business, share a special offer, or simply show your support to the Arts, our programme is the perfect platform. The deadline to submit your     advert is Wednesday 2^nd April to Clare at  friends@thegageplayers.co.uk.

Advertising Options and Rates

• 1/2 Page: £25.00
• Full Page: £30.00
• Inside Back Cover Full Page: £35.00
• Inside Front Cover Full Page: £35.00
• Back Cover Full Page: £40.00

Walton May Pageant

 We are greatly looking forward to taking part in the May Pageant on Saturday, 17^th May. The theme is ‘Carnival time’ and we will be manning a Tombola stall.  Now is the perfect time to start saving bottles for donation! The more money we raise, the more amazing productions we can create. To ensure everyone has plenty of time to gather all kinds of bottles, delivery dates for bottles will be provided in the next newsletter.

Getting Involved

We are always looking to welcome anyone who is keen to act, or help backstage or front of House, especially this being our 75^th anniversary year, we would love you to share celebrations. Do mention this to your friends and please contact friends@thegageplayers.co.uk

Dates for Your Diary

• AGM, 7.30pm on Wednesday 26^th March at Walton School
• The Actress by Peter Quilter – at 8pm on 1^st, 2^nd and 3rd May at the Riddell Hall
• The Walton May Pageant on Saturday, 17^th May
•  Murder Mystery on Saturday 20^th September
• Winter production 27^th 28^th and 29^th November
• Finale on 6^th December

I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone at the AGM on 26^th March at7.30pm at Walton School. The meeting will precede rehearsals and should approximately last half an hour. Please feel free to stay afterwards and watch the cast in rehearsal.

Best wishes, Bernie, Chair of the Gage Committee

1.  Present 

Bernie Kemble (in the chair), Rod Lucas, Gill Lucas, Lars Sawyer, Beryl White, Martin Saul, Anne Henderson, Gay Weeden, Clare Smyl, Debbie Nichols, Pip Rolls, Lesley Crowther Smith, Charlie Crowther Smith, Franki Gray, Ian Jackson & Susan Murray.

2.  Apologies for absence

Received from Jon Laws, Sharon Laws, Jean Saul & Gill Gibbins.

3.  Minutes of the 2023 AGM

The minutes of the 2023 AGM minutes were accepted as a correct record.

Proposed: Lars Sawyer, Seconded: Martin Saul

4.  Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

5.  Chairman’s report

Bernie Kemble read out her report for the year: 

Good evening, everyone.

 Welcome to the Gage 2024 AGM, our first face -to-face meeting since Covid -19.

In taking over as Chair this year from Gay Weeden, I would like to say a big thank you to her for being the perfect role model and to the committee for all their support. I am very aware of the recent challenges the Gage has faced with the pandemic and the toll it took on the finances but also the great strides that have been taken to ensure our finances are now in good shape.

This has been achieved through fundraising and the brilliant productions that have been put on. We have continued to not only keep up our high standards but seen an increase in audiences’ numbers. It would be wonderful to continue the momentum to build a wider range of talent on stage and behind the scenes.

Let us start with the first of our achievements, that of our Spring production, Agatha Crusty, and the Village Hall Murders written by Derek Webb and directed by Lesley Crowther-Smith which was a tremendous success. We were pleased to introduce new acting members on stage. We also used for the first time our new payment card reader, so now tickets can be paid either by cash or card, as suits you best.

At the Walton May Pageant, we held a Tombola stall raising £185 and we were delighted and thankful to receive a donation of £450 from the Walton May Pageant committee. We thank all of you who donated bottles and sweets which have helped us increase our funds.

 Our social events included the Gage summer lunch, and the ‘Twelfth’ Night meal, organised by Jon Laws where the food and company were superb.

A successful evening was held in September which began with a picnic supper followed by two quite different rehearsed play readings. Family and friends came to enjoy and support the Gage and it was a sociable and relaxed evening with time to chat whilst enjoying our supper and seeing two wonderful plays: Separate Tables (Table No 2) by Terence Rattigan, directed by Chris Slater; and Evolution, written and directed by Pip Rolls.

At last, our winter production in November made its debut! Molly’s Calling written and directed by Pip Rolls. It was intended to be performed in 2020 but the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown prevented it going ahead. For various reasons we waited until this time, and it was a great success.  The second evening performance needed more seating to accommodate the audience queuing at the door for this world’s premiere.

We must not forget our poetry and prose evenings via Zoom which have become a particularly popular evening during winter when people are comfortably settled at home for the evening.

We are currently in full swing with rehearsals for the April production of ‘The Nightingales’ written by Peter Quilter and directed by Lesley Crowther-Smith. This is a funny and at times touching comedy set in the 1950’s, a different time from today but that era is being wonderfully recreated by its director and cast.

I would like to thank everyone who has given up their free time to get involved with the Gage whether it is on stage or off it. The actors, writers, directors and producers who have put on some amazing productions, but also the production team who always quietly and tirelessly work backstage and front of house – whether it be building sets, providing the publicity, props, costumes, lighting and sound or serving in the bars and selling tickets –  we couldn’t put the shows on without you, and of course without the audience none of this would be possible!

I would like to give a special mention and thanks to Debbie Nichols who has stepped in to take the minutes for many of last year’s meetings. Since April 2023 we have had a vacancy for Secretary of the committee and a new one is yet to be found.  Duties include helping the Chair produce the newsletter, preparing the meeting agendas, taking minutes on Zoom meetings, helping with events, and booking rehearsal and performance halls. If this interests you or any of your friends, please email friends@thegageplayers.co.uk

I would like to finish by looking to the future and the past.  Back in May the son of a founder Gage member, Ivor Buckley visited the May Pageant and spotted the Gage stall with its display of past productions and programmes. He sent an interesting letter to say in 1950 his father co-directed with Dorothy Rae the Gage’s first ever play, The Chiltern Hundreds by Willim Douglas Home.

“My father would be so proud to know that you are still going, and with such a distinguished record. Long may you continue.”

Very apt words as looking forward to 2025 we will be celebrating our 75^th anniversary!

Bernie

Chair, Gage Committee

6.  Treasurer’s report

Rod Lucas’s financial account report and figures had been sent out to the committee prior to the AGM. He brought attention to the fact that it was a difficult year to report on due to some costs from 3 years ago being relevant to this financial year because the production they related to was delayed from then until this year. Rod also pointed out that the card payment machine we use does not have the functionality to identify between types of payment (tickets, bar, raffle, programmes) so an accurate figure for each of those could not be reported.  It is not currently worth investing in a more expensive card machine.

The financial reports were approved.

Proposed: Ian Jackson, Seconded: Gay Weeden

7.  Election of officers

Bernie was elected as Chair.  Proposed by Rod Lucas and seconded by Martin Saul.

Rod Lucas was re-elected as Treasurer.  Proposed by Bernie Kemble and seconded by Lars Sawyer.

The role of Secretary is still open, with no nominations put forward. A new secretary is being actively sought.

8.  Election of committee

The current membership of the committee were all willing to serve another term, and were re-elected unanimously en bloc by those present.

As it is not a technical requirement that an auditor checks the accounts, Debbie Nichols has agreed to check the Gage accounts again next year. Proposed by Martin Saul, Seconded by Clare Smyl.

The committee comprises Bernie Kemble as Chairman, Gay Weeden, Gill Gibbins, Jon Laws, Gill Lucas, Rod Lucas, Martin Saul, Lars Sawyer, Clare Smyl , Anne Henderson and Beryl White.  There is also an effective (unelected) sub-committee comprising Eileen Debski, Pip Rolls, Chris Slater and Lorraine Wheeler-Smith.

11.  Any other business

Gill Lucas said that tickets for the Spring production could now be ordered.

Subs for membership are now due.  This will be mentioned in the next newsletters. 

There was no other business and the meeting was closed at 7:53pm with thanks from Bernie to all for coming.

The Gage Players Newsletter – February 2025
 It’s hard to believe I’ve completed my first year as Chair of the Gage. Thanks to the committee and our wonderful members, I’m enjoying every moment.
2025 marks our 75th anniversary!  We started celebrations with the Twelfth Night meal on February 3rd at the Dukes Head. The lunch consisted of good food, great company, and lots of laughter, lasting well into the afternoon.
 We are also pleased to introduce new acting members for the spring play, The Actress by Peter Quilter and hope you will see them on stage with us many times again. 

Quiz Nights
As Tuesdays are usually rehearsal-free, we are thinking it might be fun to meet once a month on a Tuesday at maybe the Blue Ball and take part in the Quiz. If you’re interested, drop us an email at friends@thegageplayers.co.uk so we can look for a suitable date.

Key Updates
AGM
The Annual General Meeting will take place at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, 26th March, at Walton School. The meeting will precede rehearsals and if we start promptly at 7.30pm, it should last not more than half an hour. Please feel free to stay afterwards and watch the cast in rehearsal.
It is also that time of the year for annual membership subscriptions.

Annual Subscriptions are £20 for adults and £10 for under 16s.
Payments can be made directly to the The Gage bank account:
Bank: Barclays
Account Name: The Gage Players
Sort Code: 20-29-90
Account Number: 00396907
As a reference, please use your surname followed by your first initial. (e.g SMITHJ)
If you do not have internet banking, you can make your payment directly at a bank or please send a cheque made payable to “The Gage Players”, to the address below.

May  
Debbie Nichols is directing our wonderful production of The Actress by Peter Quilter. This theatrical comedy-drama delves into the backstage drama of a celebrated actress’s emotional farewell performance. Performances will take place on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of May at 8pm at the Riddell Hall, Walton on the Hill.

Tickets will be £12.50 from the box office at friends@thegageplayers.co.uk.

Be Part of the Drama – Advertise with the Gage Players
We are thrilled to offer local businesses an opportunity to advertise in our upcoming programme. If you want to advertise or know someone who does, by placing an advert in our theatre programme, you not only support the arts but also reach our local community. Whether you’re looking to promote your business, share a special offer, or simply show your support to the Arts, our programme is the perfect platform. The deadline to submit your advert is Wednesday 2^nd April to Clare at friends@thegageplayers.co.uk.
 
Advertising Options and Rates

• 1/2 Page: £25.00
• Full Page: £30.00
• Inside Back Cover Full Page: £35.00
• Inside Front Cover Full Page: £35.00
• Back Cover Full Page: £40.00

May Pageant
We are greatly looking forward to taking part in the Walton May Pageant on Saturday 17th May. The pageant theme is ‘Carnival time’ and as usual will begin with a costumed procession. The Gage will be manning a bottle tombola stall, so please think about saving and donating a bottle—the more money we have, the more wonderful productions we can put on. If you fancy helping on the stall, please contact friends@thegageplayers.co.uk

September
We are going to put on an entertainment of a Murder Mystery devised by Pip Rolls which will be held on Saturday 20th September at Riddell Hall.

November
Winter production, (dates 28th, 29th & 30th November). Details have not been finalised – more news later.

December
Save the date for the big finale on Saturday 6th December

Dates for Your Diary

• AGM, 7.30pm on Wednesday 26th March at Walton School
• “The Actress” by Peter Quilter – at 8pm on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd May at the Riddell Hall
• The Walton May Pageant on Saturday, 17th May
•  Murder Mystery Saturday 20^th September
• Winter production 28th, 29th, and 30th November
• Finale 6th December

Getting Involved We are always looking to welcome anyone who is keen to act, or help backstage or front of House, especially this being our anniversary year, we would love you to share celebrations. Do mention this to your friends and please contact friends@thegageplayers.co.uk
2025 is going to be a year of celebration, creativity, community, and fun, and we look forward to seeing you at one or more of the above events.

Best wishes, Bernie, Chair of the Gage Committee

Hello Everyone,

 As we embrace the festive season, I want to take a moment to reflect on an incredible year for The Gage Players. It’s hard to believe it has only been a year since I took on the role of Chair. What a privilege it has been to see the remarkable talent and dedication of our members!

Reflecting on Our Winter Play’s Seasonal Close

Directing The Last Tango in Little Grimley and Lockdown in Little Grimley  by David Tristam was a personal highlight for me. The cast—Anne, Debbie, Helen, and Lars—delivered memorable performances, bringing humour and heart to every scene. A special thank you to the stage crew for their innovation and patience, and to everyone who contributed behind the scenes.  Despite the unexpected illness of our Front of House coordinator, Beryl, who has thankfully recovered, the dedication of the front-of-house team was remarkable in their ‘all hands-on deck’ approach.

 Teamwork made these productions a resounding success, and the standing ovations were well deserved!

Upcoming Events: Poetry Evening

As the year draws to a close, join us for our final poetry evening of 2024, held via Zoom at 8 PM on Wednesday, 11th December. It promises to be a warm, inspiring evening of shared verse thar capture the essence of the winter season. Whether you’d like to share a favourite poem or simply listen, we’d love to have you there. For the link, email us at friends@thegageplayers.co.uk to join our Zoom get together.

Celebrating 75 Years of The Gage Players

2025 marks a milestone—our 75th anniversary! We’re kicking off the celebrations with The Actress by Peter Quilter, directed by Debbie Nichols. This theatrical comedy drama delves into the backstage drama of a celebrated actress’s emotional farewell performance. Performances will take place on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of May at 8 PM.

Auditions for The Actress will be held on Wednesday, 8th January at Walton Primary School, Walton on the Hill, at 8 PM. If you’d like to audition but are unavailable on that date, please contact Debbie at friends@thegageplayers.co.uk.

Character Details for The Actress:

• Lydia Martin: A celebrated actress, in her 40s, 50s, or 60s, preparing for her emotional farewell performance.

• Katherine: Lydia’s loyal and supportive dresser.

• Charles: Lydia’s elderly fiancé

• Nicole: Lydia’s daughter, in her 20s or early 30s,

• Paul: Nicole’s father and a significant figure in Lydia’s past.

• Margaret: The practical and efficient company manager

 Be on the lookout for a full audition notice arriving any day now!

Volunteer Opportunities

We’re always looking for new faces to join us, whether on stage, behind the scenes, or supporting front of house. We also have a vacancy for someone to take minutes at our monthly committee meetings (held via Zoom). If you’re interested, please get in touch.

Dates to Remember:

• Poetry & Prose Evening: Wednesday, 11th December, 8 PM (via Zoom)

• Auditions for The Actress: Wednesday, 8th January, 8 PM

• Performances of The Actress: 1st–3rd May, 2025, 8 PM

Thank you for making this year so special. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories.

Warm regards,

Bernie

Chair, Gage Committee