We are just into February, so still early enough to wish all our members and friends a very Happy New Year !   At the start of a new season, we also think back on recent productions and look forward to this year’s productions and activities.

Our Autumn production of The Teahouse of the August Moon took place the last weekend in November. This  was an affectionate glimpse of post war occupation by US troops in Japan.  There was much amusing yet insightful humour, contrasting US Western behaviour with the gentle, yet often humourous observations from the Eastern perspective.  Gill Lucas is to be much congratulated for achieving her vision.   Our audiences marvelled at the amazing construction of our teahouse and the ability of our cast to learn Japanese! We were so pleased to welcome some new performers to this production, especially young people… our future!  Actors often say “ Never work with children or animals”… The Gage proved them wrong on both counts…and this must be a first: some passers by when the set was being worked on, poking their noses in and asking, “ Is this the play with the dog in it?”  It certainly was and Archie  ( or should that be “Aaa-chee” in true Japanese style?) was the undoubted star. Our wonderful crew working hard on an ingenious set construction, props, lighting and sound are particularly to be congratulated for the beautiful visuals created onstage.

As our calendars are usually so crowded in the run up to Christmas, instead of the traditional “ pre-Christmas meal”, it was decided to book a “ Twelfth Night Dinner” on 6^th January 2016, held, once again,  at the Grumpy Mole, Dorking Road, Tadworth.

The food quality was excellent, as always,  but, unfortunately, due to a very large business party, who had commandeered the whole extension area we have used on the past, our party was divided between different tables and not quite as convivial as usual, although, perhaps, easier to talk on smaller tables than down the length of a big one!. It was decided to try the Blue Ball in Walton on the Hill next time and, possibly to hold a Summer social evening too.

Our next appearance in the Dukes Head pub quiz ( Dorking Road, Tadworth) is to be on February 17^th. We’re always happy to see new faces, so come along about 19.45 ( or before), enjoy a drink/ snack/ meal and a catch up and put your quizzing brain to use with us!  It costs just £1 to take part and, who knows, we might win some more funds for use in the Gage?!

 Auditions were held on January 10th & 13th for the Spring production of Alan Ayckbourn’s, Bedroom Farce directed by Sharon Laws. Performance dates : 28^th, 29^th & 30^th April.

This production is now fully cast and rehearsals have begun; cast as follows:

Ernest                                                             Paul Brown

Delia                                                               Gillian Lucas

Malcolm                                                        Glen Nixon

Kate                                                                Elayne Teague

Nick                                                                Jon Laws

Jan                                                                 Eileen Debski

Trevor                                                           Lars Sawyer

Susannah                                                     Debbie Nichols

 

Sharon Laws’ view of the play:

“Four into three won’t go; except, in Ayckbourn’s 1977 play, it miraculously does. A pair of roving neurotics hawk their problems around the bedrooms of three other couples; and what emerges  is Ayckbourn’s hilariously bleak view of middle-class marriage. “Alone together, so much shared” as Beckett once wrote.”

There have been potential casting difficulties for the proposed production of “ Allo Allo” in the Autumn. So, we are looking at some brand new scripts for a possible debut performance, which will be very exciting! If you have read or heard of any new plays, with not too large a cast, which you think might be suitable, please contact us!

A review of Gage archives is being conducted, with a view to a possible exhibition. If you have any photos, film, press cuttings etc of past productions or activities, or know anyone who does, please contact Rod Lucas on 01737 812703.

The AGM will be hald at Christchurch Hall, Walton on the Hill ( next to Walton Primary school in the village) on Wednesday, March 16^th8pm. Do come along and join in discussions on future activities etc. Subscriptions ( £15 adults/ £8 under 18s & full time students) are due on or before that date – contact Rod Lucas ( heather.view@virginmedia.com or 01737 812703).

Don’t forget you can find us on Facebook and Twitter… please “ like”/ “follow” us there, so that your family and friends can do the same and share your posts and pass on your enthusiasm for your local drama group… and also expand our audiences and our presence in social media.

We hope to see many of you enjoying Bedroom Farce at the end of April- a reminder to book tickets by contacting the box office by calling 01737 812703  or sending an e-mail request to: friends@thegageplayers.co.uk  We have been delighted to welcome some new members during the year, some performing, some backstage and front of house. Looking forward to seeing many of you at the quiz night at the Dukes Head on 17^th February… it’s a lot of fun!

Franki Gray

Chair, the Gage Players

As the leaves turn colour, we think back on recent productions and look forward to our late Autumn production and seasonal festivities.

Chris Slater’s production of a rehearsed reading of Knightsbridge and supper on Sept 19^th was very well received by an enthusiastic invited audience of members and their families. A simple set was lifted by excellent performances from all the cast. This production was a wonderful example of how the whole group comes together and pulls out all the stops to put on a production. Members suggested, then lent various pieces of furniture, props and costume to help create just the right atmosphere … enhanced by the simple, yet inspirational curtain tie backs added by Gill Lucas… demonstrating, yet again, what years of experience and a creative eye can add to a production.  It is not always easy to keep up the pace when still “on the book”, but our cast took up the challenge with relish and great success. Congratulations to Chris and to all the cast members on a most enjoyable and polished evening! We hope very much to continue the tradition of offering a social evening to our members in this format.

Our Autumn production of The Teahouse of the August Moon takes place the last weekend in November. Please come along, invite your friends and family to see this  affectionate glimpse of post war occupation by US troops in Japan; witness some amusing yet insightful cultural misunderstandings and marvel at the amazing construction of our teahouse and the ability of our cast to learn Japanese! We are so pleased to welcome some new performers to this production, especially a number of young people… our future! Actors often say “ Never work with children or animals”… to prove them wrong… come along on 26^th, 27^th or 28^th November!  Tickets:

01737 812703  or send an e-mail request to friends@thegageplayers.co.uk

If you feel you might like to make a personal contribution to this production and happen to have any large bonsai or palm tree-like plants or any Japanese type figures/ statues of approx. .75cm – 1m high, please do get in touch with Gill Lucas: 01737 812703.  For any members of the cast reading this… if you have not already sent in your biographies for the programme, please get them to Gill Gibbins straight away, if you want to be credited in the programme: gillgibbins@btinternet.com

As our calendars are usually so crowded in the run up to Christmas, instead of the traditional “ pre-Christmas meal”, we shall be offering a “ Twelfth Night Dinner” on 6^th January 2016, probably held, once again,  at the Grumpy Mole, Dorking Road, Tadworth.  We will be in touch to confirm details.

Our next appearance in the Dukes Head pub quiz is likely to be in February 2016… dates tbc… come and put your quizzing brain to use with us!

Auditions will be held in January for the Spring production of Alan Ayckbourn’s, Bedroom Farce directed by Sharon Laws. Performance dates : 21^st, 22^nd & 23^rd April. Audition dates will be confirmed in the next newsletter, before Christmas.

Don’t forget you can find us on Facebook and Twitter… please “ like”/ “follow” us there!

We hope to see as many of you as possible visiting The Teahouse of the August Moon at the end of November- another reminder to book tickets by contacting the box office by calling 01737 812703  or sending an e-mail request to: friends@thegageplayers.co.uk     … Mata chikaiuchini o ai shimashou!

 

 

 

 

Franki Gray

 

Chair, the Gage Players

The Gage quiz team put in a creditable performance in the quiz at the Dukes’s Head on 27^th May. We were 3^rd… until the last music rounds, where we depended very heavily on the younger members of the team… the BBC Top 100 will come out on Fridays now, instead of Sundays… so, ears glued to Radio 1, please!  We’re now looking forward to another appearance at the Dukes Head on 29^th July.

Preparations are well in hand for the rehearsed reading of Knightsbridge , directed by Chris Slater,  on 19^th September. Audition is on 26^th July, for which there has been quite a good response and Chris believes he will be able to cast from those responding. We look forward to hearing all the news from the audition. If you have not yet responded to Chris’s email to you, inviting you to audition, please would you do so, so he knows who to expect!

Auditions for The Teahouse of the August Moon were held at Christchurch Hall on 6^th July, with a good turnout. We could still do with more men (as always!). The evening was very promising, with some new young people taking part and we now await Gill’s casting decisions.

Plans are going ahead for a special exhibition about the Gage at Tattenhams Library, organised by our redoubtable secretary, Gill Gibbins. If you have any memorabilia, photos, programmes or press cuttings from past Gage Productions, no matter how long ago- in fact we should like some older ones- please do get in touch with Gill as soon as possible.  gillgibbins@btinternet.com   01737 813245.

We’re always looking for new ways to expand our audience and our membership and particularly to draw in younger people.  If you have a Facebook page, do think of “ liking” the Gage page: “ The Gage Players”- or asking to be a friend and share our posts, please!  The same goes for our Twitter feed  : @TheGagePlayers. Please “follow” us & re-tweet from our page!

Looking forward to all our Autumn activites and wishing you a very happy Summer!

Franki Gray

 

September Rehearsed Performed Reading

On Monday, 27th July 2015 we shall be holding an audition at 7.45pm for our September rehearsed reading play, Knightsbridge by John Mortimer, famous for his television series, Rumpole of the Bailey, the film script for Tea with Mussolini, plays like Dock Brief and A Voyage Round My Father, and numerous books and radio programmes.  Performance date is Saturday, 19^th September.

There are three main roles, two ladies and one gent, and a smaller role for another man.

The play is a comedy set in the home of widowed Muriel Stokes ad her daughter Francesca, situated just behind Harrods.  Francesca brings her intended, Henry Bulstrode, a well-known television interviewer, home to meet Mother, who is not at home to begin with.  In the course of the visit Henry comes to the astounding conclusion that Mother is a member of the oldest profession and becomes wildly keen to interview her, to Francesca’s understandable consternation.  Through a wonderful series of double entendres and blunders Henry decides in fact that Mother is simply dealing in antique furniture to make ends meet, and he and Francesca depart, leaving Mother to take another of the mystifying telephone calls that led to Henry’s suspicions  in the first place . . .

The audition and early rehearsals will be held at the home of the director, Christopher Slater, in Bookham: 12 Crabtree Lane, Great Bookham, Surrey KT23 4PF.  Please contact Chris if you would like to audition: christopherslater@ntlworld.com or 01372 454 963.  Dates of early rehearsals will be: Sunday, 2^nd and Sunday, 30^th August, both at 3pm at Bookham, but Chris can be flexible on dates if the cast need him to be.

After that rehearsals switch to the performance venue, The Riddell Hall in Walton on the Hill (Deans Lane), and will be held on Sunday, 6^th and Sunday, 13^th September at 3pm.  There will be a further rehearsal at Riddell Hall on Friday, 18^th September at 7.45pm, and at 3pm on the afternoon of Saturday, 19^th September.  The performance will be preceded by supper at 7.30pm for audience and cast, with the play going up at 8.15pm.

So, please come along to the audition and try out for the Gage.  This is our 65^th anniversary year, so you’d be joining a company with a fine tradition for putting on great entertainment.

Remember: audition on Monday, 27^th July at 7.45pm, 12 Crabtree Lane, Great Bookham, Surrey KT23 4PF.  For further information contact the director, Chris Slater, on 01372 454 963, or christopherslater@ntlworld.com

PUBLIC FORUM

As we are passionate about local, affordable theatre, we have set up this newsletter feature providing information about shows by other amdram groups in our area – with their agreement, of course.  There will also be web links on the Gage Players’ website.

The Chipstead Players

www.chipsteadplayers.org

In July we shall be producing The Crucible by Arthur Miller, directed by Julie Cumbo, performed on Monday, 13^th July to Saturday, 18^th July.

All performances at the Courtyard Theatre.  For tickets, please go to the website and click on ‘how to book’.  Evening performances at 8pm, matinees at 2.15pm.  Tickets are £8.00 for Monday and Tuesday evenings, and the Saturday matinees; £10.00 for Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.  Doors open 45 minutes before curtain-up.

The Gage Players

www.thegageplayers.co.uk; member of BRBAC; friends@thegageplayers.com

2015 is our 65^th anniversary year!

Autumn 2015 Production

Our November play will be The Teahouse of the August Moon by John Patrick, based on the novel by Vern Sneider.

The play is a comedy about the American occupation of Japanese islands after the Second World War; it features a misfit captain sent to ‘Americanise’ a village and the wily village head man assigned to him as interpreter, who runs rings round him.  Instead of building a pentagon-shaped school, the villagers inveigle the captain into building a teahouse, and instead of touristic merchandising, the captain happily comes up with a plan to mass-produce the local hooch, and sell it to the American bases.  Fun and games ensue, amid the attentions of a graceful Geisha, and it is an open bet how the ‘Americanisation’ pans out.

Performances will be on Thursday, 26^th November (evening), Friday, 27^th November (evening), Saturday 28^th November (a possible matinee if there is enough demand, and evening) at the Riddell Hall, Walton on the Hill.  Cast and crew would normally have a pub meal between the Saturday performances if there is a matinee.

For further information contact the director, Gill Lucas, on 01737 812 703 or heatherview@virginmedia.com

 September 2015 Rehearsed Reading with Supper

The audition on 27^th July and early rehearsals will be held at the home of the director, Christopher Slater, in Bookham: 12 Crabtree Lane, Great Bookham, Surrey KT23 4PF.  Please contact Chris if you would like to audition: christopherslater@ntlworld.com or 01372 454 963.  Dates of early rehearsals will be: Sunday, 2^nd and Sunday, 30^th August, both at 3pm at Bookham, but Chris can be flexible on dates if the cast need him to be.

After 30^th August rehearsals switch to the performance venue, The Riddell Hall in Walton on the Hill (Deans Lane), and will be held on Sunday, 6^th and Sunday, 13^th September at 3pm, plus two further rehearsals at Riddell Hall – on Friday, 18^th September at 7.45pm, and at 3pm on the afternoon of Saturday, 19^th September.  The performance on 19^th September will be preceded by supper at 7.30pm for audience and cast, with the play going up at 8.15pm.

This is not a ticketed event; cost will be for food, bring your own drinks and nibbles.  Box office 01737 812 703.

Gatton Community Theatre

www.gattoncommunitytheatre.org.uk

GCT operates as a fully inclusive organisation – anyone who would like to take part may join the cast or crew regardless of experience or age, although children must be over the age of eight, as all the performances are in the evening.  There is no membership or production fee.

 July production

Times have changed since John Bunyan wrote his classic Pilgrim’s Progress, telling of Pilgrim’s journey up Hill Difficult and through the Slough of Despond to the Celestial City.  Adapted by Anna Thompson from the book by Simon Parke, Pippa’s Progress will follow the journey of Pippa, a 21^st-century Pilgrim.  This moving and modern-day story follows the original’s premise of a pilgrim’s journey to heaven, but this time through the trials and temptations of our secularised, multi-cultural society.

There will be nine open-air performances at Gatton Park, Reigate at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 15^th July; Thursday, 16^th July, Friday, 17^th July; Sunday, 19^th July (signed performance); Tuesday, 21^st July; Wednesday, 22^nd July, Thursday, 23^rd July; Friday, 24^th July and Saturday, 24^th July.

Adults £12, children £8, family ticket £30, group discounts for 10+ available.  Tickets from www.gattoncommunitytheatre.org.uk/tickets from the beginning of May.

The ground at Gatton Park may be uneven; appropriate footwear is advised.

The Heath Players

www.heathplayers.co.uk

The Heath Players Drama Group is looking for actors and actresses to join them for the Autumn 2015, and Spring and Autumn 2016 performances, and would like to invite anyone interested to contact Caroline Siggins (destination.caroline@btinternet.com) or via the Heath Players’ web site (www.heathplayers.co.uk) to discuss their involvement.  We will be holding reading sessions as we prepare for Autumn 2015 and Spring 2016.  Their input would be most welcome, as we consider possible scripts, and we look forward to meeting them as guest members.

Autumn 2015 production dates will be Thursday, 19^th and Friday, 20^th November, 2015.

Spring 2016 production dates will be Thursday, 28^th and Friday, 29^th April, 2016.

Autumn 2016 production dates will be Thursday, 24^th and Friday, 25^th November, 2016.

 Kingswood Amateur Drama and Dance Association (KADDS)

www.kingswoodvillage.org/kvca-amateur-drama-dance/

William Mckee will be directing our autumn play, Curtain Call, a comedy by Bettine Manktelow.  The play depicts an amusingly chaotic day in the life of Alec Partridge, manager of the Thurlow Playhouse.  He has a lot to deal with.  Doreta Mason, director of the playhouse’s an amateur production of Oklahoma!, upsets the stage crew with her demands for real horses in the show.  Ms Murdstone, the far from genial agent from the Arts Council, arrives to assess the theatre’s eligibility for a grant.  The front of house manager’s flirty ways upset Alec’s secretary, Val.  And worst of all is Doreta’s husband Clarence, bringing negotiation skills reminiscent of Attila the Hun to bear on the ever-worsening situation. And yet, all ends happily (for most of them), but not before a few home truths have been uttered.

The cast is 5 female and 3 male roles.

Auditions for the play will take place on 27^th June, 2015 at 2.30pm at Kingswood Village Hall, Waterhouse Lane, Kingswood.  Rehearsals will mostly take place on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons.   Performance dates are 29^th, 30^th and 31^st October, 2015.

This is an open invitation to all who would like to act or work behind the scenes.

Merstham Amateur Dramatic Society (MADS)

www.mersthamdrama.org.uk

In the autumn we shall be performing Wife After Death by Eric Chappell, directed by Toby Jones, playing on 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd October at Merstham Village Hall.  There are six good parts; a reading of the play will take place 7.45 for 8pm on 1^st June at the Church Room Church Hill, Merstham, with auditions to follow at the same time and venue on 8^th June.  Scripts can be requested in advance on 01883 742 708; other information from Tony Jones on tobyjones5@hotmail.com.

Mirror Image Theatre Company

www.mirror-image.org.uk

More information next time.

The Oxted Players

www.oxtedplayers.co.uk

www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk

The Oxted Players are affiliated to NODA and are members of BRBAC.

Autumn 2015 production

Performances will be 14^th – 17^th October at the Barn Theatre.

Lord Arthur Savile is engaged to the lovely Sybil Merton.  However, her chiromantist, Podgers, has read Lord Arthur’s palm and foretold that he will commit a murder.  Lord Arthur’s only wish is for a peaceful and blissful marriage.  He feels it is his duty to get the murder over with before the wedding.  But, despite help from his butler, Baines, and the anarchist, Winkelkopf, every attempt to do the deed fails.  Then, news arrives that Podgers is, in fact, a charlatan so Lord Arthur is free and the carriage awaits to take him to the wedding rehearsal.  Unfortunately, the coach contains Winkelkopf’s most recent bomb.  Lord Arthur saves himself by throwing it into a horse trough.  As the dust settles, two policemen appear and march the unhappy young man away and another postponement notice has to be sent to The Times.

Further details from secretary@oxtedplayers.couk or 01342 893 217.

Polesden Lacey Shakespeare

www.polesdenlaceyshakespeare.co.uk

Our summer 2015 production will be Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Helen Hardwick.

For more information, please email: communicando@hotmail.com

St Marks Players

www.stmarksplayers.co.uk

In June we shall be putting on two comedies: Little Grimley presents Strictly Sex Factor (on ice) by David Tristram and The Luvvies by Lynn Brittney.

Performance dates are Thursday, 25^th and Friday, 26^th June, 2015, at St Mark’s Church Centre, Alma Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0DA.  Doors open at 7.30pm for 8.00pm start.  Tickets cost £14 to include a fish and chip supper or £9 for a non-food ticket.  Box office 01737 764 504 (Val Haddon).

Sutton Amateur Dramatic Club

www.sadc.co.uk

More information next time.

 West Horsley Independent Players (WHIPS)

Website: www.horsleyamdram.org

Autumn audition

The autumn production will be We’ll Always Have Paris by Jill Hyem, a reunion in Paris of three school friends now in their sixties.  More information next time.

Woodmansterne Operatic and Dramatic Society (WODS) and Junior WODS

www.wods.org.uk

More information next time.

Welcome to the New Year.

It’s now 2 months since “Our Man in Havana”, which was a great production to be involved with, and from the feedback that we have received, it went down very well with the audiences as well. Many thanks go to everyone involved as always, but especially to our director Gill Lucas, whose vision it was.

Christmas dinner at “The Grumpy Mole” in Tadworth went down very well again this year. If you missed it, then you really missed out and we hope you can join us next year.

April’s production will be “Murder in Play” by Simon Brett, which will be directed by Lesley Crowther-Smith. Auditions will be held very shortly on Wednesday 4^th and Monday 9^th February. The play itself is a contemporary Mystery/Comedy/Thriller and looks like it will be as much fun to be in as to watch.

Later in the year, we a thinking of organising a trip to the close up show at the Epsom playhouse, an evening of close up magic performed by 3 magicians. Dates are not available yet but it will probably be planned for some time between June and August.

We are always on the lookout for people to help, whether it is behind the scenes, front of house or on stage. If you can spare an evening on any of the performance dates to help with tickets or refreshments, please contact Beryl White on 01737 217565 or by email on ber.white@ukgateway.net

To help with set construction, please contact David Wilson by email david.j.s.wilson@btinternet.com

If you are interested in helping and/or learning about lighting and sound, then Rod Lucas is your man and he can be contacted on 01737 812703 or by email heather.view@virginmedia.com

 

PUBLIC FORUM

As we are passionate about local, affordable theatre, we have set up this newsletter feature showing information about shows by some other amdram groups in our area – with their agreement, of course, and we expect others to join in later.  There will also be web links on the Gage Players’ website.

 

The Chipstead Players

www.chipsteadplayers.org

In February 2015 we shall be performing Wife after Death by Eric Chappell.

More information online.

  

The Gage Players

www.thegageplayers.co.uk; member of BRBAC

Our spring production will be Murder in Play by Simon Brett. Dates are: 23^rd to 25^th April 2015.  An auditions are Monday 4^th and Wednesday 9^th February.

 

Gatton Community Theatre

www.gattoncommunitytheatre.org.uk

GCT operates as a fully inclusive organisation – anyone who would kike to take part may join the cast or crew regardless of experience or age, although children must be over the age of eight, as all the performances are in the evening.  There is no membership or production fee.

 

We are looking for adults and children to take part in an open-air promenade production of Pippa’s Progress: a Pilgrim’s Journey to Heaven.  This is an adaptation by Anna Thompson from the book by Simon Parke, updating John Bunyan’s classic A Pilgrim’s Progress. This moving an modern-day story of Pippa, a 21^st-century pilgrim on a journey to heaven, but this time through the trials and temptations of our secularised, multi-cultural society.  Pippa’s challenges along the way include the Rock of Subconscious, the Cliff of Hopelessness Headspin’s Hallucinatory Mental Circus, the Garden of Sadness, the City ofSocialmeja, the Fabulous Fame Game, the Sea of Identity and, of course, Heaven – all brought to life in true GCT style in the dramatic setting of Gatton Park.

If you would like to join us on this journey, whether as an actor or backstage help in any way, come along to our drama workshops at Gatton Hall on Saturday, 21^st and Sunday, 22^nd March, 2015 at 2.30pm.  There are no formal auditions.

 

There will be nine performances during the weeks of 13^th to 26^th July, with further information on them, and ticket prices, to follow.

 

The Heath Players

www.heathplayers.co.uk

Our next performances will be on 26^th and 27^th March, 2015 – production details to follow soon.

 

Kingswood Amateur Drama and Dance Association (KADDS)

www.kingswoodvillage.org/kvca-amateur-drama-dance/

Our February 2015 production will be two one-act plays: Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations with a young cast; and Hands Across the Sea with an adult cast, produced/directed by Eileen Hannah and Jill Gunn.  Performance dates will be 19^th, 20^th and 21^st February, 2015.

 

Merstham Amateur Dramatic Society (MADS)

www.mersthamdrama.org.uk

On 6^th March, 2015 at Merstham Village Hall we shall be performing Intruder by Barry Lambert and What Shall We Do With The Body? by Rae Shirley, both directed by Barry Lambert.

 

Information on ticket prices, performance time and contact details will follow.

 

Mirror Image Theatre Company

www.mirror-image.org.uk

Our spring play will be September in the Rain by John Godber, directed by Sheila Carr, at The Meyers Studio, Epsom Playhouse from 18^th to 21^st March, 2015.

 

This heart-warming comedy tells the story of Jack and Liz (played by Chris Butler and Sara Watkins), as they recall their annual holidays in Blackpool, from their first trip as newlyweds to their final visit in old age.  Come and share their memories, filled with tears and laughter, in a golden age of donkey rides, talent contests, ice creams, rolled-up trouser legs and stripey deck chairs along the wet and windy promenades during September in the rain.

 

Tickets available on line from www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk or from the Playhouse box office on 01372 742 555.

 

The Oxted Players

www.oxtedplayers.co.uk

www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk

The Oxted Players are affiliated to NODA and are members of BRBAC.

 

In January we are performing Babes in the Wood at the Barn Theatre, directed by Chris Bassett with music from Jamie Cordell and choreography by Aimee Marie Bow; playdates 9^th – 17^th January.

 

With their parents away at the Crusades, Jack and Jill must rely on their uncle, Sir Guy of Gisbourne, to look after them.  But Sir Guy is more interested in the children’s money.  Protecting Jack and Jill from their wicked uncle and getting them home safely is obviously a job for a hero, but the only local hero has not been seen for many years.  If they can find him, will Jack and Jill be able to persuade Robin Hood and his Merry Men to come out of retirement for one last adventure?

 

Matinees are full but tickets are still available for 7.30pm evening performances except 10^th, 12^th and 13^th.  Tickets are £8 children, £10 adults, available on 01883 724 852 for cheque/cash payments or book online at www.oxtedplayers.co.uk or www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk for all card payments (a booking fee will apply).

  

Polesden Lacey Shakespeare

www.polesdenlaceyshakespeare.co.uk

Our summer 2015 production will be Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Helen Hardwick.

 

Auditions will be held on Sunday, 11^th and Sunday, 18^th January from 2.00 to 5.00pm at Follett Hall, Behind the United Reformed Church in West Street, Dorking, Surrey RH4 1BS (the entrance is on Church Street).  For more information, please email: communicando@hotmail.com

 

St Marks Players

www.stmarksplayers.co.uk

More information next time.

 

Sutton Amateur Dramatic Club

www.sadc.co.uk

More information next time.

 

West Horsley Independent Players (WHIPS)

Website: www.horsleyamdram.org

More information next time.

 

Woodmansterne Operatic and Dramatic Society (WODS) and Junior WODS

www.wods.org.uk

More information next time.

 

 

Firstly, thank you to all who came to see our Spring presentation, “Yes, Prime Minister”. We were starting to wonder if there would be an audience at one point, but it was very well attended in the end.

Thanks go to David Wilson in his first role as director and all the cast. I would like to make a special mention of Yasmine (‘Yaz’) Nixon, who stepped in to take the place of Sharon Laws who was taken ill a week before the performance.  She did a great job. I would also like to send Sharon our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I would like to have been able to put a review into the newsletter, but as I am usually a member of the cast, it is rather difficult for me to write. If anyone else would like to submit reviews of our future productions, then please feel free to do so and send me a copy for inclusion in the newsletter, on our website and on our Facebook page .

I am told that our murder mystery evening went off very well indeed. Thank you to Pip Rolls for organising the event and to all of you who helped as actors and with the preparation and clear up.

July is starting to look a little busy. There are auditions for both our November play “Our Man in Havana” as well as our September rehearsed, performed play reading.

Auditions for the September rehearsed reading with supper, Pastiche by Nick Hall, directed by Christopher Slater will be 16^th and 28^th July at Chris’s home. If you are interested in attending, please contact Chris directly on 01372454963 or by email christopherslater@ntlworld.com.

Rehearsals will be on 25^th and 27^th August at Chris’s home and on 1^st and 3^rd September, 8pm at Christchurch Hall, Walton on the Hill.

The performance itself will be 6^th September, 8pm, Riddell Hall, Walton on the Hill.

To book your ticket for the event, please call the usual ticket office number 01737812703 or by email friends@thegageplayers.co.uk.

Auditions for the November play, Our Man in Havana by Graham Greene, adapted by Clive Francis and directed by Gill Lucas will be held on 9^th and 14^th July, 8pm at Christchurch Hall, Walton on the Hill.

Rehearsals will be on Mondays and Wednesdays as usual, at 8pm in Christchurch Hall, starting from 8^th September.

The Performances will be 28^th, 29^th and 30^th November.

On Sunday, July 13^th, Jon and Sharon Laws will be hosting a Gage Barbeque at their home in Tolworth. The price is just £5 which will include hot dog, burger and salads. Please feel free to bring along anything else that you might like to stick on the BBQ as well as a bottle or two. If you would like to come along, please call the usual ticket office number 01737812703 or by email friends@thegageplayers.co.uk

Click here for a map to Sharon and Jon’s