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