Hello everyone,
This summer is producing such an exciting time for the Gage Players. Auditions are taking place this month for the three September play readings From Here to the Library by Jimmie Chinn and Alfred the Great and The Spanish Armanda both written by Pip Rolls. We have additional production news with the unveiling of our planned winter production, ‘Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh.
We are also busy working on an ambitious project for Gage’s 75th anniversary year, 2025, but for this to happen we need to increase our funds. This poses quite a challenge, but knowing how passionate our members, friends and our audiences feel about this extraordinarily special place, it’s a challenge we’re more than equal to. Over the next few months, you’ll notice our fundraising messaging starts to appear on more social media outlets. We are never going to stop talking to our supporters in person, but we need you – our members and friends – to share with others what is happening at the Gage, whether it be auditions or productions, to spread the news. Remember word of mouth is of equal importance!
We are very fortunate to be part of the Walton on the Hill community and want to say an especial big thank you to the May Pageant committee, including three of their wonderful ladies, Lorraine, Claire and Eileen, for their generous donation of £450 to the Gage. What a great start for our 75th Anniversary funds!
Key Updates
July
The Gage Midsummer lunch
Only a few days left until our midsummer lunch! Table is booked for Saturday 6th July at 1pm at The White Hart in Chipstead. A wonderful opportunity to catch up and relax. Keeping fingers crossed the weather is going to be good to us.
September – Rehearsed play readings
On Saturday 7th September there will be three rehearsed play readings to be held at 7pm at the Riddell Hall. This informal evening is an opportunity for family, friends and members to come together. Bring your own drinks and snacks, to have before curtain up and after the interval.
Audition reminder dates
From Here to the Library by Jimmie Chinn, directed by Anne Henderson.
A touching and humorous account of Beryl, whose home life is dominated by her father. Her only escape is her work at the library. When she storms out of work after a fit of temper, her boss visits her to find out why.
The read-through audition will take place at director Anne Henderson’s house near Dorking on Wednesday 17th July at 8pm.
If you are interested in taking part, please contact Anne on annehenderson@hotmail.com by 15th July.
Alfred the Great and The Spanish Armanda both written and directed by Pip Rolls.
Two historical comedies that offer a quirky view of how well-known events from history could have played out differently.
For these two plays the read-through audition will be held via Zoom on Wednesday 31st July at 8pm. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Pip on pip.rolls@yahoo.co.uk
For those who cannot take part on these dates, please contact the directors to arrange a date that suits. There are parts of different sizes and no lines to learn! If you’ve never acted before or it’s been a while, we would love to see you.
November
Our planned winter production will be the comedy Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh, directed by Anne Henderson. Performing on 28, 29 & 30th November.
Audition notice will be going out separately with audition dates. If you are interested, please contact Anne on annehenderson@hotmail.com
by Monday 12th August.
Poetry and Prose – summer pause
We are going to have a summer pause from our poetry evenings and will return when the nights draw in. Think of poetry as a friend who is happy to wait for us to return to those cosy autumn evenings. Also giving us the summer to find new poems to share.
My starter for our poetry enthusiasts is from a sonnet by William Shakespeare:
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.
I throw the gauntlet down for someone in the Gage to recite on our return in the autumn!
Dates for your diary
- Saturday 6th July at 1pm for a Midsummer lunch held at the White Hart, Chipstead
- Saturday 7th September for an evening of rehearsed play readings, with supper at 7pm, at the Riddell Hall
- Winter production 28th, 29th and 30th November – Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh.
We look forward to seeing you at the Midsummer lunch and in September for the rehearsed play readings.
Best wishes,
Bernie Chair, Gage Committee
