Welcome to our latest Gage Players newsletter. As we head into the summer months, I’m delighted to share a few highlights and look ahead to the exciting events coming up.

Black Comedy was a real highlight of April, and it was wonderful to see new members getting involved and shining on stage.  I have included a brilliant review in this newsletter.  It is written by Franki one of our members and an actor in many of our previous productions.

I’m delighted that Mel from Black Comedy will be making her debut as director with our winter production, A Bunch of Amateurs, with auditions taking place on 24^th June.

There’s still time to join our Play Reading Group on Zoom on Monday 22^nd June at 8pm.

If you don’t have a team for the quiz social on 18^th July, we’ll be very happy to match you with one. Entry is free.  To reserve your table, contact friends@thegageplayers.co.uk.

The May Pageant was a lovely reminder of village life that means so much to us.

I hope you enjoy all our news and events and look forward to seeing you all soon

Black Comedy review by Franki
Black Comedy was a superb production.! The movement from the cast, especially Josh…and Grace, Jenny and Lars, was fantastic, their work, together with Rod and Ian’s contribution was so amazing, and the set was great! I swear I could feel pain in my shins, colliding with furniture, trying, stealthily, to keep my balance. The tension they created was palpable. It was an excellent example of “less is more” …     the hilarious effects were achieved without going over the top, which could easily have happened. Comedy is much harder to play successfully than tragedy. Timing is everything and the “small details” and gestures even more important, to be successful. I think you don’t “play it for a laugh”, but “straight”. that’s difficult to do when you’re in a play like that!  thank you to all the Gage members involved for giving me such a wonderful evening…because of a lot of hard work, I know. Many thanks to Pip, for what was, clearly, his excellent direction. 
It was all such a good laugh…just what I needed.
 
Upcoming Key Dates
Join us on Monday 22^nd June at 8pm for our first Play Reading Group.  This meet-up will be held via Zoom, where we’ll chat about our favourite plays and share what inspires us. In the weeks ahead, we’ll dive into scripts together and help choose future productions. Please confirm by Friday 19^th June by emailing friends@thegageplayers.co.uk.

Auditions for A Bunch of Amateurs by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman 
Auditions will take place on Wednesday 24^th June at 7.30pm at Walton-on-the-Hill Primary School, Walton Street, Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey KT20 7RR.
Performances will take place from 26–28 November at Riddell Hall.
Rehearsals begin on 6^th July, pause for the summer, and resume in September.
Mel McCabe invites you to audition for this fast-paced comedy. For more information or to register your interest please complete this form or contact friends@thegageplayers.co.uk.
 
Quiz Night – Saturday 18th July 2026
Join us at Riddell Hall for an evening of friendly competition and laughter. Arrive from 6pm and bring your picnic, with the quiz starting at 7pm. Teams may have up to six members, and there will also be a raffle during the evening.  Entry is free. To reserve your table, please email friends@thegageplayers.co.uk.
 
September Supper Evening with Murder and Mystery
This autumn, audiences will be invited to solve The Fun Run Mystery. Auditions will be held on Zoom on 27th July, with full details to follow shortly.
 
Join Our Acting and Backstage Team  If you’d like to get involved on stage or behind the scenes, we’d love to hear from you. friends@thegageplayers.co.uk
 
Dates for your diary

• Play Reading Group – Monday 22^nd June at 8pm via Zoom
• Auditions for A Bunch of Amateurs – Wednesday 24^th June at 7.30pm, Walton-on-the-Hill Primary School
• Quiz Night – Saturday 18^th July, from 6pm at Riddell Hall
• Murder Mystery – September date to be confirmed
• A Bunch of Amateurs by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman – 26^th, 27^th and 28^th November

 
We look forward to seeing you at one or more of these events.
Best wishes,

Bernie
Chair, Gage Committee