Thursday 26 September 2013

October

Club night
We meet on Wednesday 2nd at The Shakespeare in Bridgnorthas usual, but I suspect we might be a select few as rehearsals have started on "Reduce, Render and Sweat".  See you there - I hope.

Linda Povey

The sudden loss of member Linda Povey came as a great shock.  She was a founding member from the Players' inception and acted in our first production.  When not in a play she could be found back stage or front of house.  She was a writer too, of short stories for magazines and of short plays.  We had the pleasure of reading some at our monthly club nights as well as performing one, "Ghost Story".  Linda was talented, but unassuming; warm and friendly. 
Her funeral on 5th September brought together friends who had known Linda since they were 17, friends from her 8 years in Bridgnorth and other special friends.  Her son Colin paid tribute to her as a very special mum.  We shall miss her.

Dudmaston celebrates

Celebrating the people and events of 1908
Bridgnorth Players were delighted to be invited to reprise their roles as house staff, visitors and recently widowed Alice Wolryche-Whitmore over the August Bank Holiday, as last year.  August 1908 saw the birth of Lady Labouchere, the Hall’s last chatelaine and also the running of the estate passing on to her uncle, Captain Geoffrey Wolryche-Whitmore, who turned it into a model of enlightened agricultural and forestry practice before passing it on to her.
It is great to be invited to take part in such events.

July AGM

Guest speaker: Christopher Key
We were privileged to have the director of "Les Miserables" as guest speaker at our AGM. Christopher Key spoke about how "Les Mis" has been woven through his career from the start.  He diverted into other ventures on several occasions, including performing in "Jerry Springer, the Musical", but over the years "Les Mis" has enticed him back. He has taken several roles, including Jean Valjean, before ending up as director. Balancing the demands of the theatre with family life has influenced his decisions. Recently Christopher and his wife Lucy have set up the Key Theatre Academy for young people in Much Wenlock.  He was thanked warmly by Dorothy on behalf of the members and a cheque donated to a charity of his choice.

The business of the evening was the consideration of the annual report and accounts and the appointment of officers and committee members.  Dorothy Leiper stepped down after 5 years as secretary and handed over to Maureen Callon, who stepped down as chairman.  Liz Fisher was elected chairman having formerly been treasurer and Pat Lowe was elected in her place. David Kelly and Kathie Oakley joined the committee, Kathie as membership secretary.

The evening was warm enough for us to sit outside and enjoy a bbq, but an evening chill later sent us indoors for puddings.

All in all it was a very pleasant evening.