"Such fun" was Liz F's verdict on the Sunday at Dudmaston when some of our members got into role for the National Trust's celebration of some significant events of 1908.
The sad news that year was that Francis Wolrych-Whitmore, owner and resident of Dudmaston had died and as his son, also Francis, and his wife Alice had a home in London they had no option but to let Dudmaston until such time as Francis's diplomatic commitments could allow them to retire to the country. So, the scene was set for the Players, with Alice (Liz F), in mourning, accompanied by her maid (Linda) interviewing prospective tenants, including a Mrs Baker (Dorothy) who eventually took the tenancy with her husband. Davis (Owen) welcomed visitors in the entrance hall and below stairs Martha Shepherd (Pat L) grumbled at kitchen maid Annie (Patricia) wondering if the new tenants would need staff or bring their own. The good news was that Francis and Alice's daughter Olive was about to give birth to a baby, the future Rachel Lady Labouchere, who was the last owner of Dudmaston. Olive's brother Geoffrey was to take over the running of the estate and it was he who introduced new forestry practices and ensured the future of the estate.
History lesson over. It was nice to be invited by Tessa, NT events organiser at Dudmaston to take part and gratifying that the visitors seemed to enjoy it, some entering into the spirit of it: one gent asked if he could take on the house for his 10 children, aged 1 to 8! Mrs W-W was not encouraging. Over 1000 visitors came on the Sunday and slightly fewer on the damp Monday. Outside children played Victorian games, folk dancers danced and in the library a couple of very talented ladies worked on botanical paintings.
It's good to say "yes". We'll put it in the diary for next year.
Friday, 31 August 2012
Thursday, 2 August 2012
August olympic dropouts
The Shakespeare shuffled us into the Skittle Alley away from our usual room last night, no doubt recognising that we were sporting types. It made setting out chairs into a sociable circle a bit easier. Maureen took the chair for the first time and welcomed 14 members, including two new folk - Nicola and Trish.
Dudmaston have approached us to help out over Bank Holiday weekend with their "Celebrate, it is 1908" event (shurely shum mishtake?) and, to our credit, 5 folk volunteered, so we'll toddle along next week to find out more.
Gill reported that auditions for our November production, "Jug" were well attended; she was spoiled for choice for the female parts and had a sleepless night casting them, and is now weighing up the options for the male roles before making those phone calls.
Members are invited to use a rehearsed play reading as a try out for a one act play of their choice with a view to developing it for the "Golden Beaks Award" in Sept 2013. We have received one suggestion (it sounded good, but I won't give the game away), so we can expect a run through in the spring. Any other offerings out there?
Kerry brought a favourite play "Memory of Water", a tragi-comedy by Shelagh Stephenson to read. Despite its setting (three sisters come together for the funeral of their mother) it had us in stitches. The sisters are very different one from the other and their memories of events from their child-hood differ widely. Thanks Kerry.
Next months meeting is 5th September and will be a reading from Ayckbourn's "Intimate Exchanges".
Dudmaston have approached us to help out over Bank Holiday weekend with their "Celebrate, it is 1908" event (shurely shum mishtake?) and, to our credit, 5 folk volunteered, so we'll toddle along next week to find out more.
Gill reported that auditions for our November production, "Jug" were well attended; she was spoiled for choice for the female parts and had a sleepless night casting them, and is now weighing up the options for the male roles before making those phone calls.
Members are invited to use a rehearsed play reading as a try out for a one act play of their choice with a view to developing it for the "Golden Beaks Award" in Sept 2013. We have received one suggestion (it sounded good, but I won't give the game away), so we can expect a run through in the spring. Any other offerings out there?
Kerry brought a favourite play "Memory of Water", a tragi-comedy by Shelagh Stephenson to read. Despite its setting (three sisters come together for the funeral of their mother) it had us in stitches. The sisters are very different one from the other and their memories of events from their child-hood differ widely. Thanks Kerry.
Next months meeting is 5th September and will be a reading from Ayckbourn's "Intimate Exchanges".
Friday, 20 July 2012
Auditions 25th July for comedy, "Jug"
Open auditions for a comedy, "Jug", by Henry Livings are on Wednesday 25th July at Oldbury Village Hall, Old Mill Lane, Bridgnorth at 7.30. Limited parking outside the hall, but plenty in the church car park back on Oldbury Road - the B4363.
Performance dates: 23rd/24th November and 30th Nov/1st December in Bridgnorth and a couple of local villages.
Six men, four women, all ages.
Based loosely on a restoration comedy called "The Shattered Jug" this is a jolly romp set in a pub cum court. The jug in question was broken when an intruder entered the bedroom of a young girl and her mother wants the culprit brought to justice. The publican/magistrate has other things on his mind, including a sore head and the threat of a local big wig carrying out an audit on how he carries out his duties. Think "Only Fools and Horses" or anything with the two Ronnies in and you'll get the idea!
For more information or to express an interest contact director Gill Kelly on 07974 795877
Performance dates: 23rd/24th November and 30th Nov/1st December in Bridgnorth and a couple of local villages.
Six men, four women, all ages.
Based loosely on a restoration comedy called "The Shattered Jug" this is a jolly romp set in a pub cum court. The jug in question was broken when an intruder entered the bedroom of a young girl and her mother wants the culprit brought to justice. The publican/magistrate has other things on his mind, including a sore head and the threat of a local big wig carrying out an audit on how he carries out his duties. Think "Only Fools and Horses" or anything with the two Ronnies in and you'll get the idea!
For more information or to express an interest contact director Gill Kelly on 07974 795877
July meeting
Not only was the July meeting the AGM, but also a post-production celebration. "Behind Every Successful Man .." was well worth doing, - so said our members, audiences and Shropshire Review. We were really pleased at the feedback comments on the "Seen it, done it, got creative" postcards that were then sent to Shropshire Council as part of the conditions of our grant aid for the lighting. Talking of lighting, Liz Fisher pulled a rabbit out of the bag, or rather, a new control desk. We now need just the dimmers to have a complete package. A big thank you to Liz and Owen for sorting this and to Liz in particular for picking up the RSC Open Stages project and making it happen.
Liz Herdson stood down as chairman, having led Bridgnorth Players in this role since its formation four years ago. Her offer to look after publicity was warmly accepted; we know she has a talent for this, having seen the excellent job she did promoting the Shakespeare production. Maureen takes over the mantle of chairman, Dorothy continues as secretary and Liz F as treasurer with support from Pat Lowe. Lynne Fox continues as membership secretary and Geoffrey Speechly on the committee.
We thanked Mark Rigg for looking after safety issues this past year and wished him well in his new engineering venture.
There was a plentiful spread of food - a veritable feast. David Kelly cribbed a celebrity picture quiz, although in this case the portraits were in cartoon form instead of photos. Lady Ga Ga or Uma Thurman? Posh or Sandra Bullock? We'll never know as he did not have an answer sheet! Good fun. Gill K read "Hamlet rehearsal" from Victoria Wood and Richard A, our host, produced a gem from David Ive's collection "All in the Timing" called "Sure Thing".
All in all a good evening.
Liz Herdson stood down as chairman, having led Bridgnorth Players in this role since its formation four years ago. Her offer to look after publicity was warmly accepted; we know she has a talent for this, having seen the excellent job she did promoting the Shakespeare production. Maureen takes over the mantle of chairman, Dorothy continues as secretary and Liz F as treasurer with support from Pat Lowe. Lynne Fox continues as membership secretary and Geoffrey Speechly on the committee.
We thanked Mark Rigg for looking after safety issues this past year and wished him well in his new engineering venture.
There was a plentiful spread of food - a veritable feast. David Kelly cribbed a celebrity picture quiz, although in this case the portraits were in cartoon form instead of photos. Lady Ga Ga or Uma Thurman? Posh or Sandra Bullock? We'll never know as he did not have an answer sheet! Good fun. Gill K read "Hamlet rehearsal" from Victoria Wood and Richard A, our host, produced a gem from David Ive's collection "All in the Timing" called "Sure Thing".
All in all a good evening.
Monday, 18 June 2012
Women, Women, Women ...
Behind Every Successful Man ............
The blurb said:"If Shakespeare were alive today he would be writing TV dramas. We've picked some of his juiciest plots..." and what an evening's entertainment it turned out.
Well done Bridgnorth Players and well done Liz Fisher for initiating this project and being the driving force behind it. Taking bite size chunks of Shakespeare to six different venues is ambitious but from the reception so far at Eardington, Tasley, Quatt and Cleobury Mortimer it was well worth doing.
Great acting, excellent lighting and sound and imaginative, subtle scene changes.
Half the fun is what has gone before with all the planning and preparation, and even those of us who could not be in it were still able to ride on your coat-tails and take part in the Royal Shakespeare Company's workshops at Stratford. Thank you.
I hear that Chelmarsh Parish Hall ticket sales for this Friday 22nd June are racing along, but there are still seats available for the last night on Saturday 23rd at Morville Village Hall. Phone Lynne Fox at the box office on 01746 764212.
Dorothy
The blurb said:"If Shakespeare were alive today he would be writing TV dramas. We've picked some of his juiciest plots..." and what an evening's entertainment it turned out.
Well done Bridgnorth Players and well done Liz Fisher for initiating this project and being the driving force behind it. Taking bite size chunks of Shakespeare to six different venues is ambitious but from the reception so far at Eardington, Tasley, Quatt and Cleobury Mortimer it was well worth doing.
Great acting, excellent lighting and sound and imaginative, subtle scene changes.
Half the fun is what has gone before with all the planning and preparation, and even those of us who could not be in it were still able to ride on your coat-tails and take part in the Royal Shakespeare Company's workshops at Stratford. Thank you.
I hear that Chelmarsh Parish Hall ticket sales for this Friday 22nd June are racing along, but there are still seats available for the last night on Saturday 23rd at Morville Village Hall. Phone Lynne Fox at the box office on 01746 764212.
Dorothy
Thursday, 3 May 2012
"Behind Every Successful Man........"
In association with the Royal Shakespeare Company's "Open Stages" project Bridgnorth Players present a touring production of Shakespearean extracts celebrating woman "in her infinite variety", to quote the Bard.
All venues are in Shropshire, in villages around Bridgnorth and tickets can be booked through Lynne Fox on 01746 764212
Friday 8th June at Eardington Village Hall
Sat 9th at St Leonard's Hall, Racecourse Drive, Bridgnorth
Friday 15th at Quatt Village Hall
Saturday 16th at Cleobury Mortimer Parish Hall
Friday 22nd at Chelmarsh Village Hall
Saturday 23rd at Morville Village Hall
We are delighted that so many members are taking part, both on stage and behind the scenes and are pleased to be welcoming several new members.
All venues are in Shropshire, in villages around Bridgnorth and tickets can be booked through Lynne Fox on 01746 764212
Friday 8th June at Eardington Village Hall
Sat 9th at St Leonard's Hall, Racecourse Drive, Bridgnorth
Friday 15th at Quatt Village Hall
Saturday 16th at Cleobury Mortimer Parish Hall
Friday 22nd at Chelmarsh Village Hall
Saturday 23rd at Morville Village Hall
We are delighted that so many members are taking part, both on stage and behind the scenes and are pleased to be welcoming several new members.
May meeting
Last night was a hoot! At one point G Speechly was speechless and LH was snorting into her script....That man Ayckbourn - how does he manage to pull humour out of ordinary people in disfunctional relationships and make us laugh despite ourselves?
MC brought along volume 1 of "Intimate Exchanges" and selected one play. The volume comprises 4 plays, I think, each with the same opening scenes, so one can choose which way to go with the story. The plays are for 4 characters, but played by just 2 actors. AA requests that any group putting a play on with 4 actors should tell the audience before hand of his intentions, so they can understand the play's idiosyncrasies, and know what they are missing! Sorry, AA, if MC picks this one for our Spring production we'd like to include as many members as possible, so 4 actors it is.
There will be no June meeting as it clashes with the dress rehearsal for our Shakespeare production.
MC brought along volume 1 of "Intimate Exchanges" and selected one play. The volume comprises 4 plays, I think, each with the same opening scenes, so one can choose which way to go with the story. The plays are for 4 characters, but played by just 2 actors. AA requests that any group putting a play on with 4 actors should tell the audience before hand of his intentions, so they can understand the play's idiosyncrasies, and know what they are missing! Sorry, AA, if MC picks this one for our Spring production we'd like to include as many members as possible, so 4 actors it is.
There will be no June meeting as it clashes with the dress rehearsal for our Shakespeare production.
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