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.
Thursday, 26 September 2013
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, 20 June 2013
Allo, Allo, Allo
June meeting
The Shakespeare Inn has changed hands and was closed for refurbishment, so it was fortunate that we could revisit Peepo's Restaurant and avail ourselves of their upstairs room.
A last minute email from Ian Hornby about his new play "Allo, Allo, Allo (Est There Anybody La?)" saved our bacon as we were without a play to read. He kindly sent an evaluation copy and 10 members got stuck in to this murder mystery country house farce. There was a laugh on the first page and that set the tone for the evening. Sir Malcolm has been murdered, but does not know he is dead and by the end of the play so are half the cast. It was a funny script and acted out should be entertaining when performed. It struck some of us that for a farce to work well it not only has to have a good script but also must be well directed and acted - a bit like Les Dawson at the piano - to play badly he had to be able to play very well!
Geoffrey made a short presentation on the play for the November production: "Reduce, Render and Sweat" by David Summers. Auditions are Saturday 21st June and Thursday 11th July at 7.30 at Oldbury Village Hall.
Onwards and upwards
No sooner was the meeting finished than we raced down to The Stable Bar to help Liz Herdson celebrate a special birthday - quite a crush of well-wishers. Congratulations Liz!
The Shakespeare Inn has changed hands and was closed for refurbishment, so it was fortunate that we could revisit Peepo's Restaurant and avail ourselves of their upstairs room.
A last minute email from Ian Hornby about his new play "Allo, Allo, Allo (Est There Anybody La?)" saved our bacon as we were without a play to read. He kindly sent an evaluation copy and 10 members got stuck in to this murder mystery country house farce. There was a laugh on the first page and that set the tone for the evening. Sir Malcolm has been murdered, but does not know he is dead and by the end of the play so are half the cast. It was a funny script and acted out should be entertaining when performed. It struck some of us that for a farce to work well it not only has to have a good script but also must be well directed and acted - a bit like Les Dawson at the piano - to play badly he had to be able to play very well!
Geoffrey made a short presentation on the play for the November production: "Reduce, Render and Sweat" by David Summers. Auditions are Saturday 21st June and Thursday 11th July at 7.30 at Oldbury Village Hall.
Onwards and upwards
No sooner was the meeting finished than we raced down to The Stable Bar to help Liz Herdson celebrate a special birthday - quite a crush of well-wishers. Congratulations Liz!
Thursday, 2 May 2013
May day
May club night and the clubs and knives are out
The ancient Greeks liked nothing better than a punch up with their neighbours and their ladies decided they had had enough. Lysistrata rounded up the women and confronted their menfolk, asking nicely if they would pack up the fighting and live in peace. "Shut up your face" was the reply. If they had to put up arms when would they have a chance to pose in their armour and wave around their bows? The women went on sex strike, which brought about a rethink. Aristophanes may have written this comedy hundreds of years ago but it has the ring of current soaps, The Archers perhaps? Thank you Liz F for bringing the scripts.
On the theme of war again, this time set in WWI, came "Accrington Pals", brought by Liz H and we had a go at Lancashire accents with varying degrees of success. I have to say we all felt a bit glum before we got very far with this tale of young men called up to serve king and country. Dave had something to say on the folly of war and I for one echoed his sentiments.
So, we turn to Rob F to rifle amongst his store of scripts for the June 5th meeting.
Meanwhile, we had a good opening night and then sold out for last Saturday's performance of "Intimate Exchanges". 3 performance nights to go. Well done all.
The ancient Greeks liked nothing better than a punch up with their neighbours and their ladies decided they had had enough. Lysistrata rounded up the women and confronted their menfolk, asking nicely if they would pack up the fighting and live in peace. "Shut up your face" was the reply. If they had to put up arms when would they have a chance to pose in their armour and wave around their bows? The women went on sex strike, which brought about a rethink. Aristophanes may have written this comedy hundreds of years ago but it has the ring of current soaps, The Archers perhaps? Thank you Liz F for bringing the scripts.
On the theme of war again, this time set in WWI, came "Accrington Pals", brought by Liz H and we had a go at Lancashire accents with varying degrees of success. I have to say we all felt a bit glum before we got very far with this tale of young men called up to serve king and country. Dave had something to say on the folly of war and I for one echoed his sentiments.
So, we turn to Rob F to rifle amongst his store of scripts for the June 5th meeting.
Meanwhile, we had a good opening night and then sold out for last Saturday's performance of "Intimate Exchanges". 3 performance nights to go. Well done all.
Monday, 29 April 2013
Our current production
Intimate Exchanges
by Alan Ayckbourn
The first weekend was sold out on the Saturday and pretty full on the opening night at Highley. A fantastic cast and crew ensured everything was transported and put up efficiently and still left time to get to the pub.
I hope the second weekend, 3rd and 4th May, at Priory Hall and final Friday 10th at Chelmarsh is as full with our supportive audiences. We shall be without Liz F's management skills, but everything has been so well organised and planned and everyone is so keen that it should (touch wood) go like clockwork.
We are already thinking ahead to the November production and would welcome ideas from members and potential directors.
by Alan Ayckbourn
The first weekend was sold out on the Saturday and pretty full on the opening night at Highley. A fantastic cast and crew ensured everything was transported and put up efficiently and still left time to get to the pub.
I hope the second weekend, 3rd and 4th May, at Priory Hall and final Friday 10th at Chelmarsh is as full with our supportive audiences. We shall be without Liz F's management skills, but everything has been so well organised and planned and everyone is so keen that it should (touch wood) go like clockwork.
We are already thinking ahead to the November production and would welcome ideas from members and potential directors.
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