December e-News

WEDNESDAY 10TH DECEMBER – PLAY READING OF THE PRICE TO PAY
Graham Hough holds a reading of The Price to Pay by Ian Hornby, which requires a mixed cast of seven actors. All are encouraged to attend regardless of previous experience. The play's performance will be in March 2015. Any questions to Graham on 01606 835582. If you can't make the reading, drop Graham a line and come along to the audition anyway on Thursday 8th January.
SATURDAY 13TH DECEMBER - CAROLS AT DAVENHAM MEET 6:30PM AT THEATRE
Longstanding Davenham members will remember that, in the 'old days' it was an annual event for the Davenham Players to sing carols in the village, raising funds for the theatre and then retire to a local hostelry or house for warming refreshment. Mike Beddard suggested that we revive this ancient tradition on Saturday 13th December and it will be so. Verily, we shall meet at the theatre at 6:30pm to distribute carol sheets and maybe have a quick practise. Then we will set forth, following a friendly star, towards the village to sing at various locations and to rattle collection boxes to raise gold, frankincense and myrrh (preferably the former) for the theatre extension project. Please email Paulette if you intend to come so that we have an idea of numbers. NOTE: A torch might be useful!
JAZZ @ DAVENHAM – ZOE GILBEY, WALKER/MCCALLUM, SLOWLIGHT QUARTET
Thursday 18th December - Zoe Gilbey Quartet
Thursday 15th January – Mike Walker / Stuart McCallum
Thursday 26th February – Slowlight Quartet
Tickets can be booked by email or by phoning Harry on 01606 74502 or Dave on 01606 44253. Click here to see the Jazz page on the Davenham blog.
THURSDAY 8TH JANUARY – AUDITION FOR THE PRICE TO PAY
Graham Hough holds an audition for the Davenham Spring production  The Price to Pay by Ian Hornby, which requires a mixed cast of seven actors starting at 7:30pm. The play's performance will be in the week of 9th – 14th March 2015. Any questions to Graham on 01606 835582.
COULD YOU TAKE ON OUR TICKET SALES?
We have to admit that our ticket selling operation could be improved. At present, we have up to three methods by which the public may book tickets and problems have been experienced in recent sell-out shows. We urgently require someone to take ticket booking by the scruff of the neck and come up with a 21st century, maybe even automated, solution. The committee is open to all suggestions – we just want ticket booking to be permanently fixed! If anyone out there would consider being booking officer for the next and subsequent plays, please contact us here or phone 01606 45186 as we are desperately in need of one person to fulfil this very important job.
FRIDAY 23RD JANUARY 2015 – NEW YEAR'S QUIZ NIGHT WITH JAMIE MORRIS
Jamie Morris presents another of his well-liked quizzes - this one based on a New Year theme - at the theatre. Get there for 7:30. Teams of up to four will be accepted and anyone without a team will be found a place. All welcome to this fun but mildly competitive evening. Bar open soon after 7:00pm.
THURSDAY 29TH JANUARY 2015 – AUDITION FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Denise Barry, who is to direct the May production at Davenham is holding an audition for Alan Ayckbourn's Neighbourhood Watch at the theatre on Thursday 29th January starting at 7:30pm. Please contact Denise if you would like to know more.
 FEMALE OF THE SPECIES BY JOANNA MURRAY SMITH
Many congratulations to the Cast, Crew and Director of Female of the Species which was a complete sell-out for its six-night run at the theatre in November. It was clear to all that the hard work of the cast, the attention to detail of the crew and the determination of the director, Paulette Anderson,  that the production was to be just right paid off in a marvelously entertaining theatrical experience. Michaela Warrilow, the Cheshire Theatre Guild adjudicator, commented "Paulette allowed this production to be character led, an aspect within theatre that most directors are afraid to do". Paulette said "I was so pleased with the audience response and feedback. The cast deserved the praise they received and were ably supported by a great crew. I thank them and all the helpers wholeheartedly."
HELP NEEDED NOW TO DESIGN A DAVENHAM COMMUNITY MOSAIC
Our theatre's neighbour Jan Johnson has been making progress with her amazing scheme to build and install a Community Mosaic on the end wall of the theatre yard. Jan came to the committee with a variety of interesting design proposals last week. The committee unanimously selected an option that should give people and organizations within the Davenham community the opportunity to express their part in bringing Davenham together. Jan is now preparing some detailed requirements for the design and construction of the mosaic and is ready to welcome any enthusiastic participants. If you are interested in becoming involved in any way, please contact Jan on 01606 47278.

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NOVEMBER e-NEWS

WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 17TH NOVEMBER – FEMALE OF THE SPECIES BY JOANNA MURRAY SMITH - DIRECTED BY PAULETTE ANDERSON

Tickets for Female of the Species which opens on Monday 17^th November and runs to Saturday 22^nd November are selling well, so much so that the Thursday and Saturday evenings are now sold out. Friday is close behind, but there are ample seats available for Monday to Wednesday. To find out more about the play or to book seats (£8.00 each) you can click on this link.  This humourous yet surprising production is a 6-hander (three women, three men) written by Joanna Murray Smith. The theme involves an established author trying to write a new novel whilst suffering from writer's block. She is surprised at her desk in a country retreat by unexpected guests who divert her attention from the task in hand. There's no interval, so arrive early to get a drink at the bar. Drinks are allowed in the auditorium, but please try not to kick over your glass and remember to take it out with you at the end !

WEEK COMMENCING TUESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER to Saturday 15^th November Caramba's Revenge by William Norfolk  at Moulton

Luckily, you have the chance to see two productions in two weeks with Moulton Drama Group performing the comedy Caramba's Revenge the week before our play at Davenham. Click here to see Moulton's website for further booking information. Tickets are available via www.danarts.org.

Could you help design a Davenham Community Mosaic?

Our theatre's neighbour Jan Johnson made an offer to co-ordinate the design and installation of a Community Mosaic on the end wall of the theatre yard. We are aware that the yard has never been the most attractive part of our surroundings and were keen to accept Jan's offer. To kick off the project, Jan is looking for people with ideas for a design. If you are interested in becoming involved in any way, please reply to this and I will put you in touch with Jan and her team.

JAZZ @ DAVENHAM – The Weave, Midnight Train, Zoe Gilbey

Thursday 27th November - The Weave

Friday 5th December - Midnight Train

Thursday 18th December - Zoe Gilbey Quartet

Tickets can be booked by emailing jazz@davenham.co or by phoning Harry on 01606 74502 or Dave on 01606 44253. Click here to see the Jazz page on the Davenham blog.

Wednesday 26^th November – Play Reading of Neighbourhood Watch

Denise Barry, who is to direct the May production at Davenham is holding a reading of Alan Ayckbourn's Neighbourhood Watch at the theatre on Wednesday 26^th Nov. Starts 7:00pm

CAR PARKING AT DAVENHAM – 20 mph ZONE

Theatre patrons should be aware that Davenham Village centre is now a 20 mph traffic zone and that our theatre lies within this speed restriction. Please take special care when approaching the theatre from the village and when parking. It is important that all our members and visitors are aware that we rely on the tolerance of Church Street residents and we ask all arriving at the theatre by car to:-

·         Park considerately, not blocking any driveway or access

·         When Church Street parking is busy, please drive past the theatre towards the parish church where you will find space. The driver may wish to drop off passengers nearer the theatre before walking back

·         When leaving the theatre, please do so QUIETLY without slamming doors and without noisy conversation

SANTA URGENTLY NEEDED at Blakemere !

Davenham resident Victoria of Blakemere Craft Centre has recently contacted the Players, looking for a second Santa! Victoria says that the new Santa "is to work in our themed Grotto starting on Saturday 15^th November, to work every Saturday and Sunday until the 21^stDecember from 11am until  4 – 5pm depending on demand."

Victoria adds "The successful candidate will join an existing Santa to ‘speed up’ the process through our Grotto. You will be facing the public and will need to demonstrate great personable skills and be a good team member. You will be working with children so high levels of enthusiasm and a passion for the magic of Christmas are essential, along with high levels of customer service and a positive attitude during the busy period. This is a costumed role, which can be provided if you don’t have your own costume. A DBS check will need to be carried out if you don’t already hold one.  Own beard an advantage! (but not essential). £10 an hour paid in cash. Paid weekly. Food provided during the working day." If you are interested in this post, please contact Victoria asap on
01606 883261 victoria@visitblakemere.co.uk

Carols at Davenham Saturday 13^th December

I know it's a bit early to talk about carol singing, but I thought you would like to know about this event in advance as diaries do get full around this time of year. Longstanding Davenham members will remember that, in the 'old days' it was an annual event for the Davenham Players to sing carols in the village, raising funds for the theatre and then retire to a local hostelry or house for warming refreshment. Mike Beddard has suggested that we revive this tradition on Saturday 13^th December. So make a note to come and join us on that day – details of where and time to meet will be announced in good time.

Davenham November Production

CAR PARKING AT DAVENHAM – 2O MPH ZONE

Theatre patrons should be aware that Davenham Village centre is now a 20 mph traffic zone and that our theatre lies within this speed restriction. Please take special care when approaching the theatre from the village and when parking.
It is important that all our members and visitors are aware that we rely on the tolerance of Church Street residents and we ask all arriving at the theatre by car to:-
• Park considerately, not blocking any driveway or access
• When Church Street parking is busy, please drive past the theatre towards the parish church where you will find space. The driver may wish to drop off passengers nearer the theatre before walking back
• When leaving the theatre, please do so QUIETLY without slamming doors and without noisy conversation

WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 17TH NOVEMBER – FEMALE OF THE SPECIES BY JOANNA MURRAY SMITH - DIRECTED BY PAULETTE ANDERSON

Our Autumn production which opens on Monday 17th November is a 6-hander written by Joanna Murray Smith. Paulette Anderson is already rehearsing her three men and three ladies to act in this humourous yet unnerving production. The theme of the play involves an established author trying to write a new blockbuster but suffering from writer's block. She is surprised at her desk in her country retreat by several unexpected guests who divert her attention from the task in hand. That's all I'll say for the time being, except that a cow comes to have some relevance to the plot! Tickets are available NOW. Click here for details.

2014/15 New Season at Davenham

CAR PARKING AT DAVENHAM – 2O MPH ZONE

Theatre patrons should be aware that Davenham Village centre is now a 20 mph traffic zone and that our theatre lies within this speed restriction. Please take special care when approaching the theatre from the village and when parking.
It is important that all our members and visitors are aware that we rely on the tolerance of Church Street residents and we ask all arriving at the theatre by car to:-
• Park considerately, not blocking any driveway or access
• When Church Street parking is busy, please drive past the theatre towards the parish church where you will find space. The driver may wish to drop off passengers nearer the theatre before walking back
• When leaving the theatre, please do so QUIETLY without slamming doors and without noisy conversation

THURSDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER 7:30PM –ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

On Thursday 18th September, the AGM of the Davenham & Sandiway Players will be held at the theatre starting at 7:30pm. The committee will report on the activities of the last year and those attending will have the chance to raise for discussion any matters of interest.
FRIDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 7:30PM - NEIL MCSWEENEY SINGS AGAIN AT DAVENHAM
Andrew Whalley has arranged for Neil McSweeney to perform at Davenham on Friday 19th September. Doors and bar open at 7:30pm for an 8:00pm concert start. Neil McSweeney (born Irvine, Scotland) is a songwriter and musician based in Sheffield. His acoustic guitar playing style combines folk, blues and country influences but it is his voice, likened by The Guardian to "a male Tracy Chapman" and his direct and personal lyrics for which Neil is widely recognized. For more of Neil's biographical and musicological information, see Neil's website at http:/neilmcsweeney.com/ or his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Neil-McSweeney/59584487296. Tickets @ £8.00 can be obtained by phoning Andrew Whalley on 01606 41052 or online via the DAN Website at http://www.danarts.org/events/neil-mcsweeney-in-concert/.

SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 7:30PM –ONE NIGHT ONLY! - LAUGH OUT LOUD

For one night only, Davenham member Denise Barry has brought together our best comedy talent to present an evening of comedy monologues, poems, prose and sketches on Saturday 20th September. If you have a party piece you would like to do in front of an audience, why not come along to the rehearsal on Monday 15th September at 7pm and speak with Denise. Tickets @ £5.00 include a free raffle entry. Doors and bar open 7:00pm.

THURSDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 7:30PM – JAZZ @ DAVENHAM - THE JOHN ELLIS TRIO

Dave Atherton of Jazz @ Davenham asks "Could this be the best programme we have ever produced? We think so". Tickets are now available from the usual sources for the first two gigs and there is a new initiative for 2014/15 in which Jazz @ Davenham would like to reward their fantastic regular customers. The following will apply from the first gig...
• The cost per gig will rise to £10 from £9 (mostly to save hassle on the door) BUT...
• for every 3 gigs attended in the 2014/15 season you will be able to choose the 4th one FREE so...
• if you come to 4 gigs you will be paying £30 instead of £36
The first gig of the season is on Thursday 25th September and features the John Ellis Trio. John's musicianship has been employed by well known artists such as Tom Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae, Lily Allen, John Squire (Stone Roses) and others, as well as being a founder member of The Cinematic Orchestra and contributing heavily to the albums "Everyday" and "Man With The Movie Camera". For more details of this and later gigs, see the Davenham Players blog Jazz page at http://dsp-davenham.blogspot.co.uk/p/jazz.html.
Tickets can be booked by emailing jazz@davenham.co or by phoning Harry on 01606 74502 or Dave on 01606 44253

WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 17TH NOVEMBER – FEMALE OF THE SPECIES BY JOANNA MURRAY SMITH - DIRECTED BY PAULETTE ANDERSON

Our Autumn production which opens on Monday 17th November is a 6-hander written by Joanna Murray Smith. Paulette Anderson is already rehearsing her three men and three ladies to act in this humourous yet unnerving production. The theme of the play involves an established author trying to write a new blockbuster but suffering from writer's block. She is surprised at her desk in her country retreat by several unexpected guests who divert her attention from the task in hand. That's all I'll say for the time being, except that a cow comes to have some relevance to the plot! Tickets are not yet available, but we'll let you know in good time !
See the Players website http://www.davenhamplayers.co.uk/
and blog at http://dsp-davenham.blogspot.com/
Make it one of your favourites for the first news about our events or productions at neighbouring groups.

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July at the Players Davenham

Jacqui Campuzano wins Best Supporting Actress at Cheshire Drama Awards

There was great news at the Cheshire Theatre Guild award ceremony earlier this month in Macclesfield, when our own Jacqui Campuzano won the Geoffrey Kellett Cup for Best Supporting Actress for her part in Breathing Corpses.

Well done Jacqui and indeed to directors Graham  Hough and Ed Green.  Although that was the only award won, we were nominated in several sections and adjudicator Garth Jones said some very complimentary things about Peter Brammall and Lauren Bell in Moonshine and about the set for Steaming, for which we thank Arthur Jones. Andrea Scott and Denise Barry also had mentions as portraying a good partnership in Steaming. It was also rewarding to see members Sheila Hetherington and Jerry Park win awards for Glorious and Death of a Salesman at Moulton and Nantwich respectively. Our Secretary Paulette Anderson said afterwards "The awards ceremony is always an entertaining evening and this year was enjoyed by the party of ten of us from Davenham who attended. Very well done to all ! "

LitFest & Music at Davenham in June !

Now, with England almost certainly out of the World Cup, there's not much to watch on TV - at least until Wimbledon anyway - so here's news of events coming up at Davenham. These include three events in the Northwich Litfest (brilliantly organized by local author Susi Osborne) and a music event with Chris Bannister - who last year played music of John Denver to a sell-out audience - organized by Davenham member Denise Barry.

Read on for details…….

Note, if you are having difficulty seeing the images in this newsletter, click here to see the text plus images on our blog.

Chris Bannister sings again at Davenham – Thursday 26^th June

You will probably remember that, last year, singer Chris Bannister performed an evening of John Denver songs at Davenham to great acclaim. Chris returns again in 2014, this time performing his own songs. Tickets are available now by phone on 01606 556646 or on-line from the DANARTS website www.danarts.org. See end of this page for flyer.

Friday 20th June 7:30pm - Lizzie Enfield & Ian WIlliams

A Northwich LitFest event. Lizzie Enfield (formerly worked for the BBC, journalist, novelist, sister of Harry Enfield and equally as entertaining!!), and Ian Williams. The Bad Doctor & The Bad Patient - Two very different writers dealing with matters of life and death and everything in between; anxiety and acceptance, regrets and wrong decisions, fear, friendship, love and loss…cycling, music and the difficulties of being a proper grown up! Ian Williams is a physician and comic artist, whose graphic novel, 'The Bad Doctor', explores the darker side of medicine, revealing the harsh realities of human interaction and behaviour during times of stress and fear. Lizzie Enfield is a journalist and writer whose prose novel, 'Living With It', examines the far-reaching consequences of the MMR controversy through the personal upheaval and emotional turmoil it causes two contemporary families. Together they will discuss the crossovers between medicine and fiction, the responsibilities of writers and doctors towards their patients and subject matters, the use of medical conditions for plot and ethical dilemmas as focus for moral debate. Book Tickets Online Here

Monday 23rd June 7.30pm - Myriad Edition Publishers

A Northwich LitFest event. How To Publish Your Novel - An event which promises to be hugely entertaining as well as highly informative. A representative from Myriad Editions Publishers, together with two authors who have been published by Myriad, discuss how to get published. Making a welcome return to Northwich to host this event (in addition to one on 25th June) is the doyenne of the literary interview - Laura Lockington. Joining Laura will be:- Eleanor Crawforth - Marketing Manager at Myriad Editions Publishers. Nina de la Mer - Author of '4am' and the critically acclaimed 'Layla'. Hannah Vincent - Already a successful playwright, Hannah’s first novel, 'Alarm Girl', was shortlisted for the 2013 Hookline Novel Competition. Book Tickets Online Here

Wednesday 25th June 7.30pm - Julia Crouch and Erin Kelly in conversation with Laura Lockington

A Northwich LitFest event. Dark & Stormy - An Evening of Crime sounds an intriguing event, to say the least! This evening Laura will be talking to two hugely successful authors. Both are writers of crime and psychological thrillers. And with Laura Lockington, the doyenne of bookish-type interviews in the chair, anything is possible! Julia Crouch - Author of the widely acclaimed first novel, 'Cuckoo', which for Julia, resulted in a three book deal with Headline and deals around the world. 'Cuckoo' was followed by 'Every Vow You Break', 'Tarnished' and most recently, 'The Long Fall' - which is about a terrible thing that happened on a Greek island in 1980. Erin Kelly - Author of 'The Poison Tree', 'The Sick Rose' and 'The Burning Air' and her latest book, 'The Ties that Bind'. 'The Poison Tree' was a Richard & Judy Summer Read and became a major ITV drama. Erin has also co-written, with screenwriter Chris Chibnall, 'Broadchurch: The Novel' which will be out in August, ahead of the next TV series. Julia Crouch is a crime fiction writer from Brighton who is published by Headline. Book Tickets Online Here

Thursday 24th July 2014  7:30pm - Audition "Female of the Species

Our Autumn production is already planned and there will be an audition for‘The Female of the Species’ by Joanna Murray Smith on Thursday 24^th July at 7.30pm. The play is to be performed  from 19^th - 22^nd  November and Paulette Anderson will direct. There are plenty of parts of both sexes. 6 characters in all. The 3 females - 1 x student age, 1 x 20’s-30’s, 1 x mature 60ish. The 3 males - 2 x 30ish and 1 x 60 ish. Come along to the read through to find out more. Play copies are available from Paulette on 01606 79779.

See the Players website http://www.davenhamplayers.co.uk/

and blog at http://dsp-davenham.blogspot.com/ 

Make it one of your favourites for the first news about our events or productions at neighbouring groups.

Davenham News

CHRIS BANNISTER SINGS AGAIN AT DAVENHAM – THURSDAY 26TH JUNE 

You will probably remember that, last year, singer Chris Bannister performed an evening of John Denver songs at Davenham to great acclaim. Chris returns again in 2014, this time performing his own songs. Tickets are available now by phone on 01606 556646 and on-line purchase details will be available soon.