10/04/2016
Don Anderson - Funeral Arrangements
Don's funeral arrangements are :-
Tuesday 12th April 1.45pm at the new Vale Royal Crematorium just off the A556 before the Davenham bypass. The address is Shurlach Lane, Davenham, Northwich CW9 8RP
Morag, Beth and Paulette invite you to join them afterwards at The Coachman in Hartford. It is to be a humanist ceremony.
Paulette would like to thank you for your calls, cards and concern which have been of great comfort to her and the girls at this most awful of times.
01/04/2016
Don Anderson
Davenham Players give their condolences to Paulette and daughters Morag and Beth who were at their father Don's bedside when he died yesterday, Thursday 31st March, in hospital. Don was treasurer of The Players and had appeared in and directed many of our past productions. He last appeared on stage as a GP in Cripple of Inishmaan but his recorded voice played a part in a more recent production last year in our Summer selection of one-act plays. I will broadcast details about the funeral when known.
18/03/2016
Company of Women
Last night I watched In the Company of Women at Davenham Theatre
and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. If you like stories with a bit of bite and
that make you think, then do come along before it closes this Saturday 19th
March - only two nights left ! To book, see our website at http://www.davenhamplayers.co.uk/next-production/. Doors open 7:30pm Show at 8:00pm.
There were three entirely different plays, starting off with Kelly
Cowley in Rise and Shine. The plot provides some good laughs
as a somewhat confused mother suddenly awakes late and tries to work out what
she has to do with the baby before rushing off to work. Seeing how her thought
processes gradually try to come together as one problem leads to
another is a reminder, perhaps, of a blurry morning following a party the
night before - and so well portrayed.
Next up was Laura Bason, new to Davenham, who plays an 18 year old Lucy
Fuller in Where do Little Birds go? Lucy gets involved with underworld
life in Whitechapel in the company of people such as the infamous Kray twins.
Those were the days back in the 60s, weren't they, with people like Jack
"The Hat" McVitie, Frank "The Mad Axeman" Mitchell and so
on, plus Ronnie and Reggie of course. Lucy takes us from her time as an
innocent barmaid at Winston's night club, yearning for a job singing in a stage
musical to when, as the tale darkens, she is kidnapped by Ronnie and Reggie
Kray and locked up with an escaped murderer! Laura moves the story on gradually
and skilfully to its inevitable conclusion.
Lastly, Medea recalls the characters in the Greek tragedy, with a
chorus-like group of four actresses (Denise Barry, Vanessa Duffy, Sue Elliot
and Andrea Scott ) supporting Jo Outram in the title role. If you've ever
wondered why Medea did what she did (and I'm not going to spoil it for you by
saying what!) this play goes a long way to explain why. This was a marvellous
ensemble piece - just watch the reactions of the 'chorus' as Medea explains her
situation and how she intends to change it.
And if you don't believe how entertaining the evening was, here is
a review by Alan Lowe who also saw last night's show.....
What
used to be called the Tin Shed Theatre Company is now the Urban Trendz Theatre
Company but that is all that has changed, it still performs in Davenham and is
still full of very talented people.
On
this occasion they gave us three different plays for our money, "Where do
little birds go?" by Camilla Whitehill which revolved around the Kray
twins and two plays by Dario Fo and Franca Rame, "Rise and
Shine" a lovely little piece about simply getting up in the morning
if you are a wife and young mother and "Medea" which was about how
men mistreat their wives and go off with younger models.
Of
course my descriptions of the plays do not do them full justice, The Whitehill
play was brilliantly dark and very compelling and Laura Elisabeth Bason was
excellent in the part. Doing an hour long monologue is not easy, doing it this
well is simply remarkable.
The
other two plays were only 20 minutes long but Kelly Cowley as
"Mother" in "Rise and Shine" managed to convey all the
angst of being a young wife and mother and needing to get herself off to work.
There were plenty of laughs in this short play. "Medea" was a
different kettle of fish. Based on the Euripides play it concerns a scorned
wife who takes revenge on the husband who has left her for a young princess by
killing her own children. Her reasoning was that men had persuaded women that
their role in life was to be used and by this awful act she would prove that
she would not suffer that fate without taking reprisals. Jo Outram took the
part of Medea and played it to perfection showing that Medea was not the mad
women the others thought her to be but a reasoning woman who saw her awful act
as a perfectly logical way to pay back her husband for his infidelity. Jo was
ably supported by Denise Barry, Vanessa Duffy, Sue Elliot and Andrea Scott who,
whilst having few lines enhanced the scene with their facial and bodily
reactions to what they were hearing.
Apparently
Director Ed Green assembled his cast then found plays to suit; unusual to say
the least but it did work really well. As I am always saying no play can go on
without the crew backstage and in Lee Morgan, Graham Hough, Arthur Jones,
Chris and Tina Sproston this production was blessed with a very good one.
So
well done Urban Trendz Theatre for giving myself and your audience
a great night out, I shall be back for your next production and I have no doubt
so will anyone else lucky enough to have caught this show.
Alan Lowe.
15/03/2016
In the Company of Women - Directed by Ed Green
Seven women, three plays all in one night.
Tuesday 15th to Saturday 19th March 2016 inclusive Bar opens 7.30pm ; Show starts at 8pm; Tickets £10. Booking on-line via http://www.danarts.org/ (Development of the Arts in Northwich) or phone Davenham Players Box Office 01606 259596The show is called "In the Company of Women" :
Rise & Shine (stars Kelly Cowley) Medea (with Vanessa Duffy, Denise Barry, Sue Elliott, Andrea Scott and Jo Oultram). Both these short plays by Dario Fo & Franca Rame. Also on the same night Laura Elizabeth Bason will star in Where do Little Birds Go? by Camilla Whitehill
.
All are about women and their lot in life, their struggles and fight for identity from Medea (based on the mythic story of Jason & Medea). Rise & Shine a factory worker with a child and sleeping partner trying to get ready for work in her crowded life and Where do little birds go? about Lucy who gets caught up in 60s London as a teenager and is used by the Kray twins as a woman to “amuse” mad axeman Frank Mitchell while he is holed up in a London flat after being broken out of prison by the Krays.
Franca Rame writing about her 2 plays says “The pieces are comic, grotesque, on purpose. First of all because we women have been crying for two thousand years. So let’s laugh now, even at ourselves.”
Extract from critics about Where do Little Birds Go?:
That day in the pub, the day I first saw them, they were dressed identically. Dark wool coats, smart hats. The whole pub went quiet. It’s 1966. Lucy Fuller is 18 years old. She likes musicals and make up, and her job at Winston’s night club. One night Lucy is kidnapped by the Kray twins and locked in a flat with an escaped murderer. This is the terrifying story of Lucy’s time with Ronnie, Reggie, and Frank “The Mad Axeman” Mitchell. Where do little birds go? is a colourful and poignant tale of crime, kidnap and lost innocence in the heart of the 1960s East End.
04/03/2016
March 2016 Newsletter
In this and future
newsletters we will also be bringing news of productions by our friends at
Moulton Drama Group, who are staging their production of Haywire at Moulton
Village Hall the week before our production at Davenham Theatre. We would, of
course, strongly advise that you see both productions – see below for
details.
Tuesday 8TH – Saturday 12th
March - MDG present the Comedy Haywire
At Moulton Village Hall, Moulton Drama
Group present Haywire – a Comedy by
Eric Chappell, Directed by John Powell
Our good friends
at Moulton are presenting a comedy at their base, Moulton Village Hall, from Tuesday 8th to Saturday 12th March.
John Powell directs this fast-moving comedy
Alec Firth is having an affair with his assistant Liz
and has organised his domestic life so that they can go to Spain without making
his wife Maggie suspicious. What could go wrong? Plenty - as the rest of the
family arrive on the doorstep in rapid succession; Phoebe, Alec's mother, who
has discharged herself from the old people's home; Alec's son Jamie who has a
broken ankle, and finally his daughter Mandy who is heavily pregnant and
refuses to marry the father.
Tickets cost £7.50 on Tuesday and Wednesday and £8.50 for the remainder of the week and
are available online at
www.danarts.org/events or by phone on 01606
594178
Tuesday 15th – Saturday 19th
March dp Spring Production - In the Company of Women
Urban Trendz Theatre in collaboration
with Davenham Players present
In the Company of Women directed by Ed Green
Seven women, three
plays all in one night. Tuesday 15th
to Saturday 19th March 2016
inclusive Bar opens 7.30pm ; Show starts
at 8pm; Tickets £10. Booking on-line via http://www.danarts.org/ (Development of the Arts
in Northwich) or phone Davenham Players Box
Office 01606 259596
Rise & Shine (stars Kelly Cowley)
Medea
(with Vanessa Duffy, Denise Barry, Sue Elliott, Andrea Scott and Jo Oultram).
Both these short plays by Dario Fo & Franca Rame. Also on the same night
Laura Elizabeth Bason will star in Where do Little Birds Go? by Camilla
Whitehill.
The show is
called "In the Company of Women" : it is all about women and their
lot in life, their struggles and fight for identity from Medea (based on the
mythic story of Jason & Medea). Rise & Shine a factory worker
with a child and sleeping partner trying to get ready for work in her crowded
life and Where do little birds go about Lucy who gets caught up in 60s
London as a teenager and is used by the Kray twins as a woman to “amuse” mad
axeman Frank Mitchell while he is holed up in a London flat after being broken
out of prison by the Krays.
Franca
Rame writing about her 2 plays says “The
pieces are comic, grotesque, on purpose. First of all because we women have
been crying for two thousand years. So let’s laugh now, even at ourselves.”
Extract
from critics about Where do Little Birds
Go?:
That day in the pub, the day I first saw them, they were
dressed identically. Dark wool coats, smart hats. The whole pub went quiet. It’s
1966. Lucy Fuller is 18 years old. She likes musicals and make up, and her job
at Winston’s night club. One night Lucy is kidnapped by the Kray twins and
locked in a flat with an escaped murderer. This is the terrifying story of
Lucy’s time with Ronnie, Reggie, and Frank “The Mad Axeman” Mitchell. Where do
little birds go? is a colourful and poignant tale of crime, kidnap and lost
innocence in the heart of the 1960s East End.
Thursday 31st
March – jazz@davenham – Graeme Wilson Quartet
Tyneside based band with Graeme
Wilson tenor saxophone / Paul Edis piano / Andy
Champion double bass / Adam Sinclair drums
The sets are of original material, including music from their recent EP
Pleasureland and pieces that have just been recorded for a future release. The
players infuse driving jazz and latin rhythms with wider enthusiasms for folk
and ambient ballads, free improv and the dancefloor. Their tunes explore
unusual meters and structures as vehicles for angular and passionate solos,
with melodies that tell a story and stay with you. In conjunction with Jazz
North.
Tickets for
both gigs 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 Website. Advance booking is strongly recommended for both gigs. Doors
and Bar open at 7:30pm. Music starts at 8:00pm.
Thurs 21st
to Sat 23rd April – Jennifer Terran performs live at Davenham
Here's advance notice of a special music event at Davenham. Phil Perry
is organizing a three-night gig by Jennifer Terran. She's produced around 7
albums and has a very special voice.
You need to hear the sensational voice of Jennifer Terran, an American
singer-songwriter, who sings and plays the piano, blending her own unique style
of harmony and discord to achieve a beautiful sound that you will simply fall
in love with. Often compared to Tori Amos, Jennifer has evolved her own musical
style based on an infusion of influences, most notably from LA and the west
coast. Preferring slower tempos, she has developed a raw intensity and
authenticity, applying her hauntingly beautiful voice in such a way, that
captures your heart and soul. Jennifer has produced six solo albums, the most
notable of which (‘The Musician’) was described by The Sunday Times as ‘its
second best album of the year –2002’, receiving critical acclaim on both sides
of the Atlantic and 4 stars in The Rolling Stone Magazine. Jennifer loves
performing in smaller intimate venues where she can establish a real connection
with her audience, and her appearance at Davenham Theatre this April, is sure
to be a major talking point for those lucky enough to see her perform live.
Tickets are £10.00 (concessions £8.00) available
online at www.danarts.org or by phone on
01606 882574. Doors and Bar open 7:30pm. Music at 8:00pm
Thursday 7th APRIL - Play
Reading 7:30pm at the theatre
Denise is back with
another of her popular play reading evenings. All are welcome to come along and
read or just listen. These evenings help us select plays for possible future
performance and are friendly social events with the bar open for use. We don't
yet know what reading Denise will select – you'll have to come along and find
out !
Mosaic News – Open Workshops now
Complete
Much more progress has been made than Jan originally thought and the
majority of the mosaic panels are either completed or just need small sections
finishing off. As a result, there is really insufficient substantial work to
justify further large-scale open workshop sessions. However, there may be
opportunities for finishing work at Jan's house. Jan has also offered to run a
Mosaic Masterclass for interested people. If you are interested in either of
these activities, contact Jan at mosaicopia@gmail.com
Subscription Reminder
Paulette gently reminds
all members that 2016 subscriptions are now due. Please send them (£20.00
payable to Davenham Players) to her c/o the theatre.
03/02/2016
Davenham February Newsletter
Thursday 4th Feb - PLAY
READING 7:30pm at the theatre
Graham Hough is organizing
this reading of the play he is directing for performance in June. The play is
one of the Farndale Avenue series - the Murder Mystery. All are welcome to come
along and read or just listen. Farndale Avenue plays always find a way, in fact
several ways, of going wrong and the reading should be a lot of fun. The play
requires four female and one male actor but everyone will get a chance to read
tonight.
Saturday 20th Feb –
Belle Voci Opera Night Doors 7:15pm for 8:00pm Start
This is a first for Davenham and promises to be really special. Belle Voci
are a fresh and exciting classical duo who will be presenting a diverse
repertoire of well loved duets and arias. The duo, having recently performed at
the Liverpool Echo arena, promise to give us a night to remember.
Tickets
£12 which includes a glass of fizz on arrival and interval canapés.
Doors 7:15pm. Performance at 8:00pm
Tickets from www.danarts.org or from Davenham Theatre on 01606 259596
Doors 7:15pm. Performance at 8:00pm
Tickets from www.danarts.org or from Davenham Theatre on 01606 259596
Sunday 21st February -
Mosaic Workshop 10:00am–4:00pm
Jan is now back from her mosaic work and holiday in Chile and has booked
the theatre for a mosaic workshop on 21st February 10am to 4pm. Join Jan and
friends at the theatre for whatever time you can spare working on the
Davenham Community Mosaic. Or come along to watch how the mosaic is growing.
Don’t come in your best clothes, but if you do, an apron will be provided, as
will hot or cold drinks, and maybe a
biscuit or two.
TUESDAY 15TH March opening night of In the Company of Women
In the
Company of Women is the Spring production at Davenham. Produced by Ed
Green under his new group called Urban Trendz Theatre, it features a
number of short plays by modern authors.
The
individual plays are:-"Rise & Shine" (stars Kelly Crowley) and
"Media" (with Vanessa Duffy, Denise Barry, Sue Elliott, Andrea Scott
and Jo Outran). Both these short plays by Dario Of & Franca Rime.
Also on the
same night Laura Elizabeth Bason will star in "Where do Little Birds
Go" by Camilla Whitehall.
We are looking
for Front of House staff for this production. A minimum of two people,
preferably three, are required per night, at least one of whom must stay
throughout the performance until the audience is clear. They may, of course,
sit in on the production if space allows or if they wish to be sure of a seat,,
book at a reduced price. Please help and send your name and availability to
Paulette or Bob.
Tickets
will be available soon. More details will follow soon, but, meanwhile, you
will be able get more information from Facebook Page Urban
Trendz Theatre.
Ruth and George Rutter – Early
leaders of the DAVENHAM PLAYERS
Sad news has reached us
that both Ruth and George Rutter, early leading members of the Davenham Players
have sadly died within two months of each other at the age of 90. Ruth, a
former nurse, had been caring for George who was largely wheelchair bound owing
to severe arthritis in his last years. Ruth was in better health but succumbed
to a tumour in November 2015 after a short illness. George then moved to a
nursing home but fell ill and within two months had also died.
Ruth and George were keen
members of the Davenham Players. George was an accountant by profession and he
was instrumental, along with colleagues, in organizing the purchase and
conversion of the theatre premises. Ruth was active in productions and at the
centre of the social life of The Players. Although not an active member, George
had continued to inspect the accounts of the club until September of last year
(2015).
The Davenham Players send
their condolences to daughters Lorna and Janet.
Subscription Reminder
Paulette gently reminds
all members that 2016 subscriptions and now due. Please send them (£20.00) to
her (along with your availability for front of house) at the theatre.
THURSDAY 25th Feb - JAZZ
@ DAVENHAM – MANJULA
On Thursday 25th
Feb, Jazz@Davenham is pleased to
present the MANJULA and then on Thursday 31st March
the GRAEME WILSON QUARTET come to Davenham. Bookings are currently open for both
concerts and is strongly recommended to ensure you get in.
MANJULA
(meaning melodious) has been going from strength to strength since its birth in
May 2014 exploring, innovating and bringing together rhythms and melodies from
other cultures to create a beautiful mix and relationship of sounds from around
the globe. This Leeds-based project is an example of modest, forward thinking
global music as well as an exploration, incorporating Portuguese, African,
Latin jazz influences with the haunting ambience of Indian vocal training and
the rhythmic attack of Jazz Improvisation.
Teaming up
with percussionist Sam Bell – band leader of the Bugalu Foundation, Guitarist
Joe Harris – creator of Ikestra, double bassist Simon Read of the Simon Read
Octet and Matt Holborn Quintet; Vanessa Rani has created a
project which has its own authenticity and integrity with the influence of
other cultures and will take your mind on journeys to faraway places and make you
feel at home.
Tickets for both gigs 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 Website. Advance booking is strongly recommended for
both gigs. Doors and Bar open at 7:30pm. Music starts at 8:00pm.
THURSDAY 3rd March St
Luke's Charity Jazz with Sir John Deane's Jazz Band
Sir John
Deane’s Jazz Band are giving a Charity Concert in aid of St Luke’s Hospice on THURSDAY
3rd MARCH 2016 at Northwich Memorial Court, Chester Way, Northwich,
Cheshire CW9 5QJ.
Starts 7.30 TICKETS £7
Starts 7.30 TICKETS £7
Sir John
Deane’s Jazz Band will play a repertoire of popular blues and jazz through to
modern swing. The band was formed in September 2013 and has been hugely
successful, grown rapidly and now features twenty talented musicians and
vocalists. They make an impressive sound with rhythm, brass and woodwind sections.
The band has previously performed for charity including a concert at Eaton Hall
and a stunning evening of jazz and swing at the Macdonald Portal in Tarporley.
You can buy
tickets (£7.00) for this great evening's entertainment via DANArts and St
Luke's Hospice (an excellent local charity) or at the Jazz@Davenham February
concert. Or you can book online at Northwich Memorial Court – Brio Leisure
Entertainment https://theatrebooking.brioleisure.org
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