The Davenham Players newsletter Oct 2012

You might have thought that after winning 4 awards for ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ at the Cheshire Theatre Guild  in July – how do we follow that!...... but ......

The new season at ‘The Players’ started in a very different style with our Art and Craft/ Book launch day on 22^nd Sept. Mike Beddard, long time member and author of the children's book Lost In The Snow which you will have already heard about, asked way, way back last season if he could hold his book launch at the theatre. Beth Anderson had already suggested at our AGM this summer that we ask local artists to display their work at our theatre, so we thought this an ideal opportunity to combine the two events, especially as it was in our theatre that Mike was inspired  to write his story, now beautifully illustrated by Rebecca Yoxall.

So the two events were combined into this one day of all-round culture. It never ceases to amaze me how talented people are;  there were stalls with cakes, jewellery, felt work, cards, tea towels, plants and paintings. Together with selected extracts read by Vanessa, Don and Paulette, carefully staged by Ed, the whole day proved to be most successful with a steady stream of people throughout the day. 

We said a fond farewell to Andrea Scott at the AGM in July and wished her every success as manager of a lovely pub in Youlgreave in Derbyshire. We hear she is working very hard but hopes she will find time to visit us. Peter Lownds has taken over the running of the bar in her place. We are always on the lookout for people to help serve behind the bar, especially as there are now so many more events. If you feel you can offer help, please contact Pete direct on :  plownds26@aol.com

As always, there has been plenty to do at the theatre during the summer  and much work has been completed. Thanks go to Arthur for this, ably aided on several occasions by Bob. We now have a lovely tiled floor in the kitchen, and a newly donated cooker.  The foyer has been transformed with new lights and decorative boards advertising future concerts and productions. We have work parties from time to time and are very grateful for any help. Please do come along as your help is invaluable.

Since September we have held  several  play-reading evenings and hope to continue this as it is an excellent way of familiarising ourselves with plays  which could be produced in the future.

It is with great pleasure that we welcome new member George Ogazi who has joined us at play readings and I think enjoyed our company enough to sign up !

On the subject of plays and productions ..... we are always on the lookout for people who would like to direct a play. If you feel you would  like a go or have a burning desire to direct a particular play, then please contact any of our committee members who are :-

Bob Almquist – Chairman

Paulette Anderson- Secretary

Don Anderson- treasurer

Ed Green- Artistic director

Graham Hough – Lighting and Sound

Vanessa Duffy – Marketing

Denise Barry – Social

Arthur Jones – building -              ...and in Sept  we welcomed .........

Peter Lownds- Bar manger   

Lorraine Dunne- grants

The forthcoming Tin Shed production of  Playhouse  Creatures by April de Angelis and directed by Felicity Goodman is in rehearsal for performance from 28^th Nov-1^st Dec .. Booking: ed@tinshedtheatre.co.uk  or tel 01606 784442.

Barbara Crellin has cast her play God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza which will be produced at the beginning of Feb 2013. It is good to see Phil Perry back  in his acting shoes to take a role in this play. More details to come.

Visiting director Jerry Park from  Nantwich  players is set to produce our March play A Curious Savage. Auditions will take place in early January but there is a reading of the play on Nov 1^st at 7.30pm so do come along if you want to find out what it’s about. It’s a large cast -11, so we’ll need you all !!!

Felicity Goodman and Tom Barry are running evenings where you can hone your acting skills. ‘Act, Laugh, Move’ allows you to do just that for the small fee of £5 per evening. Next one is Fri 16^th Nov at 7pm. No need to book -  just turn up.

Local Art Historian Adrian Sumner is presenting an illustrated lecture on The Horse in Art at the theatre. Proceeds go to the charity Riding for the Disabled on Friday 9th Nov - Tickets £7 from Helen Sumner 07794 899 160 or hsu3913842@aol.com

Our Xmas party will take place on Dec 8^th at 7.30pm. We have music from Rockafellas, a close harmony group and one of Gill Gregory’s famous hotpot suppers- all for £8  tickets from Paulette 01606 79779

At all these events, Pam Molloy will be selling her calendars, this year with pictures of the ‘Players’ in action. These sell at a modest £2 and  Pam has kindly produced these to raise money for the theatre and is taking part in the Barclays  £ for £ scheme. Anything she raises with the sale of these calendars will be doubled by Barclays, so please support Pam (and of course the Players) in this venture. To order from Pam direct  e-mail : pamyollom@aol.com

Jazz is in full swing and there have already been two enjoyable events in September and October. Next music event is Friday 26^th Oct  with Junction 3  details  from Ed @tinshedtheatre.co.uk.

And lastly, an appeal from Altrincham for an actor

*DESPERATELY SEEKING A VICTORIAN BADDIE:

Altrincham Little Theatre is in urgent need of an actor to step in to play the role of Jack Manningham in Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton from November 11th to 17th 2012. Our Jack has had to drop out owing to serious health problems. Any offers of help should be made 1) by replying on the Altrincham Little Theatre facebook page or 2) by emailing clubtheatresecretary@hotmail.co.uk.*

As you can see there’s plenty going on. Now all it needs is YOU and YOUR FRIENDS . Spread the word and come along. It only leaves me now to remind you of ..............................................

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY.

 Oct 26^th- Junction 3 playing Blues, Swing and Jazz

Nov 1^st – Play reading of ‘A Curious Savage’  7.30pm

Nov 9^th – The Horse in Art –Lecture

Nov 16^th Laugh Act Move- 7pm

Nov 28^th-1^st Dec  ‘Playhouse Creatures’

Dec  8^th – Christmas Party

From Newsletter Editor-      Paulette Anderson - Hon Sec (and aspiring granny!)

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