This Blog is now Closed - Please refer to our Website in future

This Blog is now CLOSED 

For future events at Davenham Theatre and Davenham Players productions, please refer to our website at 

http://www.davenhamplayers.co.uk/ or

http://www.davenhamtheatre.co.uk

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.

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.

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.

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

The 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.

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 8^TH – Saturday 12^th 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 15^th – Saturday 19^th 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 31^st 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.

A taster also on this link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3BLNegonME

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 21^st to Sat 23^rd 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 7^th 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. 

Davenham February Newsletter

Thursday 4^th 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 20^th 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. 

Dress : black tie (optional). See http://www.belle-voci.com/

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

Sunday 21^st 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 15^TH 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 25^th Feb - JAZZ @ DAVENHAM – MANJULA

On Thursday 25^th Feb, Jazz@Davenham is pleased to present the MANJULA and then on Thursday 31^st 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 3^rd 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

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

FOR NEWS OF EVENTS IN 2016 ONWARDS, PLEASE REFER TO POSTS ON OUR NEW  WEBSITE AT 

http://www.davenhamplayers.co.uk/events-and-productions/ 

Paulette's Newsletter January 2016

 A Happy New Year to you all. May it be a good one.

 Here is a reminder of what is on at the Davenham Players in the coming month:-

Jan 7th 7.30pm Play Reading

 Denise Barry kick-starts the year with her play reading group. This is not an audition, just an opportunity to come along and enjoy reading a play.

Jan 14th 7.30pm Quiz Night

Jamie Morris is quizmaster for the night . Come along with your team or join one when you arrive.  £2.00 per person.

Jan 21st  7pm Committee meeting.

Jan 23rd A Musical Journey Through Time with John and Ailsa Booth - CANCELLED

We apologize that this event has had to be CANCELLED and hope to announce a revised date later in the year. A full refund will be given to those who have already paid. Contact 01606 79779 for details.

Feb 20th 8pm Opera night at Davenham with Belle Voci

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 £12.00 from 01606 259596 or online at www.danarts.org This includes a glass of prosecco on arrival and interval canapés. 8pm start   doors open at 7.15pm. Dress : black tie. See http://www.bellevociduo.co.uk/ 

That s all for now folks . Please book early for events to avoid disappointment.

 Paulette

Ruth Rutter

The very sad news has reached us that Ruth Rutter, one of the very early members of the Davenham Players has died. The funeral is being held on Thursday 26th November at Weaver Methodist Chapel, Swanlow Lane, Winsford CW7 1JE at 3:00pm.

Ruth and her husband George had recently celebrated their 90th Birthdays and George has inspected the Davenham Players accounts for many years up to the current time.

Our sympathies go out to George and the Rutter family.

dp November Update 2015

        

ENTERTAINING ANGELS by Richard Everett TUESday 17^TH – SATurday 21^ST NOV

Don't leave it too late to book for our Autumn production Entertaining Angels, set in an English vicarage garden and opening next week at Davenham. Sheila Hetherington assisted by Maggie Innes direct and the cast of four women and a man are in final rehearsals. Richard Everett's play was first staged at the Chichester Festival Theatre in 2006 starring Penelope Keith – Just the right sort of actress to portray the witty, sarcastic, recently widowed Grace in this very English comedy with real emotion. In Chichester, it played to a record-breaking 26,000 people in three weeks followed by a sell-out National tour.

Our production of Entertaining Angels opens Tuesday November 17^th running to Saturday November 21^st. Tickets are available online at http://www.danarts.org/events/davenham-players-entertaining-angels/ or from Andrea on 01606 259596 @ £9.00 each.

MOSAIC PROJECT – Win your own Mosaic Angel !

Whilst you are at the theatre for Entertaining Angels, you will be able to see sections of the Davenham Community Mosaic, some completed and others still being built. There will also be a special raffle held during play week in which the prize is, appropriately, a mosaic Angel! Jan Johnson and team are now holding fortnightly Mosaic workshops, the next date being Sunday 22^nd November. Booking is essential to avoid disappointment and for details of session times and availability, see Facebook page The Davenham Village Mosaic Project.

Jan and her team have come up with a couple of opportunities to create and take away your own hand-worked Mosaic item. Children have already made tile-surrounded mirrors to their own individual design and the latest opportunity is a kit to make a star in mosaic – ideal for the Christmas tree!

JAZZ@DAVENHAM – Cameron Vale Quartet  Thursday 26^th November

Jazz@Davenham's next gig is in the week following Entertaining Angels on Thursday 26^th November, starting at 8:00pm. For further details, see the Jazz@Davenham Facebook page or http://www.davenhamplayers.co.uk/jazz/. As always, book at jazz@davenham.co via email or phone Harry (01606 74502) or Dave (44253)

PLAY READING Thursday 3^rd December

Denise Barry's monthly play readings recommence after Entertaining Angels on Thursday 3^rd December from 7:30pm at the theatre. All welcome to come along and read or listen.

This is an ideal opportunity to try out your hand at reading if you are not sure whether or not you would like to try your hand at acting. A play reading is also an excellent way of finding out what a play actually sounds like rather than just reading to oneself. 

We are always on the lookout for new people to join us, to bring new talent and new ideas to the group. Remember too, that it is not necessary to act to join us. There are 101 jobs to be done and Arthur is always in need of a hand with set building and maintenance.

Carol Singing – Thursday 10^th December 6:00pm at Theatre

We meet at the theatre at 6:00pm on Thursday 10^th December prior to singing carols in locations around the village. More news later this month from organizer Mike Beddard.

PSA Testing at ASDA Winsford Saturday 14th November 10:00am-2:00pm

Readers may know about Bob's personal connection with Prostate Cancer and a local charity who provide PSA testing for any man who turns up at the session for a £10.00 donation (to help cover the cost of the laboratory analysis). The next local session is being held at ASDA Winsford on Saturday 14^th November from 10:00am to 2:00pm. All men over the age of 40 are strongly recommended to monitor their PSA which could give an early warning of Prostate Cancer.

See the Players website http://www.davenhamplayers.co.uk/ Make it one of your favourites for the first news about our events or productions at neighbouring groups.

Paulette's Autumn Newsletter

We're back again after our Summer recess [a bit like Parliament, but far nicer!]…..

OUR AUTUMN PRODUCTION ENTERTAINING ANGELS TUES 17^TH – SAT 21^ST NOV

The cast is well into rehearsals for the forthcoming production of Entertaining Angels, directed by Sheila Hetherington. After having great difficulty in finding an actress for one of the parts, we are now happy to welcome Jess Lloyd to the production. Jess, a drama teacher at the Grange School, Hartford, uses our theatre for her junior drama group productions from time to time so is familiar with the theatre but has not acted with us before. Also in this production we welcome new member, Maggie Innes who is assisting Sheila in direction. Maggie has moved to Northwich from Scotland and, like Jess, is experienced in the drama field.

Our production of Entertaining Angels opens Tuesday November 17^th running to Saturday November 21^st. Tickets are available online at http://www.danarts.org/events/davenham-players-entertaining-angels/ or from Andrea on 01606 259596 @ £9.00 each.

VISITING DRAMA – KISSING FROGS 8:00PM Thursday 22nd October 2015

Sophie Osborne visits Davenham with one of the first evenings of her one-woman show Kissing Frogs.  Meet Jessica Ramsbottom - or Jess to her friends. Jess has just turned 30 and she's STILL single, no children and stuck in a dead-end job.
In a whirlwind world of speed dating, online dating and one-night stands, does her perfect man really exist? Will she find the husband of her dreams or will she be the only one of her friends not to be married?
Kissing Frogs is a journey of love, loss and self-discovery, full of laughter and set to a backdrop of classic hits from the 80's.
Tickets £8.00 may be reserved via susi.osborne@hotmail.co.uk or phone 01606 553433.

MOSAIC PROJECT

Jan Johnson and team are now holding fortnightly Mosaic workshops, the next date being Sunday 25^th October. There are now two sessions per workshop day and booking is essential to avoid disappointment. For details of session times and availability, see Facebook page The Davenham Village Mosaic Project. The team have come up with a couple of opportunities to create and take away your own hand-worked Mosaic item. Children have already made tile-surrounded mirrors to their own individual design and the latest opportunity is a kit to make a star in mosaic – ideal for the Christmas tree!

 AGM

We began the season with our AGM on 5^th Sept which was well attended this year. The  main issues discussed were :-

·         Mike Beddard has carried out a Health and Safety check and several items have been attended to. We now have an emergency key in place at the bottom of the steps to access the audience door in the foyer in case of fire. Risk assessment checks are carried out before each event. There is an accident book in the auditorium.

·         We have been awarded a £10,000 grant from the Arts Council towards the mosaic, which is coming  on apace. Sunday workshops are well attended. The next one is 18^th Oct 12-4pm. It is hoped to use some of the money to develop the yard and entrance so as to show off the finished mosaic to best effect.

·         We are saving steadily for the extension project.   Detailed plans have been submitted and the next step is planning permission.

·         The existing committee was willing to be re-elected and Lee Morgan has joined the committee.

To realize our dream of extending the building we are going to need to raise somewhere in the region of £90,000 so if any of you have fund raising ideas please let us have them.

PLAY READINGS

The first play reading took place in September and this month's was on Thursday 15th October. There will not be a November one due to our play Entertaining Angels but readings will restart in December.

This is an ideal opportunity to try out your hand/voice [?] at reading if you are not sure whether or not you would like to tread the boards. A play reading is also an excellent way of finding out what a play actually sounds like rather than just reading to oneself. 

We are always on the lookout for new people to join us, to bring new talent and new ideas to the group. Remember too, that it is not necessary to act to join us. There are 101 jobs to be done and Arthur is always in need of a hand with set building and maintenance.

NEW WEBSITE www.davenhamtheatre.co.uk or www.davenhamplayers.co.uk

Our new website 'went live' earlier this month. Its url hasn't changed – it remains as http://www.davenhamplayers.co.uk/. However, it has had a considerable facelift and is now a fully functional website that will be used to publicize all events at the theatre including Jazz, Music and Drama and of course the Mosaic project. For this reason, we have also bought the alternate url www.davenhamtheatre.co.uk. Both urls point to the same site, so you can use either. The remodeled website will take over from the Blog, which will no longer be updated once all the information has been transferred.

CHRIS BANNISTER AT DAVENHAM FRIDAY 23^RD OCTOBER AT 8:00PM

The popular local singer Chris Bannister returns to Davenham to present an evening of music by John Denver. Although this event is sold out, there is a waiting list for cancellations. Phone 01606 259596.

JAZZ@DAVENHAM - The Matt Owens Quintet Thursday 29th October – dave atherton reports

Last year Matt Owens gave us a copy of his debut album The Aviators Ball which incorporates elements of jazz, world, classical and folk music. What a lovely album - co-produced by Kirsty Almeida, mixed by John Ellis at Limefield Studio, Manchester and released by All Made Up Records. Matt will be playing this album and other music during this gig. Most of Matt's line up is very well known to us but we are excited to be able to welcome the fabulous singer Rioghnach Connolly to jazz@davenham, for the first time. Featuring Matt Owens bass, Rioghnach Connolly vocals, Neil Yates trumpet, John Ellis piano, Sam Draper drums. For further details, see the Jazz@Davenham Facebook page or http://www.davenhamplayers.co.uk/jazz/. As always you can book at jazz@davenham.co via email or phone Harry (01606 74502) or Dave (44253)

DAVENHAM IN FILM – NEWS FROM ALAN FLEET

I thought it may be of interest to the Davenham Players and supporters that I have uploaded three short films to YouTube. Of particular interest may be A Good Slap which was filmed in Davenham and Little Leigh and features Ed Green and David Gilliver. Castle of the Rock was filmed at Beeston Castle and Giri was filmed on Merseyside.

I hope you enjoy the films. All are, of course, free to view. Here is the link to my channel. Please pass on the link – Alan Fleet

www.youtube.com/channel/UCVRlwxYG5G4SXPzQN_NcQ3g

ASHTON HEYES - HELP WANTED

'Whatever it is, it never starts out at Truro, and it never runs into St. Anne  If it be a natural thing   where do it come from... where do it go?" Man Wanted to play Richard Winthrop, aged 30-50 for Production of The Ghost Train at Ashton Hayes Nov 17th -21st - contact Yvette 07707 830286 ASAP, please. Yvette promises a new, fast-moving take on Arnold Ridley's play. Please help them get this play back on the rails.

ED green's SHAKESPEARE PRODUCTION at kingsley players

Kingsley Players present Bite-sized Shakespeare ( 7:30pm on Wed 21st – Sat 24th October Kingsley Community Centre, Smithy Lane) With acknowledgements for the great ideas of Flic Goodman & Tom Barry on how to re—assemble the Bard. This production has extracts from 12th Night, “The Scottish Play”, Midsummer Night's Dream & Romeo and Juliet

Tickets (£8/£7/£5) available on http://www.kingsleyplayers.co.uk or phone 07925 516760.

Harlequin Players present the birds Wed 21^st –  Sat 24^th October

Next up at the Harlequin Theatre 'The Birds', This is an atmospheric play, chilling, claustrophobic, questioning, mesmerizing and with a twist. Definitely one not to be missed!! Four amazing actors, Carol Cullen Smith, George Ogazi, Natalie Duddle, and Kyle Preece, directed by Angie Orme  Wed 21st - Saturday 24th October. 7.45 pm. Tickets are £10 and £9 for students available online www.harlequinplayers.com or by Telephone 01606 246831.

PSA Testing at ASDA, Winsford Saturday 14th november 10:00am-2:00pm

Readers may know about Bob's personal connection with Prostate Cancer and a local charity who provide PSA testing for any man who turns up at the session for a £10.00 donation to help cover the cost of the laboratory analysis. The next local session is being held at ASDA Winsford from 10:00am to 2:00pm. All men over the age of 40 are strongly recommended to monitor their PSA which could give an early warning of Prostate Cancer.

 Dates for your diary.

22^nd Oct    Kissing Frogs - a journey of love, loss and self- discovery . This is a visiting drama show starring and written by Sophie Osborne. Tickets £8 from susi.osborne@hotmail.co.uk or 01606 553433

23^rd  Oct Musical evening with Chris Bannister- tickets £10 from  01606 259596

Jazz nights - 29^th Oct, 26^th Nov, 11^th Dec

17^th-21^st Nov – Play week ‘ Entertaining Angels ‘ booking see above.

10^th Dec Carol singing. Last year 5 of us raised £129  and it was a fun evening . Please bring yourselves , your warm clothes and your VOICES [ good or bad!]

That’s all for now folks.

Paulette

Play Reading Tonight

Denise Barry is holding one of her monthly play readings at the theatre TONIGHT Thursday 15th October from 7:30pm.

The first play reading took place in September and the next is on Thursday 15th October. There will not be a November one due to our play Entertaining Angels, but readings will restart in December.

This is an ideal opportunity to try out your hand/voice [?] at reading if you are not sure whether or not you would like to tread the boards. A play reading is also an excellent way of finding out what a play actually sounds like rather than just reading to oneself. 

We are always on the lookout for new people to join us, to bring new talent and new ideas to the group. Remember too, that it is not necessary to act to be part of us. There are 101 jobs to be done and Arthur is always in need of a hand with set building and maintenance.

URGENT - Female Actor Needed

To all female Actors

We are short of a female cast member for our forthcoming play 'Entertaining Angels'  to be put on in early November, week beginning Monday 9th Nov. 

This is a really good play and the part is of Sarah, who is starting as the new vicar. Sarah is 7 months pregnant by the end of the play. 

We are becoming concerned now as time is running out so please give it careful consideration and see if you can possibly help us out. 

Thank you,

Paulette

Play Reading Wednesday 9th September

There is a play reading this Wednesday 9th Sept at 7.30pm [not an audition!] This to be the first of monthly play readings organised by Denise Barry. 

This month's play is The Memory Of Water, written by English playwright Shelagh Stephenson and first staged at Hampstead Theatre in 1996.

This is a good opportunity to familiarise ourselves with plays and practice reading without the pressure of an audition! 

We have welcomed some new members recently and are always keen to see new members coming along and getting involved. So if you are one of those new people or know of anyone who may be interested, these evenings are an ideal way of getting to know us and trying out new skills.

Hope to see you Wednesday with friends in tow!!!

Paulette

Paulette's Summer 2015 Newsletter

JESSIE HARPER

A reminder for those of you who remember her, Jessie Harper's memorial is at Davenham Church on Monday next 24th August at 12 noon. Jessie was a founder member of the Players and chairman for some time.

ONE-ACT PLAY FESTIVAL

After the success of our recent collaborative event with Moulton Drama Group with the One- Act plays in July, we are taking a well earned break for a week or two while we regroup and consider the forthcoming programme. The one act plays were well received, although audiences were not as full as in the winter months. The varied programme had something for everyone and was a valuable exercise in getting to know and work with another drama group. We would like to thank MDG for joining us in this project.

COMMUNITY MOSAIC PROJECT

The Mosaic Project is going on apace and Jan Johnson has been running various workshops for people to get involved. The work so far is looking amazing and Jan is always open to offers of help. The next workshop is Sunday 30th August from 12 to 4pm. Just go along to Jan’s house next door to the theatre and enjoy! For up-to-date mosaic news, see the mosaic Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheDavenhamVillageMosaicProject 

PLAY READINGS

Denise Barry is going to hold monthly play readings starting on Thursday 9th September then after it will be the first Thursday in the month. It is hoped to keep these going even when a play is in rehearsal as it an ideal opportunity to familiarise ourselves with a wide range of plays and to read for pleasure without the pressure of an audition!

NEXT DAVENHAM PRODUCTION

Sheila Hetherington, from Moulton, is going to direct our Autumn play. It is to be ‘Entertaining Angels’ by Richard Everett and the audition is Thursday 27th August. The play is to be performed w/b 12th October

A summary of the play from Sheila…..

As a clergy wife Grace has spent a life time on her best behaviour. Now, following the death of her husband, Bardolph, she is enjoying the new found freedom to do and say  exactly as she pleases. The return of her eccentric missionary sister Ruth, together with some disturbing revelations, force Grace to confront the truth of her marriage. With sharp tongued probing wit, this play asks whether God can be trusted to do anything right at all, or is the whole thing a divine exercise in trial and error?

The play offers 5 great character roles for 4 females and 1 male [ages F: 2x 60’s  1x30-40 1x 20-30 and M: 60’s ] Obviously as the rehearsal period is short, people would need to be willing to earn lines early.
We will also need a prompt, for one month before and during the play; a props team and someone to oversee costumes please. 
If anyone has a burning desire to direct in the future, Sheila is happy for them to be an assistant. 

FOR YOUR DIARY

So - get those diaries out for forthcoming events…… 

Thursday 27th August Audition for ‘ Entertaining  Angels’ 7.30pm

Sunday 30th August 12-4pm Mosaic workshop

Thursday 3rd September AGM 7.30pm A chance to air your views . After the meeting there will be a slide show of this year’s plays and some light refreshments.

Saturday 5th September 7.30pm -an invitation to Moulton Drama Group’s Cabaret evening. There is no charge and people will be performing ‘turns’. There will also be a Faith supper. BYO drink. Please let Sheila know if you are attending on…..      sheila.playon@wobble1.plus.com

Jazz dates Thursday 24th September, Thursday 29th October, Thursday 26th November and Friday 11th December. See http://dsp-davenham.blogspot.co.uk/p/jazz.html

Week Beginning 12th October Our Autumn production ‘Entertaining Angels’ by Richard Everett

Friday 23rd October An evening with Chris Bannister at Davenham. Tickets £10 from 01606 259596 or www.danarts.org

Week Beginning 23rd November Moulton Drama Group play week Neighbourhood Watch by Alan Ayckbourn - see http://www.mdg.org.uk/

Saturday 23rd January 2016 Musical evening with Ailsa and John Booth at our theatre 23rd Jan 2016

That’s all for now folks. Hope this finds you all well and eager to start the new season at THE DAVENHAM PLAYERS !!!!

Paulette

Wanted - Loan of Old Printer for Davenham Accounts

A rather old computer has been used to produce the Davenham Players accounts and each year I print off the reports for the Auditor to review.

Unfortunately this year, the printer would not work and I am urgently looking for a similar type printer for this one job.

The type of printer my old computer needs uses an LTP interface cable - an outdated form of connection between the computer and the printer. The cable is thickish and looks a little like a SCART cable that you might use for your TV. The plugs on the ends of the cable are about 2 inches across and have lots of pins - see photos.

If you have a printer that can use this type of connection, please contact me via our Contact Us form or by phone on 01606 45186. I only need to borrow it for a day or so.

Thanks,

Bob.

July News

JOINT ONE-ACT PLAY FESTIVAL IN CONJUNCTION WITH MOULTON DRAMA GROUP

This week at Davenham and next week at Moulton we present a joint One-Act Play Festival with our friends at Moulton Drama Group. Tickets are still available so come along and help us raise funds for our theatre improvements. See below for booking information.

Moulton's contribution is Calling Time - a Comedy by Derek Webb, a One Act play with four separate sections, with bookends, all depicting meetings in a pub. The titles of Moulton's four sections are:-

·         Goodbye Simon - directed by Sheila Hetherington

·         What’s Yours? - directed by Annie Makepeace

·         Mr Critchley, isn’t it?-  directed by Sheila Hetherington

·         Who’s Joe? - directed by Annie Makepeace

Davenham's contributions are four individual pieces all directed by Paulette Anderson, the first two of which are monologues:-

·         Saying it with Flowers by Christine Furnivall

·         Manny's Party by Geoff Saunders

·         plus a two-hander Lost by Tony Moore and lastly...

·         a short play for five people What's for Pudding? by David Tristram

Tickets cost £8.00 at either venue and all eight plays will be presented at both theatres at 7:30pm on the following evenings. If you can't make this week at Davenham, you have a second chance at Moulton next week.

Thursday 16th July - Saturday 18th July at Davenham Theatre

59 Church Street, Davenham, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 8NF. Tickets online from http://www.danarts.org/events/one-act-play-festival--davenham/ or by phone on 01606 259596

Thursday 23rd July - Saturday 25th July at Moulton Village Hall

Moulton Village Hall,  Main Road  CW9 8PB. Tickets online from http://www.danarts.org/events/one-act-play-festival--moulton/ or by phone on 01606 594178

AUDITION – QUARTET BY RONALD HARWOOD

Barbara Crellin has so far been unable to complete her casting for Ronald Harwood's play Quartet following last Thursday's audition. If you look as though you ought to be retired or know someone that is, please get in touch or else we might miss the chance to see this well-known play on which the 2012/13 film was based. Barbara intends to present Quartet this coming Autumn and you can contact her on 01606 41461. A further audition will be held if possible actors can be found.

Quartet is a comedy play about aging opera singers set in a retirement home for musicians. Three elderly former opera singers, Reginald, Cissy and Wilfred, who often worked together, are sitting on the terrace. They are about to be joined by newcomer Jean, a major star in her day and to whom Reginald was unhappily married. A gala concert is shortly to take place at the retirement home to celebrate the birthday of renowned Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi. Three of the four are keen to recreate the third act quartet from Rigoletto and one isn't !

Reginald - quiet, serious

Wilfred - jovial, talks about sex a lot

Cissy - Sweet, slightly daffy                                                                                                        

Jean - rather a diva - has been a great soprano.

PROSTATE CANCER TESTING AT BYLEY VILLAGE HALL SATURDAY 18^TH JULY 10:00-13:00

I have good reason to be grateful to my wife and also to Leighton Hospital Prostate Cancer Support and Awareness Group, for helping me find out that I had cancer of the Prostate and – importantly – in time for the disease to be treated with an excellent chance of a cure.

This was back in 2013 in my 65^th year. About 18 months previously I had visited my doctor because, like many men, I had heard about the increased incidence of prostate cancer in men of retirement age and I wanted to ask whether I ought to be having some sort of routine test just in case I was one of the unlucky men. After a chat about my symptoms, which were not really any different to those expected by men of that age, I was persuaded not to bother having a *PSA test because the doctor told me that he knew two men who had been treated, possibly unnecessarily, for Prostate cancer; one had become impotent and the other incontinent.

Although I was content to leave things as they were for the time being, Shirley had remained concerned that I had not taken things further. Then, in 2013, she noticed that a local charity were offering PSA Testing in Northwich and persuaded me to book an appointment.  A blood sample was taken and analysis indicated that I was in a high risk group and was strongly recommended to visit my doctor and insist on further diagnostic assessment.

This I did and a further PSA test confirmed the first and I was referred to Leighton Hospital. Further examinations and diagnostics took place and I was treated, "with curative intent"; i.e. there is a very good chance of permanently arresting the progress of my Prostate cancer. Fortunately, there were no signs that the cancer had spread outside the Prostate. If I had not gone to get  the PSA test at the time I did, I might not be in this fortunate position.

I can thoroughly recommend all men say over 45 to have a PSA test, either from their own Doctor or at Byley Village Hall this Saturday between 10am and 1pm. No appointment needed – the Group just ask for a £10 donation to partially cover their costs. If anyone has any questions about the testing or about Prostate cancer in general, they would be most welcome to call me on 01606 45186 or 07891 146 567 so long as I am not on stage in the one-act plays.

* NOTE:  PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen, a substance that is generally found in the blood in higher quantities than normal in men suffering from Prostate cancer.  There are, however, known problems with the PSA test in that men with a high PSA result do not always have cancer and conversely that men with a low PSA result may yet have the cancer. For this reason, the Leighton Hospital Prostate Support Group, who carry out an extensive programme of PSA testing, also commission a second test on the blood sample called 'Free to Total'. The PSA level combined with the Free to Total figure give a much better indication of whether a man has the cancer.

CHESHIRE THEATRE GUILD ANNUAL DRAMA FESTIVAL AWARDS EVENING

The Cheshire Theatre Guild annual awards ceremony is at 7:45pm on Wednesday 15th July at the Club Theatre Altrincham, followed by the Guild's AGM on Sunday 19^th July at 11am in the Harlequin Theatre, Northwich. Davenham's production of "The Female of the Species" has been nominated for Best Set Presentation. See http://www.cheshiretheatreguild.org/nominations for full details.

COMMUNITY MOSAIC PROJECT

After much hard work by Jan Johnson and some fantastic advice from Pam Beddard, a funding application was submitted to ACE (Arts Council England) at the start of June and the excellent news has just reached us that our application has been accepted ! We now have to plan a launch of the project and put in place the correct procedures to manage the ongoing work. Look out for more news on our website and Blog.

JAZZ @ DAVENHAM

Jazz@davenham is currently in summer recess until the first gig of the new season on Thursday 24^th September 2015 when Amy Roberts will be playing. Meanwhile, any enquiries should be directed to jazz@davenham.co or by phone to Harry on 01606 74502 or Dave on 01606 44253.