A couple of press clippings in case you missed them!
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MORPETH PLAYERS CRIT: By Brian Bennett
The St Georges Community Players in Morpeth should at the very least take an extra bow. Whatever setback this amateur drama group experience ahead of a production – and it appears to be a regular rather than a rare occurrence – they have the happy knack of overcoming it to deliver a first class performance. In the past they have been hit by a series of mishaps in the weeks before curtain up including an occasion where one actor broke a leg whilst others have been forced to withdraw because of illness. Last week the players yet again came to the fore after negotiating pre play events to give a magnificent portrayal of ‘In the Frame’ – a two act comedy by local playwright Eileen Clark. Beforehand, John Barker – cast as the Vicar – had to stand down due to illness; Carmel Adamson, the nosy neighbour Edna, who usually entered the house of married couple Joe and May via the window, twisted her knee three days before dress rehearsal then Sue Elliott as May lost her voice a little more than 24 hours before the opening night but thankfully regained it. However, Jared Johnson, in his 41st year with the group and chairman for over 15 years, could not speak highly enough of the actors: “Generally, we are beset with problems – but the players always come good and in our case, the old adage that the ‘show must go on’ could not be more appropriate,” he said, “In the past, we have even had situations where due to illness, we have had understudies reading the parts to cope with adversity. The performances last week were difficult – but there is a good spirit amongst us. We welcomed four newcomers – who have said that the group are nice and friendly – and one of them – Scott Peel – who is a professional actor, actually volunteered to join us because he wanted to gain experience of being in a comedy play.” Eileen Clark sat proudly at the back of the auditorium and watched the players execute her script to perfection. As the play developed so the laughter intensified but the real fun and hilarity centred around Harry Adamson and Anne Marie Cairns as Mr Whimple the Vicar and Miss Plim the Librarian respectively who devoured more than a sample glass of a unique recipe for the fruit punch which left them both inebriated. And what a night it was for the four debutants who showed no nerves at all and who all played their parts to the full – Grace Winpenny as Rosy, the daughter of Joe and May; Scott Peel as Stan, Edna’s son; Nicola Bache as TV personality Sonja Saint and Dave Wood as Perelli, Sonja’s ex husband. The set design and build was by Robin Herron with Pete Ozers in charge of lighting and sound; Joann Evans was prompt and Joyce Carey the front of house organiser. Props were the responsibility of Pamela Cassells and Margaret Johnson – the latter who hand made three matching ties for the hilarious scene when May [Sue Elliott] used a pair of scissors to cut a tie in half which Joe [Jared Johnson] had chosen to wear. *Following the final curtain call on Saturday, there was no time for the group to bask in what was another success as it was all hands to the deck: “It takes about four hours to dismantle the stage,” added Mr Johnson. *Meanwhile the players will tread the boards in March next year when they perform Ray Lawrence’s two act farce “It’s on, It’s off.”
Our Eileen’s work.
Bill Glegg just altered the title from Murder at Morpeth Manor, to Ovingham Manor on Eileen’s authority.
It will be advertised in The Hexham Courant shortly.
HELLO ALL
Hello all, I’m now able to post direct onto the the Website. Thanks Graeme for showing me the ropes.
Thank You Lewis for a great Patron’s Night!
Review by David Keily:
On Saturday, September 30th, The Players held the annual Patrons Night. This time we weren’t treading the boards to entertain the members of the public who support us through the Patrons Scheme. Oh no. We took it easy and allowed a young actor called Lewis Garvey to provide the entertainment on the night. He brought a one man show that he wrote and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, to Morpeth. It was called, ‘Space Rocket Oddity Man.’ It was fantastic. Have you ever fell in love in space? Of course not! But he did and it didn’t end well. He ended the show drifting off into the oblivion of space clutching a potted plant. More or less kicked out of the spacecraft by the female computer.
It was well written and well acted. Thank you Lewis for an outstanding production and performance. The night was well supported and it was good to see so many people turn up.
Regards.
David
Patrons’ Coffee Bar Theatre / Members’ Evening
Message from Heather:
We are delighted to be able to invite you to a very special Coffee Bar Theatre / Members’ Evening on Saturday 30 September.
Lewis Garvey, who performed in the Players’ production of ‘The Darling Buds of May’ some time ago, and whose gran, June Hayes, was a member of the Players, has just returned from his successful one man show, Space Rocket Oddity Man, at the Edinburgh Fringe and will be performing his show for us at 7.30 in the church hall.
His show lasts about an hour and there will be refreshments available.
Because this is not a ticketed event – the evening is to say ‘Thank You’ to our patrons for their support – it would be very helpful if you could let me know if you are able to attend on the 30th. My landline is: 01670 812870, mobile: 07910500864 email: hrobinson18@talktalk net
This is a wonderful opportunity to see a live fringe show, fresh from Edinburgh. I do hope you can join us and please bring any friends or family who would like the chance to see it too.
Heather
After the show , if you would like to make a donation, I think Lewis would be very grateful as he is hoping to travel with his show and take it to different venues.
Player’s meal out at Lollo Rosso
Message from David:
On Saturday, August 19th, some of The Players met up for our summer meal at Lollo Rosso in Morpeth. The food was very good, although we had to wait for a time as the restaurant was very busy. This atmosphere in this place was certainly buzzing. The plan was to move around the table intermittently so we could engage in conversation with other members in the group. A good plan, but not feasible. You see, a solo singer appeared and began to croon his way through a selection of songs. His microphone and speaker amplified his voice and the music so loudly, that it became difficult to engage in meaningful conversation around the table. Not to worry though chums, our Christmas meal at The Sun Inn could be the place whereby we can freely move around the table chatting to one another. We can check out beforehand if they’d hired a Xmas singer and maybe someone can invite him ( or her ) outside and hit them on the head with a bottle? Just stun them of course, we don’t want to destroy their Christmas after all…….
Anyway, apart from my rant about Karaoke singers spoiling the ambience of the evening, it was a good night. Once again it was well supported by members. Thank you to Nicola and Grace who experienced their first night out with the gang. We hope it hasn’t put you off?
Somewhere, or somehow in the evening, it was suggested I hold a Hallowe’en party at my house in Prudhoe. A mini bus was mentioned amongst other things! Well, I’m not one to shun an opportunity for a party bash, so if any of you want to come along then let me know and you will be very welcome.
Watch out for the email regarding the Christmas meal and the date.
Regards.
David
July 2017 newsletter
Please click on the link to access Eileen’s latest newsletter:
Photos from Murder Mystery
To view photos taken at the Murder Mystery last Saturday night please click on the link!
Message from David about the ‘Poetry and Plonk’ night
Thank you to everyone who came to the Poetry and Plonk event on May 10th. You made the evening a huge success with your choice of poems and the way you read them out to the rest of the group was fantastic. Well done.
Seventeen of us sat in an comfy circle and partook and listened to one another’s readings of our favourite poems. We had a true compilation. Poems from the classics, through to a few humorous ones and several thought provoking and serious poems.
What was very interesting, was the fact that many of the chosen poems that people brought to the event, were first heard in their childhood, either whilst at school, or read to them at bedtime. Childhood memories were rekindled as we listened intently to the wonderful collection of poetry readings.
So, The Players thanked me for organising the event, but they made the evening special. Doris and Nancy would be proud of you all. This was after all, in their honour and you were all very good indeed.
Many thanks chums.
David.
St George's Community Players 