Friday 15 July 2011

Summer socials and Winter warmer


July's "bring and share" meeting
A pleasant occasion with plentiful food and a bit of Shakespeare thrown in for good measure. Shame it wasn't fine enough for us to spill out into the garden.

Supper and laughs
A couple of days later members were eating and being entertained again, this time with a rehearsed play reading of Alan Ayckbourn's "Round and Round the Garden". A supper of dips and cruditees, beef stew or veggie casserole and a selection of puddings and cheeses with byo drink made for a really good evening at the village hall. I'll see if I can upload a photo that captures the mood.

November production take 2
"Rebecca" was snatched from under under noses at the last moment when performing rights were withdrawn, but we quickly rallied and have had a first read-through of Noel Coward's "Relative Values". Set in the early 1950's, the social structure of minor aristocracy and servants, all knowing their place in society, was beginning to disintegrate. The Countess of Marshwood prepares to welcome her son and heir's American actress fiancee, but a surprise revelation blows the weekend out of the water. I like the play, not only because it is very witty, but because all the characters are well drawn and have something worthwhile to say. The Countess is the lynch pin - charming, understanding and subtly manipulative. I think we are going to have fun with this one.
We are booked at Bridgnorth Community Centre for 11th and 12th November, Alveley Village Hall on 18th, 19th and Highley Severn Centre 25th and 26th November.

Theatre visits
Half way through the Ian Dickens season at The Grand, Wolverhampton. Several members have seen "Busybody" and "Death by Fatal Murder", both comedy takes on murder mystery thrillers. If you like "Only Fools and Horses" you'd like these. Tomorrow is "Who Killed "Agatha" Christie?". No idea what it is about. The last in the series is "The Woman in White" based on the ghosty tale by Wilkie Collins. I'm looking forward to both. It is great having a super, traditional theatre like The Grand on our doorstep.