Harvest Supper

The Players again provided the entertainment for the Harvest Supper in October. This time the programme revolved around audience participation in a number of songs.

A Fine Monster You Are!

The production of “A Fine Monster You Are! by Monk Ferris took place on 2/3 September. It was directed by Vanessa Sharpe, her first production for us, and we congratulate her. The cast enjoyed working on the play and it was well received by the audience. It was unfortunate that the audiences were small – this leading to the decision to put on a play in June to catch the audience before they go on their summer holidays! (This year’s play took place in June to much larger audiences.)

Video Evening

Sue Spurling organised a video evening in November at which a select group watched a number of excerpts from videos of past Pantos. The evening was enjoyed by those who attended and thanks go to Sue for watching hours of video to select the scenes to be watched.

Panto 2006

This year’s Pantomime, Robin Hood and the Singing Nun, was another successful production, despite smaller audiences again. We did four performances again this year, but it is doubtful that the fourth performance can be continued given recent audience numbers. David Haydon made his directing debut and none of the cast actually walked out so he couldn’t have been too bad! And, yet again, it was good to see a number of new faces in the cast. Despite lower ticket sales, increased prices and reduced costs meant that the panto made a healthy profit.

The panto is a major undertaking which would not be successful without the effort of a large number of people, many of whom are not members of the Players and we are very grateful to them for their time and support.

Summer Production 2006

Audrey Thomas directed a farce in mid‑June – Pardon Me, Prime Minister. There were good audiences for the two performances and the play was well‑received. The doors got another outing – they have turned out to be a good investment.

Monthly Meetings

The committee have tried to maintain a programme of monthly meetings throughout the year, whenever they can be fitted around other events. Although not exactly well attended, those who have attended meetings over the past year have enjoyed them. If there is anything that anyone would like the committee to arrange, please let a committee member know. It will be discussed in committee and we will try to arrange it.

Finally, my thanks to the rest of the committee for all the hard work that they have put in to make the past year a busy one for the Players – and, I think, another successful one.

David Haydon

19 June 2006