The Somborne Players

Home Committee Minutes

Committee Minutes Minutes of meeting to discuss Village Hall development plans Thursday 2^nd May 7.45pm Vicky’s Minutes Present: Vicky Burden, Nigel Coleman, Chris Hall, David Haydon, Melanie Haydon, Sue Holligan, Vanessa Sharpe Apologies: Andrew Flanagan, Alan Glynne Jones Attached: Notes from Players sub-committee meeting with Village Hall development committee Summary of effect on Players Village Hall plan x 2 Points of discussion: Major concern over stage being narrowed: We would like the stage to be at least as deep as it is now. We use all of stage from back wall to front of curtains in most productions and find this a tight fit. We would not be able to fit as many people on stage for pantomimes – this might mean reducing the number of children participating. It would narrow our choices of Autumn play as less furniture and large props would fit on stage. Stage is used by other groups and loss of space may affect them as well. Concern over use of blocks to deepen stage for productions: Blocks would need to be very sturdy to be a replacement for permanent staging. Blocks are often very noisy. Higher quality blocks will naturally be more expensive – would the Village Hall fund this? Blocks would use up a large amount of storage space. They will need to be in place for rehearsals in the months preceding a production as well as for the production itself – this may cause inconvenience to other groups using the hall floor space. No fixed scenery would be possible on blocks. Concern over proscenium arch/curtains with blocks: We currently use the proscenium arch and curtains in all production. A proscenium arch on a narrow stage would look strange and be difficult to use. The curtain would not be at the front of the blocks. Storage: As we no longer have permanent storage for our costume and will shortly be losing the storage space we use for flats and large scenery and props, we are keen to have more storage space in the Village Hall. We will be losing storage space below and above stage. Would we be able to open out a section of ceiling space for storage? Would we be able to use walkway behind new stage for storage – particularly of flats? (Could this space also be used for painting flats? In which case we would need lighting.) Would we have exclusive access to the planned storage room leading off the new stage? – As this would be an entrance to the stage it would need to be uncluttered and would be ideal for storing scenery, props and costumes in use in the productions. We currently pay £100 year for storage of costumes and would be willing to negotiate payment for storage space in the Hall. Blocks would need storing when not in use. Lighting § Lighting fixtures will need to be moved and rewiring completed. § Could the ceiling be raised above stage so stage lighting can be higher – making fittings invisible to the audience? Cost: Concern over cost of moving entire stage for the sole purpose of putting in patio doors. Could stage remain where it is and have large windows behind, or patio doors from the back of the stage going out onto a balcony? Concern over money running out after building begins, resulting in stage being demolished but not rebuilt. We would like there to be guaranteed cash available for reconstruction before original stage is removed. This is particularly pertinent given that once storage rooms (stage 1) are built this cuts off natural light to the hall and makes patio doors (stage 3) a necessity – which means the stage has to go. Timing: § We would like definite timings for when the stage will be out of action. Actions § Vicky to draft a letter voicing our concerns to the Village Hall development committee and email it to the Players committee and sub-committee for approval. Other Players issues raised – to be discussed after AGM: § Our bid for a grant from the council has been refused. § Audrey Thomas is unable to organise a sketch for the Variety Show on 4^th July. Vanessa volunteered to take over the slot. § A hog roast after the Children’s Production would cost a minimum of £450. § Proteus Theatre Company are touring The Snow Queen around Christmas. Vanessa to contact regarding possibility of organising a performance in the village in December. § SADS are putting on a Big Benefit Night in November to raise money for Stockbridge Town Hall and are asking for acts to perform.