Newsletter April 2009

Don't worry – newsletters aren't about to become monthly! It just so happens that, hard on the heels of the last one, we now have a nearly-complete line-up of social events and thought you should know about them in good time.

For everyone who thought that we were, perhaps, a little short on social gatherings last year, our new Social Secretary Clare-Louise Mitchell has wasted no time in putting together an impressive and packed schedule. Of course, as there were a number of people requesting more social events, you will all be signing up for all of these...won't you?! Details are all laid out below, but first...

April – Last Production: "Curtain Up On Murder"

The Spring show was very well attended indeed, with a full house on the Friday and nearly full again on Saturday. Thanks to all those to you who came along and particularly to those who left compliments about the play with Front of House. We always welcome feedback from the audience, particularly when it's good!

Thanks also to those who participated in our hopefully not-too-intrusive audience survey. From time to time we need to check that we're doing the right thing with publicity and the easiest way is to ask those in attendance. That won't be a regular feature of our productions, though.

Finally, I'd just like to say that it was a pleasure to produce this play and, given that both cast and audience seemed to be enjoying themselves considerably, it looks as though it was a good choice to open the year with. Details and reviews have now been added to the Archives section of the website and I hope to have some photographs of the production to publish shortly.

May – Murder Mystery Evening

Now that the Spring production is over, I've been able to pick up the reins for the Murder Mystery evenings that we have agreed to participate in. We shall be providing a cast to act out the murder and the mystery parts of the evening, while the audience enjoy a buffet supper, licensed bar and trying to guess whodunnit. It'll be a new experience for us, but if anybody does attend, please let us have your thoughts on whether it is something we should do again, perhaps on our own behalf.

July – Forthcoming Production: "Death By Fatal Murder"

The Summer production has now been decided, and thanks go to Mary Frost for stepping in to produce. We will be staging the third of Peter Gordon's "Inspector Pratt" series, "Death By Fatal Murder" on July 16^th to 18^th.

Those with long memories may recall "Murdered To Death", back in November of 1994, with the estimable Ken Frost as the hapless Pratt. Slightly more recently, we did "Secondary Cause Of Death" in the summer of 2001, this time with Dave Holden in the driving seat. Well, Dave will be reprising the role this time around, with yours truly as his faithful sidekick Constable Thomkins. The rest of the cast have also been put in place, with new member Mike (the other Mike) taking his first part with us and nearly-new member Zahir coming back for a second go (obviously undeterred by the last production!). It's always nice to have some new interest in the group and new faces on the stage, so we are pleased to welcome them to rehearsals. The remainder of the roles will be played by a rather more familiar selection of people, with Ann, Stuart, Samantha and Carol all taking parts.

After initial reading, it's shaping up to be an entertaining and hilarious period romp that should keep the audience (and the Inspector!) guessing until the very end. Make sure you leave that weekend free to come along!

General - Website

It's still there, feel free to use it whenever you want! Oh, and if anyone does want to contribute, any material is still welcome (encouraged, even) from any members or patrons.

General – Social Events 2009

And now, the important bit (with thanks to Clare M for the words AND the organising)...

Full details NOT included below: everyone entitled to attend should have already had the full newsletter. This listing is just a reminder - or, for anyone browsing the site and interested in any of them, an incentive to join!

JUNE
Bluebell Railway Trip (Open to Patrons and Members)

JULY

Findon Village Fete – 11^th July Times at Findon Village Hall (Open to the General Public)

Play – "Death By Fatal Murder (Open to everyone!), £6.00pp (Refreshments and raffle extra): Thursday 16^th to Saturday 18^th July at 7.45pm

Players Summer BBQ (Open to Members only)

AUGUST

Treasure Hunt (Open to Members and Patrons)

SEPTEMBER

Findon Village Sheep Fair - 12^th September (Open to the General Public) at Nepcote Green, Findon

Patrons Afternoon (Open to Members and Patrons)

OCTOBER

Skittle night (Open to Members and Patrons)

NOVEMBER

Wine Tasting (open to Members and Patrons)

Play – Title TBA (Open to everyone!), £6.00pp (Refreshments and raffle extra): Thursday 19^th to Saturday 21^st November at 7.45pm

DECEMBER

Christmas Dinner (Open to Members and Patrons)