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Welcome to the first Cissbury Players newsletter of 2009: our 25th
year in show business. The debut production of the group, "Quiet
Wedding", was presented at Findon Village Hall on the 15th
and 16th of February, 1985: a quarter-century on, we are in
rehearsal for our 71st production. Thanks to everyone whose
support has made it possible, long may it continue!
There's
a lot to catch up on since the end of last year, so apologies for the
length. Please do read this, though – some of it is important! |
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February – The AGM and the Coming Year
The AGM was held on
February 11th, on a cold and damp evening that nonetheless
saw a fair turnout from members and patrons alike. Thanks to all those
who attended, or took the time to send their apologies.
It is both pleasant and important to have a good number along: we
welcome the opportunity to hear people's views as to what the group
should consider doing for the year, particularly in the social arena,
and any ways in which we could improve on the way we present our
productions. The AGM is a good place to have your say: please continue
to use it as such.
So, to business. As the minutes do not get signed off until the
following AGM – which may be something to consider changing – we cannot
distribute them officially at this stage, so what follows is an informal
precis.
Chairperson's Report
Clare offered a resume of the 2008 productions, thanks to those who have
contributed over the year and gave a gentle reminder that rehearsal
attendance and use of time could be improved upon.
Treasurer's Report
Mike announced that the group continues to enjoy healthy finances, with
a modest profit on the year.
Secretary's Report
Lyndsey gave a report on the other activities in 2008 and announced the
2009 production dates.
The reports are published
in more detail on our website, or can be obtained by request to the
secretary if you wish to read them in full.
Election of Committee
A little bit of a cabinet shuffle, this time around, means that the
elected committee for 2009 is:
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Chair: Lyndsey Kite
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Hon. Treasurer: Clare Buckland
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Hon. Secretary: Mike Liassides
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Ordinary Members: Dave Holden, Peter
Lewis, John Maplesden and Clare Mitchell
The first committee
meeting of the year will be held in early March, at which point the
remaining roles (Publicity Officer, Social Secretary, Webmaster and FVH
Representative) will be confirmed.
Other Business
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Following the departure of founder
member Cheree Buckler and husband, member and all-round help to the
group Steve, it was decided that both should be awarded honorary Life
Membership
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A vote of thanks was given to Peter
and John for rebuilding and reorganising the
scenery store
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This year a number of innovations to
membership are intended, such as membership cards and booklets
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Also for this coming year, it was
decided to try and manage more social events - although that, to a
certain extent, is still dependent on members and patrons asking for
them. |
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General – Membership
Cards
After many years of issuing card tickets, we are experimenting with a
slightly more upmarket membership card this year. They don't really
change anything for members, unless you want to impress your friends.
Patrons and Life Members should, however, bring these along to
performances and show them to the Front of House staff rather than
handing in a ticket. We hope this will be a neater and more convenient
way of doing business – let us know what you think!
Cards may be used on any night: in fact, because they aren't handed in,
they could be used on every night! So, if you do want to come along to
more than one performance, please feel free to do so – it won't cost you
anything and we'll be happy to see you as many times as you want to
attend!
Production dates are printed on the back of the membership card as a
reminder, but you will continue to get newsletters and publicity
announcements before each production as well.
If we have already received your subs for 2009, your card should arrive
with this newsletter. If not, there will be a reminder enclosed: please
return it with your renewal if you wish to continue supporting the
group. |
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April – Forthcoming
Production: "Curtain Up On Murder"
We are
well into rehearsals for our spring production, being produced by – well
– me. The dates for Easter this year mean that the play will be staged a
couple of weeks earlier than usual: don't forget and miss it! It's a
thriller...
"A seaside amateur dramatic company are lucky enough to have the use of
the theatre at the end of the pier. Lucky, that is, until one stormy
rehearsal evening, when they find themselves inadvertently locked in by
the stand-in caretaker Harry (Tim Walder). Director Martin (Dave Holden)
sees it as a golden opportunity to have his stars Alex, Sylvia and
Moppet (Zahir White, Clare Buckland and Ann Burfoot) work overtime,
aided by stage hands Sandra and Ginny (Clare Mitchell and Sandra Yee).
Things take a downhill turn, though, when it transpires Alex's
girlfriend Linda (Linda Cooper) is also present and extremely unhappy
with Alex!
However, it gets worse, when a terrible accident occurs and leaves one
of their number dead - worse still, when a second cast member also dies
and it becomes clear that these are no accidents: there is a murderer in
their midst! The fearful survivors must try to hold on, terrified and
unsure who to trust, until they can be rescued from their mysterious and
implacable assailant. But will any of them succeed and last out the
night?"
Come along and try out your new membership card on April 2nd,
3rd and 4th! |
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May – Murder Mystery Evening
We have
agreed to provide a cast to help out with two murder mystery evenings in
early May. The evenings are being run by the local Worthing Churches
Homeless Projects charity on May 1st at Findon Village Hall
and 2nd May at The Barn, Goring. No details are available yet
as regards tickets or their availability, but watch this space if you
might be interested in coming along.
Any members who would like to take part and haven't yet confirmed so,
please let me know. You don't have to learn lines: everything is read
from the script on the night. We may run through a couple of times,
first: expect it to be no more than an hour and a half of overacting! |
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July – Next Production
The
summer production is still up in the air: anyone who wants to either
produce or act in it, please let me know asap so we can try and get a
little bit organised. It is very rare indeed
we have ever had to miss a production, but it might happen this time if
we can't get anyone interested...so let's see some enthusiasm!!! |
General - Website
It's
going rather well, though I do say so myself! False modesty aside,
enough people have been complimentary about it that I would say it must
be going in the right direction. The production diary, as the latest
experiment, seems to be quite a hit – at least, there have been regular
contributions, with a minimum of arm-twisting, from all sorts of people.
Please keep it up.
However, I will do a little bit of nagging regarding the archives:
several people have given me comments/reviews of past productions and
many thanks to all those who have contributed already. I'd still love to
have some more personal input from other group members, in whatever
capacity. There's nothing difficult about it and it doesn't take long –
I'm sure people simply don't think about it unless reminded! So, here's
another reminder...write something and send it to me. NOW.
Any patrons out there who would also like to contribute in any way –
particularly with a view to how the play looked from out there in the
audience – please feel free to do so. Comments and reviews always
welcome!
And, just to reiterate: I don't mind running the site, but it isn't
mine. It belongs to the group. Tell me what you want to see there, give
me feedback on what's already been posted, send me stuff to publish: go
ahead and join in! |
General – Social
As
noted at the AGM, people would like to have a more active social
calendar. Once again, we would like to involve the group – both members
and patrons – in generating ideas. The committee will take events
forward and organise them, but it helps to
know what people would like to do... Thanks for the suggestions already
received, and please make the effort to raise more. If you hear of a
suitable event, or would like to repeat any of our past social
activities, tell us and we'll see what we can do.
At the moment, we are considering a Patron's afternoon, the Christmas
dinner, a treasure hunt and the annual(ish) quiz. Those won't fill a
whole year, though, so get in touch with other suggestions!
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