Category Archives: Monthly Updates

February Update

We can now confirm She Stoops to Conquer, by Oliver Goldsmith, as the summer production, a brilliant and very well-known play with a splendid cast of characters, to be directed by Lydia Milman Schmidt, introduced to us by Laura Baggaley, our Director Emeritus, who directed The Winter’s Tale for us in 2007 and Twelfth Night in 2009.

Auditions will be on 25th & 26th February. Please contact Peter Saunders on 850245 to arrange an audition. Small and big parts for adults of all ages and we anticipate some parts for children of about 12 or older. We also welcome local people who would like to be involved with other non-acting roles such as wardrobe, scenery, construction, etc…..

A new adaptation of Great Expectations by the well-known children’s author Julia Golding (better known to us as Julia Saunders) has been postponed till next year, the 201st anniversary of Dickens’s birth rather than the 200th!

Workshops, rehearsals and lots of fun & hard work are underway for the youth production of Under Milk Wood directed by Jo Laugharne. This will be performed on 30th & 31st March in Blewbury Village Hall. Box Office opens at the Post Office on 3rd March. This production is going to be very special as it involves children from school years 5 -12 working together. Youngsters are taking on roles in stage management, lighting, front of house and finances with adult mentors.

December Update

Please note that our summer production of Great Expectations has been postponed until 2013 and we are discussing a number of exciting ideas for summer 2012 – watch this space!

Under Milk Wood
Following an introductory meeting on November 6th we are now underway with Under Milk Wood. I am delighted that the following have confirmed their involvement:

Alex Ewart Charlotte Smith George Brooks Dylan Laugharne
Johan Nijssen Alice Barton Ellie Vincent Ben Silverthorne
Emma Egbers Megan George Chris Willison Robert Willison

This will hopefully be an exciting project which will give young people more experience in theatre performance, and if you are interested but couldn’t make the meeting, or if you have yet to confirm, please email me at jolaugharne@btinternet.com, as there are still places available.

November Update

We are busier than ever…….
We will be staging Dylan Thomas’ play Under Milk Wood in March 2012 in Blewbury Village Hall.

Are you in Years 6 – 10? (see below if you fall outside this age range). Do you enjoy acting on stage? Would you like to learn more about acting skills and working as part of an ensemble? Would you like to be involved in a Blewbury Players Production for children and young people – on stage or offstage?

If the answer is yes to the above questions, read on! All eligible children from the village are invited to take part, and although there will not be auditions, all participants will be expected to commit to attending every rehearsal, as there will be a lot to do. During the project you will learn to improve your vocal and movement skills, characterisation, physical theatre and other performing skills, and the experience will also improve your confidence on stage. It will also be fun.

We are holding a meeting on Sunday November 6th at 5.00pm in the Vale Room, which will be a great opportunity for your parents, and you, to find out more. If you fall just outside this age range and/or you would like to know a bit more before the meeting please ask your parents to contact Jo Laugharne at jolaugharne@btinternet.com, for further information. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Jeff and Peter’s Music Quiz – Saturday 19th November
This ever popular quiz has questions for all ages and all types of music. There will be lots of prizes. Small teams up to 6 and large teams up to 10. Tickets now available at Blewbury Post Office.

With the 200th anniversary of Dickens’ birth in 2012, we are developing an entirely new adaptation of Great Expectations for next summer’s production. This is being written by Julia Golding and will be directed by Laura Baggaley, who has previously directed A Winter’s Tale and Twelfth Night for us. There will be a large cast of colourful characters and we’ll be hoping, and indeed will need, to see both old and lots of new faces getting involved.

A big welcome
We are delighted to report that Richard Blackford and Peter Willison have been appointed as Trustees and that Tracy Silverthorne will be replacing Chris Lakeland as our Secretary and Julie Hetherington as Friends’ Secretary. We welcome them all and thank Chris and Julie for their tremendous contributions to the Players.