Hello, fellow Easingwod Players,

 

Woop Woop! We’re coming back!!

 

Well, what a time it’s been! So sorry we haven’t been in contact very much lately, but nevertheless, we all hope that you have come through this past year as unscathed as possible. And let’s hope that the proposed plans that the company has to return to live theatre, all come to fruition. 

 

We have various nuggets of information to give you, so pour a cuppa, grab a biscuit and here we go:

 

A Change to the committee

Sadly Gordon Buckley has decided to leave the committee, for the time being, having a multitude of duties over the summer, we wish him well and thank him for his sturdy efforts to date. He is a great figure to have backstage; capable in a crisis and always undertakes duties with a smile and utter commitment and we hope he will remain involved with future productions. Happily, David Goodwin has offered to fill his shoes so will come back onto the management committee forthwith.

 

A Thank you from Richard and Jonathan Jennison

On our website www.easingwoldplayers.co.uk is the thank you letter from Bromwyn sons; Richard and Jonathan to thank the players for the lovely gift of the Memories of Bromwyn book given to the family in remembrance of our dear friend Bromwyn. It contains many happy photographs and recollections of working alongside the dear girl. Please go on and have a read.

 

The Galtres

Like all venues up and down the country, The Galtres has been closed with little or no income, the Players committee has decided - as discussed at the AGM - to make a substantial payment to The Galtres in an attempt to help the venue fully re-open and to once more become the hub for the town. Therefore three thousand pounds will be paid to the venue this coming week.  

 

Subscriptions

We have decided to keep the subscriptions the same for 2021! £10 for adults and £5 for students. If you would like to pay by bank transfer the bank account details are as follows:

Sort code: 55-61-37

Account number: 72859628

Currently of course we are not meeting so, by all means, pay online or wait until we meet in person. As you know the main reason for appealing for subscriptions is to make sure everyone is covered by the insurance.

 

The Great Entertainers presentation

David Goodwin is offering to present his entertaining talk on Joyce Grenfell, Margaret Rutherford and Peter Ustinov, entitled The Great Entertainers. This will probably happen on zoom, although we may do this as a social night for the players as soon as we are allowed back into The Galtres en-masse! More info will follow in future Stage Whispers.
 

The new and old website!

As I’m sure you all know we have a new website designed by Daniel Grey and new items are appearing all the time. It’s definitely worth a gander! But also for many years our website was designed and managed by Richard Wood, to whom we offer a huge vote of thanks. Mostly working alone, although latterly with the help of Martin Grey Richard put a brilliant site together. We offer our thanks and wish him and Robin all the very best for the future.

 

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And now for the first time in about 12 months, find the diary - probably hidden in the bottom of that kitchen drawer - grab a pen and prepare to fill it up!!

 

A bit of Zoom fun!

POETRY ZOOMING! On Friday 14 May: Join us in a fun poetry reading. 

Just sit with a warming glass of whatever pleases and join in a fun poetry evening. Just bring your favourite poem, with hopefully a willingness to perform it over zoom. The evening will be hosted by David Goodwin who is threatening to perform a few! At the foot of this email is the Zoom link. The link will be from 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm.

 

September show

After a successful reading over zoom a couple of weeks ago, new director John Hawker is preparing to direct a delightful one act play “Purvis” with just a cast of two, we hope to present this play in the lounge of the Galtres on 9th, 10th, and 11th September. John is hoping to cast this play in June – as soon as we are able to meet in person – and rehearse on Mondays and Thursdays from August. Of course, it is also possible that some early rehearsals may happen over zoom but we are hoping not!

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As regulations are eased we will make more decisions and we will publish a more detailed timeline as and when we can. 

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Purvis by Nick Warburton

Rachel, the vicar's wife, chats to recently-widowed Mr. Purvis and is cornered into offering him the post of the church's Health and Safety Officer. Purvis is keen but causes more problems than he solves, the vicar being the prime victim of his misguided attempts to make things safer. Funny, touching, and wry, this play for two actors is an example of comedy writing at its very best.

 

November show

As highlighted at the AGM David Goodwin will collate and direct an evening of play excerpts, named In Our Time; a show in memory of those we have lost this year. The plays highlighted in the show are; Happiest days of your life, Barefoot in the park, Hobson’s choice, Present Laughter, The Importance of Being Ernest, and Straight and narrow. 

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These are all plays that involved valued friends we lost this year; Geoffrey Crass, Bromwyn Jennison, and Ron Minty on technical.  

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We were also hoping to include an excerpt from An Inspector Calls but that has been refused by French’s. Currently, the play is removed from all license applications.  The rehearsals will commence mid-September, again the lifting restrictions mean that hopefully very soon we can present a timeline for a reading, casting, and rehearsals. 

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The performances will run from Wednesday  18 – Saturday 21 November.

 

April 2022

Kate Webster was hoping to direct the Dave Freeman and John Chapman comedy Key For Two but unfortunately has had to re-think as 1812 Theatre Company in Helmsley are staging the play in April 2022. In future editions of Stage Whispers, we hope to announce the replacement.
 

November 2022

Lottie Alexander is planning on directing the classic mystery Gaslight. Some older members will remember when we staged the play in the mid 90’s! Back in the days when we were very young!!

 

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More news about 2022 will appear in future Stage Whispers.

 

What are our friends doing?

Phil Grainger and Alex Wright of The Flanagan Collective and Gobledigook are kicking off with various performances at The Mill in Stillington:

27-30 May: Orpheus

30 May: Five Children And It

5 June: Josh of all Trades (14+)

12 June: Tom Figgins

19 June: Clive (aka Phil Grainger)

26 June: Fields and Lanes (Jessa and Mick Liversidge)

3 July: Silent Disco

Supper Clubs: 11 June/17 July/6 August

As some of you may know the Wrights have opened an outdoor café at the Mill, currently open on Saturdays only, why not pop along and enjoy coffee and a cake!

Check out the Flanagan Collective on social media or google.

 

David Goodwin is touring again through September with the comedy Holmes and Watson: The Farewell Tour, David says “In 2015, I thought after over 200 performances over 10 years this play was done and dusted, but it seems that theatres want the show back – I think, as we come out of these dark Covid days the need to laugh has never been greater and this show provides just that!” For tour dates check out: www.pyramusandthisbeproductions.com 

 

Jessa and Mick Liversidge have been very busy during the lockdown presenting various performances of “Fields and Lanes” a show of music and poetry. Apart from The Mill, they are also at many other outside venues, follow Jessa on Facebook to find out more info.

 

 

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Well loves, that’s about it for now, hope you’re all enjoying the fine weather and let’s look forward to happier times for all.

 

Very soon we will all be back in same space – can’t wait to see you all!