Charity Number 515656

Mdg News August 2008

Hello All

Welcome to the start of the 2008/09 season. We can all look forward to an exciting time as we have lots of plans for plays and functions which we hope you will all want to be involved with.

The first event will be “TOP SECRET” - an evening with a James Bond theme. On Saturday 20 September there will be a three course meal with a fantastic menu masterminded by our own Miss Moneypenny. There will be a visit to the “Casino – not so Royale” a quiz and, for your ears only, a little appropriate entertainment. Why not come dressed as your favourite JB character – there will be prizes for the wittiest and the prettiest. Tickets @ just £12 each can be booked by calling M on
01606 551673. Please let M know if you require any vegi options as these must be
ordered before the night.

Your committee has not been idle since the AGM and members have been working hard all through the summer. Graham & Tony M have put together grant applications and we are happy to announce that Graham, working with Frances Bennett of IMPS, has been successful in obtaining £3000 for the purchase of a new lighting desk and dimmers for Village Hall users. Tony put together an application to the Parish Council for monies to help us to buy much needed new flats. We hope to hear good news about this soon – fingers crossed.

Earlier in 2008 we got together a small Publicity Sub-Committee to look into ways of attracting more members (particularly younger females and males of any age!) and increasing audience support. Sarah Flannery, who is a professional in the world of PR, has been helping and coming up with some new and exciting ideas – thanks Sarah.

We have also formed a small sub-committee to read plays so that we can have to hand a short list of plays which are suitable for future production (taking into account castability, set requirements etc, etc). Anyone wishing to direct can then choose from that short list. Anyone can put forward plays for consideration. If you have any suggestions simply pass a copy to me for circulation. If you are keen to direct in 2009 please let me know before the end of August.

You may have noticed that the last few Tuesday evenings have been spent reading plays and as a result several of these have already been placed on the above short list. We will continue with these readings whenever possible. The next will be Tuesday 26 August.

In early August 14 members enjoyed a lovely day out in Buxton where we saw two excellent performances by Opera Della Luna. Derek's next trip will be down to The Victoria Theatre in Newcastle to see two new plays by Alan Ayckbourn and we will enjoy a meal between the two shows. Many thanks to Derek for all the effort he puts into planning these visits.

Our costume store has been broken into twice in the last couple of months which
has been a costly nuisance. Norman, Tony M and Joan have taken on the running repairs on both occasions. Thanks to them. When I reported the break in to the Police I was offered counselling! I didn't accept.

If you need more info. on any of the above please don't hesitate to email or call me

Bye for now.

Sheila

STOP PRESS NEWS:

SAND CASTLES has a cast. The parts will be played by: William – Tony M, Margaret – Lynda, Stan – Tony B, Bernice – Lynn, Mother - Gill, Pauline – Sharon, Doug – Steve, Debs - Kirstin Becky – Ali, Mrs N - Karen, Mrs P - Sue H and Ida – Bev. The part of the Beachcomber has yet to be cast. Norman has offered to Stage Manage and I am designing the set but Sue needs help in all other departments so please let Joan Christie know (594178) know if you can do any jobs asap.

Sue sends thanks to everybody who supported her by auditioning and says she is sorry to disappoint those not cast.

The first read through will be on Tuesday 26 August.