Did you know that we have raised more than £19.000 for the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust and over £9000 for other Dorset good causes?
Buckham Fair, Sunday 22nd August, was a bit wet! Despite the weather condidtions and a noisy Bucking Bronco, we managed several readings. Norrie arrived in style on a pony and trap and had a thorougly good time chatting with us, looking at news cuttings, and meeting Martin Clunes. Now we know the score we can plan better for it next year.
The first reprise performance of The Mayor of Casterbridge took place at the Lighthouse, Poole on Friday 23rd July 2010. What a marvellous effort from cast and crew! The performance was faultless and the audience suitably impressed. There was at least one convert to Hardy - one of the excellent techhnical crew from the Lighthouse. He will not be the only one who has found that Hardy is not quite what they thought! The following performance at the United Church, Dorchester on Sunday 25th July was very well received by a knowledgeable and interested international audience, many attending the Hardy Conference. The feedback from both performances has been very positive indeed. Well done NHP's! Information
Rehearsals for the 2010 performances of "The Mayor of Casterbridge" are underway. Sundays at 3pm a Thursdays 7pm at West Stafford Village Hall.
A "hardy" crowd enjoyed a performance in the lovely setting of Lulworth Cove. The cliffs in the background helped to create Hardy's imaginary Lulwind Cove and the smuggling that took place there in his well observed story "The Distracted Preacher". The weather provide its own special effects to create the illusion of the cliff tops on a wet and blustery night. The whole cast played on without hesitation as the weather threatened to repeat the Millennium Green experience. The audience didn't pay the weather much attention, and a special mention for the young couple in T shirts who simply cuddled up together, the young lady even took part as a " very engaging little sniffer" in the brandy hunt scene.
Hundreds turned up on a glorious sunny eveing to watch The Distracted Preacher in the Borough Gardens, Dorchester on Sunday 27th July. A large sum of money was collected from the very appreciative audience, so we will make sizeable donation to local charity. We ere honoured that Town Mayor Les Phillips and his wife Vonty attended. Special thanks to the Town Clerk Dennis Holmes and his staff for helping to make this such a great event.
Corfe Castle was a the atmospheric setting for The Distracted Preacher on Sunday 20th June, The audience of 80+ included the wife and friends of the late Ray Sargent who adapted the play. Thanks to many of the audience who took the trouble to make such positive and encouraging comments. Next performance is in the Borough Gardens Dorchester, 27th June at 6,30pm. Please arrive by 4.30pm
The first performance went very well indeed, despite the extreme special weather effects, which actually addded to the bleakness of the cliff top scene set at Lulwind Cove! Well done to everyone for such a magnificent effort. The next performance is at Corfe Castle.
Rehearsals for the Distracted Preacher ended with the final dress rehearsal at West Stafford Village Hall
Hardy’s Night – Chapter and Verse: Thank you all who supported this very worthwhile cause. We had a marvellous evening and raised a fantastic £2,400 towards the cause. The manuscripts have been saved and will be returned to Dorchester very soon!!! Anita has put together a super album of her photo’s taken during the South Street Skimitty ride and the wonderful performance in the museum. You will be able to get copies from Anita.
The Distracted Preacher: Rehearsals are going well with all parts now cast. But if anyone would like to join in as a smuggler or to help in other ways, you would be most welcome.
Performance Dates are as follows:
Sunday 13th June on the Millenium Green, Bridport at 6.30pm. if wet in the Town Hall at 7.pm. Tickets £7 from Elizabeth Gale on: 01308 459039. Audience are asked to please bring chair/blanket and a picnic!
Sunday 20th June at Corfe Castle 7.pm. If wet in the village hall. Tickets £7 are available from the National Trust Shop. Tel: 01929 480921. Bring seating + picnic.
Sunday 27th June at the Borough Gardens Dorchester at 6.30pm. If wet in the United Church at 7.pm. No charge, but a collection will be taken. Bring seating + picnic.
Friday 2nd July on the Green by Lulworth Cove at 7.pm. if wet in the village hall. Tickets £7 are available from Janet Hall on: 01929 400102. Bring seating + picnic.
Stafford House: Friday and Saturday the 9th and 10th July. By invitation only.
Please ask Devina (01929 400701 or Andy 01305 267419) if you know anyone who would like an invite. Friday night £15 – no supper: Saturday night £25 with supper.
The Mayor of Casterbridge:
Rehearsals for the ‘Mayor’ are at West Stafford Hall on Thursdays the 15th and 22nd July at 7.pm. and Sundays the 11th and 18th of July at 3.pm. Performance dates: Friday 23rd July at The Lighthouse at 7.30pm, and Sunday 25th July at the United Church, Dorchester at 8.pm.
New dates for your Calendar!
Saturday 5th June outside County Hall, late afternoon: As part of the Hardy birthday weekend, the NHPs will perform an extract from the ‘Preacher'. Depending on availability, Tim will decide which scene to perform.
Saturday15th May at the Rex Cinema, Wareham at 7.15pm: There will be a showing of the Gryphon School’s production of ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’. It would be interesting for the NHPs to see, and a good one to support.
Saturday 19th June in the evening at Tyneham: The NHPs have been given a 20 minute slot for a Dorset Voices performance. Sophie (01929 550950) has more details. Please let Sophie , Andy or Devina know if you can be involved.
Sunday 22nd August on Beaminster Downs 10.am – 4.pm: This is a Country fair organised by Martin Clunes. Norrie’s Gt nephew, Michael, is a sponsor for that and asked Martin if the NHPs could take part. The answer was a resounding ’yes!’ Martin asked can we come in costume and perhaps perform some poems or a short play. Please let Andy (01305 267419) or Devina (01929 400701) know if you can be involved. See you very soon!
More news: Our social evening at the Octagon, Poundbury on Friday 26th March was a great success. Lorna Chiniah and her sister Ann joined us to talk about their Great Aunt Dolly who worked for the Hardy's at Max Gate. Thanks to Jane and Jason for a lovely meal.
A Skimmity ride took place in South Street, Dorchester on Saturday 13th February to help publicise Hardy's Evening Chapter and Verse (12th March) and to highlight the need save the Hardy manuscript collection. Thanks to all who helped.
Our annual AGM took place on 27th January. John Yonwin stood down as Chairman, as did Hon.Secretary Linda Faulkner, The meeting expressed its sincere thanks for the sterling work they have both done while in office.
The new committee for 2010 comprises:
Chairman Andy Worth: Vice Chairman Brian Slater: Hon Sec Emily Fearn Hon Treasurer Brian Caddy. Committee members: Devina Symes, Sue Worth, Diane Stonham, Jenny Trotman, Linda Faulkner, Anita Harries, Jan Graham. Terry Bird.
NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2010
A Very Happy New Year to you all!
The autumn and winter 2009 Dorset Voices were well received and £387 was raised for the group. Thank you to all who took part.
The first event for 2010 is a fundraising one to help purchase some Hardy manuscripts, which, if not enough money is raised, will go abroad. The manuscripts were once owned by Harry Tilley and are the scripts of the Hardy Players. They include 12 of Hardy’s novels and short stories which date from 1908 – 1924.
The date is Friday 12th March at 7:30pm; the venue, the county museum. It will be a Dorset Voices type evening with Hardy or Hardy related pieces. Please let Devina (01929 400701) know if you would like to take part.
Monday 15th March, Dorset Voices at West Lulworth Village Hall. (evening). The NHPs will be entertaining the W.I. Group Meeting. Diane and Devina are organising. Please telephone Diane on 01929 400613 or Devina 01929 400701.
The Cornwall weekend: 5th – 7th March. Four members of the group are going to Cornwall. It’s not too late if anyone else would like to attend.
The Distracted Preacher:
Sunday 14th March: The ‘read through’ will take place at West Stafford Village Hall at 2.30pm. Doors open at 2.pm. If you can’t make it due to Mothers Day, or other, but wish to be in it, please let Andy, Sue (01305 267419) or Devina (01929 400701) know.
Sunday 21st March: The auditions will take place at West Stafford village hall at 2.30pm. Doors open at 2.pm. Again, if you can’t come, let Andy, Sue or Devina know.
Thursday 25thMarch and every Thursday until 29th April 7.10pm for a 7.30pm start – rehearsals tale place at the Church Hall, Broadmayne.
Thursday 13th May until Thursday 3rd June 7.10pm for a 7.30pm start rehearsals at West Stafford village hall.
Sunday rehearsals will probably begin on April 11th.
The rehearsals will be split into various scenes and not everyone will be needed at all rehearsals. Tim will go through this at the read through. Parts for children too!
Performance Dates: At the moment we only have two confirmed dates:
Sunday 20th June at Corfe Castle 7.pm.
Sunday 27th June at the Borough gardens Dorchester at 6.30pm.
Other dates could be Sundays the 6th and 13th June: Friday and Saturday the 2nd and 3rd July or Friday and Saturday 9th and 10th July. Sundays the 4th and 11th July are also possibilities. NOT all these dates will be needed. We will confirm asap.
The Mayor of Casterbridge:
Performance dates: Friday 23rd July at The Lighthouse at 7.30pm, and Sunday 25th July at the United Church, Dorchester at 8.pm.
Rehearsals for the ‘Mayor’ are dependant on when the ‘Preacher’ finishes, but could be on Sundays 11th and 18th July, and Thursdays 15th and 22nd July.
SOCIAL: At the Octagon, Poundbury on Friday 26th March. 7pm for 7.30pm. This will be a Curry evening: Cost £7-50 per head for two courses.
Please let Devina know numbers by 18th March. See you all soon!
The New Hardy Players Newsletter UPDATE - September 2009
Happy Birthday to our President. Norrie reached the stately age of 104 then went on to perform at the County Museum one day later!
The Christmas Dorset Voices at the County Museum was a resounding success, despite Norrie giving us all a bit of a fright. The audience were very complimentary about the whole evening. Many commented that Norrie gave the best ever performance of The Ruined Maid. We were all enthralled by her surprise poem about her feelings and aspirations for the players. What a trooper!
St Mary's church at Netherbury was a lovley venue for a Christmassy Dorset Voices on 12th December. A full house not only enjoyed the poetry and readings, but the company of Norrie Woodahall who read two poems exquisetly. As Norrie will be 104 just before the next Dorset Voices at the County Museum on the 19th of December, we all sng her Happy Birthday.
The good people of Sydling were wonderful hosts to Dorset Voices on a very wet 5th of December. The sausage rolls were spectacular and the audience as warm hearted as the scrumptius mince pies!
Our Social evening at the Octagon cafe, Poundbury, Dorchester. took place on Saturday 21st November at the Octagon Cafe, Poundbury. At least 20 members enjoyed a fine meal and each others company.
Dorset Voices at Pen Selwood was a great success. £700 was raise for CRY. Charles and Rosalind were very touched by the great number of players that made the effort to travel so far to help their cause. Sincere thanks to all, and Well done!
23rd September, our president, Norrie Woodhall, presented two cheques to Caroline Nickinson from the Weldmar Hospice for the wonderful combined amount of £3,765. It was a happy occasion attended by Mrs Cree from Moignes Court, our chairman, John Yonwin, Brian Caddy, Diane Stonham and Devina Symes.
Following feedback from the cast of `The Mayor of Casterbridge', and the recent committee meeting, the following decisions have been taken for 2010.
The Mayor of Casterbridge will be performed on Sunday 25th July in the evening at the United church for the Hardy Society's bi-annual conference. Also on Friday 23rd July at the Lighthouse at Poole. This will be in the evening. Further information will follow in the next newsletter. Rehearsal will be twice a week (Thurs and Sun) from the 8th July.
Our main production for 2010 will be `The Distracted Preacher', which was adapted by the very talented Ray Sargent, who sadly died in 2008. We are very fortunate that Tim Laycock is joining us to direct this production, which promises to be a lot of fun, and will include songs and dances. Rehearsals will begin on Thursday evenings in March, with performances in June and early July. More information in the next newsletter.
Dorset Voices: Saturday 5th Dec Sydling St Nicholas Village hall 7.30pm.
Saturday 12th Dec St Michael's Church, Netherbury 3pm
Saturday 19th Dec Dorset County Museum, Dorchester 7.30pm.
Do support these evenings if you can. They are a lot of fun!
Finally: Our A.G.M. will be held on Tuesday 26th January 2010 in the United church, Dorchester. 7.pm for a 7.30pm start. See you all soon!
STOP PRESS! The panto season is underway and the Winfrith Drama Group are off to streets paved with gold . To find out more about Dick Whittington go to http://www.winfrithdramagroup.org
