Archived News - Edlesbray Players
Pantomime
Our thanks go once again to Pete & Ronnie Farrar for staging their seventh annual village panto.
Over the years, they have worked tirelessly for our community and deserve our utmost thanks for delivering a community project that almost every other village would envy.
Sadly, however, they have expressed the wish to hand over to someone new although they are more than happy to continue to help behind the scenes.
As a result, The Players Committee is presently trying to find a successor for 2015 and beyond.
Oh no it isn't! Oh yes it is!
... it's that time of year when the Edlesbray Players think about the January pantomime.
The Pantomime Guild of Baddies think they have come up with the ultimate plan to ensure they dominate the world. They pitch representatives of each Panto against one another in a series of bizarre and entertaining games. It looks like only one Panto will survive! Will our heroes work out that by joining together, the Guild of Baddies can be defeated?
If you'd like to join in The Panto Games, auditions will take place locally on the evening of Monday, 16th September.
And if you don't want to act, you can still play your part and join in the fun. Help is always needed behind the scenes – design, carpentry, painting, sewing, admin, etc – as much or as little as you can commit.
Please contact Bekka via the Edlesbray Players website for more information.
Alex is one of the Guys at The Grove Theatre
Schoolboy Alex Mustoe can't wait to be one of the Guys when he appears on stage at The Grove this week in his biggest role so far.
Alex will be starring as mission leader Arvide Abernathy in the Broadway classic Guys and Dolls which is The Grove's big summer musical, performed by some of the most talented young stars in the area. Guys and Dolls is a classic 1950s musical filled with big numbers like Luck Be A Lady and You're Rockin' the Boat, along with larger than life characters from New York's underworld.
The Grove Summer Musical Project gives aspiring actors aged between 12 and 19 just nine days of intensive rehearsals before the show opens on August 12 This year there will be more than 40 involved and they come from every part of the county to take part.
Alex is also a member of the Edlesbray Players, regularly performing to smaller audiences at Eaton Bray Village Hall, and as a student of Aylesbury Grammar School he has appeared in major productions there. Alex auditioned for Guys and Dolls following encouragement from his gran, Central Beds councillor Marion Mustoe.
"I've been in quite a few pantos for the village and they're been really good fun," said Alex. "I've been acting since I was really young. My sister used to be in the pantos and I'd watch her and really enjoy it."
He continued, "This is my biggest role to date. I play Arvide, who is the leader of the mission and he's there to bring in some sinners and to get people to turn to God. I hadn't seen the show before but we went and got the DVD when I heard I was in it. It's a really great show.
"I have to do a song - More I Cannot Wish You - on my own which is going to be a challenge but it should be okay. I'm a bit worried about that. I do quite a lot of public speaking with my school so I'm all right with audiences but I'm just concerned about my singing voice. When I came to the auditions I had lost my voice so when I tried to sing nothing came out!
"My gran told my mum about Guys and Dolls and I was really up for it. We'll be rehearsing for nine or ten days, between 9am and 8pm which is going to be really hard work."
Guys and Dolls runs from Thursday (August 12th) to Saturday (14th) at The Grove Theatre in Dunstable.
For tickets call the box office 01582 602080 or visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk
It's Panto Time Again
Time has rushed by and we are beginning again to think about our next Panto which will take place at the end of January 2011. The theme this time will be more conventional and, as before, will contain adults, youngsters, dames, etc.
We have organised for Auditions to take place in the Coffee Tavern in September and welcome all newcomers, as well as the many past actors. This year, however, we have decided to put an age limit of 10years and above for the youngsters, due to school activities, and hope no one is too disappointed with our decision.
We would be delighted to see old and new faces. Come and join our merry group and have some fun.
Auditons will run in the Coffee Tavern on:
Sunday 12th September from 3pm to 5pm, and
Monday 13th September from 8pm to 10 pm.
You do not need to attend both, just one of them.
For more information, contact Pete & Ronnie.
Much Ado About ... Saying Thank You
The booing and hissing, laughing and jeering has all died down. The scenery has been dismantled and all the wonderful costumes have been packed away for another year.
This year's panto was an experiment, and we hoped the idea of a Shakespearean connection would not put people off, and it was noticeable from the reaction to the jokes that we had a very knowledgeable audience who really got into the spirit of the thing.
We would like to thank everyone involved for their assistance with the show. We had around 60 people involved, all of which except 4 from the local villages. From the director, through script writer, sound and lighting, actors, make up, hair, costumes, props, painting etc, everybody put in fantastic efforts, battling with the weather and other difficult outside situations, to put on a show (hopefully) enjoyed by nearly 500 people.
We are always impressed with our youngsters since as an age group they are always being criticised in the media. This year we gained quite a few more new actors and helpers but we are always on the lookout for more, particularly organisers. You don't need to go on stage, build scenery or sew costumes but we do need people to run publicity, organise rehearsal dates, and assist with general administration. If you think you've got some spare time, give it a go, it's great fun and very rewarding.
Once again, thanks to everyone who helped and all of you who came. And for all of you who didn't - boo and hiss.
We are always pleased to have feedback, good AND bad, so try the website on www.edlesbrayplayers.co.uk and contact us.
-- Pete and Ronnie
Edlesbray Players: Colour Me Happy
The Players held another very successful review on 16th May.
Called "Colour Me Happy" it featured the usual troupe of entertainers who entertained the enthusiastic audience with comedy, drama and song.
Our thanks go to Val Trantum and her Team who prepared and served Supper. The event raised over £400 to help to buy new stage curtains for the Village Hall.
The 2010 Pantomime is booked for Wednesday 20 January to Saturday 23 January. Put it in your diaries now.
Panto 2009 - Auditions
Auditions for actors for Panto 2009 will be held at the Coffee Tavern, Eaton Bray on the following two dates. If you are a budding actor we will be pleased to see you on either date. You do not need to attend both.
- Sunday 14th September between 2.30pm and 5.00pm
- Monday 15th September between 8.00pm and 10.30pm
We look forward to seeing you then, but if you are unable to attend either of these two dates please let us know asap.
Please contact us for more information.
Panto 2009 - A Space Oddity
Following the success of this year's Little Red Riding Hoodie, the time is nigh to start cranking the handle of the machine that's going to produce next year's effort. We have it in mind to do a modern, completely new Panto, a sort of Star Trek meets Dr Who.
As usual we need volunteers for all departments, but in particular we need someone to take charge of costumes, and someone to take a major role in set production.
Above all we need actors, male and female, large and small, young and old, experienced and novice. Whatever your interest we'll find something for you to do. It's great fun and very rewarding.
You know you've always meant to do something so do it now! Send us an e-mail to register your interest. You will not be committed to anything but we do need to know who's interested and we need to know NOW.
Don't wait. Do it now or we'll send round a space alien to turn you into a toad!
Contact Pete & Ronnie Farrar at www.edlesbrayplayers.co.uk
Carry on Laughing - 10th May 2008
The Edlesbray Players present a revue entitled "Carry on Laughing", to be held in Eaton Bray Village Hall on Saturday 10th May.
Doors open at 7.00pm. Show starts at 7.30pm. Ploughman's Supper included in ticket price of £7.50. Bar also available. In aid of St Mary's Roof Appeal.
Tickets available from the Box Office on (01525) 222283.
Your Panto Needs You!
Little Red Riding Hoodie
January 24th, 25th, 26th 2008
By the time this advert reaches you, the Edlesbray Players' machine should be well cranked up and crawling into action for your fun and frivolity for post Christmas entertainment.
Most of you who have expressed interest in the production have already registered and many of you will already be hard at work. However if you always meant to be involved and never got round to putting your name forward
DO IT NOW
Contact Pete or Ronnie
Source: Focus, October 2007
Edlesbray Players: Raising The Roof
The Edlesbray Players present a revue entitled "Raising The Roof", to be held in Eaton Bray Village Hall on Saturday 3rd February 2007.
Doors open at 7.00pm. Show starts at 7.30pm. Ploughman's Supper included in ticket price of £7.50. Bar also available. In aid of St Mary's Roof Appeal.
Box Office - (01525) 222283 - opens Jan 2nd 2007.
Source: Edlesbray Players