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The Orchard Players Newsletter February 2019

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The Orchard Players February 2019

Newsletter!!

Current Stuff

Hello and welcome to all you lovely OPs!! Ok then wow!! Here we are already in February! A slightly depressing yet amazing month for readthroughs and Valentines!!!!

Now there is a LOT to get through so listen carefully!!

You may have noticed that we very recently staged our pantomime (Rapunzel, in case you'd forgotten) and WOW!! What an utter blast! Newsletter is proud of you all!

With amazing feedback and fabulous fun had by all it was a raging success! We sold a SHED load of tickets! We can ALL look forward to the next AGM to get a look at those figures!! ALL. Another huge "THANKS" to everyone who was involved in making this show the Spectacular Spectacular that it was. Mwah!

Additionally our after show party was held on Thursday the 17th, you may remember, and WHAT A PARTY IT WAS!! So much food, superb turnout, great tunes (cheers again, Ray) and some fine "Macarenas" and "Saturday Night"s were witnessed!

AND QUESTION ON EVERYBODY'S LIPS IS.......???

SUMMER SHOW 2019!

That's right. What is it? When is it? Who is it? Why is it? Let me tell you, there are a million questions flying around and some of them are weird!!

Anyway you may have seen on the reverse of the panto programme that our Summer production is entitled "An American In Suffolk" and it is a musical. Act 1 is set in....well Suffolk, in the 1940s during the time when American pilots (thousands of them!) came to the UK to aid the war effort. Act 2 is set during the 1950s following on the story of characters from Act 1. The songs are obviously from these decades. That's all that needs to said at the moment!

Show week for this should be the first week of July, as usual which is the 4th, 5th and 6th. So free up those diaries. If you could also free up your diaries for Thursday evenings leading up to this date and some Sundays too then even better!

It will be directed by one Cheryll Burton and will be ably assisted by Charlea Burwood and Bex Nicholls.

Dates for the readthrough and auditions are....I can now OFFICIALLY ReVeAl.....Readthrough on THURSDAY THE 21ST OF FEBRUARY with the auditions on SUNDAY THE 24TH OF FEBRUARY. So be there or be exceedingly square!!!

Annual General Meeting

Well, this is personally one of my favourite times of the year, as i'm sure it's yours too! Our one time as a family to discuss everything group!! This momentous occassion will occur on THURSDAY THE 25TH OF APRIL 2019 so if you could all make an appearance and show that interest, committee would be thrilled!!

Capel Fun Day 

Once again Capel is holding it's annual day of fun fun FUN and we intend to be a part of it because we are fun people. It's on Saturday the 8th of June 2019. Committee will ask around for help nearer the time and it's likely that we'll be doing a bit of singing on the day as part of a Summer show teaser!! We expect a good group turnout. Love yoooooou!!

Quiz Night

There will be a quiz night in the next handful of months. That's all you need to know at the moment. If you're interested (why wouldn't you be??) then start thinking about your teams!!!!

We're such HOT STUFF

Newsletter is delighted to announce that our Panto 2018, "Aladdin", directed by Rob Maplestone, has been nominated for the Best Pantomime Award from NODA!!! Congratulations Rob!!

And the awesomeness just keeps flowing! If you'd like to turn your attentions to the NODA report accompanying this newsletter then you can read all about how amazing we all were in "Rapunzel". Pats on the back all round!!

Pantomime 2020

I cannot believe how organised this group is, It's inspiring! The committee are currently receiving/entertaining/opening an ear for proposals for panto 2020....just typing that year is disorientating me!! Newsletter is uncomfortable. So if you have an idea and you're so excited that you just can't hide it then  committee looks forward to hearing from you! Don't be shy! You know and love committee and committee loves you!

 

Ok I think that's it. Not much more to report but trust me....when that news breaks, I'll be lettering it to you!!

Love you all

Me xxxxx

The Orchard Players Newsletter June/July 2016

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The Orchard Players Newsletter June/ July 2016

Hi  Folks,

Summer Show 2016

Only just over 2 weeks to go! How the time has flown by. Rehearsals are going really well, we have had a couple of extra singing rehearsal at my house and they have proved most productive. I am hoping to have an extra rehearsal on Tuesday June 28th to polish up the big dance routines, but am waiting for confirmation that we can have the library on that evening. Attendance at rehearsals has been exceptional this year, so thank you everyone for your commitment and hard work, it makes it so much easier to plan things.                                      If you haven’t got your tickets yet, see Sue or call 07754175399.

 Due to elections in the Village hall, the rehearsal  on June 23rd will be held in Capel St Mary Primary School.

Social and Fundraising

Capel St Mary Fun Day

Fun day was very well supported.  The weather was kind to us and we had a lot of help and made a reasonable profit. Thanks to everyone who came and took a turn running the stall, and encouraging people to part with their money, especially to our juniors, Kirsten, Ellie, Grace, Megan and Holly, whom came and did a stint behind the fruit machine.

Annual BBQ

We will be holding our annual BBQ on Sunday July 31st at 1pm at 19 Thorney Road, Capel. Please can you let me know if you will be coming and if you will be bringing either a salad or a dessert. There will be a small charge of £2 for members and £3 for non-members. Please bring your own drinks.

Quiz Night

A quiz night is booked for Saturday October 15th. Please keep this date free

Theatre Trip

Pearl is looking at arranging a trip to see a local show. We have a few possibilities and would like to know which ones members would be interested in.

  1. “A Street Cat Named Desire” by The Gallery Players      in October/November
  2. “Wizard of Oz”    by  Ipswich Operatic           in November
  3. “Little Shop of Horrors” by Stowmarket Operatic     in September

Please let Pearl know if you are interested.

Panto 2017

“Beauty and the Beast”. 

The show dates are January 12th, 13th and 14th 2017. Read through will be held on Thursday July 21st and Auditions on Thursday July 28th

As a committee, we always like to plan ahead, so if you are have a proposal for summer show 2017 or are you thinking that you might have one, please let any committee member know by the end of September.

 

Don’t forget to get your tickets for

“Jukebox Summertime”

Call  07754175399.

 

All for now

The Orchard Players Newsletter May/June 2016

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The Orchard Players Newsletter May/June 2016

Hi  Folks,

Summer Show 2016

Rehearsals are going really well. Things are coming together nicely, still a lot to do, but well on track. We had a scenery painting evening in Len’s workshop. That was a bit of fun and we managed to get that well on the way. Thanks to those who came and helped. Tickets are now on sale. See Sue for order forms so you can get your orders in and claim the best seats. Promotional photographs for Capel Capers will be taken on Thursday May 26th, so please wear either Orchard Player T/shirt or Black T/shirt to rehearsal and we will be taking more photos on Sunday June 12th for the Evening Star, but these will be in costume.  Due to elections in the Village hall, rehearsal  June 23rd will be held in Capel St Mary Primary School.

Social and Fundraising

Capel St Mary Fun Day

Fun day this year is Saturday June 4th. We are getting a team of helpers together. Please let a Julie know if you can help. It would be great if some of the juniors could come and help. It’s good fun.

Annual BBQ

We will be holding our annual BBQ on Sunday July 31st at 1pm at 19 Thorney Road, Capel. More details to follow.

Quiz Night

A quiz night is booked for Saturday October 15th. Please keep this date free

Panto 2017

“Beauty and the Beast”.  The dates are January 12th, 13th and 14th 2017. Read through will be held on Thursday July 21st and Auditions on Thursday July 28th

T Shirts

Bridie still has some Orchard Players T shirts for sale at rehearsals. They cost £5.50 and are available in child and adult sizes. See Bridie if you would like one.

The Orchard Players Newsletter April/May 2016

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The Orchard Players Newsletter April/May 2016

Hi Folks,

Summer Show 2016

Rehearsals are going really well. I am extremely pleased with the progress so far. Everyone is working really hard and the songs and harmonies are sounding great. We have some scenery to paint and Len will be working on that in his workshop over the coming weeks. When he is ready we will be having some painting evenings when we will ask for volunteers to come and wield a paint brush(no artistic talent required). Costumes are coming along fine, so all in all I think we are well on track. Due to elections in the village hall, rehearsals on May 5th and June 23rd will be held in Capel St Mary Primary School.

Panto 2017

We now have a panto lined up for 2017. Lynn Perera will be directing “Beauty and the Beast”.  The dates are January 12th, 13th and 14th 2017.

Social and Fundraising

Capel St Mary Fun Day

Fun day this year is Saturday June 4th. Hopefully we can get a strong team of helpers, so please make a note of the date. Please let a committee member know if you can help. It would be great if some of the juniors could come and help. It’s good fun.

Annual BBQ

We will be holding our annual BBQ on Sunday July 31st at 1pm at 19 Thorney Road, Capel. More details to follow.

Quiz Night

A quiz night is booked for Saturday October 15th. Please keep this date free.

NODA Award

Congratulations to Rob and all involved in “Jack and the Beanstalk”, for winning the NODA Best Panto Award for 2015. I’ve got it right this time. You definitely have won. Well done!!

 

T Shirts

Orchard Players T shirts are now available to purchase at rehearsals. They cost £5.50 and are available in child and adult sizes. See Bridie.

New Committee

Chairman, Lynn Perera

Vice Chairman, Becky Thomas

Secretary, Hazel Hole

Treasurer, Sue Maplestone

Committee members, Pearl Attwood, Bridie  Burn, Emma Cole, Val Munns,Simon Palmer, Julie Wardley.

Following the AGM, we now have a full committee. After several years without a chairman or vice chairman, we now have both. We would like to welcome Lynn Perera and Becky Thomas to their new positions and to welcome Emma Cole to the committee. Pearl has now returned from her travels and will be taking up her position on the committee.

All for now I think.

The Orchard Players Newsletter February 2016

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The Orchard Players Newsletter February 2016

Hi  Folks,

Summer Show 2016

Fantastic turnout for our introductory meeting! The response has been great. Lots of people have handed in their preferences and I can see we will have our work cut out choosing our soloists. We could still do with a couple more men though. We are really keen to get started now. !st rehearsal and auditions for soloists will be held on Thursday March 3rd at 7.30 for all. Auditions for the 8 dancers in “Vacation” will be on Thursday March 10th, as Lynn is not here on the 3rd. Hope to see you all at the 1st rehearsal. If anyone couldn’t make it to the introductory meeting and wants to be in the show, feel free to come along on the 3rd.

Social and Fundraising

Capel St MaryFun Day

Fun day this year is Saturday June 4th. Hopefully we can get a strong team of helpers, so please make a note of the date. Please let a committee member know if you can help.

Quiz Night

We are planning a quiz night on Saturday October 15th. Please keep this date free.

Panto 2017

We are still looking for a director for Panto 2017. Please contact a committee member if you are interested

NODA Award

I must apologise! In the last newsletter I stated that we had won the NODA best panto award for “Jack and the Beanstalk”, but this was wrong. We have been nominated but will not know if we won until April. Sorry Rob.

AGM

The date has been set for this year’s AGM, which will take place on Thursday April 14th at 7.30pm. A committee nomination form is attached. If you wish to stand for committee, please hand completed form to Hazel as soon as possible.

 

T Shirts

You will be able to order Orchard Players Tshirts at the 1st rehearsal. They will cost £5.50 and will be available in child and adult sizes.

I think that’s all for now. See you at rehearsals.

The Orchard Players Newsletter January 2016

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Hi  Folks,

Panto 2016

Well done everyone who took part. Feedback has been mainly very positive, but there have been a few negative comments mainly regarding sound and visibility. For the first attempt at the new format this is all really good. Ticket sales were fantastic, breaking all previous records.

Panto 2017

We are looking for a director for Panto 2017. Please contact a committee member if you are interested

Summer Show 2016

Jukebox Summer Time

Produced and Directed by Val and Len Munns with

Musical Director Maria King

Show dates July 7th 8th and 9th 2016

Please come along to our preliminary meeting in

Capel St Mary Village Hall on Thurs Feb 11th at 7.30pm

This show has a summer theme with all the fun and excitement of holiday time. The songs are mostly from the jukebox era of the 1960’s and offer great solo opportunities for both male and female singers, as well as chorus and dancing for performers of all ages. Our list of songs includes numbers from iconic artists such as The Beatles, The Kinks, Dusty Springfield and The Beachboys.

I have had a meeting with Maria this week and we are now keen to get started. I am looking forward to a good turnout on Feb 11th. If you can’t make that date and want to be in the show please get in touch and I will send you the song list for you listen to at home. Casting and auditions will be on February 25th at 7.30

Social and Fundraising

Capel St MaryFun Day

Fun day this year is Saturday June 4th. Hopefully we can get a strong team of helpers, so please make a note of the date.

Quiz Night

We are planning a quiz night on Saturday October 15th. Please make a note of the date.

NODA Award

Congratulations to Rob and the team for receiving the NODA Best Panto Award for “Jack and the Beanstalk”.

The Orchard Players Slogan

We are looking for a punchy slogan to be used in advertising and publicity to promote our group. If you have any brilliant suggestions, please let us know.

 Website

The new website is now up and running. www.theorchardplayers.com .

All for now

The Orchard Players Newsletter December 2015

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The Orchard Players Newsletter December 2015

Hi Folks,

Panto 2016

Tickets are selling quickly, so if you haven’t got yours, be quick, you can call the booking number 07754175399. Please let Rob or a committee member know if you are available to help in any way during show week, or on Sunday January 10th.  Two extra rehearsals have been booked over the Christmas and New year period, hopefully most of the cast will be able to attend. The dates are Tuesday December 29th and Tuesday January 5th in the village hall. Show dates are January 14th 15th and 16th 2016

Social and Fundraising

After Show Party Night

The after show party night will be on Thursday January 20th at 7.30 in the village hall. Rob will be providing the music and panto awards will be given. If you have any ideas for the evening please let a committee member know.

Summer Show 2016

Jukebox Summer Time

Produced and Directed by Val and Len Munns with

Musical Director Maria King

Show dates July 7th 8th and 9th 2016

Please come along to our preliminary meeting in

Capel St Mary Village Hall on Thurs Feb 11th at 7.30pm

This show has a summer theme with all the fun and excitement of holiday time. The songs are mostly from the jukebox era of the 1960’s and offer great solo opportunities for both male and female singers, as well as chorus and dancing for performers of all ages. Our list of songs includes numbers from iconic artists such as The Beatles, The Kinks, Dusty Springfield and The Beachboys.

Committee Responsibilities

Each committee member has a job, which they are responsible for. Bridie Burn has recently been co-opted onto the committee and is taking on a new role as Junior Representative. This is something we haven’t had in the past, but feel that sometimes our young people may have ideas, but are reluctant to approach an older member to put it forward, we therefore decided that they should have their own rep. to go to if they have any issues they wish to discuss. Bridie has also been working hard at revamping our website, and a new look site will be going live in the New Year. Along with the new look website, we have agreed to introduce a new group profile, with a rehearsal uniform, which the committee will actively encourage members to wear. This will be Black leggings/trousers, black t/shirt preferably with the Orchard Player logo and jazz shoes. The t/shirts will be available to buy, at a small cost of £5, in time to start rehearsals for the next production.

All that remains now is to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year

The Orchard Players Newsletter November 2015

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The Orchard Players Newsletter November 2015

Hi  Folks,

Panto 2016

Tickets are on sale now and ticket and order forms can be obtained from Sue at rehearsals or you can call the booking number 07754175399. Rehearsals are going really well. Rob is very pleased. Please let Rob or a committee member know if you are available to help in any way during show week. Two extra rehearsals have been booked over the Christmas and new year period, hopefully most of the cast will be able to attend. The dates are Tuesday December 29th and Tuesday January 5th in the village hall.

Show dates are January 14th 15th and 16th 2016.

Social and Fundraising

Quiz Night

Another very successful and enjoyable quiz night was held in October. A big thank you goes to The Maplestone Family for all their hard work organising and running the event. Thanks also to all the helpers Shirley Clair Hayden and Julie, and thanks to all who took part.

We don’t have any more fund raising events planned at present, so if you have a good idea for something different, please let one of the committee know. As you are aware, fund raising is a very important part of the group’s income.

Summer Show 2016

One proposal for next year’s summer show has been received, and accepted by the committee. The show will be called “Jukebox Summertime” and will feature songs mostly from the 1960’s and will have, as the title implies, a summertime theme. It will follow a similar format to “Jukebox Journey”.  There will be more information about this over the next couple of months.

The dates for Summer show 2016 are July 7th, 8th and 9th. Please make a note of these dates

All for now

 

The Orchard Players Newsletter October 2015

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The Orchard Players Newsletter October 2015

Hi  Folks,

EGM

The EGM was held on Thursday October 8th and after discussion it was voted that membership should be as follows.

£55 for combined membership and performance charge for taking part in 2 shows or £40 for combined membership and performance charge for taking part in 1 show, whichever is your choice. Associate and junior membership is unchanged.

These fees apply from 1st March 2016

Social and Fundraising

Quiz Night

Time is running out to enter the quiz night on Saturday October 24th,  please contact Sue on 01473 311061 or email maplestones@aol.com ASAP if you haven’t entered yet. Teams of up to 6 people at a cost of £10 per person, which includes a chicken and chip supper (a vegetarian option is available), and a fantastic evening of quizzing. If you don’t want to take part in the quiz but would like to be involved, we need a couple of over 18 year olds to take drink orders to the bar.

Panto 2016

Rehearsals are going well. It’s a bit challenging, with the change of the setting, doing it ‘in the round’, it’s a bit confusing but we’ll get there. Don’t forget to make a note of the Sunday rehearsal date as follows. There are 2 Sundays booked and they are  Nov 15th and Dec.13th from 2pm til 6pm. Rehearsal on Thursday 29th October will be in the library, due to new lights being fitted in the main hall. Tickets should be on sale from early November and ticket order forms will be handed out very soon. Show dates are January 15th 16th and 17th 2016.

Summer Show 2016

The dates for Summer show 2016 are July 7th, 8th and 9th. Please make a note of these dates

All for now

The Orchard Players Newsletter September 2015

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The Orchard Players Newsletter September 2015

Hi  Folks,

We would like to welcome Bridie Burn to the committee. She expressed an interest in becoming a committee member at rehearsal last week and was co-opted on at our meeting on Monday.

EGM

A date has been set for the EGM to vote on changes in the membership fees, as requested at the AGM. This will be held on Thursday October 8th at 7.30 in the village hall, before the rehearsal. Members have been given 3 options and will be required to vote for one option. Only fully paid up adult ( age 18 plus) members are eligible to vote. Voting options are attached with this newsletter.

Social and Fundraising

Quiz Night

We will be holding a quiz night on Saturday October 24th. Teams of up to 6 people at a cost of £10 per person, which includes a chicken and chip supper (a vegetarian option is available), and a fantastic evening of quizzing. Let Sue have your name as soon as possible please.

Annual BBQ

Thanks to Simon and Jackie for hosting the BBQ, the weather was lovely and a good time was had by all.

Panto 2016

We have had the first rehearsal, I think we all enjoyed the evening. There’s nothing much to report as yet, but everyone is looking forward to a good show. Don’t forget to make a note of the Sunday rehearsal date as follows. There are 3 Sundays booked and they are Oct 18th, Nov 15th and Dec.13th from 2pm til 6pm.Show dates are January 15th 16th and 17th 2016. I’m sure Rob will be sending out a call sheet in due course letting you know times etc.

Children’s wardrobe mistress required

We still urgently need someone to take on responsibility for children’s costumes. Julie will be responsible for adults, but has found the task of both adults and children too much, but is still prepared to help source materials. Please get in touch with a committee member if you or someone you know would be interested in the job. As well as this we need people to come forward to help with various tasks behind the scenes. In particular, we could do with someone who could make a large A board to put at the underpass to advertise when a show is on. It would need to strong and sturdy and be able to come out every time we have a show on.

Summer Show 2016

A final decision on the 2016 summer production has to be made in early November, so if you have a proposal, please put it to the committee asap please.

 

The Orchard Players website has been down for some time now. We need to update it and get it running, so we are looking for somebody with IT skills, who would be able to build a new website. If you or someone you know is interested in this task, please contact a committee member.

 

On behalf of The Orchard Players, the committee would like to express our condolences to the family and friends of Carl Bloomfield, who sadly passed away recently. Carl took part in Orchard Players productions during the 90’s.

Our Globe Trotting Member

As you probably know, Pearl has embarked on a trip of a lifetime to Australia via Kuala Lumpur. She is posting pictures profusely on Facebook, so if you would like to see what she’s getting up to, just log on and have a look. Have a great time Pearl, we’re all jealous and missing you already.

For those of you not in Panto Thursday October 15th Our members have been invited, by NEW DAWN INDIA, (a Capel based charity) to an informal evening and talk about the work they do for children in Madurai India. There will be a talk by Jim Jesudoss, a social worker in Southern India. Lynn Perera knows a lot about the charity, so if you want to know more, please feel free to ask Lynn.

All for now