St. Jude's Players

This year’s panto will be the “Arabian Knights” by Richard Lloyd. Those of you who have been around for a while will know this is a script we have been considering for a few years now so we are pleased that the time is finally right for us to bring it to the stage. Simon Wood has agreed to direct it with help and support from his brother, Ben.

It’s the usual pantomime fayre with an eastern flavour – a handsome bandit, a fiesty heroine, a dame and other comedy characters, some belly dancing (!) plus a pantomime camel to boot!!!

If you are interested but cannot make any of the above dates, please contact Simon on 0208-751-8595 or Ben (see committee contact details below).

Despite very low audience numbers*, Harvey went very well due to a lot of hard work from cast and crew alike. Well done to all involved!

Unfortunately, the directors review was not available at the time of “going to press” but we hope to include Simon Early’s comments in the next newsletter so watch this space…..!!!!

* = we will be looking at how we can improve our publicity efforts for future productions. Please contact the committee if you are interested in helping in this area or have any ideas or suggestions you’d like to share!

Unfortunately, it is not now possible for Keith & Tracey to host the Bar-B-Q due to an unexpected run on weekend bookings at the B&B. Therefore, the committee have decided that we will schedule a social event to co-incide with the first few weeks of panto rehearsals instead. More details to follow……

We had a successful (and very hot!) day at this year’s Village Fair. We took £62 for the balloon race which was won – co-inicidentally – by a little boy named Harvey who is only 18 months old! Due to the direction of the wind that day a large number of the balloons ended up in Norfolk, a few in the green itself and one in Oxford!!

A reminder that Chris Denman is organising a working-party to refurbish the exterior of the pavilion over the weekend of 20th & 21st August with the aid of a generous grant for materials from the Coopers Hill Recreational Trust. Please contact Chris if you can lend a hand.

Congratulations to ex-SJP member Judith Fowler (nee Clark) & her husband, Paul, on the birth of baby Matthew on 11^th July, a brother for Tom (aged 4). Judith, Paul and their newly expanded family live in Newbury, Berkshire.

Elwood P. Dowd has a very special friend, and this friend is so special that Elwood wants to share him with everyone...much to the humiliation and frustration of his sister Veta. Veta is anxious to provide the best social opportunities for her daughter, Myrtle Mae. But there is no room in this plan for Elwood's friend.....a six-and-a-half foot rabbit named Harvey! The situation calls for drastic action, but Veta's plan to commit Elwood to a sanitorium backfires when she admits that after years of living with this problem she is beginning to actually see Harvey herself. A comedy of errors ensues while the doctors at the sanitorium endeavour to identify and incarcerate the right lunatic. But don't underestimate Harvey's persuasive personality and amazing power to put everything into perspective.

Find out what happens by buying tickets to see our summer production “Harvey” on Thursday 30th June, Friday 1st July or Saturday 2nd July at the Social Hall. Doors and bar open at 7pm, performances start at 7.45pm and tickets are £4 for children (14 and under) & £6 for adults if purchased in advance via the Box Office (details below). Tickets purchased on the door will be £5 for children & £7 for adults. Seats are not numbered and can only be reserved for bulk bookings or special needs/access. A discount of 10% will be given for group bookings of over 10 people booked at the same time and for the same performance. As usual, we struggle to get the “bums on seats” for plays so please, please try and encourage friends, family & colleagues to come along.

Not a newsletter goes by without us announcing the birth of another prospective new member for future SJP productions!! Congratulations to ex-SJP member Emma Warwick (nee Seeley) & her husband, Chris, on the birth of their baby girl, Kirsty who arrived 19th April, weighing (7lbs 3oz).

A reminder that the annual membership subscriptions for 2005/6 fell due at our AGM in April so if you haven’t yet paid-up please do so by contacting Ben Wood as per the attached/enclosed Membership Form.

This year we will be promoting “Harvey” as well as trying to attract new members with a balloon race, the winner of which will be announced at the end of the final performance of the play on 2^nd July (a cunning plan to get people to buy tickets to find out if they’ve won!!!). We will also have some archive photo’s of productions for people to look at as well as a number of “bunny-girls” handing out flyers!!

Calling all “big, strong boys & girls”……Chris Denman is organising a working-party to refurbish the exterior of the pavilion over the weekend of 20th & 21st August with the aid of a generous grant for materials from the Coopers Hill Recreational Trust. In order to get the most out of the weekend, we will need to prepare the exterior – mainly getting rid of the brambles & undergrowth which we aim to do on Saturday 6^th August. Please contact Chris to let him know if you can help with any of the above.

This year, Alan & Erica have decided to give their garden (and themselves!) a well-earned break so the 2005 SJP barbecue will take place on Sunday 7^th August at Keith & Tracey’s house (Laburnum Lodge, 242 Chertsey Lane, Staines) from 3pm onwards.

SJP will provide the meat (for which there will be a charge of £5 per head – no charge for children) and we will need volunteers to bring salads & puds. Please let Tracey & Keith know if you will be attending by 1^st August for catering purposes and liaise with Tracey regarding the salad & pud requirements. You can contact them on 01784 464132 or by email on traceydocwra242@hotmail.com or docwrat@bupa.com .

Many thanks to Alan & Erica for hosting the Bar-B-Q so well over the last few years – Tracey will be taking tips from Erica on how to ensure good weather!!!!

We’re starting early in our preparations for this year’s panto – Cinderella by Tony Cullen – with a read through on Tuesday 6^th July, followed by auditions on Tuesday 27^th & Thursday 29^th July – all in The Social Hall at 8pm.

It’s the usual Cinderella story, given the SJP treatment and the characters are as follows:-

Buttons	-	A Page
Cinderella	-	A Heroine
Bunion	-	An Ugly Sister
Verooka	-	Another Ugly Sister
Baroness Mildew Withering	-	An Evil Stepmother
Fairy Godmother	-	A Fairy Godmother
Loot	-	A Failed Criminal
Pillage	-	A Failed Everything
Dandini	-	An Equerry
Prince Charming	-	A Prince
Chuckles	-	A Gnome
A Steward	-	A Steward

The parts are open to interpretation and may be either male or female. Please find an audition form attached – as you may want to fill this in before you arrive.

Lynda Hughes is directing so, if you cannot make any of the above dates but would like to register your interest, please contact her on 01344 626563/ Mob: 07813 919080 or send her your completed audition form.

Well, we put on our doctors & nurses outfits and braved the changeable weather for the Englefield Green Village Fair on Saturday 19^th June. Unfortunately, we didn’t paint as many little faces as last year but we did sell some tickets for the play so many thanks to Ruth, Bobby, Tracey, Nicola, Jennie, Tony, Chris, Lynda & Mark (plus Freddie & Sam Hughes!) who all helped on the day!

Once again we are looking forward to the Crouse magic touch with the weather for our annual barbecue at Alan & Erica’s (42 Simon’s Walk) on Sunday 25^th July from 1200 onwards. As usual we are asking for a contribution of £5 per adult (children are free) to go towards the costs of the food. Please confirm to Alan & Erica on 01784 432813 if you are coming by Wednesday 21^st July and also liaise with Erica regarding your contributions of home-made salads & puds that would be greatly appreciated!

I should have realised last year that if anyone expresses an interest in directing a show it actually meant, in 'St. Jude's Players terms', a commitment into actually doing it! And I was no different.

Before I could recite my closing Dame's speech in last years pantomime, the next St. Jude's Players newsletter was being distributed, informing all that they've found a director for 'It runs in the Family'.

And what a choice for my first attempt at directing a show. It had me in 'Stitches' from the very first reading in August last year through to the final performance last week. From the Auditions it was so obvious on the choice of the cast. I only had to twist one arm but then I was used to that, it was my younger brother’s.

And that brings me to the performance itself. In three words – ‘A Great Success’. And this was only due to the commitment, dedication and quality of the cast and crew.

I thoroughly enjoyed directing this show and with the help from all the team, I managed to get through to the finale – unscathed. But a lesson learnt for all was not to perform whilst England are playing in international tournaments. It really puts a dent in the attendance figures. But the Friday & Saturday performances attracted a great audience.

Quote from the show "Try not to say that behind Matron’s bottom or the audience won't hear you!" (Director during rehearsals)

During the after show party, Simon Early (who played young Leslie) mentioned to me that he’d maybe consider directing a show. Well Simon, this is how it works. I hope you’re reading this newsletter !!!!!!!

SJP

As you may already know, rehearsals have already started for this year’s play, "It Runs in the Family" written by Ray Cooney and directed by Ben Wood.

If you enjoyed “Run for your Wife” in 2002, then you’ll be quite at home with this play as it’s by the same author (who also co-wrote “Move Over Mrs Markham”). For some reason SJP and “farce” go together well (I’m sure there’s a joke in there somewhere!) and Cooney’s writing seems to suit us.

This is Ben’s first time in the director’s chair for SJP and it is quite fitting that it is with this play as he made his SJP stage debut in “Run for your Wife”!

Here’s the cast list in order of appearance, for those of you who don’t already know, and a reminder for those that do!: -

Well done for managing to cast a play with so many characters, and a warm welcome back to Mark & Lynda Hughes in their second Cooney play with us. Also, "Good Luck" to Simon Wood, Geoff Kimmings and Camille Cutajar who are making their first steps out of the chorus (or in Simon's case, a furry animal suit!) to take on roles in the play.

Rehearsals are taking place on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Pavilion from 8.00pm, so please feel free to pop in and support your fellow thespians!!

We do require your support to promote this show by distributing posters. If you are able to spare a couple of hours a few weeks before the performance, it would be most appreciated. Please call Ben Wood on 07974 193562 for further information.

Please find attached the 2004 Diary of Events (this can be found on our FAQ page by clicking here). Some points of interest are:

Murder Mystery: Kay Doyle not only has a talent for playing comedy, but has recently completed the scripting of a Murder Mystery play which has its first airing with the Christchurch Players at Christchurch in Virginia Water on 5 June. St. Jude's Players plan to repeat this in mid-September with one private performance for a local PTA (for which we will charge a fee and they sell their own tickets) and one public performance. This should be a fun new venture for us and we are looking forward to branching out in this area.

"Cinderella": Lynda Hughes has kindly (bravely?!?!?) agreed to direct our panto for 2004. Lynda is an experienced Director with other groups in which she has been involved, and most recently directed the Quince Players' panto, which hit the stage earlier this year. The script has been written by our own Tony Cullen (we seem to have quite a bit of writing talent in our midst!!), and will no doubt be embellished by Director and cast alike in true SJP fashion.

"Jazz in the Green": is not strictly an SJP event, but with a few of our members involved, we are pleased to include it in our diary as "supported" by SJP!! Alan Crouse, and Ruth Pankhurst's other half, Pete, are the organisers of these events on various dates throughout the year in the Social Hall. Keith Pullen is also involved in running the bar. The first of these evenings was held on Friday, 19 March, and was sold out!!

"Englefield Green Village Fair": Saturday, 19 June. We need volunteers at this event to promote SJP and the Summer Play. Any ideas to attract interest (e.g. face painting) would be appreciated.

Most of you will already know the sad news of Alan Bryant's unexpected death on Saturday, 20 March. Alan & Jackie have been members of SJP for more than 20 years, and Alan was often seen helping with catering and Front of House activities. In recent years he has been our Honorary Auditor, and helped us format the accounts to comply with our status as a Registered Charity. He has been invaluable in guiding the SJP and The Social Hall Treasurers through the end of year accounts, and his patience and good humour in this task will be sorely missed.

A service to commemorate his life was held at St. Jude's Church on Friday, 2 April, following a cremation at Woking. Besides SJP, Alan was involved in many local groups and organisations, including Coopers Hill Trust, Thames Valley Hospice, and the Englefield Green Village Society. It is a testament to how warmly he was regarded by all those who knew him, that the church was so full, several people had to sit in the choir stalls!! In place of flowers, SJP has made a donation to the Thames Valley Hospice as per Alan's wishes.

Membership subs for 2004 are now due. The majority of members have renewed their memberships leaving just a handful non-renewals.

This year’s Panto will be “Little Red Riding Hood” by Paul Reakes (yes, him again!) and will be performed on 5^th, 6^th, 11^th, 12th & 13^th December at the Social Hall.

We did have two other scripts to consider but, in the end, the variety and mix of character roles in “Little Red Riding Hood” more closely matched the mix of people available for us to be able to cast this year’s Panto as follows: -

Rosie Rumple (Red Riding Hood)

Cheryl Pilley

Roxie Rumple

Ben Wood

Reggie Rumple

Simon Early

Grannie Grabbit (Rosie's Grandmother)

Jennie Kimmings

Gertrude

Bobby Davis

Count de Cash

Tony Cullen

Cringe

Kay Doyle

Cower

Alan Crouse

Prince Rupert

Peter Edwards

Sternum

Brian Aldred

Townsfolk/Chorus

Camille Cutajar, Ted Edwards, Geoff Kimmings, Ruth Pankhurst, Nicola Thornton, Simon Wood

Dancers

Michelle Eaton, Suzanne Kennedy, Samantha Zatonska

With no one person able to commit to taking on the director’s role this year, the Panto will be a joint effort – primarily produced and directed by the cast with support and guidance from the SJP Committee. Why not pop up and support the cast at the odd rehearsal – you know where we are!

Don’t forget, even if you cannot be IN it this year, we still need your help with “behind the scenes” activities such as Box Office, bar, lighting & sound, etc… If you can’t commit to regular rehearsals you can still help even if you can only do a couple of nights during the two weeks of performances…. WE STILL NEED YOU! Please contact a committee member to let us know how you can help ASAP!

If there is anyone out there who would like to help with costumes, can they please let me know? It involves mainly sorting out what we will need from wardrobe, getting people to try on things and hiring what we can't supply. Some tarting up/altering is normally needed as well, so if you are handy with a needle and thread, so much the better? As I can normally only make the Thurs rehearsal, any assistance would be appreciated.

There will be play readings for potential shows for next year. All members are welcome to participate in these readings.

Mmmmmm, October looks a bit quiet. Only the odd Panto rehearsal here and there and the Pavilion clear out. So why not come and join us for an evening of pasta, pizza, wine and garlic breath!

If you are interested, please contact Bobby Davis via the webmaster, or at rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

No group booking will be made for less than 10. So if anybody is still interested please let Bobby Davis know by Monday 29^th September via the webmaster, or at rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Chances are that the date we would book for is Tuesday 4^th November rather than Wednesday 5^th November due to having to change rehearsal night that week.

The group are going to attempt a tidy up of the pavilion on Sunday 5^th October starting at 10.00 am. Many hands make light work! Finishing off with a traditional beer down the local!

Yes – it’s only been a short while since our last Newsletter but there is so much going on (and some changes to communicate) that we just had to produce another one!

The reading on Thursday, 21st August will now take place at the Coopers Hill Trust building (next to the pavilion) due to bookings in the Social Hall. All other readings & auditions will be in the Social Hall as usual.

Also, the final auditions will take place on Thursday, 28th August (not 27^th as previously stated!)

We desperately need to clear out the pavilion and move some more props, etc.. to the Social Hall before set-building gets under-way for the panto. We have ear-marked Saturday, 27th September to do this and plan to meet at 10am at the pavilion to sort the stuff and, following a break for lunch at a well known licensed establishment, we’ll take things to the Hall in the afternoon. As “many hands make light work”, please try and make it for at least some of the day to help out – REMEMBER; we cannot make the magic happen ON-stage if we don’t also put in a bit of effort in these areas now and then!

“We are planning a group night out for dinner and lots of chat at Don Beni in St Jude’s Road on either Friday 10th or Friday 17^th October. I will be canvassing for interested parties once the panto rehearsals get under-way. Those of you not involved in panto – please contact me direct.

I am looking to make a group booking for an outing to see "Cats" at Woking Theatre. The date I am proposing whilst we are in the throws of Panto rehearsals is Wednesday, 5th November. I would appreciate your contacting me stating your interest within the next week (deadline Friday, 22nd August) so that I can make the booking.

Comedy Night, Paint-balling, more meals & theatre trips…..further suggestions welcomed.

Look forward to hearing from you……” - Bobby {Contact Bobby via the webmaster }

SPRING/SUMMER 2004

In an attempt to plan more than a few weeks ahead, we would like to hold a couple of readings of scripts we consider possibilities for our Spring/Summer offering next year.

We will be re-reading “Keep it in the Family” by Ray Cooney (typical farce) as well as a murder mystery set in the wild west entitled “Bordello of the Damned”on Wednesday, September 24^th and Wednesday, 1^st October at the Social Hall.

DIRECTOR’S REVIEW OF "THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST"

“As many of you will know, directing “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde has been a long-standing ambition of mine. In fact, I’ve thought about it ever since I got involved with amateur dramatics. So when I got the chance to produce the show I was filled with trepidation. It’s all very well to get the chance to fulfil a dream, but what if it goes wrong? Well, I need not have worried.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the show – I don’t think it could have gone better. The front of house organisation was almost seamless and Chris, Richard and Ben ensured that staging, lighting, sound & backstage stuff were as untroubled as we have come to expect. Geoff was marvellous stepping in as "Prompt" at the last minute and Maggie, Tracey & Ruth did marvels with the wardrobe to produce one of the best looking shows for some time (no one who saw it can forget Peter’s check suit!). All this was topped by very acceptable audience numbers.

As to the performances by the actors, I cannot praise them too highly. The old stagers (Brian, Kathy, Stephanie and yes, you qualify now – Kay & Simon!) surprised no-one with their usual immaculate playing – but it was the “newcomers” who really rose to the occasion. Bobby, Ben, Ted and Peter displayed levels of stagecraft far beyond their experience.

Of course, the true heroine of the show has to be Jennie. With Kathy having to go into hospital on the Friday, Jennie bravely stepped in to the breach to play Miss Prism. She carried the part with great skill and indeed, had learnt most of her lines before her first performance with only two days notice (Brian, please take note of this!)

So, an ambition fulfilled in the best manner possible. Thank you all again for making this not only a successful show, but a very happy one.” - Tony Cullen - Director

A LAZY SUNDAY AFTERNOON….

Although, due to holiday commitments, a few regulars were unable to make this year’s annual BBQ, those of us who did had a wonderfully chilled time in Alan & Erica’s garden on Sunday 3^rd August enjoying some super food (Jennie’s long-promised pavlova comes particularly to mind!), outstanding weather and great company!

NEWSLETTER – JULY 2003

A reminder that this year's SJP BBQ is due to take place on Sunday 3rd August in Alan and Erica's garden - who continue to be very brave or just downright mad! Format is same as before which is as follows:

Please call Erica direct ASAP to let her know how many of you are coming and what salad/pudding you are willing to concoct.

Many thanks to those of you who joined us at the Social Hall on a hot and balmy 11th July to celebrate Ted’s “inauguration” as President. We were also joined by some past SJP members and it was lovely to see some of the “old” faces again!

There was entertainment for those brave enough to attempt to “dosey do” & “promenade” with square dancing provided by caller Julia Beckley who has shared a long association with SJP via the Symonds Stage School. It was possibly just as entertaining for those watching the dancing as we proved that, in SJP we may not have all the moves but we make up for it with enthusiasm!

After a feast of fish & chips Tony Cullen, as Chairman, gave a short speech and presented Ted with a crystal decanter and some port to put in it before we once again launched ourselves onto the dance floor! See the photo's by clicking here.

As far as we know, Tony is still recovering from the shock of fulfilling his dream to bring this Oscar Wilde classic to our stage. We hope to have his review for the next newsletter……

Best wishes to Kathy Knight who went into hospital for an op on the Friday of the play, forcing her to relinquish her role as “Miss Prism” for the final two performances. We are pleased to report that everything went well and Kathy is now recovering and recuperating (as is Jennie Kimmings who stood in for her at 2 days’ notice for the performances in question!)

Congratulations to our Secretary, Rachel Bawn, who became Mrs Christopher Briercliffe on Saturday 26th July at St Jude’s Church. (We are pleased to note that her experience as a bride in panto finale’s prepared her well for her big day!)

There was quite an SJP connection for the occasion with Keith Pullen as Best Man, Luke Pullen as one of the page-boys and the evening disco provided by our very own Ben Wood!

We are sure you will all join us in wishing Rachel all the best in her new role of “wife”!

We are currently in the process of deciding our pantomime for this year and we will be holding open readings and auditions as follows:

All of the above will take place at The Social Hall, Englefield Green starting at 8pm.

Character lists and plot synopses are available on our website but there will also be copies to take away and peruse at the readings.

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St Jude's Players AGM - Wednesday 9th April

This year's annual general meeting will be held at the Social Hall on Wednesday 9th April. Please find the agenda enclosed.

There are quite a few changes going on in the committee this time round which means that the following vacancies have arisen:

Honorary Officers

Chairman - Ted Burrough will be stepping down from his role of Chairman and instead will assume the role of President. (Tony Cullen has put his name forward to be nominated for Chairman.)

Treasurer - Tracey Docwra will be stepping down from her role as Treasurer but will remain as a committee member.

Secretary - Rachel Bawn will be stepping down from her role as Secretary but will remain as a committee member.

If you would like to be nominated for the position of an honorary officer or a member of the committee, and feel that you can offer enthusiasm, ideas and time, then please complete the enclosed form.

Nominees need to have been a member of the group for at least one year prior to the date of the AGM.All forms should be sent to Rachel Bawn by Monday 31^st March 2003.

Enclosed is the latest SJP contact list. Please could you check that all your details are correct and let Rachel Bawn know of any changes.

SJP committee

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NEWSLETTER – JANUARY 2003

Firstly, the St Jude’s Players committee would like to wish all our members a very ‘Happy New Year’!! Following the success of our two shows in 2002 (Run for Your Wife in the summer and the Christmas pantomime, Robinson Crusoe & The Pirates) we are looking forward to another great year!

Director’s Review of “Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates”

It’s funny how things come full circle isn’t it? When I joined the group in 1978, the panto that year was – wait for it…”Robinson Crusoe”! As a shy 12 year old I participated as part of a chorus of townsfolk, sailors and islanders – sound familiar!?!? It was, in fact, a different script to this year’s but followed the same successful formula.

Which brings me nicely to the 2002 version of “Robinson Crusoe & the Pirates”. Unfortunately, ticket sales were extremely disappointing – especially in week one - but the audiences were as appreciative as ever. We certainly gave them some great performances – a healthy balance of fresh and not-so-fresh (!) faces in principal roles, an enthusiastic and substantial chorus, super songs and some stunning dance numbers from Sam, Michelle and Suzanne from the Symonds Stage School. There were quite a few challenges on the scenery and special effects front from a demanding director (sorry guys – but I think you’ll agree it was worth it!?!?) and some fantastic costumes, too.

Many, many thanks to all involved – you all worked very hard to help bring my vision to life.

All that is left to say is that my reflections on my SJP panto career have uncovered a pattern of behaviour that I’m not sure I should share with you but I’ll risk it, anyway. I seem to direct pantomimes in 5 yearly intervals; “Jack & the Beanstalk” in 1992 followed by “Santa & the Vikings” in 1997 and now, “Robinson Crusoe” in 2002! Perhaps I just need 5 years to recover in between, so, just in case, I’m thinking of leaving the country before 2007!

Providing the flood situation improves between now and then, you are cordially invited to “Laburnum Lodge”, 242 Chertsey Lane, Staines (home of Tracey) on Friday 17^th January for the viewing of the panto video at 7.45pm. Nibbles will be provided but you might want to bring a bottle or two!

The next Social Hall Committee meeting will be held at the Social Hall, Englefield Green on Wednesday 29^th January at 8.00pm. All SJP members are welcome to come along.

Play reading: The Importance of Being Ernest – 3^rd February 2003, The Sun, Wick Lane, 8.00pm

This comedy revolves around the lives and loves of two young men, John and Algernon, and the objects of their affections, Gwendoline and Cecily. The budding romances are hampered by both ladies being adamant that they will only marry someone of the name of Ernest. This may or may not be a problem. Further obstacles appear in the guise of Lady Bracknell, Gwendoline's mother - "a monster without being a myth!" - and John's relationship with a handbag. This is a stunningly gentle comedy with some of the best dialogue ever written.

With SJP having a core male membership mainly in their mature (!) years, our Director, Tony Cullen, is on the look-out for two principal men young enough to carry off the parts of John and Algernon.

So, if you are male and meet the age requirement - that is, you can pass yourself off as a young man in his mid-late 20's/early 30's (with or without stage make-up!!) - and see yourself playing the John or Algernon roles, please contact Tony through the webmaster at www.stjudesplayers.org call him on 01784 438414.

Chris Denman is organising a props sort/clear out at the Pavilion, Coopers Hill, on Saturday 22^nd February between 10.00am and 4.00pm, with the usual lunch time visit to The Sun! Our props have become somewhat tangled up over the years and could do with a good dusting down and sorting out, so if you’ve got some time to spare on that day, give Chris a call on 01784 436283.

We have discovered an amateur dramatic group by the name of St Jude’s Players in Australia! Visit their website on www.stjudesplayers.asn.au

Due to various issues of time, access to facilities/equipment and the costs of printing and photocopying newsletters, we plan to send as many of them as possible electronically in future via the St Jude’s Players Yahoo group email address. In fact, some of you will already have received your Newsletters in this way. For those of you who don’t know, this is a service that SJP has set up via the web-services company “Yahoo”. The service allows you to send an email to the group address… St_Judes_Players@yahoogroups.com

…and the message will automatically go to all SJP members who are set up as part of the group. If you would like to receive Newsletters in this way, then please subscribe to the Yahoo group by emailing… St_Judes_Players-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

…and following the instructions on the screen. Then, so that we know you are now part of the group and can remove you from the hard copy distribution list, please send a test email to the group address confirming that you have registered. Please note that you will not be charged for subscribing to and using the service. Many thanks!

SJP Committee

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Amazing as it seems, we are fast approaching the panto season once again and we are very pleased to update you on this year’s offering.

“Robinson Crusoe & the Pirates” by Paul Reakes will be performed in the St. Jude's Theatre in the Social Hall during the first two weeks of December. Tracey Docwra has hung up her fishnets and high-heeled boots this year in favour of the Director’s hat once again. We were very fortunate to get lots of interest for the readings and auditions due to the advert we placed in the local papers and through contacts of existing members – as well as from the SJP stalwarts! In fact, some parts could have been cast many times over so there will be a few disappointments but we believe we have managed to achieve a fair mix of new people and existing members which gives us a very strong cast and chorus.

Chorus of Townsfolk, Pirates & Islanders: Sharon Cullen, Barbara Dixon, Peter Edwards, Karen Fitzsimons, Stephanie French, Dennis Keattch, Geoff Kimmings, Kathy Knight & Ruth Pankhurst.

Dancers from the Symonds Stage School:- Samantha Zatonska, Michelle Eaton & Suzanne Kennedy

We’d like to welcome new members who are venturing for the first time onto our stage - Kate, Ted, Bobby, Dennis, Barbara, and Peter – as well as Jenny Davies who is willing to help with back-stage/Front of House activities. We are also pleased that the dancers from the Symonds Stage School will be available again this year to perform some speciality dances and help with the choreography.

All members are welcome to come and watch rehearsals – we’re in the Social Hall from 3^rd September and we break half-way through for tea/coffee and a bit of a chat so we’d love to see you! Come and join the fun!

We need a few extra hands to help back stage so if you are interested then please contact Chris Denman on 01784 436283.

The next sub-committee meeting will take place on Wednesday 18^th September 2002, in Room 2 of the Social Hall, starting at 8.00pm. All SJP members are welcome to go along.

Gary and Carol Ibbetson are inviting SJP members to a bit of a do at their new pad in Wiltshire, on Saturday 28th September, from 12 noon onwards. A buffet and drinks will be on the go all day, so you can turn up whenever you like.

They have also offered to put people up for the night, with enough beds and bedding for five people, plus plenty of floor space if you want to take a duvet or sleeping bag. Then it will be Sunday lunch at the pub next door (which you may need to nurse those hangovers!). Please let Gary or Carol know if you will be going, and whether you wish to spend the night (01249 657034).

The contact list that was enclosed with the last newsletter unfortunately still had the Ibbetsons’ address as Old Windsor. Please note that their new address is: 1 Crossing Lane, The Common, Langley Burrell, Nr. Chippenham, WILTS.

Well, we’ve finally managed to get ahead of ourselves and have two possible plays in the pipe-line for next year! Tony Cullen would dearly love to direct “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde, provided we can generate interest from enough “bright young things” to cast it! Our main issue is our lack of twenty-something men so please be on the look-out for possible recruits!

The other option is another Ray Cooney play (we know when we’re onto a good thing!) – “Keep it in the Family” which is as hilarious as you’d expect from this master of farce!

We are holding a reading of ‘Keep it in the Family’ at The Sun, Wick Lane, on Monday 7^th October, starting at 8.00pm. ‘The Importance of Being Ernest’ will be read on Monday 4^th November, same time, same place.

Alan Crouse and Kay Doyle are taking part in the Murder Mystery evening at Christchurch, Virginia Water on 5^th October. A fish and chip supper is included in what looks to be a real evening of fun.We have reserved a table for SJP so please get in touch with Alan if you are interested in going along (01784 432813). Tickets are very reasonably priced.

On Saturday 22^nd June we made our annual appearance at the Englefield Green Village Fair. Although the weather wasn’t as sunny and warm as we’d hoped at least it was dry! Many thanks to all those who helped set up and man the stall. The aim was to provide a forum for PR and publicity for the group in general and to promote Box Office for “Run for Your Wife”. Our stall looked quite impressive this year with colour co-ordinated display boards, balloons and lots of promotional material for the play – flyers, posters and some “saucy” photo’s!

This year, thanks to Erica and Rachel’s artistic efforts, we also offered face-painting for the children, which was very popular and attracted a lot of interest - waiting parents were encouraged to look at our display boards and photos and were not allowed to leave without a flyer for the play! It also meant that we more or less covered the cost of the pitch to boot!

On Sunday 21st July, 40 of us gathered in the Crouse’s back garden for our annual barbecue. Although the weather was not as pleasant as we have enjoyed in recent years, the Crouse luck held true and the rain that had been forecast failed to make an appearance. We also took the opportunity of the occasion to wish our Chairman, Ted Burrough, an early “Happy Birthday” (he turned 80 years old in August). Ted was presented with a cake and a card accompanied by harmonious SJP renditions of “Happy Birthday” & “For he’s a Jolly Good Fellow”. Our second longest-standing member, Jean Cameron, gave a short speech recounting some of her favourite memories of Ted and we all toasted his health. (We think he has now got over the shock and embarrassment!)

								Blackbeard			- Tony Cullen
								Patch			- Ted Edwards
								Polly Perkins/The Crimson Hawk			- Kate Marx
								Robinson Crusoe			- Rachel Bawn
								Ma Crusoe			- Ben Wood
								Willy Crusoe			- Kay Doyle
								Captain Bowsprit			- Brian Aldred
								Bessie Bowsprit			- Bobby Davis
								King Neptune			- Dennis Keattch
								The Gorilla			- Ruth Pankhurst
								The High Priestess			- Karen Fitzsimons
								Man Friday			- Dennis Keattch

Newsletter – August 2005

SJP

SPRING/SUMMER 2004

DIRECTOR’S REVIEW OF "THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST"

A LAZY SUNDAY AFTERNOON….

NEWSLETTER – JULY 2003

St Jude's Players AGM - Wednesday 9th April

Honorary Officers

SJP committee

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NEWSLETTER – JANUARY 2003

Director’s Review of “Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates”

SJP Committee

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SJP