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So who are these groups
and what do they get up to?
Well, here to tell us what really goes on behind the curtain
of amateur dramatics,
is chairman of one highly successful group, Jo Cooper of the
Clevedon Players.
I have been a member of the
Clevedon Players for over 25 years. The
group was formed in 1962 and presents four plays each season.
We are very lucky to lease
our own headquarters, The Stables, based in former outhouses
behind the Clevedon Community Association and Princes Theatre.
We share The Stables with
The Clevedon Comedy Club and each group has designated evenings
when they can use the rehearsal rooms.
All the scenery is stored
and worked on in this building and we also have an extensive
wardrobe with many original period items.
Our membership comes from
as far afield as Bristol and Weston-super-Mare and we have
over 100 members, ranging in age from 18 to 92.
More men
There is a great mix of people in the group but we could always
do with more men!
The oldest member is our secretary,
Kath Cridland who still plays an active role in the group.
She can still remember the
last line of "Arsenic and Old Lace"!
A different person directs
each of our plays and they would normally choose what we will
perform.
We know what our audience likes
and try to provide it.
I am taking a supporting role
in our current production, "A Trap for a Lonely Man".
The part is that of a witness,
who, for reasons best known to herself, is prepared to support
whichever side pays her more.
Keeps you guessing
The play is described as a psychological thriller and certainly
keeps you guessing until the very end.
A man reports his wife missing
and is contacted by a priest who claims he has found her.
But when the lady arrives the husband says she is not his
wife.
There appears to be some conspiracy
as various witnesses declare that the lady involved is, indeed,
Madame Corban.
The failure of the police
to believe the man’s story makes him think they are all trying
to drive him mad.
The plot twists and turns and
the mystery is sustained until the very end.
This play was first presented
to The Players about 20 years ago, by the same producer, Jean
Harding.
We felt it was a sufficiently
powerful and entertaining script to merit a repeat performance.
Performances
Six members of this cast are
retired so it suits us to hold some of the rehearsals during
the day, which is a useful addition to the usual three evenings
in the week.
The play can be seen at The
Princes Hall, Clevedon, on 20th, 21st, 22nd March at 7.45pm.
Tickets are priced at £6 (£4
for concessions and juniors) which can be obtained on the
door or in advance by ringing 0781 6158445.
If
you are involved with a local amateur dramatics company and
would like to see your group up in lights on the website that
loves Bristol - Email us at:
bristol@bbc.co.uk
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