A Woman in White - adapted by Constance Cox from the novel by Wilkie Collins. 6th to 9th April 2011
Director Judith Porter
Sir Percival Glyde is being hounded for money by his old friend, sinister Count Fosco, so his marriage to the heiress Laura Fairlie is for one reason only - her fortune. As events unfold, Glyde's efforts to secure the money, and also to remove the threat to his reputation posed by the unfortunate Anne Catheric, who is physically identical to Laura, become more desperate and cruel. Combined with this take of disturbing intrigue and elements of romance (as Laura turns to the support of her drawing tutor) and comedy provided by her hypochondriac uncle. The resulting mix is heavily entertaining. Period 1861-62.
The Accrington Pals' by Peter Whelan. 1st – 4th December 2010
Director Alan Ward
‘The Accrington Pals' production by the Players was an enormous success with audiences visibly moved by the drama, the effective sound and lighting effects and the outstanding acting by a cast made up of both established and new members. Set in the First World War it tells the story of the volunteer battalion from Accrington and the menfolk who were all sent to fight on the Western Front, and of the womenfolk left behind dealing with unrequited love, false hope and propaganda.
Despite the poor weather which resulted in one evening's performance being cancelled, attendance was good and one gentleman appeared at the Friday night performance complete with his Accrington Stanley football club scarf......now that's what I call supporting the Players! After-show collections for the Royal British Legion raised £107.31 towards their tireless work for servicemen and women.
The Merchant of Venice abridged by Tom Stoppard - Minerva Theatre 14th October 2010, New Park 23/24th October 2010
2010 saw the 10th Anniversary of the nationwide Schools Shakespeare Festival, open to drama groups as well as schools, which we decided to enter. We were provided with a script abridged by Tom Stoppard and a date on which we were to present ourselves at the Minerva Theatre - 14 October 2010.
As one performance seemed all too few for such an undertaking we also presented two more on our 'home turf' the New Park Centre. Everyone involved agreed that it was a very worthwhile endeavour. Congratulations all round!
A Month in the Country - Turgenev in a version by Brian Friel. 1st - 4th July 2009
This has long been a favourite of mine and when the opportunity to direct it for the Chichester Festivities presented itself I was delighted. I was fortunate in being able to assemble a strong cast and the resulting performances pleased me greatly.
Director - Christine Fleming
Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons, adapted by Paul Doust - 3rd-6th December 2008
This production, meticulously directed by Ron Stewart, featured the mother and daughter team of Debbie and Sophie Mabbitt respectively as Flora and Ada Doom. A large cast with chorus included Tom Worthen and Robert Hambrook, along with new members including Gary Gwinell-Smith and Emma Argent.
The Four Men by Hilaire Belloc, adapted by Ann Feloy - 2-5th July 2008
This collaborative production was our first under the banner of the Chichester Festivities. It was well supported and felt to be a successful adaptation of the Belloc novel. David Brown took one of the leading roles as Sailor, with the others being recruited from the Worthing area. There were a number of small roles. Direction was by Ann Feloy and Christine Fleming.
Dad's Army - April 2008
This production was staged in mid-April to capacity audiences! Melville Wilson provided inspirational leadership to the platoon, the other members of which provided very creditable performances of this much loved TV series. The opening night was a fundraiser for the "Help for Heroes" charity, and we are delighted to announce that the sum raised was £850. Many thanks are owed to Carol Williams, the producer, for so deftly managing a large and complex production.
The Annual Dinner and Albert Awards 2008
On Saturday 23 February 2008 a group of very well dressed thespians met at Woodies for the annual celebration (the theme was "posh frocks"!) and it was so nice to see that everyone had made an effort. We didn't realise that there were so many brocade waistcoats in Chichester!
A really nice meal was served with efficiency, followed by the presentations, details of which are here
Many thanks to David and Romayne Brown for organising and presenting the awards, and to Claire Evans, who unfortunately could not be with us, for organising it all.
Maria Marten - December 2007
Romeo and Juliet Extracts
Despite the fact we were unable to muster a full cast for this popular Shakespearean play, extracts were performed with (and in some cases without!) scripts in the Jazz Hall at the New Park Centre on Friday 22nd June 2007. Many thanks to David Brown for this great event, and thanks to Anne Morgan and Judith Porter for the refreshments, much enjoyed by all.
Theseus And The Minotaur - Our 2007 Spring Production
This, our Youth Drama production, went very well, and was much enjoyed by both cast and audience. The event was held to raise funds for the Sussex Snowdrop Trust. Many thanks to the team of Viv Culton, Christine Fleming, Carol Williams and Nadja Everson, the committee and all the parents, without whom this could not have happened.
Annual Dinner And Albert Awards 2007
Held in February 2007, the dinner was much better attended this year, and enjoyed by all in attendance. The occasion was attended by Peter Pan and Wendy, Mr and Mrs Darling and Nana the Dog, as well as assorted Lost Boys and Pirates, not forgetting the Crocodile.
We also bade farewell to Romaric Masson, who is off to Japan to learn Japanese and teach English. He has been a loyal member of and asset to the Chichester Players for the last few years.