Sun 18th July, Details to follow

Flyering for An Ideal Husband

Come and fly with Gill and Sharon to promote An Ideal Husband and help spread the word. This flyering session will coincide with the Leytonstone Festival Summer Picnic - details to follow.

Further details from Gill.

Tue 13 July 2010, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall (Lower hall)

Play Reading Pub Night

What is a Play Reading Pub Night? Click here to find out.

"Gone Missing" by Civilians Theatre
This devised piece by Civilians Theatre is an exploration of loss. Loss of pretty much anything, from memory to husbands to a much-valued Gucci black pump. By turns serious and absurd, and based on real interviews, the play features a large and eclectic mix of characters such as New York cops, professional dancers, Korean deli owners, and an expert on the Bermuda Triangle with a serious point to make about eel gonads. And one French lesbian who's VERY annoyed about her missing scarf.

Hosted by Jim Killeen
For more info contact: Gary Adams.

Sat 10th July, 11am, Wanstead tube station

Flyering for An Ideal Husband

Come and fly with Gill and Sharon for about an hour to promote An Ideal Husband and help spread the word. All welcome!

Further details from Gill.

Wed 7 July, 2010, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Extraordinary General Meeting

The following have given notice that they will resign from their officerships on the Woodhouse Players Committee on or before 7 July 2010:

Vaughan Prosser - Chairman
Colin Heinink - Secretary

In addition, the following Committee member has already resigned:
Dan Usztan - ordinary member of Committee

In view of this, the Committee has called an Extraordinary General Meeting in the Welsh Church Hall on Wednesday 7 July 2010, from 1930 to 2000.

The Agenda will be as follows:
Item 1. Election of Chairman
Item 2. Election of Secretary
Item 3. Election of Ordinary Member of Committee.

The current list of people standing for nomination is as follows:
Chair: Colin Heinink
Secretary: Gill Taylor
Ordinary Member: Gary Adams, Robert Bettelheim, Louise Croker

Note that in the event of an existing committee member taking an alternate role, the original position of that member will therefore be vacant. Gill is the only person to whom this will apply.

Elections will be carried out in accordance with the Group Constitution, which can be viewed on this website. Any member wishing to stand for one or more of the above posts should have notified the Woodhouse Players Secretary, Colin Heinink, by midnight on 30 June 2010. Appplications are therefore now closed.

Candidates will have an opportunity to provide a short statement which will be posted on the website. Further details of this and the arrangements for voting by post, email or proxy will be communicated shortly.

Please note that only current members of Woodhouse Players can stand for election or attend the meeting. Last year's membership expired after the AGM in May. If you have not paid since then and wish to renew your membership , please contact the Members Secretary.

Tue 29 and Wed 30 June 2010, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Open auditions

Open auditions for Kindertransport and Our Country's Good will be held on these dates. Further details on each production page.

Tue 22 June, 2010, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Panto Choosing

Time to choose our pantomime for Dec 2010/Jan 2011. Have you written a pantomime or do you have access to a pantomime script that would be suitable for us? If so, please let Colin know before he chairs this selection meeting.

Kiel Richardson will be bringing Mother Goose to read at the meeting.

Thu 10 June, 7.30pm
Contact the Secretary for location

Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. For more information on who makes up the committee, and to see recent minutes, see the committee page. Contact The secretary to arrange attendance.

Tue 1 June 2010 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall (back room)

Play choosing

This will be the date for choosing the September/October productions.

Plays advocated so far are:
Happy family by Giles Cooper (advocated by Gary Adams for the September slot)
Pericles by William Shakespeare (advocated by Gary Adams for the October slot)
Kindertransport by Dianne Samuels (advocated by Louise Croker for the September slot)
Richard II by William Shakespeare (advocated by Sam Kelly for the October slot)
Our Country's Good by Timberlake Werten Baker (advocated by Dan Usztan for the October slot)

Fri 28, Sat 29 May, Fri 4, Sat 5 June 2010, Welsh Church Hall

Stags and Hens
By Willy Russell

Please see our production page for further details

Sat 15th May, 11am, Wanstead tube station

Flyering for Stags and Hens

Come fly with Jackie to promote Stags and Hens and help spread the word. Spend about an hour flyering and then have coffee and cake. Do join us..... it is really fun! All welcome!

Further details from Jackie.

Tue 11 May 2010, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall (Lower hall)

Play Reading Pub Night

What is a Play Reading Pub Night? Click here to find out.

"Our Country's Good"
Timberlake Wertenbaker's contemporary classic is set in Australia in the late 1780s when the first convicts arrived on the land. A young officer thinks that performing a play could civilise the convicts, but he faces opposition from his superiors and the convicts themselves. .

Hosted by Dan Usztan
For more info contact: Gary Adams.

Sat 8th May, 11am, Wanstead tube station

Flyering for Stags and Hens

Come fly with Jackie to promote Stags and Hens and help spread the word. Spend about an hour flyering and then have coffee and cake. Do join us..... it is really fun! All welcome!

Further details from Jackie.

Tue 4 May 2010, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall

AGM 2010

Woodhouse will be holding its Annual General Meeting at the Welsh Church Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 4th May 2010.

There will be an opportunity to hear reports from the committee, discuss issues concerning the group as well as the election of a new committee.

There are three specific officer posts that any paid member can stand for:
Chair, Treasurer and Secretary.

The committee also requires 5 ordinary members to take on roles including membership and publicity.
If you stand as an ordinary member you may wish to have an idea of which role you would like to take on but these will not be assigned until the first committee meeting following the AGM.

Full rules at:-
www.woodhouseplayers.co.uk/members_constitution.html

The following members offer themselves for re-election:

Chair-Vaughan Prosser
Treasurer-Cathy Love
Secretary-Colin Heinink

Ordinary Members: [Vote required to elect ordinary members]
Gary Adams
Sharon Trotter
Basil Clarke
Dan Usztan
James Daybell
Gill Taylor

The date to register to stand for committee or propose an alteration to the constitution was Tuesday 27th April which has now passed.

General information is on our AGM page.

Tue 13 April 2010, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall (Lower hall)

Play Reading Pub Night

What is a Play Reading Pub Night? Click here to find out.

The 12th of January featured some very bad weather indeed so - 'By popular demand', another chance to read Gary's play:
'Daddy Cool' (Working title)
Max Morgan, classed by Society as an 'absentee father', just wants a quiet life, but a surprise visitor soon takes care of that! Loads of great female roles and one-and-a-bit blokes!

Hosted by Gary Adams
For more info contact: Gary Adams.

Tue 6 April, 7.30pm , Welsh Church Hall

Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. For more information on who makes up the committee, and to see recent minutes, see the committee page. Contact The secretary to arrange attendance.

Tue 30 March 2010, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall

Open Auditions for An Ideal Husband

Full details are available on the production page

Tue 9 March 2010, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall (Lower hall)

Play Reading Pub Night

What is a Play Reading Pub Night? Click here to find out.

"What the Butler Saw" by Joe Orton
Joe Orton's last play and arguably his best. Although presented as a typical farce
(Orton particularly wanted French windows in his set to lure his audience into a false sense of familiarity), the play goes far deeper and is rather more subversive. When psychiatrist Dr Prentice sets out to seduce his prospective secretary during a job interview but is interrupted by the arrival of his wife, his world descends very quickly into chaos. Adultery, blackmail, madness, cross-dressing and gender confusion - a great night's entertainment!

Hosted by Cathy Love
For more info contact: Gary Adams.

Fri 5, Sat 6, Fri 12, Sat 13 March 2010, 8pm Welsh Church Hall

Spring Double Bill
The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard
Still Life by Noël Coward

Two one-act plays with an interval inbetween.
Please see our production page for further details.

Sat 27th February (changed from 20th Feb), 11am, Wanstead tube station

Flyering for the Double Bill

Come and promote the Double Bill to the people of Wanstead for an hour then relax with some tea and cakes.

Further details from Jackie.

Tue 23 February, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Committee Meeting (including EGM)

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. For more information on who makes up the committee, and to see recent minutes, see the committee page. Contact The secretary to arrange attendance.
Note: The first ten minutes will be an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to confirm the recent change in committee following Salley stepping down as chairman.

Wed 17 February 2010, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall

Open Auditions for Stags and Hens

Full details are available on the production page

Sat 13th February, 11am, Wanstead tube station

Flyering for the Double Bill

Come and promote the Double Bill to the people of Wanstead for an hour then relax with some tea and cakes.

Further details from Jackie.

Tue 9 February 2010, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall (Lower hall)

Play Reading Pub Night

What is a Play Reading Pub Night? Click here to find out.

Two one-act farces by Georges Feydeau in new translations by Woodhouse's own Gill Taylor (who recently translated and directed 'The Lark'). Full details available here.

For more info contact: Gary Adams.

Tue 19 January, 7.30pm , Welsh Church Hall

Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. For more information on who makes up the committee, and to see recent minutes, see the committee page. Contact The secretary to arrange attendance.

Tue 12 January 2010, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall (Lower hall)

Play Reading Pub Night

What is a Play Reading Pub Night? Click here to find out.

Hosted by Gary Adams, his own play:

'Daddy Cool' (Working title)
Max Morgan, classed by Society as an 'absentee father', just wants a quiet life, but a surprise visitor soon takes care of that!

For more info contact: Gary Adams.

Fri/Sat 1/2 and Fri/Sat 8/9 Jan 2010, Welsh Church Hall

Cinderella

His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Valiant Perrault invites all suitable young ladies to a fabulous, wonderful festival.

What has happened to Cinderella's Father? Why does he not remember her?

Who will Prince Valiant choose to marry? Lady Measella, Her pestilence Poxina or one of the mysterious girls he met in the wood?

Come and see The Woodhouse Players version of 'Cinderella', full of laughs, music and dance.

Sat 19th December 2009, 11am,
Leytonstone tube station (Church Lane side)

Flyering for Cinderella

Join Jackie and the cast of Cinderella to flyer and have a festive coffee and mince pie.

Meet at the Church Lane entrance of Leytonstone Tube Station at 11.00 on Saturday 19th December. Bring Christmas hats, tinsel etc

If you are able to come or need further details please contact Jackie.

Tue 15th December 2009, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall

Play Choosing

This will be where we choose the June and July (Leytonstone festival) productions.

If you wish to submit a play for consideration please contact Jackie Withnall - do note that performances are often subject to the rights being obtained.

Plays advocated so far:
When We are Married - J B Priestly (subject to rights)
Blue Remembered Hills - Denis Potter (subject to rights)
Richard II - William Shakespeare (more info on this play here)
Stags and Hens by Willy Russell (subject to rights) (more info on this play here)
An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde (out of copyright) (more info on this play here)
An Evening With Gary Lineker by Arthur Smith and Chris England (rights available)

For more information about play choosing sessions, see www.woodhouseplayers.co.uk/members_programming.html

Only members who have paid their subscription for 2009/2010 can participate - but the Membership Secretary will be happy to take payment on the day.

Sat 12th December 2009, 11am Wanstead tube station

FLYERING FRENZY!!!

Join the cast of Cinderella to flyer the good folk of Wanstead! Meet at 11am by Wanstead Station. Flyer for an hour and then enjoy a coffee and mince pie!

Further details from Jackie.

Fri 11th December 2009, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall
Sat 12th December 2009, 1pm Welsh Church Hall

Open auditions for the Double Bill

Please see the Double Bill page and specific production pages for more details

Tue 8th December 2009, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall (Lower hall)

Play Reading Pub Night

What is a Play Reading Pub Night? Click here to find out.

Hosted by Kimber Heath-Renn, her own play:

"The Boundary Between a Servant and a Princess"

Abdul is a young, gentle servant with a heart of gold, strengthened by years of cruelty from his master. Abegail is a princess given three weeks to find a lover. When their paths cross, Abegail has to persuade Abdul that just cause he's a servant doesn't mind he isn't worthy of her heart.

For more info contact: Gary Adams.

24 November, 7.30pm , Welsh Church Hall
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. For more information on who makes up the committee, and to see recent minutes, see the committee page. Contact The secretary to arrange attendance.

Tue 17th November 2009, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall

Play Choosing for March 2010 productions

We will be choosing our double bill of plays for performing in March.

The committee has decided that because of the changes to the use in the hall, finding rehearsal space for a triple bill would be logistically difficult and it would therefore make better sense to make this year's production a double bill. We will still take one or both productions to the Waltham Forest Drama Festival should their directors and casts wish to do so.

Performance dates are the 5th/6th, 12th/13th March and the festival is from 15th - 20th March.

Anyone wishing to submit a play for consideration should first ask/email the Treasurer to check if the rights are available and then alert the Chairman that they wish to put the play forward.

If you're thinking of advocating a play but aren't sure, please contact our chairman, Salley.

Plays advocated so far:
Tom Stoppard - Real Inspector Hound - subject to rights being available
Noel Coward - Still Life - Rights available
Arthur Smith - Trench Kiss - subject to rights being available
Steve Balchin - Rosalind Is Still Alive - Rights available
Dennis Potter - Blue Remembered Hills - subject to rights being available
Alan Bennett - A Question of Attribution - subject to rights being available

For more information about play choosing sessions, see www.woodhouseplayers.co.uk/members_programming.html

Only members who have paid their subscription for 2009/2010 can participate - but the Membership Secretary will be happy to take payment on the day.

Tue 10 November 2009, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall (Lower hall)

Play Reading Pub Night

What is a Play Reading Pub Night? Click here to find out.

"The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men..."
Hosted by Basil Clarke: Two short plays;

The Hit Man, by J.C.W. Brook:
George dreams of slipping between satin sheets with dusky maidens. All that stands in his way is his wife, but he has the perfect scheme to be rid of her..

AND

Lunch Hour, by John Mortimer:
A man, a woman, a mutual desire, a hotel room, a bed... What could possibly go wrong?

For more info contact: Gary Adams.

Fri 30, Sat 31 October / Fri 6, Sat 7 November 2009, Welsh Church Hall

The Lark

"You cannot explain Joan, any more than you can explain the tiniest flower growing by the wayside."

So said Jean Anouilh in the programme note for his play about Joan of Arc -"that little lark, soaring and singing in the French sky".

1431. Claiming divine inspiration, Joan, a peasant girl from Lorraine, has galvanized France into making a stand against the occupying English régime. After leading the French army to several spectacular victories, she is captured and put on trial. Mixing high drama with comedy, Anouilh presents her story in a series of flashbacks as she fights for her life before a politically-motivated Church Court which sees her belief in the heavenly voices that guided her as evidence of heresy - or worse. . .

First performed in Paris in 1952, this play provides an alternative - and, arguably, more dramatically convincing - take on this enigmatic heroine than Shaw's more familiar "Saint Joan".

This production by the Woodhouse Players will use a new translation by director Gill Taylor, the first to be approved for performance in the UK since Christopher Fry's 1955 version.

Sat 24th October 2009, 1pm, Wanstead tube station

Flyering for The Lark

An hour's flyering for The Lark followed by coffee and cake.

Come and do your bit for Woodhouse.

Further details from Jackie.

13 October, 7.30pm , Welsh Church Hall
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. For more information on who makes up the committee, and to see recent minutes, see the committee page. Contact The secretary to arrange attendance.

Saturday 10th October 2009

SOCIAL EVENT
The Globe Theatre Tour, Exhibition and Costume Demonstration

Private group tour of the Globe Theatre, Rose Theatre and a costume and dressing demonstration.

Please note that this trip has now been cancelled

Wed 7 October 2009, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Open auditions for Cinderella

Please see the Cinderella production page for details

Sunday 20th September 2009

SOCIAL EVENT
The National Theatre Backstage Tour and Play

Private group tour of National Theatre's backstage areas including at least two theatres, costume, scenic and props areas lasting 75 minutes. All's Well That Ends Well matinee performance.

Note it is possible to only go for the tour or the play - it is not compulsory to do both.


Right click on the booking form and select 'save target as...' to download details

Sun 20 September 2009, 2pm, Leytonstone Tube (Church Lane entrance)

Flyering Foray #2

With the local Festival scene in full flight in September, it is the perfect opportunity to take advantage and find audience for our two up and coming plays. With changes in the hall affecting our plans it is essential we maximise our audiences.

Enjoy the fun of the festivals whilst doing your bit for Woodhouse.

Further details from Jackie.

Sat 19, Fri 25, Sat 26 September 2009, Welsh Church Hall

Dinner

Imagine a woman with the sex appeal of Nigella Lawson, the acidic wit of Anne Robinson and the strength of Gordon Ramsey. This is our hostess, Paige.

Paige is throwing a dinner party for her husband and four friends to celebrate his latest book - a rather pretentious philosophical "life-style" guide. She has taken great pains to produce a suitable menu, in keeping with her theme and has stage-managed the event with meticulous care.

But why has she chosen these particular friends, these unusual and peculiar dishes, and who is the mysterious and enigmatic waiter that she has hired from the Internet?

As this strange dinner party unfolds, you - her extra guests - will be taken on a rollercoaster ride of darkly comic, but very well mannered and coldly civilised revelations...

Please note: This show contains strong language and is not suitable for small children, or those of a 'sensitive' nature.

Sun 13th September 2009, 2pm, Wanstead tube station
(Station itself may be closed- please check)

Flyering Foray #1

With the local Festival scene in full flight in September, it is the perfect opportunity to take advantage and find audience for our two up and coming plays. With changes in the hall affecting our plans it is essential we maximise our audiences.

Enjoy the fun of the festivals whilst doing your bit for Woodhouse.

Further details from Jackie.

8 September 2009, 7.30pm , Welsh Church Hall
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. For more information on who makes up the committee, and to see recent minutes, see the committee page. Contact The secretary to arrange attendance.

Sunday 23rd August 2009

SOCIAL EVENT
Romeo and Juliet at The Globe

This outing has been cancelled due to insufficient bookings

Sun 2nd August 2009 3.00pm, Wanstead Park

August Playreading and Picnic

A change of venue and time for the August playreading session.

TOAD OF TOAD HALL by AA Milne (after Kenneth Grahame)

Meet by the Teahut in Wanstead Park (near main entrance in Northumberland Avenue) E12
We can then walk together to a picnic spot.
Bring blankets, chairs and food to share.
Read the play and enjoy a summer holiday picnic.
Please bring copies of the script if possible - limited copies will be available.

The perfect Summer afternoon combination!
For further details contact Jackie Withnall

(In case of rain - event will be postponed)
ADDITION NOTE ADDED 29/7/09 - Email Jackie between 2pm and 2.30pm on the day to confirm the event is still on and not postponed due to bad weather

Sunday 26th July 2009

SOCIAL EVENT
V&A Theatre Collection Tour

Introduction to the Theatre & Performance galleries. This includes the Hamlet skull, Vivien Leigh & Maggie Smith costumes, Shakespeare's first folio and an interactive costume rail.

Please note: Due to insufficient bookings for this tour, this event has been postponed until January 2010

Tue 21 July 2009 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Panto Choosing

Have you written a panto that you think the group can perform over Dec 2009/Jan 2010? Or do you have access to something suitable where we could acquire the rights to perform? If so, panto regular Colin Heinink would like to hear from you, as he'll be chairing the meeting to decide this years pantomime.

Advocated so far:
Cinderella (by Victoria Bettelheim)


Please email Colin with the panto details or for further information.

10/11/17/18 July 2009, Welsh Church Hall

The Diary of Anne Frank

"I don't want to have lived in vain like most people. I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to people, even those I've never met. I want to go on living even after my death!"

First performed in 1956, this play was winner of the Pulitzer Prize for drama and Tony award for best play.

The play is a stage adaptation of the published version of 13 year-old Anne's diary, The Diary of a Young Girl. It opens with Otto Frank returning to the annexe to find Anne's diary, before going back in time to the family first entering the annexe and beginning their 2 years in hiding. The entire play is set within the secret annexe where the Franks, along with the Van Daans and Mr Dussel, hid from the Nazis for 2 years, relying on help from two non-Jewish friends.

In what would have been Anne's 80th year, the Woodhouse Players present a very tender account of a typical adolescent in extraordinary circumstances.

Sat 11 July 2009, Wanstead Park

Woodhouse Goes To Wanstead Park!

This year we are taking part in the prestigious Music In The Park event - Saturday 11th July - 2.00pm - 5.00pm.

It takes place in Wanstead Park – a stone’s throw from the Welsh Church Hall.
We are having a stand to let people know about the Woodhouse Players. It is during the first weekend of Anne Frank, but will give us the chance to leaflet for the second weekend. Around 2000 people attend – lots of potential audience on our doorstep!

Jackie Withnall needs help to wo/man the stall – just an hour would be perfect. Please let Jackie know as soon as possible if you are able to come along

Sat 4 July 2009, 11am, Wanstead tube station

Flyering for The Diary of Anne Frank

FLYERING TONIGHT!!!

Join us for a flyering session on Saturday 4th July to advertise The Diary Of Anne Frank. Meet at Wanstead Station at 11.00am for an hour of giving out publicity followed by coffee and cake. If you have never been before - now is your chance to do your bit for Woodhouse. Further details from Jackie.

Welsh Church Hall
Open auditions for 'Dinner' and 'The Lark'

Audition dates for these two productions have now been announced - 20th June at 1.30pm and 23rd June at 7.30pm for Dinner, and 17th June at 7.30pm and 23rd June at 7.30pm for The Lark.

Please see the relevant production pages for futher details, and particularly the production page for The Lark which contains important information about those particular auditions.

16 June 2009, 7.30pm , Welsh Church Hall
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. For more information on who makes up the committee, and to see recent minutes, see the committee page. Contact The secretary to arrange attendance.

Tue 9 June 2009, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall (Lower hall)

Play Reading Pub Night

What is a Play Reading Pub Night? Click here to find out.

The first Playreading Pubnight of 'Dinner.' coincided with the major 'Snow Incident'. The half-dozen or so plucky/lucky people who did manage to get there will testify it's a great show. Since then it has been chosen as our September production. Here's a chance to check iot out without the pressure of an audition!

Imagine a woman with the sex appeal of Nigella Lawson, the acidic wit of Fanny Craddock and the strength of Gordon Ramsey. This is our hostess, Paige.

Paige is throwing a dinner party for her husband and four friends to celebrate his latest book - a rather pretentious philosophical "life-style" guide. She has taken great pains to produce a suitable menu, in keeping with her theme and has stage-managed the event with meticulous care.

But why has she chosen these particular friends, these unusual and peculiar dishes, and who is the mysterious and enigmatic waiter that she has hired from the Internet?

As this strange dinner party unfolds, you - her extra guests - will be taken on a rollercoaster ride of dark, but very well mannered and coldly civilised revelations...

Cast
Paige
Lars
Wynne
Hal
Sian
Mike
The Waiter

For more info contact: Gary Adams.

28 - 30 May 2009, Welsh Church Hall

Round and Round the Garden

"Where's the romance? Forget the flowers, the chocolates, the soft word - rather woo her with a self defence manual in one hand and a family planning leaflet in the other."

Norman's in love with Annie. Annie's in love with Norman. Only problem is, Norman is married to Annie's sister, Ruth, and Tom the village vet is plucking up the courage to ask Annie to marry him. Then there's Annie and Ruth's brother Reg and his wife Sarah, who Norman has also taken a shine to... Add in some parsnip wine, an aborted mini break to East Grinstead and some missing fuse wire and you've got the recipe for disaster!

With his inimitable wit and compassion, Ayckbourn reveals the frustration and disappointment which bubble beneath the surface of a family's relationships and brings to light their thoughts on sex, marriage, love and loneliness.

Join the Woodhouse Players for a weekend in the country and a fresh new take on this classic comedy performed in the round.

Sat 23 May 2009, 11am, Wanstead tube station

Flyering for Round and Round the Garden

FLYING TONIGHT!!!

Join Jackie and co for a flyering session for Round and Round the Garden. Saturday 23rd May. Meet at 11.00am at Wanstead Station. An hour or so's flyering and then coffee and cake.. 70's dress would be very approriate - jumpsuits and tank tops most acceptable.!!

Please advise Jackie if you are able to attend.

Tue 19 May 2009 (changed from 23 June), Welsh Church Hall

Play Choosing

September and October's productions will be chosen here

Plays advocated so far:

-Dinner by Moira Buffini- proposed by Gary Adams for the September slot
(for details see previous diary entry for the play reading pub night)

-The Lark by Jean Anouilh (trans. Gill Taylor)- proposed by Gill Taylor

-When we are married by J B Priestley- proposed by Elizabeth Braithwaite for the September slot

Sat 9 May 2009, 7.30pm, The Heathcote Arms

Cabaret 2009 - Eddies Revenge - The Musical!

Please see the production page for further details

Tue 5 May 2009
Meeting starts 7.30pm prompt
Welsh Church Hall

Annual General Meeting 2009

This is your chance to discuss what the Woodhouse Players have said and done over the last year, and what will happen during 2009/10.

The AGM will include:
- Elections to the committee
- 2009/10 membership collection
- Votes on changing the wording of the constitution (see latest minutes for details)

Applications to stand for the committee or put forward any point for discussion should be sent to The Secretary - the closing date for this was 28th April.

The following people are currently standing for committee:

Chairman: Salley Rear
Secretary: Colin Heinink
Treasurer: Vaughan Prosser
Ordinary members (up to 5 positions to include roles including membership, publicity, social, etc):
Kate Harper
Jackie Withnall
Lesley Winterflood
Gary Adams
Hilary Benson

More information on the AGM can be found here

21 Apr 2009, 7.30pm , Welsh Church Hall
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. For more information on who makes up the committee, and to see recent minutes, see the committee page. Contact The secretary to arrange attendance.

1 April 2009, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall

Open auditions for The Diary of Anne Frank

Please see the production page for further details

Tue 31 March 2009, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall (Lower hall)

Play reading pub night

THE RIVALS by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

It's 1775 and the fashionable world descends on Bath, to take the waters and embroil themselves in a little romantic intrigue as three suitors fight for the hand of Miss Lydia Languish.

Sheridan's play is a classic of English language theatre, and the characters have even entered the language (malapropism is derived from Mrs Malaprop, continually trying to impress with long words but using the wrong ones). It is, in form, a parody of a conventional romance, having two pairs of young lovers rather different from the norm.

The Rivals is a delightful play, even more so than Sheridan's other well known work, The School for Scandal. It does not really have a serious side, unless poking fun at the things young lovers take seriously counts as one.

CAST

SIR ANTHONY ABSOLUTE. A bluff old buffer - who was once Jack the Lad
CAPTAIN JACK ABSOLUTE - His son.
BOB FAULKLAND In love with Julia
ACRES - A Young Man about Town
SIR LUCIUS O'TRIGGER - A swaggering Irish idiot
FAG - A scheming Servant
DAVID (Acres' Man Servant - very very gay)
THOMAS
MRS. MALAPROP - In love with Sir Lucius O'Trigger
LYDIA LANGUISH - In love with Jack Absolute - but thinks he's ensign Beverley.
JULIA - A posh games player - in love with Faulkland
LUCY - A scheming maid
Maid, Boy, Servants, &c.

For more info contact: Gary Adams.

23 - 28 March 2009, Chingford Assembly Hall

Waltham Forest Festival of Theatre

A week long festival of one-act plays from local drama groups.

Woodhouse Players will be entering each of their one-act plays from the Triple Bill into the Waltham Forest Festival of Theatre. Each play will be performed on a different night and will be on with one or two other productions from another theatre group. Please see the festival website for more details including how to book.

Machinery of Government by Sebastian Smith
Bear Hug by Robin French
Last Tango in Little Grimley by David Tristram

17 Mar 2009, 7.30pm , Welsh Church Hall
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. For more information on who makes up the committee, and to see recent minutes, see the committee page. Contact The secretary to arrange attendance.

25th February 2009, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Open Auditions for Round and Round the Garden

For further details please see the production page.

19 - 21 February 2009, Welsh Church Hall

Triple Bill 2009

In Spring 2009 we take you from the Absurd to the Ridiculous.

Woodhouse Players give you the chance to see three plays in one evening dealing with the absurdities of Government and the Press, the frustrations and absurdities of growing up and the ridiculous plans of an amateur drama group.

Machinery of Government by Sebastian Smith
Bear Hug by Robin French
Last Tango in Little Grimley by David Tristram

Sat 14th Feb 2009, 11am, Wanstead Tube station
Triple Bill flyering

DECLARE YOUR LOVE ON ST VALENTINE'S DAY!!..........
FOR THE WOODHOUSE PLAYERS THAT IS!!!

COME FLYERING FOR THE TRIPLE BILL. MEET AT WANSTEAD STATION AT
11.00 am - FLYER FOR AN HOUR AND THEN HAVE A LOVELY COFFEE AND CAKE

Contact Jackie Withnall for further details or to say you are coming along.

Tue 3 February 2009, Welsh Church Hall

Play Reading Pub Night


Gary Adams will host this playreading. The script will, by this time, have been put forward at the Playchoosing Meeting, so this will be chance to either get a foretaste of a production to come ... or to see what you're missing out on! (PS: If it IS chosen, this reading will also be Informal Auditions Part One.)

Dinner by Moira Buffini

Imagine a woman with the sex appeal of Nigella Lawson, the acidic wit of Fanny Craddock and the strength of Gordon Ramsey. This is our hostess, Paige.

Paige is throwing a dinner party for her husband and four friends to celebrate his latest book – a rather pretentious philosophical “life-style” guide. She has taken great pains to produce a suitable menu, in keeping with her theme and has stage-managed the event with meticulous care.

But why has she chosen these particular friends, these unusual and peculiar dishes, and who is the mysterious and enigmatic waiter that she has hired from the Internet?

As this strange dinner party unfolds, you - her extra guests - will be taken on a rollercoaster ride of dark, but very well mannered and coldly civilised revelations...

Characters

Paige - Hostess. 40's. (Described above)
Lars - Her husband
Wynne - Bohemian ex-lover of Lars
Hal - University friend of Lars. A scientist.
Sian - his rather younger wife, a 'Newsbabe'
Mike - 24/25 year old van driver - sole working class guest
The Waiter - (Fantastic part!) Only 4 lines in all but - blimey - is he an important character. Lots of 'business'

Those of a sensitive nature should be warned that the play contains very strong language.

Some scripts will be available on the night but it would be easier to bring your own.
Contact Gary for further info.

Tue 27 January 2009, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall (back hall)

Play Choosing evening


The Triple Bill has already been chosen and cast, so we now need to choose the next two plays for 2009. All members are invited to advocate a play for the group to perform and/or come along and read through each of the plays before choosing what we shall do during the May and July slots.

Plays advocated so far:
-Dinner by Moira Buffini- proposed by Gary Adams
-Round and Round the Garden by Alan Ayckbourn - proposed by Hilary Benson
-The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett - proposed by Anna Heinink
-The Lark by Jean Anouilh- proposed by Gill Taylor

Further details where provided can be obtained by clicking on the links above. Details of 'Dinner by Moira Buffini' are given below. Please email the webmaster with any problems accessing the documents in these links. Watch this space for any last minute updates to the list of plays.

Tue 20 Jan 2009, >>> 7pm <<< , Welsh Church Hall
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. For more information on who makes up the committee, and to see recent minutes, see the committee page. Contact The secretary to arrange attendance. Time now changed to 7pm.

7 - 10 January 2009, Welsh Church Hall

A Christmas Carol
The classic Christmas story by Dickens adapted by Cathy Love

Ebenezer Scrooge has lost his only friend and business partner, Jacob Marley. Seven years have passed since Marley's death on Christmas Eve and Scrooge has not changed his miserly ways one jot, dismissing the whole notion of Christmas Spirit as "Humbug". But on this particular Christmas Eve, four ghostly visitors take Scrooge on a journey through his past, present and future Christmases, with life-changing results.

N.B. This production may not be suitable for sensitive children.

Sat 20th December 2008, Wanstead Tube

Flyering for A Christmas Carol

A CHRISTMAS CAROL FLYERING WE GO.......
No 'Bah Humbug' here! Join us for a pre - Christmas flyering session on Saturday 20th December....
WHERE? - Wanstead Tube Station
TIME? - 11.00am
Flyer for an hour for A CHRISTMAS CAROL and then have a hot toddy and a mince pie, before the last minute Xmas prep madness takes over completely!!

Contact Jackie Withnall for further details

Fri 19th December 2008, 8pm - 11pm. For staff and patients in Whipps Cross Hospital only.

Whipps Cross Hospital Radio Live Show
"Christmas with the Woodhouse Players"

Our friends at Whipps Cross Hospital Radio are planning a great 3 hour special this Christmas. involving many features from the Woodhouse Players live on the night.
Plans include music, chat, panel games and improvisation featuring many of the presenters at Whipps Cross over the evening. This promises to be a very entertaining evening! Please note that this event already has a full quota (and more!) of Woodhouse members attending.

Fri 7th November and Tue 11th November, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Open auditions for A Christmas Carol

After much discussion, we are now putting on Dickens' A Christmas Carol this December/January. This is the classic Christmas story adapted and directed by Woodhouse member Cathy Love. There are two evenings of open auditions as shown in the dates above. For further information or if you are unable to attend these auditions please contact director Cathy Love.

30 October - 1 November 2008, Welsh Church Hall

Hobson's Choice
by Harold Brighouse

Henry Hobson runs a successful bootmaker's shop in nineteenth-century Salford.
A widower with a weakness for the pub opposite, he tries forcefully to rule the lives of his three unruly daughters and control their “uppishness”. When he decrees 'no marriages' to avoid the expensive matter of settlements, eldest daughter Maggie rebels and sets her sights on Will Mossop, Hobson's star bootmaker. Behind the boots and clogs are individuals who must also be determined and strong in a society that gives them little credence. Keeping the humour it also shows without fantasy the life of the Salford folk and the social connections and customs that gave their life order, until they were challenged and eventually changed.

Thu 23 October 2008, 7.30pm prompt!
Leytonstone Epicentre (Small hall)

Open Auditions for The Snow Queen

The Snow Queen is the Woodhouse Players' Pantomime for 2008/09, written by our own Robert Bettelheim. This modern take on the Hans Anderson fable promises polar bears, elves, reindeers, ice maidens and laughs a-plenty.

Kay has a sliver of magic mirror lodged in his heart, turning him cold as ice. At the North Pole, Santa's newly computerised delivery system has taken a very narrow definition of 'good', leaving all but a very few children without presents on Christmas Eve. Meanwhile the Snow Queen lures all the 'bad' children to her ice palace as part of her wicked plot to make Winter last forever. It is left to Greta, Kay's best friend, to save Kay, Christmas, and possibly the World...

The show has 9 principal characters: Greta (a good girl), Kay (a bad boy), Grandma (The Dame), Santa Claus (Himself), Ribbons (an Elf), Rudolph (a reindeer), Crystal (an ice maiden), Iceberg (a polar bear) and the Snow Queen herself. There are also chorus roles for Elves, Reindeer, Ice Maidens and Children (of varying ages).

The format of the audition will be to collectively read a few extracts of the panto to get an idea of the feel of it, and I’ll talk a bit about how I see the panto and what I’m looking for. Then we’ll try out a few scenes, swapping people around, so you get a chance to try all the parts you want to, and I get to see how you all interact together.

Everyone involved in the show onstage will be singing - all the principal roles will sing solo at some point in the show except for Santa and Ribbons, who will need to sing the odd line but otherwise will be involved in general group singing, so come along prepared to warble!

If you are unable to make this date but would still like to audition, please let me know ASAP and we can arrange another time.

Cathy Love (director)

Sat 18 October 2008, 11am
Wanstead Underground station

Flyering for Hobson's Choice

Come flyer with me!
Another flyering event is planned for Saturday 18th October to gather audience for Hobson's Choice.
Please support us.
Meet at Wanstead tube at 11am - flyer for an hour then have a nice coffee and cake.
Cast from the play in costume would be a real draw.

Please let Jackie know if you are coming.

Tue 7th Oct 2008, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall
Play choosing for the Spring Triple Bill

Calling all members!

It is time to choose One Act Plays for our Spring Triple Bill 2009. These plays will be performed at the Welsh Church Hall and, very possibly, at the Waltham Forest Theatre Festival.

Have your say by coming along to the Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 7th October. We will read excerpts from presented plays and decide what we would like to put on for our audience.

Plays advocated so far are as follows:

Janet Palmer - is nominating The Lesson by Eugene Unesco

Dan Usztan - is nominating Bear Hug by Robin French

Cathy Love - is nominating Bobby Gould in Hell by David Mahmet

Jill Woods has 3 original One Person plays

James Daybell is nominating Last Tango In Little Grimley by David Tristram

Machinery of Government by Sebastian Smith
A drama / satire on the press and Government.
Roughly 40 minutes long, with a cast of (say) 10 people, exact split
of men / women and numbers can be tweaked.

Basil Clarke is nominating The Hitman by J.C.W. Brook.

If you have any further plays to nominate please let Jackie have the information as soon as possible.

2 - 4 October 2008, Welsh Church Hall

The Cemetery Club
by Ivan Menchell

Take three middle-aged widows, one who flirts outrageously, one who is dedicated to the memory of her husband and one who is beginning to realise that she still has a life to live; throw an eligible widower into the mix and watch the sparks fly.

Join the Woodhouse Players this autumn for this heartwarming comedy as we follow the lives of three longtime friends who have formed a "cemetery club" in which they go together to visit their husband's graves each month.

Sun 21 Sep 2008, Leytonstone
Leytonstone Car Free Festival

Sun 14 Sep 2008, 2pm, Wanstead Tube
Flyering at the Wanstead Festival

Another brilliant flyering opportunity for us! The Wanstead Festival is on Sunday 14th September - join us to flyer for our next 2 shows. It is a fantastic chance to reach new audiences. Meet at Wanstead Station at 2.00pm for an hour or so, followed by tea and cakes. The Festival is a lovely afternoon out with music, entertainment and stalls, so bring the family and friends. Contact Jackie for more details.

Tue 26 Aug 2008, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. For more information on who makes up the committee, and to see recent minutes, see the committee page. Contact The secretary to arrange attendance.

Tuesday 19 August 2008, 7.30pm - Welsh Church Hall
Play reading pubnight

Join Jackie Withnall at the Welsh Church Hall for the latest outing of our popular play readings - then go down the pub afterwards to discuss it. A good night out for all.

This evening will focus on new material submitted to the group (details to follow) as well as Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

31 July - 2 August 2008, Welsh Church Hall

The Merry Wives of Windsor
by William Shakespeare

Ladies! There's a new man in town!

Sadly, he's overweight, arrogant, and thinks he's God's gift to women. He's Sir John Falstaff, and he's just arrived in Windsor.

From the moment he arrives, Sir John tips his cap at two local beauties, Alice and Meg. The fact they have husbands won't stop Sir John. Then again, nor will the fact they couldn't fancy him less. But when Alice's husband catches wind of it, he hatches a plan to take his revenge.

Shakespeare's popular comedy has been been made into a musical, a tv play and an opera, but now the Woodhouse Players put their own spin on it. Set firmly in the modern day world of next-door-neighbours, gossip and infidelity, Woodhouse invite you to spend a Summer night with those merry wives of Windsor!

Sat 26 July 2008, 11am
Wanstead Underground station

Flyering for Merry Wives

Time is very short and The Merry Wives of Windsor will soon be upon us.
Please help out with an hour's publicity.
Have a nice coffee and cake.
The More - the Merrier!!
If you've never been before give it a try!

Please let Jackie know if you are coming.

Thu 24 July 2008, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Auditions for Hobson's Choice

Open auditions for Hobson's Choice - details on the production page

Tue 22 July 2008, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Auditions for The Cemetery Club

Open auditions for The Cemetery Club - details on the production page

Tue 8th July 2008, 7pm, Welsh Churh Hall
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. For more information on who makes up the committee, and to see recent minutes, see the committee page. Contact The secretary for further details.

Sat 5 July 2008, 2.15pm
Meet at the Welsh Church Hall

Flyering for "Merry Wives" and the "Leytonstone Festival"

Meet at the Welsh Church Hall to distribute leaflets during the opening of the Leytonstone Festival. Tea and cakes at St John's Church afterwards

Please let Jackie know if you are coming.

Sat 28 June 2008, midday, Welsh Church Hall
Technical tidy-up day

Come and join Robert for a day spent tidying, reorganising, testing and generally sorting out all of the Woodhouse technical items. There's lots to do so all assistance is gratefully received. For further information please contact Peter via the committee page.

Mon 2 June 2008, 7.30pm
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. For more information on who makes up the committee, and to see recent minutes, see the committee page. Contact The secretary to arrange attendance and to get details of the location.

29 - 31 May 2008, Welsh Church Hall

Digby Diehard's Dilemma
by Gary Adams

Happiness reigns in the village of Fondleford; the delightful Daphne Daffodilly is about to marry dashing Digby Diehard, but they have reckoned without the village Squire, the foul Sir Ferdinand Fondle. He has his own plans for delicious Daphne, and will go to any lengths to achieve them.

What follows is a tale of dastardly deeds, merciless machinations and terrible treachery.

You'll gasp! You'll scream! But, above all, you'll LAUGH!

Sat 24 May 2008, 11am
Wanstead Underground station

Flyering for Digby

FLYERING FRENZY!!!

Join us for a flyering session to advertise Digby on Saturday 24th May. Meet at 11.00am at Wanstead Tube - it'll take about an hour. Nice coffee and cake guaranteed. Come and join us - the more the merrier! If you've never been before - give it a try - it's fun and definitely draws in an audience.

Please let Jackie know if you are coming.

Tues 13 & Wed 14 May 2008, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Auditions for The Merry Wives of Windsor

Open auditions for The Merry Wives of Windsor - details on the production page

Wed 7 May 2008
Meeting starts 7.30pm prompt
Welsh Church Hall

Annual General Meeting 2008

This is your chance to discuss what the Woodhouse Players have said and done over the last year, and what will happen during 2008/9. Over the last year the Woodhouse Players has put on seven full sized productions, as well as Cabaret, Under Milk Wood and Christmas with the Woodhouse Players. Come along to let us know your views of how it has worked, and how we can ensure it remains sustainable.

The AGM will include:
- Elections to the committee;
- Encouraging member involvement beyond acting;

Please note that Steve will step down as chairman after many years of leading the group.

The following people will be standing for committee positions;

Chair - Salley Rear
Treasurer - Vaughan Prosser
Secretary - Colin Heinink

There can be up to five Ordinary Members and the following are standing for these positions:
Kate Harper
Jackie Withnall
Jenny Moorby
Gary Adams
Dan Usztan
Emerson Povey
Salley Rear will also stand for Ordinary Member in the event of not being elected to chair.

Applications to stand for the committee or put forward any point for discussion closed on 2nd May.

More information on the AGM can be found here

Sat 3 May 2008
Leytonstone and District Ex-Servicemens Club

Woodhouse Players 25th anniversary cabaret: Trained in Leatherhead

Yes it's the Woodhouse Players annual Cabaret, singing, dancing, bad jokes, and just possibly some beer. It's your chance to do your party piece, to invent another party piece, perform that show stopping song from your favourite musical, or produce the comedy sketch you'd always wanted to.

If you have an act you want to perform or other questions then let chairman Stephen Balchin know

Laughs, applause, cheers and beer: the Woodhouse Cabaret.

Tue 23 January 2007, 7.30pm, The Welsh Church Hall
Selecting plays for mid '07

This is your chance to come along and have your say in what Woodhouse does in mid 2007. We'll read through a bit of each play, and make decisions based on votes of those attending. For more about the process see http://www.woodhouseplayers.co.uk/members_programming.html, or ask someone on the committee.

If you have something (or things) you'd like to advocate then let chairman Stephen Balchin know by email. We aim to have those plays being advocated on the website in advance of the meeting.

Already chosen for 2007:
14th - 17th February - Antigone (half term)
11th-14th April Triple bill (Easter holidays)

Plays that have been advocated:
Habeas Corpus' by Alan Bennett - advocated by Gary
Twelfth Night - advocated by Gary
Two by Jim Cartwright - advocated by James McKendrick

Other suggestions
Tartuffe - suggested by Oliver Clement
Dangerous Corner by J B Priestley - suggested by Ita Hill
Agnes of God by John Peilmour - suggested by Ita Hill

Provisional dates of other 2007 slots:
31st May to 1st June (Studio slot - Whitsun bank holiday)
26th to 28th July (Summer production)
27th-29th September (Studio slot - not a school holiday)
25-27th October (Autumn half term)

At the meeting we will also want to think about which plays fit within which slots, and can be rehearsed concurrently with other plays. The original idea of the 'studio' slots is to do a production which is relatively easy logistically.
We don't necessarily need to stick rigidly to this, but we do need want to bare in mind logistics of different plays that will be rehearsing in the same time. Finally the September slot is not in the school holidays, and so we do have to take down everything in the main hall overnight (which may limit what you want to do there).