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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 29 April, 2008, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Play Choosing

A date to choose plays for:
   - The October slot, 30th, 31st of October, and 1st of November
   - Panto for 2008/9

and possibly a play for a rehearsed reading for the Leytonstone festival in mid July. This last play could be something like the Under Milk Wood 'radio play' we did in 2006.

Plays advocated for the October slot include:

The Knight of the Burning Pestle by Francis Beaumont (with some updating).

A Jacobean farce that starts off in The Strand and migrates, with the fleeing lovers, to Waltham Forest. Includes lots of baddies/goodies that could be either sex. Advocated by Anne Doyle
.

Hobson's Choice
a comedy based around the battle of wills between a hard-headed cobbler and his defiant daughter. . (5 Men / 7 Women). Advocated by Hillary Benson
.

If you want to put forward a play for any of these slots or have any other questions, then please let chairman Stephen Balchin know in advance


Mon 21 April 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.


10 - 12 April 2008, Welsh Church Hall

The Crucible
by Arthur Miller

Arthur Miller's classic parable of mass hysteria draws a chilling parallel between the Salem witch-hunt of 1692 - 'one of the strangest and most awful chapters in human history' - and the McCarthyism which gripped American in the 1950s.

The story of how the small community of Salem is stirred into madness by superstition, paranoia and malice, culminating in a violent climax, is a savage attack on the evils of mindless persecution and the terrifying power of false accusations.



29 March 2008, Welsh Church Hall

Spring Clean of the Welsh Church Hall

Please put Saturday 29th March in your diaries now!!

We need ALL members down at the Hall for a grand Spring Clean. Starting at 12.00 and hopefully being followed by a meal together somewhere locally. (details to follow).

Some of the Jobs for the day include....

Decluttering the sheds
Tidying / cleaning the stage, gantry and hall
A good clean of the Foyer
A good sort of the FOH boxes and audit of FOH items
A jolly good clean of the Kitchen
Sorting of the filing cabinet
Deep clean of the toilets
etc etc

First down- get first pick of the jobs
Please stockpile and bring cleaning products, cloths, feather dusters, hoovers, brooms, step ladders etc
Your help would be MUCH Appreciated - this is our chance to spruce up the venue we invite the public into!
Think of the calories you can burn whilst doing a good deed!!!

There will be a reminder nearer the time and details of meal
Thank you very much



Sat 22 March 2008, 11am
Wanstead Underground station


Flyering for The Crucible

Time is very short and The Crucible 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.


10 - 15 March 2008, Waltham Forest Theatre

Waltham Forest Festival

The 2008 Waltham Forest Festival will be held between 10 - 15 March 2008 and Woodhouse Players are entering all three triple bill plays to the festival. Each play will be on a different night along with one-act plays from other groups. Full details on the Triple Bill page.



1 March 2008, 1pm - 4pm >>>Leytonstone Epicentre (see below)

A Victorian Melodrama
(Audition Part 2 - auditions)


For further information click here.

THE LOCATION FOR THE AUDITIONS IS NOW THE LEYTONSTONE EPICENTRE,
Epicentre contract number 020 8539 2432
Address: 41, West Street, Leytonstone
on bus routes 257 ( Stratford, through Leytonstone to Walthamstow), 58 and 158.
15 min walk from Leytonstone tube.



28 February 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.


27 February 2008, 7pm, Welsh Church Hall

A Victorian Melodrama
(Audition part 1 - readthrough)


For further information click here.


21 - 23 February 2008, Welsh Church Hall

Triple Bill 2008

Pinter / Chekhov / Ayckbourn

This February, Woodhouse Players give you the chance to see three plays in one evening, by three of the biggest name playwrights this side of Shakespeare:

The Bear by Anton Chekhov (trans. Basil Clarke)
Between Mouthfuls by Alan Ayckbourn
One for the Road by Harold Pinter



Sat 16 February 2008, 11am
Wanstead Underground station


Flyering for the Triple Bill

FLYERING FRENZY!!!

Meet at Wanstead Station AT 11.00am
No more than an hour and nice coffee guaranteed.
The more the merrier - so please come along and help spread the word about our forthcoming show.

Please let Jackie know if you are coming


Wed 6 February 2008, Welsh Church Hall

Auditions for The Crucible

Open auditions for The Crucible - details on the production page


Tue 29 January 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.


Tue 22nd >>> AND Wed 23rd <<< January 2008, Welsh Church Hall

Auditions for Arcadia

Open auditions will be held at the Welsh Church Hall at 7.30. Details of the characters in the play as well as contact details for this productions are available on the Arcadia page.


Tue 15th January 2008, Welsh Church Hall, 7.30pm

Play choosing for Summer and Autumn 2008

Woodhouse will be choosing plays for Summer and Autumn 2008 on Tuesday 15th January. Is there a play YOU want to put forward?

Potentially we're looking to fill four slots for next year:
- A May half term slot (29th May to 1st June)
- Our Summer slot (31st July to 2nd August)
- A September slot (around 26-29th September)
- and an October half term slot (30th October to 1st November).

We'll definitely be choosing plays for the first two - whether we choose plays for the second two will depend on how many are suggested (and partly whether we have time).

There's more details about how we choose plays on the website on the programming page. Plays will have to rehearse at the same time, so before the play choosing please think about any issues that may influence the scheduling of plays (eg complex staging, needing lots of actors from a particular age group). In particular we often have a lot of women auditioning so we are likely to think about the balance of male and female roles across the plays we're choosing.

If you are planning to advocate or suggest something at the play choosing, or want to discuss more details, then let chairman Stephen Balchin know in advance along with any specific needs for the plays. If you want to advocate something please let Stephen know:

- The plays name

- Who it's by

- Number of characters and split by sex eg 3M / 5F

- Whether you want to direct / produce / or just watch it (big / difficult plays stand more chance of getting chosen if we have someone willing to direct or produce, so you may want to )

- If you have a strong preference for a particular slot, which one you think it should go in.

- And if you want, a short one sentence description (eg a fast paced comedy set in a nunnery).

Plays advocated so far:

The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
Written in the early 50's and interpreted as an exploration of the McCarthy witch-hunt, the story is set in Salem in the eighteenth century. Hysteria is abroad as many are arrested and tried as witches.
(4 acts with parts for 12M / 12 F, some doubling possible)
Advocated by Jackie Withnall

The Cemetery Club, by Ivan Menchell
Ida, Lucille and Doris, three widows, are part of a club - the cemetery club. Every month they meet at Ida's house for tea, and then trundle off to the cemetery to remember the good times and gossip with their late husbands (4W/1M).
Advocated by Chris Pethers

Fur Coat and No Knickers by Mike Harding
Farce set in Northern England in the late 1970s. The play centres on the wedding of Deidre Ollerenshaw and Mark Greenhalgh - lovers from two very different families. We go with the lads on their increasingly disastrous stag night, followed the next day by a chaotic wedding when half the guests, including the priest, are suffering from blinding hangovers.(10F/13M - recommended minimum 5F/9M with doubling - some opportunity to change the gender of characters). Full length play - two acts.
Advocated by Peter Raggett

Six Degrees of Separation by John Guare
The play follows the trail of a young con man, Paul, who insinuates himself into the lives of a wealthy New York couple (13M, 4W - with some scope for doubling).
Advocated by Cathy Love

Two proposals for one slot, later in the year, advocated by Dan Usztan:

The Merchant of Venice - the play is well known, but not often performed by amateur groups (I don't think). Cast is ostensibly 16m, 3f, but, there is so much scope for cross-gender casting, doubling, etc. Basically, all the parts are decent, with some comedy mixed in with the chance to get to grips with a politically charged and challenging script.

The Merry Wives of Windsor. Shakespeare's only comedy set entirely in England (and with some vaguely local locations), it's a knockabout farce about Sir John Falstaff (who also appears in Shakespeare's History plays) pursuing two local women, both married, both aware of his plots. It could be set in any period, but I think a lot of fun could be had with modern dress ... it's almost pantomime at times. Oh no it isn't. Etc. Cast is 17m, 4f, 3 of the women are the lead parts, and only about 4 of the men really need to be men. In fact, this really is the one Shakespeare play about the way women relate to each other, and I think it's a hoot.


Fri 28 December 2007, 7.30pm
Sat 29 December 2007, 3pm & 7.30pm
Mon 31 December 2007, 6pm
Fri 4 January 2008, 7.30pm
Sat 5 January 2008, 3pm (Sold Out) & 7.30pm

Welsh Church Hall


The Little Mermaid

By Shauntelle Benjamin and Jackie Braithwaite

Sabrina, the evil sea queen has her sights set higher - and dryer! Can Lenor, the little mermaid, and her friends stop her from conquering the land, and the hand, of Prince Rocky?

Dive in to this original Woodhouse Players pantomime which entails underwater kingdoms, dancing fishermen, a monarch who's on a rocky road and a rather unusual housemaid with a jewellery fetish...

Join us this Christmas for lots of fishy fun and maybe a tuna too?


Sat 22nd December 2007
11am Leytonstone Underground Station
12 midday Wanstead Underground Station


Flyering for The Little Mermaid

We always need to spread the word about shows. There will be a flyering session on Saturday 22nd December at 11.00am at Leytonstone Tube and then at Wanstead Tube at 12.00 midday. Please come to one or the other or both. Good coffee guaranteed. Please let Jackie know if you are coming.


Fri 21st December 2007, 7pm - 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 4 hour special this Christmas. involving many features from the Woodhouse Players live on the night.
Plans include role play, readings, conversation, features, requests, and classic festive favourites featuring many of the presenters at Whipps Cross over the evening. This promises to be a very entertaining evening!!



Mon 17 December 2007, 7.30pm
Committee Meeting

This meeting has now been cancelled. Next meeting will be in approximately 6 weeks.


Tuesday 20 and Tuesday 27 November 2007, 7.30pm - Welsh Church Hall
Triple Bill Auditions

This year the Triple Bill will be on at the Welsh Church on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd February, with plays going to the Waltham Forest festival in March. We're auditioning early, to get in a few rehearsals before Christmas.

There'll be auditions on Tuesday the 20th Nov for 'Between Mouthfuls' and 'The Bear', and on Tuesday 27th Nov for 'One for the Road' and for anyone who couldn't make the 20th for the other two one acts. Come along to the Welsh Church, from 7.30pm on those dates. No preparation necessary.

If you want to audition for 'Between Mouthfuls' and 'The Bear' please come along on the 20th if you can - we have limited space on the 27th, so the more people we can audition on the 20th the better (you can come back to audition for 'One for the Road' on the 27th as well).

If you can't make either of the dates, but still want to audition, or have any other questions please contact Stephen Balchin - or Rhyll Davis for The Bear specifically.

Finally, if you're interested in assistant directing, helping backstage, doing costumes, or other production things let Stephen know via email.


Tuesday 13 November 2007, 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.

Details of the play is as follows:

We'll be reading The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Please bring a copy of the play if you can find one. Loads of really meaty parts!! All ages.


Mon 5 November 2007, 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.


25 - 27 October 2007, Welsh Church Hall

Twelfth Night

By Shakespeare
Directed by Gary Adams

A Shakespeare Quiz:

QUESTION: Is Twelfth Night a play about:
Bereavement?
Unrequited love?
Revenge?
Mistaken identities?
Lost time?
Young love?

ANSWER: Yes! It's all the above, or What You Will*

William Shakespeare's alternative title for the piece, (the only one of his plays to have one) is highly appropriate as everyone really can take 'what they will' from this bittersweet comedy, One of Shakespeare's most approachable works, Twelfth Night is a constant favourite with fans and a fantastic introduction for 'beginners'.

*(Also suspected: The phrase, 'What You Will', was the Elizabethan equivalent of, "Yeah - whatever!')

Tue 16th October 2007, Welsh Church Hall, 7.30pm

The Little Mermaid Auditions

Dive in to this original Woodhouse Players pantomime which entails underwater kingdoms, dancing fishermen, a monarch who's on a rocky road and a rather unusual housemaid with a jewellery fetish...

Yes it's panto time again - and we're inviting you to be part of the experience! Whether you fancy yourself as one of the characters or maybe a more behind-the-scenes person, we'd like to hear from you. Please see our production page for details on how to join in with this annual event which promises to be good fun. Oh yes it is!!!


Tue 9th October 2007, Welsh Church Hall, 7.30pm

Play Choosing
(Details updated 3/10/07)

Your chance to come along and have a say in what we do for:

- A February slot (provisionally 21st - 23rd Feb 2008) - now the double or triple bill slot
- we'd expect these plays to go to the Waltham Forest drama festival.

Plays being advocated:

One for the Road by Harold Pinter, suggested by Gary Adams (2M/1F, 1 young boy)

Between Mouthfuls by Alan Ayckbourn, suggested by Stephen Balchin (3M / 2F)

A Talk in the Park by Alan Ayckbourn, suggested by Stephen Balchin (3M/2F) - a short 10 minute which could round out a triple bill.

The Monster's Game by Robert Bettelheim:
"The Monster's Game is a serious play about how we learn or how we know right from wrong as seen in childrens eyes. It has large cast of young people comprising seven principles and a chorus along with one (or two) adults who are the puppeteers and voice of the monster. This play may exist as a chance for some of the younger members of the Woodhouse Players to take on a lead role. Alternatively it could be cast by adults who can convincingly play the role of a younger person; or a mix."

Bare Necessities by Kate Harper:
"A day in the life of: A look at the human race as seen through the eyes of animals. This play contains traces of Alice in Wonderland, Watership Down & Planet of the Apes, a spoof or parody and a look at humans in a different light. The aim of the play is to portray a strong message of how we treat animals and what it would be like if the roles were reversed."
Cast: a definite 4 females and 4 males. Then 5 extra people, gender doesn't matter, it can be 3 extra, but 5 would be best.

The Bear by Chekov (translated by Basil Clarke), suggested by Dan Usztan (about 25-30 minutes 2M/1F)


- The April Slot (provisionally 10th-12th April)

Plays being advocated:

Arcadia by Tom Stoppard has been proposed by Dan Usztan (8M/4F including a couple of parts for young actors)

There's more details about how we choose plays on the website on the programming page. Bear in mind that we will be performing panto up to early January, so what goes in the February slot will have to work around that (it may suit a short play). If you want to put forward something for April, bear in mind that to go to festival a play needs to be between 20 and 55 minutes long. We will also want a good idea of the length of the play when at the play choosing (so we can avoid programming three long plays together).

If you are planning to advocate or suggest something at the play choosing,
or want to discuss more details, then let chairman Stephen Balchin know in advance.



Tue 2nd October 2007, 7.45pm, Kenneth More Foyer Theatre

Under Milk Wood

A "radio reading" of Dylan Thomas' classic play for voices - a reprise of this popular production to be held in the Foyer Studio of the Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford

SOLD OUT



Sat/Sun 29/30 September 2007
Leytonstone and District Ex-Servicemens Club


Two

By Jim Cartwright
Directed by James McKendrick and Rhyll Davis

Ever sat in a pub wondering just who some of your fellow boozers are?

In "Two", we invite you for a night down the local, where you'll get to know some of the regulars and find out what's really going on in their heads. Originally performed with just two actors, this production will feature a full cast. What you'll see and hear is, by turns, funny, moving, rightening and sometimes just downright daft.
A little bit like life really…. but a lot like a night down the pub.

Please refer to the production page for special booking information


Sun 30 September 2007, 11am
Walthamstow Farmers' Market

Flyering for "Two" and Twelfth Night

No further volunteers are required for this flyering session.


Sun 23 September 2007, 2pm
Leytonstone Underground Station (Church Lane end)


Flyering for "Two" and Twelfth Night

ESSENTIAL STUFF!!!

TWO is very fast upon us and what with a new venue and day for performance, we need to have all hands on deck to build our audience. We have a flyering session in the very heart of our audience's territory on Sunday 23rd Sept at Leytonstone's Car Free Day. It is essential we turn out to get the word about TWO and Twelfth Night around. Please meet at the Church Lane exit to Leytonstone Underground Station at 2.00pm for an hour of flyering. Tea and cake guaranteed. If you have never been before do come along - it's good fun.

Please let Jackie know if you are coming


>>> Tue 18 September 2007, 7.30pm (ammended from Mon 17 Sep)
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.


Sun 16 September 2007, 12 midday
Wanstead Underground Station


Flyering for "Two" and Twelfth Night

Come flyering for Two and Twelfth Night at the Wanstead Festival

Further details from Jackie


Sun 2 September 2007, 2pm
Walthamstow Festival

Meet at the main exit from Walthamstow Central Underground Station

Flyering for "Two"

Come flyering for Two at the Walthamstow Festival. It will take no longer than an hour and a nice cup of tea and cake guaranteed!!

More information can also be obtained from Jackie


Tue 14th August 2007, NOW UPSTAIRS AT THE SHEEPWALK PUB

Play Reading Pub Night #4

An evening of reading plays, with a special focus on new plays: especially anything anyone is thinking about putting forward for the Spring Triple Bill. If you're a writer, or have something you'd like to advocate or suggest for the February slot or for the April double or triple then this is a good chance to get some early feedback and discuss possible issues outside of the play choosing itself.

For everyone else, it's a chance to read through some plays and then have a drink. All welcome. Upstairs at the Sheepwalk Pub from 7.30pm

If you'd like to bring a play along then let Stephen Balchin know so we know how many we're expecting.

(If we're pushed for space we will give priority to new writing)


Wed 1st August 2007, Welsh Church Hall

Auditions for Two and Twelfth Night

Please see the relevant production page for each of these productions regarding auditions.


Tue 31 July 2007, 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.


26 - 28 July 2007, Welsh Church Hall

Habeas Corpus

By Alan Bennett
Directed by Jim Killeen and Gary Adams

A Seaside postcard style romp set at the height of ‘the permissive society’. An intelligent farce, in which just about everyone wants something – be it a big bust, sex, death, more sex and even more than that ... sex.


13 - 14 July 2007, Welsh Church Hall

Daisy Pulls It Off

By Denise Deegan
Directed by Dan Usztan

Denise Deegan's affectionate look at the 'gels' boarding school - a world of midnight feasts, beastly English teachers, a missing family treasure, priggish snobs, Matron, and some very jolly hockey sticks...

Part of the Leytonstone Festival

7 - 8 July 2007, Locations and times below

Flyering for Daisy and Habeas

The weekend of 7th/8th July is one full of events in Leytonstone and that means loads of opportunities for us to flag up our plays to local people.

We can't let these opportunities to expand our audience, for both the forthcoming shows, pass us by.

We will be sending flyering parties to the following events.

Sat 7th - Opening of the Leytonstone Festival. 3pm.
Leytonstone Station (Church Lane end).

Sun 8th - Local Fete at Henry Reynolds Gardens (opp WCH) -
Meet at the Welsh Church Hall at 1.00pm

Sun 8th - Community Day at The Epicentre 2.00pm
(Flyering being done by the Daisy Pulls It Off cast who are performing there)

All of these are fun events that offer entertainment when the flyering finishes so are a good afternoon out!

Please spare an hour to join us.

Please let Jackie know if you are coming - email address on the committee page.


Tuesday 19 June 2007, 7.30pm - Welsh Church Hall
Play reading pubnight #3

Join Chris Pethers at the Welsh Church Hall for the third play reading - then go down the pub afterwards to discuss it! What could be better?

Details of the play is as follows:

Cemetery Club - Ivan Menchell (4 female, 1 male) A comedy about life, death, getting older, and moving on. Three friends, American jewish widows Doris, Ida and Lucille, all coping with life without their husbands in very different ways, who meet up once a month to visit their husbands graves. Into their life comes Sam, a widower, and their lives and friendships are turned upside down.

The play has three strong female leads, with a good supporting male role.


Tue 12 June 2007, 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.


Sat 9 June 2007, 7.30pm
Leytonstone and District Ex-servicemens Club,
Harvey Road,
Leytonstone,
E11 EDB
(behind Zulu's which is walking distance from the Welsh Church Hall)

Woodhouse Cabaret 2007
Berkules Pulls It Off

Yes it's finally coming!

An event not to be missed where the huge talent of the Woodhouse Players gathers to confound and entertain you with its charm sophistication and indubitably the best singers ever known. With the liberal application of alcohol and nibbles, it really is a social event for your calendars.

If you have some ideas about something you would like to perform for the cabaret please contact Khadija Cheetham-Slade or Matthew House who are organising the event this year.

Up to four rehearsals.meeting will be arranged for May for those who would like to have a few dry runs and feedback of their sketches, songs, dances etc, etc. - see the rest of the diary for details

So get thinking about how you are going to entertain us!


Please visit the cabaret page for important booking information!


Tue 5 June 2007
7.30pm
Welsh Church Hall


Singing Workshop

All are welcome, in particular those soon to appear in cabaret, to another of Chris Pether's highly acclaimed singing workshops. There is no requirement to book or be in the cabaret or any other production, just turn up and enjoy the evening.


Wed 30 May 2007
7.30pm
Welsh Church Hall


Cabaret Meeting

Work is going well on this years Woodhouse cabaret - "Berkules Pulls It Off". Whether you've already planned your act or whether you would like to put a new act forward such as a song, dance or sketch then come along to this latest meeting to meet with Khadija and Matthew. Please see our cabaret page for more details.


Sat 26 May 2007
midday
Welsh Church Hall


Cabaret Meeting

Work is going well on this years Woodhouse cabaret - "Berkules Pulls It Off". Whether you've already planned your act or whether you would like to put a new act forward such as a song, dance or sketch then come along to this latest meeting to meet with Khadija and Matthew. Please see our cabaret page for more details.


Tue 22 May 2007, 7.30pm
Welsh Church Hall


Panto Choosing

This is a chance to read through potential pantos for Christmas / New Year 2007/8 and make a decision on which one goes on to be produced.

If you want to put forward a panto we are looking for:
- An outline of the panto (scenes, story and characters);
- A written scene; and
- Any proposals for who will produce and direct.

More details are of course welcome, but not essential. If you want to know more about the panto experience, what it involves etc then feel free to contact one of the committee (most have been involved in panto) including Stephen Balchin. Also if you, or someone you know would be interested in being on the production team and in particular producing music, or being musical director then let Stephen know via email.


Wed 16 May 2007
Meeting starts 7.30pm prompt
Welsh Church Hall


Annual General Meeting 2007

This is your chance to discuss what the Woodhouse Players have said and done over the last year, and what will happen during 2007/8. Over the last year the Woodhouse Players has put on seven full sized productions, as well as Cabaret and Under Milk Wood, a significant expansion on our earlier programme. 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;
- An amendment to the constitution to expand the size of the committee by one post.

If you want to stand for committee, put forward an amendment to the constitution,
or just put something specific up for discussion then let Thos know via email by Friday 11th May.

More information on the AGM can be found here


Fri 11 May 2007
7.30pm
Welsh Church Hall


Cabaret Meeting

Cabaret time is fast approaching and we are looking for acts for this years event - "Berkules Pulls It Off". If you have a cabaret act such as a song, dance or sketch that you would like to perform or you'd just like to find out what this whole cabaret thing is all about then please see our cabaret page for more details.


Sat 5th May 2007
6pm
Eastwood Studio Theatre, Rayleigh Road,
Leigh-On-Sea, Essex. SS9 5UU


All England Theatre Festival

Following its award winning performance at the Waltham Forest Drama Festival in March, the Woodhouse Players will be taking their production of Cupid's Arrow to the All England Theatre Festival to be held in Leigh on Sea on 5th May. Tickets can be obtained on the door at at cost of £7 (£6 concessions), so have a day out in Southend and come and see us in the evening! See the Cupid's Arrow page for travel details.


Wed 25 April 2007, 7.30pm

>>> ALSO NOW Fri 27 April 2007, 7.30pm Welsh Church Hall


Auditions for:
Habeas Corpus,
Daisy Pulls It Off

Auditions for Habeas Corpus and Daisy Pulls It Off will take place at the Welsh Church Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25th April and Friday 27th April 2007. For more information please contact Gary Adams for Habeas Corpus or Dan Usztan for Daisy Pulls It Off.


Tue 24 April 2007, 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.


Thu 12 April 2007, 8pm
Fri 13 April 2007, 8pm
Sat 14 April 2007, 3 and 8pm
Welsh Church Hall

Triple Bill:
The Last of the Magicians
Written by Stephen Balchin
Cupid's Arrow
Written by Kate Harper
The Public Eye
Written by Peter Shaffer

Tickets: £6, £3. Book in advance from 020 8504 3872 or email our ticket office



Wed 4 April 2007, 6pm, Leytonstone tube
Triple Bill flyering

COME FLY WITH ME....ACT 2

TIME TO GET THE AUDIENCE IN FOR NEXT WEEK'S SHOWS. SO PLEASE SPARE ABOUT 45 MINS OR SO TO DO SOME FLYERING AT LEYTONSTONE TUBE STATION. WE'LL MEET AT 6.00PM AT THE CHURCH LANE ENTRANCE ON WEDNESDAY 4TH APRIL. (THIS WEEK) NICE COFFEE PROMISED!! THE MORE THE MERRIER!!

Further details from Jackie on the Committee page.


Sat 31 March 2007, 11.00, Wanstead tube
Triple Bill flyering

COME FLY WITH ME.........says Jackie

The Triple Bill will soon be upon us and a-flyering we must go to get audience to the Welsh Church Hall. Please support the group by coming along to Wanstead Station at 11.00am on Saturday 31st March. It will only take an hour and a nice coffee is promised afterwards. Please let Jackie know if you can come - contact details on the Committee page.


>>> Date now Mon 12th March, 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


Tue 27 February 2007, 7.45pm

Under Milk Wood

A "radio reading" of Dylan Thomas' classic play for voices - a reprise of this popular production to be held in the Foyer Studio of the Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford

This performance has now sold out


Tuesday 20 February 2007, 7.30pm - WCH
Play reading pubnight #2

Ita Hill will be leading the play reading night with two plays:

Dangerous Corner - director TBA
Set in the early 1930's with 4 females and 3 males. A suspense drama that investigates the ways we maintain our relationships through lies and truths. Guests at a seemingly innocent dinner party are forced one by one into revealing the secrets behind a theft and murder. This is a true ensemble piece with plot twists galore. There are no scene changes and it runs at 90 minutes.

Agnes of God by John Peilmour
A two act play, three female roles, it was popular in the early nineties. It's set in a nunnery and is about a novice nun whose been found with a dead baby (Her's), and the psychriatrist whose been sent to establish if she's guilty of infanticide/sane enough to stand trial, and the novice's aunt, the mother superior, who tries to protect the novice. This could be done as a studio production.

For more details see the previous entry for 5th December when Gary Adams set the ball rolling.


Thu 15 February 2007, 8pm
Fri 16 February 2007, 8pm
Sat 17 February 2007, 3 and 8pm
Welsh Church Hall

Antigone

Jean Anouilh's retelling of the Greek tragedy which examines the eternal questions: freewill versus fate, idealism versus pragmatism.

Tickets: £6, £3. Book in advance from 020 8504 3872 or email our ticket office


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).


Sat 20 January 2007, 1pm, The Welsh Church Hall
(not 7.30pm as previously advertised)

Triple Bill Auditions

Open auditions will be held for the April Triple Bill at the Welsh Church Hall. If you would like to come along and audition or take part in any way, please email Kate Harper. Please see below for further details.


Now scheduled for Tue 16 January 2007, 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.


Thu 28 December 2006, 7.30pm
Fri 29 December 2006, 7.30pm
Sat 30 December 2006, 3 and 7.30pm
Fri 5 January 2007, 7.30pm
Sat 6 January 2007, 3 and 7.30pm
Welsh Church Hall

Ali Baba and the Four Tea Leaves

The annual Woodhouse panto - a crackerful of jokes, songs and festive entertainment.

Tickets: £6, £3. Book in advance from 020 8504 3872 or email our ticket office


Sat 23 December 2006, 11.00, Leytonstone tube
Ali Baba flyering

COME FLY WITH ME! The panto is fast approaching and we need lots of posteriors on seats! Please turn out for a final publicity push on Saturday 23rd December at 11.00am for about an hour. Meet at Leytonstone Tube Station (Church Lane end). Coffee and cake promised! Please let Jackie know if you can come - contact details on the Committee page.

Also, if anyone has any suitable donations for the Ali Baba raffles please email Jackie - we have seven shows to provide for and welcome contributions


Tue 5 December 2006, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall
Play reading pubnight!

As a member of the Woodhouse Players, what do you do in the periods when you're not cast in a show? (Get involved in Backstage work, Front of House, etc - of course you do!) BUT here's a chance to do something a bit more social.

For a pilot period of four months, we are going to introduce a monthly PLAYREADING PUBNIGHT, which will do everything it says on the can! Open to any member of the group, we'll meet up, put the kettle on, and read a play. No audience, just us. EVERYONE will get a chance to read. When we've done that, we'll all pile into the pub to discuss what we've just read and whatever comes to mind. It'll be fun, it'll be social, it'll give us a chance to practise our sight-reading skills and a chance to remember that the social side of the group is important too.

If the idea proves popular, these nights could be a chance to read through the Slush pile, for budding writers to hear their words spoken and for advocates of shows to be performed to push their ideas. It'll operate on the basis of someone volunteering to 'lead' the evening. They'll get the scripts together - acting sets easily obtained through your library - and, on the night, make sure everyone has a chance to read.

Gary Adams has offered to do the first one in December, and Chris Pethers will do the honours in January. Gary has chosen a play that he'll be advocating as one of our shows in 2007 - 'Habeas Corpus' by Alan Bennett. It's a seriously funny farce with a feel of a McGill Seaside postcard about it. With Bennett as the writer it is, as you can imagine, literally a laugh a minute. To make sure we know how many biscuits to get in, if you'd like to come, please let Gary know in advance, via email: (Yes, the Luddite's reformed!) Hope to see you there.


Sat 25 November 2006, 11am, The Welsh Church Hall
Welsh Church housekeeping

It's housekeeping time at the Welsh Church hall and we need volunteers to come along and help clear out or move as much stuff as possible.


Tue 21 November 2006, 7.30pm, The Welsh Church Hall
Auditions: Antigone

Further details on the Antigone auditions can be obtained from director Gary Adams. For contact information please see the Antigone page.


Fri 10 November 2006, 7.30pm, The Welsh Church Hall
Singing Workshop

Join Chris Pethers in another of his acclaimed singing workshops which is open to everyone, but particularly geared for panto. No booking required - just turn up and join in!


Thu 26 October 2006, 8pm
Fri 27 October 2006, 8pm
Sat 28 October 2006, 3pm and 8pm
Welsh Church Hall

Wuthering Heights

Emily Brontë's timeless and tempestuous love story brought to the stage in our major production of the year.

Tickets: £6, £3. Book in advance from 020 8504 3872 or email our ticket office


Sat 21 October 2006, 11am, Leytonstone station (Church Lane end)
Wuthering Heights flyering

Come flyer with me!

Meet Jackie at Leytonstone Station (Church Lane end) for a round of flyering followed by coffee and cake. Many hands make light work. Help bring in a big audience for our next show - Wuthering Heights.

More details can be obtained by contacting Jackie via the Committee page.

Also, if anyone has any suitable donations for the Ali Baba raffles please email Jackie - we have 7 shows to provide for and welcome contributions


Tue 10 October 2006, 7.30pm, The Welsh Church Hall
Selecting plays for early '07

We'll be choosing up to four plays at this meeting. All members encouraged to attend. We will be selecting full-length plays for the new February Studio Production slot, two one-act plays for local drama festivals and an Easter Double Bill, and possibly also the Whitsun studio production.


Tue 3 October 2006, 7.30pm, The Welsh Church Hall
Auditions: Ali Baba and the Four Tea Leaves

More fun than cold brussel sprouts, more cross dressing than Christmas Eastenders, more puns than a cracker.

Auditions for this year's Christmas panto will be at the Welsh Church on Tuesday 3rd October. (In the back room, not the main hall). All welcome.

Auditions will start at 7.30pm. During the evening you'll get to:
- read some of the panto;
- do some improvisation; and
- sing a bit (don't worry, you don't have to be an accomplished opera singer, though it may help).

For the singing, we will have a couple of short pieces to sing, but if there's something you want to do then you can bring a CD / MP3 file, or be ready to sing it without music.

For more info, or if you can't make the 3rd but are still interested contact Stephen Balchin . It would also be useful to e-mail Stephen to let him know if you are auditioning.

If you are interested in helping out in other ways in the production e.g. backstage then come along on the 3rd as well or contact the members secretary.


Thu 28 September 2006, 8pm
Fri 29 September 2006, 8pm
Sat 30 September 2006, 3pm and 8pm
Welsh Church Hall

The Dresser

Ronald Harwood's classic comedy about a troupe of touring actors in World War 2 England.

Tickets: £6, £3. Book in advance from 020 8504 3872 or email our ticket office


Wed 27 September 2006, 5.30pm, Leytonstone Tube Station (Church Lane entrance)
Dresser Flyering

With The Dresser imminently starting, Jackie and Jenny invite members to help publicise the show. Each flyering session only lasts about 45 minutes and there'll be chance to have a decent coffee afterwards!


Sat 23 September 2006, 11am, Wanstead Tube Station
Dresser Flyering

With The Dresser fast approaching, Jackie and Jenny invite members to help publicise the show. Each flyering session only lasts about 45 minutes and there'll be chance to have a decent coffee afterwards!


Sat 23 September 2006, 8pm, Waltham Forest College
CAOS Quiz Evening

Do you think you've got what it takes to answer some questions and take on other teams in a quiz evening? Then grab your thinking caps and form teams of six Woodhouse members (including friends and family) and sign up for this fun evening at the Waltham Forest College. Tickets are £9 which includes a fish and chip supper (let us know if you wish to request an alternative to this) as well as temporary membership to this club. Full details can be obtained by emailing the membership secretary whether you wish to put forward a complete team or apply to be grouped in with other members. You are welcome to bring your own drink and glasses. Money is not refundable and there is no smoking.


Tue 19 September 2006, 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.


Sun 17 September 2006, 1pm onwards, St John's Church Hall, Leytonstone
Car-free day / Dresser publicity

As part of car-free day in Leytonstone we are joining forces with the local Historical Society to publicise The Dresser. They are doing a display for the show and we are joining them on the stall to give out flyers. Some cast will hopefully be in costume and if you can come along and help out you would be very welcome.

We'll be at St John's Church Hall from 1pm. Contact Jackie for more information - details on the Committee page.


Sat 16 September 2006, 12midday, Welsh Church Hall
Autumn Clean

Today there will be a technical rehearsal going on for The Dresser.
If you are not involved - would you consider giving up an hour or two for a worthy cause - namely the Woodhouse Players! The Welsh Church Hall isn't the easiest venue in the world, but we want to make it as welcoming and comfortable for our audiences as possible.

At the last show a few of us thought some simple improvements could be made quite easily - such as
Cleaning the toilets
Cleaning the kitchen
Sorting out and replenishing our members refeshments and crockery
Tidying up generally
Preparing foyer displays for The Dresser

With a few of us it shouldn't take more than an hour or so.
If you can help please come along with your pinny and any cleaning materials / equipment you have. Delicious cakes promised!
For more details please contact Jackie - details on the Committee page.


Tue 12 September 2006, 7.30pm, The Welsh Church Hall
Voice Workshop

With the cancellation of the New Writing Workshop, there will now be a Voice Workshop held at the Welsh Church hall. All are welcome.


Mon 31 July 2006, 7.30pm
Committee Meeting

Committee Meetings are open to all members, or you can ask for something to be put on the agenda. Contact the secretary to find out location details or to submit something.


Thu 27 July 2006, 8pm
Fri 28 July 2006, 8pm
Sat 29 July 2006, 3pm and 8pm
Welsh Church Hall

Galileo

Brecht's popular and thought provoking play about the clash of science and religion is presented here in the round using new technology and a contemporary resetting.

Tickets: £6, £3. Book in advance from 020 8504 3872 or our ticket office


Sat 15 July 2006, 7.30pm
Welsh Church Hall

Under Milk Wood

A "radio reading" of Dylan Thomas' classic play for voices.

our ticket office

Tickets: £2.50. Book in advance from 020 8504 3872 or our ticket office


Sat 15 July 2006, 3pm
The Epicentre, Leytonstone

Leytonstone Community Day

Some of the Woodouse Players will be appearing at the Community Day with songs and sketches.


Tue 4 July 2006, 7.30pm, The Welsh Church Hall
Auditions: Wuthering Heights

Further auditions. Contact Sacha to participate. Write to the same address if you're interested in doing some backstage work. Please take a glance at the book or the story before auditioning, so you can come along with a suggestion of who you'd like to play. | more info...


Sat 1 July 2006, 1pm, The Welsh Church Hall
Auditions: The Dresser

Auditions for this WW2 repertory acting comedy. | more info...


Sat 24 June 2006, 12.30pm, The Welsh Church Hall
Singing Workshop 3

Chris Pethers, former chorusmaster and an experienced singing coach on Woodhouse shows, gives Woodhousers the chance to explore their singing voices in a series of different workshops. If you'd like to sign up for any or all of the workshops, please mail the chairman


Sat 10 June 2006, 12.00 noon, The Welsh Church Hall
Southern American Accents Workshop

Carla MacLean leads a workshop on Southern American accents (particularly Georgia and nearby states) to help along the cast of Galileo with their resetting. If you're not in the Galileo cast and would like to sign up for the workshop, please mail the chairman


Thu 8 June 2006, 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.


Tue 6 June 2006, 7.30pm, The Welsh Church Hall
Choosing a Panto

We need to choose a panto for the New Year 06-07, from some choices. Join us to read through parts of the scripts, look at the proposed plots and decide what we should produce.

FOLLOWED BY...

9pm
Auditions: Under Milk Wood

Auditions for this radio-style production of Dylan Thomas' "Welsh Ulysses". Bring Welsh accents. | more info...


Thu 1 June 2006, 8pm
Fri 2 June 2006, 8pm
Sat 3 June 2006, 3pm and 8pm
Welsh Church Hall

Teechers

Join us for our first "studio" production at the Welsh Church Hall, a riotous comedy from the pen of John Godber.

Tickets: £6, £3. Book in advance from 020 8504 3872 or our ticket office


Wed 17 May 2006, 7.30pm, The Welsh Church Hall
Auditions: Galileo

Auditions for this ensemble production of Brecht's classic science versus religion play. All ages welcome. Contact the members secretary to participate. Write to the same address if you're interested in doing some backstage work. | more info...


Wed 10 May 2006, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall
Annual General Meeting

Looking back at the 2005-6 year at Woodhouse and planning for the future. This is your chance to vote for the committee (we'll be looking for some people to take on roles) and have your say about what the group does and how it does it.


Sat 6 May 2006, 7.30pm
The Sheepwalk, Leytonstone High Road

Our Ada's Parrot

After the hugely successful Great Happiness! of 2005 another Woodhouse cabaret evening, by members for members.

If you have an act to perform or just want to come along and be entertained then this is the evening for you. To put your act forward contact the chairman


Sun 30 April 2006, 12 midday
The Sheepwalk, Leytonstone High Road

Jekyll & Hyde - the première

After much editing and production, the 4-disc package for last year's Hallowen pantomusical Jekyll & Hyde is complete! Come and see a double bill on the big screen at the Sheepwalk pub (bar available). First, there will be a showing of the detailed behind-the-scenes documentary, telling the story of our biggest production from pre-planning and auditions through to the final performances, then we'll watch the show itself. If you were involved in the production, this will be a fun trip down memory lane, and if you weren't, here's a chance to see what all the fuss was about! If you'd like to come along, mail Peter.


Sat 22 April 2006, 12.30pm
Welsh Church Hall

Singing Workshop 2

Chris Pethers, former chorusmaster and an experienced singing coach on Woodhouse shows, gives Woodhousers the chance to explore their singing voices in a series of different workshops. This workshop focuses on people's singing performances for the upcoming Cabaret. If you'd like to sign up for any or all of the workshops, please mail the chairman


Tue 11 April 2006, 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.


Thu 6 April 2006, 8pm
Fri 7 April 2006, 8pm
Sat 8 April 2006, 3pm and 8pm
Welsh Church Hall

Trapped in the System!

Ever felt like you were going around in circles? Experience life inside the system in these three one-act plays.

Tickets: £6, £3. Book in advance from 020 8504 3872 or our ticket office


Sat 1 April 2006, 7.30pm
Chingford Assembly Hall

45 Minutes to Go

The appearance, at the Waltham Forest Drama Festival, of our third entry (will be shown alongside other entries from other local groups).

Tickets: £6, £4. Book in advance via Steve Balchin.


Fri 31 March 2006, 7.30pm
Chingford Assembly Hall

The Procedure

The appearance, at the Waltham Forest Drama Festival, of our second entry (will be shown alongside other entries from other local groups).

Tickets: £6, £4. Book in advance via Steve Balchin


Thu 30 March 2006, 7.30pm
Chingford Assembly Hall

The Dock Brief

The appearance, at the Waltham Forest Drama Festival, of our first entry (will be shown alongside other entries from other local groups).

Tickets: £6, £4. Book in advance via Steve Balchin


Wed 15 March 2006, 7.30pm, The Welsh Church Hall
Auditions: Teechers

Our studio production for Whitsun half term. We need just three young (or young-loking) actors for this show to play three teenagers, 1 male, 2 female. Contact the members secretary to participate. Write to the same address if you're interested in doing some backstage work. | more info...


Sat 4 March 2006, 12.30pm
Singing Workshop 1

Chris Pethers, former chorusmaster and an experienced singing coach on Woodhouse shows, gives Woodhousers the chance to explore their singing voices in a series of different workshops. This workshop looks at diction, warm-up, breathing and projection. If you'd like to sign up for any or all of the workshops, please mail the chairman


Tue 21 February 2006, 7.30pm
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. Contact the secretary to arrange attendance and to get details of the location.


Sat 18 February 2006, 11am - late afternoon
More Hall Clearance (and prop building)

Another assault on old stuff that we don't need (we did very well at this last time, but just a little further to go!). Also, if you're able to offer a hand with making props for the triple bill, then do come and join us.


Thu 16 February 2006, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall
Selecting 2006 productions

All members are invited to come to the Welsh Church Hall to choose the productions we will do in the Summer and Autumn of 2006.

Anybody in the group can either "advocate" or "suggest" a play for consideration. Just let anyone on the committee know if you want to do this or email chair**at**woodhouseplayers.co.uk - however try to let us know at least a week before the 14th if you're planning to advocate something.

DON'T FORGET that this year we are expanding the programme, and therefore there are FOUR slots available for plays between June and October. In addition, there are one-off slots.

We are still happy to accept more suggestions, and it would be good to have things people are really passionate about. Don't forget it's YOUR group, so please make your voice heard! That way we can be sure that the group is doing things that you want!

Details of the plays up for selection can be found on our updates board. See also how we choose plays/how to suggest them. If you're interested in directing/producing, but aren't sure what play to advocate, we have a list of plays suggested by members in our Slush Pile so check that out too!


Saturday 28 January 2006, 11am - 6pm, The Welsh Church Hall
The Big Loft Clear Out!

We need volunteers to help us sort through props and costumes that we have stored in the loft, which we are no longer allowed to use. Over the years we've accumulated a lot of stuff and we now need to significantly slim down our collection and find a new space for the remainder! You don't have to come for the whole day, but sparing us some of your time would be great.


Sat 4 February 2006, 7pm, The Savoy Hotel, London
Groupie Night!

Woodhouse have committed to providing "extras" for a special event at the Savoy Hotel, London, which will help us raise funds for the group. We need EVERY Woodhouse member to give us some time on this night so we can get fifty people together.


Tuesday 24 January 2006, 7.30pm, The Welsh Church Hall
Directing Workshop

Ever fancied directing a Woodhouse play, but weren't sure how to go about it? This workshop will introduce you to the basics of rehearsal room technique, looking at issues including:

  • different approaches to directing e.g. Stanislavski and Brecht
  • how to formulate a "vision" for your piece
  • deciding on staging
  • communicating what you want to actors
There will also be practical exercises so come along prepared to act for each other, too!


Wed 11 January 2006, 7.30pm, The Welsh Church Hall
Auditions: Trapped in the System!

Three new plays, requiring a range of actors, and also involving a chance to enter the Waltham Forest or Havering drama festivals. Contact the members secretary to participate. Write to the same address if you're interested in doing some backstage work. | more info...


Wed 4 January 2006, 7.30pm
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. Contact the secretary to arrange attendance and to get details of the location.



Thu 29 December 2005, 7.30pm
Fri 30 December 2005, 7.30pm
Sat 31 December 2005, 6pm
Fri 6 January 2006, 7.30pm
Sat 7 January 2006, 2pm and 7.30pm
Welsh Church Hall

Dick Whittington's Cat

Cheer on Dick Whittington's cat as she and Dick do battle with the evil sorcerer Mordecai. Dance routines, songs, appalling jokes and all the regular panto trimmings in this cheerful show.

Tickets: £6, £3. Book in advance from 020 8504 3872 or our ticket office



Saturday 3 December 2005, time tbc, The Welsh Church Hall
Playgroup Christmas Fête

Members of Woodhouse will be in attendance at the Green Man Playgroup's event, with flyers to advertise Dick Whittington's Cat


Thu 24 November 2005, 7.30pm, Aveling School
It's A Mug's Game

A community play for the Waltham Forest police, with the emphasis on crime prevention.


Wed 26 October 2005, 7.30pm
Thu 27 October 2005, 2.30pm
Thu 27 October 2005, 7.30pm
Fri 28 October 2005, 2.30pm
Fri 28 October 2005, 7.30pm
Sat 29 October 2005, 2.30pm
Sat 29 October 2005, 7.30pm
The Broadway, Barking

Jekyll & Hyde
in association with Theatretrain

Tickets: £9.50, £7.00 Book in advance from 020 8507 5607 or www.thebroadwaybarking.com


Tue 11 October 2005, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall
Read through of scripts and decision for Spring Triple Bill

Both new writing and other suggestions for one-act plays are most welcome here. If you'd like to to suggest something but aren't sure where to start looking, take a look at the one-act plays in the slush pile. We will read through scripts that are on offer and will be asking for "advocates" to make the case for particular scripts. A consensus (or if necessary a vote) of the meeting will choose which plays we peform in the Spring and take to local festivals. More about this process here


Thu 29 September 2005, 8pm
Fri 30 September 2005, 8pm
Sat 1 October 2005, 3pm
Sat 1 October 2005, 8pm
Welsh Church Hall

Second From Last in the Sack Race

Tickets: £6, £3. Book online here or in advance from 020 8504 3872 or our ticket office


Tue 6 September 2005, 7.30pm
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. Contact the secretary to arrange attendance and to get details of the location.


Wed 27 July 2005, slots from 7pm
Welsh Church Hall

Auditions: Jekyll and Hyde

We're looking for male actors aged either 15-25 or 30+ to become part of a new Halloween panto, performing at the Broadway Barking in October half-term 2005. You'll need to prepare a song (bring your own backing track on CD, cassette, or email to us as MP3 or MIDI), as well as do some cold-reading of scenes. We're looking for performers who enjoy comedy, singing and a bit of dance.

more info...


Tue 26 July 2005, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall
Writing Workshop 2

Writing a play? Want some feedback and to hear what it sounds like? Then come along to a new writing workshop. Come along as well if you don't have a play but want to help read through new writing that people have brought along, we'll need actors as much as we need new writers.

For more information: and if you've got a play you want to bring along contact Stephen


Tue 19 July 2005, 7.30pm
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. Contact the secretary to arrange attendance and to get details of the location.


Fri 22 July 2005, slots from 7pm
Welsh Church Hall

Auditions: Jekyll and Hyde

We're looking for male actors aged either 15-25 or 30+ to become part of a new Halloween panto, performing at the Broadway Barking in October half-term 2005. You'll need to prepare a song (bring your own backing track on CD, cassette, or email to us as MP3 or MIDI), as well as do some cold-reading of scenes. We're looking for performers who enjoy comedy, singing and a bit of dance.

more info...


PERFORMANCE FOR SCHOOL GROUPS:
Tue 12 July, 7pm
(followed by discussion with cast and directors)
MAIN RUN:
Thu 14 July 2005, 8pm
Fri 15 July 2005, 8pm
Sat 16 July 2005, 3pm
Sat 17 July 2005, 8pm
Welsh Church Hall

Metamorphosis

Tickets: £6, £3. Book online here or in advance from 020 8504 3872 or out ricket office. For school bookings call Oliver on 020 7254 7675


Sat 9 July 2005, 3pm, The Epicentre, Leytonstone
Leytonstone Community Day

Got an act? We need to show off the Woodhouse Players to local people. We have been given two 15 minute slots to do this, so we'd like to do a series of acts, a bit like the cabaret. Repeat acts from the cabaret are fine!

Contact Tim to put yourself forward.


Sat 2 July 2005, 8pm
Mon 4 July 2005, slots from 7.30pm
Tue 5 July 2005, slots from 7.30pm
Welsh Church Hall

Auditions: Jekyll and Hyde

A new Halloween panto, performing at the Broadway Barking in October half-term 2005. You'll need to prepare a song (bring your own backing track on CD, cassette, or email to us as MP3 or MIDI), as well as do some cold-reading of scenes. We're looking for performers who enjoy comedy, singing and dance. You can audition for both this and Second From Last in the Sack Race.

more info...


Mon 4 July 2005, 7.30pm
Tue 5 July 2005, 7.30pm
Welsh Church Hall

Auditions: Second From Last in the Sack Race

A Yorkshire comedy depicting the insignificant life of Henry Pratt. Lots and lots of parts. Performing at the end of September. Come along and read with others. You can audition for both this and Jekyll and Hyde.

Contact Stephen to register your interest and choose your audition evening. | more info...


Thu 23 June 2005, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall
Writing Workshop 1

Writing a play? Want some feedback and to hear what it sounds like? Then come along to a new writing workshop. Come along as well if you don't have a play but want to help read through new writing that people have brought along, we'll need actors as much as we need new writers.

For more information: and if you've got a play you want to bring along contact Stephen


Sat 18 June 2005, 8pm, Leytonstone Library, upstairs
Jules Versus the Next Contestants

Ita Hill's play about reality TV in the 22nd century.


Tue 26 April 2005, 7.30pm
Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are, as always, open to all members. Contact the secretary to arrange attendance and to get details of the location.


Fri 13 May 2005, 7.30pm
Lighting Workshop

Robert Bettelheim, Woodhouse Lighting Supremo will show members the basics of lighting a show. Limited places so please book with Robert.


Wed 11 May 2005, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall
Annual General Meeting

Loking back at the last year and planning for the future. This is your chance to vote for the committee (we're looking for some people to take on roles) and have your say about what the group does and how it does it.


Sat 7 May 2005, 7.30pm, East London Drama Centre
Great Happiness!

The Woodhouse Cabaret: Woodhousers bring a variety of acts to the stage for Woodhouse members. Come and watch the acts, and maybe perform your own. Lots of comedy, numbers and quick-fire entertainment.


Friday 6 May 2005
Panto Script Deadline

If you want to submit a script for our Winter show, please send a full synopsis and at least one sample scene to the chairman by this date. There will be a meeting shortly after this deadline to select the panto and plays for a possible rehearsed reading in the Summer.


Tue 2 May 2005, Welsh Church Hall, 7.30pm
Cabaret Workshop 2

Paul L. Martin of Millionth Muse Productions returns to the Hall to view your acts for the Woodhouse Cabaret (at the end of the week). Bring the acts you've prepared and he'll feed back on them.