Tues 15th May 2012, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Annual General Meeting

The Woodhouse Players' Annual General Meeting will take place at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 15 May in the Welsh Church Hall 879 High Road Leytonstone E11 1HR. All paid-up members are invited to attend. The meeting will receive the annual reports from the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, offer an opportunity for members to discuss the group's activities and future plans, and elect the Committee for 2012-13.

This year the Committee elections will be preceded by a vote to amend the Constitution to increase the number of places for ordinary members on the Committee from five to seven. The Quorum for meeting to vote on amending the Constitution is 10 or one third of the membership, whichever is greater. This means that in order to take this step, which is necessary to provide the group with the support it needs to carry on all its desired activities, we need at least 25 members to attend the meeting or submit "postal"/proxy votes.

Members who wish to stand for election for the posts of Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer, or as an ordinary Committee member, should submit their names to the Secretary at least 48 hours before the start of the meeting (ie by 7.30pm on Sunday 13 May.)

The Agenda and details of how to submit "postal"/proxy votes will be emailed to members before the meeting and will also be posted to the website AGM page.

Sat 12th May 2012, 2.00pm, Welsh Church Hall

Stage Makeup Workshop

Have you ever been frightened by a tube of lipstick or looked on in puzzlement as your fellow actors started painting their faces with an odd assortment of colours? Have you ever wondered how you, too, can achieve dignified age lines or fantastic cheek bones? If so (or even if not), our own Ceri Wilkinson is hosting a workshop on Stage Makeup, explaining the whys and hows of putting on basic makeup for stage and why everyone needs it, even on smaller stages. As well as instruction there will be plenty of time for hands on experimenting so that you have time to hone your makeup talents! Ceri is also happy to cover specific topics as requested (e.g. facial prosthetics, animals, crepe hair) but please send your requests to Jessie Greer by 28 April. Prices are £5 for members (£10 for non-members) to help cover the cost of supplies. Places are limited so please book online (see below). If you do not wish to book online or have any questions, please email Jessie Greer

Tue 1st May 2012, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Play Choosing Meeting

To choose plays for the November 2012 production and the 2012/2013 Christmas Show - details on this process can be found on the Members Programming page.

Plays proposed for November

• An Enemy of the People (Ibsen) - proposed by Oliver Clement/Gill Taylor, directed by Gill Taylor
• Glengarry Glen Ross (David Mamet) - proposed/directed by Chris Jefferies
• Of Mice and Men (Steinbeck) - proposed/directed by Margaret Winniak
• A Voyage Round My Father (John Mortimer) - proposed/directed by Gill Taylor

Play proposed for Christmas Show (January 2013)

• Santa in Space (Paul Reakes) - proposed by Margaret Winniak (if chosen, Margaret will withdraw her proposal for directing Of Mice and Men in November)

Sat 28th April 2012, 7pm, Welsh Church Hall

Stage Lighting Workshop

Run by Robert Bettelheim. No charge

"The Woodhouse Stage presents some real challenges to the director and the lighting designer. There are things that are easy but might seem really hard, and then some of the most basic things that you'll have seen in the West End are actually really hard in the Welsh Church.

"This workshop is intended to demonstrate stylistic choices in lighting, dramatic effects, and why getting lighting right makes an enormous difference to a scene and its drama.

"Rather than concentrating on the technical side of what lights do what, this little expose should be about how to start designing lighting from the first conception of the play to the refinement of it in the technical rehearsal. I could talk about Freznels, LEDs and the inverse square law, but instead I'm going to point lights at the stage and give people a chance to try things out."

Please email Jessie Greer with any enquiries and to confirm your place.

Thurs 26th April 2012, 7.45pm, Questors Theatre, Ealing

Open Stages Showcase Production

An excerpt from Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)

A preview of part of our September production, performed as part of the RSC's Open Stages project. Plus two other plays by different groups.

Tues 24th April 2012, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Play Reading/Pub Night

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

It Was a Carry On by Anthony Smith (Hosted by Anthony Smith)

It's 1967 and the cast of the movie Carry on Doctor have gathered at the famous Pinewood Studios in London to finish filming some scenes before they break for Christmas. When the cameras stop rolling the relationship between the actors and the ups and downs they have had with each other all come to light.

This new play, written by a Woodhouse member, is full of good old-fashioned humour, bringing to life these great iconic stars of the Carry On films who became so famous around the world.

US and THEM by David Campion (Hosted by Jackie Withnall)

A one-act play written in 1977 which is still regularly seen at drama festivals and can be performed by any number of actors of either sex. It's quite a physical play and I thought it might be fun to actually get up and move around. The dialogue can be divided between the characters in different ways. Characterisation is projected onto the lines. Essentially the story is about two different groups who meet midpoint and how they interact. A Recorder observes the scene and comments on it. Will anyone learn from the notes he has taken?

Sat 21st April 2012, 1.30-5.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Stage Combat Workshop

Come learn to throw a punch with professional choreographer Alison De Burgh! She has an impressive resume which includes stunt choreography at the National Theatre and RSC. Her most recent work includes the Fight Director for The Lady Killers, which is currently on at the West End. Alison will teach the basic skills of stage combat and there will be plenty of time for partner work in a safe environment to ensure the best learning possible, but also to make things much more fun!

Please make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you would be comfortable sitting and rolling on the floor in. To cover costs there will be a fee of £12 for members, £20 for non-members (£9 for concessions). Places are limited so please book online (see below). If you do not wish to book online or have any questions, please email Jessie Greer

Tue 17th April 2012

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 10th and Wednesday 11th April 2012, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Open Auditions for The Rivals

Open to members and non-members. Details of how to audition are on the production page.

Tue 20th March to Sat 24th March 2012, Chingford Assembly Hall

Waltham Forest Festival of Theatre

Six sessions of two or three short plays performed by 11 amateur companies with an adjudication at the end of each session and award of prizes on the Saturday evening. Woodhouse will be performing this year's Double Bill plays: TrueFM on 22nd March and Bed on 24th March. For full details click here.

9th, 10th, 16th, 17th March 2012, Welsh Church Hall

Spring Double Bill

TrueFM by Andy Harker and Bed by Jim Cartwright

Tues 13th March 2012, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Play Reading/Pub Night

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

The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

What to do when you're in love with someone who is in love with you, only because they think you're actually someone else? Two young couples, a moralistic widow, an Irish suitor, disguise, intrigue, love letters, Sheridan's rapier wit and satire are the perfect ingredients for this ultimate cocktail of a comedy of manners.

If you're not already familiar with this classic comedy, this is your chance to get to know it ahead of auditions for parts in our July production

Hosted by L J Hickerton

Thu 1st March at 7pm

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. If you wish to attend the meeting please email the Secretary for details.

Tue 28th February at 6.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Open Auditions for Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)(Extract)

These auditions are for an extract to be performed at the Questors Theatre, Ealing, as part of the RSC Open Stages London Regional Showcase on 26 April. See the production page for details. Later in the year there will be separate auditions for the full performance in Leytonstone scheduled for September.

Sat 25th February at 2pm and Tue 28th February at 8pm, Welsh Church Hall

Open Auditions for Honour

See the production page for details

Tues 21st February 2012, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Play Reading/Pub Night

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

Honour by Joanna Murray Smith

First produced in Melbourne in 1995, then at the National Theatre in 2003 and the West End in 2006, this modern classic brings a wrenchingly honest look at a familiar theme - the break up of a 30-year marriage. The play charts the shifting power balance between the four characters: George, the rather pompous literary critic; Honor, who gave up her writing career to to be the devoted wife; their fiesty daugher Sophie; and Claudia, the attractive ambitious young journalist who sets her cap at George. The play explores the nature of love. passion and commitment with honesty and humour and provides four cracking parts for actors. 

Hosted by Sharon Trotter

Tues 24th January 2012, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Play Reading/Pub Night

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

Special read-through of Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) by Ann-Marie MacDonald

The evening will be hosted by Mansoor Mir, who will also be directing the play in September 2012.

The production in September 2012 will be part of the RSC Open Stages scheme. We shall also performing an extract from the play on Thursday 26th September at the Questors Theatre in Ealing as part of the Open Stages Showcase event. The Playreading Pub Night on 24th January will be used to help cast this production. If you are interested in participating in the Showcase (on or off stage), then please do come along. If you can't make it on January 24th, please contact Mansoor to express your interest.

Please note that casting will be re-opened for the main production in September. There will therefore be two further open auditions in the spring (dates to be confirmed).

Tue 17th January 2012, 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.

13th, 14th, 20th, 21st January 2012, Welsh Church Hall

Babes in the Wood

by Damian Trasler, David Lovesy and Steve Clark

£8 adults, £5 concessions, special rates for parties

See Production Page for details

Sat 7th January 2012, 11am, Wanstead Tube

Flyering for Babes in the Wood

Come along and help publicize Woodhouse's next production and have a coffee afterwards with fellow members.

Sat 31st December 2011, 12 noon, Leytonstone Tube (Church Lane entrance)

Flyering for Babes in the Wood

Come along and help publicize Woodhouse's next production and have a coffee afterwards with fellow members. Please let Sharon know if you intend coming along.

Sat 17th December 2011, 11am, Wanstead Tube

Flyering for Babes in the Wood

Come along and help publicize Woodhouse's next production and have a coffee afterwards with fellow members.

Mon 12th December 2011, Star of India

Christmas Meal

Pre-meal drinks at the Walnut Tree at 7.30pm, meal at Star of India at 8.15pm

Book your place for the Christmas dinner by Monday 5 December. You can RSVP on the Facebook event page by clicking "yes", writing on the wall, or contacting Jessie Greer via Facebook or email. You won't want to miss it! Also all of those attending the dinner please bring along a wrapped unisex prezzie (£5 limit).

Tues 6th and Wed 7th December 2011, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Open Auditions for the Double Bill

For information about the two plays and how to audition for parts please see the Production Page.

Tues 6th December 2011, 7.30pm, Upstairs at the Sheepwalk, 692 High Rd, E11 3AA

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE

Play Reading/Pub Night

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

The Ghost Train by Arnold Ridley

A funny and spooky tale by Arnold Ridley, who later found fame as "Private Godfrey" in Dad's Army. An ill-assorted group of travellers are stranded late at night on a remote Cornish train station which, long ago, was the site of an horrific rail disaster - and which, according to local legend, is now haunted by a ghostly express train that means death to all who see it. . .  Lots of fun parts for actors and actresses of all ages. 

Hosted by Gill Taylor

Tue 29th November 2011, 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.

Tues 15th November, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Play Reading/Pub Night

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

Crawl to be Kind by Troy Banyan

Bristol-based playwright Troy Banyan has had plays published by Samuel French or performed at Drama festivals and would welcome feedback on this one. It focuses on PAT, a recently divorced woman who has decided to break away from inner city life and live in more rural surroundings. Because the proceeds from her house sale were not enough to buy the new house alone, she has persuaded her elderly mother MONA to move with in her rather than going through with her plan of moving into Sheltered Housing in the city with some of her friends.

When they arrive at the new house they find a note apparently from the previous occupants to say that while packing up they dropped a tank containing their son’s pet tarantula, which they could not find and could not spend any more time looking for as they were catching a flight to Australia. As Pat is an arachnophobe (‘money spiders bring her out in a cold sweat’), she naturally panics, but unbeknownst to her this is a plot arranged by Mona, partly with the intention of helping Pat to face her arachnophobia but also as revenge for coercing her to into moving in with her. However, with the arrival of some "helpful" neighbours, a health-and-safety-conscious removal man and another arachnophobe from the Electricity Company, things soon get out of hand. . .

Deadline by Robert Shearman

What if... Doctor Who did not materialise as a television series?

Martin Bannister was once a promising young writer, but somewhere along the line everything went wrong. His career is now in tatters, he has a son who hates him, all his wives keep dying in the wrong order, and there's a nasty green stain in his bedroom that could be an alien footprint (or mould). As he looks back on the ruin of his life, he wonders whether it all started with that children's science fiction programme that never got produced. Whatever became of Doctor Who?

Originally released as an audio drama by Big Finish Productions in 2003 (and featuring Sir Derek Jacobi in the lead role) the play effortlessly blends comedy, tragedy, fantasy and mundane reality in order to illustrate Martin's rapidly deteriorating mental state.

Hosted by Mansoor Mir

4th, 5th, 11th and 12th November, Welsh Church Hall

Terry Pratchett's Carpe Jugulum

See Production Page for details

Tue 8th November, 7.30pm, Welsh Church Hall

Play Choosing Meeting

All current paid-up members are invited to a meeting to select plays for the March, June and July 2012 production slots.

A list of plays to be advocated at the meeting is now available here.

Sat 29th October, 11am, Leytonstone Tube (Church Lane side)

Flyering for Carpe Jugulum

Come along and help publicize Woodhouse's next production and have a coffee afterwards with fellow members. If you plan to attend please email Sharon Trotter.

Sat 22nd October, 11am, Wanstead Station

Flyering for Carpe Jugulum

Come along and help publicize Woodhouse's next production and have a coffee afterwards with fellow members. If you plan to attend please email Jackie Withnall.

Tue 18th 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.

This page lists past events from mid-2011 on. There is also an archive of earlier events which goes back to the date this website went live (14 July 2004).

If you like the look of what we do, but aren't a member, then why not explore how to get involved and join?