Karen Smith
1 Sept 2023
I'm pleased to announce some exciting new developments in this months newsletter.
I am pleased to report that Hooky Players is going from strength to strength; the COVID years are well and truly behind us, and our membership is growing. If you hear of anyone interested in joining The Players, especially (but not limited to) those in the 18 to 40 age category, please encourage them to get in touch.
Here’s what’s coming up in the next few months. AMDRAM IS MURDER - directed by Kevin Hope Rehearsals are underway for what looks to be a very successful and fun event. The main cast is in place – Joy Dansette, John McCormick, Karen Smith, Helen Oxenham and Tori Perriss. Simon Johnson will be the MC and, at present, Hannah Crawley is our only ‘eyewitness’ and we could do with 2 more. If you are interested in being one, email Kevin - director@hookyplayers.co.uk. We have now sold out for our first performance in St Peter’s Church on Friday 13th October. We already have a couple volunteers to meet and greet, man the bar and serve the food, but if you can offer to help from 7.15pm, please let Mandy know at mandybristow@hotmail.com. We have two further performances of this Murder Mystery booked for Friday 20th and Saturday 21st October starting at 7.45pm in the Memorial Hall. A cheese and pâté supper will be served (vegetarian option available) followed by a sweet treat. Again, there will be a bar from 7.15pm, and offers of help with food service and bar service would be very much appreciated. We do need to promote these Memorial Hall performances, so please encourage your friends and neighbours to book either tables of 8 or individual tickets at just £15 per person. Tables and tickets can be purchased via www.hookyplayers.co.uk (on our What’s On page) or from Hook Norton Butchers. Hooky Players is also taking ‘Amdram is Murder’ to Middle Barton on Saturday 14th October. This will be our first venture into travelling theatre which feels very Shakespearian - but perhaps we are getting ahead of ourselves!
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
On Sunday 12th November we are giving two performances of this compilation of prose, play, poetry, and song in a festival of remembrance for all those from Hook Norton who gave their lives in the two World Wars. It is also an opportunity to raise funds for the Memorial Hall which, as many of you will know, is in need restoration and is the only venue in Hook Norton with a stage for us to perform on! 18 Hooky Players are taking to the stage for the acting and reading roles and we will be joined by a group of singers for the musical numbers and a member of the History Society who will read an excerpt from a newly published book about Hook Norton in World War II. Money raised will be shared between the Memorial Hall fund and the British Legion. There will be a performance at 2.30pm with a cuppa and cake, and one at 6.00pm with a small bar. Members have been generous with their commitment to the acting roles – however we will need a team of helper for the refreshments and the bar. Let Mandy know if you can help. Tickets at £10 per person can be purchard , once again, be purchased via the website or from Hook Norton Butchers and will be available from 1st October.
THE KING ARTHUR SHOW - directed by Richard Try
This Panto-esque production is planned for 22nd,23rd, and 24th February 2024 (on Saturday there will be a matinee as well as an evening performance). A casting date has been set for Tuesday 14th November at the Baptist Hall starting at 7.30pm. We will be looking to fill the following parts:
· King Arthur – a semi-retired middle-aged king
· Nimsie – the Lady of the Lake, a good sorceress
· Morgana le Fay – an evil sorceress
· Tortolina – daughter of Morgana
· Queen Guinevere, Gwinny – Arthur’s wife, and pantomime dame
· Gawain – a disgraced ex-knight
· Henry – a bipedal horse (non-speaking role)
· The Questing Beast – a terrible monster (non-speaking role)
If you are interested in one of these roles, please complete the online RSVP to let us know the sorts of roles you'd be interested in and ether or not you'll be able to make the casting evening on the 14th November at the Baptist Hall in Hook Norton.
Rehearsals will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in the Baptist Hall and start on 28th November, running through to 19th December, and resuming after a Christmas break on 9th January.
Regardless of whether you are interested in acting or would like to take any of the behind-the- scenes roles, come along to the casting and offer your support.
HOOKY PLAYERS QUIZ NIGHT
With a break from tradition, we are putting on a Quiz Night on Friday 1st December in the Memorial Hall. Please come along with friends to make up tables of up to 6 people and the cost of entry is £4 per person. You should register your team in advance via the What’s On page by clicking on this RSVP button and completing the online registration..
There will be a bar and a raffle. Members are asked to offer a raffle prize and, if not entering a team, to join a team ‘at the bar’ and assist with bar service, etc. All profits from this event will go to the Memorial Hall Fund.
Please can we remind those members who haven’t done so already to sign into our Hooky Players website as a member. Once on the home page, click on the icon to the right of Latest News and register. This is an excellent way to keep up to date with what is happening.
I look forward to seeing you at the above performances and events, and if you have any news or feedback that would be of interest to our membership, please let me know.