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Ladies Day Update
The Ladies of Dorchester Drama have been out buying hats, not for a wedding, but for the latest production “Ladies Day” by Amanda Whittington.
“Work, love and life are just one long hard slog for the fish filleting foursome Pearl, Jan, Shelley and Linda. But their fortunes are set to change when Linda finds tickets to Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot the year it relocated to York. Out go the hairnets, overalls and wellies, as the four ditch work, do themselves up to the nines and head off for a drink, a flirt and a flutter. If their luck holds, they could hit the jackpot – and more besides!”
Meanwhile, downstairs, other Dorchester Drama members are getting together for a drink or two and to read through some other scripts, from Ayckbourn to Coward and beyond.
If you fancy joining in, helping out with the play or just the social side, come along to the Victoria pub in Dorchester on Monday evenings, 7:30ish for the next few months.
Christmas Social
Another cracking social evening, with members past, present and friends.
See a selection of photos below from the various skits and entertainment prepared for the evening. Having had to miss the evening myself, I can only hazard a guess as to what some members are up to…
Toad Comes Home
After an exhausting few days for the Cast and Crew, Toad of Toad hall comes to a close. The scenery and props are back in the store and costumes are being cleaned before joining them. A huge thanks to everyone who helped put this together, whether it was helping out with Front of House, painting a couple of flats on a Saturday morning, or getting up early and staying out late to help lifting, shifting etc.
Thank you.
There are some wonderful shots out there on the interweb of the set and players and some links are below.
First of all there’s some photos taken by a Friend of Badger’s, Mr John Boyle, capturing some quite unique moments of the play. – click Link –
Secondly, there’s Marion Cox’s review published on their website. On the whole a good review, but she felt that the play was let down by the length and didn’t like Toad. It is worth noting that the version that was printed in the paper had some of the better points edited out and they applied an unsuitably negative headline. An edit that Mrs Cox herself was not happy with. This may well have put the opportunist Punter from coming out on the Saturday night.
And last, and showing that different reviewers can see different perspectives, there’s Anita Harris’s review featured in her Durnovaria diaries. See below.
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Opening Tonight – Toad of Toad Hall
We open tonight, Show starting at 7pm.
We still have some tickets available on the door, so if you’re free, we’d love to see you.
Here are some pics from the dress rehearsal.
Toad News
Rehearsals are needing bigger spaces as we’re running the full play, so we’ve got the chance to mock up the set dimensions. This gives the Actors a feel for the space they will be performing in. It also gives the Techies a chance to try to spot problems before the Tech rehearsal.
Last night we spent some time putting together the fight scene. Here’s a little taster.
The Children (& Dee) have been practising some dance routines as well. The children have a variety of different roles, here, they’re ducks dabbling.
Publicity is out there, please spread the word around as much as possible and come to see the play. Watch out for some of the cast members handing out leaflets in town on Saturdays in costume as well. All help welcome.
Toad Poster
Here’s the Flyer that we’re currently circulating around some of the local schools.
PDF version to download below
Toad News
19th November, our opening night, is now less than a month away. Rehearsals are at full momentum and often interspersed with costume fittings.
There’s too many cast to list here fully, but the main characters are going to be played by:
- Toad – Lee Stroud
- Mole – Ann Ottaway
- Ratty – Ian Farley
- Badger – Mike Staddon
- Chief Weasel – Fran Sansom
There is also a whole host of weasels, field mice and other creatures that I’ll give credit too when I can.
The Directors are Dee Thorne & Lee Stroud.
We are still desperate for help behind the scenes and Front of House. We’re also hoping to get donations for raffle prizes as well. Anything you can help with please give us a call.
Tickets – Hold Fire, tickets are being printed and should be available next week, after half term. There will be a booking number to call for tickets, 01305 268692. You will also be able to buy tickets from Trinity Stores in Trinity St.
We’re doing 4 performances, 19th November 7:00pm, 20th November 7:00pm, 21st November 2:00pm & 7:00pm.
All performances will be at the Corn Exchange, Dorchester.
Prices will be £9 in advance or £10 on the door. All children’s tickets will be £6.
Toad News
Rehearsals are underway for Toad of Toad Hall, scheduled for November. Costume design is also well underway and we’ve got to set up a meeting for set design and lighting.
If you’re interested in helping out backstage, drop us line. We can always use a few more weasels and stoats to plot against Toad.
Below are a selection of photos from the initial rehearsals, including Weasels and Stoats.
Toad News
The next couple of weeks, 26th Aug & 2nd Sep, we will be meeting at Sunninghill main hall /Trinity Parish centre (where we put on Generations Apart) at 7:30pm to read through and cast ‘Toad of Toad Hall’.
Trinity Parish Centre – Culliford Road North, Dorchester. DT1 1QG
