THE LATEST NEWS

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18/12/11

A Grand Christmas Concert

Well that's another one under our belt and very well recieved too, by our audiences, I'm pleased to report. The Thursday show was the better of the two, mainly because the baby Jesus made an appearance on cue whereas on Saturday he seemed to be missing from both Mary's arms and the crib for almost the whole of the nativity scene until I told Mary & Joseph to pick hm up from by their feet and put him in the crib, which they did to a general titter through the audience.......... We had the wonderful choir called 'Calabash' who performed a few West Indian numbers for us which was very well received and who I would like to thank very much for taking the time to come and sing for us. While I'm at it I wiould also like to thank Snata Claus for taking time out of his busy schedule to pay us a visit, veyr much appreciated, I'm sure.So all in all a real success, MAny thanks to all who took part and helped to make it the success it was.

21/09/11

The latest news is not so good,. We have had to cancel this years Pantomime 'Aladdin' due to lack of interest. But we have now decided to up-grade his years Mincepies & Monologues' to make it into a full blown 'Grand Christmas Concert'. So if you or anyone you know would like to take part in it then let me know a.s.a..p. The first rehearsal will b eon Monday 10th October at Wesley Memorial Church Hall, Bryants hill, St. George. and rehearsals will be on Mondays & Thursdays thereafter. The performance dates are 16th & 17th December at 7.30p.m. in the same hall.

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The 'Little French Variety Show' and 'Musketeer' are going well. The first two performances are now over and done and were a great success, especially the children's 'Musketeer' very well done to Findlay for creating a wonderful production, and well done to all the kids who have worked hard to pull it all off so well.

Well done to Peter too,who has managed to mould the adults into some semblance of order and to create the 'Little French Variety show'.. It's no mean feat when dealing with the likes of me................

Member of the Month

I have started a new page called Member of the Month, so make sure you pop over to see it and may be drop me a line with your thoughts for a new M.O.T.M next month!

More pictures of Bad Day At Black Frog Creek have now been put on the Black Frog Creek page: Have a look

04/07/11

If you would like to join the Stagelights please feel free to come along to any rehearsal to meet 'The Gang', you will be more than welcome, and the kettle is always hot!

We are always on the lookout for anyone who may like to come along for the fun... If you can sew, paint, play a musical instrument, i.e. The drums. (We have our own set but no one to play them at the moment) or any other instrument, build sets/scenery/props or just help us to build them, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Of course actors and actresses are always in high demand, especially the former.

Musketeers

Findlay is doing a sterling job in directing this play. He would just like to remind you that the play will only be as good as the work that the actors put in, so please get your lines learnt, and learn your songs too please.

You can practice your songs by going to the 'Practice Songs' page here

11/06/11

Rehearsals are well underway now for the next production which is a double bill for which we are getting well known, the first half is a 'Little Variety Show' which is being divised and directed by Peter Davies and performed by the adult section of the club, and is shaping up nicely to be a very good little show. It has a tenuous French theme running through it and along with songs and dances there are some very funny skits and comedy spots. After this 'little show' by the adults the junior section will then perform 'Musketeer' a one act play that is being directed by the inimitable Findlay Claydon. A short play that is full of humour and laughter. so please don't miss these gems, brought to you in the middle weeks of September. See 'Current Productions' for more information.

Fish & Chips again !!!!

A successful evening again on Fridayn 17th June, we had another evening at McGuires fish and chip restaurant. About 22 members came along and joined in the fun. I have to say it, but McGuires doesn't half do a good fish and chip supper. Absolutely scrumptious, probably the best in Bristol, certainly the best I've had in Bristol.

Don't forget if you'd like to leave any comments abiout the thetre club please use either the 'Guest Book' or the 'Shoutbox' on the index (Home) page

25/03/2011

Tickets are now on sale from

1, John Hicks 0117 9477413 or in person from any rehearsal at Wesley Memorial Church Hall on Monday & Thursday evenings 7p.m. - 9p.m.

2 In person from Wesley Memorial Church Hall, Bryants Hill, St George on Thursday evenings betwen 7p.m. and 9p.m.

3, Iimmediately off the internet by clicking on the following link and following the instructions.

22/02/11

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Giggle-Cum-Wiggleswind

A report will appear here soon but for the photographs please click below

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15/05/10

Hans C. Andersen and Miss Glossop!

Well! what a show. One night down and 3 to go. I have to say that I was so proud of everyone last night. I think this is the first show I have done in over 43 years of Amateur dramatics that I haven't felt that at least one actor was a bit weak, or hadn't learnt their lines so well, because every single one of you in both the adults and the juniors play were brilliant. I have been playing one off against the other a bit to see who was doing best in line learning etc, and it has been very difficult to judge it as you have all been doing so well, and even last night in the performance I still wouldn't like to say who did better than the other. There are only two people I am going to mention by name, the first is Annie, I was so sorry to hear she had injured herself in the aftenoonr and was not able to perform, and on behalf of everyone in the Stagelights I hope that arm gets better very quickly, and the other person is Poppy who very quickly, with only an hours notice took on Annie's roles as well as her own, and she did splendidly and saved the day. Well done Poppy!

'Break A Leg' for tonight's show, and also the same goes for the two shows next Friday & Saturday 21st & 22nd of May at 7p.m. Have a good time, and most importantly of all enjoy yourselves.

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The 'Thanksgiving Service' for the Stagelights will be held at 3.30p.m. on Sunday 6th June at the wesley memorial Church, and everyone is welcome to be there for that, infact I would ask that everyone is there for that. We are singing 4 songs and doing a very funny 5 minute sketch about the 'Old Ladies Sunday Service'during the Thanksgiving service so please try and come along.

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Coffee Morning

Rod & John will be holding a coffee morning at 46 Poplar Road on Wednesday the 19th March so please put this in your diaries. We will have a cake stall and a plant stall so donations of home made cakes, buns or biscuits and plants to sell would be wonderful, and help on the day would be good too. Don't forget to tell your friends and rellys all about it as the more that attend the more money we raise for the Stagelights. and depending on how successful this one is we may do another in September..

I have now put photos taken in the dressing room of Mother Goose on the web site and also some taken of the members receiving their Awards at the AGM on March 1st. Just click on the links.

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15/02/10

Mother Goose

Well, that's another one done and dusted, and all over bar the shouting. I am very pleased to report that Mother Goose went down very well with both Audiences and cast. I think I can safely say we all had a jolly good time, and roll on the next one.... For pictures and film of Mother Goose please go to

MOTHER GOOSE PICTURES

2010 Coffee Morning

A date for your diary. Wednesday 19th May John & Rod are holding a Coffee morning at Periglis, 46 Poplar Road, Hanham BS15 3BD at 10a.m. to 2p.m. in the garden, weather permitting, if not we'll have it inside. There will be a cake stall and a plant stall, so please remember this and if you can't make it for the Coffee morning then a home made cake for the stall or some plants to sell would be great. All proceeds to go to the Stagelights.

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11/12/09

The May 2010 Show

It has been decided by the committee to do another double bill. (2 one act plays) in May. it was also decided to try doing 4 performances over two weekends rather than our normal way of 3 performances over 1 weekend

See Future productions for more information.

Mincepies & Monologues

Mincepies and Monologues went very well again this year. With 21 members taking part it was a good show. unfortunately Steve Gill and Pete Davies had to drop out at the last minute but we managed to cope nonetheless, apart for me who managed to read Steve's poem and half way through realized there should have been 2 pieces of paper and I only had one, so could only read half the poem......... Whoops!!!! There were about 40 people in the audience who seemed to enjoy our selection of poems, carols and songs again which is good. We managed to make a profit of just over £50 for club funds which is very nice, add that to the fun and enjoyment we all had doing the show and we can certainly call it a roaring success.

17/11/09

I have put a load more pictures up on the Dracula: The Musical? page now along with the Critique if you'd like to go to either of them just click on the underlined words.

Mother Goose

The rehearsals are coming along very nicely and much singing and screaming can be heard coming from the hall every Monday and Thursday.

Remember it is imperative that everyone attends every rehearsal from now on. You are only as good as the rehearsals that you put in. i.e. the more rehearsals then the better you will be on performance night.

Miss the rehearsals and you will let all your colleagues down not just yourself

Tickets are now on sale, so if you want to get seats up close and personal with the actors, get your tickets now.

At the moment we are desperately looking for stage hands, so if you would enjoy coming along and joining in get in touch with John quick As backstage hands there is not such a requirement for your time until nearer the performance dates and I can assure we have a lot of fun.

Another person we would like to find is someone to act as props manager for us. It is a fun position to be in, and you will get to hear all the fun and nonsense as it goes ahead.

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Good news: We have had a few new members come and join us over the last few months, which is brilliant, please go to New members to see who

Glorious Garden Open day

July 26th at Poplar Road

I am very pleased to report that the open garden day went with great success again this year. We managed to raise the princely sum of £284 for the stagelights coffers.The only drawback was that the weather was a little poor, but due to the fact that we managed to get it advertised in the Observer we had people come in from far and wide, Bath, Yate, Frampton Cottrell to name but a few places. 89 people came through the gate in total which, considering the weather was a miracle. Sadly I didn't get any pictures this year of the event, but I think everyone was very impressed with the garden, and those that partook of tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits etc was impressed with them as well, or at least I hope so. A few Stagelights members came along to lend a hand, as well as Mark and Sam Veitch, Pauline was to be found in her usual spot on the gate cajoling the dosh from the customers as they entered, and her wonderful husband Richard was hard at work again telling every one about the plants that were on sale and he did a brilliant job and very nearly sold right out, just a few plants left. He managed to take £100.50p for his efforts, Well done Richard. In the kitchen, working like slaves were Gloria, (Pete's wife) and her friend Elaine with young Jamie making the teas and coffees and preparing the crockery for service, washing up and generally keeping the whole place fed and watered. They were helped by Peter and Margaret who came along to kindly lend a hand. Brenda, Ashleigh, Jordan, Grace & Kim did stirling work running up and down the garden taking the orders and delivering the food to the customers. Thanks must go to Ann Way for making a superb carrot cake for us again, which I think was the highlight of the tastebuds. To Carol Turley (Rods Mum) for a delicious chocolate cake and some wonderful sausage rolls, Alison for her famous Banana cake and Mandy for that wonderful upside down pineapple pud and fairy cakes that arrived half an hour after we' d closed the gates!!!!! Thanks also to go to Viv, Margaret, Carole, Jill & Melanie Balch for the raffle Prizes also to Rod especially, who has been working so hard for the last few months on the garden to get it ready for the open day that it must not go unmentioned here just how much we all appreciate his hard work and the money that it helps to raise for the club.

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27/02/09

Last week while we are at rehearsals I was having a chat with the 'Church Ladies' and it would appear that two of them, Bless their little hearts, decided that they would like to come along and take part in the Talent show. So after some quick rehearsing of their own they trundled along up to the church, and as they approached they wondered about the fact that it was all in darkness, and after buzzing around outside for about half an hour they decided that it was obviously not on as no one lese had appeared. They soon found out after a quick phone call that they were only 4 weeks too late. What a shame, it would have been lovely to listen to their poems, at least we know we can rope them in next time.

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23/02/09

The Quiz Night was a great success and there is a report and pictures Here

16/02/09

The Eisteddfod

Pauline

Bethany ~ Findlay ~ Archie

Very good news indeed this week, Pauline, as Chairman, decided to spend her 'Chairman's allowance' of £30 this year on getting a few youngsters through an Eisteddfod to give them the experience of public performance in a solo situation in contest. So last September Grace, Findlay and Lorelie were entered and did very well with Lorelie being commended for a modern dance which she choreographed herself. and Findlay and Grace receiving Merits for the poems they read. This week however Pauline coached 4 youngsters for the Eisteddfod that was held in Hanham Folk Center on Saturday 14th Feb. Sadly Grace, who was due to read a wonderful poem that her Grandfather had written called 'The Trouble With Faries', was sick and so therefore unable to attend. Three other youngsters however did mange to get there, Archie, Findlay and Bethany with all three reading poetry, in various categories, and I am thrilled to report that all three received 'Merits' with Findlay also winning the cup for 1st prize in his category. So The Stagelights can all be justly proud of these members. Well done to all three and we look forward to Grace hopefully winning at the next one with her poem. Congratulations must also go to Pauline for helping the youngsters to prepare and rehearse for the Contest.

7/02/09

The New Stagelights News sheet

I am putting together a 'News sheet' all about the stagelights with past, present & future 'doings' and I would like some input from the rest of the members, so if you can come up with a short story, a poem, an anecdote or some other bit of news about what has happened to you or someone you know to do with theatre 'goings on' I would love to have it. you can either e mail it to me or give it to me on a rehearsal night. The idea for the news sheet is so we can send them out to patrons and friends of the Stagelights to let them know what is going on.

Also if you'd like to advertise in it or even on this web site please contact John.

Send an e mail to John

Talent Contest.

Saturday 31st Jan 2009

On Saturday we held our first talent contest at Wesley Memorial combined with our after show party which was a success but not quite as great a success as it could have been if everyone had turned up that said were going to. Even so, we had 7 entries for the contest. All of whom had put in plenty of time and effort in rehearsing their pieces. Archie Flook gave a very entertaining rendition on his guitar, as did Mark Veitch with his daughter Kim singing as accompaniment. Jordan and Ashleigh Weise enthralled us all with their pop dance. George Simpson sang a pop song and Sam Veitch read a piece of poetry. Simon Clark, a young man who very kindly stepped into the breach and saved the day when we found right at the last minute we were without a drummer for Red Riding Hood brought along his Xylophone and proved he is a master on that instrument as well as the drums, a great percussionist in the making. Poppy Clayton and Bethany Tiley had prepared a wonderful dance to an old favourite Abba tune, which went down very well with the audience.

Pauline, Peter, Sam V. & Brenda. sat on the panel to give commence and advice but the judging over all was done by the audience with everyone casting a vote for their favourite act. The winners were Mark and Kim Veitch who won 1st prize of £10 and the runners up were Ashleigh and Jordan who won £5. After the contest we all settled in to an American supper and enjoyed every morsel. Everyone supplied a plateful of food so there was a good selection to taste.

Alec Simpson came in and operated the lights for us and Brian Holder made us sound ok with the sound equipment. Gloria and Elaine kept us supplied with teas and coffees so all in all I think I can safely;y say that the 20 of us that turned up had a really good evening. Keep your eye out for the dates of our next talent contest.

l'd like to become a member of The stagelights please click on the link below to see the rules and membership fees etc.

MINCE PIES & MONOLOGUES

Well, Mincepies & Monologues has come and gone, and what a success it was once again. I am delighted to report that about 65 people came to enjoy our deliberations and by the exiting comments I think it was very well received. I personally enjoyed every second and I am sure that the members of the Stagelights who took part and few who came to watch it did also. Considering we only had 3 rehearsals (well, some of us) I think it well very well. I was very impressed with the juniors contributions, they all did a marvelous job, both with their set pieces to read and the jokes they had to tell. The 3 Soloists did a remarkable job, Georgina, Sam B & Kim, with their individual Carols, well done!

The whole evening was made even better by the serving of Hot mincepies and cups of tea & Coffee during the interval, so well prepared by Gloria and Elaine for which we are very grateful

Don't forget to leave a message and read other's messages on our shout box below.

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