The priory players

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‘OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD’ auditions

8 March 2017

We had to have two evenings for auditions as there was an excellent turn out. It's really encouraging to have such a flourishing company and that so many are interested in being part of our production of ‘OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD‘. It does mean, however, that I was unfortunately unable to cast everybody who auditioned. But a big thank you to everybody who attended.

Val Youngman, Director.

The cast is as follows
Captain Arthur Phillip, Royal Navy/John Wisehammer – Andy Pace
Major Robbie Ross, Marine Regiment/Ketch Freeman – John Ward
Captain David Collins, MR/Robert Sideway – Paul Commerford
Captain Watkin Tench, MR/Caesar – Adam Scott
Captain Jeremy Campbell, MR – Martin Cooper-Langham
Reverend Johnson – Perry Wright
Lieutenant George Johnston, MR/Duckling Smith – Siobhan Wharton
Lieutenant Will Dawes, MR/Liz Morden – Bette Davis
Second Lieutenant Ralph Clark, MR – Patrick MacDonald
Second Lieutenant William Faddy, MR/Dabby Bryant – Christine Ward
Midshipman Harry Brewer, RN/John Arscott – John Healey
Meg Long – Simone Phillips
Mary Brenham – Rachel O'Neill

Donation to Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice

21 February 2017

The Chair of our Company, Andy Pace, was very pleased to be able to present a cheque to the Bexley & Greenwich Community Hospice at the group's AGM on Tuesday 21st February. Present to receive the cheque for £777 was Rianna, a member of the Hospice's fund raising team.

The money was raised through raffles held at our recent pantomime. A further £180 was collected at the door. Our next production is ‘OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD‘ by Timberlake Wertenbaker on June 15th, 16th and 17th. Further information can be found on our forthcoming productions page.

‘OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD’ Auditions

15 February 2017

The June production will be "OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD" by Timberlake Wertenbaker. The dates are Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 June.

Those of you who have been in the company for more than a couple of years will know that we have tried to put on this play two or three times in the past but couldn't get a licence. At one point we got as far as casting the play and were ready to start rehearsals when our licence was withdrawn! It's an unfortunate aspect of amateur productions that this can happen. But I'm optimistic that this year we can put the play on finally.

For those of you who don't know the play (and a short reminder to those who might have forgotten) it is set in the first colony of convicts deported to Australia.in the late 1870s. Based on a true incident, it tells how the liberal minded civilian Governor persuaded the more hard line military authorities to allow the convicts to put on a play, in the belief that it would give them some purpose and enlightenment beyond the drudgery of work. Dealing as it does with convicts and embittered soldiers the themes of the play are of an adult nature with some appropriately adult language.

There are 6 male and 4 female roles and all actors double as soldiers/convicts. It might be possible, depending on the numbers who wish to be involved, that we cast more than 10 actors and cut out some doubling. Also, I will try to introduce non speaking parts to act as "extras" – sailors, convicts, soldiers.

Although I have cast the play previously, I will start afresh to give all our members an opportunity to audition. So the auditions are open to all – members and non members, experienced actors or those who have never set foot on stage before. The audition date is Tuesday 28 February at 8.00pm in the Progress Hall. If anybody can't make that date please let me know and I will organise an audition for another time.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on 28 February.

Best wishes

Val Youngman, Director.

Visit to see the Mayor of Greenwich

6 May 2014

During her visit to see the Panto in January, Angela Carnforth, the Mayor of Greenwich, kindly offered the company a chance to visit the Town Hall and on Wednesday 30 April seventeen of us took up her offer.

It turned out to be a very interesting visit which we all thoroughly enjoyed, particularly as it was accompanied by a very tasty array of snacks and a glass of wine! The Mayor firstly greeted us in the Mayor's Parlour and showed us some of the fascinating historical gifts presented to the office of Mayor at various civic occasions including framed sheets of the last music played by the Royal Artillery Band before it moved out of Woolwich.

We then entered the Council Chambers where Ewan and Connor immediately took on the roles of Mayor and Deputy by sitting in the ceremonial seats of office. Angela gave us a real insight into how the Council debates are run which most of us had previously had little idea about. Finally we returned to the Parlour where Ewan and Connor were given the chance to don the Mayoral robes and feel the weight of both the Woolwich and Greenwich chains of office as well as the chain which was made when the two Boroughs were merged in 1965. We would like to thank the Mayor and her staff who looked after us so well and gave us such an enjoyable evening.

We would recommend anybody to take the chance to go to one of the Council meetings which are always open to the public.

‘THE ODD COUPLE’

6 May 2014

We are well into rehearsals for ‘THE ODD COUPLE’ and everybody concerned is very pleased with how things are shaping up. Lines are learnt and Andy is now into the fine tuning that this allows.

Many of us think that this script is a lot funnier than the better known male version. Behind the scenes the set is in the process of being built and many of the furniture and props for the play are already being used.

Tickets are available from the Box Office, details of which can be found at the bottom of the page.

AGM 2014

29 January 2014

Our AGM will take place at the Progress Hall on Tuesday 4 February at 8.00pm. The AGM is open to all members and supporters of the company so we would be pleased to see you there.

The meeting will be in the large room at the back of the hall.

The Mayor of Greenwhich attends ‘CINDERELLA’

29 January 2014

The Mayor of Greenwich, Angela Cornforth, attended the Saturday night performance of ‘Cinderella’ as an invited guest.

She seemed to thoroughly enjoy the show (as did the audiences for all the performances) and at the end of the show she drew the raffle organised to raise money for the Freddie Farmer Foundation.

We are pleased to say that the raffle and collection raised over £350 for Freddie. We are also pleased to say that the Foundation has acquired a building in which to establish the therapy centre and work is proceeding in refurbishing and installing the equipment. It is planned that the centre is opened in the Spring. So that is very good news. However, the Foundation will need to continue to raise money to run and maintain the centre, including the employment of (initially) two therapists. So no doubt we will continue to support Freddie in the future.

Cast change for ‘THE ACCRINGTON PALS’

1 October 2013

Unfortunately, circumstances mean that George Coward has had to pull out of the cast so we have had to recast. Alex Bowen (who was going to play Ralph) is now undertaking the part of Tom and Perry Wright has stepped in to take on the part of Ralph.

We are sorry that George is unable to take part but we hope to see him on stage for the PPs at a later date. Many thanks to Alex and Perry for taking on their new roles at short notice. We have been rehearsing with the new cast for about two weeks and everybody has been very professional under the circumstances.

The amended cast list is as follows:

Tom – Alex Bowen
May – Teresa Groves
Arthur – Adam Scott
Reggie – Harry Smith
Ralph – Perry Wright
Eva – Anna Ward
Annie – Helga Crowley
Sarah – Ariel Dodson
Bertha – Cigdem Kemal
CSM Rivers – John Ward

Props for ‘THE ACCRINGTON PALS’

30 July 2013

There is a long list of props for ‘The Accrington Pals’ and I would be grateful if anybody could provide us with a full size tin bath – one of the characters has to take a bath on stage so it needs to be a functioning bath.

If anyone can get hold of one please contact me at info@theprioryplayers.com. Thanks.

Val Youngman (Director)

Annual Ramble

23 July 2013

On Sunday 14 July we undertook our annual ramble – on one of the hottest days of the year!

We met at ‘The Leather Bottle’ in Cobham and for some bizarre reason we elected to carry on with the walk rather than stay in the pub all day. The prospect of returning the same way was scant consolation.

The ramble took us through some beautiful Kent countryside, a mixture of farmland and woodland and we eventually converged on the Darnley Mausoleum – a hideous looking Victorian monument! We headed back to Cobham after a lovely break for lunch under
a shady tree. By the time we had returned to ‘The Leather Bottle‘ we were all grateful
for the refreshment available.

Another enjoyable day in the countryside.

Ramble

9 July 2013

We will be holding our annual ramble on Sunday 14 July 2013. Anybody interested in joining us please meet at the Progress Hall at 10:00am.

‘THE ACCRINGTON PALS’

5 June 2013

Further auditions for our October production will be held on Tuesday 11 June at 8.30pm after the set for the last production has been struck. All members and non-members of the company are most welcome.

New photos added to the Gallery

23 March 2013

New photos of past shows have been added to the Gallery section of our website.

Many of the people appearing in the photos going back more than 30 years are still active members of the Company today.

Where did all the years – and the hair – go?

‘STATIONED’

22 March 2013

Last year we successfully performed an Easter production of ‘STATIONED’, a Lenten meditation written by member Terry Cooling. We have been invited to perform again
this year and ‘STATIONED’ will be performed at St Lukes in Westmount Road, Eltham
on Palm Sunday (24 March – this Sunday) beginning at 6.00pm. Everybody is welcome.
A collection will be taken and our part will be donated to Demelza House Childrens' Hospice.

‘WOMAN IN MIND’

22 March 2013

The rehearsals for our June production are well under way now and the director, Andy,
has expressed satisfaction at the progress that has already been made.

The cast is as follows:

Susan — Kath Lynch
Bill — Terry Cooling
Andy — John Ward
Lucy — Cigdem Kemal
Tony — Perry Knight
Gerald — Val Youngman
Muriel — Chris Ward
Rick — Alex Bowen

The Alexandra Players performance of ‘DAISY PULLS IT OFF’

22 March 2013

A couple of weeks ago a party of Priory Players members went along to Charlton to see the Alexandra Players perform ‘DAISY PULLS IT OFF. We have begun, as a group, to attend the Alexandra Players' productions (and those by the Roan Players) as a sort of reciprocal arrangement where they come along to see ours.

We feel that it helps all of us to support each other in this way and we have also begun to advertise in each others' programmes where practical.

The October production

22 March 2013

We are pleased to let you know that our October production will be ‘THE ACCRINGTON PALS’ by Peter Whelan.

Set during the First World War, the play is based on the true story of a group of young men from the Accrington area who volunteered to join the army. The central characters are, however, the women who were left at home to deal with the emotional impact of seeing their brothers, lovers, husbands leaving for the front and the devastation that followed.

The play will be directed by Val Youngman. Auditions will be held shortly so please keep an eye on the website for news of the dates. There are several characters in the early 20s range, some slightly older, a male and female in their 40s and a male in the 40/50 range. Val would like to keep within that range but is flexible so if you are interested but feel you might be outside the range please come along to the auditions and chat with Val.

‘DICK WHITTINGTON AND THE CAT’ raises £447.41 for the Freddie Farmer Foundation

3 February 2013

Last week we raised £447.41 for the Freddie Farmer Foundation during our production of Dick Whittington and The Cat.

Terry Wheeler, who played the Night Watchman and helps with our publicity, said: “This year’s panto was a great success. It’s the second year we’ve supported Freddie Farmer’s charity, and we’re delighted to support the campaign to raise £250,000 to set up a specialised physiotherapy centre in south-east London for children and young people with cerebral palsy and serious mobility problems.

Funds were raised through a raffle, and the winning tickets were drawn by the Mayor of Greenwich, Councillor David Grant who attended the Saturday night performance.

“We had some great prizes donated by local businesses,” said Terry, who organised the prizes and coordinated the raffle on the night. “Our top prize was a luxury hamper but there were lots more great prizes, including manicure and pedicure treatments from Terri's Nail & Beauty Place on Well Hall Road and a meal for two at Gurkha's Inn in Greenwich.”

A big thank you to the businesses and individuals that donated prizes and our patrons who bought raffle tickets.

The Mayor of Greenwich, who stayed until all the prize winners were drawn, also donated £20 to the foundation.

Mayor David Grant, Mayoress Ann Grant, Val Youngman (who played Baron Blunderspell in the show) and Freddie Farmer at the Progress Hall after the show.

Dates for your diary

21 January 2013

Tuesday 29 January
Taking down the panto set. Obviously the more people who turn up for this the quicker and easier it is for everybody so we would love to see as many of you as possible. Tea and biscuits are provided.

Tuesday 5 February
Annual General Meeting of the Company. Everybody is most welcome to the AGM which usually is (thankfully!) reasonably short. We would love to see as many people as possible and look forward to hearing suggestions and ideas for the forthcoming season. The AGM starts at 8.00pm in the Progress Hall.

Tuesday 12 February
Read through of ‘WOMAN IN MIND’ by Alan Ayckbourn, the play for May/June directed by Andy Pace. Everybody is welcome to the read through whether or not you are currently a member of the company.

The Priory Players support The Freddie Farmer Foundation again at this years panto

15 January 2013

Once again we will be raising money for The Freddie Farmer Foundation during our production of ‘DICK WHITTINGTON AND THE CAT’ that starts on Wednesday 23 January.

We will be holding a raffle for a hamper during each performance and are looking for donations to make up the hampers. If anyone has any unwanted food or drink that they would like to donate please let us know.

We will be raising money for the foundation among members of the Eltham community that flock to our annual panto production at the Progress Hall on Admiral Seymour Road, Eltham.

‘DICK WHITTINGTON AND THE CAT’ will be performed at the Progress Hall, Admiral Seymour Road, Eltham, on Wednesday, 23 January (6.30pm); Thursday, 24 January (7.45pm), Friday, 25 January (7.45pm) and Saturday, 26 January (2.30pm and 7.45pm).

Tickets cost £7 (£6 cons) and are available at the box office number at the foot of the page.

TO FIND OUT MORE about The Freddie Farmer Foundation, visit www.freddiefarmerfoundation.org.uk

Donate online at www.bmycharity.com/freddiefarmer

Follow on twitter @readyfreddiego

Change of rehearsal venue for ‘DICK WHITTINGTON AND THE CAT’

14 January 2013

We have had to rearrange our rehearsal venue for Tuesday 15 January and it will now take place at Anstridge Hall in Anstridge Road, SE9 2LL at the usual time of 8.00pm.

We will be back at Progress Hall on Thursday of this week for an additional rehearsal and then back again on Saturday at 10.00am to finish off the set. As always everybody is welcome to both rehearsals and set-building. Both rehearsals and the set are coming a treat and we are all looking forward to a cracking Priory Players Panto.

Saturday matinée performance of ‘DICK WHITTINGTON AND THE CAT’

14 January 2013

The Saturday matinee performance at 2.30pm on 26 January has now sold out.

If anybody would like to bring along younger members of the family then perhaps the Wednesday 23 January performance which starts at 6.30pm might be an alternative
although we appreciate that for some youngsters that is difficult as it is mid-week.

‘ALL MY SONS’ review

5 November 2012

Below is a copy of the online review of our last production which appeared on www.elthamse9.co.uk

Priory Players go Yankee!

The Priory Players, an Eltham amateur theatre company, has delighted local audiences since 1965. I attended their latest production of Arthur Miller's 'All My Sons' at the Progress Hall and found this was no exception. The story line was set in USA in 1946 and the cast did well to recreate that era, and the dilemmas encountered when business, war and self interest clash.

The story is about the Keller family and their neighbours. Joe Keller has an engineering business that once supplied aircraft parts during the war. However there had been a scandal when faulty parts were supplied and airmen had lost their lives. He and his neighbour had been arrested, but Joe had been cleared when his neighbour had been imprisoned. At the time of the play, Joe and his wife Kate's son, Larry, had been missing presumed dead for three years but his mother maintained a belief that he was still alive. The remaining son wants to marry Larry's girlfriend, Annie, upsetting his mother. There is a dénouement when Annie's brother George Deever, who is also the son of the imprisoned neighbour comes to call...

The Director, Val Youngman, has been with the company since 1992. He not only did a splendid job to put this complex play on stage with an amateur company, but stepped into one of the main characters shoes (Joe) when the cast member was ill. New cast members Perry Knight (playing George Deever), Helga Brandao and Andy Stuart (playing neighbours Lydia and Frank Lubey) all did a commendable job and I am sure we will be seeing them again in future productions. Chris Ward played another neighbour, Sue Bayliss, and was an important part of the background to the intrigue and views of neighbours.

Young Harry Smith, playing a neighbour's child Bert, looked the part of a 1940's all American boy and did a great job in annoying his neighbour Jim Bayliss, the doctor played by John Ward. The more experienced Margaret Pace, who played the emotional and friendly mother Kate Keller, did an excellent job in making you feel sympathetic for her mostly irrational views about her missing son and feelings about his girlfriend's plans to marry his brother.

Kevin Coward played Chris Keller, the son left behind who had always held a candle for his brother's girlfriend, Annie. He was very believable as his character developed throughout the play, torn between his love for Annie and his mother's views, and then the realisation about his father. Sarah King's portrayal of Ann Deever was also solid, and the scenes of them together I felt were some of the best in the play.

Well done, Priory Players! We certainly have some talent in Eltham. Look forward to the panto in January.

Gaynor Wingham
Eltham Town Centre Partnership Arts Rep

A big thank you

15 October 2012

Andy Pace, who was playing the part of Joe Keller in our production of ‘ALL MY SONS’, unfortunately collapsed on stage during Thursdays performance. It was a frightening experience for all concerned, audience, cast members and, of course, Margaret, Andy's wife, and Andy himself. He was taken to hospital where he was given a range of check ups and then allowed to go home.

We are pleased to say that Andy is now on the way to a full recovery after a few days recuperation. We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused to our audience members on Thursday night and thank them for their concern and best wishes for Andy. Thanks also to the people who have rung or texted since to ask after his well-being.
Andy was distraught that he was unable to perform on Friday or Saturday night and the cast understood his distress, particularly after the considerable hard work that he had put in to preparing for the role.

However, we decided as a company that we would recognise the commitment shown by everybody involved with the production and proceed with the last two performances with the director, Val Youngman, reading in the role of Joe Keller. We appreciate the support given by our audiences on Friday and Saturday nights under these rather unusual circumstances.

Set building for ‘ALL MY SONS’

13 September 2012

Set building begins on Saturday 15th (this Saturday) for the next 3 weeks at Progress Hall from 10.00am to 4.00pm and all help would be most appreciated.

Change of rehearsal venue

31 August 2012

The rehearsal scheduled for Tuesday 4th September at Progress Hall will now be held at St. Marys Community Centre in Eltham High Street on Wednesday 5th September at 8.00pm.

‘ALL MY SONS’ rehearsal update

30 August 2012

Val Youngman, who is directing the October production, is very pleased with the way rehearsals are progressing. There is an interesting mix in the cast of experienced players
and newcomers to the Priory Players but everybody is totally involved in the play and the rehearsals are intense and stimulating.

One of the new members remarked that he was thoroughly enjoying being part of the company but hadn't realised how much hard work went into rehearsals.

Francis Eastwood has agreed to hire and set up the lights for the show and James Shaw is going to operate them during the performances. Dave Walsh has produced a super poster and if anybody could find a space to display the poster then please come up to the hall during one of the rehearsals to collect or get in touch with Val and he will arrange to get some to you.

Set building starts on Saturday 15th September and any assistance would be greatly appreciated.