Following the success of our performance last Summer of The Essence of Love written by Philip Ayckbourn, The Alexandra Players in Charlton have been given a wonderful opportunity to stage a brand new production by the playwright.
Philip very kindly approached us and asked us to be the first group ever to perform a brand new play he has written called Timeshare – a comedy with farcical elements that plays with time and relationships.
The Alexandra Players, Charlton’s amateur theatre group have a new production coming up in February:
Set in an old coaching-house in a remote English Village, CAT’S CRADLE concerns an almost forgotten kidnapping, and perhaps murder, which was never resolved. As the play opens, the original inspector returns to reopen the investigation. However, his efforts are hindered as it becomes increasingly clear that he is facing a conspiracy of silence from the local townspeople and a past which is shrouded in mystery. The final denouement provides a completely unexpected twist to this intriguing and disturbing mystery.
It runs from February 17th to 20th at the Alexandra Hall on Bramshot Ave, and you can book tickets here. Find out more about the Alexandra Players.
Thursday 28th, Friday 29th & Saturday 30th May 2015 – 8.00pm. Doors open 30 minutes before curtain up. The Alexandra Hall, Bramshot Avenue, SE7 7HY
A mother and her daughter; a father and his son find themselves on neighbouring hotel terraces in Marrakesh. Add in a local trader with something very potent up his sleeve, all kinds of mayhem ensue! A lively comedy-farce that takes a wry look at the madness of infatuation and what remains when passions have run their course.
For our Winter 2015 production, we have chosen two short plays that will see children from the local community joining us, as well as a few of our newest members. The play opens on Thursday 19th February and runs until Saturday 21st February.
ACT I is a play called CINDERELLA: THE UNTOLD STORY by John O’Hara – the pantomime-ish fairytale wedding of the fake Cinderella and Prince Charming comes to a screeching halt when O’Reilly, a fairy tale fixer, breaks it up to reveal the true, untold story.
ACT II is a play called THE FLESH GAME by Rae Shirley – a lively comedy that takes a light-hearted look at slimming. Set in a regimented Health Spa, presided over by the humourless and power-loving Nurse Burton, its guests respond to its structure like naughty schoolchildren. They all have their different reasons for being there and there is plenty of fun and games as the different ways of cheating are sought.
People wishing to book seats can do so by any of the following methods:
News of the latest production from SE7’s amateur theatre group:
Thursday 30th October to Saturday 1st November
The Alexandra Players present We Happy Few, a comedy about an all-female troupe of strolling players during WWII, at the Alexandra Hall, Bramshot Avenue, Charlton at 7.45pm nightly.
“Inspired by the true wartime history of the Osiris Players, Imogen Stubbs’ comedy follows the adventures of a small group of women who come together to form a ‘girls only’ theatre company to take the plays of Shakespeare around a culture-starved Britain.”
Dates for your diary
A round-up of February events we’ve found in and around SE7. What have we missed? Let us know in the comments below or email neilclasper[at]gmail.com, and we’ll update the post as we get the chance.
15th Feb, 2.30pm: Charlton Society talk – John Beckham on ‘Wildlife in our local parks‘, Charlton House.
20th February, 7-9pm: Death Cafe at Charlton House. “Join us in the comfortable Dutch room to drink tea, eat cake and discuss life, death and what comes after!”.
26th February, 6.30pm: Global Fusion Music and Arts’ Fairtrade Fortnight Networking Event, Charlton House. “Fairtrade stalls including clothing, food, gifts, books, arts, and massage; plus dance, music and poetry – including a few songs from the GFMA singing group. Topping the bill will be the amazing Kora player Mosi Conde from Guinea – and if fancy trying your hand at drumming, Tai Chi or African dance, there will be some fun taster sessions”. Free entry. Email globalfusionarts@yahoo.co.uk.
Disclaimer: These listings are up to date to the best of our knowledge, but we advise checking details with the event organisers before attending any events.
Photo feature
Have you got a Charlton photo you’d like to share with the world? A shot of your favourite part of SE7, or a recent event? We’d love to feature some readers’ photos in our monthly diary round-up. Send your image to neilclasper[at]gmail.com with a title and – if you like – some words to tell us what the picture means to you (don’t worry: we’ll attribute the photo as you wish, and you’ll keep full control of copyright).
The Alexandra Players, Charlton’s amateur theatre group and “the borough’s best-kept secret” are presenting their summer production on 7, 8 and 9 June. In this Jubilee year, and in recognition of the Greenwich’s newly acquired royal status, the play is Crown Matrimonial by Royce Ryton. This play, first performed in 1972 takes a look at the 1936 abdication crisis, with the King’s (or should that be Kings’) mother Queen Mary firmly at the centre of the action.
Recent years have seen an influx of new talent to the Alexandra Players which will be on display in this production, as well as some of the familiar faces of the group.
Performances are 7, 8 and 9 June at 8pm and tickets are £8 (£7 for concessions). You can book at alexandraplayers@gmail.com, or leave a message with you name, contact and how many tickets for which night on 07867 627 987.
We’re always looking for new members, either onstage or backstage, with or without experience, so if this sounds like something for you, send us an email.
The Charlton Champion 