Past Programmes
WINTER / SPRING 2008
Saturday
5th January 2008 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
TWELFTH NIGHT PARTY 2008
The Hampstead Players' annual New Year party, featuring the world premiere of a new production, The Chalkasian Cork Chircle. All welcome - please bring some finger food and/or drinks.
Wednesday 5th March at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
REMEMBERING LAVEROCK NEWMAN
Doris Asher and Moragh Gee will lead an evening of poetry, prose and drama in honour of Laverock Newman, a former member of the Hampstead Players and one time actor. The organisers will make some selections but will welcome suggestions by other Society members for contributions which might also be suitable. Please contact Doris before Friday 29th February.
Sunday 9th March at 4.30pm in the Church
THE PASSION PLAY
To mark Passion Sunday, the Hampstead Players perform The Passion Sequence from The Mystery Plays, interspersed with anthems by the Hampstead Parish Church choir.
Further information about this performance will be announced here soon.
Friday 4th April at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
THE SNARK
Bill Risebero leads an evening of readings from Lewis Carroll's poetry, parodies, and their respective originals, and a reading of the entire The Hunting of the Snark.
AUTUMN 2007
Wednesday 26th September 2007 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: THE ELDER STATESMAN by T.S. Eliot
John Willmer will lead a reading of T. S. Eliot's The Elder Statesman. The theme of this play is that you cannot escape the past by hiding it. You can only find true freedom and peace by the acceptance of responsibility, contrition and confession. John is considering whether to offer this play for production at some time in the future, possibly in Lent, and would welcome any feedback from those who come to this reading.
Thursday 11th October 2007 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: HANDEL'S FEAST by Helen Dymond
Helen Dymond will lead a reading of her play Handel's Feast. A One-Act Play written in celebration of Handel's 250th Memorial Year in 2009. As it is a celebratory piece, the keynote is good humour and fun, but it does not ignore some profound underlying issues. The title was suggested by his immensely popular shorter work 'Alexander's Feast' which as the play opens, is being performed everywhere and is Handel's 'bread and butter' composition. At the end of the play, when The Messiah has been effectively banned in England and Handel's fortunes have hit a low, he resurrects 'Alexander's Feast' and the play ends with its spectacularly joyful Final Chorus.
Wednesday 31st October at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Poetry Evening: LIFE, DEATH AND ALL HALLOWS EVE
Margaret Pritchard will lead a Poetry evening on Life, Death and All Hallows Eve. If you would like to make a contribution, please contact Margaret. If you would like to read but do not have a particular piece in mind, Margaret will give you one.
Thursday 22 - Saturday 24 November 2007 in the Church
Autumn Production: THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE by Bertolt Brecht
Sixteen cast members and four singer-musicians, between them, play over eighty characters in what we hope will be a tour-de-force of `ensemble` theatre.
Saturday 8 December 2007 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
HPYT: CHRISTMAS REVUE
The HPYT presents a glittering evening of comedy, drama and music for the whole family. If you are aged between 11 and 18 then this is a great opportunity to take part in a performance for your family and friends but without too much commitment to a long rehearsal process. If you are over 18(!) then please come along and support HPYT in their first Revue show.
SUMMER 2007
Friday 15 June at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: THE COCKTAIL PARTY by T.S. Eliot
Moragh
Gee will lead a playreading.
Admission: £2 for members, £3 for non-members, including
one glass of wine.
Friday 29 June at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: PYGMALION by George Bernard Shaw
David
Gardner invites you to celebrate some Shavian wit at a playreading of
Pygmalion. A romantic comedy, its background is phonetics and "the
language of Shakespeare, Milton and The Bible," but the theme is
human relations. The play's first English performance was on 11th April
1914 - though first presented in German in Vienna the year before. It
was one of Shaw's most successful plays, and has been revived many times.
I am a great fan of the 1938 film with Leslie Howard (and Wendy Hiller)
and of the National Theatre production which started his nephew Alan Howard
(and Frances Barker). The play is full of ideas and social comment, though
Shaw, irritated by its popularity, dismissed it as a pot-boiler.
Admission: £2 for members, £3 for non-members, including
one glass of wine.
Thursday
12 - Saturday 14 July 2007 in the Church
Sunday 15 July 2007 in St George's Square, Pimlico
Summer Production: TWELFTH NIGHT by William Shakespeare
The Hampstead Players William Shakespeare's comedy, TWELFTH NIGHT.
WINTER / SPRING 2007
Saturday 6 January 2007 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
TWELFTH NIGHT PARTY
All are invited for an evening of food, drink and music. Bring a bottle or finger food.
Thursday 8 - Saturday 10 February 2007 in the Crypt Room
HPYT Production: THE BALD PRIMA DONNA by Eugene Ionesco
An absurdist farce in one act. Directed by Matthew Stevens, this small cast play explores Ionesco's wicked delight in the absurdity of language and the restrictions of social convention. And it's great fun!
Friday 23 - Saturday 24 March 2007 in the Church
Spring Production: PARADISE LOST by John Milton
The
Hampstead Players present a play extracted from John Milton's Paradise
Lost using the original language. The epic poem transformed into a
drama with music and light.
Thursday 29 March 2007 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
POETRY EVENING: Home and Away
Doris Asher will lead a poetry evening. You may select to poems to read. Please contact Doris with your choices by Sunday 26 March. Admission: £2 for members, £3 for non-members, including one glass of wine.
Tuesday
24 April 2007 at 7.30pm in the Church or Choir Vestry
Sunday 29 April 2007 at 7.30pm in the Church or Choir Vestry
Auditions: TWELFTH NIGHT
Friday 27 April 2007 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Friday 25 May at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: SOMEONE WAITING by Emlyn Williams
Jonathan
Murray will lead a playreading.
Admission: £2 for members, £3 for non-members, including
one glass of wine.
Sunday
27 May 2007 at 2pm in the Church or Choir Vestry
Tuesday 29 May 2007 at 7.30pm in the Church or Choir Vestry
Auditions: THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE
AUTUMN 2006
Sunday 1 October 2006 at 2.30pm in the Gregory Room
HPYT: ALICE IN WONDERLAND Rehearsal
If you are aged between 11 and 18, and would like to take part in our rehearsed reading of Alice in Wonderland, please come along to this rehearsal. There will be a second rehearsal on Saturday 7 October at 3pm, followed by a performance at 7pm.
Saturday 7 October 2006 at 7pm in the Crypt Room
HPYT Playreading: ALICE IN WONDERLAND
As part of our anniversary celebrations, the HPYT will be performing a rehearsed reading of Bill Risebero's adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, originally presented by the Hampstead Players in 1998. All are invited to this special one-off performance, to be followed by drinks and nibbles. The performance will last about 50 minutes. The second part of the play will be performed in November.
Friday 27 October 2006 at 7.30pm in the Church
REMEMBER ALAN
A celebration of the life of Sir Alan Goodison. All welcome.
Sunday 29 October 2006 at 2.30pm in the Gregory Room
HPYT: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS Rehearsal
If you are aged between 11 and 18, and would like to take part in our rehearsed reading of Through the Looking Glass, please come along to this rehearsal. There will be a second rehearsal on Saturday 4 November at 3pm, followed by a performance at 7pm.
Saturday 4 November 2006 at 7pm in the Crypt Room
HPYT Playreading: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
The HPYT perform a rehearsed reading of Bill Risebero's adaptation of Through the Looking Glass. Once again, all are invited. The reading will last about 50 minutes, and will be followed by drinks and nibbles.
22 / 23 / 24 / 25 November 2006 in the Church
Autumn Production: A TALE OF TWO CITIES
The
Hampstead Players present a new adaptation of Charles Dickens's dramatic
and fast-moving tale of how the French Revolution comes crashing down
on the lives of a group of people in London and Paris. We shall sweep
you through scenes of mystery, comedy, romance and terror beginning with
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" and culminating
in the most famous scene of heroic self-sacrifice in literature ("It
is a far far better thing that I do...").
Wednesday 22 - Sunday 26 November 2006 in the Church
30th Anniversary Celebrations: PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
Coinciding with A Tale of Two Cities and our Thanksgiving Evensong and Party, a special exhibition will be on display in the Church featuring photographs from many of the Hampstead Players productions from the past 30 years.
Sunday 26 November 2006 at 6pm in the Church
30th Anniversary Celebrations : THANKSGIVING EVENSONG and PARTY
A service of thanksgiving celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Hampstead Players, followed by a party, and a special one-off performance of a new entertainment specially written for the occasion. We hope that as many of our members from the past and present will join us for this special evening.
Sunday
3 December 2006 at 2.30pm in the Crypt Room
Monday 4 December 2006 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Auditions: PARADISE LOST
Auditions for our Spring production: a dramatised version of Milton's epic poem, specially adapted for the Hampstead Players by Annie Duarte-Potter, who also directs. The play will be performed in the Church on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 March 2007.
Friday 15 December 2006 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Poetry Evening: JOHN BETJEMAN
Celebrating John Betjeman's centenary, and bringing our own 30th anniversary year to a close, Doris Asher and Pat Gardner lead a poetry evening of some of JB's most popular writings.
SUMMER 2006
4 - 6 May 2006 at 7.30pm in Crypt Room
HPYT Production: GRIMM TALES by Carol Anne Duffy and Tim Supple
Seven tales of cunning and stupidity, courage and fear, joy and sadness, told by eight talented young performers. Combining traditional storytelling, physical theatre and, above all, humour, this small cast breathe vivid life into your favourite folk tales.
This production marks the return of the Hampstead Players Youth Theatre in the 30th anniversary year of the Hampstead Players.
Friday 16 June 2006 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: BUNBURY
Adam Sutcliffe will lead a reading of Bunbury, a new play which continues on from where The Importance of Being Earnest left off. Familiarity with Oscar Wilde's play is not required - but the same cast (including Lady Bracknell et al) appears together with a mysterious interloper … claiming the name of "Bunbury". The setting will be a glorious Summer evening (of course!) with lanterns, cushions (and a few chairs) scattered around the Vicarage Garden (the Crypt Room being the "wet weather alternative"). Cucumber sandwiches and tea will be served for a small charge during the interval.
Thursday 6 / Friday 7July 2006 at 7.30pm in the Church
Saturday 8 July 2006 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm in the Church
Summer Production: JULIUS CAESAR by William Shakespeare
David Gardner directs our summer production.
Monday
10 July at 7.30pm in the Church
Sunday 23 July at 2.30pm in the Crypt Room
Auditions: A TALE OF TWO CITIES
Friday 21 / Saturday 22 July 2006 at 7.30pm in the Church
THE LARK by Jean Anouilh, translated by Christopher Fry
A re-enactment in our 30th year of our first production of 30 years ago. John Willmer and John Hester will direct a dramatised reading of this play, which switches between the trial and inquisition of Joan of Arc, and episodes from the story of her life.
7 / 8 / 9 August 2006 at 8.30pm
FESTIVAL SHAKESPEARE DU QUERCY 2006
JULIUS CAESAR
For the sixth year, The Hampstead Players travel to southwest France with David Gardner's production of Julius Caesar.
WINTER / SPRING 2006
Saturday 7 January 2006 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
TWELFTH NIGHT PARTY
Saturday 21 January 2006 at 7.30pm in the Church
SHAKESPEARE'S
KINGS
Adapted
from the History plays of William Shakespeare by Ben Horslen
Tickets £8 / £6 concessions | Box Office 020 7284 0760
A
dramatic reading of words, music, sound and light, illustrating 100 epic years
of English history. Drawn from the eight history plays of the world's greatest
dramatist, Shakespeare's Kings introduces us to the men and women who
shaped the destiny of our nation. Shakespeare's Kings was performed
by the Hampstead Players in France in August 2005. The original cast, together
with some new faces, reunite for one final performance.
Friday 3 February 2006 at 8pm in the Crypt Room
TRAVELLING BY STAGES
Bill and Sylvia Fry will give a lively talk in which the two performers explain how they first came to start Theatre Roundabout and go on to describe some of the many fascinating and sometimes hilarious experiences of their life on tour. The actual talk lasts for about fifty minutes, after which the audience are invited to put questions.
Friday 10 February 2006 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: HADRIAN VII by Peter Luke
Robin Saikia will lead a reading of Peter Luke's play of Baron Corvo's novel Hadrian VII. George Arthur Rose has been rejected as a candidate for the priesthood. All is not lost, and after a chapter of hilarious accidents he is elected Pope and makes sweeping global changes, and a not few outrageous decisions like selling the Vatican silver.
Friday 3 March 2006 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Poetry Evening: WHAT DREAMS MAY COME - Dreams, Imagination, Night, Sleep...
Doris Asher will lead a poetry evening.
Saturday 11 March 2006 at the Theatre Royal, Winchester
ARCADIA by Tom Stoppard
The cast of Arcadia have been asked to give a repeat performance of the production in Winchester as part of the festival, Space, Architecture and the Mind.
Saturday 25 March at 2.30pm / Monday 27 + Thursday 30 March at 7.45pm in Crypt Room
Auditions: THE LARK by Jean Anouilh, translated by Christopher Fry
Auditions for a re-enactment in our 30th year of our first production of 30 years ago.
Sunday 2 April 2006 at 6pm in Hampstead Parish Church
Drama and Worship: THE PASSION PLAY
Replacing Evensong on Passion Sunday, the Hampstead Players and the choir of Hampstead Parish Church present a dramatised reading of the Passion sequence from Bill Risebero's adaptation of The Mystery Plays.
Thursday 6 April 2006 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
AUTUMN 2005
Thursday
24th - Saturday 26th November 2005 in the Church
Autumn Production: ARCADIA by Tom Stoppard
Please click here for full details
Friday 9th December 2005 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: A TALE OF TWO CITIES
Adam Sutcliffe and John Dansey will lead a reading of Charles Dickens' fast-moving and dramatic tale which culminates with heroic self-sacrifice during the Terror of the French Revolution. Amongst others, we will need fierce women, a dissolute (but clever) drunkard, a dependable old Banker, a beautiful heroine, a cruel French Marquis, an old prisoner "recalled to life" from the Bastille prison, spies, gravediggers - and a fierce "red" lady, proud of her Englishness and prepared to fight to the death to protect her precious "Ladybird"... Wee will sweep you from: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." through to "It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done..." and storm the Bastille on the way! Please make a special effort to attend as John and Adam would like to assess whether or not to submit this as a possible production for 2006.
SUMMER 2005
Thursday
14th April 2005 at 8pm in the Crypt Room
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Friday 22nd April 2005 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS adapted by Alan Bennett
A reading of Alan Bennett’s adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale of life on the riverbank. Generations of children have grown up with fond memories of Mole, Rat, Badger and the irrepressible Toad – and their adventures in cars, caravans, boats and barges. Bennett’s version blends the superbly evocative narrative of the original story with his own instantly-recognisable brand of humour. The play positively bristles with fantastic parts for young and old alike and we’re hoping to see plenty of younger Players. So whether you’re 9 or 90, say ‘Hang spring cleaning!’ and come along to the Crypt Room to join in the adventures. Poop poop!
Thursday 12th May at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: ARCADIA by Tom Stoppard
"I have never left a new play more convinced that I'd just witnessed a masterpiece" Daily Telegraph
"This is a brilliant, brilliant play. A play of ideas, of consummate theatricality, of sophisticated entertainment and of heartache for a time never to be regained" Sunday Times
In a large country house in Derbyshire in April 1809 sit Lady Thomasina Coverly, aged thirteen, and her tutor Septimus Hodge. Through the window may be seen some '500 acres inclusive of lake' where Capability Brown's idealised landscape is about to pave way to the 'picturesque' Gothic style 'everything but vampires', as the garden historian Hannah Jarvis remarks in the same room 180 years later to Bernard Nightingale - who has arrived to uncover the scandal said to have taken place when Lord Byron stayed at Sidley Park. Tom Stoppard's absorbing play takes us back and forth between the centuries and explores the nature of truth and time, the difference between Classical and Romantic temperament, and the disruptive influence of sex on our orbits in life - 'the attraction which Newton left out'. Led by John Hester.
Thursday 26th May at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: SOMEONE WAITING by Emlyn Williams
Martin's best friend Paul has been wrongfully hanged for murdering a girl in his adoptive father's flat. A thriller set in 1956. Led by Jonathan Murray.
Thursday 16th June at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: BILLY LIAR by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall
There are five good women's parts and three men's. Ideally we would do it with an approximation of a Northern accent! Led by Moragh Gee.
Saturday 16th July at 7.30pm in the Church
JULIUS CAESAR by William Shakespeare
A rehearsed reading of Shakespeare's play, conceived and directed by David Gardner. Free entry.
Tuesday 23 August / Wednesday 24 August at 8.30pm
FESTIVAL SHAKESPEARE DU QUERCY 2005
SHAKESPEARE'S KINGS
After four successful tours, The Hampstead Players return to southwest France with Shakespeare's Kings - a dramatic reading of words, music, sound and light illustrating 100 epic years of English and French history.
Friday 23rd September at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
VICE AND VIRTUE
Doris Asher will lead a poetry evening.
SPRING 2005
Friday 7th January at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
TWELFTH NIGHT PARTY
All are invited to our annual Twelfth Night Party. Please bring a food or drink contribution. Offers of entertainment for the evening also gratefully received!
Thursday 27th January 2005 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: GOOD by C. P. Taylor
John Hester leads a reading of this topical play, with a cast of nine men and five women, which he is considering as a future production.
Friday 28th January 2005 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Sunday 30th January 2005 at 2.30pm in the Crypt Room
Auditions: JULIUS CAESAR by William Shakespeare
Auditions for our Summer Shakespeare 2005, which will be performed in Hampstead in July, followed by a tour to southwest France in August.
Monday 14th February 2005 at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: ROMEO AND JULIET by William Shakespeare
On St Valentine's Day let us pay homage to Shakespeare's "star-crossed lovers" from Verona! Adam Sutcliffe leads this playreading.
AUTUMN 2004
Friday 1st October at 7.30pm in the Church
AN EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT IN MEMORY OF JOAN BARTON
Thursday 4th November at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA by William Shakespeare
Father Stephen will lead a reading of Shakespeare's classic play. Sexy voices wanted!
Thursday 25th - Saturday 27th November at 7.30pm in the Church
Autumn Production: THE MYSTERY PLAYS
A modern translation in two acts of the medieval Mystery Plays, drawn from the various existing cycles and compressed to two and a quarter hours.
Friday 17th December at 7.30pm in the Church
The Hampstead Players and the HPYT present A CHRISTMAS CAROL
A concert performance of the classic Dickens tale in a new musical version written especially for the group. Last year over forty people took part in this fun Christmas celebration - and this year we hope even more people will want to join in. Rehearsals will be held on 11th / 12th December at 2pm, and 16th December at 7.30pm.
SUMMER 2004
Thursday 29th April at 8pm in the Crypt Room
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Please
bring a bottle for the party afterwards!
Saturday 29th May at 2pm in the Crypt Room
Introduction and Reading of THE MYSTERY PLAYS
Thursday 17th June at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Saturday 19th June at 2pm in the Gregory Room
Auditions: THE MYSTERY PLAYS
If you would like to audition for our Autumn production, please come along on either or both of these dates.
Wednesday 9th June at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Playreading: TBA
A reading led by Jonathan Murray.
Thursday 8th - Saturday 10th July at 8pm in the Churchyard
Summer Production: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM by William Shakespeare
After three successful Shakespearean tragedies, this summer The Hampstead Players are turning their hand to comedy with the Bard's ever-popular tale of the chaotic events that occur one midsummer night, when a handful of mortals accidentally stumble into the magical world of the fairies.
Click here for more information
Friday 16th July at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Poetry Evening: PLACE AND SPACE
A Poetry Evening led by Doris Asher.
Friday 30th July at 7.30pm in the Gregory Room
Playreading: MORRIS AND MARTHA'S CELEBRATION / THE CAVE by Saba Milton
Saba Milton will lead a reading of two of her short unpublished plays.
Morris was expecting a simple family dinner. He shouldn't have left the door open.
A gentle satire of office life, seven women and one man go about their daily business in a cave. Things haven't changed much since the Stone Age.
Monday 23rd - Friday 27th August at 8.30pm
French Tour: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM by William Shakespeare
Click here for more information
WINTER / SPRING 2004
Saturday 3rd January at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
TWELFTH NIGHT PARTY
Everyone
is invited to celebrate the New Year with food, drink, dance and fantastic
entertainment. Please bring along a food or drink contribution. Offers of
entertainment for the evening are also gratefully received!
Friday 16th January at 7.30pm in the Gregory Room
Playreading: POWER by Nick Dear
POWER
by Nick Dear has enjoyed a sell-out run in the Cottesloe. Set in the 1660s
it tells the story of the emergence of Louis XIV out of the shadow of his
powerful mother, Anne of Austria, and of his attempt to wrest the levers of
financial power from his corrupt but charming Superintendent of Finance, Nicolas
Fouquet - a man with a compulsive lust for the finest of everything the world
has to offer. Seven larger-than-life characters (aged from their early 20s
to mid 60s) step out of the pages of history to show us their loves, jealousies,
sexual intrigues, fantasies, and greed for POWER. The play is not yet available
through libraries so we will be using personally bought copies. If you have
bought your own copy from the National, please bring it along.
Friday23rd January at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
Saturday 24th January at 2.30pm in the Crypt Room
Auditions: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
If you would like to audition for our Summer production, please come along on either or both of these dates.
Friday 30th January at 7.30pm in the Grogory Room
Playreading: HABEAS CORPUS by Alan Bennett
A reading led by Moragh Gee.
Thursday 12th February at 7.30pm in the Gregory Room
Playreading: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE by Arthur Miller
David Gardner will lead a reading of A View from the Bridge (1955), another wonderful play by Arthur Miller, 88 and still with us. An early memo to write "the Italian play about X, who ratted on the two immigrants" evolved into this tragic tale of Eddie Carbone and betrayal set on the Brooklyn waterfront. Miller describes it as "a play with no surprise" but effective as it is about "not what was going to happen but how it was going to happen".
AUTUMN 2003
Wednesday 1st October at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
MUCH ADO ABOUT THE MERRY WIVES OF HENRY VI (Part One)
A
medley of poems, parodies, sketches and songs inspired by the works of William
Shakespeare.
Thursday 30th October at 7.30pm in the Gregory Room
THE FARNDALE AVENUE HOUSING ESTATE TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD DRAMATIC SOCIETY PRODUCTION OF MACBETH
Pat
Gardner will lead of reading of the comedy by David McGillivray and Walter
Zerlin Jr. "An uproarious, hilarious comedy." - The Scotsman. "A
Brilliant Concept" - BBC Radio 4. "Burlesques amateur dramatics
with professional skill and a good deal of rueful knowledge." - Daily
Telegraph. "Outstandingly awful." Edinburgh Evening News.
Friday 7th November at 7.30pm in the Gregory Room
DECADENCE AND DANDYISM
Doris
Asher and Fr. Stephen Tucker will arrange an anthology to be called Decadence
and Dandyism. Please let Doris or Fr. Stephen know by 31st October at the
latest if you would like to take part. They will choose the programme
but will entertain suggestions (eg. Wilde, Beerbohm, Tynan, poets of the 1890s
etc) - these should be made as early as possible after the beginning of September.
Thursday 27th - Saturday 29th November 2003
The Hampstead Players' Autumn Production: ALL MY SONS by Arthur Miller
"All My Sons (1947), which brought Miller his first major success, is a merciless exposure of wartime profiteering and the capitalist ethic. The ideological conflict of father and son is a compelling one, and points to the way Miller develops his later drama, where social issues are tempered and tautened by the theme of personal disintegration."
Hampstead
Parish Church, Church Row, NW3
Friday 19th December at 7.30pm in the Church
The Hampstead Players and the HPYT present A CHRISTMAS CAROL
A concert performance of the classic Dickens tale in a new musical version written especially for the group. We hope as many people as possible will want to take part in this exciting Christmas celebration.
SUMMER 2003
Thursday 8th May at 7.30pm in the Gregory Room
ACCOLADE by Emlyn Williams
Jonathan Murray will lead a playreading.
Thursday 5th June at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
FAMILIES AND HOW TO SURVIVE THEM
Joyce Rose will lead a poetry reading.
Saturday 4 th January at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
VICTORIA REGINA by Laurence Housman
Moragh
Gee will lead a (prepared) play reading of scenes we didn't have time for
in the first reading. There are many good, self-contained scenes and only
a small number of characters in each so there should be some real opportunity
for everyone who wants to take part. Scenes and characters will be given to
you beforehand so you'll have time to familiarise yourself with your character
and his/her situation. Moragh will give some basic pointers to help you prepare.
Please get in touch if you want to take part, with any special requests, which
Moragh will honour if she can - though no promises!
Saturday
28th June at 11am / Tuesday 1st July at 7.30pm
Auditions: ALL MY SONS by Arthur Miller
Auditions
for the Hampstead Players' Autumn Production.
Thursday 10th - Saturday 12th July 2003
The Hampstead Players' Summer Production: RICHARD III
A cast of fourteen present an exciting new production of Shakespeare's hugely popular tale of the hunchback we all love to hate. Following three Hampstead performances, the production will tour to the Lot Valley, southwest France from 18th - 21st August 2003
Hampstead
Parish Church, Church Row, NW3 / 8pm
WINTER/SPRING 2003
Saturday 4 th January at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
TWELFTH NIGHT PARTY
You are invited to the Hampstead Players' Twelfth Night Party on Saturday 4th January 2003 in the Crypt Room from 7.30pm. Please bring a food or drink contribution. Offers of entertainment for the evening also gratefully received!
THREE SHAKESPEARE PLAYREADINGS
In order to help us decide on our summer production, we will be holding readings of three very different Shakespeare plays:
Friday 7th February at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
RICHARD III - led by Ben Horslen and John Risebero
Friday 14th February at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
JULIUS CAESAR - led by David Gardner
Monday 17th February at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
TWELFTH NIGHT - led by Pat Gardner
Friday 21st February at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
VICTORIA REGINA by Laurence Housman
Moragh
Gee will lead a (prepared) play reading. There are many good, self-contained
scenes and only a small number of characters in each so there should be some
real opportunity for everyone who wants to take part. Scenes and characters
will be given to you beforehand so you'll have time to familiarise yourself
with your character and his/her situation. Moragh will give some basic pointers
to help you prepare. Please get in touch a.s.a.p. if you want to take part,
with any special requests, which Moragh will honour if she can - though no
promises! The evening is an experiment to see if we can get more out of a
reading than is normally possible at first sight. We'll do a series of scenes
but not all and some will be cut.
Friday 14th March at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
AN EVENING WITH THE HPYT: PETER PAN
The Hampstead Players Youth Theatre present a rehearsed reading of Peter Pan, in a version written especially for the group by Naomi Paine. If you are aged between 11 and 18 and would like to take part, please contact John at jr@hampsteadplayers.org.uk
Monday 24th March at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Friday 28th March at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY - FOR TOMORROW WE DIE
This is essentially a poetry programme, led by Doris Asher, but by request, Doris will accept a very few prose items. Either should not last longer than about 3 minutes.
Saturday 29th March at 2.30pm in the Church
Monday 31st March at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
AUDITIONS FOR RICHARD III
If you would like to audition for our Summer production, please come along on either or both of these dates. Audition speeches will be provided on the day.
AUTUMN 2002
Tuesday 8th October at 7.30pm in the Crypt Room
There Is Nothing Like A Thane!
A medley of poems, parodies, sketches and songs inspired by the Scottish Play. If you would like to participate, or know of an item suitable for inclusion, please email jr@hampsteadplayers.org.uk
Thursday 24th October at 7.30pm in the Gregory Room
Pat Gardner will lead a reading of Noel Coward's PRESENT LAUGHTER.
Thursday 7th November at 7.30pm in the Gregory Room
John Hester will lead a reading of TIME AND THE CONWAYS by J B Priestley. This play is being considered as a possible future Hampstead Players production.
Thursday 28th and Friday 29th November at 7.30pm and Saturday 30th November at 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Autumn Production: Lionel Bart's OLIVER!
The Hampstead Players present their biggest, most spectacular show ever! Lionel Bart's classic musical, so well-known and loved, will be performed by a cast of 40 in Hampstead Parish Church for four performances only.
You are advised to book early.
Friday 6th December at 7.30pm in ther Crypt Room
Dickens Evening
Extracts from Dickens novels for any number of participants you can put toogether and rehearse in advance. Extracts no longer than 10 minutes each. Proposals to Stephen Tucker by 25th November.
SUMMER 2002
Saturday 15th June in the Choir Vestry, Hampstead Parish Church
AUDITIONS FOR OLIVER!
Oliver! will need a large company of actors - men, women, and children - most of whom need to be able to dance (or at least move well) and to sing, as well as act. We hope a lot of members will be interested in taking part.
Thursday 20th June in the Choir Vestry, Hampstead Parish Church
RECALL AUDITIONS FOR OLIVER!
11th/12th/13th July 2002 in the Vicarage Garden, 14 Church Row, NW3
Summer Production: MACBETH
Prior to taking this production on tour in the Lot Valley, France, the Hampstead Players present their thrilling open-air version of Macbeth in Hampstead, for three performances only.
SPRING 2002
Saturday 5th January in the Crypt Room - 7.30pm onwards
TWELFTH NIGHT PARTY
Please contact either Patrice or Angela, who are organising the festivities this year, and let them know if you would like to contribute to - or create - an entertainment. Bring bottles and bites, of course.
Friday, 11th January in the Gregory Room at 7.30pm
A reading of SUFFICIENT CARBOHYDRATE by Dennis Potter, led by Sandra Winterbotham. This play is about two families holidaying together in a Greek villa.
Thursday, 24th January in the Gregory Room at 7 30pm
Ian East will lead a reading of DOCTOR AND THE DEVIILS by Dylan Thomas, based on the story of Burke and Hare - body snatchers!
Friday, 8th February in the Gregory Room at 7.30pm
A reading, led by Pat Gardner, of the play PACK OF LIES by H Whitemore. What do you do when you discover your best friends are international spies?
Saturday, 23rd February in the Crypt Room at 2pm
Another of Moragh Gee's extremely popular MOVEMENT WORKSHOPS: book early to avoid disappointment, as numbers are limited. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing which allow freedom of movement. There will be a charge of £2.50 (£l concessions) plus any additional sum you consider appropriate for the Friends of the Drama funds. Please let Moragh know at least a week in advance if you wish to attend.
Monday, 4th March in the Gregory Room at 7.30pm
A reading led by Moragh Gee of Alan Bennett's comedy, FORTY YEARS ON. At a slightly rundown public school, the annual play is being prepared…
Thursday, 14th March in the Crypt Room at 7.30pm
David Gardner leads a reading of MACBETH, in preparation for our summer production of this strong, difficult yet popular play.
Friday, 22nd March in the Crypt Room at 7.30pm
QUARRELS AND LOVE SCENES FROM SHAKESPEARE. You are invited to propose any piece that you would like to do, remembering that it takes two to make a quarrel. Please contact John Petti well in advance, so he can arrange a pleasing programme.
Forthcoming Events:
Friday, 12th / Saturday 13th March in the Crypt Room at 7.30pm
AUDITIONS for MACBETH. There is no need to prepare anything - scenes / speeches will be provided.
AUTUMN 2001
AUDITIONS FOR AUTUMN PRODUCTION
The play selected for this year is THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller. It will be directed by John Hester, assisted by Pat Gardner and auditions will be held on Monday 17th September in the Crypt Room at 7.30pm and Tuesday 18th September at 7.30pm in the Choir Vestry.
Monday 1st October at 7.30pm the Gregory Room
A reading of THE ALCHEMIST by Ben Jonson to be led by Rev Mark Young. Do come along and take a turn at reading - or just listen and enjoy the play.
Thursday 18th October at 7.30pm in the Gregory Room
Nigel Bee will lead a reading of THE QUEEN AND I, adapted by Sue Townsend from her extremely funny book of the same title.
Monday, 29th October at 7.30pm in the Gregory Room
A reading of the play TWELVE ANGRY MEN by Reginald Rose, to be led by Jonathan Murray. It was thought that, since jurors are now as likely to be women as men, we could think of this play, for the moment, as Twelve Angry Persons, then everyone can have a go at reading!
Friday 9th November at 7.30pm in the Gregory Room
Becky Fogden will lead a reading of two one-act plays by Tom Stoppard - THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND and IF YOU'RE GLAD, I'LL BE FRANK.
Thursday 29th and Friday 30th November at 7.30pm and Saturday 1st December at 2.30pm and 7.30pm
The Hampstead Players perform THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller. Offers of help, backstage, front of house, etc, will be gratefully received.
Friday 7th December in the Crypt Room at 7.30pm
Doris Asher will arrange another of her hugely successful poetry evenings, followed by wine and mince pies. The subject this time is JOURNEYS.
SUMMER 2001
Sunday 27th May in the Crypt Room at 7.30pm
MAD NORTH-NORTH-WEST (THREE): A medley of poems, parodies, sketches and songs inspired by William Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Saturday 2nd June in the Choir Vestry at 10am
Auditions for a presentation by Stephen Tucker of the play within the play from A Midsummer Night's Dream, on 22nd July at the Friends of the Music Garden Party. Actors required for Theseus and Hippolyta as well as 6 rude mechanicals (5M 1F). Please come any time between 10am and 12midday, preferably with a prepared piece from the script.
Monday 4th June in the Gregory Room at 7.30pm
Ian East will lead a reading of TARTUFFE by Moliere.
Friday 15th June in the Crypt Room at 7.30pm
A WORKSHOP WITH LAVEROCK NEWMAN. Laverock teaches people how best to present and project themselves in challenging situations, with special emphasis on breathing. This workshop is a one-off and highly recommended. Wear loose clothing and bring a small cushion. For further information and enrolment, please contact Laverock on 7435 3542.
Wednesday 20th June in the Choir Vestry at 7.30pm
Stephen Tucker will lead a reading of AMADEUS by Peter Shaffer, possibly also with music.
Wednesday 4th July in the Gregory Room at 7.30pm
Patrice Dorling will lead a reading of ALL MY SONS by Arthur Miller.
Friday 20th July in the Crypt Room at 7.30pm
Pat Gardner will lead an evening of MONOLOGUES.
SPRING 2001
Saturday 6th January in the Crypt Room at 8pm
TWELFTH NIGHT PARTY - Bring a bottle and some nibbles and if you would like to participate in the entertainment, contact John Petti
Friday 19th January in the Gregory Room at 7.30pm
Heather Dalton will lead a reading of SEPARATE TABLES by Terence Rattigan.
Tuesday 6th February in the Gregory Room at 7.30pm
Becky Fogden will lead a reading of AN IDEAL HUSBAND by Oscar Wilde.
Tuesday 6th March in the Gregory Room at 7.30pm
Alan Goodison will lead a reading of THE WINTER'S TALE by William Shakespeare.
Friday 30th March in the Gregory Room at 7.30pm
ANECDOTES, STORIES, MEMORIES - Bring stories (500 words maximum) you have written yourself, or remembered or liked and wish to read or tell impromptu. Any subject: funny, serious, classical, historical, travel... you choose.
Tuesday 25th April at 7.30pm
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - If you wish to nominate someone for election, first make sure they are willing to stand and then give their name to the Secretary (7624 1367) by 27th March (which is the date of the next Committee meeting).
Thursday 3rd -Sunday 6th May in the Crypt at 7.30pm
The Hampstead Players present HAMLET. A fast moving, intimate production of Shakespeare's 400 year old masterpiece, performed in-the-round.
AUTUMN 2000
Monday, 11th September in the Gregory Room at 7.30pm
A reading of THE HEIRESS by Ruth and Augustus Goetz (adapted from the novel Washington Square by Henry James), to be led by Jonathan Murray.
Friday, 29th September in the Gregory Room at 7.30pm
Patrice Dorling leads a reading of the Irish play, DANCING AT LUGHNASA by Brian Friel, a poignant and compassionate domestic drama with a cast of five women and three men. Don't worry about the Donegal accents - the writing dictates the rhythm.
Friday, 6th October in the Crypt Room at 7.30pm
Moragh Gee's MOVEMENT WORKSHOP, brought forward from July. This workshop, apart from being fun, would be of benefit to any actor in any play. It is essential that Moragh be informed at least a week in advance that you plan to attend and numbers are limited, so please apply early.
Monday, 16th October in the Gregory Room at 7.30pm
A rehearsed reading of TOP GIRLS by Caryl Churchill. Please let Ian East know if you would like to participate. The cast is all female and if there are enough people, a rehearsal will be held at 2.30pm on Sunday 15th October in the Gregory Room, otherwise it will be a normal play reading. In either case, all are welcome.
Friday, 3rd November in the Gregoly Room at 7.30pm
A reading of Neil Simon's play, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, led by Sandra Winterbotham. This is a nonsensical comedy about the teething problems of marriage and young - and older - love.
Thursday, 23rd November - Saturday, 25th November
Autumn Production of INHERIT THE WIND by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. Stage up Sunday, 12th November at 2pm (all hands on deck) and down again on 26thNovember (all hands again). If you would like to participate in the crowd scenes - very vocal and action-packed - let Bill Risebero or Pat Gardner know as soon as possible.
Thursday 7th December in the Gregory Room at 7.30pm
Pat Gardner is hoping to lead a reading of THE HOLLY AND THE IVY by Wynyard Browne, but so far we have been unable to locate a play set. Watch this space.
