On Saturday 28th January 2012, I had the pleasure of being invited to review Mortimer Dramatic Society’s annual dinner evening at the St. John’s Hall, Mortimer. This is an annual event which Mortimer has been developing over the years and is now a superb evenings entertainment coupled with a most enjoyable meal. Usually the evenings entertainment is based on a theme and this years theme was love and marriage and I quote from the programme “Yes; meeting, mating, mixing and matching; we’ve all taken part. We all know the thrill of the chase, the excitement of that first date, the nervousness and anxiety of the wedding and the comfortable feel of our love lives as they develop and mature”. To encompass these feelings the programme was split into three parts – 1. ‘The Chase. 2. The Consummation and 3. The After Glow, with each one containing songs and sketches pertinent to that particular section, all this coupled with an excellent three course meal served between the three sections.

THE PLAYERS

Ladies

Mari Fleming
Ruth Fleming
Gilly Lee
Cathy Ramsell
Melanie Sherwood
Shelley Worboys

Gentlemen

James Burton Stewart
Philippe Duquenoy
Lawrence Picking
Nick Pounder
Tom Shorrock
Joe Woodrow

On the night of my visit, Gilly Lee was indisposed through illness and I would like to
wish her a speedy recovery. The remaining eleven performers entered fully into the
spirit and gave some excellent performances. The various sketches were well done and
vocally the members sang well with good diction and projection, and showed the
versatility of this small group – Well done.

Mari Fleming & Tom Shorrock – (DIRECTORS) – These two directors, who also
appeared on stage, must have done a considerable amount of research to find all the
relevant items that fitted the three sections. The cast had been well drilled and the
staging ensured a well balanced stage at all times – Congratulations

Mr Len David – (ACCOMPANIST) – Mr Len David on piano, played the many musical
numbers very well, being sympathetic to the performers at all times.

Phil Ramsell – (STAGE MANAGER & CONSTRUCTION) – This appeared to be a well
managed stage throughout the evening which ensured a smooth presentation
throughout. The construction of the set had been well devised ensuring the maximum
space was available on the St. John’s Hall stage.

Nick Pounder – (BACKDROP MURAL) – The artistic talents of Nick came to the fore in
his design and painting of the backdrop mural – Well done.

Katja Hunt – (LIGHTING) – A good lighting plot, generating the right atmosphere on
stage. It was good to see that there were no shadows visible on stage. I did feel
however, that some additional lighting could have been used to emphasise the excellent
‘backdrop mural’ as it appeared to be somewhat lost to the audience.

Judy Winter & Sue Kimber – (WARDROBE) – The Wardrobe Department did well,
ensuring the cast were appropriately dressed for their respective roles, looking smart
and well presented.

Shirley Shorrock – (PROPS) – All props used were pertinent to the various actions on
stage and looked authentic.

Programme – A neat little programme which contained all the relevant information with
a colourful, eye-catching cover and which was included in the price of the ticket.

Thank you for inviting me to your latest production. It was a most enjoyable evenings
entertainment coupled with an excellent meal, well served by members of the society.

Henry

Henry Hawes – NODA Representative – London Region – Area 13

The play has been cast and rehearsals are underway – set build starts on Friday 18th May!

Cast

Mary ………… Sarah  Clark
Vi ………… Carol Burbedge
Teresa ………… Cathy Ramsell
Catherine ………… Helen Sharpe
Mike ………… Nick Pounder
Frank ………… Neil Johnson

Producer……. Carol Burbedge
Director……. John Burbedge

Stage Manager: ……….Phil Ramsell
Continuity………… Jenny Broom
Wardrobe……………Megan Bush
Lighting …….. Katja Hunt
Publicity……….Tom Shorrock
Box Office ………Peggy Hood
Front of House…….Jenny Bowyer

Described as a “Comedy Mystery Thriller” this semi-farcical black comedy is guaranteed have the audience laughing out loud.

Ticket prices:  £7.50 – 21^st October, 2011.  £8.50 – 22^nd, 28^th & 29^th October

The play synopsis is as follows:

“From the writer of Rising Damp, Natural Causes was described on its release as a ‘highly original comedy thriller, full of mistaken identities, hilarious consequences and some great laughs’. Vincent is from Exodus, a euthanasia group that assists people in suicide. When he is invited to Walter Bryce’s country house to assist in the disposal of Walter’s wife he senses something is wrong. Why are the suicide-notes typewritten and unsigned? What is the role of Walter’s attractive secretary? Why have the Samaritans been sent for? After several thwarted attempts to poison various characters (resulting in multiple poisonings of a convenient pot plant), will anyone actually manage to drink the potion? This is comedy at its blackest and best.”

The society will be taking bookings for this production from Monday 3^rd October. For tickets contact Mrs Peggy Hood on 0118 933 2583

"Garden Mural" by Nick Pounder - Oct 2010

This mural of a formal garden was painted by member, actor, artist, Jake Thackery impersonator – Nick Pounder – for The Amorous Ambassador in October 2010. Unfortunately only a small part of the left hand side was visible through french doors.

The full garden was displayed in the following January for Music Hall.

Come May 2011 and another set of french doors, this time to the right hand side of the stage, it was again on display … but the artist graciously added a hedge, tree and a couple of incognito owls!

Who knows where it’ll appear next ….?

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

Fri 27th May, Sat 28th May, Fri 3rd June, Sat 4th June 2011

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark  By Tim Kelly

MDS brings you a wacky mystery spoof  … weird playwright Sebastian Sly, author of such bombs as ‘Dial M for Morose’ and ‘Ten Little Ninjas’, lives in a creepy mansion. His arch enemy, the clever but snide drama critic Sylvia Frye, hates thrillers and has forced his retirement. In odd circumstances Sebastian invites her to his home, where all manner of mystery play chills and thrills are trotted out to convince her she’s wrong about his work; and of course there’s a twist at the end!

As a long-time member of MDS Steve’s backstage and behind the scenes contributions to many, many of our shows will be greatly missed. His genial and jovial constitutions through many a set build, performance run and our social gathering, brought us not only great humour but also a calming and reassuring presence that will be impossible to replace

Our sympathy goes out to Sarah his wife, also a staunch member of MDS, and his surviving family.

With a menu of traditional roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, or a vegetarian option of Tomato, Aubergine and Mozzarella Layer, followed by chocolate mousse or fruit salad, coffee and cheese and biscuits, you’ll be well fed as well as royally entertained.

Tickets, at £22.50, are available from the box office on 0118 933 2583. There are only a few seats left to book now to avoid disappointment

Click on the link below – Enjoy!!

MDS – The Amorous Ambassador

Don’t forget to contact Shelley Worboys (sworboys@btinternet.com) and let her know your choices from the menu below. See you there!

A select group of highly trained and toned competitors battled it out through gruelling events such as, darts, dominoes, kerplunk, snakes & ladders and connect four. This years final and deciding event was a Jenga face off between Chris and Joan Maddrell. Everyone present was amazed at their skill, dexterity and steadiness of  hand/eye coordination (particularly considering the amount of wine drunk).

The evening as organised by Nick and Julia Pounder, with Nick again showing off his amazing range of creative skills by creating a new Games Night Trophy for us. I know that everyone present will want to say a big thank you to Julia and Nick for all their hard work.

Chris only gets to keep the trophy for a year so make sure that you join us next time to be in with a chance to have this marvellous and unique piece of contemporary sculpture  take pride of place in your living room (shed, attic, garage or loft – strike out which does not apply <Grin>).

Below is a gallery showing the winners (and loosers) and the tense moment of truth in the Jenga final.

The New MDS Compendium of Games Night Trophy (Courtesy of Nick Pounder)

The 2010 Champion

Joan Maddrell a worthy runner-up

Shirley and Ann with the wooden spoon!