Dear Players and Friends,
Welcome back!
Now that Summer seems well and truly behind us, it’s time to cosy up and look forward to evenings of entertainment at the Millgate.
The dust had barely settled from our mad cap Dickensian romp, Bleak Expectations, when we began rehearsals for our first play of the Season, Waiting for God by Michael Aitkens. Those of you who remember the 1990s sitcom which ran for 4 seasons, will find some echoes in the characters and plot lines, but this is very much a stand alone play and we’ve put our own, indomitable spin on it. Translating the TV format to the stage means lightning fast scene transitions but our newly replaced flooring and lighting, not to mention our backstage and technical team, are up to the challenge. Expect lots of laughs and some poignant moments in this light-hearted depiction of growing old disgracefully.
Our audition process is bringing us new talent to the Millgate Stage, and allowing us to meet would-be performers in an informal setting. Next up we’ll be looking for a cast of thousands for our June play, Blue Stockings (see page 8), so, if you’ve a burning desire to tread the (new and safe!) boards, then do come along. We’ll also be looking for crew members, so do attend if you’d like to find our more about the play.
Now that the Millgate has re-opened, it feels busier than usual. Our November play, Nell Gwynn features live music and singing which needs additional time for rehearsing. The cast and musical directors have already started working on the songs, breathing a bawdy 17th Century life into the Millgate on a Tuesday evening!
Of course all of us are massively grateful to the planning and work that went into repairing the theatre this Summer. Now that we’re no longer worried about becoming surprise visitors to the library via the rotting floorboards and beams, we’re enjoying the fact that we have new insulation and radiators to stop the Delph weather seeping into our bones. Strange to think that we’re unlikely to ever again see the crew, dressed in their padded jackets, woolly hats and blankets, announcing that they’re going to prompt corner, and may be some time.
The new Season has also started for the Film Club, for National Theatre Live (NT Live), The Concert Society, and Saddleworth Musical Society.
Details can be found on the website, but, to highlight the diversity
- National Theatre’s Inter Alia starring Rosamund Pike is showing Friday and Saturday 19th and 20th September.
- Saddleworth Musical Society perform Broadway Blockbusters on 11th and 12th October.
- The Concert Society presents the Jim Muir Jazz Quartet on the 15th October.
I hope you’ll make the most of the fabulous shows and films on offer. See you there,