Approximately two years ago, I was asked to play the part of Connie in a lighthearted comedy called Pastimes. A runaway grandchild leads Connie to a past she thought she had left behind. The play is about complicated relationships and the webs we weave. It was some time since I had appeared at Millgate, so I was looking forward to being back and everyone made me feel very welcome. Reading the part brought a smile to […]
When Covid interfered with the direction of the next show I was asked to step in. A light comedy with an excellent cast – straightforward? No problem … except members of cast and crew had their participation also delayed by the dreaded virus! But it was straightforward … Well there are two different rooms for a start. With doors to all sorts of places … upstairs, downstairs … in my lady’s chamber! One of the […]
Laughter is said to be the best healer and there is little doubt you will feel better after the Farndale version of ‘A Christmas Carol’. It will bring a broad smile to your face at the opening of the festive season. From the very first moment you enter Millgate Arts the show has begun. Gordon Pugh with his clipboard and Mrs Reece with her handbag are there to welcome you …. and assess your acting […]
Now, anyone will tell you that I’m not one to bear a grudge. Of course we need new blood coming into this theatre, but equally, it takes years of experience to accumulate the skills and wisdom necessary for a professionally staged performance. So these aspiring youngsters can learn by watching us, while doing really useful jobs like – well – coiling cables, dusting the lights and making the tea. I’ve looked after our lighting as […]
My name is Colin Watt and I was supposed to be the real stage manager, instructing Gordon in the backstage ways, and keeping him on the straight and narrow, those who know him will understand the many hours of heartache he has given me, I do hope he will not let the side down. The rest of the cast and crew, all very experienced, and have worked very hard to put on a very well rehearsed show, with superb dancing and singing scenes and brilliant acting. The directing has […]
Hello everyone. I am Mercedes and I have been a member of the Farndale Townswomen’s Guild for a good few years now. I won’t tell you exactly how long – as you might be able to guess my age! I love being involved in the dramatic society. Sadly, I haven’t won any acting awards yet, but I think it’s the hard work and enthusiastic team work that counts. I must admit that Mrs. Reece has […]
My name is Gordon and I have agreed yet again (under duress) to assist our Ladies from the Farndale Women’s Guild to be Stage Manager in their forthcoming production of ‘A Christmas Carol’. I have been watching the cast rehearsing now for several years, and it is beginning to take shape, although I am fearful that their interpretation of the story may be lost on our ever loyal but confused audiences (although our esteemed Director will be inserting a two thousand word explanatory note stapled into the programme). Set […]
Saddleworth Players are in a festive mood with rehearsals underway for their Christmas comedic extravaganza The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol by David Mcgillivray and Walter Zerlin Jnr. In this hilarious play the Farndale Ladies, whose lack of talent never stops them from aiming high, mount another assault on the classics with their stage version of this Dickensian favourite, A Christmas Carol. The ambitious cast of four divas and […]
After the long silence of lockdown, the Millgate has re-opened with a confident and convincing production of Jim Cartwright’s Two. This clever and ingenious play is set in an unnamed pub, with a crowd of mostly unnamed imaginary regulars, minimal staging, some suggestive period music, no props whatever – and, of course, just two actors. Luckily Kate Davies and Mark Rosenthal are more than equal to the challenge. They alternate between being landlord and landlady behind the […]
So, this started out as a bit of fun over Zoom! It was during one of my many bored evenings in lockdown one that the idea of trying to rehearse a play first entered my head. One night, Kate and I were equally bored and after a very short conversation, the cast were in place. We decided that it would be fun to get a director on board and approached Verity. Luckily, she was as […]