We love a good challenge down in the costume store, and Singers not Sinners presented us with challenges in spades. Not only is it set in 1701 – a time when linen, wool and leather ruled the day, but the cast of 16 has expanded to include extras for the town scenes, bringing us to a total of 21 actors and singers to be clothed in an authentic and credible way. Having passed the script […]
Hi, I’m Ian Ball and I’m playing the role of Elias Hall the choirmaster at St. Mary’s parish church in Oldham. Set in 1701 ‘Singers not Sinners’ tells the true story of how Elias Hall convinces the vicar and the Bishop of Chester to allow women to sing in church, something that had been forbidden since the birth of Christianity. It was a dangerous task and he could have been severely punished for his actions. […]
The greatest joy in directing your own work is that you don’t have to keep to the script! Rehearsals can be creative experiences, and when actors deliver lines they sometimes do so in ways that were not anticipated. And if their way is good, or better, than was originally conceived then on this occasion it becomes the authorised version. But the author-director also has to ride the passing humour of the performers, in this case […]
I can tell that the lockdown blues are far behind the Saddleworth Players after sitting in the audience at their latest production at the Millgate Arts Centre – Nobody’s Perfect. A slick performance of whit and humour, with amazing choreography using the whole of the stage to its full potential. Sitting within the front four rows of the auditorium, we felt we could easily join in the doorstep chats and follow the characters into the […]
Let me introduce you to Leonard, a somewhat frustrated writer. Unfortunately, his manuscripts are always being rejected by publishers. He enters a competition for ‘women only’ under a non-deplume. You can imagine the chaos winning the competition causes. Having to disguise himself as a female brings Mrs Doubtfire, Toosie, and Some like it hot to mind. The final scene is a comic masterpiece. Leonard is played by Simon Wood who was last seen at the Millgate Arts Centre […]
I had the great pleasure of attending the opening night of the new Saddleworth Players production of Pastimes on Saturday evening. It was touch and go as to whether the show would go on, owing to happenings beyond the Players control: a gas pipe sprang a leak just outside the theatre the day before and with mayhem of the central road in Delph being closed and lack of heating causing the auditorium to plummet to […]
It’s good to be back with Saddleworth Players after such a long wait to bring this play to the stage. My character is Winifred, Connie’s long suffering friend, whose main source of pleasure seems to be having her feet done. Winifred is reluctantly drawn into the conflict between Connie and the two men they both married forty years ago. Secrets will out and all is not what it seems. Thank you to our director Carol […]
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 […]