Although it dominated our lives, Brexit has so far made surprisingly few appearances on stage, for obvious reasons. It is, however, a key topic – along with grief and cycling – in this humane, funny and perceptive two-hander written by John Godber. The play presents us with an odd couple brought together by loss and a love of bikes. Don, an ex-miner and now a porter at Pontefract hospital, is grieving over the death of […]
Putting a play on its feet is, of course, a director’s job but putting your own play on its feet has a slightly different feel to it. It has been a fascinating journey writing and rewriting it on the page and then taking it from page to stage firstly at Millgate Arts Centre and now at Oldham Parish Church. The company’s skills and enthusiasm has made the whole rehearsal experience a joy and Peter Wakefield’s […]
a review of opening night by Verity Mann Saddleworth Players’ Youth (SPY) Theatre, have tackled Dennis Kelly’s ‘DNA’; a dark look at society’s response to cruelty, bullying, peer pressure and pack mentality with style and aplomb. Having thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas Production, I was anticipating clever staging, slick scene changes and confident acting, and was not disappointed. The SPYs are a close knit team, the on-stage chemistry palpable, and they bring to life this ensemble […]
??? (??????????? ??????? ?????) are performing – DNA, by Dennis Kelly. 6th-7th July ‘? ????? ?? ????????? ?? ????????? ???, ?????? ???, ???? ????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ????? ??. ??? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?????-?? ?????? ???? ??? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ????????? ?????, ????? ?? ??? ????????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????.’ SPY are Saddleworth Players of the future and we’re keen to ensure that they learn stagecraft, as well as technical […]
by Aimee Belmore Saddleworth Independent (original published by Saddleworth Independent 22/6/22) THE curtain is rising on a new season of theatre, drama, music, films and thrilling entertainment at the Millgate Arts Centre in Delph. A Season Preview evening unveiled what lies in store for audiences, and also marked the launch of the Millgate Golden Jubilee Celebrations. Saddleworth Players, which was launched in 1927, moved into the theatre 50 years ago after previously being based in […]
Last night we raised £1000 for Saddleworth Churches in Uppermill and Greenfield with a charity evening for Singers not Sinners, attending a sell out performance. Do you have a charity that would like to raise money with Saddleworth Players? The Millgate Arts centre is a creative hub in beautiful surroundings. We feel lucky to have this wonderful facility in the heart of Saddleworth and to be able to support the performing arts and community theatre. […]
Review of Singers not Sinners By Helen Rigby Singers not Sinners is a new play, co-written by local writers Livi Michael and Carol Davies, and set in 1701. It’s the true story of the first three women in England to sing in a church choir, right here at St Mary’s Parish Church, Oldham. At the start of the play we hear the male voices of the Christian tradition forbidding women to sing in church. But […]
Carol Davies interviewed by Stacey Copeland on BBC Radio Manchester about the play Singers not Sinners and how three women changed history when they sang for the first time in a church choir, in 1701, in Oldham Manchester
When I first read Singers not Sinners I loved the story of the first time women sang in a church choir. The prejudices of 1701 puritan Oldham reminded me that equality is something hard won. Mark and I jumped at the opportunity to take this script and bring the angelic sounds of the choir to life in the acoustics of Millgate Arts Centre. We’ve been involved in the musical rehearsals working with the musical director […]
Writing novels is solitary work. You have to enjoy doing independent research and sitting in front of the PC for months or even years. If you’re lucky, at the end of 2/3 years of drafting and re-drafting, someone else may read it, but until then, the characters, the words and the scenes really only exist in your own mind. The process of putting a play together could hardly be more different. Collaborative throughout, it develops […]