PYPs - Portishead Young Players 2015-16

Who 10-18 year olds

What Singing, acting, dancing, theatre skills

When Generally every Thursday (during term time). The 2015-16 dates are as below:

Term 1- 10th September - 22nd October 2015
Term 2- 5th November - 17th December 2015
Term 3- 7th January - 11th February 2016
Term 4- 25th February - 31st March 2016
Term 5- 21st April - 26th May 2016
Term 6- 9th June - 14th July 2016

Time 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Where Trinity School Community Hall, Portishead

Cost Annual membership fee (£35 - which includes admission to all Players' productions) and £3 per session

Wear Clothes you can move around in (Jazz shoes if you have them)

Bring Lots of energy and a BIG WANT FOR FUN!!

A chance to get involved in PYP shows as well as the main Portishead Players' shows.

For further information contact Verity Huntley:

Email: portisheadyoungplayers@hotmail.com

Mobile: 07961 937051

or email: enquiries@portishead-players.org.uk

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Mini PYPs - Mini Portishead Young Players 2014-15

Mini PYPs, the youngest version of Portishead Players but every bit just as fun! A drama, dance and theatre group for school years 2-5.

We do lots of activities based on theatre and drama. Singing, dancing and role playing as well as introducing the children to other aspects of the theatre. The main focus is the enjoyment of drama skills.

We currently have a waiting list but please contact Portishead Players if you wish your child to be added.

When Generally every Wednesday (during term time). The 2015/16 dates are as below:

Term 1: 2nd September - 23rd October 2015

Term 2: 2nd November - 11th December 2015

Term 3: 4th January - 12th February 2016

Term 4: 22nd February - 1st April 2016

Term 5: 18th April - 27th May 2016

Term 6: 6th June - 22nd July 2016

Time 6:00 - 7:00pm

Where Jubilee Hall, Slade Road, Portishead

Cost £2 per session

Wear Clothes you can move around in

For more information email: enquiries@portishead-players.org.uk

Famous Noël Coward comedy performed by Portishead Players

(L) Ghostly capers and a mischievous ex-wife provide comedy in Portishead Players’ forthcoming production of Blithe Spirit.From top left (clockwise): Cast members Hayley Lagunowitsch, Tony Sutcliffe, Janet Astley and Wendy Walmsley.

(R) Portishead Players’ Blithe Spirit, which will be staged in December, features an eccentric clairvoyant and confused husband.Back left (from L – R): Cast members Janet Astley, Tony Sutcliffe, and Celia Roberts. Seated: Wendy Walmsley.

Blithe Spirit, one of Noël Coward’s most celebrated and popular comedies, will be performed by Portishead Players at the Somerset Hall from Thursday 8th December to Saturday 10th December at 7.30pm. The run includes a matinee at 2pm on the Saturday.

The timeless comedy, which is as funny today as it was when it was first produced, features classic Noël Coward humour with a hilarious script involving an eccentric clairvoyant and mischievous ex-wife who returns to haunt the leading man.

Portishead Players will once again showcase their strength in set building when the Somerset Hall stage will be transformed into a fabulous house worthy of the high class set of friends who come together for a séance scene set to get audiences laughing out loud at the mayhem and misunderstanding that ensues.

Blithe Spirit will be followed by Portishead Players’ evening of Pantomania! to be staged in February: this double bill of two one act plays will run from the 23rd to 25th February and also includes a Saturday matinee.

Tickets are released several weeks ahead of each show and will be available by telephone on 0333 666 3366 or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/portisheadplayers. Alternatively, ticket outlets on Portishead’s High Street are Morgan-Westley or Mother Nature. A small charge, less than 11%, is made for online and telephone bookings.

For further details contact Wendy Walmsley Tel: 01275 818802.

Thrilling murder mystery to be staged by Portishead Players

1. Four of the cast members for Portishead Players’ October play entitled ‘A Party to Murder’ raise their glasses to promote the forthcoming production.

2. Fingers are pointed and suspicions are raised in Portishead Player’s thrilling murder mystery on stage at the Somerset Hall in October.

From left to right in both pictures: Colin Astley, Jenn Williams, Cate Hill and Tony Sutcliffe.

A thrilling and gripping play entitled “A Party to Murder” will be staged by Portishead Players from Thursday 13th to Saturday 15th October at 7.30pm at the Somerset Hall, a matinee will also be performed at 2.00pm on the Saturday.

The murder mystery, full of unexpected Halloween twists and turns, is directed by Sandra Branfield, a highly experienced director whose previous productions for Portishead Players have received a number of prestigious drama awards.

Describing the play, which will benefit from one of the Players’ trademark sensational sets, Sandra Branfield said:

“Imagine a house on an island in the middle of a lake at Halloween. Six people have assembled for a Halloween-themed weekend and, once on the mysterious island, there is no way back. When ghosts from the past start to be exposed, what is expected to be a weekend of fun soon turns into a thrilling murder mystery as guests begin to die.

“With Players’ strong staging skills, technical capabilities and exceptional costume team, combined with high calibre acting, I am sure our audiences won’t be disappointed.”

The highly acclaimed play, written by Marcia Kash and Douglas E. Hughes, has received rave reviews for previous productions, feedback has included “……enough to turn Agatha Christie green with envy.”

A Party to Murder will be followed by Noel Coward’s classic fantasy-comedy Blithe Spirit which will be staged by Portishead Players from 8th – 10th December 2016.

Tickets are released several weeks ahead of each show and will be available by telephone on 0333 666 3366 or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/portisheadplayers. Alternatively, ticket outlets on Portishead’s High Street are Morgan-Westley or Mother Nature. Tickets for Portishead Players’ next three productions cost £10 for adults, children £7.00. A savings offer is available for anyone purchasing a Season Ticket. A small charge, less than 11%, is made for online and telephone bookings.

For further details of shows, season ticket savings or joining the group (new members welcome) visit our What's On, Box Office and Membership pages or contact Wendy Walmsley Tel: 01275 818802.

Portishead Players

Scoop Prestigious Awards

Portishead Players celebrate a series of awards and nominations presented by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association

Portishead Players scooped a number of highly prestigious awards and nominations at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) ceremony for productions staged in 2015.

At a black tie event attended by other groups in the South West NODA region, representatives from Portishead Players received the ‘Achievement Award for 2015’: this was based on an assessment of members in NODA’s district nine and endorsed the high standard of all Portishead Players’ shows during the year.

Commendation for Portishead Players’ creative skills was acknowledged with the Peter Wheeldon Trophy given “in recognition of societies that stage totally handmade productions”: during 2015, the group staged Spitfire Girls written and directed by long-standing member Colin Astley.

The high standards of the society extend to promotional and publicity materials and this was acknowledged with the ‘Standard Programme Award’ for its production of Entertaining Angels.

Earlier in the year, the group also gained an award in the Bristol One Act Festival for the ‘Best Moment in Theatre’ for BoggleBox, a satirical comedy written by Wendy Walmsley and directed by Rich MacPherson.

The new season for Portishead Players will feature a murder mystery in October, a classic Noel Coward play in December, a hilarious pantomime and original fairytale in February and a musical extravaganza in April.

Local playwright's new play to be performed by Portishead Players

1. Colin Astley pictured with a Spitfire plane marks the start of Portishead Players’ rehearsals for his new play.

2. Local playwright Colin Astley (foreground) of Portishead Players promotes his new play.

A member of Portishead Players has written his third original play. Entitled The Spitfire Girls, the production will be premiered on the 25th – 27th February 2016 at the Somerset Hall including a matinee performance on the Saturday.

Colin Astley's previous two plays were also performed by Portishead Players, and both received the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) Award for Original Drama.

The Spitfire Girls celebrates the unsung women of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), the only women to fly during the Second World War. Commenting on his interest in this period of history, and his reason for writing the play, Colin said:

“So much has been dramatised about the exploits of men during the war, and so little about the women, that I felt there was a story to be told; and what a story! Coming from all walks of life, flying all types of military aircraft, with no radios and the most basic navigational aids, these remarkable women truly helped to win the war. The skills, commitment and stories of some of these women are captured in the script of The Spitfire Girls.”

Under Colin’s direction, a strong cast is in rehearsal for the production that will be presented at the Somerset Hall in Portishead with tickets available by Telephone (0333 666 3366); online www.ticketsource.co.uk/portisheadplayers or at Morgan-Westley and Mother Nature on Portishead High Street.

Players stage musical spectacular at Somerset Hall

Portishead Players will complete its current season with a ‘Night at the Musicals’. Featuring fabulous songs from popular musicals, the production showcases the musical talents of a cast of over 60 people. The show runs 14th to 16th May 2015 including a Saturday Matinée at Somerset Hall, Portishead.

Performers include representatives from our adult section and youth divisions – Portishead Young Players and Portishead “Mini’s”. The production is supported by the group’s highly skilled live band. The show is co-directed by mother and daughter, Janet and Caroline Astley, with musical direction by Miles Boyd and Jenny Hazell.

Commenting on the production’s widespread appeal, Janet Astley said:

“This will be a sizzling spectacular featuring musicals that are known and loved, and others that may be new to some. This show will give the audience everything they want from a great night at the theatre. Songs from shows will include 'Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat', 'The Sound of Music', 'Les Mis', 'Hairspray' and many more. With fabulous voices, massive talent and some very cute little ones on stage, this will be a show for everyone, from tots to teens and beyond!”

Players Scoops Drama Awards!

Portishead Young Players celebrate their Best Moment of Theatre award. Colin Astley (left) displays awards for original and innovative writing. Committee member Lynda Sloane (right) holds the certificate achieved by the programme for the play entitled The Funeral Party.

Portishead Players has scooped a number of drama accolades, we have achieved two top placings in the 2015 National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) South West awards and our youth section, Portishead Young Players (PYP) has also gained a prestigious trophy for ‘Best Moment in Theatre’ at this year’s NODA Bristol One Act Festivals.

The Funeral Party written by Portishead Players member Colin Astley, who also acts and directs for the group, was presented with a special award for original drama and a nomination for ‘Most Innovative Production’ in the 2015 NODA SW awards: the programme for the same show was runner up in the ‘Standard Programme’ category.

The successes for the group follow a string of previous NODA awards and nominations for Portishead Players including our productions of Blood Money in 2004, ‘Allo ‘Allo in 2007 and Fawlty Towers in 2010.

The Portishead Young Players’ (PYP) production that achieved a One Act Festival award was a creative response to the camaraderie shown during the London bombings – it was a highly dramatic piece of physical theatre with strong dance elements. Devised by PYP leaders Caroline Astley and Verity Huntley, the performance contained original work created by the youth group’s students.