News and Notices
You will find some of our more recent news on our home page, but if you want all the gen on Adel Payers and what we have been getting up to, here's the place to come!
FOR INFORMATION ON OUR NEXT PRODUCTION CLICK HERE
Book Launch for our very own author!
Many patrons will be aware that our long-standing member, Pat Riley, is a published author as well as being the writer responsible for many of our popular murder mysteries. We are delighted to note that her biography of the playwright, Githa Sowerby, is now coming out in a second edition and there is to be a launch on January 30th to mark this event.
The author herself will be discussing the book as well as this remarkable playwright and there will be the added attraction of David Pritchard and Jane Gorton reprising a powerful scene from our 2014 production of Sowerby's Rutherford and Son.
All are welcome, so please see the details in the pdf below.
Adobe Acrobat document [459.7 KB]
AWMA Summer Fete: Adel Players members not bashful in coming forward!
Rapidly becoming a permanent and much anticipated fixture in the calendar, the AWMA Summer Fete was held on Sunday 17 June and was another great success. Our thanks to Jane Foale for this photo of those of our members who provided a lot of fun today for the visitors by dressing up as Mary Poppins, an Austrian anarchist, a Yeoman Warder, Miss Piggy, and Spiderman. Serious acting is alive and well in North Leeds!
Many thanks also to James Willstrop, an Adel Players member and gold medallist in Squash at the recent Commonwealth Games. He came with his wife and eldest son to open the Fete straight after getting home from playing matches in France, and delighted visitors by posing for photos wearing the Gold Medal.
Rosie Waites did a superb job planning and managing the whole stalls area and dealing splendidly with the inevitable problems that arose, ably assisted by David Pritchard, Robin and Harry Peart and of course our stalwarts, Pat and Bernard Riley. Another great day. Look out for next year’s date!
"Broken Glass" gets brace of awards at the 2017 Wharfedale Festival of Theatre!
We are delighted to report that our festival entry, Broken Glass, has been recognized at the July 2017 gala awards evening for the Wharfedale Festival of Theatre with prestigious wins in the following categories:
Best Actor Robert Colbeck
Best Actress Dianne Newby
Best Programme Shell Peart & Beth Duce
Best Stage Presentation David Newby
Best Play Broken Glass
Our very sincere thanks to all those who took part and who supported this production. It is gratifying indeed that we have now won best play in three of the last five years of the awards and we were runners-up in the remaining years. This can be put down to the hard work of our talented members but just as important is the wonderful support we enjoy from our loyal and much appreciated patrons.
Some of our talented winners
Members celebrate our bumper haul
AND: as a very special bonus, we were all especially thrilled that the Pat Dyson Spirit of Theatre award went to our own Vivienne Bate. Viv joined Adel Players 64 years ago in 1953, since which time she's acted, directed, worked backstage and front-of-house, was Secretary for 17 years, and still at the age of 85 she takes an active part in whatever is going on. Viv is a brilliant actress, a lovely person, and an inspiration to all of us, and it was a joy to see her contribution to amateur theatre recognised by more than just our members. Here she is receiving her award, and if you would like to see her member profile, just click here.
Our Vivienne: truly the embodiment of the Spirit of Theatre
Adel Players land prestigious awards in the 2016 Wharfedale Festival of Theatre.
We are delighted that our work has been recognized once again with several awards in the 2016 Wharfedale Festival of Theatre. Our festival entry was the October 2015 production of Journey's End, and the awards announced at the gala festival evening were as follows:
Best Actor: James Willstrop
Best Supporting Actor: David Pritchard
Best Stage Presentation: Beth Duce and Shell Peart
Best Programme
Best Play
To put this win into context, we were up against entries from 10 other drama groups as Drama (Adults) is easily the largest section of the Festival. Our thanks go to the director, Bernard Riley, and the rest of his production team who worked so hard to bring this about. And our congratulations of course to all the actors whose ensemble work made for a truly moving and memorable production. All concerned were determined to make sure we honoured the memory of those who served and died in the conflict this play depicts, and we are pleased that these awards reflect that determination.
James Willstrop and Mike Andrews in Journey's End
Bumper haul of silver for Rutherford and Son in the 2015 Wharfedale Festival of Theatre!
The "A" team bring home the booty...
Following a gala awards evening on the 11th of July, we are thrilled that the Wharfedale Festival of Theatre has once more recognized our work with a brace of awards for our festival play, Rutherford and Son.
The individual awards are:
Best Programme Shell Peart
Best Supporting Actress Jane Gorton
Best Cameo Dianne Newby
For the production as a whole we were delighted to be awarded the Peter Russell Trophy for Technical Excellence and the Mary Payne Salver as runners-up in the award for best production overall. Congratulations to all our winners and nominees and to all the team who made this possible.
And if you are one of our loyal patrons thank you for all the support that helped us earn this, and we look forward to seeing you next season!
David Pritchard and Will Andrews in Rutherford
PHOTOS, NOTES & REVIEW: 'Rutherford & Son'
Janet (Jane Gorton) and Martin (Robert Colbeck) in 'Rutherford & Son'
Our October 2014 play was Githa Sowerby's 'Rutherford & Son' by Pat Riley.
To see photos and read director's notes and audience feedback, head to 'Recent Productions'.
For a full independent review by Ann Lightman of Adel Bells magazine, click here.
'RUTHERFORD & SON': Media coverage!
Ilkley Gazette cutting
Adel Players were spreading the message about the production of 'Rutherford & Son' in local media.
The article on the left appeared in the Ilkley Gazette.
On page 22 of the October edition of local magazine North Leeds Life, there was a feature all about the play, and we were also mentioned on page 39 of Covered Magazine (both reproduced below).
Thanks also to TheCultureVulture.co.uk, Keighley News, YorInspired, The Yorkshire Times, The State of the Arts, Leeds Inspired and Barry Anderson.
'R&S' was also listed at the Wharfedale Observer, WOW247.co.uk, List.co.uk, Sardines Magazine, Amdram.co.uk and Amdram.net.
North Leeds Life, October issue
Covered Magazine, October issue
GREEN ROOM: 'Journey's End' play reading
On Monday 8 September, we held a play reading of R.C. Sherriff's compelling World War One drama 'Journey's End'.
This is an immensely powerful drama and we hope to stage a production in a forthcoming season.
Reviews of the 2011 production in the West End:
"Profoundly moving" - The Guardian
"A corkscrew of tension, emotion and drama" - The Independent
"Hugely affecting" - Daily Express
ADEL REMEMBERS WORLD WAR ONE
Pat Riley (picture via @ivorhughespics on Twitter)
At the invitation of the Adel War Memorial Association, on Monday 4 August Adel Players took part in a candlelight presentation of readings to commemorate the centenary of the start of World War One.
Family memories and war poetry featured in the LIGHTS OUT event, one of many that took place around the UK to create a unique national moment of reflection.
For more information on the heavy price paid by the village of Adel in WW1 and the work of local historians to record the fallen in a new booklet, we recommend
reading this Yorkshire Post
article.
VIDEO FROM 'THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST'!
Whilst we take our summer break, we're inviting you to return to the world of Oscar Wilde with a selection of video highlights from our April 2014 production of 'The Importance of Being Earnest' - such as the example below. For more information and lots more clips, click here.
FOUR WHARFEDALE AWARDS FOR 'IF I WERE YOU'!
Congratulations to the cast and crew of our January 2014 production, 'If I Were You' by Alan Ayckbourn! They walked away with FOUR awards at the Wharfedale Festival of Theatre night in Menston on Saturday, 12 July.
The awards were:
Mary Payne Salver – Second Place Overall in the Adult Drama section
Best Comedy Performance award for David Lancaster as Mal Rodale
Peter Hewitt Trophy – Overall Stage Design and in particular for innovative in-the-round staging and presentation
Award for Ambience Front of House for unfailingly high standards of welcome to all audience members
We were also nominated in the following categories:
BEST DIRECTOR: Mike Andrews
BEST ACTOR: David Lancaster
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Will Andrews
Director Mike Andrews writes: "Thank you to everyone who was involved in the production; cast, front of house, backstage, lighting, sound, props etc. As you can see, the awards reflect a team effort from everyone!
"I am very pleased that the production has been recognised by Wharfedale in such a wide range of categories and once again shows how 'Team Adel Players' rise to the occasion and pull out all of the stops to create a fantastic theatre experience for our audiences."
The Wharfedale Festival of Theatre exists to promote, celebrate and encourage good amateur theatre in the area, and is a friendly festival with a unique 'community' feel.
It is open to amateur dramatic and operatic societies and youth and schools groups and though centred in Wharfedale as the title suggests, performances given in the Leeds, Harrogate and Bradford
areas are also eligible to enter.
Last year, Adel Players won three awards for their April 2013 production of 'Ghosts' by Henrik Ibsen - including the William Whiteley Salver for Best Play - and received five further nominations.
The graphic below was produced after the nominations for the 2014 awards were announced.
CHARITIES BENEFIT FROM MURDER MYSTERY
'It Went To Sudden Death'
Take a look back on our successful murder mystery evenings by visiting our Recent Productions section.
The new whodunnit play 'It Went To Sudden Death' tested the detective skills of our audiences, who enjoyed a hearty pie-and-peas supper to assist their sleuthing!
Over 220 people attended over two nights, and in excess of £2500 (combined total) was raised for Adel War Memorial Association and the Mannings for Macmillan 2014 appeal.
You can read a review of the entertainment on our website, courtesy of Adel Bells magazine.
GREEN ROOM: 'Relatively Speaking'
'Relatively Speaking' revival cast (2013)
Our final Green Room session of the 2013/14 season took place on Monday 12th May.
We held a reading of 'Relatively Speaking' by Alan Ayckbourn. This is an early Ayckbourn piece with a small cast and some very traditional elements of farce; it was a great success in the commercial theatre.
It is also a play which we feel could be suitable for an upcoming production.
The reading was enjoyed very much by all present.
Green Room events are open to non-members of Adel Players. All are welcome, and we'd love to see you there! Please Contact Us if you are interested and we would be happy to provide further information.
GREEN ROOM: Phone Calls and Monologues
Maggie Smith as Susan in 'A Bed Among The Lentils'
Our second 'Green Room' workshop of 2014 was entitled 'Phone Calls and Monologues' and was held at Adel Memorial Hall on Monday 10 March.
Andy Sneddon and Mike Andrews led the session, which began with a short clip from Matt Berry's Channel 4 comedy 'Toast of London' showing how even the shortest piece of dramatic text can give an actor difficulties!
We then moved on to Mike's 'Phone Calls' exercise, which used a conversation from our recent production of Alan Ayckbourn's 'If I Were You'. We heard Mal's side of the chat with Trixie (courtesy of David Pritchard), and were then asked to consider what Trixie might have been saying on the other end of the line. There were some very funny interpretations!
We then moved on to the 'Monologues' section, with Jon Holmes delivering Colonel Jessep's speech from the witness box in Aaron Sorkin's US military courtroom drama 'A Few Good Men', a play made even more famous by the 1992 movie adaptation starring Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise. In groups, we then deliberated where the emphasis should rest on different words to convey maximum impact, before hearing two more versions by fellow members.
Dianne Newby then gave a capitivating performance in the role of Susan in Alan Bennett's 'A Bed Among The Lentils', from Talking Heads. Further readings followed, from another Bennett monologue 'Her Big Chance', Howard Brenton's '55 Days' and Blake Morrison's 'We Are Three Sisters'.
Our next Green Room session is scheduled for Monday 12 May (7.45pm) when we hold a reading of Alan Ayckbourn's 'Relatively Speaking'.
'Green Room' readings and workshops are open to non-members, and are great introductory events for those interested in potentially Joining Adel Players - please Contact Us if you would like to attend, or for more information.
OBITUARIES: Barbara Trickett and John Stakes
Barbara (left) as Gwendolen in 'The Importance of Being Earnest', 1966
Our longest-serving member, Barbara Trickett - who was Chair of Adel Players for many years - died peacefully on the evening of Wednesday 26 February 2014 at St James' Hospital. She was 86.
Barbara had been a member of Adel Players since the early 1950s and still continued to support us as much as she could, despite ill health in recent years.
Viv Bate remembers: "She was a delight to work with, so responsive and completely reliable... I am deeply sad that we have lost her, yet all my memories of her are happy ones – what better epitaph could anyone have?"
John as Vic Johnson in Funny Money (2002)
Also dearly departed is John Stakes, whose funeral was held in Carlisle on Tuesday 4 March 2014. Read the Yorkshire Post's detailed obituary.
John, who passed away at the age of 68, starred in many of our productions throughout the 1990s and 2000s, and also directed plays such as The Devil at Midnight (2003) and Snake In The Grass (2005).
Read Mike Andrews and Viv Bate's recollections of working with John in our Memories section.
'IF I WERE YOU' - PHOTOS, FEEDBACK & REVIEWS!
Our January 2014 production was the role-reversal comedy drama 'If I Were You' by Alan Ayckbourn.
Follow the link above to see images and audience feedback from four sold-out performances.
Read a full independent review of the production, courtesy of The Culture Vulture blog, which showcases the best of the Leeds arts scene. For a review from Adel Bells magazine, click here.
GREEN ROOM: John Godber's 'Lucky Sods'
Our first 'Green Room' session of 2014 took place on Monday 10 February at Adel Memorial Hall and consisted of a reading of 'Lucky Sods' by John Godber.
Our current plan for 2014/15 is to hold a season of 'Northern' plays. John Godber is one of the playwrights whom we are considering, so we were able to get a flavour of the very distinctive work of this Yorkshire writer.
Godber is contemporary (still living and writing) and has made a speciality of work dealing with traditional Northern working-class communities and changes that they have faced in recent generations.
The tone is bitter-sweet, with significant elements of humour, and his work normally demands very simple, flexible staging. It is claimed that he is the third most frequently performed dramatist in Britain, after Shakespeare and Ayckbourn.
Alan Foale
GREEN ROOM readings and workshops are open to non-members, and are great introductory events for those interested in potentially Joining Adel Players - please Contact Us if you would like to attend, or for more
information.
MEMORIES OF MICHAEL ARMSTRONG
Michael (far right) in 'How The Other Half Loves', 1981
Michael Armstrong was a founder member of Adel Players and was involved in well over 100 productions, acting, directing and backstage.
Past and current members have enjoyed his advice, encouragement and friendship over the past 66 years.
His contribution to the group is immeasurable and he will be greatly missed.
*** News Archive (2013) ***
GREEN ROOM: Aristophanes
Aristophanes
On Monday 11 November 2013, our 'Green Room' workshop in the Gladys Tetley Room at Adel Memorial Hall focused on Aristophanes.
It was led by David Pritchard, who gave a brief introduction to the Greek playwright's comedies and then asked those attending to read selected extracts.
Aristophanes lived in ancient Athens in the fourth century BC and is known as 'The Father of Comedy'. His plays such as Clouds and Frogs continue to be performed around the world to this day, and are characterised by outrageous satire.
Thanks for coming to see 'NUDE WITH VIOLIN'!
Sebastien (David Pritchard) takes a call
In October 2013, we brought Noel Coward's modern-art comedy 'Nude With Violin' to Leeds. Click here to read our recap of the production and see photos from the show.
Thanks for coming to see the show - over 500 tickets were sold!
On Jon's blog on The Culture Vulture, he wrote about Coward, where the playwright's ideas for 'Nude With Violin' came from and the rich cultural legacy he left us.
As always, thanks to the following for media coverage:
North Leeds Life, Excelle Magazine, Covered Magazine, Leeds Inspired, North Leeds News, The List, Sardines Magazine, Amdram.co.uk, Stray FM, Amdram.net, Ilkley Gazette, Wharfedale Observer, YorInspired, Yorkshire Times and Beyond Guardian Leeds.
GREEN ROOM: 'The Game' by Harold Brighouse
On Monday 9 September 2013, Adel Players enjoyed a reading of 'The Game' by Harold Brighouse (author of 'Hobson's Choice'). It's a play we are thinking of producing in our 2014-15 season.
'The Game' is a comedy-drama, written in 1914, neglected for many years but revived with huge success by Northern Broadsides and others in recent years.
It has a largeish cast of full-blooded, complex characters (female and male, and various ages) and deals with changing times in a Northern small town, the differences between the generations and between social classes.
The 'game' which is the spur to the action is football, and it is the reason why London critics originally sneered at it, claiming that football was not a fit subject for the theatre. In fact, football is the catalyst rather than the underlying subject and it is a play with a very wide appeal.
AWARDS SUCCESS FOR 'GHOSTS'!
Pictured from left to right - Helen Duce (Regina), Rob Colbeck (Pastor Manders), David Pritchard (Engstrand), Beth Duce (director), Dianne Newby (Mrs Alving), Ron Darby (set design), Michelle Peart (set design), Arthur Duce (set design)
Congratulations to all involved in our April 2013 production of 'GHOSTS' which was named BEST PLAY at the Wharfedale Festival of Theatre awards evening on Saturday 6 July!
But that's not all... our leading lady Dianne Newby won the BEST ACTRESS gong, and our talented set-design team were recognised with the BEST STAGE PRESENTATION prize. A triple triumph! On the right are some of our cast and crew, with director Beth Duce holding the prestigious William Whiteley Salver.
'GHOSTS' was nominated in eight Festival awards categories - see the image below for more details, and visit the Festival website. A report on the awards evening is also available to read on the Bradford Telegraph and Argus website.
Click here to read about 'GHOSTS' and see pictures from the play. For an independent appraisal of the production, check our Reviews section.
A DOG'S LIFE - Big Drama Launch
Photography by Leeds Library and Information Service
Members of Adel Players performed a rehearsed reading of 'A Dog's Life' by Pam Valentine at the Big Drama Launch at Leeds Central Library on the evening of Monday 20 May, 2013.
They were involved as part of the official launch of the 'new' Drama Library, which has moved north from Wakefield for the benefit of drama groups in the region.
There was also a talk on Githa Sowerby - the playwright of Rutherford and Son - by her biographer Pat Riley.
Emma Hayton, Librarian at Leeds Central Library, wrote: "An absolute, massive thanks - everyone had a wonderful time and we had words like 'inspiring' and 'excellent' about the talk and performance!
"All the feedback was very positive - we had about 55 people in all. With the performance space in the middle and staff, we filled the room. I do hope you enjoyed it too. It is a challenge in a public space, but the exciting part is that we can hopefully make it into a multi use performance area and do MORE!
"Please say thank you to the rest of the Players, it was so great that they came down."
For more information on Leeds Libraries' drama section, visit their website.
REFLECTIONS ON 'GHOSTS'! RAVE REVIEWS!
From 24 to 27 April 2013, Adel Players brought Henrik Ibsen's 'Ghosts' to north Leeds in a production directed by Beth Duce.
The play made great use of our recent lighting upgrades and other new facilities at Adel Memorial Hall, resulting in truly memorable theatre.
Production photos, directors notes, cast and crew information and audience responses are available to view here.
We are also proud to share with you a glowing review from Sardines Magazine - "the UK's professional magazine for amateur theatre" - and we thank them for their kind words and enthusiasm.
We were very grateful to various local media for helping us to publicise 'Ghosts' - the Yorkshire Evening Post, the Wharfedale Observer, North Leeds Life, Adel Crag, YorInspired and Stray FM were just some of the places who featured us. Many thanks to everyone for their invaluable support.
There's also a blog about this Adel Players production on the Culture Vulture website called 'Keeping Up Appearances' - head there to read why the characters created by Ibsen at the end of the 19th century are still so relevant to modern audiences.
UPGRADES REPORT!
Having completed our 2012/13 Enhancement of Theatre Facilities project, we invite you to read about the upgrades to lighting, sound and sets that we have recently made.
We were able to implement these improvements thanks to the generous grant from the Leeds City Council Area Well-Being Committee, and the appeal to our patrons. Thank you for your support!
Click here to read excerpts from the Upgrades Report.
NEW-LOOK ADEL CLUB WEBSITE!
Adel Players come under the 'umbrella' of the Adel Sports and Social Club, which is run by the Adel War Memorial Association.
AWMA have recently relaunched their website with a new design, and the AP page is looking great! Head over there now to have a look.
PRESS COVERAGE FOR 'GHOSTS'!
As we geared up for our April 2013 production of 'Ghosts', we were spreading the word via local media.
Covered Magazine mentioned us on the front cover! Head inside to page 52 to find the full article, which we've also reproduced here in the accompanying image.
Our friends at North Leeds Life and Excelle Magazine also featured 'Ghosts' in their April editions, for which we were very grateful. Thanks for your support.
In addition, the Leeds Inspired website - the cultural calendar initiative from Leeds City Council - had 'Ghosts' listed among the Theatre events for April.
BEDROOM FARCE - PHOTOS, VIDEOS AND REVIEWS!
Our production of 'BEDROOM FARCE' (23-26 January 2013) was a huge success, with over 450 tickets sold across four nights.
Click here to see photos and videos from the production, and read audience responses and director's notes - plus Adel Bells magazine has kindly provided a review.
Nick and Trevor, Bedroom Farce
Let us know what you think...
We want your feedback!
We hope you enjoy browsing the pages of our website for news, past memories and future plans, whether you are a current member of Adel Players, a prospective member or looking to come and see us in action.
If you have any feedback about the website or would like to see anything else here, please contact David or Jon at webmaster@adel-players.org.uk.
Or you can leave a comment using the form on our Comments page.
Any contributions, whether written memories, cuttings or photographs from past productions and social events are always welcome!
*** News Archive (2012 and previous) ***
INDUCTION LOOP INSTALLED!
As a result of our appeal to patrons (see below) and with the additional help of a generous grant from Leeds City Council, we have been able to commence our improvement works in the hall.
Contractors have installed an Induction Loop that will help those with hearing impairment to enjoy a better experience at our performances.
The system will also be of benefit to the various other groups that use the hall and for when meetings are held there.
Those with suitable hearing aids simply need to set their device to the "T" setting and they will get a clear amplified reproduction of any speech and music on stage or in the auditorium.
If you have any comments about this now or in the future, please feel free to use our Comments page.
26.11.12.
Appeal to Patrons update! Grant success!
Adel Players have received some wonderful news!
We recently launched an Appeal to our Patrons as we seek to undertake a major improvement of our staging facilities, so that we can offer an even better theatre experience.
The aim of the project is to install new lighting circuits, purchase new stage quality lamps, improve sound production and create new stage equipment such as scenery flats. In addition, a high quality induction loop system for the main hall will be installed.
Thank you to all those who have given so generously. Your donations are greatly appreciated.
In addition to the Appeal, we applied for a grant from the Outer North West Area Committee. We were delighted to learn that the grant has been approved! Here's the official announcement from Leeds City Council's Conservative Group Office:
A well-established and popular Amateur Dramatic Group who stage their productions in the Adel War Memorial Club in north Leeds has benefited from a grant from the Outer North West Area Committee of £4957 to help install a new lighting and sound production system, including a hearing loop.
Adel Players have been in existence since 1945 and have won a number of major awards in local amateur theatre for their excellent quality productions. Unfortunately, the sound and lighting system they currently have is no longer up to scratch if they want to keep providing top quality local drama.
Cllr. Barry Anderson (Conservative, Adel & Wharfedale) said: "I am really pleased that we were able to make this award to Adel Players.
"They are such a huge part of the community in Adel and people come from all around to watch their productions.
"I am a regular attender at the plays and can vouch for the high quality of acting and production.
"However, they are now suffering from having a very old and outdated lighting and sound system and they can now look forward to putting on ever better productions with the installation of new sound and lighting equipment.
"It is also very important that they will now be able to install a hearing loop for people with hearing difficulties as that will be a real bonus to playgoers who need this assistance."
Thank you to the Committee, and thanks again to those audience members who have donated!
To find out more information about how you can help, please read our Appeal to Patrons.
November 2012
'ALL MY SONS... SUPERB!" says Sardines Magazine
Our first production of the 2012/13 season was Arthur Miller's classic post-war American drama 'ALL MY SONS' (24-27 October 2012).
For reflections on, and images from, the play - click here.
"Thank you for a memorable, entertaining evening... Everyone on stage came across as totally believable... the standing ovation at the end was fully deserved" - PK
"Great night at All My Sons, fantastic acting and depth of character portrayal. Well done Adel Players" - Barry Anderson, Adel and Wharfedale Councillor, Leeds City Council
"Fantastic. As always a huge HUGE congratulations to all involved. The set, though minimalistic turned out fab, the lighting and sound very expertly done by the new 'crew' and the acting was just top-notch from all! Well done guys. I bloody loved it!" - AJ
"Was thoroughly impressed last night! Superb acting all round guys - so moving! Well done!" - HD
- We've posted some production photos on our Facebook page for you to have a look at. Follow the link, and give us a 'Like' too!
- Thanks to the Wharfedale Observer, Leeds Inspired, North Leeds Life, Adel Crag and others for publicity.
- ALSO - Jon's contributed a blog for The Culture Vulture website, with his thoughts on amateur theatre in Leeds and why it represents good value for money. Follow the link here and have a read - and let us know your thoughts.
The Art of Stage Make-Up
Workshop led by Beth Duce, 8 October 2012
Beth Duce led our make-up workshop recently and was able to share many years of experience and her considerable expertise to the benefit of about 20 members of Adel Players who joined us on the evening.
One lucky member had the benefit of Beth demonstrating how to 'age down', whilst another suffered the horrifyingly effective impact of being 'aged up' in preparation for a forthcoming part!
Here are a couple of pictures from the evening...
Beth making a new man of Mike Andrews
Chris Andrews gets ready to age 20 years in one evening!
Chris wins Best Actor on Awards Night!
The 2012 Wharfedale Festival of Theatre awards took place on Saturday, July 14, and saw success for Adel Players!
The April production of 'ARSENIC AND OLD LACE' was our entry, and Chris Andrews claimed the Best Actor (Comedy) award for his superb performance as Mortimer Brewster.
The play, directed by Dianne Newby, was third in the Best Overall Production category.
To read about 'Arsenic and Old Lace', and see more photos from the play, click here.
'On The Road Through Adel' review!
We are grateful to Ann Lightman for allowing us to carry her review of the local history play co-written by Adel Players' Pat Riley, performed at Adel Church on 22 and 23 June 2012. To read the review, click here.
Beth takes centre stage!
We have a new Member Profile on the website! Beth Duce - the director of our acclaimed January 2012 production of 'Blithe Spirit', and seen on stage in plays such as 'Someone Waiting' and 'The Cherry Orchard' - talks about her love of amateur dramatics and, of course, Adel Players. To read the interview, click here.
Nine Wharfedale Festival nominations!
Adel Players received an outstanding NINE nominations at the 2012 Wharfedale Festival of Theatre for our recent production of 'Arsenic and Old Lace'. See image below for details.
'Arsenic and Old Lace'
Hall Improvements
Summer and Autumn 2011 saw some more major improvements at Adel Memorial Hall, with brand new flooring in the hall and new central heating being installed in the building, promising comfortable
and cosy rehearsal spaces and performance hall for the chilly months ahead. The dressing rooms were refurbished and storage facilities improved. Now is the time to come and visit us, as a potential
member or as audience, as it's not just the cast that are shining!
UPDATE - DECEMBER 2011! Many helpers made for light work, painting the hall walls, which are now fresh and modern. Dianne and David Newby alone worked their socks off transforming the gents' dressing
room area.
The Big Tidy
August saw a gathering at Adel Memorial Hall, home of our rehearsals and performances, as Adel Players members spent a full day sorting, clearing, cleaning and putting up shelves. With the hall about to get a brand new floor and the men's dressing room ready to be improved, a team of happy helpers repair scenery flats, improved the storage in the loft and generally had a good old sort out. Thankfully there was a plentiful supply of bacon butties and mugs of tea and coffee to keep the workers fully fueled!
Two awards for Someone Waiting
Adel Players received two awards at the 2011 Wharfedale Festival of Theatre for Someone Waiting:
- Best Cameo went to Carol Crossfield
- Jack Pitts Trophy for coming third in the Drama (Adults) category
Congratulations to Carol and the cast, crew and director for these awards. They are very well deserved.
Congratulations also to Adel Players member Pat Riley, who received an award for Best Supporting Actress in her role of the Earl of Kent in King Lear with the Hope Theatre Group.
For more details of the awards, go to http://www.wharfedaletheatrefest.org.uk/.
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| Carol Crossfield, Best Cameo winner, in action as Mrs Danecourt! |
Carol receiving her award
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| Pat Riley accepting her award |
The Adel Players table |
Mike Andrews honoured by the AWMA
Congratulations to longtime member Mike Andrews who was presented on 16th February with the Adel War Memorial Association's Bray Award. This was for services to the AWMA, of whom the Adel
Players belong, over the last 35 years. Many Adel Players members surprised Mike by waiting for him to come out of his rehearsal for Someone Waiting and
into the bar, where Chair Dianne Newby presented the award to him on behalf of the AWMA.
Mike is a fantastic and active member of Adel Players, both onstage and backstage, and a much loved friend to everyone in the group. He thanked group members by saying, "I have always been very
proud of the Players and most importantly our role in the community. We provide quality productions that make our audiences laugh and cry, and probably groan at times! Our members are a
great team who work together to ensure every play is a success. I see this award as for the whole of Adel Players and a recognition of the strength of the group, particularly in recent
years".
Gents' dressing-room gets a makeover
| The backstage men's dressing-room has been improved to allow for more space and improved facilities for the cast to use during productions. This follows the massive improvements to the ladies' dressing-room a while ago. Both dressing-rooms have also received fabulous new light-up mirrors to help get all the greasepaint and wigs just right! |  |
Four Wharfedale Festival of Theatre Awards for The Cherry Orchard
- Best Newcomer - Helen Duce (Anya)
- Best Supporting Actor (tied) - Bernard Riley (Firs)
- Runner-up Best Supporting Actress - Claire Lipman (Varya)
- The Telegraph & Argus Trophy for the accomplished performance and imaginative staging of a challenging play - Adel Players
Click on pictures below to enlarge.
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| Helen Duce - Best Newcomer | Bernard Riley - Best Supporting Actor |
Chair Dianne Newby with The Telegraph and Argus Trophy |
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| Wharfedale Festival of Theatre Chair - Malcolm Pinder | The Adel Players table | Dianne wonders if the trophy cup might make a useful piece of costume for
forthcoming production 'Allo! 'Allo! |
Eileen Routledge
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Long time active member and dear friend to all Eileen Routledge sadly passed away in February 2010 after much illness, during which she showed great courage and a never-faltering continued compassion for Adel Players and all her friends within the group. She will be greatly missed and forever loved. Our thoughts are with her family. We will each cherish our memories of this dear lady. |
Please be seated...
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