Barford Drama Group – Annual Report 2017/18
The Group’s first production in 2017/18 was Plays and Platters in March, with two one-act plays.
“Syrinx”, produced by Anne Fawcett, with Sue, Kate and Philippa, playing the three close friends from school days whose friendship was fractured by blame for the accidental death of one of their children. It included an impressive portrayal of the dead teenager’s spirit by Philippa’s teenage daughter.
The other play, “Alternative Accommodation”, produced by Joy with assistance from Jan, featured Barbara Winstone as an ageing widowed mother whom her three children, Wendy, Chris and Barbara Offiler, were now planning to ‘park’ in an old peoples home for her, or was it their own, good. But mother eventually revealed unexpected and more exciting plans for her future.
In April, we held an enjoyable Annual Dinner at the Granville with good support from members.
“Cider with Rosie”, in July, was produced by Jan and proved a challenging play with its many characters and our small stage. But it came together and was much enjoyed by our audiences, as was the traditional snack thanks to the efforts of Anne Fawcett in the kitchen. We got another glimpse of the Mitchell acting talent with Philippa’s young son Eddie playing Tony, the ‘baby’ of the family. One or two scenes were reproduced in the open air at the August Bank Holiday Village Show.
In August we were asked to move our furnishings and properties in and out of the Memorial Hall while it was redecorated and members rallied round to get the job done.
In September we had a Social Evening on a ‘bring a plate and bottle’ basis to view a DVD of a past production.
In November, Wendy once more delivered “Not the Music Hall” with the usual fun and frolics, and increasing musical support. As usual our audience said: “It was the best one ever”.
During the year the Programme Committee has met on a number of occasions, keeping up a supply of production recommendations and ideas. Also, Ed Kirby redesigned the BDG website and is providing excellent coverage of our productions.
Since there was no longer much interest by members in the activities of ACT and our criticism of the self-adjudicating system now adopted at festivals had not been responded to, we decided not to renew membership.
Earlier this month we needed to find new accommodation for our furniture and props stored on Di Hadley’s farm. A storage container was rented for the Group by Wendy for an initial three months at the Goldicote Business Park and the move made. It is not the most convenient location but we are hopeful that we might be able to rent one of the new storage buildings at the Scout Hut until it is needed during the building of the new Scout Hut and Community Centre in a year or so’s time.
Bringing us up to date was the Pantomime, with a rowdy final performance yesterday afternoon. Our thanks to Jane for another well written and directed production which brought fun and hilarity to audience and cast – oh yes it did !
Finally, a huge thank you from me to all our members who have supported the Group over the year – our actors, producers, technical crew, our catering help, our officers and last but not least our loyal audiences. It has been another good year for BDG.
Terry Offiler
Chairman