Hartpury Drama Group Newsletter, December 2023.

Angela Gaskell, Secretary:
email: hartpurydramagroup1973@gmail.com
Address: Nettlecomb House, Highleadon GL18 1HH
Mobile number: 07807 130901

Dear Thesps,

Message from Dave Page

We at Hartpury Drama Group continue to enjoy success as the year draws to a close. Our social suppers have been well attended and we are looking forward to our Christmas meal at The Royal Exchange on Thursday 7th December. Our sincere thanks go to Mike Jones for his co-ordination of the Social Suppers Programme.

On Friday 24th and Saturday 25th November HDG staged “A Fashionable Murder”. The show was sold out on both nights. Audience feedback has been excellent. We know we have talented performers but it is good to have this reinforced with enthusiastic feedback. My congratulations go to Trish and her team for the amazing job she did. She brought the show to life by harnessing the support of a huge team. Thinking about the show, I think this was the most striking aspect and sums up HDG. Teamwork – direction, production, backstage, on the stage, catering, front of house, setting up and clearing away - everyone contributed to the show’s success. Her show was a triumph. Congratulations to all concerned, and well done!

If anyone is interested in directing or producing a show please do not hesitate to contact a committee member. We will, of course, offer support to anyone who assumes one of these crucial roles.

Our 2024 autumn production will be two episodes of Black Adder combined and adapted for the stage. Dates your calendar - 28/29/30 November 2024 - details highlighted below.

Dave Page
Chairperson HDG

Review: "A Fashionable Murder"
Audiences who came to see Hartpury Drama Group’s production of ‘A Fashionable Murder’ (Director: Trish Gallagher) on November 24th and 25th at Hartpury Village Hall were treated to a stunning visual experience. The hall was adorned with floral wall displays, full-sized mannequins, and exquisite table decorations (decor: Liz Newey and team). During two intervals, Lynda Page and her team served delightful petite finger sandwiches, vol-au-vents, and patisseries - worthy of The Savoy.

Once the evening’s audience was seated and settled, they immediately discovered that they were guests at a Catwalk Fashion Show (models supplied by HDG).

The play then started and moved quickly along with never a dull moment. During the intervals, the audience was encouraged to try to work out who exactly had murdered Julia Harper (played by Angie Gaskell). Julia’s acid tongue, uncompromising standards, and her outrageous claims to other designers' creations as her own, became apparent cause for someone working at her fashion show, to want her dead.

This murder mystery by writer Andrew Hull, began subtly enough, although not for long. For as soon as Julia Harper entered she immediately began a tirade of furiously unleashed pressing demands on anyone unfortunate enough to be caught in her line of fire. The haranguing continued until the closing end of Act One. This first interval gave the audience time to pause to work out a possible murder suspect. What was impressive, and somewhat surprisingly, was how well this play courted comedy. Not just in the sense of flashes of light relief before the inevitable reveal (Julia’s murder), but in character-driven comedy which stood up very well within what was otherwise a tense murder mystery play.

A Fashionable Murder, skillfully directed by Trish Gallagher, successfully captivated the nightly audience's attention as they sought to suss out who might be the murderer.

Angie Gaskell, Richard Pett, Lesley Wood, Dave Zeal, Maxine Le Cappelain, John Newey, Giles Lantos, Craig Grewcock, and Viv all Little delivered outstanding performances.

Scene changes were executed flawlessly, thanks to Robin Knox’s stage lighting, sound design by Paul Finch, and a minimalist set design by Ron Felgate, complemented by Jean Spurling's props.

But the success of the play was in the very fine casting that delivered real atmosphere and credibility to each fast-moving scene. There were times when it was anyone’s guess as to where the plot was hurtling, and that’s as it should be – but it was pretty obvious that each night’s audience was gripped as the revelations arrived thick and fast towards the closing moments.


Just a few of the messages from the audience:
"Re: my play, A Fashionable Murder. It was pleasing to find that both nights played to sell-out performances. Pass my best wishes to everyone involved." Andrew Hull
"A great final night! The play was entertaining, with different character personalities shining through. Well done!" TY
"Thoroughly enjoyed the show. The whole night’s package: room decor, catwalk, show, food - all great." CG
"Great fun. Loved the audience participation segment. All brilliant." PH
"Another successful HDG production. Compliments to director, cast and crew." DG

Looking Ahead:

We eagerly anticipate next year’s November production of Blackadder, directed by Dave Page.

There will be two Black Adder episodes combined and specially adapted for the stage.
"Witchsmeller Pursuivant"
Set in England in the late 15th century and centres on the fictitious Prince Edmund, who finds himself falsely accused of witchcraft by a travelling witch-hunter known as the Witchsmeller Pursuivant. The story satirises mediaeval superstition and religious belief.
“The Queen of Spain’s Beard"
Set in England, during a fictional historical era of the late 15th-century, the Play parodies the practice of intermarriage between the royal houses of European powers - which was a genuine and significant characteristic of European politics at that time. Its bawdy humour also deals with taboos surrounding premarital sex, gay stereotypes and the practice of child marriage.

The play will be directed by Dave Page and auditions will take place on:

Tuesday 3rd September 2024 at 7pm at Hartpury Village Hall.

Rehearsals commence Tuesday 10th September 2024 (twice weekly)

Show dates 28/29/30th November 2024

Please register your interest with Dave Page or the Secretary.
Dave Page: dagwoodp5@gmail.com
Secretary: hartpurydramagroup1973@gmail.com

We will be looking to fill the following positions:

A large cast of:

Male/Female actors

A large crew consisting of:

Producer
Publicity Officer
Stage Manager
Posters/brochure design (in place)
Lighting Engineer (in place)
Sound Engineer (in place)
Prompt
Props
Stage Hands
Box Office
Costume organiser
Makeup/wigs attendant
Set designer(s)
Set painter(s)
Furniture sourcer
Dresser assistant

Cheers,


Angie

Angela Gaskell (HDG Secretary).

PS Richard Pett will be directing Holiday Snaps for MADS
Maisemore Amateur Dramatic Society (MADS) have asked us to mention the audition date for their next upcoming play:
Holiday Snaps - A comedy by Michael Pertwee and John Chapman.
The play will be directed by Richard and auditions will take place on:
Wednesday 6th December at 7.30pm in the Committee Room of Maisemore Village Hall.

Please register your interest before 6th December:
richardpett2013@gmail.com