The Trinity Hall, BARNSLEY
This issue contains news that Trinity Players is now moving to a new financial year of July to June. It also contains information about a surprise social event, or two, and the all-important date of the annual general meeting at which you have the chance to voice support of your leadership or inviting members to take a break…so please read on!
In essence, it looks at the deliberations of the committee meeting held at Trinity at 7.30pm on Tuesday May 3rd and attended by Paul Taylor (chairman); Ruth Willerton (Vice); Jim Parkinson (Treas); John Parker, Neil Barham and Ian Harley. Apologies were received from Jane Laverack, Joe Battye, Barbara Parkinson and Dale Rivers (Sec).
ABIGAIL’S PARTY
Paul Taylor reported that everything was going swimmingly with regards to rehearsals, set construction and decoration.
In fact the only cause for concern is tickets sales which was perhaps surprising with this Mike Leigh comedy being so popular.
Ian Harley reported that he had been in contact with t’Chronicle which had promised a photographer for the dress rehearsal on Monday May 9th. It was hoped that the picture and accompanying words would appear in the issue. Ruth Willerton said paid-for advertisements in the Chronicle are to of Friday May 13th appear before that date. Further discussion centred around the provision of posters and flyers.
Ian also reported that the appeal for front-of-house volunteers had been exceptionally well received and four volunteers were now in place for each of the shows.
While the appeal for raffle prizes had not been quite so successful, we were currently in the fortunate position of being able to draw on a surplus remaining from the pantomime.
SUMMER PLAY
John Parker reported that another read-through of our summer play, Opposite Sex, was to take place the following evening. While he had yet to cast the play, director the Rev. Nick Percival is happy that sufficient numbers had come forward for him to be able to do so. The play, a comedy with a cast of five, is to open its four-night run at Trinity on Wednesday July 13th
AUTUMN PLAY
The committee recommended that, in order not to impinge on January’s pantomime, our Autumn play ‘A Murder Is Announced’ should be staged at Trinity from Wednesday October 15th to Saturday 18th
Director John Parker said the interest in the parts available had been great from the outset. In its stage-play version, this Agatha Christie whodunnit has parts for seven women and five men of mixed ages. Of the 12, ten are reasonably sized. Dale, he added, has already agreed to be the producer.
FUTURE PRODUCTIONS
Ruth Willerton reported that husband Bob had expressed his willingness to take again take over the directorial baton in the pantomime stakes should Dale decide to rest on his laurels. Bob has already been looking at two scripts available from Penistone – Sinbad and Sleeping Beauty. The latter is the current favourite as it has roles for four fairies which seem tailor-made for some Trinity Players’ lady members. He had also been in consultation with Esther Dyson with regard to her offer of editing a script to match our current strengths.
Ian reported that Trinity member Christine Mulrooney has already written three or four pantomimes (at least one previously staged in the south of England) which may be well worth consideration for staging.
Arrangements are now being made to retype and update with himself and Anne Prew helping out. Using them to start of TP library would seem to fit with the suggestion of Hugh Jones at the recent ‘Open Meeting.’
FINANCE
After hearing a verbal financial report from treasurer Jim, the committee decided to recommend that Trinity Players’ financial year should now run from July of one year to June of the following year. The change is deemed necessary because of the decision to increase the number of productions each year from three to four and will give the treasurer time to prepare and present the figures following the spring show.
SOCIAL
In an email to committee members, social secretary Joe Battye wondered whether some Trinity members – particularly those in the Huddersfield Road, Old Town and Wilthorpe areas – may be interested in attending a garden party being staged to celebrate HM the Queen’s 90th birthday? The event is being held in a small woodland area at Swift Street. Tickets are free but places are limited and would need to be booked. It is hoped the event will feature free cream tea and pimms together with live music and other entertainment. Anyone interested should contact Joe ASAP.
Chairman Paul announced that Trinity members are invited to a house-warming party being held at his new home – 41, Western Street, Barnsley, on Sunday, May 15th. The party is to start following a rehearsal for
Abigail’s Party so will have a start-time of around 5pm and an estimated finish time fairly close to 8pm. Some food and drink will be available but guests are asked to bring a bottle. Paul also asks that those hoping to attend let him know so he has an idea of numbers and that all drivers should park their vehicles in Hopwood Street or in the doctors’ surgery adjacent to his former home as parking in Western Street is severely limited.
Last but not least, members are reminded that this year’s ‘Midsummer Mayhem BBQ’ has moved from Peter and Jeff’s highland home at Langsett to Ruth and Bob’s lowland home in Regent Gardens, off Huddersfield Road.
The date is Saturday July 2nd and the start-time is 2pm and people are advised to arrive early to fully appreciate the shine that Bob has achieved through weeks of fettling the barbecues. Needless to say, there’ll be games and quizzes as well as well as Bob’s alfresco delights. Make sure it’s in your diary now!
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, June 9th at Trinity.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Wednesday July 20th at 7.30pm at Trinity.
Please note, this is your big opportunity to express your views about what’s right and what’s wrong with our society at present so please place it in your diary and try to keep the evening free.
Comments etc. to: committee@trinityplayersbarnsley.com