The Compton Players' NEWSLETTER JUNE 2000

Joy and sorrow mingled in this edition: joy at the success of our Spring production and great sorrow at the unexpected illness and sudden death of Kathy Shaw.

Those of us who attended Kathy's funeral near Northampton felt that the service and especially the vicar's address were particularly appropriate to her. Like Kathy it was stylish and at the same time direct and down-to-earth and laced with humour. It seems hardly credible that only a few short weeks ago Kathy was there at rehearsals for Klondike Kalamity, casting an appraising eye over costumes, decreeing what would past muster and what wouldn't, measuring and fitting, making the odd remark and grinning at someone else's. She will be greatly missed.

Klondike Kalamity was a success; a copy of the Newbury Weekly News review is on the main Compton Players page. Congratulations once again to Enid for a production that was not only very popular and successful but great fun to do as well. Congratulations to all our newcomers who so distinguished themselves in their first appearance.

We also have reminiscences from an early member of the Compton Players, including a tribute to Joan Wilkins, prompted by the display which Brenda organised for the Millennium Exhibition in the Village Hall.

Moving on from the 1950s to the 21st century we also have information from Paul about a website featuring the activities of ourselves and other drama groups in the area. Also the suggestion that those in a position to do so could receive the newsletter by e-mail.

There is also some information about the AGM held recently: it seems that I'm continuing to edit this publication... any other offers? There is also news about various events and the usual mixture of other things.

Not sure at this stage when the next newsletter will be but it will be at some point before rehearsals start for the Autumn production. Please send any contributions, as usual, to:
R. Bell, 4 Howard Avenue, Grove, Wantage, OX12 7PS. Tel: (01235) 763469. Many thanks.

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

A vigorous, well-attended AGM on 15th May. Robin Mackness was Chairman and continues in that position. Eileen is standing down as Treasurer in view of her forthcoming move - we wish her well. Mark is taking on the position - one which he has held before. Peter Whitworth is going to understudy David Smith on the advertising front with a view to eventually taking it over completely. Mike Long is taking up the Producer's reins once more for the Autumn production. The committee is most anxious to find a producer for Spring 2001. Anyone out there who is interested, even if with no more than an idea at this stage, should contact the committee fairly soon and certainly by 31st August. The Secretary's (Tracey) number is 01635 866498. Or phone me (number above) and I'll pass it on.

BARBECUE

There will be a Compton Players barbecue on Saturday, 18th June at 7:00 pm or thereabouts, at the Agricultural Institute in Compton. We would like to attract some more newcomers to the Players so if you know of anyone who could be interested please bring them along. Please bring also some food and a bottle (wine/beer/orange juice/homebrewed nettle cordial etc).

CONGRATULATIONS!

Den and Caroline are getting married on 22nd July. We send them our congratulations and best wishes.

Rumour has it that there may be a celebration or so when they return from honeymoon.

COMPTON VILLAGE FETE

This will be on Saturday, 8th July. We are asked to support this if we can, either by attending or - better still - by running a stall. If you have any ideas please contact Brenda on 01635 578693.

KLONDIKE KALAMITY

See the review in the Archive.

This is Dave's cartoon. Click on it to see the full picture. If you didn't see the play, Bruno the bear's arm made an occasional entrance through the cabin window. The old geezer with the grey beard operated Bruno's arm (and voice) as well as playing Justice Dunn. How Bruno managed to make a curtain call remains a mystery (perhaps the cartoon holds the answer).

COMPTON PLAYERS IN THE 1940S

On Good Friday and Easter Sunday I visited my old familiar village of Compton and fully enjoyed the Millennium Exhibition. It was a wonderful effort to which so many must have contributed. I should introduce myself by mentioning I'm the eldest of the Simmons family of whom four still live in Compton. I'm "Peg", now Mrs Oates, and living in Tilehurst.

On browsing through Compton Players' very absorbing past programmes, I was chuffed to find J. B. Priestley's Mystery at Greenfingers that also showed our full cast. Plus good press cuttings from 1948, 49 and 50! It was just great to read and recall my memories of that time!

Also I should like to mention how very moved 1 felt to see the lovely clock and plaque in the Village Hall to honour dear Joan Wilkins's memory for the endless contribution that lady made to the Village Life. I knew her really well. In fact, when our mother died aged 43 leaving eight of us, George only 3 years old and I the only one married, believe me she was a darling to us!

It's lovely Compton Players now have such success!

Sincerely, Peg Oates.

Compton ePlayers - journey into cyberspace

At the last committee meeting, we discussed having a Compton Players web site. I agreed to do something about it, but afterwards it struck me that if there was a central web site covering amateur and professional theatre in the Newbury area, this would be a more useful site and have many more potential visitors, who would see about our productions as well as those of other groups. I'm happy to keep this up to date, so... welcome to www.newburytheatre.co.uk. This gives a calendar of all theatrical events, and individual web pages for each group (and a link to their own web site if they have one).

Setting up a web site is easy; setting up an attractive site needs design flair, which is not my strong point. If you need Java Beans inserted into your ASP, I'm your man, but if you want to know if that squiggly thing looks better in cerise or taupe, don't ask me. So if you can come up with any ideas for improving the site (without increasing the download time) I'd be very grateful. You can email me on .

The committee also talked about emailing notices of meetings and even the newsletter to people, as a way of cutting down on our postage costs, so if you'd like to get information by email, tell Tracey.

Paul Shave

So far as email is concerned, it might be of interest that I'm currently in a production with another company. And in a large cast there are only three members, myself included, who can't get news of rehearsal changes and other items by email. Much to the Producer's irritation. - Rob.

*****

My sincere thanks to Enid who undertook to type all of this, balancing grand-daughter on other arm, when my word-processor refused to print any longer.

*****

DIARY