Forum Players

Latest News and Dates (Updated 3rd December 2009)
For dates for your diary please click on the Calendar link below

Message from HQ

December is here

December is always the beginning of a lot of interesting things – the change of the weather, Christmas on the horizon etc. etc. For us, this is a special month as this is the time when we are getting towards putting the finishing touches to our pantomime. Everything is well on its way, from the acting and singing, to the set building, and let me say that I am very impressed with the diligence of everybody involved; everything seems to be running like clockwork. The two Emilys and Jennifer are extremely organised, which is impressive indeed (without meaning to sound condescending).

And now, we are starting the last part of our “operation”: selling tickets! The “management” already has taken on the responsibility of finding sponsorship and selling publicity, but all of us must make sure, having pushed the boundaries of colour, numbers of cast on stage, sound, choreography, that people actually come to see us. Tickets will be available at the Library from this Friday onwards, or from Leigh Robinson, our formidable secretary. Please get leaflets from Leigh to advertise to friends, colleagues and family. Or, to put it in a more straightforward way for our young people, as Nike has been advertising for years: Just do it!

Bourne End Fun Night 4th Dec

The ticket selling initiative brings me to another opportunity where we can advertise our pantomime, the Bourne End Fun Night. Make yourselves available in case we need help – again, contact Leigh if you would like to come along and do something for our club, such as giving out leaflets at the Library. We are planning to have a stall in the Library which will be open that night. The Library is acting as our official Box Office! The Fun Night starts officially at 5 p.m.

Carol Singing - 19th December

Please come along at 11 a.m. to our Carol Singing, in front of the Library. We will then go around the village to stop at various places to sing, which has already been agreed with some of the shops. It is an opportunity for us to have a bit of fun, wear a Christmas hat, be seen in the village, and, of course, advertise our pantomime. So please bring along some friends, neighbours, concubines etc. to join this fun occasion. No singing skills required, pardon me to say, and song sheets will be provided

Forum Players Christmas Party

After all the hard work we are putting into the pantomime, we deserve to have a bit of fun ourselves, and we are planning, like last year, to have a little Christmas celebration with mince pies and carol singing after the last rehearsal before Christmas, on 23rd December

On a more serious note …

Our AGM will take place on 1st February, 2010. This is an important date for the club, as it is the time of the year when we elect the Club Officers, and our Club has its “health check” – to take stock and seek opportunities to move forward. Be ambitious – serve your Club as a Committee Member. The only requisite is you have to be over 18 years old, and have been a club member for more than one year.

In addition, we are planning to have an EGM before the actual AGM, in order to approve the way the accounts are presented. We need a sufficiently large number of members to do this. It is basically the end of the financial year we would like to change, as the current period does not allow us to present realistic figures. We will let you know a date for this nearer the time.

I would like to take this opportunity to provisionally wish you all a very happy Christmas – although we may well meet again by Newsletter beforehand!

Get well soon Wendy

You probably all know about the accident that Wendy had recently. Without going into any details, it is particularly sad that, like in sports, she had this accident while she was enjoying her hobby. However, nothing can stop our “Iron Lady”, and after a stop at the hospital and four weeks in plaster she is now back rehearsing and masterminding the sewing of the costumes.

Forum Quorum come 2nd at November Quiz

The Forum Players’ quiz team remains successful, and recently again came 2nd at the Target Quiz. The quiz is now a regular fixture for the club. If you want to join in the fun, contact Ali Arnold, or simply turn up on the night of the quiz. The Target Quiz takes place on every 1st Thursday of the month, at the Bourne End Community Centre. The next quiz is on 3rd December, starting at 8.30 p.m

Forum Players Children’s Theatre performs at Carrington’s School, Flackwell Heath

We were invited to perform one of our Fairy Tales at Carrington’s School in front of 200 children. Could this be a record?! Once again, we chose “Mr. Wolf bounces back” which we had already performed at Meadows School earlier this year, as this story allows us to involve children from the hosting school. Our little show was very well received by children and staff, and I would like to thank everybody to make themselves available for the production. Pantomime leaflets were also distributed, so this was yet another opportunity for publicity.

What's On?

• Graham Hyde for Charity: Celebrating the Shadows for Children in Need – This event managed to raise Ł9,500 but with inevitable expenses for lighting/sound/venue hire etc. - not everyone gave their services free – Graham’s group will be contributing around Ł7,500 to the Children in Need Charity. It was a pity that no one from Forum was able to attend – the show was indeed a treat -but there are plans for 2010 and they might use the Community Centre for a smaller event during the year.

• Beaconsfield Theatre Group’s production of Charley’s Aunt, directed by Jenny Quille had to be cancelled because a number of the cast went down with flu. It will be rescheduled for January. I would advise you all to go and see it – it is beautifully cast and acted, and good entertainment in every sense of the word. AND: Forum Players Studio produced the Cotswold stone coloured set

• Brain of Britain - I am sure you all have been anxiously following Ali’s progress through the competition. Unfortunately, our Forum Quorum captain lost this round. Tune in to Radio 4 on 4th January, at 1.30 p.m. to find out more. In any case, despite losing this round, she has also been nominated one of the nicest people in the competition, which I can well believe.

• Lucky Squares – tempt your fortune! This lottery is run by the Community Centre in order to improve Centre facilities, and consequentially, the club. Lucky Squares are available from Leigh.

• The AGM will be held on 1st February 2010 - any nominations for new committee members to be with Leigh by Christmas please.

NOW BOOKING FOR via Jill Hyde jill@forumplayers.com

Holly and the Ivy – January 13th - 16th

Wizard of Oz (Wycombe Swan Youth Theatre) – February 18th – 21st

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – February 22nd – 27th

NB Jill will only book if she has 8 or more people wanting tickets.

The Wycombe Swan Summer Youth Project this year is Crazy For You. I am proposing to book seats for the evening of Saturday August 8th as usual. I know it’s a long time away but if you are interested, please let me know.

If you are interested in going to any of the suggestions, or indeed have any suggestions of your own for anything else at the Swan or at any other theatres then please let Jill know by e-mailing her at jill@forumplayers.com

And finally (If you've read this far)
Anybody who would like to contribute to the Newsletter or write to the Chairman, feel free to get in touch with Rick by email to rick@forumplayers.com