Here’s hoping all had a merry Christmas and wishing everyone a happy new year.

It’s long overdue, but here’s the latest about the next production:

The Director has made the decision to not do ‘Godot’, but to do an NF Simpson play. Not ‘The Cresta Run’ as first proposed, but another one, ‘Was he Anyone?’.

“Albert Whitbrace is alive and well, drowning in the Mediterranean. While Albert treads water and his lifebelt gets soggier, world rescue organizations set about their tasks. Questions must be answered, forms filled out. Mrs. Whitbrace has to prove that she can’t afford to get her husband rescued privately. Occasionally, Albert can be heard calling for help. As the incredible nonsense mounts, someone decides to throw the poor man a life preserver.”

It is very much in the same zany, Pythonesque style as Cresta Run and it was preferred by those who attended the read-through.

It has the advantage that there are so many parts that everyone who wants a part can have at least one. We think a revival of this, once very popular and now almost forgotten, playwright in a production that that can involve as many of the group as want to be involved is the best way forward.

Rehearsals are starting next week for the cast (listed below), but if you are interested in helping out with any other task, stage management, front of house, costume props etc. please let us know.

Performance dates are: Dorchester Town Hall, Friday 14^th and Saturday 15^th April, and Martinstown Village Hall, Saturday 6^thMay.

Tickets will be available from the usual places.

Cast
Lee Stroud
Miss Rugg, Mrs Treplatchly,

Dee Thorne
Mrs Cathage, Mrs Crabbe-Harmsworth,

Monica Hunt
Sybil, Mrs Blithehampton,

Ann Brown
Mrs Whitbrace,

Sarah Hayes

Mrs Dubarge, Mrs Clacton

Martin Steven
Williams, Clarence, Mr Clapton, Cabinet Minister 

Ian Farley
Vernon, Senior Civil Servant, Archbishop, Mr Burbage

Colin Elphick
Baverstock, Piano Engineer

Sam Kelly
Putney, Solicitor/Lawyer, Interviewer

The following parts will be shared between the younger actors as soon as we are clear who wishes to take part. 

Barbara Hughes, Junior Civil servant, Reporter, Receptionist, Miss Stewart, Miss Havergal, Miss Lindthropp, Trainee.

No rest for the Wicked (Counts or Devils).

DD has their AGM this coming Wednesday, 3rd Aug. 7:30pm at the Colliton Club. It wont be all about business though (this bit might be quite boring and will be over quick) and there will be a chance for some nibbles and a chat about the future events.

Which leads nicely into the news of the next production in November in our normal slot at the Corn Exchange.

We’re planning on a production of Ayckbourn shorts. Readings and castings will be:

• 17th & 24th August at Sunninghill Community Hall
• 22nd August at the Victoria Hotel, Dorchester.

These will all be at 7:30pm as well.

Please feel free to come along and say hello. Don’t feel that you need to be prepared to act, we’re still more than happy to have people help with costume, props, lighting, sound, etc.

See you all soon.

And we’re In. Possibly the hardest get in ever. Lift was broken meaning that we had to carry the kit and staging up the stairs.

Fastest Tech ever…… Finished with 10 mins spare for a quick break before starting the run through Dress Rehearsal, which went really well and

Below are a few pics from the rehearsal. Check out the gallery for the whole collection Break a leg this evening.

7:30pm 28th & 29th July. Dorchester Town Hall (Corn Exchange). Tickets will be available on the door.

Witches of Prestwick/Out for the Count

DD’s Summer production has now been cast and rehearsals are well under way.

We’re only doing two performances, 28th & 29th July at the Town Hall, above the Corn Exchange.

Casts are:

Witches of Eastwick – Directed by Pete Stockman
Lou – Ellie Simmonds
Bev – Sarah Hayes
Jan – Monica Hunt
Devil Man – Pete Stockman

Out for the Count – Directed by Andrew Munro
Jonathan Farquhar – Jonny White
Mina Sewer – Amelia Chorley
Lucy – Sue Worth
Rennet – Pete Stockman
Bridget – Dee Thorne
Dr Arthur Sewer – Colin Elphick
Constance Sewer – Ann Brown
Professor Hertz Van Hyer – Martin Stephen
Count Nolyard – Ian Farley

Tickets will be available at the usual places, Trinity Stores and booked from 01305 265758.

I’d advise booking for these as with only 2 performances, we will possibly sell out quickly. Keep an eye on the site, facebook & twitter for further news.

Having been knocked sideways after the last play, Anne would have been among the first to insist that ‘the Show must go on’ .

Therefore it is time to announce, and crack on with, the Summer production.

Dorchester Drama will be proud to present a couple of single act plays.

Out for the Count: – The Count, newly arrived from Transylvania at Dr. Sewer’s asylum, is hungry for more than Bridget’s fruit cup or Constance’s bloody Mary! Thwarted by a cross shaped birthmark and hounded by the Professor, the Count enlists obnoxious Rennet to help and nearly defeats the Professor and young Jonathan. But all have reckoned without Bridget’s escargots.

The Witches of Prestwick:- Three members of a local amateur dramatic society are rehearsing their roles as the witches in ‘the Scottish play’, with varying levels of competence. Bev, the ablest actress, has taken her role a bit too seriously and has been researching witchcraft to lend plausibility to her performance. Goaded by Jan and Lou, she gives them a crash course in magic!

Dates will be Thurs 28^th  and Friday 29^th July (and possibly Saturday 30^th of July also).

Venue is to be decided.