We are now considering possible festival entries. We’ve already read one of Mike Rowbottom’s plays, the very intriguing The Zombies and the Morseline and are happy to look at any other suggestions before we make a final decision…..anyone itching to direct, please let the committee know!!

SPRING 2013 PRODUCTION: COMMUNICATING DOORS by Alan Ayckbourn (March 5th-9th., 2013), directed by our very own Pantomime Dame, Darrel Poulos, fresh from his triumph for the Remenham Thespians! Casting Communicating Doors has taken some time: there were several strong contenders for the various roles, some of which require actors to portray the same character at several different ages, and it has taken time to sort it out.

The cast is as follows:
Reece….Mike Rowbottom
Julian…..James Gwynne
Poopay….Sally Rowlands
Ruella….Grainne Harling
Harold….Michael Mungarvan
Jessica….Claire Taylor

We are very pleased to welcome newcomer Sally Rowlands, fresh from her triumph as ‘Adelaide’ in HAODS’ production of Guys and Dolls, and to welcome back Claire and Mike M, both of whom have only done one show with us before. And of course we are delighted to have the roles of Julian, Reece and Ruella in the experienced hands of James, Mike R, and Grainne. Rehearsals will begin this week. This is a very challenging play, with some gloriously funny scenes, so we wish Darrel and his cast and crew every success!

We have decided to hold club nights at a new venue: the back bar (The Stable Bar) of The Three Tuns, in Market Place, Henley. This space is better lit and more comfortable for our needs. Please also note that we will now hold our monthly club nights on the first Tuesday of each month. This is to allow more folk to participate. Feedback always welcome. Get in touch with any of the committee members.

Remember, Club Nights take place every month throughout the year, except August and December. All suggestions welcome, and please do consider hosting one yourself – just get in touch with Kate Lindsey. Friends who want to learn more about The Henley Players will be warmly welcomed.

Roger Redfern very much enjoyed his leaving party on 11 June at Zizzis, and also the phone calls and messages from those who were not able to attend…..he has asked for the following message to be circulated…. “Thank you for the splendid party last night and the wonderful picture of the “dead King”…almost appropriate! Please…..email all those who came to thank them from me. It made my day! Good luck in all future ventures, and much love, Roger”.

News from Director David Parsonson: Thank you to everybody for the hard work put into the auditions. It has been a very time consuming and difficult task to complete casting, taking in to account vocal colour, clarity, visual depth, colouring, height variation, commanding security and visual group eccentricities, that would play with the audiences emotions and ensure their acceptance. I look forward to seeing the “sunflowers grow”.

Cast:
Chris – Margie Barrass; Annie – Jan Corby; Jessie – Julie Huntington; Celia – Claire Hewitt; Ruth – Karen du Plessis; Marie – Jan Beyts; Brenda Hulse – Carol Lynch; John – Richard Evans; Rod – Gareth Saunders; Lady Cravenshire – Caroline Hopkins; Lawrence – to be confirmed; Elaine – Claire Taylor; Liam – to be confirmed

With the Voices of:
WI Conference Chairperson – Kate Lindsey; American Radio Commentary – Darrel Poulos; English Television Commentary – Tim Green; French Radio Commentary – Christine Naughton

Stage and Technical Personnel:
Stage Manager – Jerry Anderson; Lighting Designer – Kim Hollamby; Sound Designer – Bruce Smith; Costume Supervisor – to be confirmed; Costume Assistant – Angie Green; Scenic Artists – to be confirmed; Properties – Kim Agostino; Dialogue Coach – Jeni Wood; Prompt – Jill Richardson; Hair – Hayley Wilkinson; Make-Up – to be confirmed; Stage Crew – to be confirmed; Dressers – to be confirmed

2012 Henley Drama Festival Awards

Class I – Open (i.e. best play) goes to THE TRAIN OUT OF CLOON, written and directed by Caroline Bowder and performed by The Henley Players

Class V – Best Original play goes to THE TRAIN OUT OF CLOON

Nominations: Best Actress – Liz McEwen; Best Actor – Tim Green; Best Supporting Actor – Bill Port

Caroline Bowder richly deserved these awards. It was her first experience of directing a play and considering the enormous, last minute problems she had she did an amazing job. Our heartfelt congratulations got to her, her cast and crew and once again The Henley Players can be proud of a great achievement at this year’s festival.

We all wish her similar success at Wallingford, on Wednesday 13 June.

Kate Lindsey, Chair, The Henley Players

NODA representative Henry Hawes has given a very positive appraisal of our spring 2012 productions. Read the NODA report here

SPRING PRODUCTION 2012…..THE BROWNING VERSION and HARLEQUINADE by Terence Rattigan, directed by Graham Fyffe, 13th -17th March, 2012. Please see ‘Events’ page for readings and auditions.

This will be a SPARKLING duo of plays, with GREAT parts of folk of all ages, so please don’t miss out!

Great news! The Henley Players have been nominated by the regional NODA representative for the Redhead Drama Award for their production of Bedroom Farce. Congratulations all round… another accolade for this very successful show!

The winner of the award and the runner-up will be announced at the London Regional Conference on Sepember 18th: this is at the Wyllyots Theatre, Potters Bar. Please contact Jenny Haywood if you are interested in attending the ceremony.

If you would like to read the NODA report for this show, please click here.

Director Kate Lindsey and the committee of The Henley Players are thrilled to have a top-flight cast for our autumn production of Pack of Lies.

Bob Jackson – Peter O’Sullivan
Barbara Jackson – Jenny Haywood
Julie Jackson – Grace Plant
Helen Kroger – Margie Barrass
Peter Kroger – James Taylor
Stewart – Richard Evans
Thelma – Morna Towers
Sally – Marilyn Shah