Sutton Theatre Company

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Here are just a few of our members from days gone by.....

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Sutton Theatre Company was founded in 1948 by the then vicar of St. Clements Church, Sutton on Sea, the Reverend Tom Goss, who had written and produced entertainments during his period as a prisoner of war in Singapore. Together with his great friend, Bill Baker, he started up a group known then as Sutton Amateur Dramatic Society.  The group’s performances, which began with “I’ll Leave it to You” in 1948, have been many and diverse, with plays ranging from “Blythe Spirit,” to musicals like “Calamity Jane.”  See the page - Our Past for details.  The membership roll has fluctuated over the years, but always, somehow, the group has survived and tried really hard to bring entertainment to the local people.


 

 

"Is There anybody There?" by Anne Knight.

April 16th, 17th, 23rd and 24th 2010 

 

We have some rehearsal pics here and also some that were taken (quite legally) during the show.

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 After a slightly shaky start, the show improved with each performance and delighted the ever growing audience. 

We begin with Maud, centre-stage. recovering from a dead faint - or is she actually just dead?  As family and friends arrive to comfort her daughter, the story unfolds to an explosive ending.

Once again, a thoroughly enjoyable time was had by cast and crew, not to mention our lovely audiences.


 

 

"Harvey," by Mary Chase 

Nov. 13th & 14th 2009

 

Here are some of the photos taken during our rehearsals.

 

Harvey
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I suppose we should have known better - "Friday 13th holds no fears for us - it will be third time lucky if anything," we thought.  "First the Macbeth play, when Sheila broke her wrist - twice, then the Summer Spectacular, that had to give in to swine 'flu - what else could happen? No we'll be fine" we said...

However, on Friday, 13th November, one of our main men succumbed to an unpleasant tummy virus, so here we go again.  Our director, Cliff, valiantly offered to do the part - along with his own character in the play, but appearing on stage as two people finally had him so confused, that he didn't know where or who he was! - But the audience loved it.  Then on Saturday, Glenna who had only a cameo role at the beginning of the play was persuaded to take over.  So, putting on trousers and as deep a voice as she could muster, she read the part of Dr. Sanderson.  Apart from all this Robert Watson again demonstrated what a fine actor he is in the lead role, which James Stewart played in the film.  Ann Knott proved yet again what a great comedy actress she is. The rest of the cast, that is Anne Baker, Glenna Betteridge, Lizzie Coldicott, Julie Stirling, John Fulwood, Ashleigh Fox, Avril Kelsey, Jude Crompton and Ellam Fox, thoroughly enjoyed doing this really very different play.  Our back stage team of Yvonne Fowler, Sue Hipwell, Ray Walker, Mike Nock, Brian Williams and Dinah Linge were on the ball as always.  And yet again, both audience and actors had a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting experience.


 

Mablethorpe Project for New Hall to replace George Street Hall.

September 5th & 6th 2009 - we were invited to take part in a concert to raise funds for the above.  We did our comedy routine "If I were not upon the Stage," which went down so well, we were given a trophy!  Great fun for all involved. 


 


 

 Let's Celebrate Sutton IV

 

 

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As promised, we joined in the celebrations at Meridale Hall on 14th March, 2009.  The hall was filled with colourful and interesting  displays from all the many different groups in Sutton on Sea.  All credit due to John Monk who organised the event.  The evening's entertainment was excellent, with offerings from all age groups keeping a packed hall well and truly entertained.  Our own contributions went down really well, with an inspired "Mamma Mia," drawing great applause for Yvonne, Sue, Glenna, Robert, Anne, Liz, Vera and Sheila.  But our rendition of "If I were not upon the Stage," with Ray, Glenna, Cliff, Anne, Robert, Sheila, Greg and Marie on the piano just brought the house down.  The applause was so good that we were called back to take an extra curtain call!  On the whole, a really worthwhile day's work! 


 

Diamond Jubilee Party

Our Jubilee Party on June 7th, 2008 was a great success, with many of our members, past and present coming along to join in the fun.  After an intriguing Murder / Mystery play, which some of the audience, but not all, managed to solve, we were treated to a delightful buffet supper and a chat from Mrs. Dorothy Baker, whose late husband Rev. Bill Baker was a founder member, with Rev. Tom Goss. The evening ended with music and dancing and a lot of reminiscing.

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May, 2008 

At last we can sit back and take a moment to recover from our Spring Production.  "A Tomb with a View" was not an easy play to do - but somehow we managed to pull it off - and judging from the audience reaction, it went very well.  Many thanks to Liz, Kirsty and John, who stepped into their respective parts quite late in rehearsals.  We have some photos here that may be of interest.

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We have also been known to go potty with a panto'...

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Bill Baker Court - 14th Februar

Bill Baker
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y, 2010.

 

Valentine's Day found us at The Reverend Bill Baker Court for an afternoon of comedy and music.  We were very gratified to have two of our younger members taking part in the show.  Ashleigh and Ellam Fox took both dramatic and musical roles in our entertainment, and we also had songs from Avril Kelsey, Jude Crompton and Ray Walker and comical sketches from the rest of the group, it was a most enjoyable afternoon.  

 

 

"Cut and Run," by Peter Horsler

April 17th, 18th 24th & 25th, 2009

 

Well, we completed our Spring Production and boy did we have fun!  It was a super play to do and every one in the group - front of house, backstage and on stage,  gave of their absolute best.  I don't know who enjoyed it most - the audience or the actors! Here are a few snaps taken during rehearsals:

 

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 Ray and Debbie did a sterling job with a very complicated lights and sound set.  Nancy, Sue and Marie coped beautifully, catering for an ever increasing audience.  Yvonne, Sue and Vera sorted out the stage and props (and had a resounding cheer when they took a bow!).  Dinah kept us all calm, keeping an eye on the script, but fortunately, didn't have to prompt too many times.  Robert and Cliff did a tour de force as the two doctors, with Avril as their glamorous assistant nurse.  John was hilarious as "Legless Ted," and Glenna had a droll Brummie accent that you could cut with a knife.  Annie was darling as the sweet "Rosebud" and scary when she became "Liza Kimbo"!  Ann gave another of her great performances as the hypochondriac, very rich Mrs. Grimley-Cloned, having the "all over feather tickle" treatment from Robert.  Greg had a ball as the slimy Jimmy Widdell, the government health inspector.  But Lizzie, tottering about in her stilettos, cursing the NHS and balancing her ever burgeoning stomach, was the show stopper in chief. 

Altogether a great experience - both for audience and players!

 


On Sunday,February 8th, 2009, we were invited to take a show to Bill Baker Court... and a Cocktail of Music and Verse was born.  We all thoroughly enjoyed doing the show - and more to the point - the residents enjoyed it too!  With songs from the shows, poetry and knock-about comedy, a great time was had by all and we hope to repeat the experience some time soon.

 


 

Play On! by Rick Abbott

 

After a disastrous dress rehearsal, we took to the boards on Friday night November 7th, 2008 with some trepidation and a lot of determination!

And it worked!  We played to a full house who thoroughly enjoyed our first performance and a dazed cast enjoyed heartfelt applause from our lovely audience.  The show just got better and better each of the four times we did it and compliments flowed from our audiences every time.  A very successful show!

Some pictures below may give you an idea of our rehearsals.

 

 

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On Saturday, July 5th, 2008 we took a trip to the Nottingham Royal Theatre, to see "Shout," a musical about the sixties.  The show starred Sue Pollard and Claire Sweeney, and they really made our rather long journey well worthwhile.  They are so talented!  At the end of the show the whole audience were on their feet, dancing and singing along - great show!

 Then out to the coach and home for about 7.30pm with no worries about driving or parking - bliss.


  Oliver was one of our favourite shows...

   

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The Carnival in Sutton on Sea is always a great day.  Here are a few snaps of some of our efforts:

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Here are some photographs of a few of our other stage shows...

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