THE OLDLAND PLAYERS
Founded in 1967 the Oldland Players are a group in the Bristol area, who've been creating quality community theatre for over 50 years.
2006
Footsteps in the Sand - Wind in the Willows - Farndale Avenue Christmas Carol
A man suffering a terminal illness comes to a deserted beach where he meets a mysterious woman who tells him of the history of the place and in turn helps him accept his ordeal.
MAN (Kevin Kirwan); WOMAN (Kit Johnson); YOUNG WOMAN (Lisa Stapleton); OLD WOMAN (Christine Cooke)
Director: Kathleen Kirwan
Cast
'Footsteps in the Sand'
by Colin Crowther
March 2006
Synopsis
'Wind in the Willows'
by Kenneth Grahame, adapted by Alan Bennett
Oldland Players 100th production
June 2006
Synopsis
The story begins with Mole doing his spring cleaning. Fed-up with the task he emerges on to the riverbank and meets Ratty (a water vole). The two encounter various other creatures during their adventures, such as an otter and his son called Portly, squirrels, rabbits and a kindly old Badger who invites them to say at his house. They also meet the irrepressible Toad who owns Toad Hall, a very impressive property. When Toad Hall is taken over by the wicked creatures from the Wild Wood (weasels, stoats and ferrets) the new band of friends help Toad recover his home which culminates in the 'Battle of Toad Hall' where they are victorious.
Cast
Neville Lewisohn/Fran Kirwan (Narrator); Sarah Edwards (Mole); Gordon James (Robert Rabbit, Singing Rabbit, Carol Singing Mouse, Train Driver); Kathryn Burrows (Rose Rabbit, Singing Rabbit, Monica Motorist, Carol Singing Mouse, Gaoler’s Daughter); Gill Lewisohn (Rat); Helen Whitson (Hedgehog, Magistrate); Gayle Caines (Otter, Shirley Squirrel, Billy Hedgehog, Carol Singing Mouse); Alice Cleaveland (Portley, Singing Rabbit, Carol Singing Mouse, Barge Woman, Private Gerald); Kevin Kirwan (Chief Weasel); Lisa Stapleton (Norma Weasel); Jess Collins (Wild Wooder, Gypsy Daughter); Emma James (Wild Wooder, Gypsy Daughter); Hannah Johnson (Wild Wooder, Dancing Gypsy); Leah Pepworth (Wild Wooder, Gypsy Daughter); Christine Apsey ( Singing Rabbit , Fox, Carol Singing Mouse); Christine Cooke (Singing Rabbit, Tommy Hedgehog, Carol Singing Mouse, Washer Woman, Sergeant Fred); Paul Dyson (Toad); Kay Trenchard (Albert); John Mills (Badger); Huw Williams (Salesman, Rupert Motorist, Gypsy, Policeman ); Audrey Mitchell (Clerk, Carol Singing Mouse)
Director: Kit Muffett
This production won the Bristol Evening Post Rosebowl Award for publicity materials.
The adjudication for this show, as well as those for many others, is available in the members’ section of the site
'The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of A Christmas Carol'
by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr.
November 2006
Synopsis
In a festive mood, the ladies of the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society mount another assault on the classics with their stage version of A Christmas Carol. They enthusiastically portray a dizzy array of characters from the Dickensian favorite (and a few which aren't), engineer some novel audience participation whilst bravely contending with an intrusive PA system and, a real Farndale first, wrap their vocal cords and feet around two original, show stopping songs.
Cast
Mrs Reece, playing Tiny Tim, Fred’s wife, A Gentleman & Mrs Dilber (Christine Cooke); Gordon, playing Mrs Cratchet, Jacob Marley, The Ghost of Christmas Past & Mr Fezziwig (Paul Dyson); Thelma, playing Ebenezer Scrooge (Gayle Cairns); Felicity, playing Fred, Little Fan & Old Joe (Christine Apsey); Mercedes, playing Bob Cratchet, Belle & A boy (Alice Cleaveland); Top half of the Ghost of Christmas Present (Hannah Johnson); Bottom half of the Ghost of Christmas Present (John Mills); Gwynneth, playing keyboards and Snowman (Kathryn Walker); Vicar (Gordon James)
Voices: Taxi driver, Policeman 1 & Radio Presenter (Gordon James); Controller & Policeman 2 (John Mills); Radio Caller (Kathryn Walker)
Director: Kit Johnson