AUSTWICK COMMUNITY PLAYERS
Welcome to the
Austwick Community Players Webpage
The 2009 Production
In June 1941,whilst returning from a
bombing mission in Germany, an RAF Whitely Bomber made an emergency landing
in a field near Austwick. Just by chance, the story of this year's play is a
direct consequence of that event many years ago
A Play written, produced, acted, sung,
manufactured and more than any person can imagine, put together by a band of
volunteers in a 'do-everything yourself attitude' to end up giving a
wonderful free evening of entertainment to a group of elderly villagers.
The qualification to attend the play's
premier is to be aged over 65. Prior to the entertainment they also enjoy a
free warm three course meal with wine and ending with tea or coffee and
after dinner mints. Such is the pleasure of the evening that it is feared
some Austwickians, instead of knocking years off their true age, are adding
years on in the hope of getting that special entry ticket.
At the airport check in desk Horace and
Maurice camping it up to put Kenneth Williams in the shade. Off to a Morris
dancers competition but grounded as all flights have been cancelled.
left to right
Maurice (Simon Chapman) Horace (George
Gooch) Chantelle (Christine Hooley).
The 2008 Production
As has come to be expected from this
excellent group of amateur players, the 2008 production
pleased
the audiences at the showings on three nights and the Village of Austwick in the
area around the Community Hall vibrated with sound of laughter. I can guarantee
that no group of cowboys were ever 'sent up' so riotously. A bout of severe
coughing prevented your critic from attending the showings however, as your
critic dwells in close proximity to the Community Hall, the report of the
amusement based on the sound of laughter is a very accurate reflection and
further content of this critic is based on reliable sources.
The Austwick Resident Theatre Critic.
Highlights from the 2008 production of "Gone West"
pictured from left to right
Pip Grimes, Elizabeth Booth and, Sheila Gooch.
Christine Hooley, Ian Shaw, and, Jackie Renwick.
Pam Smith, George Gooch, and, Elizabeth Booth,
Elizabeth Both and George Gooch
Jackie Renwick, Christine Hooley, and, Catherine Nicholls.
Vivienne Shaw, Heather Chapman Sue Sharples and, Pat Broadhead.
Some shots from the 2007 Preview Production
of
"THE BIG TOP"
Left to right: Pam Smith &
Vivienne Shaw
Custard Pie Scene from the Finale
The
Grand Finale with surprise 'mystery'
celebrity guest Brian Newhouse an Austwick Community
Players veteran
The
Austwick Community Players is a local group of volunteers who organize the annual event in Austwick
Village known as the ‘Over 65’s Supper and Entertainment Evening’.
Every
year, on the first Thursday in March, the food committee organizes, prepares and
serves a supper, free and by invitation, for all residents of Austwick, Wharfe,
Feizor, Eldroth and Lawkland who are aged sixty five and over. The
occasion is held in the Austwick Parish Hall, and is followed by a theatrical
production, which is written, produced and performed by The Austwick Community
Players. Funds are raised for this annual event from two further public
performances of the show, a stall at
the
Austwick Annual Street Market which takes place on
a
May bank
holiday, the proceeds of sale of a recipe book, other fundraising events and
from a number of donations, generously given.
Our group has a long history. In 1966, the Women’s Institute first took
the initiative to put on this annual event. The group as it now stands
took on a separate identity in 1989. In 2002, it was a proud prizewinner
in the ‘North Yorkshire Village Ventures Scheme’, a competition sponsored by
Yorkshire Rural Community Council to recognize village projects that serve to
benefit their communities. This award was a great tribute to those who
have contributed in every way to the group over the last thirty nine years.
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