Theatre to stage six shows
Supporters of a community theatre in a Staffordshire village are in for a treat later this year as its new autumn and winter programme is unveiled.
Supporters of a community theatre in a Staffordshire village are in for a treat later this year as its new autumn and winter programme is unveiled.
Ridware Theatre, at Pipe Ridware between Lichfield and Rugeley, is to host six productions between September and January 2008.
The season opens with Red Wings, a new play about Richard Burton, performed by Richard Waters, on September 8.
On October 6 Michael Lunts and Susan Flannery will be making a welcome return to Ridware with their latest entertaining musical show. Home Service is set within the songs and humour of the Second World War which inspired and uplifted a generation.
This will be the last time theatre-goers can see the pair performing together, as Susan will soon be returning to her homeland Australia.
On October 27, Intimate Theatre present The Hollow Crown, an intimate series of readings by four actors and a single self-accompanied singer.
The readings span 800 years of British monarchy and follow the "fall, fables and foibles" of the kings and queens of England.
A full-cast comedy will be staged on November 17 as Clap Trap Productions perform My Fat Friend.
The play starred Kenneth Williams as Henry when it opened in London's West End and follows the story of Vicky, a seriously overweight bookshop owner, who shares her flat with two mildly dysfunctional men, James and Henry.
The Christmas Party Show will take place on December 8 and will see stories and poetry interspersed with carols and other seasonal music.
Bottle
The Ridware Mummers will once again perform their ancient folk play in aid of St Giles Hospice.
The audience are invited to stay on after the show and bring a bottle of wine to toast the festive season.
On January 12, 2008, the final production in this season's programme is for children.
Wolverhampton-based Zip Theatre will perform The Adventures of Robin Hood at 2pm, and again at 4.30pm. Tickets for all shows, which start at 8pm unless otherwise stated, range in price from £6.50 (children) through to £10.
Further details are available by telephoning 01889 504380 or logging onto the website at www.ridwares.co.uk
Ridware Theatre offers a wide range of entertainment each year including visits by many leading touring companies from across the UK.
It is a registered charity and was originally a church that dates back to 1848.
The church was declared redundant by the Church of England in 1983.
Then members of the congregation approached the Lichfield Diocese to get permission to convert the building so that it could be used as a volunteer-run centre for the performing arts.
