Drama

We are a very active, happy and friendly group and welcome new members, not only actors and singers, but also back-stage people who can sew, paint or are handy with a hammer.

Scout & Guide HQ / Aughton Village Hall for Rehearsals and Aughton Village Hall for Productions
Rehearsals - Wednesdays at Scout & Guide HQ and Fridays at Aughton Village Hall
2.00 pm - 4.00 pm
Leader: Les Rippon - 01704 880247

The Drama Group meets at the above locations and days / times for rehearsals.

We normally present two Productions a year usually with a one-act play in the first half and a variety of entertainment in the second half although we now include Murder Mysteries and full length plays from time to time.  All members and friends and family are welcome to attend. Check out the list of Past Productions.

And see details of the Next Show and reviews of some Past Shows in the Group Posts below this Group Page.

Last Updated on February 29, 2024

Drama Group Spring 2024 show

The dates for our Spring production at Aughton Village Hall are now set as Thursday 16th, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th May starting at 7.30pm.

Our production is set in the West Country and is a very funny light hearted comedy. Following a Somerset Picnic served at the interval, the audience will be entertained by music and dance at the local summer music festival. An evening of fun and laughter is guaranteed!

Tickets priced at £13.50 are on sale from March 7th at Horizons or by phoning 01695 227503.

We hope to see you there!

Last Updated on March 4, 2024

Alice in Cuckooland

This was the Drama Group‘s first attempt at a pantomime for many years and at first we had some reservations.  There were challenges along the way in terms of scenery design and costumes and also rehearsing Christmas songs in the summer heatwave!  We all really enjoyed the experience and the audiences got into the spirit right from the start (oh yes they did!).

Thank you to everyone who came to support us – we do appreciate it.  We look forward to seeing you at our next production. Dates for your diary – 19th and 20th May 2023. Tickets are already selling fast at Horizons Meetings!

Here is a selection of the photos from the show. (Click or tap on any picture to run the Gallery as a Slideshow.)

Photos by Bill Soens

Last Updated on April 27, 2023

Previous performances

May 2022

Old Boilers and

 

The End of the Pier Show

November 2021

Death by Paintbrush

April 2019

Two weddings and a Conference

November 2019

Christmas Pudding

April 2018

A Fate Worse Than Death

October 2018

“Slim Chance” and “Commemorate and Celebrate”

April 2017

Get Staffed

and

Love and Marriage and All That Jazz

October 2017

Smalls Talk

and

Cabaret at the K P Club

April 2016

Acting – It’s Not Plumbing

and

Let’s Go To The Movies

October 2016

Death on Delivery

June 2015

Out for the Count

and

Follow the Rainbow

October 2015

S S Persephone

A review of “The Persephone Affair”

It was ‘all aboard’ the S S Persephone when the Drama Group presented ‘The Persephone Affair’ – a murder mystery – in Aughton Village Hall, which was attended on Saturday evening by the play’s author Kevin Green.
The Hall was transformed for the evening into the liner’s first class lounge thus ensuring that the audience felt part of the plot.
All the actors fully immersed themselves in their parts, taking on wonderfully the character being played. It was revealed through the course of the play that each one of them was in financial straits. A touch of humour was supplied every time the Steward appeared when the ship seemed to roll. This was achieved by a superbly choreographed swaying by all the actors who were on
the stage.
When Lady Daphne met an untimely end it was apparent that each one of them had a motive and was a suspect. Miss Marbles, an amateur sleuth, announced that the death was ‘murder by poisoning’. As she led the suspects away, the audience was left to contemplate the means, motive and opportunity for the murder, over an excellent supper.
We all left the hall having had a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening.
Sally Bahia

Group members were also able to take part in other activities such as:
Sunday Social

Loitering within Tent

In 2017 the Drama Group were asked for volunteers to take part in a short film being made by
Edge Hill University students.  The film, “Take Care” is now available to view on YouTube and
stars Jackie Roscoe and Maureen Bridge. Congratulations to both of them.

Summer Social

On Parade

“Summer Serenade” with the u3a Choir

“Acting Up”


In 2015 five of our members attended the first session of a pilot scheme called “Acting Up”.
This was run by Kaleidoscope, a Northern Ireland professional theatre company and was held at
the Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester.  Representatives of several other U3A Drama or Play
Reading groups from the North West region also attended.
There were many activities during the day including ice breakers, memory games, learning focus
and stagecraft, improvisation and acting in sketches.  The two excellent facilitators, Kerry and
Karen made it interesting and enjoyable for all.
There then followed two further workshops building on the knowledge  and experience gained
and the icing on the cake was a performance at The Lowry, Manchester on 23 rd  February.  The
Drama Group members performed three sketches, two of which were written by Kerry Rooney,
who is the Artistic Director of Kaleidoscope.
We learned a lot and everyone enjoyed the workshops, especially the opportunity to perform on a
professional stage.
This was an experience which we will remember for a long time.

Last Updated on April 27, 2023