Decision made! This summer’s show will be ‘No Sex Please, We’re British’, the classic Whitehall farce by Anthony Marriott and Alistair Foot. In summary:

Peter and Frances Hunter, just married, young, attractive, the former with a good job in a bank, a nice flat above it, could reasonably expect to look forward to a calm, peaceful, happy start to their life together. Owing to an unfortunately mistake by Frances, however, they find themselves inundated with pornographic material from the “Scandinavian Import Company” – first dirty postcards, then films, then enormous illustrated volumes. Senior bank officials, Peter’s elegant and snobbish mother, and above all the prim, respectable cashier of Peter’s bank, all become inextricably entangled in the violent events that follow – brought to a head by the arrival of two devastatingly pretty girls from the same Company, to provide their special, decidedly eccentric services.

The auditions will take place on Sunday 5th June at 7:30pm, and the performance dates are confirmed for the 25th – 27th August.

If you are interested in becoming involved in this year’s production, please use the ‘Contact Us’ page to drop us a line.

One of our members has branched out to put on a evening of songs from the musicals in July.

The final round of our read throughs will take place on the 7th May with ‘Don’t Just Lie There, Say Something” by Michael Pertwee and ‘No Sex Please We’re British’ by Alistair Foot and Anthony Marriott. We will then make a decision as to which one will be performed for this year’s summer show and then start rehearsals in early June. We would welcome any new members so if you are intereseted in becoming involved with our summer show, please use the ‘Contact Us’ page of this website.

We have now booked the venue and finalised our performance dates as the 25th – 27th August 2011. The full rehearsal schedule can be found on our Downloads page.

In addition to ‘Business Affairs’ by John Chapman and Jeremy Lloyd, and ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ by Joseph Kesselring, we are now also considering the classic play ‘What the Butler Saw’ by Joe Orton.

If you have any other suggestions, or would like to make a comment about the plays listed above, we would like to hear from you. Please use the ‘Comments’ box at the bottom of this window.

Pdf of Poster

Congratulations to everyone involved in the New Strolling Player’s production of Red Riding Hood at Christmas. Kaleidoscope members, including Sophie Warwick and Kelly Pearce took lead roles, and other members including Robert Procter provided technical support. Below is the review that appeared in the local press:

“THIS version of Red Riding Hood by The New Strolling Players was just the right length — a little over two hours including interval — which left panto lovers wishing for more while others heaved a sigh of relief, their duty done.

There was a great deal of good humoured banter the evening I was there and all credit to Bernard Turner, as Grannie Hood, who seemed completely unfazed by it and kept up his conversations with those on stage as well as responding to his affable hecklers with appropriate ad libs.

Of course, the star of the show is the wolf, which gave Philip Bovill, complete with wolverine mask and snarling voice, the opportunity to become an evil, rapacious monster.

Other notable performances were by Phil Selby, as a most engaging Simple Simon, Antony Moore, as Baron de Broke, who proved a worthy foil for his two pseudo-ladylike daughters, Hortensia and the stuttering Hildegarde, played by Dorothy Green and Janet Haire respectively and, of course, there was the talented Cecilia Vivian, who made a beautiful Fairy Silverleaf, despite being dressed in gold. However, the highlight of the show for me was the group of gentlemen singing There is Nothing Like a Dame. It was really harmonious and I hope similar interludes can be incorporated into future productions.

The costumes were, as usual, eye-catching and colourful. The wolf’s costume was truly spectacular with a mask, which appeared to cover his whole face but which did, in fact, leave his mouth free.

The embellished proscenium arch looked splendid, appropriate for both Christ-mas and the panto itself, with no flashing tree in the corner to distract this year.

The little group of musicians supported the artists well without competing with them and the choice of music throughout was appropriate.

Although I can’t honestly say this production scaled the heights, that really doesn’t matter since the audience so obviously enjoyed every minute of it and, of course, that is what it is all about.”

From iwcp.co.uk

After a few rounds of reading we’ve managed to narrow down our selection of scripts to: Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring and Business Affairs by John Chapman and Jeremy Lloyd

Please check our ‘Upcoming Events’ page for future productions!

We’re starting early this year in preparation for the summer show and have ordered a variety of scripts to consider. We would like to know your thoughts on:

RolePlay by Alan Ayckbourn

Sugar Sugar by Simon Bent

Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring

All at Sea by Vanessa Brooks

Everybody Loves Opal by John Patrick

Business Affairs by John Chapman and Jeremy Lloyd

If you’ve had experience of putting on one of these plays, or would like to suggest something else, please use the ‘Comments’ box below to let us know.

Tickets are still available for Red Riding Hood at the Memorial Hall Freshwater next week. See our ‘Upcoming Events’ page for further information.

THERE were plenty of titters during It Can Damage Your Health, which was performed by Kaleidoscope Theatre Company at Totland Church Hall last week.
The young cast, aged between 16 and 25, coped admirably well with Eric Chappell’s witty script, which is based on the hit television series Only When I Laugh.
David Bartram-Shaw was excellent in the role of Higgins, the rather cynical long-term patient and I particularly loved his wolfish smile when he was dreaming up a smart comment to bait the others with.

Bertie Everson was the suave hypochondriac Palmer, who loved ogling the pretty nurses, while Andy Clover was perfect in the role of young, nervous Gary, who had never been abroad or had a girlfriend.

Sophie Warwick was great as attractive young nurse Christine, while Jack Craddock had some good speeches as surgeon Gibbs, who was in turn both ratty and deeply caring.

The cast was completed by Jamie Cass as Roland, whose geeky appearance and dry bedside manner was amusing, although he needed a touch more volume at times.
The simple hospital ward set worked very well and I loved the beds — which looked suspiciously like real ones.
The medical staff’s costumes were also very authentic.

It Can Damage Your Health was directed by James Howe, while several other youngsters helped out behind the scenes.

From Isle of Wight County Press Online

In a move to promote this year’s show we entered a float into Totland and Freshwater Carnival.

Which essentially consisted of pushing one of the three hospital beds used for the show through the streets. Thanks to all those who took part and supported us.