Theatre Visits Group
Theatre going is on the rise again throughout the country. Our Ripon Theatre Visits Group continues to grow in number and attract new members. Our forward programme of one visit per month is back on track to its pre-Covid norm. The monthly Newssheet introduced by 'Woof,Woof', our 'Theatrical Newshound', Arlene Coulson, has caught on and members now eagerly await the next issue to see what she has been able to dig up.
On our last two theatre visits we were pleased to see that audiences are getting larger again but as we have come to learn, there remain many uncertainties for production companies. To keep costs down, sets have become minimal but clever. Casts have been generally smaller with actors often playing several different roles. There seems to be increasing physicality on stage which clearly requires actors to maintain a high level of fitness and then the ability to play a musical instrument is becoming more frequently part of an actors skillset.
Last February, and to do something different, we held our first ever social lunch in North Stainley. This proved both popular and successful by attracting the largest ever single get together of Theatre Visits Group members.
In September our planned 'Away Day' in Keswick to see a production of 'Brief Encounter' at Theatre By The Lake is going ahead with enough people already signed up to fill a small bus BUT if we could fill a larger bus, our transport cost per head will go down. We are therefore hopeful that a few more people will decide to sign up as soon as possible for this great day out to what is a lovely venue. Its only a once a year happening; we are now out of the Covid cage, so why not celebrate a bit and come with us.
Your committee have now prepared a forward programme of visits, with details as listed below. We hope you will find these varied and interesting.
THEATRE VISITS recently made
| October | The Hounds of the Baskervilles | York Theatre Royal | |
| December | Wendy & Peter Pan Panto | Leeds Playhouse | CANCELLED due Covid |
| January | Macbeth (The Handlebards - musical - funny) | York Theatre Royal | |
| February | Social Lunch at North Stainley | ||
| March | As You Like It (Northern Broadsides) | York Theatre Royal | |
| April | The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time | Leeds Grand | |
| May | Red Ellen | York Theatre Royal | |
| June | Kinky Boots | Harrogate Theatre | |
| July | A Little Light Music | Leeds Playhouse |
THEATRE VISITS Our forthcoming plans are
| Thursday Sept 29th | Brief Encounter | Theatre By The Lake, Keswick |
| Thursday Oct 6th | The Mirror Cracked | York Theatre Royal |
| Thursday Nov 16th | Fishermans Friend | Leeds Grand |
| Thursday Dec 15th | Old Granny Goose | York Grand Opera House |
Event
| Thursday Sept 22nd | Ripon & District u3a Showcase | Allhallowgate Methodist Church Hall 2pm |
Theatre Visits Group will have their own stand so why not come along for an hour, visit our stand and take a look at the many other interesting u3a activities you can join.
NEXT COFFEE MORNING
| Tuesday Aug 23rd | 10.00 | Curzon Cinema, Ripon |
For further Theatre Visits Group information please contact:
| Clare Kinsman | Tel: 01765 609178 | email: cpkinsman@hotmail.com |
FORWARD PROGRAMME
We now have a forward programme which will take us into the 2022 Panto season. Keep watching our group website for latest news or changes which we may have to make, and be assured that we will endeavour to suss out a range of interesting productions for you in 2023. When you can make it, do therefore come and join us. You will enjoy having a fun day out with like minded people.
Click on a picture below to see it full-size with more details.
