Ripon & District

Theatre Visits Group

Our u3a Theatre Visits group remains very much alive despite the Covid pandemic and the impossibility of making any theatre visits during lockdowns. One Committee Member, Arlene Coulson, recently adopted the name 'Theatrical Newshound' and she has proved great ability at being able to nose out promising scents, scratching away at the facts, and bringing this altogether in a very innovative and thoroughly informative Monthly Newssheet. It's always a good read and has greatly helped to keep communications open with the membership. To have a look at the current issue, November, select the TVG Newssheet link on the right.

Pre-Covid, the Theatre Visits Group were generally making monthly visits to a range of theatres in Harrogate, Leeds, York, Darlington, and occasionally wider afield going to Scarborough and Keswick. Blackpool was a new place planned but sadly cancelled when lockdown forced the closure of all theatres nationwide.

The good news is that we made a first and successful post-lockdown visit to a production of 'The Hounds of the Baskervilles' at York Theatre Royal in October; we have another group going to the Panto in Leeds mid December, and your committee are now pleased to be able to post a four month forward plan for theatre visits.

THEATRE VISITS made

THEATRE VISITS Our forthcoming plans are currently

SOMETHING NEW
In view of the current very limited choice of theatre productions in consequence of the pandemic, your committee thought we might try a

Time and menu details will be informed by booking form - Watch this Space.

NEXT COFFEE MORNING
to be continued but no dates currently planned - Watch this Space for a date when decided

For further Theatre Visits Group information please contact:

FORWARD PROGRAMME
As we have come to learn, there remain many uncertainties in consequence of the pandemic. One such consequence for theatres is that production companies have to carry increased upfront costs when they make forward commitments with actors, set designers and theatre venues. This all adds up unfortunately to greatly increased financial risks for all such stage production companies. Not surprisingly the smaller companies have therefore to be particularly cautious, and whilst, as ever, they will surely have a fistful of intended productions, these will be on hold, you could say waiting in the wings for more stable conditions and larger audiences to return. These are the reasons therefore why there is simply much less choice than we became used to in those pre-pandemic times ! Be assured however, your committee are watching the situation and will do their best to propose an interesting and as varied a forward programme as they can.

So keep watching our programme, which we hope will broaden and develop during 2022, and when you can make it, do come and join us. You will definitely enjoy the change and will have a fun day out with like minded people.