The Davenham Players

Play Reading Social
2022-12-01 19:30 - 21:30, 2023-02-02 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-03-02 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-04-06 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-05-04 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-06-01 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-07-06 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
Would you like to

Try your hand at reading a part out loud
Help Davenham Players find good play scripts
Come along for a social and meet us and other drama people
Have a quiet cup of tea and biscuits and listen

You can do all of these things if you come along to the theatre at 7:30pm each first Thursday of the month. Just turn up and Dee will do the rest. Tea and biscuits free for members. Small contribution for non-members.
CONTACT DEE FOR MORE INFORMATION here

Davenham Writers' Group - CANCELLED OWING TO BAD WEATHER
2022-12-12 19:30 - 22:00 | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
EVENT CANCELLED – BAD WEATHER
Davenham Writers Group – Monthly Meeting
Come on down to the monthly Writing group at Davenham Theatre run by Flick Goodman. Whether you are a writer or a performer you are welcome to come to this relaxed group.
If you have written something and you want it read out loud, want to flex those writing muscles with a few short exercises, or want to try writing for the first time, this friendly group welcomes all levels.
For more details you can contact Flick here

REARRANGED Readthrough of "Escaped Alone" & "A Number" by Caryl Churchill
2022-12-13 19:30 - 22:00 | Online, United Kingdom
OWING TO INCELEMENT WEATHER
THIS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ONLINE

Please note, due to adverse weather conditions there is a change to the schedule for this week.
The readthrough of the two Caryl Churchill plays tomorrow evening 13th December will now take place on Zoom at 7.30pm – NOT at the theatre.
If you wish to participate, please contact director Kelly Cowley to receive the link which she will send out just before the meeting.
The auditions for BOTH plays will be at the theatre on Sunday 18th December at 1.30-3pm for ‘Escaped Alone’ and from 3pm for ‘A Number’
There will be NO meeting at the theatre on Thursday 15th
Kelly will accommodate anyone who has difficulties with these times or dates by auditioning on line .

Here are Kelly’s notes on each play. You can contact the director to say you will be there or ask any question by clicking Kelly.

Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill

Duration = Approximately 1 hour
Cast = Four Women in their 60s or 70s
Plot
Three old friends – Sally, Vi and Lena – spend a summer afternoon (or several summer afternoons) chatting in Sally’s back garden. They are joined by a neighbour, Mrs Jarrett, who regularly breaks away from their group to deliver monologues describing a postapocalyptic future. Caryl Churchill’s play juxtaposes tea with catastrophe, while exploring themes of ecological disaster, unspoken turmoil, and female endurance.
Style
Black comedy. The dialogue between the four women is made up of fragmented thoughts and half-finished sentences. The effect is somewhere between naturalistic and abstract, a kind of hyper-realism. There’s a lack of stage directions and punctuation. The intention of this is to grant creative freedom to the actors and director. Add your own punctuation, your own pauses and pacing, shape the dialogue how you think best.
Set and Tech
A small island of green turf centre stage with four garden chairs and a low table set with tea and biscuits. The outskirts of the stage would look dark, desolate and ruined, like a derelict building that has been ransacked and then abandoned. Sound and lighting would be used to create an apocalyptic atmosphere for Mrs J’s monologues.
Characters
Mrs Jarrett (60s/70s) – A neighbour, more so than a close friend, perhaps the reason she is the only one of the group who is not known by her first name. She worked as a lollipop lady and is implied to be the most working class. She says the least in the group scenes but has the most monologues, during which she appears to be an apocalypse survivor.
Vi (60s/70s) – The blunt no-nonsense one of the group. We learn that she was in prison for six years after receiving a manslaughter sentence for killing her husband. She insists that it was an act of self-defence. This killing led to an estranged relationship with her son.
Sally (60s/70s) – The funny bubbly host of the garden gathering. Sally is close friends with Vi. We learn she witnessed her crime many years ago. She has a crippling phobia of a cats.
Lena (60s/70s) – An anti-social agoraphobic. She is quietly struggling with depression. She finds it hard to get out of bed or to do simple things such as visit the shops.

A Number (Caryl Churchill, 2002)
Duration = Approximately 1 hour
Cast = Two Men, one 35–40, one 60+
Plot
Bernard has recently discovered that he is one of ‘a number’ of human clones. His father Salter confesses to him that he was once friends with a scientist who must have taken his son’s DNA and used it to create these copies. It is later revealed that Bernard himself is a clone of Salter’s only son, who he put into childcare after the death of his wife. This clone experiment was brought about by Salter wanting a second chance at fatherhood. It comes back to haunt him when the original Bernard tracks him down.
Style
Psychological sci-fi thriller. Half father/son story and half speculative exploration into the ethics of genetic experimentation and nature vs nurture.
Set and Tech
All the scenes take place in Salter’s home, a simple living room set with some futuristic touches to indicate the near-future setting of the play. No major sound or lighting effects would be required, just blackouts for the scene changes.
Characters
Salter (60s/70s) – The father of Bernard 1 and adoptive father of Bernard 2, a clone he made of his son, who he put into care at age four. Salter abandoned his original child because he was too grief-stricken over his wife’s death to be a good parent.
Bernard 1, Bernard 2 and Michael Black (30s/40s) – All three characters are played by the same actor. Bernard 1 is Salter’s original son, who has grown into an angry damaged man, embittered that his father replaced him. Bernard 2 is naïve and sheltered, as Salter has kept the truth of his origins secret from him until the start of the play. Michael Black is another clone of the original Bernard, who comes to meet Salter for the first time at the end of the play. Michael is an amiable family man and teacher.

EVENT REARRANGED - SEE NOTES BELOW
2022-12-15 19:30 - 22:00 | Online, United Kingdom
THE EVENT TODAY IS CANCELLED

Please note, due to adverse weather conditions there is a change to the schedule for this week.
The readthrough of the two Caryl Churchill plays on 13th December takes place on Zoom at 7.30pm – NOT at the theatre. There will be NO meeting on Thursday 15th December
The auditions for BOTH plays will be at the theatre on Sunday 18th December at 1.30-3pm for ‘Escaped Alone’ and from 3pm for ‘A Number’
Kelly will accommodate anyone who has difficulties with these times or dates by auditioning on line .

Here are Kelly’s notes on each play. You can contact the director to say you will be there or ask any question by clicking Kelly.

Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill

Duration = Approximately 1 hour
Cast = Four Women in their 60s or 70s
Plot
Three old friends – Sally, Vi and Lena – spend a summer afternoon (or several summer afternoons) chatting in Sally’s back garden. They are joined by a neighbour, Mrs Jarrett, who regularly breaks away from their group to deliver monologues describing a postapocalyptic future. Caryl Churchill’s play juxtaposes tea with catastrophe, while exploring themes of ecological disaster, unspoken turmoil, and female endurance.
Style
Black comedy. The dialogue between the four women is made up of fragmented thoughts and half-finished sentences. The effect is somewhere between naturalistic and abstract, a kind of hyper-realism. There’s a lack of stage directions and punctuation. The intention of this is to grant creative freedom to the actors and director. Add your own punctuation, your own pauses and pacing, shape the dialogue how you think best.
Set and Tech
A small island of green turf centre stage with four garden chairs and a low table set with tea and biscuits. The outskirts of the stage would look dark, desolate and ruined, like a derelict building that has been ransacked and then abandoned. Sound and lighting would be used to create an apocalyptic atmosphere for Mrs J’s monologues.
Characters
Mrs Jarrett (60s/70s) – A neighbour, more so than a close friend, perhaps the reason she is the only one of the group who is not known by her first name. She worked as a lollipop lady and is implied to be the most working class. She says the least in the group scenes but has the most monologues, during which she appears to be an apocalypse survivor.
Vi (60s/70s) – The blunt no-nonsense one of the group. We learn that she was in prison for six years after receiving a manslaughter sentence for killing her husband. She insists that it was an act of self-defence. This killing led to an estranged relationship with her son.
Sally (60s/70s) – The funny bubbly host of the garden gathering. Sally is close friends with Vi. We learn she witnessed her crime many years ago. She has a crippling phobia of a cats.
Lena (60s/70s) – An anti-social agoraphobic. She is quietly struggling with depression. She finds it hard to get out of bed or to do simple things such as visit the shops.

A Number (Caryl Churchill, 2002)
Duration = Approximately 1 hour
Cast = Two Men, one 35–40, one 60+
Plot
Bernard has recently discovered that he is one of ‘a number’ of human clones. His father Salter confesses to him that he was once friends with a scientist who must have taken his son’s DNA and used it to create these copies. It is later revealed that Bernard himself is a clone of Salter’s only son, who he put into childcare after the death of his wife. This clone experiment was brought about by Salter wanting a second chance at fatherhood. It comes back to haunt him when the original Bernard tracks him down.
Style
Psychological sci-fi thriller. Half father/son story and half speculative exploration into the ethics of genetic experimentation and nature vs nurture.
Set and Tech
All the scenes take place in Salter’s home, a simple living room set with some futuristic touches to indicate the near-future setting of the play. No major sound or lighting effects would be required, just blackouts for the scene changes.
Characters
Salter (60s/70s) – The father of Bernard 1 and adoptive father of Bernard 2, a clone he made of his son, who he put into care at age four. Salter abandoned his original child because he was too grief-stricken over his wife’s death to be a good parent.
Bernard 1, Bernard 2 and Michael Black (30s/40s) – All three characters are played by the same actor. Bernard 1 is Salter’s original son, who has grown into an angry damaged man, embittered that his father replaced him. Bernard 2 is naïve and sheltered, as Salter has kept the truth of his origins secret from him until the start of the play. Michael Black is another clone of the original Bernard, who comes to meet Salter for the first time at the end of the play. Michael is an amiable family man and teacher.

To see the audition texts click https://www.davenhamplayers.co.uk/escaped-alone-audition-monologues/

Auditions for "Escaped Alone" and "A Number" directed by Kelly Cowley
2022-12-18 13:30 - 16:30 | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
Today, under arrangements altered by inclement weather, Kelly Cowley is holding auditions of two one-act plays by Caryl Churchill that she is going to direct at Davenham in March 2023. A readthrough of both plays will have taken place online on Tuesday 13th December.

The audition for “Escaped Alone” will start at 1:30pm and the one for “A Number” starts at 3:00pm.

Here are Kelly’s notes on each play. You can contact the director to say you will be there or ask any question by clicking Kelly.

To see the audition texts click https://www.davenhamplayers.co.uk/escaped-alone-audition-monologues/

Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill

Duration = Approximately 1 hour
Cast = Four Women in their 60s or 70s
Plot
Three old friends – Sally, Vi and Lena – spend a summer afternoon (or several summer afternoons) chatting in Sally’s back garden. They are joined by a neighbour, Mrs Jarrett, who regularly breaks away from their group to deliver monologues describing a postapocalyptic future. Caryl Churchill’s play juxtaposes tea with catastrophe, while exploring themes of ecological disaster, unspoken turmoil, and female endurance.
Style
Black comedy. The dialogue between the four women is made up of fragmented thoughts and half-finished sentences. The effect is somewhere between naturalistic and abstract, a kind of hyper-realism. There’s a lack of stage directions and punctuation. The intention of this is to grant creative freedom to the actors and director. Add your own punctuation, your own pauses and pacing, shape the dialogue how you think best.
Set and Tech
A small island of green turf centre stage with four garden chairs and a low table set with tea and biscuits. The outskirts of the stage would look dark, desolate and ruined, like a derelict building that has been ransacked and then abandoned. Sound and lighting would be used to create an apocalyptic atmosphere for Mrs J’s monologues.
Characters
Mrs Jarrett (60s/70s) – A neighbour, more so than a close friend, perhaps the reason she is the only one of the group who is not known by her first name. She worked as a lollipop lady and is implied to be the most working class. She says the least in the group scenes but has the most monologues, during which she appears to be an apocalypse survivor.
Vi (60s/70s) – The blunt no-nonsense one of the group. We learn that she was in prison for six years after receiving a manslaughter sentence for killing her husband. She insists that it was an act of self-defence. This killing led to an estranged relationship with her son.
Sally (60s/70s) – The funny bubbly host of the garden gathering. Sally is close friends with Vi. We learn she witnessed her crime many years ago. She has a crippling phobia of a cats.
Lena (60s/70s) – An anti-social agoraphobic. She is quietly struggling with depression. She finds it hard to get out of bed or to do simple things such as visit the shops.

A Number (Caryl Churchill, 2002)
Duration = Approximately 1 hour
Cast = Two Men, one 35–40, one 60+
Plot
Bernard has recently discovered that he is one of ‘a number’ of human clones. His father Salter confesses to him that he was once friends with a scientist who must have taken his son’s DNA and used it to create these copies. It is later revealed that Bernard himself is a clone of Salter’s only son, who he put into childcare after the death of his wife. This clone experiment was brought about by Salter wanting a second chance at fatherhood. It comes back to haunt him when the original Bernard tracks him down.
Style
Psychological sci-fi thriller. Half father/son story and half speculative exploration into the ethics of genetic experimentation and nature vs nurture.
Set and Tech
All the scenes take place in Salter’s home, a simple living room set with some futuristic touches to indicate the near-future setting of the play. No major sound or lighting effects would be required, just blackouts for the scene changes.
Characters
Salter (60s/70s) – The father of Bernard 1 and adoptive father of Bernard 2, a clone he made of his son, who he put into care at age four. Salter abandoned his original child because he was too grief-stricken over his wife’s death to be a good parent.
Bernard 1, Bernard 2 and Michael Black (30s/40s) – All three characters are played by the same actor. Bernard 1 is Salter’s original son, who has grown into an angry damaged man, embittered that his father replaced him. Bernard 2 is naïve and sheltered, as Salter has kept the truth of his origins secret from him until the start of the play. Michael Black is another clone of the original Bernard, who comes to meet Salter for the first time at the end of the play. Michael is an amiable family man and teacher.

AUDITION - 'A Number'
2023-01-03 19:00 - 22:00 | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
Seeking One Actor to play Three Clone Characters
Davenham Players are seeking a talented and versatile male actor with a playing age of 30-40 to take the roles of three different characters in Caryl Churchill’s sci-fi thriller ‘A Number’.
A one act play with a runtime of approximately one hour, ‘A Number’ tells the story of Salter (60s) and three cloned versions of his son, all of which have very distinct personalities.
Bernard 1 = The original son, who Salter neglected in early childhood and then put into care. B1 has grown into an angry, resentful and psychologically damaged adult.
Bernard 2 = The first clone who Salter adopted as his replacement son. B2 is naïve and vulnerable, a bit of a man-child. He’s only just learned the truth of his origins.
Michael Black = Another clone who has grown up never knowing about Salter. Michael is jovial and quirky, a family man and teacher. Should be played comedically.
Any actors who would be interested in this unique challenge, please contact the director – kellycowley@hotmail.co.uk – as soon as you can. Davenham Players will be holding a second lot of auditions for this role on Tuesday 3rd January at 7pm (the role of Salter is also still open but there are actors in consideration).
The casting of this play will be followed by rehearsals on Tuesdays and Sundays from January until the performance week in mid-March.

Play Reading Social
2023-01-05 19:30 - 22:00 | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
Happy Families by John Godber
I will be directing Happy Families at Davenham for performance from Tuesday 16 May to Saturday 20 May 2023. While the preceding Davenham production is itself in rehearsal, we will rehearse on some Friday evenings. After that show closes on 19 March, we will rehearse on Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings, with some weekend rehearsals in the build up to our opening night. Evening rehearsals will last from 7.30pm to 10.00pm.
There will be an informal reading of the play at the Theatre at 7.30pm on Thursday 5 January, followed by auditions on Thursday 9 February. If you want to audition, but cannot attend on the latter evening, please contact me at home (‘phone 01270 626215; email park50@hotmail.com), so that we can arrange to meet sometime the previous week. Copies of the script are available from Secreatary Paulette Anderson. On donpolander@tisca;li.co.uk
Happy Families is a very funny play about family life in West Yorkshire over a period from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. The piece is autobiographical, and the characters and action are seen through the filter of ‘John’. Godber specifically describes the stage set as ‘quite definitely theatrical’ – and the same can be said of the performances required. The play demands stylised playing with rather ‘arch’ (and often quite rapid) delivery, with scenes often ending with the cast ‘freezing’ in stylised tableaux.
Roles
John The narrator, aging from 9 to 25
Dot John’s mum, sharp and bitter, aging from 40 to 54
Vic John’s dad, placid but eccentric, aging from 40 to 54
Liz Dot’s mum, sentimental, aging from 60 to 74
Jack Dot’s dad, aggressive and bitter, aging from 60 to 74
Doris Dot’s sister, ‘‘John’s mucky auntie’’, aging from 30 to 44
Edna Vic’s sister, ‘‘John’s posh auntie’’, aging from 40 to 54
Rebecca Edna’s daughter, ‘’John’s genius cousin’’, aging from 11 to 25. (Ideally, but not crucially, the actor should be able to play the clarinet!)
Lynn Sutton Neighbour’s daughter, aged 7.
Dot, John and Vic are on stage almost all the time, though not necessarily speaking. Jack and Liz are substantial roles, Doris and Edna less so. Rebecca is on stage for about a quarter of the play, and Lyn for two pages (if necessary, this part can be played by the actor playing Rebecca). Authentic West Yorkshire speech would be ideal for all characters; failing that, a generalised ‘northern accent’.

Jerry Park

Davenham Writers' Group
2023-01-09 20:00 - 22:00 | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
Davenham Writers Group – Monthly Meeting
Come on down to the monthly Writing group at Davenham Theatre run by Flick Goodman. Whether you are a writer or a performer you are welcome to come to this relaxed group.
If you have written something and you want it read out loud, want to flex those writing muscles with a few short exercises, or want to try writing for the first time, this friendly group welcomes all levels.
For more details you can contact Flick here

AGM - Annual General Meeting and Social
2023-01-12 19:30 - 22:00 | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
The AGM of Davenham Players at which members may hear reports of Officers and ask questions of the committee.
All committee members are up for re-election and any member may stand for election so long as they have two nominations by current members.
There will be a free buffet after completion of business to allow time for a natter.

Acting Group
2023-01-16 19:30 - 21:30, 2023-01-16 19:30 - 22:00 | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
Our Acting Group at the theatre on the 3rd Monday of every month gives anyone a chance to get up and have a go at some acting! There will be scripts, games and some friendly faces. No pressure, just play. Run by Tom Barry. Give it a try!
Free for members. £1 for non-members

AUDITION - 'Happy Families' by John Godber
2023-02-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
Audition Notice
Happy Families by John Godber
I will be directing Happy Families at Davenham for performance from Tuesday 16 May to Saturday 20 May 2023. While the preceding Davenham production is itself in rehearsal, we will rehearse on some Friday evenings. After that show closes on 19 March, we will rehearse on Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings, with some weekend rehearsals in the build up to our opening night. Evening rehearsals will last from 7.30pm to 10.00pm.
There will be an informal reading of the play at the Theatre at 7.30pm on Thursday 5 January, followed by auditions on Thursday 9th and Thursday 16th February. If you want to audition, but cannot attend on the latter evening, please contact me at home (‘phone 01270 626215; email park50@hotmail.com), so that we can arrange to meet sometime the previous week. Copies of the script are available from Secreatary Paulette Anderson. On donpolander@tisca;li.co.uk
Happy Families is a very funny play about family life in West Yorkshire over a period from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. The piece is autobiographical, and the characters and action are seen through the filter of ‘John’. Godber specifically describes the stage set as ‘quite definitely theatrical’ – and the same can be said of the performances required. The play demands stylised playing with rather ‘arch’ (and often quite rapid) delivery, with scenes often ending with the cast ‘freezing’ in stylised tableaux.

Roles
John The narrator, aging from 9 to 25
Dot John’s mum, sharp and bitter, aging from 40 to 54
Vic John’s dad, placid but eccentric, aging from 40 to 54
Liz Dot’s mum, sentimental, aging from 60 to 74
Jack Dot’s dad, aggressive and bitter, aging from 60 to 74
Doris Dot’s sister, ‘‘John’s mucky auntie’’, aging from 30 to 44
Edna Vic’s sister, ‘‘John’s posh auntie’’, aging from 40 to 54
Rebecca Edna’s daughter, ‘’John’s genius cousin’’, aging from 11 to 25. (Ideally, but not crucially, the actor should be able to play the clarinet!)
Lynn Sutton Neighbour’s daughter, aged 7.

Dot, John and Vic are on stage almost all the time, though not necessarily speaking. Jack and Liz are substantial roles, Doris and Edna less so. Rebecca is on stage for about a quarter of the play, and Lyn for two pages (if necessary, this part can be played by the actor playing Rebecca). Authentic West Yorkshire speech would be ideal for all characters; failing that, a generalised ‘northern accent’.
Jerry Park

Acting Group
2023-02-13 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-03-13 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-06-12 19:30 - 22:00 | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
Our Acting Group at the theatre on the 2nd Monday of every month gives anyone a chance to get up and have a go at some acting! There will be scripts, games and some friendly faces. No pressure, just play. Run by Tom Barry. Give it a try!
Free for members. £1 for non-members

Davenham Writing Group
2023-02-20 20:00 - 22:00, 2023-03-20 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-04-17 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-05-15 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-06-19 19:30 - 22:00 | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
Davenham Writing Group – Monthly Meeting
Come on down to the monthly Writing group at Davenham Theatre run by Flick Goodman. Whether you are a writer or a performer you are welcome to come to this relaxed group.
If you have written something and you want it read out loud, want to flex those writing muscles with a few short exercises, or want to try writing for the first time, this friendly group welcomes all levels.
For more details you can contact Flick here

Acting Group
2023-04-10 19:30 - 22:00 | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
POSTPONED OWING TO EASTER BANK HOLIDAY

Our Acting Group at the theatre on the 2nd Monday of every month gives anyone a chance to get up and have a go at some acting! There will be scripts, games and some friendly faces. No pressure, just play. Run by Tom Barry. Give it a try!
Free for members. £1 for non-members

Acting Group - POSTPONED OWING TO BANK HOLIDAY
2023-05-08 19:30 - 22:00 | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
POSTPONED – BANK HOLIDAY
Our Acting Group at the theatre on the 2nd Monday of every month gives anyone a chance to get up and have a go at some acting! There will be scripts, games and some friendly faces. No pressure, just play. Run by Tom Barry. Give it a try!
Free for members. £1 for non-members

Audition 'Rules for Living'
2023-06-07 19:30 - 21:30 | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom

Audition - 'Rules for Living'
2023-06-14 19:30 - 21:30 | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
