The Davenham Players

The Steamie by Tony Roper
2019-10-22 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
Davenham Players present
The Steamie
by Tony Roper (from Rab C Nesbitt)
The Steamie is a comedy-drama written by Tony Roper, perhaps better known as actor – especially for his role as Jamesie, the hapless partner in crime of Rab C. Nesbitt).
The play follows a group of women (Dolly, Magrit, Doreen and Mrs Culfeathers) washing their sheets, curtains and clothes in a public washhouse (a steamie) in Glasgow in the 1950s, and Andy, the lone male responsible for the maintenance and running of the steamie. The action takes place at Hogmanay, on Old Year’s Night, when the house has to be clean and fresh to welcome the New Year before the year can change and the first footing start. The Steamie was voted second in Scottish Televisions ’30 Best Loved Plays’ and regularly plays to audiences around the country.
Directed by Sheila Hetherington, Davenham actors Paulette Anderson, Denise Barry, Vanessa Duffy and Peter Lownds are joined by Catherine Millar, previously seen as Lorraine in Little Gem, a Chester Little Theatre production that visited Davenham in April.
Tuesday 22-Saturday 26 October inclusive
at 7.30pm.
Doors and Bar open 7pm
Tickets £10 from www.danarts.org or 01606 2 5959 6

Drama Masterclass
2019-10-17 19:00 - 22:00
Hello Masterclassers
I hope you are well and have had an enjoyable summer. I am currently putting together a plan for the next two Masterclasses and wanted to let you all know first.
The next masterclass will be on: Thursday 17th October, 7-10pm
£15 (or £12 for Davenham Players members)

Playing Age
Davenham Theatre’s Masterclasses return and Tom will be taking you on a journey through time and space as you become older, younger and older again. Playing someone older or younger can be helped with makeup & costumes but this is only part of the task. We will look at standing, sitting, walking, talking and thinking.

November`s Masterclass will be on: Thursday 28th November 7-10pm so please put in your diary.

If you would like to book a place on either October or November then please email me.
Thank you and I look forward to seeing you at the theatre.

Tom

Readthrough / Audition - "Definition Not Found"
2019-10-06 14:00 - 17:00
Definition not found – a new dystopian drama
Requires 3 females of 16-20 years, 1 role for an older female and 1 male aged 16-20
Audition at theatre 6th Oct 2pm
Please contact Jodie for more details on….. Jodie Email

Play Reading Social
2019-10-03 19:30 - 22:00, 2019-09-03 19:30 - 22:00, 2019-08-03 19:30 - 22:00, 2019-07-03 19:30 - 22:00, 2019-06-03 19:30 - 22:00, 2019-05-03 19:30 - 22:00
If you are at all interested in drama, whether performing, helping backstage or set design/construction, this is a social evening at which you can come along to meet our team, see what we do and maybe find out how YOU could get involved.
Besides networking and socializing, the main activity of the evening will be to read a script to see how well it stands up to performance and whether it is worth considering for future presentation at our theatre. You don’t have to read, but why not give it a try? Or just sit and listen. All good!
There’s always a tea break at half-time. What more could you ask for a free but friendly night out?
You can contact Denise by email to find out more.

Audition - The Steamie
2019-08-06 19:30 - 21:30
Hello All
I’m sure that by now you will have heard the sad news about the need to postpone the September production of Dancing at Lughnasa as it has been temporarily withdrawn from availability for performance by amateurs. I know that Barbara was very excited to be directing this play and is still looking forward to being able to do so again in the not too distant future, maybe in June 2020.
I have offered to fill the gap by directing The Steamie, a comedy by Tony Roper (Rab C Nesbitt) which will be performed week beginning 21 October instead (don’t worry we are, as we speak, checking for any restrictions!). There will be a read through on Tuesday 23 July and an audition on Tue 6 August. The cast is made up as follows: F4/M1. The oldest is about 75, one about 65, one about 40 and one is young – all a bit flexible. The male is described as young and big! Again flexible. All are working class Glaswegians – no glamorous parts I’m afraid.
It would be very helpful if anyone interested in being involved could let me know in advance about any restrictions they have re. Rehearsal dates/times and/or any holidays they already have booked during September /October. You can text or call me on 07412 941065. I will send all those interested a description of the characters.
I do hope that you will wish to be involved and look forward to seeing you soon.
Very best
Sheila

Readthrough - The Steamie
2019-07-23 19:30 - 21:30

Over the MOON - An Event for all the Family
2019-07-20 14:00 - 17:00

LitFest Richard Strange
2019-06-29 19:30 - 21:30
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Richard Strange presents ‘An Accent Waiting to Happen’ – a collection of songs, stories, film clips, anecdotes, and readings from his critically acclaimed memoir, as well as downright scurrilous gossip from his 40 years in the arts and entertainment world.
Writer, musician, actor and more, Richard was front man with the band The Doctors of Madness. As an actor he has appeared in films such as Batman, Gangs of New York, Harry Potter, Robin Hood-Prince of Thieves and more, as well as numerous TV appearances including several episodes of Men Behaving Badly, plus many stage plays including touring the world in a Russian version of Hamlet.
As a writer, Richard is a regular contributor to such diverse publications as The Guardian, Tatler, Culture and Travel, and Vogue.

‘18 years after first meeting him, just thinking about Richard still reduces me to a state of near hysteria…and terror. He restores one’s faith in the human spirit to soar.’ – James Nesbitt.
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You can view the full LitFest programme online at http://www.northwichlitfest.co.uk/p/programme.html
To book your tickets @ £10.00, either click here to book online, email Susi Osborne or call 01606 553433
All events start at 7.30pm unless otherwise stated

LitFest Angela Clarke
2019-06-26 19:30 - 21:30
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Sunday Times bestselling author, Angela Clarke, has won so many awards and succeeded at so many things as a writer that it would be impossible to list them all here. Suffice to say, Angela was a guest at our LitFest several years ago, before her success had grown so phenomenally, and she was one of the best speakers we’d ever had.
Angela’s latest book, On My Life, tells the story of Jenna, who thought she had the perfect life until suddenly she finds herself framed, imprisoned and pregnant. On suspicion of murder, she must fight to prove her innocence from behind bars or her baby may be given away to whoever framed her.
Intrigued? Come and meet Angela!
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You can view the full LitFest programme online at http://www.northwichlitfest.co.uk/p/programme.html
To book your tickets @ £5.00, either click here to book online, email Susi Osborne or call 01606 553433
All events start at 7.30pm unless otherwise stated

LitFest Will Butters a.k.a. "Billy Nomates"
2019-06-17 19:30 - 21:30
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Always popular, Will’s audience size has outgrown the capacity of his previous venue. He’s certainly not a Billy Nomates anymore, hence the move to Davenham!
We never know what to expect from Will but that is all part of his charm. With the assistance of his readers, he will be presenting some of the many scripts he has written during the year. Laughter is guaranteed.

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You can view the full LitFest programme online at http://www.northwichlitfest.co.uk/p/programme.html
To book your tickets @ £5.00, either click here to book online, email Susi Osborne or call 01606 553433
All events start at 7.30pm unless otherwise stated

LitFest Anne Williams
2019-06-10 19:30 - 21:30
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Confused about blogging? Not sure what it is? Well now’s the time to find out!
In the world of books, Anne Williams is one of the most well-respected of all book reviewers, publishing her findings in her blog, as well as elsewhere. We are delighted that she has chosen to speak at our LitFest!
Anne’s blog, Being Anne…, has a huge following, and in it she writes not only about books but also ‘about travel, and other things that make life interesting’.
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You can view the full LitFest programme online at http://www.northwichlitfest.co.uk/p/programme.html
To book your tickets @ £5.00, either click here to book online, email Susi Osborne or call 01606 553433
All events start at 7.30pm unless otherwise stated

LitFest Jane James
2019-06-07 19:30 - 21:30
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Jane James is the amazingly talented writer of Dorothy – The Airings of an Archers Actors Aunt, which was performed to standing ovation by Sunny Ormonde (The Archers Lilian Bellamy) when it premiered at Northwich LitFest a couple of years ago, prior to its nationwide tour.
Jane’s writing is superb, and has been compared to that of Victoria Wood – full of laughter-producing wit and yet some poignancy also. At this event Jane will be talking about her writing and about how she gets her plays performed.
She will also be bringing along some of the pieces she has written – some willing volunteers may be required! Expect a fun evening with lots of laughter!
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You can view the full LitFest programme online at http://www.northwichlitfest.co.uk/p/programme.html
To book your tickets @ £5.00, either click here to book online, email Susi Osborne or call 01606 553433
All events start at 7.30pm unless otherwise stated

Hidden Gem @ 59
2019-05-25 19:30 - 21:30, 2019-05-24 19:30 - 21:30
What lies behind the door of 59 Church Street?
A school, a home, a club, a theatre?
Stories about what happened in the building we now know as Davenham Theatre have been passed on to us, but up to now, we have only scratched the surface.
Come and hear about the history of Davenham theatre; what it was before a theatre, how it came to be purchased and what the Davenham Players do now. We have found some fascinating information about previous residents and uses of the building. The evening will take audience members through the rooms with tales from members of how they came to join, to how it was in days gone by.
Tickets £8.00 online at danarts.org or 01606 2 5959 6

Audition - Dancing at Lughnasa
2019-05-20 19:30 - 21:30
Audition for the Davenham Players Autumn production
Dancing At Lughnasa by Brian Friel
Production week is w/b 16th Sept. Barbara Crellin directing
The play is loosely based on the lives of author Brian Friel’s mother and aunts who lived in the village of Glenties (situated where two glens meet) on the west coast of County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. Written in 1990, Dancing at Lughnasa premiered in Dublin before moving to the National Theatre in London and later to the big screen with Michael Gambon and Meryl Streep in 1998.
Set in the summer of 1936 in the fictional town of Ballybeg, the play depicts the late summer days when love briefly seems possible for five of the Mundy sisters; then the family welcomes home the frail elder brother, Jack, who has returned from life as a missionary in Africa. However, as the summer progresses, the family foresees sadness and economic privations. The action takes place around the Celtic harvest Festival of Lughnasadh.
Characters are …
Kate aged 40
Maggie aged 38
Christina 26
Rose 32
Agnes 35
Michael Evans
Gerry Evans 33
Father Jack 53
Ages are approximate and can be adapted
Please do come along and if you have questions in advance, you can contact Barbara by email.

Twits, Wits & Bawdy Baskets
2019-05-18 19:30 - 22:00, 2019-05-17 19:30 - 22:00
Doodlebug Productions
present
TWITS, WITS & BAWDY BASKETS by Steve Cooper
… a spanking new Tudor comedy about gender, identity and the north/south divide.
With a cast of seven actors and the same budget as travelling vagabonds, ‘TWITS’ is a hilarious romp through a re-imagined history, using people and places which actually existed to produce a frantic farce that will provoke thought and much merriment.
‘Taming of the Shrew’ meets ‘Some Like it Hot’
Cast Members
Steve Cooper
Sophie Osborne
Natalie Ciufo Green
Suzanne Kinghorn
Hannah Louise
Simon Bugg
Richard Oliver
At Davenham Theatre on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th May at 7:30pm.
Doors & Bar from 7:00pm
Tickets are £11.00 online from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/twits-wits-and-bawdy-baskets-tickets-52721549574

Little Gem by Elaine Murphy
2019-04-27 19:30 - 22:00, 2019-04-26 19:30 - 22:00
Chester Little Theatre bring their latest production to Davenham Theatre for a short run. Catherine Millar, Emma Reilly and Davenham’s own Maggie Innes are the three women (daughter, mother, grandmother) in this story of love, sex, birth, death and salsa classes.
Amber, happy go lucky, fresh out of school, high on life, sambucas and boyfriend Paul. That is until the ‘indigestion’ starts
Lorraine, her mother, struggling to cope and seeing a ‘head doctor’. She’s told to ‘do one nice thing for herself each week’. Time to sign up for salsa classes… who knows where that may lead to?
And Kay, the grandmother, on the wrong side of sixty and looking after her sick husband Gem, is finding life frustrating in more ways than one. A chance encounter in Lidl leads her in an unexpected direction… And if that wasn’t enough, Little Gem makes his presence felt and life will never be the same again.
A remarkable story of sorrow, precarious joy and inappropriate laughter. Indeed, this is a little gem of a play: vivid, funny and touching. The story of a year in the life of one Dublin family.
Chester Little Theatre’s production comes to Davenham on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th April. Directed by John Turner.
Doors & Bar Open 7pm.
Show at 7:30pm
Tickets £8.00 online at danarts.org
or Phone 01606 259596

Davenham Writers' Group
2019-04-18 19:30 - 21:30
Davenham Writers Group – Monthly Meeting
Come on down to the monthly Writing group at Davenham Theatre run by Tom Barry. 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 Tom by email

Hidden Gem @ 59 Workshop
2019-04-14 06:30 - 21:30, 2019-04-07 06:30 - 21:30
Tom Barry has started off a History of Davenham Theatre project with the aim of presenting the results in a show to be constructed during workshop sessions to be held weekly on Sundays.
Tom is inviting anyone interested in being involved or in sharing stories, information or history that they may have. The material for the event doesn’t have to come from specific sources, it could be passed on or already known.
Tom says “I want to encourage people to come forward wherever possible at this stage. This will provide us with material to develop ideas for how it will work as a presentation.” There will be multiple opportunities for people to share experiences through talking or handing over written material or whatever they have.
Look out on Facebook, Twitter and the website for more news.
Or contact Tom by email
Hello everyone.
Hope you’re all well and recovered from recent shenanigans on and off respective stages.
I have been caught in limbo slightly for THoDT project between plans of the past and revised plans based on the meeting in December. There was a plan to have another meeting this Sunday but I would like to cancel that one and rearrange.
These are the dates I would like to book-in pending everyone’s thoughts or potential flagging of issues:
Next meeting/public workshop Sunday 10th February 6.30 – 9.30pm
1st block of workshops: Sundays 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st March, 7th & 14th April – 6.30 – 9.30pm
2nd Block: Sunday 28th April, 5th & 12th May 6.30 – 9.30pm
Performance nights: Fri 24th & Sat 25th May
Hope this is all clear. So sorry for any inconvenience and the short notice re Sunday.
Also a note on publicity. Anyone can be part of this, I think some have thought so far that they need to know about the theatre’s history. We might need to make it clear that we need people who are new/recent and don’t have a link to the history, because the stories need to be told, written, designed & planned.
Thank you for your patience everyone.
Tom

"Spectrum" by Andy Hutchings
2019-04-13 19:30 - 22:00, 2019-04-12 19:30 - 22:00
URBAN TRENDZ THEATRE
presents
Spectrum by Andy Hutchings

An anthology of three one-act plays by Chester playwright Andy Hutchings set across a spectrum of genres, themes and settings. From tense horror set in the Siberian countryside during the second world war, to mystery and intrigue in the far reaches of the future, to upbeat comedy taking place in the void that souls occupy after death, Spectrum is an eclectic mix of modern tales for all audiences.
The audience will see two winning actors from Cheshire Theatre Guild’s last awards night – Alex Wight (best supporting actor) and Laura Smith (Adjudicator’s award for acting).
The pieces featured in the anthology are;

Night Witches – directed by Charlie Nunez
Welcome Home – directed by Lexie Fox
The Transmigration Show – directed by Andy Hutchings

Friday 12th & Saturday 13th April 2019
At Davenham Theatre 59 Church Street Davenham CW9 8NF
Doors & Bar 7:00pm Performances at 7.30pm Tickets £8.00
Book on-line at www.danarts.org and by phone 01606 2 5959 6

Comedy with Brennan Reece
2019-04-05 20:00 - 22:00
BRENNAN REECE: Evermore is the third and final instalment in Brennan’s trilogy of tours which he has taken successfully to the Edinburgh Fringe and on UK and International tours over the past two years.
A completely sold out show, Evermore received high praise at this year’s Fringe, being recommended by the British Comedy Guide and receiving 4 and 5 stars across the board. Brennan has already appeared on TV before Christmas on “Live at The Apollo“ and at the Lowry, Salford.
But the biggest date in the Calendar will be in deepest Cheshire at Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Davenham, Northwich CW9 8NF on 5th April 2019.
Celebrate the last day of the TAX YEAR with Brennan and LAUGH YOUR SOCKS OFF.
£10 a head – ring 01606 2 5959 6 or book on-line at www.danarts.co.uk
