The Davenham Players

Jazz L`Esprit du Jazz
2023-05-25 20:00 - 22:30 (Europe/London) | Davenham Theatre, 59 Church Street, Northwich, CW9 8NF, United Kingdom
L`Esprit de Jazz
Karen Street started playing the accordion when she was seven. On completion of her studies she moved to London and began a busy freelance career encompassing classical, contemporary and jazz music.
Jazz credits include Mike Westbrook, Tim Garland, Phil Robson, Martin Taylor`s `Spirit of Django`, Tina May, Nikki Iles and Stan Sulzman. As a saxophone player Karen was a member of the very successful all-girl saxophone quartet `The Fairer Sax`. She has also produced four CDs under her own name.
Karen`s latest jazz quartet plays music inspired by French swing, Latin and Tango alongside original compositions and jazz standards. The quartet`s lineup features Sam Dunne – guitar, Charlie Pyne – bass and vocals and Katie Patterson – drums.
See more at http://www.karenstreet.bigshedmusic.co.uk/lesprit-du-jazz.html

Bookings can be made via email jazz@davenham.co or telephone Harry on 07717 224 238 / 01606 74502 Doors open 7.30pm music at 8pm.Tickets £12 on the door
If you are suffering from Covid symptoms please do not attend and in any case advise us if you are unable to attend for any reason.
From JAZZ@DAVENHAM TEAM
GREAT GIGS
FABULOUS BANDS
Click to see the full Jazz Programme
SPONSORED BY TATTON BREWERY
www.tattonbrewery.co.uk

Davenham Comedy Club
2023-05-28 19:30 - 22:30
DAVENHAM COMEDY CLUB
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – This month we welcome back two popular artists:-
Justin Moorhouse – Manchester United supporter and Coronation Street character
AND
Danny Mcloughlin
Tickets as usual are available through our ticket shop at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/davenhamplayers

LitFest June 2023 Launch Event
2023-05-30 19:30 - 21:30
Free admission!
If you come tonight, you can book tickets for any of this year’s LitFest events.
Or email Susi Osborne direct.
Download a pdf of this year’s programme at https://www.davenhamplayers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023Programme.pdf

Play Reading Social
2023-06-01 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-07-06 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-09-07 19:30 - 22:00
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

Folk Paul McClure [Rutland Troubadour] & Matt Hill
2023-06-02 20:00 - 22:30
Both artists are making their Davenham Players Theatre debut
Paul McClure
A master of the intimate setting, his dry wit and engaging personality allied to some great songs are making him a significant player on the UK roots scene.” – Jeremy Searle, Greenbird Promotions/Americana UK/R2
Since giving up his teaching job to follow his dreams and go full time in January 2014, McClure has clocked up the miles finding places to play from Southampton to Manchester, Southend to Bristol with shows at folk clubs around the country including acclaimed performances at Wychwood and Cambridge folk clubs and Roots Music Club, Doncaster, sharing the stage with such touring folk and Americana musicians as Emily Barker, Otis Gibbs (USA) Red Sky July, Sons Of Bill (USA) Red Moon Road (Canada) Edwina Hayes and The Young ‘Uns.
“McClure’s style of music may not be commercially fashionable these days, but, open, honest, warmly melodic and beautifully honed, it’s never going to be without a loyal following.” Mike Davies, Folk Radio UK
“One of the bedrocks of the UK Alternative Country, Folk and Americana scene.” (3 Chords And The Truth)
Paul McClure is a singer songwriter from Rutland, England. Known for his intimate, story telling concerts Paul’s characters and story lines – in particular the loves, laughs and losses that have come his way – though lyrically often brutally honest, nearly always allow the humorous side of any situation come forward…
“Paul McClure has a voice made to hand out solace, advice and words to cushion the fall with a deep understanding translated easily by his ability to sing from the soul.” (Alternate Root, USA)
Former front man and songwriter with Leicester’s The Hi And Lo (“Superior roots music from Leicester.” – Americana UK.) Paul has embarked on a solo career. Recently featured on Mark Radcliffe’s Radio 2 show and with an album of new songs released on UK Americana label Clubhouse Records, things are looking up for the Rutland Troubadour…
For more information, upcoming live shows and full biography visit: www.paulmccluremusic.com
Matt Hill
An accomplished singer songwriter in the americana folk tradition, Matt Hill is a man with stories to tell. His songs tell of loves lost and won, and speak of history and community. Combining skillful picking with lyrical wordplay, his songs have been praised for their emotional qualities, their honesty and the way they connect with audiences.
His debut album was voted Americana UK Album of the Year and subsequent releases have gathered 4-star reviews from the likes of Uncut and The Daily Mirror and radio play from BBC6 Music. He’s performed at Glastonbury festival (invited by Billy Bragg), showcased at the English Folk Expo and even sang one of his songs on BBC1 television antiques show ‘Flog it’.
Matt has performed at music venues and festivals across the UK and Europe. As a freelance creative artist he uses songwriting as a way to connect with people, taking his passion for songwriting into communities across England and Wales. He’s been songwriter in residence in a museum and has run creative songwriting workshops in prisons, schools, care homes, homeless centres and other community settings.
For more information upcoming shows and full biography visit https://matthillsongwriter.com/
Online tickets @ £11.00
https://www.wegottickets.com/event/567877
£10.00 [mark me as a friend]
paypal.me/andrewwhalley1
Local cash purchases Call 07510853589 to arrange

LitFest - Sunny Ormonde & Vanessa Nuttall - Behind the Scenes at Ambridge
2023-06-03 19:30 - 22:00
Tickets for LitFest events are available online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/northwich-litfest-11101053202
To download the leaflet showing details of all Northwich LitFest 2023 events, click https://www.davenhamplayers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023Programme.pdf

LitFest Caroline England & Jill Doyle
2023-06-05 19:30 - 21:30

Audition 'Rules for Living'
2023-06-07 19:30 - 21:30

LitFest Will Butters
2023-06-08 19:30 - 21:30

LitFest Clare Mackintosh
2023-06-10 19:30 - 21:30

Acting Group
2023-06-12 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-07-10 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-09-11 19:30 - 22:00
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'
2023-06-14 19:30 - 21:30

LitFest Kerry Daynes (cancelled)
2023-06-15 19:30 - 21:30

LitFest Eve Ferret
2023-06-17 19:30 - 22:00

Davenham Writing Group
2023-06-19 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-07-17 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-08-21 19:30 - 22:00
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

Jazz Philip Clouts
2023-06-22 20:00 - 22:30
Making a welcome return to Davenham, South African born Philip Clouts brings his quartet playing original compositions from his latest CD `Umoya`. On this album, Clouts’ African inspirations extend beyond Cape jazz to pan-European folksong, soul-jazz and even drum ‘n’ bass.
Clouts was born in Cape Town and the music of his homeland has stayed with him as he has continued on a voyage of discovery that has led him across all five continents, soaking up Caribbean calypso and the soulful strains of the Indian subcontinent while honouring and learning from jazz heroes including Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Charles Lloyd.
Since moving to Dorset in 2006 he has responded to his new surroundings with impressionistic compositions that complement and chime with his world music interests, resonating with folky themes and packing pungent rhythmical punch.
Quartet Lineup
Philip Clouts keyboard/composer
Samuel Eagles saxophones
Tim Fairhall double bass
Ted Carrasco drums
Bookings can be made via email jazz@davenham.co or telephone Harry on 07717 224 238 / 01606 74502 Doors open 7.30pm music at 8pm.Tickets £12 on the door
If you are suffering from Covid symptoms please do not attend and in any case advise us if you are unable to attend for any reason.
From JAZZ@DAVENHAM TEAM
GREAT GIGS
FABULOUS BANDS
Click to see the full Jazz Programme
SPONSORED BY TATTON BREWERY
www.tattonbrewery.co.uk

AUDITION - 'Allo 'Allo by Jeremy Lloyd & David Croft
2023-07-20 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-07-21 19:30 - 22:00
AUDITION NOTICE – ALLO ALLO
Auditions will be held on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 July 2023 – 7.30pm at the theatre.
Members and non members welcome!
Written by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft
Directed by April Johnson (april@btinternet.com 07711 709946)
Run dates: 21- 25 November 2023
Rehearsals: To be agreed at first read through. Starting with read throughs week commencing 21 August 2023
For this production we need larger than life characters and true comic timing. We want the audience to be enthralled and entertained! So, if you are a strong performer and would love to be part of this production, come along and audition! We will have so much fun doing this show, all we ask is that you learn lines early so we can focus on the character interaction, the comedy and physical theatre element.
CHARACTERS
RENÉ ARTOIS Male, middle-aged French Café Owner, playing age 40-60. This is the central role, René is on stage most of the time and drives the show’s narrative. René is the only character to frequently break the 4th wall to speak directly to the audience. René is a self-confessed coward who tries to remain impartial whilst always protecting his own best interests. He is a harangued but charismatic everyman and despite a rather ordinary appearance seems to have an irresistible allure, particularly to his two young waitresses and also to Gruber, a friendly German Officer who likes to frequent the café. This is a physical role which will involve lots of sexual innuendo and a number of amorous scenes!
COLONEL KURT VON STROHM Male, playing age 40-60, German. The Colonel is the corrupt town commandant who likes to line his own pockets with stolen Nazi treasures. He is a frequent visitor to the café where he seeks favours from the waitresses. He also forces René to conceal stolen artefacts for him and in return keeps secret the knowledge that René is hiding the British airmen in his basement. He is greedy, vain and self-serving yet remains quite likeable despite all of this. Ideally, the Colonel should be played by someone who is stocky. The Colonel wears a “wiglet” for a large part of the play. Sings/speaks a line in one of Edith’s cabaret songs.
CAPTAIN ALBERTO BERTORELLI Male, playing age 20-50, Italian. Bertorelli is a flamboyant, bombastic Italian captain attached to the German forces. He believes himself to be very charming and has a keen eye for the ladies, but he loves nobody more than he loves himself. Bertorelli is over-the top in both his speech and physicality. Bertorelli is in league with Colonel Von Strohm and also plans to profit from undeclared stolen Nazi goods. He sings /speaks a line in one of Edith’s cabaret songs and has to impersonate Hitler in Act 2. 4
HERR OTTO FLICK Male, playing age 20-50, German, preferably blonde but not essential. Herr Flick is an agent of the Gestapo. He walks with a limp and uses a stick as a walking aid/weapon! He is reportedly Himmler’s godson and aspires to be like his Nazi hero. Flick is entirely emotionless and cold, yet still manages to demonstrate a repressed /mildly sadistic passion for his assistant Helga. Flick is nearly always seen in long leather coat, pin stripe suit, leather gloves and glasses. In this show he plays the violin, dances a tango (stiffly) and also disguises himself as a sexy cinema usherette. Please do let us know when auditioning if you are adept at any of these skills!
LIEUTENANT HUBERT GRUBER Male, German, playing age 20-60. Gruber is a kindly German officer, who doesn’t much enjoy his official duties (with the possible exception of time spent in his “little tank”). Gruber does enjoy his visits to the café though, and lives in hope of expanding his relationship with René, with whom he feels he has a special bond! Gruber frequently walks in on René in a variety of compromising or embarrassing positions. The subtext of course is that Gruber is hopelessly in love with René, which should be played with subtlety and not overtly camp.
GENERAL LUDVIG VON SCHMELLING Male, German, playing age 40-60. General Von Schmelling does not appear in the TV show but is a similar character to General Von Klinkerhoffen. He is a senior officer who takes his military duties very seriously indeed. He is a strict, authoritative figure who takes a very dim view of the Resistance, and corruption within his own ranks. Everyone is terrified of him, with the exception of Herr Flick. Schmelling is supposed to have a wooden leg and he could also wear an eye patch.
OFFICER CRABTREE Male, British, disguised as a French “poloceman”, playing age between 20-50. A gem of a part, this character has some of the most popular catchphrases from the series, e.g. “Good moaning! I was just pissing by…” etc. Crabtree is a British undercover agent posing as a very sombre French policeman. His knowledge of French is very weak, and he often uses the wrong vowel sounds leading to comical misunderstandings! The actor taking this role would ideally be tall and slender. This is a physical role and will involve some compromising positions!
ROGER LECLERC Male, French, playing age 60+ (can be aged up for the part). An elderly forger and escaped convict he now works for the French Resistance. Leclerc appears in a variety of different disguises (all unconvincing)! In the TV series, Leclerc was also the pianist who accompanies Edith in the café, but it’s not imperative Leclerc is a piano player as we can fake it!
RAF AIRMEN: FLIGHT LIEUTENANTS FAIRFAX AND CARSTAIRS 2 x Male Roles, British. Fairfax and Carstairs are the British Airmen in hiding in René’s café, awaiting repatriation with the help of The French Resistance. Should be played as the quintessential “chocs away” happy-go-lucky Brits. Whilst these roles are very memorable from the series, there are relatively few lines for these parts in the stage show. The airmen pop out of various hidden locations on the set. We may build these roles further to include between-scene sketches as well (TBC). These parts can be doubled with a backstage role and would require relatively little rehearsal.
EDITH ARTOIS Female, French, playing age 40-60. Demanding but faithful wife of René Artois. Despite being a terrible singer, Edith believes that she is a musical star and regularly performs a cabaret at the café which is usually badly received by the patrons. Edith has 2 musical numbers in the show, which need to be comically off-key! Edith is very gullible, passionate and long-suffering. For the audition, as well as script work we will ask you to perform a short burst of a song of your choice, preferably with some movement as well. The song can be anything, but think about the kind of song Edith might sing! Your challenge is to try to make me laugh – singing out of tune won’t be an issue but a bonus!
YVETTE CARTE-BLANCHE French waitress, tall and attractive, ideally brunette. Playing age 18-40. Yvette is a good looking waitress who is having a passionate affair with René. She hopes to elope with him one day. As a side-line Yvette & Mimi “entertain” soldiers in one of the upstairs rooms of the café. Yvette also takes part in the grand cabaret, so she may need to be able to sing and dance. As part of the audition for this role, we may ask you to perform a short burst of a song of your choice, in a comedic and saucy (ha!) style with some movement as well.
MIMI LABONQ French waitress, short, cute. Playing age 18-40. Mimi Labonq is a feisty waitress and secret assassin working for the French Resistance. Mimi is also having a passionate affair with René unbeknownst to Edith or Yvette. She is tempestuous and fiery and often has to be held back from attacking German visitors in the café. As a sideline Yvette & Mimi “entertain” soldiers in one of the upstairs rooms of the café. Mimi also takes part in the grand cabaret so she may need to be able to sing and dance. As part of the audition for this role, we may ask you to perform a short burst of a song of your choice, in a comedic feisty style – please think about adding with some movement as well.
MICHELLE DUBOIS French, local leader of the Resistance Movement, playing age 20-40. Catchphrase: “Listen very carefully, I will say this only once”. Michelle has persuaded a reluctant René to help them hide 2 British Airmen in the cellar. She frequently appears in disguise and is highly passionate about her cause. Speaks with a French accent except when talking to the British Airmen when she adopts an exaggerated upper class English accent.
PRIVATE HELGA GEERHART German, playing age 20-40, preferably blonde. Attractive secretary to General Von Strohm. Helga is in a strange sadomasochistic relationship with Herr Flick. Helga has to strip down to her sexy lingerie in one scene (TBC!!!). She also will be performing a very uptight tango in another scene. Helga is clipped and severe but a sexy seductress lurks underneath her harsh exterior.
PLUS 4 x Extra actors (Male or female) to appear in various café scenes and also double as stage crew.

NO Play Reading Social IN AUGUST
2023-08-03 19:30 - 22:00

NO Acting Group IN AUGUST
2023-08-14 19:30 - 22:00

NO Davenham Writing Group IN AUGUST
2023-08-21 19:30 - 22:00

"Rules for Living" by Sam Holcroft
2023-09-18 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-09-19 19:30 - 22:00, 2023-09-20 19:30 - 22:00
RULES FOR LIVING
by Sam Holcroft
September 18th to 21st and 23rd 2023
Everyone creates their own coping strategies or ‘rules for living’, but what happens when an extended family gathers in the dining room for a traditional Christmas and they each follow those rules, rigidly?
In Sam Holcroft’s theatrically playful, dark comedy the family does just that. And when the instructions are there for all to see, audience included, there’s really no place to hide.
As long-held mechanisms for survival are laid bare, even Mum, who’s been preparing this lunch since last January, becomes embroiled.
Long-held rivalries and resentments will out. Accusations fly, relationships deconstruct, the rules take over and a fast-paced comic delight ensues!
TICKETS @ £12 NOW AVAILABLE
CHECK OUT OUR SEASON TICKET OFFER
FOUR PLAYS FOR THE COST OF THREE
CHECK OUT OUR TICKET SHOP AT
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/davenhamplayers
