Bolsover Drama Group

The casting committee met on the Thursday 15 October and cast the Pantomime, Jack and The Beanstalk. The criteria used to cast the parts in the pantomime are: Self nomination Part in the last musical Previous parts in the pantomime or play The opportunity for a part in other productions Service to group Experience (required for the part or to develop someone) Finally suitability. We are always over subscribed for many of the parts so the choice is never simple; if the above criteria are met it is often down to whose turn is it this year. Below is the list of people chosen for the principle parts: Jack Paula Bargh Dame Dotty Dibble Paul Holland Simple Simon Dale Shaw Piccalilli Hannah Bradford Fairy Stardust Janet Koszegi Rancid The Ratman Ray Hall King Hubert Ian Brady Queen Hyacinth Pam Mosley Princess Primrose Keyleigh Hulett Snatchet Chris Peck Scarper Lyndsey Whitehouse Humphrey Nicky Constable Buster Gut Bucket Alf Bunn Buttermilk Front End Julie Clifford Rear End Wendy Blunt...

Our costume cupboard could do with a bit of a sort out! If you have an eye for a spot of recycling/revamping/renovation this could be the opportunity you have been waiting for! We are calling for storage boxes/bags, hanging rails anf volunteers to help us keep cost to a minimum. If you can help please leave a contact name and number with a member of the group or email chapel@bolsoverdramagroup.org and thank you for taking an interest in our project.

Voulenteers stand by the filled skip following the Chapel clear-up day On Saturday morning the 22nd August a group of Bolsover Drama Group volunteers gave their precious time to help with the initial clearance of items from the Bannister Chapel.  Sorting the recyclable items and sifting through the old props (and revisiting old shows with some of the group members) a hive of activity soon commenced. The sun shone and the dust flew, and with good humour the morning soon passed.  We shared the tools and a few laughs, with the outside area rediscovered amongst the weeds and discarded rubble. Lunchtime soon came around and we had completed our first task.  The skip (at a reduced fee) was meticulously organised and ready to go and the front and rear of the building were tidy and accessible.   Inside a corner of the building was clear and ready to take on the next step of the project.

Members of Bolsover Drama Group were given the opportunity to have a stall at the Bolsover Gala on Sunday 28 th June. The gala at Hornscroft Park was organised by The Friends of Bolsover Parks in collaboration with Old Bolsover Town Council.  Bolsover Drama Group were allowed a stall to sell donated items and hold tombola to raise funds for the group.  After a long day in the beautiful summer’s weather nearly £200 was raised for the group which will be added to the chapel restoration fund. Bolsover Drama Group would like to thank Old Bolsover Town Council, The Friends of Bolsover Parks, everyone who donated items to sell or win and those who supported us on the day.

NODA East Midlands award for best pantomime (region 2) for ‘Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves’ At the NODA East Midlands regional AGM on Sunday 10 th May 2009 Bolsover Drama Group were announced as winners of the award for best pantomime for region2 for the production of ‘Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves’.  This honour follows hot on the heels of being nominated for the best play award for region 2 for ‘It Runs in the Family’ at the same event and ‘Out of Order’ at the previous year’s event.  NODA are the National Operatic and Dramatic Association is the UK-wide representative body for amateur theatre, which Bolsover Drama Group are affiliated to. The award was presented to Bolsover Drama Group secretary Janet Atkinson by the NODA president Bert Lumsden.  Janet is pictured with the award and certificate joined by co-director Leanne Whitehouse (left), director Mick Whitehouse (centre) and Lyndsey Whitehouse, who played the role of Marjana (right).

Janet Atkinson receiving her 20-year service award The 2009 Bolsover Drama Group dinner and dance took place at the Chesterfield Hotel in March. The annual event, which is now in its 13 th year, is a chance for members of the group, their friends and family, and invited guests to enjoy a social evening together.  The evening comprised of a meal with live music from ‘Blue Moon’, a musical duo featuring the group’s Dawn Shearwood. Following the meal long-service awards were presented to honour the achievements of members who have been members of the group for a number of years.  Awards for ten-year service were presented to Paul Holland and Lyndsey Whitehouse, while Janet Atkinson, Ray Atkinson and Janet Koszegi were all honoured for twenty year’s service to the group. The awards were presented by guest of honour Nigel Turner (pictured left), chairman Mick Whitehouse (centre) and vice-chairman Steve Sowerby (right). Ray Atkinson receiving his 20-year service award

The Bannister Chapel in Shuttlewood is the group’s biggest asset.  It was bought as a central location to store scenery, props and costumes in 1996, using funds raised by the group.  The set for tonight’s performance has been constructed at the chapel over the past few months, as with all set for our productions. However, the building is now over 100 years old and, as to be expected of a building that age that is not lived in, it is beginning to show signs of its age. At the beginning of this year the committee created a work group to investigate options for funding repairs to the chapel in order to prolong its life and usefulness to Bolsover Drama Group and the surrounding community.  We hope to use this space in our forthcoming programmes to keep you informed of progress we make with the renovation of the Bannister Chapel.

Founder member, Janet Koszegi The 2009 production of ‘Murdered to Death’ was the first to be directed by Janet Koszegi.  A founder member, Janet joined Bolsover Drama Group in 1980 after seeing to an advertisement in the local paper for people who would be interested in setting up a drama group.  Since then she has had the opportunity to be cast in many productions, as well as working backstage, front of house and holding the position of Chairperson in the early nineties. “Now that I have been given the chance to direct my first play I have enjoyed the challenge more than I imagined” Janet told ‘Off-stage’.  “It also helps that the cast members have been a joy to work with and have made my role of director an enjoyable experience.” “During my time directing ‘Murdered to Death’ I have appreciated the support given to me by the fellow members of the group”

Lighting Director, Phil Clark The 2009 production of ‘Murdered to Death’ marked the fiftieth production with Bolsover Drama Group for our Lighting Director, Philip Clark. Light and sound can add an extra dimension to performances, enhancing the scene already being played out on stage.  Phil has given his dedication to what is sometimes a thankless task for many years, giving up his time to rig lights, set-up sound and programme the technical equipment so that the actors can be seen and heard on stage. The technical crew is an integral part of any production, but there cannot be many amateur dramatics groups who are able to call upon such a reliable and experienced person as Phil, who manages to fit Bolsover Drama Group’s productions in alongside playing in a local band and his day job! Over the past few years Phil has also become involved in helping the group to transfer skills and knowledge to its younger members.  Kirsty, who works alongside Phil as Sound Director, became involved wi...