Bolsover Drama Group

This summer saw the group enjoy its 20th Annual Dinner and Dance, which took place on Saturday 4th June at the South Chesterfield Golf Club, Grassmoor. The evening, which has been been a part of the group’s calendar since 1996, provides members, their friends and family an enjoyable evening which includes a three-course meal, entertainment and presentation of service awards. This year’s event saw awards presented by group’s Chairman Mick Whitehouse and Vice-Chairman Chris Peck to Derrick Hulett and Ray Hall for 10 years service, Lyndsey Whitehouse and Istvan Koszegi (15 years) and a 20 year service award for Diane Hulett. This year sees the the group celebrates its 35th anniversary, so the service awards for the evening were concluded with a 35 year service award presentation to founder member Rachel Johnson who has been a continual member since the group was founded in 1981.

On Wednesday 29th June Bolsover Drama Group Vice-Chairman Chris Peck was invited to a meeting of the Rotary Club of Bolsover to give a talk about the group, including how the group has flourished since its formation in 1981 to provide opportunities on and off stage for both youth and adult members.  The presentation and the subsequent question and answer section was well received by the members of the Rotary who found the evening very interesting. We would like to thank Geoff Davis for his invitation to attend on behalf of the Rotary Club, and the members of the Rotary Club of Bolsover for their kind hospitality and donation of £50 which will be invested in purchasing sound equipment for use at group rehearsals.

Bolsover Drama Group would like to congratulate our member Tara Madeley on her wedding to David Foster in July.  We wish the new Mr & Mrs Foster the best in their future together.

Bolsover Drama Group recently took part in the Bolsover Gala held in Hornscroft Park, where the group ran a stall to promote the productions of ‘Annie’ and this October’s musical ‘Aida’. The stall, run by volunteers Rachel Johnson, Peter Maddison and Chris Peck, also gave the chance for members of the public to win sweets and chocolates by making the correct choice of lollipop, supporting the group by raising money in the process.

Bolsover Drama Group are celebrating success at the recent NODA East Midlands awards, picking up awards for two of their productions – including a first win for the group’s Youth Section. The group won the Award for Best Youth Production for District 2 for their 2015 production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and their seventh Award for Best Pantomime for District 2 for the 2015 production of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ at the event on Sunday 5th June at Loughborough Town Hall. Group chairman Mick Whitehouse said “the recognition the group receives by being nominated for these awards is a great reward for the hard work and dedication put into our productions by our members and volunteers on and off stage. “Winning the Best Youth Production award for our district for the first time is a fantastic achievement for which our Youth Section members, supported by our team of Youth Section helpers – Donna Knowles, Wendy Blunt, Lisa Brunt, Ray Wignall, Lianne Brunt and Sophie Cliff...

At the Youth Section showcase performance of ‘Saint Kevins’ on Saturday 27th November the 2015 recipient of the Jack Elliott Trophy was announced as Jared Higgins. The Jack Elliott trophy is chosen by the Youth Section leaders Donna Knowles, Wendy Blunt and Lisa Brunt, who said “Jarad has been in the group since July 2009. “He has been in every youth section musical, pantomime and variety show since he started, and he has been lucky to have had many principle roles since he started in the group.  At times, he’s not the easiest to work with, at times even quite difficult to work with, but we usually get there in the end!!! “He has become a very valuable asset to this group and well deserves the award.  He is kind, knowledgeable and an example to follow for the younger children. He likes to look after the younger members of the group.  He has lots and lots of friends within the group and is much loved by them all. “He has a lovely singing voice. W...

The auditions for our October 2016 production of ‘Aida’ took place on 9th and 16th June. The following members were cast The cast: Radames Istvan Koszegi Amneris Wendy Blunt Aida Leanne Collins Mereb Pete Maddison Zoser Mick Whitehouse Nehebka Tara Madeley ‘Aida’ director Ray Hall and the audition committee stressed how difficult the show was to cast and thanked everyone who auditioned. The actual casting took over 90 minutes for 6 parts The production of Aida takes place from Wednesday 5th to Saturday 8th October, nightly at 7:15pm (Saturday matinee at 2:00pm) at the Assembly Rooms, Bolsover.