Bolsover Drama Group

The auditions for our production of Sister Act took place on Sunday 4th and Tuesday 6th June, and the production has been cast: Deloris Van Cartier Sarah Coupe Mother Superior Louise Sutton Sister Mary Robert Tara Foster Sister Mary Patrick Michelle Shaw Sister Mary Lazarus Chrissy Smith Monsignor O’Hara Istvan Koszegi Curtis Nicky Constable Eddie Chris Peck Joey Chris Nussey The audition committee would like to thank all who participated in the auditions. ‘Sister Act’ will take place from Wednesday 4th to Saturday 7th October at the Assembly Rooms, Bolsover.

It was with great sadness that Bolsover Drama Group learnt of the passing of John Blood in December, who had been part of the group since 1991. He played a number of parts, including Nachum in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, Radio Operator Bob McCaffrey in our 2000 production of ‘South Pacific’ and Pete, the scout, in ‘Calamity Jane’, and he also helped support the group and its members – including being involved with the building of the set and making items of scenery for our productions. He always brought his infectious laughter (and a pork pie or two for the cast) when attending the group’s shows as part of the audience, and provided many happy and fond memories. Our thoughts are with Maureen and his family.

Seven members of the group took part in a weigh-in challenge between January and March to lose weight and raise funds for the group. The 12 week challenge saw the members raise lose a total of 46lb between them (that’s 23 bags of sugar) and raise £85 for the group. Well done to all who took part, and congratulations to our winners – in 3rd place Mick, in 2nd place Ken and in 1st place Dale.

On Saturday 1st April the group performed ‘One Night to Remember’ – the first annual Steve Sowerby Celebratory Showcase Evening, a performance of musical numbers from the group’s past productions and well-known shows, named in honour of former member, Vice-Chairman and Director Steve Sowerby. As part of the musical celebrations the group used the evening to raise funds for local three-year-old Mia Morgan, who, while many of us were celebrating with family and friends over the Christmas period, was undergoing treatment to remove a brain tumour. Before the New Year, biopsies confirmed it was cancerous. The neurosurgeons were positive they had removed the entire tumour but to make sure Mia needed to go to Jacksonville Florida for proton beam therapy to kill any remaining cancerous cells. This involves Mia having a general anaesthetic every day for 33 days. Half of the profits from the evening’s admission fee and raffle, as well as donations received from members in lieu of sending ca...

We are proud to learn that we have been nominated in the NODA East Midlands regional awards for 2016. The pantomime ‘Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood’ has been nominated in the best pantomime category for district 2 – our sixth nomination in this category since 2010, and the Youth Section production of ‘Annie’ has been nominated in the best youth production for district 2 – our third nomination in this category, which we won for the first time last yeat. The winners will be announced at the NODA East Midlands Regional Day at Loughborough Town Hall Theatre on Sunday 11th June 2017 – we will update on the day with news of how we get on. View our past award wins and nominations here The cast of our 2016 pantomime ‘Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood’

At the Youth Section showcase evening on Saturday 26th November 2016 the group made its annual presentation of the Jack Elliott Trophy. The Jack Elliott Trophy recognises a youth member who has, over a number of years, continually demonstrated commitment to the group, an Excellent attendance record, excellent attitude and excellent behaviour – the decision on who receives this award is made by the people who work with our youth section. The award for 2016 was presented to Bethany Thomas who is pictured receiving her award from group chairman Mick Whitehouse, vice chairman Chris Peck and past Jack Elliott Trophy winners Leanne Holloway, Kirsty Weaver, Lianne Brunt, James Sheppard, Peter Maddison, Dale Shaw, Charlotte Blunt and Jarad Higgins. The group also presented awards for two years service at the evening to Sienna Alsop, Abigail Hill, Isabelle Greaves, Lucianna Lockett and Jack Wilson

Bolsover Drama Group would like to congratulate our member Lyndsey Whitehouse on her wedding to Richard Ashley in October 2016. We wish the new Mr & Mrs Ashley the best in their future together.