Chairpersons Update - October 2025

My apologies about the delay in writing this - I have been immersed for the last three months directing and costuming our first play, Emma!

On that note, please, please come and see it - the cast and crew have worked extremely hard on doing justice to Charlie Cook’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel.

We welcome several new members taking on roles: Dominic Lo as Knightley, Chris de Mercado as Mr Elton, Maddy Prescott as Harriet Smith, Karma Newton as Miss Bates and Olivia Scragg as Jane Fairfax plus Ben Gerrard-Murray will be taking on his first acting role as Frank Churchill. Ella Norman is playing Emma, Charlie Cook is Mr Woodhouse and a servant, Cass Buck is Mrs Elton, Caroline Lucas plays Mrs Bates, Esme Garner as Isabella Knightley and servant, Oliver Skinner as John Knightley and servant, Eoghan Quinlan is Mr Martin and a servant, Azeema Imran and James Hinde are Mrs and Mr Weston and Kathryn Fennell is also a servant and playing Mrs Goddard.

This will be followed by our pantomime, ‘The Witch of Alder Edge’, another creation by our own Charlie Cook. Direction will be by Jackie and it looks to be another crazy romp through the world of pantomime. Tickets go on sale after the close of Emma. There are nine performances in total. Get your tickets early, particularly if you want a matinee.

The Musicals are again planned for February and are based on Big City, Big Lights. James Hinde is co-ordinating the auditions which will be on 25^th October and 1^st November 2-5pm. We already have a lot of interest so it’s looking like we will have another full-on show!

This will be followed in April by Rope, a dark play of intrigue by Patrick Hamilton which will be directed by Cass Buck with performances by new members as well as some familiar faces!

Finally, ‘Calendar Girls’ will grace our stage yet again. Directed By Gaelle Roques it is sure to draw the crowds! In our first production yours truly played the reluctant participant, Ruth, this time I’m playing the oldest participant who incidentally is a retired teacher!

The Executive will soon be discussing the subsequent season’s plays (2026/27), so if you have any ideas or burning desires to direct, please get in touch.

There is little to report on the development of Gatley Golf Club other than bids have now closed and a decision on who will purchase it will be shortly made. It is difficult to assess how it will affect us when development begins but we will endeavour to keep you informed.

Chris Hall, Chair

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Season 2025/26

Emma

An adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel by Charlie Cook

7^th- 11^th October 2025

Director: Chris Hall

Pantomime: The Witch of Alder Edge by Charlie Cook

1^st – 7^th December 2026

Director: Jackie Vandyes

Big City, Big Lights Musicals

23^rd 27^th February 2026

Various numbers from favourite shows: Chicago, Rent, Bugsy Malone and many more

Director: Chris Hall

Co-ordinator: James Hind

Musical Director: Alex Pollard

Choreographer: Lorraine Kerr

Rope by Patrick Hamilton

13^th – 17^th April 2026

Director: Cass Buck

Calendar Girls by

16^th – 20^th June 2026

Director: Gaelle Roques