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Last Season
June 2010
"Look back in Alnwick " was an innovative drama festival showcasing specially written new work from local dramatic groups in the area. Theatre club member Daniel Watkins wrote two plays for this festival, which were performed by Theatre Club members.
"Jimmy Nail's Not Dead" and "Dirty Bottles" both penned by Daniel Watkins were original and entertaining. In the first a "fake" medium who has gained her insight into the supernatural from the internet manages to conjure up two soldiers who were killed in the Battle of Otterburn in 1388. And as Peter Biggers (Douglas the Scot) and Carol Lawrence (the Englishman) battled it out with baguettes over the question of Jimmy Nail being dead, the laughter began. Sally Miller was fantastic as Lady Catalina who turned into Kates's (Nikki Hunter) grandmother, the original reason for the event.
In the second of the two, Gary Brown's detective work in the case of the Dirty Bottles, ended in love, death and ghostly goings-on. Based on the supposedly true story of the cursed bottles in the window of Ye Olde Cross pub in Alnwick, Gary Brown played a great detective writing his memoirs and living out one in particlar that spooked him.
Don Beattie played a brilliant Alf, the last protector of the bottles, who continued to haunt the pub once the curse had taken him.
May 2010
The Theatre Club had long talked of putting on "Dad's Army" - ever since the club's success with Jimmy Perry and David Croft's other wartime sitcom " 'Allo 'Allo ". It had always seemed a daunting prospect to have both the number of actors to do it and the right "fit" for those exquisitely drawn characters that are now such a national treasure.
Teresa Cairns the director has been a member of the Theatre Club for more than thirteen years, but this was her first venture into directing. She was thrilled that her first production was "Dad's Army", having been an avid fan since childhood. Appropriately this year celebrates 70 years of the Home Guard. Teresa was assisted in this production by Don Beattie with David Gibson as stage manager.
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The cast have clearly put in a lot of effort to resemble their own-screen counterparts, both in physical appearance and vocal mannerisms. Peter Lewis really nails Sergeant Wilson capturing the dreamy, reedy quality of John le Mesurier's voice.
James Matthewson's sadly brief appearance as the German U-boat captain confirms his standing as one of the bright young things of the Alnwick drama scene.
The musical numbers which punctuate the show are real highlights.
You have to admire the ATC for both the dedication of its members and its ability to fill the playhouse at a tough time for local theatre.
January 2010
Kudos must go to the costume team, who have pulled out all the stops with a series of striking and flamboyant creations. Any costume changes between scenes were well handled and the Dame's outfits in particular were a brilliant sight to behold.
Having given a very good performance in Absent Friends last year, Robin Lewsey really excels as the Lord Chamberlain, Alonzo.
Jimmy Dodds is great as Dame Goodheart, really workng the audience with his stand-up routines, running gags and generally good innuendos.
There were solid performances from Clare Birbeck (Prince Michael) and Lisa Gladstone (Queen Maligna). They fight convincingly over the life of the title character played gracefully by Rebekah Sayer.
In the end Snow White is an uneven but enjoyable slice of festive fun, which has genuine family appeal and a number of strong performances to recommend it.
August 2009
"Sisterly Feelings" by Alan Ayckbourn was a popular choice for our Summer Production. Robin Lewsey made his debut as a director with the Theatre Club. In his programmr notes Club chairman Peter Biggers stated that Robin had inspired the cast with his confident approach.
Fine acting and enthusiasm as well as nice set design and direction combined to make this production another success for Alnwick's longest established amateur theatrical group.
Ayckbourn's tale tells the story of two sisters - Dorcas and Abigail - who vie for the attention of one man - Simon. The play has two scripts and can vary depending on the toss of a coin, dictating whether it's Dorcas or Abigail who becomes the principal character.
Alnwick Theatre club opted to fix these choices and stick to one set script, with Abigail taking the lead. Clair Birbeck took to the task admirably, while Lisa Gladstone as Dorcas, gave a great supporting role.
Nick Lewis fitted into the role of Simon, while Matt Bush and Peter Biggers also impressed.
But the stand out performer was Tony Neale, who was making his first appearance for Alnwick Theatre Club. Neale was excellent as the slightly scatty Dr Ralph Matthews and raised many a laugh with his polished and complete performance.
The performance ran smoothly with some nice set - pieces, including the hysterical picnic scene and the fun and frolics with a tent.
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