Latest news
Opportunities Building for Young People
Fourteen schools from around Nantwich have joined a School Theatre Network based at the Nantwich Players' Theatre in town. The popular local theatre company has just applied for funding to Arts Council England for the redevelopment of its Love Lane site. As part of the Nantwich Theatre Project, the Players are building an outreach network to the schools in the Nantwich Education in Partnership group. A Schools Theatre Coordinator based at the Theatre is included in the proposal.
Ian Shackleton, Head Teacher at Stapeley Broad Lane School, has championed the Schools Theatre Network on behalf of the Nantwich Education in Partnership and enthuses: "The objective is to encourage children of all backgrounds to participate in Performing Arts and to believe in their own skills and abilities. Being able to use the theatre to extend school drama and music teaching is a fantastic opportunity".
Edward Timpson MP commented on the value to primary school children of experiencing being in a real theatre and added, "The Schools Theatre Network encourages the younger age group to participate, which is essential to improve confidence and skills for the next generation and to involve them in community activities".
The first Schools Theatre Network event will be in January, a Shakespeare Day for Year 6 children from The Weaver School. Events will however be limited until the existing Players' theatre can be extended.
Our picture, taken outside the Players' Theatre, shows Ian Shackleton (centre), Jeremy Acklam, Chairman of Nantwich Players (left) and Edward Timpson MP (right).
Edward Timpson Dines with the Players
On Friday 28th October, Edward Timpson MP joined the Nantwich Players and Cllr Arthur Moran (CEBC & Nantwich Town Council Mayor) for the penultimate performance of the French farce Don't Dress for Dinner. They were able to see an example of the quality of production for which Nantwich Players win regional awards every year, and also the constraints of the small 82 seat theatre. The guests had the opportunity to meet the cast and backstage crew responsible for this sell-out production. In November, the Players are embarking on the main fundraising phase of the Nantwich Theatre Project to build a new theatre and arts space for Nantwich on the existing Love Lane site.
Mr Timpson, impressed with the quality and endeavours of The Players, added "The Government has increased the amount of Lottery money going to the arts through Arts Council England and is keen to see local community groups like Nantwich Players taking a lead by applying for capital grants."
Commenting on the Theatre project, Nantwich Mayor Cllr Arthur Moran said "We're right behind your fundraising efforts. The proposed Arts space and larger Theatre will be greatly appreciated by the townspeople of Nantwich."
Fund raising will take at least 2 years, meanwhile Nantwich Players continue with their 84th season of productions with The Railway Children. Tickets go on sale on Monday 21st November.
Our picture shows (L-R) Jack Cornes, Charlie Gobbett, Caroline Buckley-Punyer, Jo Pennell, Edward Timpson MP, Cllr Arthur Moran, Sian Walker and Lewis Jones after the show.
Internet Booking - latest update
We are keen to improve the ticket-purchasing process for our audience, which will include internet ticketing but don't worry, you will still be able to buy tickets from the Tourist Information Centre. Internet ticketing is not yet available because we have had difficulties in finding the right supplier for the service. We have a full specification which we now want a new supplier to develop.
Please rest assured that we are progressing with this and that we will not introduce it until it has been tested and proved to work for you and for us!
Jeremy Acklam, Chairman.
Nantwich Players Scoop Crop of Awards
At the Cheshire Theatre Guild's Annual Award Ceremony on 13 July, Nantwich Players received many nominations and some top awards for their productions since September 2010.
The awards spanned many categories, in both technical and performance for youth and senior, and Nantwich Players received nominations or awards in them all.
The most prestigious award is for Best Production, which went to the Players for their production of Katherine Howard and its director, Jerry Park, also picked up the cup for Best Director for that play. In the section for Production with Musical content, the Players won for Dick Barton, Special Agent. And for poster design, the Players won the shield for the attractive poster designed to promote The Cemetery Club.
A full list of nominees and winners is on display in the theatre.
Our photo shows Peter Wood, Musical Director for Dick Barton, Jerry Park, Director of Katherine Howard and Clare Hoy, Publicity Manager
This Season's Plays
Our season of plays starts each September. Once again this year, we have a very entertaining programme and the important dates for the remaining performances are shown below.
THE SAFARI PARTY 9-17 September 2011
by Tim Firth
Director : Simon Porter
DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER 21-29 October 2011
by Marc Camoletti, adapted by Robin Hawdon
Director : Jeremy Acklam
THE RAILWAY CHILDREN 9-17 December 2011
by E Nesbit, adapted by Mike Kenny
Director : John Powell
THE 39 STEPS 10-18 February 2012
by John Buchan, adapted by Patrick Barlow All tickets now sold.
Director : Gordon Hamlin
YOUTH PRODUCTION - BLOOD BROTHERS 27-31 March 2012
Tickets on sale 5 March
SALT OF THE EARTH 18-26 May 2012
by John Godber Tickets on sale 30 April
Director : Richard Sadler
CABARET 13-21 July 2012
by John Kander and Fred Ebb Tickets on sale 25 June
Director : Jerry Park