The Creakes Drama Group

Future shows for 2012

June 14th, 15th and 16th

At North Creake Village Hall at 7.30pm. Karen and Tim Adams will direct this comedy based on the well known television series set in German occupied France during WW2. Booking Office is now open. Tickets £8.00 each are obtainable by calling 07818 696660

History

It all started, as do so many things, with the WI. In 1997 the North Creake group decided to put on a Christmas show called the "Fair Maid of Creake", written by Sheila Upjohn, and they asked Ben Honniball, only recently arrived in the village, to produce it.

It was an excellent choice as Ben, who trained at RADA, had experience of acting and directing for the amateur stage, and could not resist the challenge of setting up a new company from scratch. Everybody had a part in the show, costumes, sets and props were homemade and the performances were enthusiastic. It was a great success and the thespian seed was sown in the Creakes.

The following year the WI staged "The Fair Maid of Creake" Mark 2 and, as their enthusiasm and expertise grew, members of the cast decided it was time to put things on a more permanent basis, so the Creakes Drama Group was born with Ben Honniball as Chairman.

As the Group celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2008 members, who are drawn from North and South Creake and the surrounding area, can look back with considerable pride at what they have achieved. The company's first production, "Cinderella", has been followed over the years by nine summer plays, nine more pantomimes, two Old Time Music Halls and three Murder Mystery evenings as well as several occasional entertainments with supper, some dedicated to raising money for local charities. Ben himself has directed all the summer plays while three other directors from within the company have produced the pantomimes, and every year the number of actors on the roll of honour grows.

Although North Creake Village Hall has always been the Group's home, South Creake has also provided its share of actors, writers and that vital body of unsung supporters, who make the props, organise and make the costumes, paint the scenery and run the bar.

No drama group can prosper without the technical experts, some of whom have worked professionally in their field. They provide the solid foundation on which the director's imagination can take flight, and the Group has been extremely fortunate to have a master set builder in John Green, and a virtuoso of light and sound in Doug Beebe while Robert Hill is a musical director who could coax the tone-deaf to sing.

It is difficult to pick out the best from a grand total of productions but Ben Honniball has a soft spot for the Group’s first attempt at an Oscar Wilde classic, "The Importance of Being Earnest". "It was one of those happy times when everything came together", he says "The cast was just right for the play, they had an instinct for the period and performed to their best. The sets were perfect and even got a special round of applause. A really memorable occasion".

The Group is particularly proud of winning three awards given by NODA for the best play in Eastern Area, Region 5 - "When we are Married" in 2004, "Hobson's Choice" in 2006 and "Ten Times Table" in 2008. It is always encouraging for one's efforts to be recognised officially but perhaps the best accolade of all is the support of our regular audiences and to hear people say - "I enjoyed that even more than when I saw it London. What are you doing next and when can I buy a ticket?"

With the support of our audiences over the years and several grants, we have been able to install a professional lighting and sound system, buy a stage extension and a state-of-the-art keyboard.

Over recent years we have been able to run a Summer Workshop for children, which culminates in a brief performance for parents and friends. These workshops are an excellent introduction to theatre and apart from the children enjoying themselves, it promotes, socialisation skills, an increase in confidence and hopefully some future Thespians.

The Future

We are a friendly Drama Group and always welcome interest from potential new members. If acting is not going to be your forte, then why not learn a new skill and train to become a lighting and sound technician, or a set builder, or help with the costumes, or in sourcing the props for the productions. There are many more behind the scenes jobs which are vital to the smooth running of a production and being involved with a friendly Drama Group is FUN!!

Details of membership, future productions and tickets can be obtained by telephoning :-
Peter Autie 07818 696660 or Diana Redman 07808 920029