14
COMMUNITY
december 2023
www.mybracknell.co.uk
The final curtain for Woodley Theatre group
A
mateur actors took to the Woodley Theatre stage for the very last time this month as the drama group has closed. Director Karen Bird said she and the remaining members were very sad that the historic group would be no more – but they were hoping their last production would be a sell-out. Karen said: “Unfortunately the last few years have been hard to get committee members. We have been running with no chairman for a while and the secretary is about to leave. The gentlemen who do the sets are of an age and it is just difficult to get new members. “We have nothing but praise for everyone who has helped and everyone has rallied together but it is just such a shame that it can’t carry on.” Karen added that they have been playing catch-up ever since Covid-19 hit and she believes people’s attitudes have changed since the pandemic. “No one knows what’s around the corner – people want to do other things and I understand that.” The group was formed in 1945 as the St. John’s Players, and after a few years became The Woodley Players, changing later to Woodley Theatre. From its roots as a church group in 1945 – to the theatre that its members built with their own hands in the 1960s – to its current base within The Oakwood Centre – this is a group that has consistently brought the community together to produce fantastic shows. With such a history in the area, Woodley Theatre had people who’ve been going to see their productions for 40 years. Karen said: “These days people
come and do a show then head off to another theatre group. We haven’t got the stalwarts who are willing to do front of house and all the other jobs necessary to put on a show.” The last show was Two by Jim Cartright. A bickering husband (Landlord) and wife (Landlady) and the dozen regulars who pass through the Northern pub are played by two actors. Each vignette skilfully combines pathos and humour. Jim Cartwright’s poignant play takes the audience into the world of a working-class pub over the course of one evening. Weaving together rich stories full of human emotion, this dark comedy
gives an intimate insight into a variety of characters and will make the audience laugh and cry in equal measure. Speaking before the last performance, she added that after the last dress rehearsal she returned home feeling very down. “I really struggled with the fact that it was our last show. It is an emotional play anyway but I am sure the entire team will feel emotional. I think the theatre will be sorely missed by the community.” As a community group, the plays they selected for performance were often tied to the local schools’ curriculum so that they could support their students.
Bracknell Forest Libraries W e have lots of events lined up across Bracknell libraries to keep the children occupied before the big day. We are also planning for a very special visitor at some of our story and singing sessions. Wednesday 13 December Whitegrove – 10-10.30 Father Christmas at Whitegrove during bounce and rhyme, suggested donation 50p. th
Thursday 14 December Binfield – 9.30 – 10 Father Christmas at Binfield during rhyme time, suggested donation 50p. th
Saturday 16th December Crowthorne – 10.30 Christmas story time (free) Sandhurst – 10-12 craft drop in – suggested donation
£1 ages 2 upwards.
Monday 18th December Harmans Water – 10-11 Christmas Tots Time – Christmas stories, songs, and craft £1.50 suggested donation Birch Hill – 2-3 Father Christmas at Birch Hill – festive songs, stories, and crafts and hopefully a visit from Santa – suggested donation £1.50
Tuesday 19th December Sandhurst - 3-4 Children’s party for ages 3-11. £2 per child includes story time, crafts, songs, and a gift from Santa who, fingers crossed, will visit. Booking is essential for the party, either in branch or by calling Sandhurst library. Bracknell – 10 – 2 Junk box engineering drop-in session suggested donation 50p.
Thursday 21st December Bracknell – 10 – 2 Junk box engineering drop-in session suggested donation 50p. Friday 22nd December Great Hollands – 9.30-10.30 Christmas bounce and rhyme – Christmas songs and stories, colouring and craft – 50p suggested donation. Bracknell – 10 – 2 Junk box engineering drop-in session suggested donation 50p. Saturday 23rd December Crowthorne – 10-12 craft drop in - suggested donation £1 ages 2 upwards. Sandhurst – 10.30 Christmas story time (free) Bracknell – 10 – 2 Junk box engineering drop-in session suggested donation 50p.
Before the decision to close, the group appealed for new blood. “While we have lots of regular audience members, we don’t see many younger people coming to watch shows. And there isn’t nearly as much interest in helping to grow and develop the theatre’s future by joining us on the committee – there are only a handful of us who keep it going now. If we weren’t doing it, the theatre company probably wouldn’t exist. “It’s a shame – there are so many opportunities for up-and-coming actors or theatre students to get some great experience here that would prepare them for drama school or offer them valuable volunteering experience for their CVs. Likewise, anyone who’s interested in a career in marketing or publicity could get some amazing experience by helping us raise our profile and attract younger theatre goers. Alternatively, we’d love to hear from people who’ve had experience in those industries and want to donate some of their time to the community.” Unfortunately, the requests went unheeded – and one of the oldest theatre groups in the area is no more.
Thursdays 10:30am to 11:30am Birch Hill Library is hosting a new ‘Draw and Chat’ activity with Cross Your Art. Just bring a sketch pad/notebook and a pencil case. Free. Everyone welcome. We’re looking for an additional volunteer to help run Bracknell Library’s Code Club The children at Bracknell Library’s Code Club have been having fun this term learning how to program computer games using Scratch and they will be completing more projects provided by Code Club over the next few months using either Scratch, HTML and CSS or Python. The club meets on Saturdays term time 10am to 11am for children aged 8-12. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the volunteer form or contact Bracknell Library for more information.
