News from the Players
Forward to 2008
Following the success of our Dracula panto, a run of six nights in two venues, we move into 2008 in good shape. We have a tentative plan for at least 4 productions: Lucky Sods by John Godber, Not a Game for Boys by Simon Block, and The Killing of Sister George by Frank Marcus. Finally, and due a sentence of its own: The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of Macbeth by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jnr. Find out more...
In our ongoing search for the "perfect" venue, we are in discussions to use the Greenwich Playhouse for some of our productions this year. This seems an exciting opportunity to use a performance space that will show us off to best advantage. Although we may return to the Teviot Community Centre and Oxford House for some productions, they are not really set up to serve the needs of a theatre group. It seems a shame that we are unable to find a base in Tower Hamlets, our home, but we would rather compromise on location than artistic standards. Of course, we are still on the lookout for possible venues, so if you have any suggestions, let us know...
Waltham Forest Festival of Theatre - 23 March 2007
One of our two awards from the
Waltham Forest Festival of Theatre 2007
On Friday 23rd March we staged the one-act comedy Johnny Don't Jump by Alan Ogden at the Waltham Forest Theatre, as part of their annual festival.
It seemed the adjuducator liked it (and we hope, the audience too). We won two awards - "The Guardian Trophy for Best Stage Presentation" and "Best Stage Crew". Also, John Wain and Michelle Sansom were nominated for the "Guy Gostling Award for Best Supporting Performance" and "The Arts Council Award for Best Performance by an Actress" respectively.
Unfortunately we only came 5th overall, so no progress to the next round, but everyone felt very satisfied with our effort - the first time in competition for several of us.
Dick Williams
Sadly, a very long-standing friend of the Lansbury Players, Dick Williams, has died. The Players originally grew out of an evening class, and as the tutor of that class, Dick was not only one of the founding members of the Lansbury Players, but its original director and a guiding light.
Farewell to the Emery - June 2006
We are sad to announce that our landlord, the Queen Victoria Seamen's Rest have decided to close the Emery Theatre for the foreseeable theatre. The Lansbury Players, like many other organisations (local primary schools, theatre schools, colleges and theatre companies) have come to rely on and enjoy the use of the theatre over the last 13 years.
The Emery Theatre always was a local community project, set up by the Tower Hamlets Methodist Circuit. The future of this important community venue is still uncertain, although the Methodist Circuit are keen for it to re-open with a new artistic policy and Management Committee.
As this has been our base for twelve years, it's clearly a turning point in the company's history. For now, we shall use it as an impetus to "take the show on the road" and use other venues around the Borough - hopefully this may enable us to reach new audiences. In the longer term, any suggestions for a new permanent home would be gratefully received...
[Later update:] This received considerable coverage in the local press, e.g. The Wharf. However, there has been no move to reopen the space as a theatre and with the removal of all stage equipment, it seems the new Emery Hall will remain as its name suggests, a simple hall not especially suited to stage productions.
Bill Wiesener - 23 May 2006
It is with great sadness that we record the death of our dear friend Bill Wiesener on 23 May 2006.
Bill worked tirelessly as both Artistic Director and Theatre Manager of the Emery for the last 13 years. Without his vision and commitment the Theatre would never have taken off and become the heart of the local community that it is.
Bill will be deeply missed by everyone who worked in and used the Emery Theatre.