AGM Notice 2021

Ben Newton

Calling all members!

The Riverside Players Annual General Meeting will be held at 5PM on Sunday, 27th June 2021 at the Eynsford Village Hall.

The business of the meeting will be:

• Report on the activities for the last year
• Updates on our forthcoming planned activities
• Election of Committee members and Auditor (You must register as a member prior to the AGM date to be eligble to stand or vote)
• Voting and announcement of the annual Riverside Players awards.

There will be an honesty bar as well as entertainment after the business of the meeting is concluded, as well as a chance to see old faces after lockdown. Due to the current climate, we will not be offering our usual buffet; however feel free to bring snacks to consume at your table. We would also ask all members to register their attendance and party size (or their regretted absence) by emailing [email protected]

Since you’re going to be emailing us anyway please also submit your nominations for our annual awards. Whilst historically nominations tend to cover the last year, our reduced output this year gives us the perfect opportunity to look back and nominate members who have demonstrated the values from each award. The categories are below – please submit nominations (as well as your attendance confirmation and party size) to [email protected]

Caroline Frost Creativity Award – Caroline was a member many years ago who was very dedicated to the group. The award was created in her memory to celebrate people who have shown creative talent in many different aspects of the group.

Suzie Fenlon Spoken Word Award – Suzie was a long standing member and character within the Riverside Players family. The award was created to celebrate those who have stood out during performances with their characterisation and delivery.

Ian Slipper Award for Musicality – Ian could turn his hand to anything and was frequently known to pick up a new instrument and learn it within a few days when called upon. He directed shows, performed on stage, ran and played in the band and even got involved with tech. This award was crated to celebrate outstanding musical contribution, be it through performance, support or learning something new.

Note – the location is assuming that COVID-19 restrictitions continue to permit an in-person AGM. If there is any change, we will revert to a Zoom link – all registered members should confirm they currently receive emails from the [email protected] email address.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

Ben Newton

As a special gift this Christmas Eve, several of our members have come together for a special reading of the classic poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore.

We wish all our members a Merry Christmas and look forward to a brighter New Year!

Prometheus and the Godfather

Ben Newton

Riverside’s Radio play gives us a closer look at the seedy underbelly of the life of the Gods.

Lorraine Slipper – Prometheus
Vanessa Eliot – Hera
Kirstie McMillan – Zeus
Anna Brown – Epimetheus
Dan O’Brien – Apollo
Michael Barker – Man
Ferne Haxby – Woman
Andrew McMillan – Secretary
Jacob Friett – Producer
Lord New Dave Byrne – Director

Part 1

Part 2

Artnet

Ben Newton

Riverside Players present Artnet by Eric Coble.

Katie Aitchison – Joanne Frida
Clive Cheer – Chief
Sarah Hill – Claudette Monet
Shari Newton – Sally Dali
Matt Frieacre – Andy Warhol
Kerry Chesher – Leanne Da Vinci
Kim Frieacre – Paula Picasso
Ferne Haxby – Mona Lisa
Jacob Friett – Sound Technician
Kirstie McMillan – Director

Part 1

Part 2

Brief Encounter

Ben Newton

Enjoy the Riverside Players stylings of the classic radio drama: Brief Encounter!

Starring:

Kirstie Mcmillan as Laura

Daniel O’Brien as Alec

Benjamin Newton as Fred

Ferne Haxby as Mary

Lorraine Slipper as Narrator

Clive Cheer as Condutor

Lord Dave Byrne as Foley Artist

Jacob Friett as Sound Technician

Katie Aitchison as Director/Announcer

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Blackadder II: Review

Ben Newton

SOCIETY                   Riverside Players             

PRODUCTION          BLACKADDER II            

DATE                         25TH October 2019    

VENUE                       Eynsford Village Hall   

REPORT BY              Janice Boyns-Redway 

The string of lights on the approach to the Village Hall were welcoming and the foyer decs. were noticeably in-keeping with this production of Blackadder11, one of Britain’s most popular TV comedies ever made. It is set in the Elizabethan era and is ‘peppered’  with sarcasm; cynicism; satire and humorous quotes, which to this day, remain ‘etched’ on the minds of eager followers.  

 The stage layout was innovative and enabled the actors to seamlessly move between scenes. The lighting focused the eye effectively on the duel set and the lower level of stage. The increased space worked well, allowing for spontaneity of free movement. The ‘negative’ space was used intelligently and the whole area was impressively arranged, in-keeping with the performance. The design lent itself to partially playing in-the-round, with some of the audience sitting to the side. Everyone accommodated this formation well, addressing the whole audience most of the time. The severed heads were suitably gruesome along with many other impressively thematic props. 

 Blackadder [Geoff Hillier] demonstrated his character convincingly by being the sly, self-centred, suave and sarcastic nobleman.  He was a real cynic, had clarity of speech and was perfectly cast. Lord Percy [Michael Barker] offered a ‘constipated’ personae which epitomised his role. A little more voice clarity was needed here as with Queen Elizabeth [Lorraine Slipper], she was however a Miranda Richardson clone and added a different comic dimension. Baldrick [Jason Down] offered another convincing performance as a bumbling side- kick who was not far from the real thing. Nursie [Ferne Haxby] fascinated the audience with her unusual facial expressions and she also made a good job of producing this production. Lord Melchett [Richard Gissing] was another of the actors to have offered a performance true to his character and was natural in the way that he did it. Lady Farrow and Lady Whiteadder [Julia Bull] gave spirited performances with energy and flair. Mr Ploppy/Lord Whiteadder/Guard [Paul Friett], Mistress Ploppy/Freddie Frobisher/Guard [Tony Fish], Young Farrow/Simon Partridge/Prince Ludwig [Matthew Frieacre], Geoffrey Piddle/Executioner [Lee Bentley], Mrs Higgins [KirstyAtkinson/Naomi Morgan] and Mr Higgins [Matthew Wintour] all demonstrated ‘textured’ characters, some of whom were “repulsive” individuals which suited this production admirably. Mathew’s performance as the Prince was powerful and the brylcreamed hair added to the image. Singing Wanderer [Karen Friett] added another dimension with her powerful  renditions. All showed great enthusiasm and off-stage acting maintained consistency. Noone ‘fell’ out of character. The bar staff did well in remaining discreet and they did not detract from the performance The pace throughout moved smoothly and the prompt was satisfyingly underused.Well done for continuous focus.  

 Congratulations go to the Director and all supporting crew. There were some novel and thematic touches ie the drinks’ names and the   programme on parchment .The costumes were typical for the genre; they were well presented and colourful. The innovative layout accommodated the on-the-side seating well but the smoke machine was sited too close to seating. Baldrick’s teeth could have been a little less white and Mistress Ploppy’s hair was in need of dressing as it looked very wig like. The show could have benefitted by offering a slightly toned down exuberance, without compromising its style. Less is more. The parchment listings could be confusing for the uninitiated but overall, it was a fitting tribute to this iconic show. Congratulations go to everyone involved for their expertise and skills whether they be learning lines, the ability to engage with an audience or a good level of understanding of some acting techniques. 

As it was so well cast, it was an enjoyable evening and one which left the audience thinking they were seeing the ‘real thing.’   

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood: Reviews

Ben Newton

RIVERSIDE PLAYERS 

ROBIN HOOD AND THE BABES IN THE WOOD 

Eynsford Village Hall 

Director – Lorraine Slipper 

Musical Director – Peter Nicholson 

Choreographer – Heidi Phillpott   

Sunday 19th January 2020 (12.30 performance) 

You can always rely on Riverside Players to produce a fantastic family pantomime and this year’s production was no exception. It was almost like writer and director Lorraine Slipper had put a tick against a check-list on how to write the perfect pantomime. We had a hero, villain, love story, comedy, ghosts, delightful dance routines, audience participation, trendy songs and of course a fantastic Dame Trott in the shape of Matt Frieacre. Not forgetting the ‘Babes’ Arthur (Finn Prior) and Sarah, (Lily Deal). All the cast were splendidly costumed. 

The band, a quartet of guitar, keyboard, bass and drums, I thought was going to be too loud, but in fact it wasn’t and I could hear all the vocals. Lighting and sound enhanced the whole experience as did the well thought out and designed scenery.  

The story is set in Medieval England and King Richard is away fighting in the Crusades. The rather comedic Sheriff of Nottingham (Jack Barker) and his villainous sister Malevola (Ferne Haxby – what wonderful facial expressions!) hatch a plan to ‘lose’ the Babes in the woods, but of course Robin Hood (Jen Armstrong) and her, sorry – his merry men are there to thwart their plans, with a bit of help from the Forest Spirit (Kerry Chesher). Who is the mysterious stranger keeping an eye on things? Why it’s none other than King Richard (Jason Down) come back to claim his rightful place. The Babes are saved, Robin marries Maid Marion, Dame Trott gets her man (The Sheriff) and all the baddies are put where they belong. What other possible ending could there be to the story?   

All of the cast played their parts as individuals,  to make this show gel. The production relies on panto traditions and talent.The script is funny and entertaining for the kids with enough topical jokes to keep the adults amused. 

Two of my grandsons came with me this year and the 8yr old was joining in with the “It’s behind you” at the top of his voice. I asked the 11yr old what he thought was the best bit, his reply “I got two chocolate coins!” Typical!  We all had a lovely afternoon’s entertainment, thank you and well done. 

Doreen Grierson 

NODA representative 

District 7 

And, from one of our audience members…

 truly well done! X