click on the flier to see photographs of the production
Our return to Watersmeet in November 2006 was marked by the classic Lionel Bart musical, Oliver!
A strong principal cast supported by two teams of fabulous boys ensured a warmly received professional production under the Directorship of member Lena Waugh, Choreographer Sadie Hunt and Musical Director Philip Joslin.
Sell-out audiences at most of our perfomances (which for this production included an extra night on Monday) encouraged us to give them what they really wanted.
We were proud to introduce Rickmansworth to the talented Lewis Bingley and William Hemsley as Olivers plus Andris Joslin and Ed Parks as Dodgers. Old stager Tim Oakley endured seven nights of artificial hair to give what the Watford Observer described as a Jack Sparrow-like Fagin, and established members Jonathan Pettitt and Sue Reynolds delivered the amusing Bumble and Widow Corney with panache. Jo Press sparkled as Nancy and Marc-Howden-Smith scared the pants off the front row as Bill Sykes. All in all a fabulous production!
The smash-hit, bus-tastic, ride of a lifetime in the company of Don and the lads as they embarked on a trip through Europe was performed at The Elgiva Theatre in Chesham in May 2006.
A hit in the West End, this show was equally successful with audiences in Chesham. The 'favourite melodies of our youth' turned out to be not so well known by our young cast, who injected a new verve into songs such as Bachelor Boy, Summer Holiday, Move It, Do You Wanna Dance and many more hits.
Come back to this site soon for photographs of our show!
by Alan Ayckbourn, was performed at The Pump House Theatre & Arts
Centre, Watford, in November 2005. A cast of experienced and less
experienced Players, under the direction of Jeff Eales, tackled what
could have been a static plot (it's not easy when the majority of the
action takes place round a committee table) well. The relative lack of
movement left the audience to examine the characterisation and set in
immense detail.
The former was expertly presented by 'old stagers' Simon Dresser, Tim
Oakley and Jan Mills, together with Pearl Knight, Andrew Cox, Holly
Magrath, Steve Knight, Tim Nixon, Vee Smith and, fleetingly, Jonathan
Cox.
The latter was lovingly put together by Tim Oakley, Dave Beattie and
Jackie Beattie, together with props by Jane Forbes.
the classic musical by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II, was
eventually performed (after having the bitter blow of it's booking at
Watersmeet rescinded when the Trust, which Rickmansworth Players
had worked so hard to encourage and form, went into administration)
at THE ELGIVA THEATRE in Chesham. Martin Rhodes and Jo Press took
the leads, with able support from Alex Hammond, Sue Reynolds,
Andrew Cox, Ricky Players chorus and a lively bunch of kids forming
the Snow children. Mike Monk directed us to a really enjoyable run,
with Julia Whitbread (nee Lee) ably taking the Musical Director's baton
was performed at JAMES THEATRE, Watford Boys Grammar School, in
November 2004. A cast comprising mainly women (or should we say
"gels") is perfect for amateur societies, which usually struggle to find
men. In Rickmansworth Players, however we have a good male
membership, and their talents were put to good effect backstage.
Alex Hammond, who was superbly supported by a lively cast, received
rave reviews from the local press.
We were delighted to be directed by Nikki Scott on this occasion.
at Rudolf Steiner School Kings Langley, was
a fantastic culmination of hard work from
talented and enthusiastic team, working
with another show that defined a moment in
history that will never die. Another success
for the society and the Martin/Hardern team
and another group of new members.
Ricky Players were nominated for the NODA
(London) Area Shinfield Scenic Award
was the last show that Rickmansworth Players managed to perform at
the Watersmeet Theatre, Rickmansworth for three years. Despite the best efforts of members of the Society, who took an active role in setting up SWAG (Save Watersmeet Action Group) and Watersmeet Trust Limited,
Three Rivers District Council managed to prevail and their lack of
positive enthusiam was caught by those who ended up presiding over
the demise of the theatre.
The show, however was an exciting success and under the
direction/choreography of Mike Monk and the musical directorship of
Susannah Castellot the audiences were transported to the splendour
of West Sussex via The Lambeth Walk
defined a moment in the history of the
musical. Ricky Players again put their skills
to good use and produced a show full of life
under the skilled expertise of the society's
Martin/Hardern duo.
A number of new members were drawn
into the society for this show and we hope
to see them on stage with us again.
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