Company celebrates 70 years with a comedy

Phoenix Drama was formed in 1947 and performed a one-act play in a drama festival.

After many one-act plays the performing bug took over and eventually a full-length play was produced.

During the 1950 and 1960s two or three plays a year were performed either at the Floral Hall or at the Library Theatre in Vernon Road. Later the group performed at the old Stephen Joseph Theatre at Westwood and now use the YMCA theatre in St Thomas Street.

“Phoenix Drama are a friendly group of like minded people who thoroughly enjoy meeting together to put on various types of play to entertain our audiences,” said its secretary Jan Brittain.

“We all work together to produce high quality performances at the YMCA each summer and have tackled many classics such as Pride and Prejudice, Blithe Spirit, When We Are Married and Hobson’s Choice which have all been popular with our audiences.

“Agatha Christie plays are always a firm favourite. Two modern plays have also been successful – Wife After Death by Eric Chappell and Village Fete by Peter Tinniswood. In 2015 we presented Busybody by Jack Popplewell which was well received by the audiences and we are also happy to try out new ideas.

“We meet in our own rehearsal rooms in West Street where all our rehearsing and planning takes place amid a friendly, encouraging atmosphere and we have a lot of fun. Some of our members have been with us for many years but we always welcome anyone new to drama and enjoy encouraging our younger members,” she said.

To celebrate its 70th Anniversary Phoenix Drama is performing Beyond a Joke by Derek Benfield; it is a comedy concerning six fatalities in a country house.

The company is looking for a male in his 50s, or thereabouts, to take the lead role of Andrew in the production next June. He must be a strong actor capable of playing comedy.

It is also looking for people to work behind the scenes. Anyone who has a flair for compiling a programme/posters or can help painting and constructing the scenery would be very welcome. If you would like to help contact Robin on 01723 582861.