Success at All England Theatre Festival for the
South Bank Players

Barton based theatre group, The South Bank Players, took home three prizes following the regional heat of the All England Theatre Festival on 27th March. Eleven plays of varying styles were performed over three days at North Ferriby Village Hall, and were judged by Colin Snell, an associate member of the Guild of Adjudicators.

The South Bank Junior Players won first prize in the youth section with their play ‘The Musicians’, written by Patrick Marber and directed by Jeanine Guy.

The cast played the parts of a school orchestra on a trip to Russia whose instruments have been impounded by customs, and involved some wonderful miming. For the second year running the award for best youth actor went to Luke Bennett (age 14) who played the part of Roland the conductor. A special mention must also go to George Thompson (age 13) who has developed greatly over the last few months and whose role involved singing, and even speaking in Russian! Director Jeanine Guy said, ‘I have been very impressed with the way in which the cast handled this play. It was an incredible challenge and unlike anything we have undertaken before. The commitment, determination and team work during long weeks of preparation have paid off and I am so proud of them all.’ The South Bank adults were successful too and won third prize with their play ‘Easy Stages’, written by Nick Warburton and directed by Dennis Bloor. This light-hearted comedy followed the antics of an inept backstage crew preparing for a production of Hamlet, with hilarious results.

The whole group were delighted with this very successful start to the year. Both these plays were performed again in May to delighted Barton audiences, along with an abridged version of the hit West End musical show “Joseph” performed by the Junior section of the group (5yrs – 11yrs). On 30th May the South Bank Players held their first annual awards ceremony, with all the children receiving certificates for their hard work and several receiving awards as follows:

Most Improved (Juniors) – Bradley Campion, Most Improved (Seniors) – George Thompson, Best Actor (Juniors) – Callum Oldridge, Best Actress (Juniors) – Kate Jackson, Best Actor (Seniors) – Luke Bennett, Best Actress (Seniors) – Tilly Needham, Star of the Year 2010 – Carla Potter

Places are available for either of our two youth groups who meet on a Sunday, 5.30 – 6.30 (Juniors), 6.30 – 7.30 (Seniors) at Ropery Hall.

The next production will be in September and is sure to be a big hit. “UNORIGINAL SIN” The comedy with a little extra bite, by David Tristram

Eve is twenty-four and never been kissed. Well, not properly. Bill is thirty-five, rich, alcoholic, and with the sex drive of an adolescent bull on steroids. Eve is engaged to Neville. Bill is married to Jenny. Jenny is having an affair with Jeremy, but she remains utterly devoted to her husband's cheque book. Miles is Bill's best friend. Or at least he was, before he discovered Bill's underpants hanging from the lightshade in his bedroom. Then there's Father Tomlin. At least he's taken a lifelong vow of celibacy. Or so his daughter claims. Original Sin? It seems there's nothing very original about it any more!!

Don’t miss out, get your tickets now for this hilarious comedy being performed on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th September 7.30pm at Ropery Hall, Barton. Tickets are £5/£4 available from the Ropewalk on 01652 660380.

The South Bank Players are currently looking for new members, not only potential actors, but also people who would like to help backstage, build sets, or help with props and costumes. If you are interested in joining, please contact Dennis Bloor on 01652 531003.


Attached photographs show the South Bank Junior Players in “The Musicians” plus
Liz and Alun, two cast members of
“ Unoriginal Sin”