Category: Shows
Lockdown in Little Grimley
In a time of lockdown, Little Grimley Amateur Dramatic Society’s Chairman, Gordon, calls an emergency meeting, complete with social distancing, to discuss his idea for their next production when restrictions ease – a touching love story set in a hospital, with all profits destined for the NHS. But based on their previous efforts, will the NHS actually end up worse off?
“Lockdown” is the latest addition to the popular Little Grimley series, which follows the antics of a hapless Amateur Dramatic Society desperate for audiences, but lacking in numbers, taste and talent.
The Arabian Nights
Directed by Susan Bessant
| Scriptwriter |
| Stage Manager |
| Assistant Stage Manager |
| Lighting & Sounds |
| Scenery Painting |
| Prompt |
| Music and lyrics |
| Additional lyrics |
| Sounds and music production |
| Costumes |
| Choreography |
| Children’s choreography |
| Make-up |
| Refreshments |
| Front of House |
| Bookings |
| Neal Smith |
| Rab Parish |
| James Bland |
| Richard Markham Pat Boland |
| Susan Bessant, Amy Belcher, Wendy Jones and cast members |
| Mo Parish |
| Robyn Semple-Dower |
| Neal Smith, Dave Evans |
| Jonathan Moore |
Wendy Jones, Ruth Evans, Kate Pope & members of the cast |
| Susan Bessant |
| Gemma Dale |
| Jill Maynard |
| Friends and family of the cast |
| Friends and family of the cast |
| Winfrith Village Stores |
This show is dedicated to the memory of our friend Susan Mottram, who was a part of our Drama Group family for so many years. Thank you Sue, for all the happy memories – you will always be in our hearts.
| The Narrator |
| Aladdin |
| Princess Jasmine |
| Dame Widow Twanky |
| Washed Uppee |
| Sinbad the Sailor |
| The Wicked Wazir |
| Wazir Junior |
| The Emperor Penn Gwinn |
| The Empress Kylie |
| The Genie of the Lamp |
| Ali the Barber Dancers |
| Mo Parish |
| René Smith |
| Amy Belcher |
| Dave Evans |
| Neal Smith |
| Pat Pettit |
| Jonathan Moore |
| Jill Withey |
| John Yonwin |
| Lesley Gazeley |
| Susan Bessant |
| Kate Pope Julie Trent Bernadette Crowe Ruth Evans Wendy Jones |
The Cemetery Club
In July 2023 two performances of this touching comedy drama were carried at at Marley House in Winfrith.
Directed by Kate Pope
Starring:
| Ida | Susan Bessant |
| Lucille | Wendy Jones |
| Doris | Inez Wilkins |
| Sam | Neal Smith |
| Mildred | Pat Pettit |
| Random Grave Digger | Rab Parrish |
Sound : Jon Moore
Set Building: Rab Parrish
Prompt: Mo Parrish
plus help on the day from various group members.
The Cemetery Club follows three widows, who meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husbands’ graves. Ida is sweet tempered and ready to begin a new life, Lucille just wants to have fun and Doris is prudish and judgemental, particularly when widower Sam the butcher enters the scene; a touching and humorous tale ensues.
Cinderella and the Velvet Slipper
| Written by Peter Nuttall | Directed by Susan Bessant & Amy Belcher |
The Cast
| Cinderella | Robyn Semple-Dower |
| Georgina | Jonathan Moore |
| Davina | Inez Wilkins |
| King Charming | Jill Withey |
| Prince Charming | Pat Pettitt |
| Dandini | René Smith |
| Buttons | Wendy Jones |
| Twiddle | Kate Pope |
| Toggles the Witch | Susan Bessant |
Backstage
| Stage Manager | Rab Parish |
| Lighting & Sounds | Amy Belcher and Dave Evans |
| Scenery Painting | Susan Bessant, Amy Belcher & Wendy Jones |
| Prompt | Mo Parish |
| Music | Robyn Semple-Dower |
| Sounds and Effects | Jonathan Moore |
| Wardrobe | Wendy Jones |
| Childrens’ Choreography | Gemma Dale |
| Additional Script | Neal Smith |
| Make-up | Jill Maynard |
| Refreshments | Friends and family of the cast |
| Front of House | Friends and family of the cast |
| Bookings | Winfrith Village Stores |
Last Tango and Panto in Little Winfrith
29th and 30th September 2022
TANGO
LITTLE Winfrith Amateur Dramatic Society is in trouble. The membership has dwindled to four – the audiences aren’t much bigger – and if they don’t come up with some rent money soon, they’re going to be thrown out. “There’s only one thing that sells tickets these days” argues Gordon the Chairman. “Sex!”
Thus begins the chaotic and hilarious build-up to an evening of extraordinary home-grown drama – an evening the locals would never forget!
PANTO
The sequel to the tremendously popular ‘Last Tango’ sees Gordon, Margaret, Joyce and Bernard tackle the Christmas pantomime with predictably hilarious results.
The Wizard of Oz, The Adventure Continues…
Performed April 2022
Written by Neal Smith
Directed by Wendy Jones
The Rat Trap
October 2021
Written by: Neal Smith
Directed by Kate Pope
Winfrith Drama Group invites you to become detectives! “The Rat-Trap” is a brand new light-hearted murder mystery to be staged at Winfrith Village Hall on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd October 2021 (with a two course supper).
Eight celebrities are enticed to a seemingly deserted island; all are full of their own importance, all have a reason to despise, hate or generally dislike all of their fellow celebrities. Marvel as their vacuousness shines out and they soon get their claws into each other, but only one is willing to resort to murder, but why?
Was it pompous writer, Richard? Celebrity chef Gordon? Washed up comedian Eric? Sleazy politician Norris? Hippy singer and songwriter Judy? Minor royal, Archie? Or celebrity airhead Chardonnay? And why has celebrity critic Grace suddenly appeared – uninvited? And who is their absent host Ms Sue Dohnim and her sidekick the mysterious Mr Rhee? Blimey, that’s a lot of questions!
So, can you work out who organised this delightful get-together and why?
And who committed the murder and why
Beauty and The Beast
A Formula for Murder
Winfrith Drama Group invites you to assist Inspector Silver in piecing together the events and circumstances leading to the murder of an employee of the University of Dorset (Winfrith Campus). But was the unfortunate victim the intended target or just an innocent bystander, in the wrong place at the wrong time?
“A Formula for Murder” is a brand new murder mystery to be staged at Winfrith Village Hall on Friday 14th June 2019 (with a two course supper).
With clues and red-herrings throughout the performance, can you help Inspector Silver piece together the motives and means and determine who is the potential victim attending an event to honour University chemistry Professor Alice Argent?
Is it the good professor herself or the scheming University Dean or ruthless businessman Charles, or maybe environmental activist Davina or University employees Esther or Fiona? And who is the would-be murderer? All have the means, motive and opportunity, but who has the nerve and need to commit murder?