PLAY READ THROUGH – My mother said I never should
7th March

The play, written by Charlotte Keatley in 1985, examines the relationships between mothers and daughters, and explores the themes of independence, growing up and secrets.

We are delighted to announce that this play will be directed by Sarah Swidenbank.

POETS & PINTS Evening
February 2022

TATs were delighted by the attendance at their 1st Poets and Pints evening on 11th February.

A few people came solely to watch and listen but most took the opportunity to perform their favourite poem or rhyme.

Recitals were many and varied from Betjeman to Kipling, Morpurgo to Lear, Elliott to Coward, and a number of rhymes and limericks to boot… we even had several self penned poems written and performed by TATS’ own Eilean Moulang.

Thanks to Bob Leslie for being MC, and to all TATS Committee and members who helped organise and run the evening.

All agreed It was a super evening and should be repeated… watch this space.

Here are some quick shots to give a flavour of the night:

TATS AGM
Monday 7th February

The TATS 2021 AGM, postponed due to Covid last December, finally took place on 7th February in the village hall.

As well as business of the day, everyone enjoyed a good old catch up with friends old and new, and all washed down by the long promised mulled wine and mince pies!

TATS QUIZ
14 January 2022

The annual TATs quiz was back with a bang on 14 January after a year in limbo due to the pandemic.

Teams battled it out with a variety of questions from stage, screen and music.

Congratulations to the winning team (pictured above) and thank you to everyone who came along and to all the helpers, particularly question master John Murray, ably assisted by his fellow fiendish question compiler David Hughes. See you next year!

Due to the latest Covid advice we are very sorry to advise you that the TATS AGM scheduled for 13th December 2021 has been postponed until further notice.

We apologise for the late notice but are sure you will understand the situation.

Fabulous to see the Christmas fayre back in Turvey and our TATS family were out in force manning one of the stalls on a rather chilly Sunday, and… as you’d expect from TATS… we never miss an opportunity to dress up.

Will you still love me in the morning – November 2021

Here are some shots from our rehearsals:

Congratulations to those cast in the show:

Jeremy Winthrop – Matthew Watson
Celia Winthrop – Leanne Thompson
Sara Ward –    Charlotte Pask
Humphrey Jessel  – Ian Shadbolt
Thelma Jessel – Jane Davis
Peregrine Ward – Jonathan Davis
Syd Clancy – David Pibworth

Pre-Show Sunday Lunch October 2021

After so much lockdown, TATS members and friends met, in real life, for a delicious Pre-Show Sunday lunch at The Three Cranes in Turvey.

As well as tucking in to vast plates of food, they enjoyed catching up on each other’s news ahead of a busy few weeks as they prepare for their next show, “Will you still love me in the morning”.

It is with great sadness that we pass on the news that Andy Steele died in hospital earlier this week.

Andy and his wife Wendy were absolute stalwarts in TATS for many years. Andy performed on stage, worked back stage and was invaluable in setting up and constructing things for TATS.

He was a very sinister Bill Sykes in our first “Oliver”, a loveable wizard in the “Wizard of Oz”. He was excellent in “Bouncers” and “Our day out “ He had a lovely singing voice, which was put to good use in our revues.

He will be missed by so many people and his TATS family will have so many lovely memories of him.

Bring and Share Lunch July 2021

TATS members and friends had a wonderful time at a Bring & Share lunch on 31st July.

Many thanks to Rosemary and Paul Gentry for organising and hosting.

For highlight pictures please click the image to the left.

TATS ARE FINALLY BACK

TATS have had their first two play readings in the last few weeks, with lots of fun and laughter being had as we read “Will you still love me in the morning?” a farce – written by Brian Clemens and being produced by his wife, Jan Clemens

The play will be performed on Wednesday, the 24th of November until Saturday, the 27th of November.

The Village Hall is now able to re-open, so we are pleased to say that there will be a play reading for TATS members on Monday 12^th October at 7.30pm.

Masks are to be worn and you might like to bring disposable gloves!

The kitchen is closed so you should bring your own drink.

As we are only allowed up to 30 people in the Village Hall, sitting in groups of 6, we would be grateful if you could let us know you are coming, by sending an email to p.gentry@me.com

We are looking forward to seeing you there – almost a year since our last production!

PLEASE NOTE THIS WAS PUBLISHED BEFORE THE NEW GOVERNMENT TIER REQULATIONS AND CURRENTLY WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY DETAILS Of New SHOWS OR EVENTS

CORONAVIRUS and TATS

Sadly, for the first time in its long history, TATS does not currently plan to stage any productions this year.

A message from the Committee

We would have expected to be telling you about now that tickets are on sale for our November production of the musical “Oklahoma!” but, with the ongoing virus situation, it is not to be at the moment.

Putting on a production can be quite a commitment, be it turning up to rehearsals and learning your lines, building the set, finding props, sewing costumes – the to-do list is always fairly lengthy!

So, what have TATS’ members been up to with all their spare time?

• • Some members have been using their skills to make scrubs and face masks for health workers, others getting creative and making beautiful, painstakingly hand sewn quilts.
  • Others have been out and about delivering PPE to GP surgeries and pharmacies in desperate need, growing masses of fruit and vegetables in their allotments or getting to grips with that long needed clear out project!

We all very much miss our TATS family; the regular meeting together to rehearse and plan our shows, the laughter, fun and nerves as the performance date draws near.

As things stand, we have not been able to make any detailed plans for future productions, but, when the village hall is able to reopen we hope to be able to hold some socially distanced play readings

Earlier in the year, we had to postpone our planned production of the play “My Mother Said I Never Should” to 2021 due to the lockdown restrictions required for Covid-19.

We have now also made the difficult decision to postpone our big musical production of Oklahoma! until November 2021. 

This means that the previously advertised dates for read-throughs and auditions are cancelled.

Unfortunately we just felt that there were too many unknowns regarding the continuation of social distancing etc for us to audition, begin rehearsals for a large cast and plan to stage the show in the Village Hall.

If there is a bright side to this very difficult situation perhaps it is that we have had some time and space to reflect on the importance of our local community. Lots of us have been grateful to live in a village with such a vibrant and supportive spirit where people are willing to help others.

TATS very much hope that as people perhaps look to find their entertainment closer to home, they will want to get involved with Oklahoma! next year; we would welcome new faces.  The show has a big cast so there will be lots of parts available – but as ever there is a lot of fun to be had off the stage as well, with lighting, sound, painting, set building, wardrobe… the list goes on!

Further details of dates for read-throughs and auditions for both planned productions in 2021 will be published here in due course.

Thank you and keep safe.

The TATS Committee

TATS regularly donate to local charities and in recent times the Turvey Pre School has been one of our beneficiaries, supporting their bid to buy the school.

In recognition we have received the following lovely thank you letter.