Narborough & Littlethorpe Theatregoers March 2023

The NALT AGM was held on 24th February at Littlethorpe Village Hall. After a short business meeting, members were entertained and informed by the local organiser for “Live and Local,” Michele Clerc. We learnt how their Community Touring Scheme helps voluntary groups to choose and promote high quality professional performances for their local community venue in the Midlands area. Journal readers can look out for events held at Enderby Civic Centre, the next being “Eddie and the Gold Tops” on Sun 7th May. After the speaker, members enjoyed a delicious buffet, and all in all spent a pleasant evening.

Earlier in February a small group of us went to see the “UK Pun Championships” at De Montfort Hall, part of the Leicester Comedy Festival. Excellent minibus transport was provided by Commbus.
 
None of us knew what to expect, but the format of the evening was very entertaining; a boxing ring stood in the middle of the floor and 8 amateur punsters went toe to toe through the rounds, the semis and the final. Subjects were drawn out at random, and each contestant fired off their own material, with the winners of each match being decided by audience cheers until a Champion was chosen. The ‘puns’ made you chuckle or groan and a few do not bear repeating. Some of the contestants were quite nervous and some were just reading from their pun files, but they all gave it their best shot and will learn from their experience of performing to a large audience.
 
The event was hosted by the very funny comedian, Jason Byrne, who involved the audience in the fun at every stage, such as getting different people to walk round the ring with the card indicating the next round (like in a boxing match) or drawing out the next subject for the contestants. He bantered with several people in the audience, getting one guy who said he could sing like Elvis to show us — and he could!

The latest NALT programme is now available for booking. We start in April with “Home, I’m Darling” at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham which is a thought provoking comedy about one woman’s quest to be the perfect 1950s housewife and which won the 2019 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.
It has been a while since we went to The Warwick Arts Centre so we look forward to “Wuthering Heights” in May especially as the tickets are very reasonably priced. Channelling Emily Brontë’s piercing wit and fierce emotion, Inspector Sands bring their characteristic humour, passion and pathos to the infamous love story of Heathcliff and Cathy.


“Family Tree “ is a beautifully poetic drama about race, health, the environment, and the incredible legacy of the most influential Black women of modern times. Fearlessly honest, hilarious and ultimately transformative, this award winning play is both a remembrance and a celebration. Henrietta Lacks is one of the most remarkable people in medical history yet she never knew any of this. Her cells were taken without her or her family’s knowledge. We have tickets for this production at Nottingham Playhouse in June.


Finally, In August we have our annual trip to Kilworth House Open Air Theatre to see their production of “Hairspray”. Once again we will allow time for a picnic in the grounds prior to the performance.
If you are interested in joining us, please contact our membership secretary, Alison for further information. alison.polydor@gmail.com or 07947256154.

Membership of NALT is open to all Journal readers. There are 3 pick up points in Littlethorpe and Narborough or you can use your own transport to the venue.