2023 has been an exciting year for Southwell Theatre Club, with a mix of classic comedy, intriguing mysteries, and entertaining performances that kept our audiences coming back for more.  Here’s a look at the productions that made this year one to remember:

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Spring 2023: ‘Snake in the Grass’ by Alan Ayckbourn

We kicked off our season with Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s ‘Snake in the Grass’, a gripping and darkly comedic play performed from May 18th to 20th. The production revolved around the reunion of two sisters, Annabel and Miriam, after their father's death. Annabel’s unexpected inheritance stirs up old tensions with Miriam, who feels betrayed after years of care for their father. The plot thickens when Alice, a former nurse, starts throwing wild accusations into the mix. This twist-filled production explored themes of family conflict and lingering ghosts from the past, all while maintaining Ayckbourn’s signature comedic touch.

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It was also a special show for the Theatre Club as we welcomed three new members into the cast. Their energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and we were thrilled to have them onboard from the very beginning. Despite facing a few technical challenges, we were able to bring the play to life with the help of our dedicated team and talented cast.

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Autumn 2023: ‘Forget Me Knot’ by David Tristram

In October 2023, we took audiences on a journey full of twists and laughs with ‘Forget Me Knot’ by David Tristram. From October 12th to 14th, our production at Southwell Library followed a man found wandering the streets of Leicester, suffering from amnesia - or was he? Inspector Monroe’s investigation spiraled into a comic labyrinth of confusion, revealing just how much the man might be hiding. As with many of Tristram’s works, this play had the perfect blend of humour and intrigue, keeping the audience guessing and laughing throughout.

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The performance was directed by Ann Tyler, and the cast had a great time bringing this quirky comedy to life.  Fans of our previous productions of Tristram’s work  - such as The Little Grimley series and The Opposite Sex - were delighted by our return to his natural comedic style.

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Winter 2023: ‘Robin Hoodie and His Merry People’ – The Murder Mystery Panto

Wrapping up the year, we had a blast with our annual murder mystery panto. This year’s show, ‘Robin Hoodie & His Merry People’, took place on December 9th and 10th. As always, we invited our audience to play detective, questioning the suspects to figure out whodunnit. In this whimsical twist on the classic Robin Hood tale, the Sheriff of Nottingham’s once-successful plans to rob from the rich and give to the poor are thrown into disarray as the poor are no more! With a cast of colorful characters including the outlaws, an invisible forest sprite, and a loveable pantomime horse, chaos and comedy ensued in equal measure. The murder mystery, combined with the fun and slapstick of panto, made this a perfect festive show.

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Jan-2024