CADS newsletters

This year’s Royston Town Pantomime broke all previous records for advance ticket sales, with sell-out performances on the last Saturday and highly impressive audience numbers for earlier shows. In all, nearly 1,200 people enjoyed “1001 Arabian Nights (and a Matinee”) over the course of its six performances! A magnificent effort by everyone – cast, crew and miscellaneous helpers – and nothing short of a triumph for director Kathy Wholley and musical director Louise Atkins. Look out for the review in the Royston Crow…

In addition, the donation for programmes raised a very respectable £300 for the ShelterBox charity’s work in Haiti. Our thanks to all who contributed.

Thanks, too, to Claire Hogan (a.k.a. “The Genie”) for organising a hugely successful raffle – at the time of going to press, it had not been possible to contact everyone who won prizes, but among the winners were Leona Fitzgerald (champagne), Tony Carolan (wine), Beyrl Perriam (wine), Michael Young (wine), Julian Berry’s sister-in-law (wine – sorry, didn’t get a name!), Daphne Lodge (chocolates), Eileen Goulding (hair products), Irene Grundy (glove puppet), June Mitchell (glove puppet), Grace Harrington (make-up lesson), John Hedges (Monopoly) and Betty Murphy (wildlife park pass). Congratulations to them all and thanks to our generous donors!

Further congratulations are due to the two deserving winners of our annual drama awards. These were, as is customary, presented by CADS Chair Wendy Watts at the end of the last performance of the pantomime and for once both recipients were closely involved with the show so didn’t need the usual subterfuge to entice them to attend the ceremony. The Lizzie Houghton Award “for outstanding contribution to youth drama” during the previous twelve months was presented to Jenni Richards, a member of the excellent band put together for the show by musical director Louise Atkins for the show. Her citation described her as “an outstanding example of the very best that her generation produces - a multi-skilled performer and an unselfish giver to her peers and her community” As well as playing many instruments to a high standard including the bass guitar, double bass, electric bass, violin, viola, electric violin and piano, Jenni sings in the Royston Youth Choir, helps with mentally handicapped adults through her work with Mencap, rings the church bells on special occasions and also finds time to be a fire cadet - all while studying for her A levels! As an actress she has appeared during the year as Motormouth Maybelle in the Meridian School production of “Hairspray” in November and as a feisty Sebastian in CADS outdoor production of “Twelfth Night” in May.

The Fred Sillence Award this year went to David Atkins, who had to accept his trophy still in the guise of the evil Grand Vizier (well, at least he was already up on stage!). His citation said “David is well known to CADS regulars, having appeared in more shows over the years than I suspect even he cares to remember. His versatility on stage is exemplary - in recent times he has turned his hand to everything from Shakespeare to Stoppard, and has played almost every stock character in pantomime from the villain to the Dame. But his talents also extend beyond the footlights - as well as being Assistant Head at Meridian School, David has been involved for many years with all aspects of performance at the school, directing several of their spectacularly good musical shows, organising cabaret evenings (and often compering them with a sardonic wit and charm), founding a ground-breaking all-male acappella group, and above all encouraging and supporting any student who has even a smidgin of interest in performing. And as if that weren't enough, this year he has been closely involved in the running of the increasingly successful Royston Arts Festival, not only contributing as a committee member to its organisation, but also mobilising countless groups of students to appear in a variety of guises during the festival weekend, as well as running events as varied as busking and the excellent "night walk" around the town. A self-deprecating performer, David never fails to display a generosity of spirit towards those with whom he performs, a seemingly tireless amount of energy, and an enthusiasm for music and drama which is simply contagious. He has entertained us all in one way or another for many years, and through his continuing encouragement of others is helping to ensure that Royston is never likely to be short of talent in future.”

Once again, our congratulations to both worthy winners. (Applause! Applause!) You can see their pictures and read more about the awards on our Awards pages.

Marathon Man

Not content with winning prizes (and plaudits), the aforementioned Mr Atkins is also about to run the London Marathon… it’s probably easier if we just hand you over to him to explain:

“Hello!

“Three years after running the London Marathon, I have decided to do it again this year. I will, again, be running to raise money for St Elizabeth's Centre in Much Hadham. St Elizabeth's Centre, which incorporates a school, cares for people with epilepsy and has been home to my sister-in-law, Caroline, for over 20 years. Indeed, we will be celebrating her 50th birthday at the centre in a few weeks' time. Caroline has severe epilepsy and associated learning difficulties. She has been wonderfully looked after at St Elizabeth's, enjoying a wide range of day-to-day activities, holidays and a homely living environment. St Elizabeth's relies hugely on charitable donations, to enable them to give the residents full, rewarding lives. I am aiming to raise as much as possible in order that they may continue with this invaluable work. More specifically, the money will help towards the building of a new day centre, for use by the residents.

“One thing I should mention - I am planning to run dressed as a pantomime dame!

“If you feel able to, I would be extremely grateful for any sponsorship you can give me.

The simplest way to do this is to visit my "Just Giving" page: www.justgiving.co.uk/davidjatkins If you would prefer, however, you can email me on davidatkins@meridian.herts.sch.uk or, if you see me, I do have sponsorship forms…

“Any help will be hugely appreciated. Thank you, in advance

David Atkins”

Lost’n’found

There were a few odds and ends discovered in the green room and elsewhere during the clear-up after the show (and grateful thanks from the group to all those who unselfishly – and possibly slightly woozily! – gave up part of their Sunday afternoon to help with this).

* a pink woollen scarf

* a white zip-up hooded jacket

* a beige woollen beanie hat with label “01029;A”

* a black beanie hat with the logo “English Heritage”

* a silver Revlon hairbrush

If any of these is yours, please reclaim it from Kathy Wholley or Michael Young (01763 223805).

Encore!

A couple of people connected with the panto are currently also displaying their versatility by appearing in shows elsewhere. Colette Mitchell, one of our junior chorus, is taking part in the Hitchin Thespians’ production of Meredith Willson’s musical “The Music Man” (some of you may know the 1962 film starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones) at the Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage between 8 and 13 March. Colette is appearing in the Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoon shows. For more details, go to www.stevenage-leisure.co.uk and browse to the Gordon Craig pages.

And Kay Morland (our very own Princess Jasmina) is appearing as the Enchantress in the Disney version of “Beauty and the Beast” with the Pied Pipers Musical Theatre Club (www.piedpipers.co.uk) at the ADC in Cambridge between 30 March and 3 April. (Her mum tells me that she also plays a menu, a plate and a wolf!) We should also mention in this context former CADS alumna Kim Ensor, who is about to hit the West End stage in another musical, “A Man of No Importance” byTerrence McNally, with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty. The show opens at the Arts Theatre in Great Newport Street, London (www.artstheatrewestend.com) on 10 February and runs until 27 February.

…and finally

One minor development on the CADS website that was alluded to in the February newsletter but didn’t get sorted out until just after it went to press – the site now includes an archive of about sixty old black-and-white photos. Do have a look (I know some of you already have!) and let us know if you spot anyone you know or can identify any of the shows…

Next newsletter

If anyone wants us to put information in the next newsletter, or you would like something discussed at the next committee meeting, please contact Michael Young or call 01763 223805. Deadline for sending stuff for inclusion in the newsletter (e-mail preferred) is 22 February. Don’t forget, if you need to contact the club we have an e-mail address you can use - cads_royston@yahoo.co.uk - or you can use our Contact page to send us a message.

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