Welcome

Northmoor Players is a drama group run by and for people living in and around the village of Northmoor in West Oxfordshire.

We do not have a committee or hold regular meetings outside of the show rehearsal period. We have a treasurer and a few regular crew who spring into action whenever someone has a good idea for putting on entertainment in the village. So it’s minimal boredom and maximum fun.

We are famed for our wonderful pantomimes, which are performed in early February in our small but well appointed village hall. In 2012 we won first prize in the Oxford Drama Network Pantomime Competition. No mean feat for such a small village.

A lot of work and fun goes into putting on a show and we always need new members to keep things fresh and thriving.

 Above are links to pages about our past triumphs, a photo gallery, our contact details and news of current shows and rehearsals.

So look around and contact us if you feel you would like to join us. People always seem to want to come back for more once they have been bitten by the “Northmoor Luvvie” bug.

Sue Harrison

Scroll down for our news.

Posted in General | 1 Comment

Well we started at 10.30 and got back home at 7.00pm. Nic and Debbiie and Olly and Tom and Neil and Elaine are total stars in more ways than one and were there for us from the start. Reg is a wonder and worked his lampshade off and Lisa sorted all the wardrobe into her car. I shudder to think what the spare room is like. Janet and Janine just made the make up and mess go away. Savannah and Jasmine were a real help, as was Claire and Dee, who shared our final moments as she steam cleaned the floor.

The hall is now back to normal or to quote Prince Christophe “I don’t suppose things can go back to how they were because they are going to be even better” ie we left the floor cleaner than ever and the place ruthlessly tidy. They also have a free bunch of Lilies.

We worked full on all day and our house and garage are now the store room but we did it! Several trips to the tip and our garage were needed and to Robert’s grain barn and Grennie’s barn.  Thoughts are turning to hiring a storage unit.  Michael popped in to announce record takings on the bar and says they are happy to house or costumes again. So many thanks to Michael and Liz X.

People kept asking me if I was ok. And I was, except for the moment when I took down our last poster from the notice board.  We have such a grand bunch of people now who are so keen and such good friends I am sure we shall soon have another project, even if it is just the DVD showing evening.

I do have some lost property, which is now here. Chris – your stool is under the youth Club table. I think most of the rest is Dion’s. Including his glasses so he is probably not able to read this mail…So if you are missing something give me a ring.

I’m not sure how to answer people who ask about the next one. I am full of enthusiasm and I love to direct. There are good ideas floating around. We have a really fantastic pool of talent now from a cast that have grown in confidence and polish over these three years. What we have less of now is the back up – the people who make it all happen. Making things, marketing, management. The people who turn up at the Tear Down and do the scruffy stuff.  To quote Ma “It’s accountancy that makes the world go round”.

Anyway, that’s for the future. For a now we can bask in the glow of a truly amazing and magical show that genuinely had the public (and judges) alike lost for words except “Marvellous” “Amazing” and “Better than a professional panto”.

The curry delivery is due and the bottle of wine I gave Simon as thanks for his stupendous work as lighting Director is slipping down all too fast. Enjoy your day.

See you all soon.

Sue x

Aside | Posted on by | Leave a comment

Last Night

Last night to night all too soon. The show is a triumph. Well done everybody. I sit at my desk feeling quite overcome. The script, the music and our wonderful actors are all coming together to make what several people have said it “A proper production” meaning it’s up there with a real professional show. But with the heart of a local panto. The sheer look of it is making the audiences gasp. That castle set, Beauty’s dress, Reg’s exciting lamp..and Tom the statue are all knocking their socks off.

We have achieved real drama and romance and excitement alongside all the classic pantomime elements. Best community song ever too. Look out row G.

Posted in Pantomime | Leave a comment

Tech Rehearsal Sunday

Kit for survival:

Script

Thermos of tea or coffee

Snacks

Pen/highlighter

Book/Kindle/ithingy for entertainment

Bits of costume you forgot to bring in last week

Clean undies for the changing room

Present for the director.

It’s going to be awesome. The best one yet. Moving forests, indoor snow, candelabras that light on command, snowball fights, Beastly transformations, a wonderful cast, great comedy songs and beautifully sung serious songs and that dance.

 

Posted in Pantomime | Leave a comment

13 Sleeps

13 sleeps from the Thursday rehearsal to the first night.

Now is the time to panic and learn those lines, memorise the tricky bits in your song and make sure you have all your costume.

The production crew are flat out full time now, painting, making, erecting, fixing and designing. Not necessarily in that order. Tickets are selling, the stage already looks fabulous and it’s going to be stunning.

Posted in Pantomime | Leave a comment

Set Painting Parties

So far it seems Dec 9th is the best for people to come along to the village hall to help John with his splendid sets by doing a spot of colouring in. No talent required. Tea and cake provided. The more people who turn up for this the less time it will take. Please do attend, even if you can only give an hour. The hall will be open from 10.00 am to around 5.00 pm If we are at lunch just nip into the pub for the key.

Posted in Pantomime | Leave a comment

Our Current Panto

Our New Pantomime for 2012/13 is

Beauty and The Beast by Ben Crocker

Sue Harrison will be directing again with help from our Broadway and West End director Dion McHugh. Dee Rooney is once again at the keyboard as music director. It’s a winning team and one that hopes to win a prize in the Panto competition again this year!!

Ben Crocker writes superb modern pantos with all the traditional elements and his shows have been a great success at the Chipping Norton Theatre, among others.

We still need backstage helpers and help with the admin side of things. Contact Sue at

sue@hollyhockcottage.co.uk

It’s not too late to join our splendid team and be part of something rather special.

Posted in Pantomime | Leave a comment

The Best Pantomime in Oxfordshire – It’s Official!

Yes it’s true. We won first prize in the Oxfordshire Drama Network Pantomime Competition for our  “Treasure Island, The Panto”  in February 2012

We were invited to attend the ODN AGM this April and perform “Shiver My Timbers” and were delighted to learn we had won first prize. Much champagne was quaffed in the Red Lion after the event and the shield was engraved by Adrian Shepherd and now resides on a shelf at the pub. We also have a fine certificate to hang in the village hall.

Well done everyone!

Dion wants to make it three wins in a row…

Posted in Pantomime | Leave a comment