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.

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Northmoor Players Hibernation Update

Is that the first warmth of spring we feel? We have been resting so long some of the cast have had babies and others have left the country.

The remaining members of the Players seem very reluctant to put on another panto without Sue (who is now living in Singapore) so moves are afoot to partner with the newly revived Stanton Harcourt Drama Group. As yet we don’t know if this a going to actually happen but Steve, their new manager/producer/leader or whatever the head of a village panto is called, is full of enthusiasm and drive. And no plans to leave for foreign shores as yet.

If all goes well there may well be a panto in February 2017 to include the best from both villages and perhaps even some reprobates from Standlake.

So time to shake off the moss, scratch, eat some berries and get down to some serious planning.

Details as always available from sue (contact link above)

 

 

 

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Tickets

Tickets for Robin Hood and his Merrie Men went on sale at the Christmas Market last Wednesday. At the end of the evening we had sold out of Saturday night and half of the matinee and Friday night.

Tickets are now on sale at our box office – The Red Lion Northmoor. A great place to have a fine cup of coffee or a drink and a very yummy meal while you are there.

Dress rehearsal tickets are half price.

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Under Way

Well we have cast the panto – and what a fabulous cast it is! Script writing is still furious as we fit in more lines and roles for people who simply can’t be left out. Our newbie dame Mike is going to be gorgeous and is nearly word perfect already and we have a superbly slimy Sheriff and a classic comedy duo in Simon and Reg. So many riches.

Tickets go on sale at the Christmas Market.

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Panto 2014/15

This year’s panto kicked off with a production crew meeting at Hollyhock Cottage and we are pleased to announce that we have enough of a crew to go ahead with auditions. We are still in need of a wardrobe mistress (or master) and more people to work on Props. So please do look deep into your souls and consider coming forward or volunteer a friend!

Auditions will start from October 9th onwards at the village hall from 7.30. Junior chorus members can come along to sign up but we will not be rehearsing with the younger ones until December.

Sue is still reading scripts(!) as life has been a bit of a roller-coaster this summer. But we already have one possible script and another that looks very promising in the post. The plan is to do Robin Hood this year. So make sure your legs are tights ready!

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Resting

Northmoor is having a rest this year but we shall be back with renewed energy and enthusiasm in September 2014.

Watch this space for news of our long awaited DVD of Beauty and The Beast. The editing is almost done. When the discs are available we’ll have a viewing party, probably sometime in January.

Meanwhile, suggestions for the story for the next panto would be most welcome. We have had two rollicking action pantos with Panto at The OK Coral and Treasure Island. Beauty and The Beast was more magical and romantic. What would you  like next? Post your comments.

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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

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

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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.

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