LOCKDOWN playwriting competitions led to a dale drama group staging its third production in a year for the first time.
Rehearsals at Gainford Academy Theatre are in full swing with members getting word perfect when their forthcoming new production, written specially for the group, opens in January.
Christmas Crackers is an original piece by Phil Sculthorpe consisting of eight short plays which take a sideways look at the festive season.
The show is directed by Keith Irons.
The idea to squeeze in a third production, instead of its usual two, came during lockdown.
Mr Sculthorpe, who no stranger to writing plays, having scripted many over the years for various theatre groups, said: “Keith and I were in competition writing plays to do on Zoom during lockdown. We had been talking for ages about doing some kind of show.
“We would each come up with three ideas and that is how it started.”
Mr Irons said: “The reason I was bullying him into doing it is we are only open 16 days out of 365 and I put the idea to the committee to do the extra production.
“We thought it would be nice to get as many people involved as possible and we have written as many parts as possible. Normally we might have six or seven in a cast. This time we have 17.”
The eight 15-minute plays are all different, have a humorous bent, and provide an alternative view of Christmas.
So, if you want to learn about the fourth wise man (the one who didn’t make it into the Bible), discover how turkeys are really prepared for Christmas or learn the truth about Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, then bag yourself a ticket to one of the four performances which kick off on Friday, January 19.
Mr Sculthorpe, who as well as writing the plays will also be performing, added: “The cast are really excited and we have sold quite a lot of tickets already. There will be a little bit of music in the show and a lot of laughs.”
Christmas Crackers opens at Gainford Academy Theatre on Thursday, January 19, at 7.30pm and runs until Saturday, January 21. Tickets cost £10 and are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/gain ford-academy-theatre or by calling the box office on 07760 244840 Monday to Friday between 5pm and 7pm.
