Tag Archives: Hull

Petuaria Blog

IT’S CHRISTMASSSSSS!

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It’s that time again. Another year gone by and to all of our dismay we are still being restricted and injured by that dreaded virus – albeit we are in a better place now than before with, dare we say it again, better prospects ahead…..

We hardly expected to be so long off the stage but we are determined to be back in 2022 and have re-scheduled our next play, FlatSpin, for the end of April. Despite the current surge of the latest variant we remain positive that this one will not prevent us performing for you.

Meanwhile, may all of us at the Petuaria Players wish you a festive season and that you are able to make the most of the situation.

Meanwhile. A short rendition of some lyrics from last year from Uncle Steve’s fireside. Click the green link to play.

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN

Petuaria Blog

The Petuaria Players will return in 2022

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Yes, it’s true. At last. We will be treading those boards once again and welcoming our audiences to live local theatre. So many people have been stopping members to ask – when is the next play? Well we have the answers – read on.

Recently the membership gathered together at The Forum for the first time since March 2020 for our much delayed Annual / Extraordinary General Meeting. One thing was clear – everyone was keen to get back to the stage. The sensible approach would be to wait until after Christmas and the New Year before embarking on a renewed schedule of meetings and rehearsals for a play.

Back at The Forum again

We also agreed that the most sensible choice of play to kick off our return would be Alan Ayckbourn’s FlatSpin. This was the play that was originally scheduled for April 2020, one which we had already been rehearsing and preparing for. It would be a good way of easing our way back in and, having been semi-rehearsed already, more able to cope with any unforeseen circumstances that this winter might still throw at us.

With some necessary casting changes agreed, a renewed performance licence obtained and dates booked at the Elloughton-Brough Village Hall we find ourselves in the position of having at last a plan for our return.

Make sure you have the dates 28th, 29th, 30th April marked in your calendars as tickets are sure to be in demand when we open the box office (probably in the New Year).

Ensure you are subscribed to this website or to our Facebook page for more updates. We look forward to seeing you all in 2022.

Petuaria Blog

2022

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Traditionally, the end of October would have been the final performance of our current play. Two years ago at this time we were celebrating a successful run of Passing Strangers while unknown to us all a devastating virus was about to flourish. (Our next play, Say It With Flowers, would be performed in the following January oblivious to the lockdowns that would be in place only weeks later. )

Passing Strangers October 2019

None of us realised that, two years later in October 2021, we would still be inactive with no plays scheduled.

Many of you have been enquiring when we might resume, some assuming we are already in rehearsal, and it is rewarding to note the interest and desire to see us back on the stage to make you laugh, or cry or simply enjoy an evening of live theatre.

Plans for 2022

It is premature to make any announcements but the entire society is gathering in mid-November to discuss our return to the stage in 2022 and formulate our plans. You can be assured that we will keep you informed after the meeting and we hope that in a few weeks time we will be able to ask you to reserve dates in your calendar.

Have a scroll through the posters below as a reminder of our heritage of wonderful plays in the last few years. Looking at them brings back memories that make us all smile and be proud and act as inspiration for the future.

In the meantime, hang on, we are all waiting in the wings and eager to resume.

Petuaria Blog

‘The Ides of March’

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Soothsayer: Beware the ides of March.

Caesar: What man is that?

Brutus: A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March…

[Act 1 Scene 2 Julius Caesar. William Shakespeare]

Julius Caesar isn’t the only one who had a bad day at the Forum on the 15th of March, known to the Romans as ‘The Ides of March’. We at Petuaria Players did too because it was exactly one year ago today that we met as a group for the last time. (Well, the 16th actually but it was a Monday and even Bill Shakespeare stretched a few truths.)

The Forum – not in Rome but in Petuaria

We were at the books-down stage in rehearsals for Alan Ayckbourn’s FlatSpin and whilst the first time without scripts in hand is always stressful we were all looking forward to putting on this play, not least new girl Sally who had been preparing for her first stage performance with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

Sally’s wait to get on stage is rather longer than she expected.

Of course, it was not to be. That was the night that it had become clear that a performance at the end of April would be impossible and we made the decision that had been hovering over us for a few days to postpone the play.

Early stages of rehearsal for FlatSpin

At the time we wondered if we may be able to reschedule it later as our October 2020 play. Who knew then that even October 2021 would be shrouded with a mixture of optimistic promise and uncertainty. We shall see…..

Our last production – January 2020 – we look forward to our next, whenever that will be.

“Is there no play,
To ease the anguish of a torturing hour?”

[William Shakespeare. A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act V, sc I]

No. But soon, we hope!