Wick Players appeal for help to stage a Christmas production
After taking part in the SCDA Scottish Final in Orkney at the weekend Wick Players are now planning their next performance – a Christmas pantomine.
Standards were high at the one act play finals and although the local drama club did not come out in the top three placings they enjoyed the experience and were pleased to be taking part at that level.
Coming first was Fintry Amateur Dramatic Society with Housebound by Simon Mawdsley, with Stromness Drama Club the runners-up with
Jock and Blind Mary by George Mackay Brown, and Greenock Players came in third with In Other Words by Matthew Seager.
Wick Players performed Womberang, by Sue Townsend, which secured them a place in the Scottish final after winning the Highland divisional round at Nairn in March. Director of the play Jayden Alexander, said they were delighted to take home their participation award.
He said: "We had an excellent time over at the SCDA Scottish Final which was held in the beautiful Orkney Theatre. What a privilege it was to perform in such a lovely theatre and to be competing against such great drama clubs who performed some amazing pieces of drama.
"We would like to give a huge congratulations to Fintry ADS who must be ecstatic with their win and to be going ahead to represent Scotland at the British Final in Wales. We wish them all the very best.
"This festival has been a brilliant re-opening for drama in Scotland since the start of the Covid pandemic and Wick Players are very excited for lots of future plans and opportunities. Two of which being our pantomime this year and the club's 90th anniversary in 2023."
Wick Players vice-chair Allan Bruce said: "It was a fantastic experience for everybody – it was excellent to be part of that standard."
As a final dress rehearsal the team put on a public performance of Womberang at the Assembly Rooms, Wick, last Tuesday, with 250 people coming along to see the comedy which is set in a hospital outpatients waiting room in the 1980s.
"It gave them the right lift they needed before going to Orkney," said Allan. "It was basically like a dress rehearsal and was very well supported by our members and the public. We sold all the tickets which was fantastic. It was certainly Wick Players getting back to what we do best, putting on shows for the public."
Explaining that the audience were seated round tables for a change, he said the new layout seemed to work well. The funds raised from the local performance helped towards the cost of going to Orkney.
Wick Players are now starting to concentrate on a Christmas pantomine, however, a number of changes have gone on within the club recently so they are on the lookout for new members.
The vice-chair pointed out: "Wick Players is more than just the acting side of things, a whole raft of jobs are involved to allow a production like that to go on. We are putting a call out to anybody who would like to help."
Anyone interested in getting involved is invited to a Christmas production meeting which will be held in the Moray Street Drama Centre, Wick, on May 18, at 7pm.
Read more: Wick Player's production of Womberang proves a hit and is now through to the SCDA Scottish Final
