PRODUCTIONS
We are very pleased to be back at The Guild Theatre to present our much-delayed play Goodnight Mister Tom. This play was originally due to be performed the week after Lockdown 1 was introduced in March 2020. We had been rehearsing since October 2019 in what was to be the first joint youth theatre and adult production at the Guild for a number of years. The set was built, the costumes sorted and lines learned, it was heart breaking to have to pack everything away and close the theatre.
But we have bounced back with renewed determination and almost all our original cast, some of our young actors are now too tall to play 11-year olds and you will see them taking other roles within the adult cast.
Michelle Magorian’s book published in 1981 was turned into a film in 1998 starring John Thaw, which many of you will have seen and then adapted for the stage in 2011. It was described in The Times as ” One of the most uplifting stories ever written, Michelle Magorian’s stunning Goodnight Mister Tom is brought gloriously to life in this stage adaptation by David Wood – the UK’s National Children’s Dramatist”. This play won the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment in 2013.
Set during the dark and dangerous build-up to the Second World War, Goodnight Mister Tom follows sad young William Beech, who is evacuated to the idyllic English countryside and builds a remarkable and moving friendship with the elderly recluse Tom Oakley. All seems perfect until William is devastatingly summoned by his mother back to London.
Goodnight Mister Tom is a tale of two broken souls at very different ends of the age scale that celebrates the value of love and proves that friendship knows no barriers.
Kent Drama Association - Radio Play Festival 2021
Kent Drama Association – Radio Play Festival 2021
This year KDA decided to change their annual play festival into a radio play festival for plays of 20 – 60 minutes duration and 3 or more actors. 26 entries were received including two original plays from G&DTG Cacophony by Kevin Heasman and The Pickleford Conundrum by Dani Baylis.
The competition closed on 31st March and the adjudicator provided a written critique of each play and nominations for the usual awards were announced in May, followed by a pre-recorded awards ceremony streamed on 22nd May.
I know everyone from G&DTG who took part enjoyed the experience (apart from wrestling with the technology!) and many thanks to Kevin and Dani for writing, and re-writing, two very entertaining plays. Also, thanks to Kevin and Richard Gregg for going through the arduous task of editing everything together to produce the final results.
This is your opportunity to listen to the finished plays, you will notice there are two versions of Cacophony the KDA version and the ‘Directors Cut’ which includes an extra scene. Please click on the posters above to access the cast list and YouTube links to the recordings.
If you would like to show your appreciation by making a donation to G&DTG please click the 'Donate' button below:
Congratulations to:
Kevin Heasman - Best Initiative in Audio Presentation award
Simon Sinfield and David Ames - Runner Up Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Rhiannon Williams - Best Actress in a Cameo Role
Susanne Gibbons who was also 'considered' for this award
OTHER EVENTS
Other events and productions to look out for (more details coming soon...)
Saturday 18 September 2021: Macmillan Coffee Morning.
Saturday 25 September 2021: Quiz Night for Anim-mates Animal Rescue Charity
Saturday 9 October2021 : Pink Party for Breast Cancer Charites
Sunday 17 October 2021: Cherie Tadman Comedy Night
Saturday 4 December 2021: Craft Fayre,
Saturday 11 December 2021: Christmas Concert
January 27 - 29 2022: Doris in Pantoland, a brand new pantomime, written and directed by Dani Baylis
April 2022: Play (TBC)
May 19 - 21 & 26 - 28 2022: The Addams Family, directed (musically and physically) by Richard Gregg. Postponed from May 2020.