Silchester Players

We are very sorry that due to the current circumstances it has been necessary to postpone our production of “The Tempest”.

Like everyone else we have been staggered at the speed with which the coronavirus crisis overtook us. We held a committee meeting on 11 March when we decided that, despite warnings of an epidemic, we would press ahead with our planned production. Only four days later, on Sunday 15 March, an emergency committee meeting decided that, in the light of rapid developments, we had no alternative but to postpone.

We will of course observe all the current restrictions and sincerely hope that the Covid 19 menace is vanquished as quickly as possible. Suspension of normal operations has been a bitter blow for us as we were riding the crest of a wave. Our pantomime this year, “Snow White”, was very popular, bringing our best production results ever recorded. Early rehearsals for “The Tempest” had been very promising with the cast very enthusiastic to bring Shakespeare’s last play to a Silchester audience. Those who managed to visit Silchester village hall before the recent closure may have noticed that our scenery painters had already begun to change the wicked queen’s throne room into Prospero’s island. We had two further exciting productions lined up: “The Ladykillers” which will be known to many as a classic Ealing comedy, and then our annual pantomime “Aladdin” scheduled for the end of January/beginning of February 2021

Our current plans are to defer “The Tempest” to autumn 2020 and to move “The Ladykillers” into 2021. However, there is some uncertainty at the moment not only because we do not know when restrictions will be lifted, but also because some members of cast may not be available. Please watch for news either in this magazine or on our website www.Silchesterplayers.org

We are hopeful that by the end of the year we will be back to normal, In that case we will then devote our winter efforts to “Aladdin”. Our annual pantomime is a great favourite and we will do our best to ensure this production takes priority so as not to disappoint our audiences, particularly the children who enjoy the matinees and the adults with learning disabilities who come to our charity performance on the first Sunday.