November

U3A Theatre Group
Leaders Julie Horsman 023 80802704 & Chris Farleigh 023 80862882
7 members braved the rain on Thursday evening to see a superb performance of The Hypochondriac- a new adaptation by Roger McGough after Moliere, and were really pleased they had. Laughter is the best medicine and there was plenty of that in this very tight & slick production. Roger McGough had indeed enhanced the sharp wit of Moliere. A fun play to perform and a very entertaining evening for the audience…Salisbury Playhouse
Arsenic and Old Lace
Thursday 17th November 7.30pm Post Show Talk
Tickets £14.00 – travelling by mini bus 1 seat left (contact Julie)

The Point
1984 by George Orwell
Tuesday 24th November 7.45pm
Tickets 12.50
A world where even your thoughts are controlled and revolution is just around the corner

Britain at Bay Peace & War 1937-1940
Friday November 27th 1.30pm Tickets £4.80 1 hour 26 minutes
films from the BFI National Archive, some rarely screened, others rightly celebrated
Britain at Bay is a programme of films from the BFI National Archive, some rarely screened, others rightly celebrated. They vividly capture the transition from optimism to high alert as the nation faced up to another momentous conflict. For many, British life in the inter-war years was characterised by a forward-looking idealism, an age in which tradition was celebrated and new ideas embraced. Despite the trauma of the Great Depression, the 1930s became the era of Mass Observation, an attempt to capture the minutiae of everyday British life, and the ‘Machine Age’, which saw developments in industry, consumer products and public amenities enabling the population at large to enjoy improvements to every aspect of work and leisure. Yet just as progress beckoned, the government had to prepare its citizens for the worst as war with Germany shifted from distant threat to grim reality.
Contact Chris for tickets - – travelling by mini bus

Hanger Farm Arts Centre
A Servant To Two Masters
Thursday 3rd – Saturday 7th December 7pm Tickets £6 (£5 Cons)
Hanger Farm Box Office 023 8066 7683

Sarah Siddons Street Theatre
A Night On The Town
11th, 14th, 16, 18th & 21st December at 7.30pm
Tickets £4.00 Contact Chris for Tickets

John Rutter Christmas Concert Royal Albert Hall
Saturday 12th December 3pm – all tickets taken
Coach leaving Totton at 9.15am and returning approx 8pm

Chris’s Away Days Contact Chris Farleigh 023 8086 2882

Email christine’farleigh@ntlworld.com


Guided Tour of Royal Courts Of Justice- London
Tuesday February 23rd 2010 Cost £20 including transport
Leaving Totton at 9.05am and arriving back at approx 7.30pm
Guided tour of the Law Courts at 11.45am, the tour lasts approx 90 minutes. After that there will be free time until 5pm.

Places of interest close by
St Clement Danes is the Central Church of the Royal Air Force.
1 The original Wren building was badly damaged by enemy action in 1941. It was rebuilt by the Royal Air Force in 1958 to become its spiritual heart.

It is a living church prayed in daily and visited throughout the year by thousands seeking solace and reflection.

Located opposite the Royal Courts of Justice, the Temple and Fleet Street, close to Australia House, Covent Garden and Somerset House, St Clement Danes is at the heart of London. Placed on an island in the middle of the Strand, an atmosphere of peace and quiet prevails, quite set apart from the noise and traffic outside.

I can arrange a guided tour of St Clements for anyone interested

2 Covent Garden



National Memorial Arboretum Plus Derby
June 2nd – 5th 2010
4 days trip to Derby to explore the Arboretum plus surrounding areas. 3 nights accommodation room only. Using own transport
Approx cost £90 per double/twin room.

I whole day visiting the National Memorial Arboretum plus

Other things to do & places to visit
Croxden Abbey
Uttoxeter, Staffordshire
A tranquil and atmospheric English Hertitage site founded in 1176 by Bertram de Verdun for monks of the cistercian order. The impressive remains of an abbey of Cistercian 'white monks', including towering fragments of its 13th-century church, infirmary an


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Georgian Crystal (Tutbury) ltd
Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire
Visitors are welcome to watch the team of highly skilled craftsmen practice their unique art

Sudbury Hall and Museum of Childhood

Sudbury, Derbyshire
This late 17th Century family home with sumptuous interiors,fine carvings, plasterwork and paintings was featured in the BBC's Pride & Prejudice. Explore the Museum of Childhood - there's fun, fascination and challenges for chidren and adults to discover.

Sinai House

Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire
Sinai House dates back to the 15th century and was originually a sanatorium for aged and sick monks of Burton abbey

Marston’s Brewery

Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire
Join the brewery tour and see time honoured brewing methods in action

Claymills Pumping Station

Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire
An outstanding victorian industrial monument...

Plus Toilet Pans!

Chris’s Away Days

Roman Glassmakers
Andover
Thursday July 9th 10am Cost £2.50

Possible Future Trip
National Memorial Arboretum & More
Burton On Trent
4 day trip by coach. With half board accommodation
Approx cost £250.00. Suggested time middle of May 2010
Let Chris Farleigh (023 8086 2882) know if you are interested

U3A Theatre Group –
Leader - Julie Horseman (02380 862704) Chris Farleigh (023 8086 2882)
A recent theatre trip enjoyed by members was ‘Hayfever’ at the Chichester Festival Theatre.
Winners of the Quarter Finals of the All England Theatre Festival held at Hanger Farm Arts Centre were Bench Theatre with ‘Father For Justice’. They go forward to the semi finals being held in Teignmouth in South Devon.

Forthcoming Theatre Trips:

The Shades of Tudor House at Tudor House, Southampton
Sunday May 17th – performances at 11am, 1pm, 3pm & 5pm
Tickets £5. Cons £3.

Betrayal Nuffield Theatre
Thursday May 19th
Tickets £10.00

Tom Jones Maskers Theatre Company at Hamptworth Lodge
Thursday the 16th
Tickets £12.

Twelfth Night RAODS Open Air Production in the grounds of Romsey Abbey
Tuesday the 21st
Tickets £10.00

Soweto Gospel Choir at The Mayflower Theatre
Sunday 13th September 7.30pm
Tickets £18.00

Separate Tables Chichester Festival Theatre
Tuesday September the 15th 7.30pm
Tickets £17.50

The Sound Of Music The Mayflower Theatre
Thursday October the 22nd 2pm
Tickets £22.00
There are just 5 tickets left, if interested contact Ruth Jackson on 023 80292966

John Rutter Christmas Concert Royal Albert Hall
Saturday 12th December 2pm
Tickets £26.00 (including coach fare) The Coach will be leaving Totton at 9.15am

April up-date

U3A Theatre Group –
Leader - Julie Horseman (02380 862704) Chris Farleigh (023 8086 2882)

A recent theatre enjoyed by members was A Clearing by Forest Forge Theatre Company plus the Totton Festival of Drama, all taking place at the Hanger Farm Arts Centre.
Winners of the festival were Maskers Theatre, runners up Chameleon Theatre Company.

Not quite so successful was the groups visit to the Nuffield Theatre to see ‘Paperweight’
We all felt we needed an adjudicator to explain the point of the performance. It could have been a lesson in audience manipulation or 2 guys indulging themselves at the expense of the audience – an Edinburgh Fringe piece we would not recommend

Forthcoming Theatre Trips:


Semi Final of The All England Theatre Festival
Saturday 18th April at The Hanger Farm Arts Centre 2pm and 7.30pm
Tickets £6.00 for one session, £10 for both sessions

Plays include
Maskers Theatre Company In by the Half by Jimmie Chinn
Chameleon Theatre Company The Window Cleaner by Gillian Plowman
Bench Theatre Company Father For Justice by Mark Wakeman
Oasis Youth Theatre Sticks 'n' Stones and Mobile Phone
by Danny Sturrock & Johnny Carrington


Adjudications by Paul Fowler (Guild of Drama Adjudicators)
(Guild of Drama Adjudicators)

Hayfever Chichester Festival Theatre
Tuesday 21st April 7.30pm

Betrayal Nuffield Theatre
Thursday May 19th

Separate Tables Chichester Festival Theatre
Tuesday September the 15th

John Rutter Christmas Concert Royal Albert Hall
Saturday 12th December Tickets £15.00 plus coach fare

March update

U3A Theatre Group – Leader - Julie Horseman (02380 862704) Chris Farleigh (023 8086 2882)
Two recent plays enjoyed by members were Little Women and The Winslow Boy

Forthcoming Theatre Trips:

A Clearing Hanger Farm Arts Centre Forest Forge Theatre Company
Thursday 12th March 7.30PM
A powerful romantic drama in the tradition of Thomas Hardy set in the 1960s against the backdrop of the last Romany encampment in the New Forest.

Totton Festival of Drama 2009 Running Order

Tuesday 24th March
C.A.T.S. Youth Theatre Brokenville by Philip Ridley
Maskers Theatre Company In by the Half by Jimmie Chinn
Wednesday 25th March
Hardley School Dear Nobody by Berlie Doherty
Chameleon Theatre Company The Window Cleaner by Gillian Plowman
Bench Theatre Company Father For Justice by Mark Wakeman
Thursday 26th March
Evolution Theatre All In The Mind by Jill Jenkins
Lymington Players Who Calls by David Campton
Oasis Youth Theatre Sticks 'n' Stones and Mobile Phone by Danny Sturrock & Johnny Carrington
Friday 27th March
Festival Fringe Theatre (with the Burley Players)
War Games by Stella Goorney (adapted by Paul Bailey)
Spotlight Theatre Love Letters by A.R. Gurney
Bishopstoke Players Starlover by Justine Jupe
Saturday 28th March
Branch Out Youth Theatre Done to a Turn by Alison Garner & Di Mahoney
Wessex Youth Theatre Dickens' Children by Nick Warburton

Adjudications each evening by Colin Dolley (Guild of Drama Adjudicators)
For more information about the festival please contact 023 8086 2882 or email tottondrama@ntlworld.com.
Hayfever Chichester Festival Theatre
Tuesday 21st April 7.30pm

Betrayal Nuffield Theatre
Thursday May 19th

Separate Tables Chichester Festival Theatre
Tuesday September the 15th

John Rutter Christmas Concert Royal Albert Hall
Saturday 12th December Tickets £15.00 plus coach fare

Chris’s Away Days
TRIP TO THE THAMES BARRIER & GREENWICH
National Maritime Museum, The Queen's House, Royal Observatory and Planetarium
TUESDAY 5TH MAY Cost £15.00
Leaving Totton at 9.15am and returning approx 7.30pm
Lectures booked for the Thames Barrier at 12.15pm and 3.30pm
(last approx 1 hour 30 minutes)

Roman Glassmakers
Andover
Thursday July 9th 10am Cost £2.50

Possible Future Trips
National Memorial Arboretum
Burton On Trent
2 or 3 day trip
Let Chris Farleigh (023 8086 2882) know if you are interested

30th January update

U3A Theatre Group –
Leader - Julie Horseman (02380 862704) Chris Farleigh (023 8086 2882)
Two recent plays enjoyed by members were The Forsyth Saga and Little Women at the Nuffield Theatre

Forthcoming Theatre Trips:
The Winslow Boy by Terence Rattigan – Salisbury Playhouse
Thursday 5th February 2.30pm performance Tickets £12.00
"Let Right be done"
On the eve of the First World War, cadet Ronnie Winslow is expelled from Osborne Royal Naval College, accused of stealing and cashing a five-shilling postal order. His family's fight to prove their young son's innocence leads to the employment of top QC Sir Robert Morton. But as the legal battle provokes a national outcry which affects the lives of all involved, the price of justice becomes an ever-heavier burden.Inspired by a real case, Rattigan's compelling drama is a deeply moving story of passion and politics. It is directed by the Playhouse's Artistic Director, following his production of Rattigan's In Praise of Love at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester ( "**** Philip Wilson directs the play with the cool objectivity and deep feeling it deserves" Sunday Times, Critic's Choice).
The cast is led by Philip Franks, whose stage appearances include School for Scandal at Salisbury and Journey's End on tour and in the West End.

A Clearing Hanger Farm Arts Centre Forest Forge Theatre Company
Thursday 12th March 7.30PM
A powerful romantic drama in the tradition of Thomas Hardy set in the 1960s against the backdrop of the last Romany encampment in the New Forest.

Totton Festival of Drama Hanger Farm Arts Centre
Tuesday 24th – Saturday 28th March 7pm Tickets £7.00/£6.00
3 one act plays every evening plus professional adjudication
Programme below

Tuesday 24th March 2009
Hardley School ‘Dear Nobody’ by Berlie Doherty
Maskers Theatre Company ‘In by the Half’ by Jimmie Chinn
Sarah Siddons Fan Club ‘The Ship Titanic’ by Cheryl Butler

Wednesday 25th March 2009
Chameleon Theatre Company ‘The Window Cleaner’ by Gillian Plowman
C.A.T.S. Youth Theatre ‘Brokenville’ by Philip Ridley
Bench Theatre Company ‘Father For Justice’ by Mark Wakeman

Thursday 26th March 2009
Evolution Theatre ‘All In The Mind’ by Jill Jenkins
Lymington Players ‘Who Calls’ by David Campton
Oasis Youth Theatre Sticks 'n' Stones and Mobile Phone’ by Danny Sturrock & Johnny Carrington

Friday 27th March 2009
Festival Fringe Theatre (with the Burley Players) ‘War Games’ by Stella Goorney (adapted by Paul Bailey)
Spotlight Theatre ‘Love Letters’ by A.R. Gurney
Bishopstoke Players ‘Starlover’ by Justine Jupe

Saturday 28th March 2009
Branch Out Youth Theatre ‘Done to a Turn’ by Alison Garner & Di Mahoney
Bench Theatre Company ‘Is There Honey Still’ by Claire Jones
Wessex Youth Theatre ‘Dickens' Children’ by Nick Warburton

TRIP TO THE THAMES BARRIER & GREENWICH

National Maritime Museum, The Queen's House, Royal Observatory and Planetarium
TUESDAY 5TH MAY Cost £15.00
Leaving Totton at 9.15am and returning approx 7.30pm
Lectures booked for the Thames Barrier at 12.15pm and 3.30pm
(last approx 1 hour 30 minutes)
This trip is fully booked – you need to pay your £5.00 deposit by the 20th February or your place will be filled by someone from the waiting list.
Contact Chris Farleigh for further details 023 8086 2882.