Riseley Community Theatre

Riseley Community Theatre - "On our Wavelength?"

Click here for photos

 
Do you get frustrated by modern technology? Do the kids seem to know more about phones and computers than you do? Well the members of the Riseley Community Theatre think so and  they managed to raise some laughter about the subject in their latest production on 4^th and 5^th June in Riseley Village Hall.
 
"On our wavelength?" featured three short plays taking a wry look at 'communication technology' over the years.
 
Remember when, if you wanted to call someone, you went to the phone box? Do you find yourself baffled by constantly changing mobile phone technology? In “Calling, Calling, Calling...”, the first ever production by the Riseley Community Youth Theatre the children (ages 7 to 15) compared their phones with their ever expanding lists of new features and apps (whatever they are!) “Calling, Calling, Calling...” was written by Amanda Whittall, of our own Writer’s Group.
 
Does it drive you mad when technology doesn’t work and you need to ring the Call Centre? All those recordings to listen to and different options to choose and never the one you want! Of course, there was no technology in the Middle Ages, but in "The Mediaeval Helpdesk" by Damian Trasler, David Lovesy and Steve Clark (TLC Creative), we imagined what it might have been like if there had been... and suffered some excruciating puns in the process!

 
In "The Friday Night Radio Play" by Damian Trasler, Grandma is in failing health and has poor eyesight but is very excited, as the weekly play written by her son is just about to be broadcast on national radio. But disaster strikes when the electricity fails and the radio won’t work! Knowing that a shock or disappointment could kill her, the family rally round to save the day and they put on their own performance, without Grandma realising it. They are helped (and hindered) by various reluctant visitors but things soon got out of hand, with the bombastic doctor being flattened by the vicar, a circus parade, a canoe trip down the Amazon, a dog-fighting Spitfire, a policeman becoming Prime Minister and even an Aztec warrior dropping in!

The audiences were treated to a Fish and Chip Supper on the Friday and Poached Chicken in White Wine on the Saturday, with catering provided by Ruth Clark.

The performances were the brainchild of director Julie Laslett, but also her swansong as she has now left Riseley for pastures new. Riseley Community Theatre is still going strong however, with plans for future productions including Mummers Plays, Variety and Revue all being considered.

  
The Youth Theatre will be directed in future by Martyn Wady. Please contact Clive Whittall on 01234 708832  if you have any enquiries or would be interested in joining the Riseley Community Theatre.