The Valley Troupers Northleigh
Formed in 1992, The Valley Troupers have staged a wide variety of productions at Northleigh's Village Hall. A one-night entertainment at the Harvest supper that year has grown into a regular annual production. We are always looking for members, so if you are interested in acting or helping behind the scenes, do get in touch. Rehearsals at Northleigh's village hall usually start at 7.45pm each Thursday evening from mid September until performance dates in late March or early April. Ask any member of the Troupers for details of the current production.
The Happiest Days of Your Life
Contact Email: Troupers@gmx.com
Our annual event this year was a very demanding performance involving several new members. We hope you enjoyed it and the following review from Richard Land explains in more detail.
Surely any winter blues still lurking in Northleigh were dispelled in the first week of April when The Valley Troupers performed this play by John Dighton. Ba Faraday gave yet another fine performance as the principal of St. Swithins, a girls' school billeted on a boys' school in error due to incompetent Civil Servants. Another formidable lady for Ba, if ever the Troupers take on The Importance of Being Earnest, they will know who to cast as Lady Bracknell! As her opposite number, the Headmaster of the boys' school, a newcomer to the Troupers, Philip Goddard, gave a commanding performance, growing in authority as the evening progressed. As assistant masters, Graham Cole and Mike Faraday made a good comedy duo, sparking off one another. Indeed, a feature of the play was the way the careful diction of the players highlighted the wit within the dialogue.
On the ladies side, Susan Childs brought strong echoes of Joyce Grenfell to the part, while Amanda Furnival, always a joy to watch, sported a very fetching hat. Tim Bucknell raised many a laugh as the put-upon porter, Rainbow. Brian North, Judy Watts, Pat Conway and Billie Hodge all brought enthusiasm and talent to their roles as parents involved in a riot of misunderstandings. The future of the Troupers is surely assured with such talent as that displayed by the youngest members of the cast, Merry Westall and Harrison Bricknell as wicked pupils.
Sound and lighting were again in the safe hands of Simon Potter, the set was effective, and Ronald Searle cartoons, lovingly re-created by the Northleigh Art Group gave the right ambience to the hall. The back stage crew were as efficient as always. The Prompt, Liz Lindsay, did have some work to do on the first night, but may well have become redundant by the final performance. A full house was expected each night.
The village is fortunate to have a group of people prepared to put so much time and effort into providing three evenings of good entertainment. Those fortunate enough to have seen this production must have enjoyed one of The Happiest Evenings of their Life!
Join the company? Although those involved in this year's production will now be enjoying a well deserved rest, it won't be too long before it is time to start thinking about future shows. What started as an entertainment for the Northleigh Harvest supper in 1992 for one night only has grown into a regular annual production by the Valley Troupers. Ba Faraday has produced these plays for the last seventeen years. Whilst relying on a core of stalwarts the company has enjoyed contributions from many local people. Some for just one production; others for many more before retiring or moving on. Young and old are drawn together by an enjoyment of what they are doing.
Tempted to join? New members are always welcomed to help back stage or 'tread the boards'. Both players and play goers were fascinated by the list of past performances.
The Village Hall has a long tradition of local performing art, indeed the opening celebrations in May 1933 included a contribution by the Colyton Concert Party performed on the, then, brand new stage! The Troupers' 17 year run is an impressive contribution to that tradition.