DADS News & Comment

DADS News & Comment, Scandle & Wit

Essentially this is YOUR page. If you want to have a say then you can say it here. You can submit copy and pics via email or by hand to the editor (TC). All we ask is that you keep it Legal, Honest and reasonably Decent. Try and keep the topics vaguely Drama related but if you've lost your cat then let us know. Now I know DRAMA! is supposed to be deadly serious but may be you've a joke or, dare i say it, a funny story you'd like to share with us... who knows? Or perhaps you'd just like to comment on the website. Let's hear.

Dunsfold Village Fete...
Saturday 7th June 2008
Well that went quite well I thought.
The fete was opened by Trevor Nunn and his wife Imogen Stubbs and soon got off to a flying start with three numbers from the cast of Stand By Your Beds (A Brand New Musical) who are supporting, and raising support for, the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. There was a dog show, a knobbly knees kontest enthusiastically judged by Jane Sweatman, a roving reporter (James Reynolds), lots of stalls run by the different village societies, displays by the Fire Service and Camtune, a hogroast, kiddies races, interactive drumming and much much more. Oh.. and a vicar dressed as a tart, but more on that later.
DADS attracted its fayre share of attention with our two stalls 'Splat the Rat' and 'Damp the Dame'. 'Splat the Rat' was popular with the little'ns, although Dad or Mum were sometimes expected to help out but, for some reason, 'Damp the Dame' held a certain fascination for children of a somewhat older persuasion.

It has to be said that the most popular of our nine Dames was Canon Paul whose striking resemblance to Carmen Miranda ( see pics ) had old and young alike cueing to hurl water laden sponges at him, notwithstanding his rather soggy rejoinders along the lines of '..don't expect me to marry you now'.

Proceeds from the fete were in excess of £3500.00 and will be going to various charities.
DADS would like to extend its thanks to all those who helped out on our stalls, especially the Dames, and of course to Sue Bowden, James Reynolds and all who helped to organise proceedings.

"They gave us a glass of non-alcoholic bubbly so it was really nice. We've been waiting all over Christmas but we definitely won't forget what we were doing on New Year's Eve."
Joanna said Hannah was now at home and becoming acquainted with her older brother, one-year-old Adam.
"I wouldn't say he's pleased, but he's taking an interest. She's been very good since we got her home," added Joanna.
A hospital spokesman said Hannah was the first of eight babies born there on Tuesday.

Little Hannah's a big star
Ian and Joanne Jones with their new baby Hannah.
It was an extra special start to the New Year for one Dunsfold family, who celebrated the birth of their second child at the Royal Surrey County Hospital.
Hannah Jones made her entrance into the world just 10 minutes after the midnight chimes, much to the delight of parents Joanna, 33, and Ian, 35.
Weighing a healthy 9lb 15oz, Hannah has the distinction of being the first baby to be born at the Egerton Road hospital in 2008. Having been due on December 19, Joanna said Hannah's impeccable sense of timing made the occasion even more memorable.
"There were two or three of us ready to give birth so the midwives were having a bit of a competition on who would be the first," she said. "The midwife was very good and all the care we received was brilliant.

DADS Welcomes its newest member...
January 2008
Jo Jones has been a popular member of DADS (not that there are any unpopular ones) since she joined us in 2005. We'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate Jo (direction & casting) and Ian (installation & maintenance) on their latest production with a reprint of the following Surrey Advertiser article.

DADS Poetry Evening...
Saturday 5th July 2008

On a brisk but pleasant evening on 5th July, some 35 people gathered to read and listen to poems around the theme of 'weather'.
The programme, skillfully compiled by David Airey, covered such diverse subject matter as forecasting and prediction, to the vagaries of clouds and fog. Each reader brought their own interpretations, and some combined their rendition with brief and amusing contextual anecdotes or biographies of the poet concerned. The aforementioned poets ranging from Shakespeare to A A Milne.

Our hosts, Pam and Peter Curry, as always made us very welcome in their barn, which provided a splendid setting for such a very English topic.
This being Dunsfold, the event was smoothed along with the help of Julian and Joanna Richardson, who made sure our glasses were rarely empty, and John Simper who performed a similar service for our stomachs.
We also thank Shirley and John Jeffrey for acting as compare and gatekeeper respectively.

It was with some excitement, and cold legs, that members of DADS and the Dunsfold Congregation joined together for the two Mystery Plays on 7 September, in the lovely Medieval setting of St Mary's and All Saints Church. Roger and Olivia Nash gave a moving performance as Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac, assisted by Jonathan Mason's thunderous God.

The Shepherd's Play, involving as it did several shepherds, rogues and saintly beings was a more complicated and light-hearted play, with a serious message. The audience greatly enjoyed the antics of Gillian Kisch, Mary Ann Pryor, Paul Jenkins, Mary Murphy and Shirley Garland as shepherds or rogues tending, stealing and counting sheep. The action (and imminent murder) was brought to a reflective point by Tony Cannings, playing against type as the Angel Gabriel. The ensuing tableaux with Mary and Joseph (Judith Lahey-Bean and Maurice Goddard) made a beautiful spectacle.

Both performances were ably supported by a talented group of musicians and choir, all from the village, completing the liturgical celebration of Agnus Dei. Such was the unprecidented demand that two performances took place, the whole spectacle made more impressive by the kind loan of costumes from Wintershall.
Mention must of course be made of Canon Paul Morgan Jenkins who, in true traditions of theatre, proved to be a flexible and

Member's BBQ...
Sunday 17th August 2008

Despite the rather cloudy, cold and windy weather the usual 'good time' was had by all.
Jonathan and TC manned the hot coals to provide a tasty selection of char grilled meats, naturally cooked to perfection, amply supported by various salady dishes and sweets etc. kindly provided by various committee & other members.

Jonathan of course proffered his usual delicious home smoked salmon courtesy of his delicious home smoker shaped like a steam train which, when in full blast, reminds one rather of a demonic Thomas the Tank Engine on some satanic quest.
Given the inclemency of the weather Jon's kind invitation to use his pool was, to coin a phrase, somewhat cooly received although some of us had brought our cossies.

Our thanks are of course extended to both Jonathan & Sarah for hosting the event and putting up with us.

Jonathan & Sarah's gaff.

The assembled throng.