Theatre
We are a very lively, active and friendly Group meeting every 3rd Thursday morning of the month when members choose and help organize trips. We go to live and live-streamed theatre, music and dance in and around Cornwall and beyond.
We use public transport where possible. When cars are required transport depends on availability of drivers.
Group contact: Jenny MacDonald
Telephone: 01208 873933
There is sometimes a waiting list to join this group. Please contact Jenny for more information either by phone or by clicking on the blue contact button above
April 2022
We have been pleased to welcome three new members to the group which has absorbed our waiting list for the present.
Nine planned events were enjoyed in March and eight in April, with an occasional trip added spontaneously which shows our delight in the recovery of theatres locally. We have have been to a variety venues from the new Hall for Cornwall to St Bart's, Lostwithiel and the intimate Old Library, Bodmin.
Plans in the pipeline include Davey Hall, singer 8 May, Haydn's Creation, Liskeard 14 May, Calvino Nights, Heligan 27 May, Show of Hands, Carnglaze Caverns 28 May
Further ahead As You Like It at Pentillie Garden 20 July, King Lear at Boconnoc Gdns 27 July, I am Kevin on Crlyon Beach, Singing in the Rain at Theatre Royal 20 Aug, Pam Ayres at H4C, Truro 18 Sept plus two ballets and an opera in the autumn.
February 2022
I was wrong, last month, that the Minack in March would be too cold - a few folk have booked and will be braving the cliff-tops! It is so good to have a busy theatre diary again, we are looking forward to the following and thank the lovely members who take turns arranging our trips.
3/3/22 Fascinating Aida at H4C (Pat) 3/3 Book of Dust at Capitol Bodmin
10/3 Skank at Bodmin Old LIbrary 12/3 Sorry, you're Not a Winner at Drum TRP (Carol)
18/3 Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at H4C Truro (Ann H)
21/3 Jazz Jam Bodmin Old Library (Sue L) 26/3 Reg Meuross at Devoran (Sue L)
31/3 Animal Farm H4C (Val) Wuthering Heights H4C (Judy) 5/4 Jenufa TRP (Anne F)
7,8,9/4 Old People Are Revolting Lostwithiel Comedy of Errors H4C (Anne F)
21/4 Henry V Capitol cinema (Annie) and The Lerryn Revue in due course.
January 2022
We start the new year with nine events to look forward to in a wide range of genres.
Many ideas were considered but we ruled out Carl Grose's 'Superstitious Mountain' as it was at the Minack and too chilly in March! Our new plans are as follows:-
Don Quixote, Birmingham ballet at Theatre Royal, Plymouth 19th March, arranged by Judy
Carpenters Story, T.R.P on 27th March
Animal Farm with puppets, T.R.P. 31st March matinee booked by Val
An overnight trip to Bristol Old Vic for Mark Rylance in Dr Semmelweis last weekend of Jan.
Comedy of Errors at Hall for Cornwall 10th April. Some of these needed to be booked during the meeting while good seats still available, other bookings will be held so latecomers can join us more easily.
Next meeting is 10.30am February 17th
December 2021
Covid is again responsible for some events being cancelled, however so far we have been lucky. All the 2022 bookings shown below from Novembers meeting are now booked but if you wish to join us please buy your own ticket and 'join the party', the organizer can tell you where we are sitting if seats are numbered.
After the meeting we enjoyed a lovely Christmas lunch at the Royal Oak, a treat to be socializing again.
Our new choices are:-
Lau, Scottish folk group, St Petrocs, Bodmin Feb 19th £18.50 contact Gillie H.
Skank, comedy drama, Old Library Bodmin. March 10th Carol W.
Jenufa. opera, T.R.P. Plymouth April 5th £32 Anne F.
Jazz Jam, Simon Latarch, Old Library. £10 Sue L.
Lerryn Revue. Date to be advised
Our January meeting is on Thursday 20th, 10.30am at Royal Oak, when we hope to welcome our two new members.
November 2021
We enjoyed five outings over the last month and have discussed lots of new ideas at this months meeting, which was well attended. So here are our plans..........
27/11/21 Shylock at Harrowbarrow V.H. arranged by Anne F
27/11 La Vie en Rose Mount Folly, Bodmin
28/11 and 1/12 Anything Goes Capitol, Bodmin Carol (28th) Judy (1st)
3 and 4/12 Lerryn Unlocked Lerryn V.H. Postponed due to Covid surge
9/12 Johnny Cowling Sings Gospel St Petrocs discussed/possible
16/12 Meeting at 11.30 followed by Christmas Lunch at 12.30. Royal Oak. Jenny
And for next year.....
26/1/22 Private Lives matinee, Hall for Cornwall Ann H by train
27/1 Leopoldstadt Capitol Cinema, Bodmin Carol
10/2 Groan Ups matinee Hall for Cornwall Jenny by train
3/3 Fascinating Aida H4C evening Pat Transport to be decided
2/4 Wuthering Heights H4C matinee Judy
October 2021
September 2021
A number of our plans have been thwarted due to Covid cancellations including visits to Sterts, Heligan, Lerryn and Minack.
Our first outdoor trip was to hear 'The Countrymen' Fortunately our big treat (with food) to Miracle's 'Star Crazy at Tregrehan was a great evening - the best of 'old times' 'Six' at TRP returned after it's cancellation last year and was well supported.Visits to both Pentillie (food again) and Sterts for Illyria's 'HMS Pinafore'were enjoyed.
Bookings made for 'The Dresser' at Theatre Royal, Plymouth Oct 21st and also Fisherman's Friends the Musical on both Oct 16th and 23rd. The latter being the debut show at Truro's new Hall for Cornwall.Next meeting 16th October
Summer 2020
Trips are planned to Sterts for 'Dis-Danced', 'Gun' and HMS Pinafore. Minack for Great Gatsby, Restormel Castle for Miracle's King Lear (which they inform us Shakespeare wrote in a lockdown during the plague). We are still exchanging news of a plethora of online music events and plays.
July 11th
Outdoor theatre and music, socially distanced can be resumed!
Illyria and Miracle companies immediately reported plans for summer productions which we look forward to supporting.
June2020
We continue to share lots of online streamings to watch at home and have get-togethers via Zoom to keep in touch. We also plan picnics in the park. It is sad to see theatres and companies struggling to survive without an income but still having overheads to meet.
March 2020
Unfortunately we had to cancel our March meeting and will not be able to recommence until social distancing can end, and indeed , when we know what will be available to book. This is a sad time for theatres and production companies alike and some will find it hard to survive.
The Miracle company say that Shakespeare wrote King Lear while in isolation during the plague. Sterts theatre are maintaining their humour by suggesting we look out for 'Lady Macbeth' soap!
February 2020
Sterts, Minack and our favourite outdoor theatre companies are beginning to announce their season's programmes. We have chosen the following - just for 'starters'! They are open for booking at our next meeting on 19th March.
29th May Miracle's King Lear at Restormel Castle
24th July Sterts Company's Guys and Dolls at Upton Cross
1st Tower Theatre's Great Gatsby at Minack
We also have The Kite Runner 7th May TRP, Six TRP and the live streaming of National Theatrs The Welkin 21st May to anticipate. Tickets for The Welkin still available (Jenny)
January 2020
At this months meeting we took a preliminary look at this years Minnack Theatre programme and will make choices next month. If our best laid plans fall into place we will use the Lerryn mini-bus thanks to a kind volunteer driver.
Movie Magic discount cards from Capitol cinema, Bodmin are proving popular and appear to suit our ticket buying system.
Two events have been suggested with only a couple of members interested so they are making their own arrangements. It's good that the group is useful in this way, a contrast to booking lists of 18 for an event.
Feb 20th Carol is arranging 'The Coastguard' at Bodmin Old Library
Feb 22nd Mat. 3 people are going to 'Measure for Measure' at TRP Lyric by train. There are still a few seats available direct from TRP.
TRP Drum offered us tickets for 'Drink Rum with Expats' for just £5 ! TRP direct (on-line/phone) before midnight on Sunday 19th On from Jan 28 till Feb 1st, possible to go by train in evening. One member booked straight away for Thurs eve.
We'll meet again on Feb 20th so please bring your suggestions for further outings.
December2019
We are starting off the new year with a great variety of eleven new events:-
Jan 24 Underbelly venue as yet undisclosed (but somewhere in Union St, Plymouth )arranged by TRP. £5 Ann H.
Feb 4 Kinky Boots, streaming at Bodmin. Val
Feb 20-22 Lostwithiel Players, Church Rooms. Helen will give us information when it is available, we will buy own tickets locally.
Feb 28 Ashton Lane folk duo, Lerryn Hall £9. Ann H.
and also
Feb 28 Sean Lakeman/Kathryn Roberts, St Austell Arts theatre, £15. Sue has info
Mar 14 Amsterdam, TRP Drum. mat. £11. Rosie
Mar 15 Peter Knight/John Spiers St Austell Arts theatre ( possibly the whole Gigspanner band ) £15. Sandra
April 2 or 4 mat. Swan Lake, TRP Lyric mat. Carol
May 7 The Kite Runner, TRP Lyric mat. £23 good seats reserved, some still available, RosieMay 21 The Welkin, National Theatre, streamed at Bodmin Annie
May 31 'Six' a new musical TRP Lyric. mat. £33.50 good seats reserved, some still available. Judy
Our next meeting is the usual 3rd Thursday of month - Jan 16th
NOVEMBER 2019
Once more we had a waiting list as two people want to join our busy group. We have since been able to welcome one them and are keeping the other informed of our activities and hope she can join some of our events.
Currently we have seven events to look forward to - one being a lunch when the conversation may reflect our own comedies and dramas.....?
We have now added
Lerryn's Christmas Crackers , Ann brought tickets to the meeting for Dec 6th and 7th
Lost in Song's Cornish Carols of the Diaspora at St Bart's. Dec 7th buying tickets individually.
Ceremony of Carols by E.C.B.Choir at St Petroc's tickets from Anne F. Dec 14th
Knight and Spiers folk music at Calstock. Tickets from CRBO Dec15th
Oh No It Isn't, Bodmin Old Library. Organized by Val on Dec 17th
Priscilla Queen of the Desert, TRP. Pat, on Dec 21st
And in 2020
Mary Poppins at Bodmin College in Jan - however when Carol tried to book they had already sold out.
Kite Runner at TRP . Rosie has made a group booking for May 3rd
Many ideas were forthcoming and we had to choose carefully as several dates clashed, including
'I think I would explode' - 3 plays by Charles Causley, Les Mis and Cats both live at Bodmin cinema,
Next month's meeting is Dec 19th when we shall make arrangements for 'I think We Are Alone' at TRP, 'Amsterdam' at the Drum and Swan Lake.
UPDATED 20TH OCTOBER 2019
DATE |
EVENT |
VENUE |
ORGANISER |
DRIVER/S |
PRICE / COMMENTS |
17 October
|
Midsummer Night’s Dream |
Live streaming St Austell |
Ann H |
|
Tickets at the theatre. Meet 6.15 in the car park. |
26 October |
Women in Mind |
Menheniot + meal
|
Carol |
|
Supper at 6.15 |
1 November |
Confessions of a Cockney temple dancer |
Calstock |
Ann H |
|
Cancelled – too few people could attend. |
2 November
|
Status |
Drum matinee 2.45 start |
Jenny |
Train travel |
Jenny to be in touch on her return re travel/meal options. |
7 November
|
Hansard
|
Live streaming St Austell |
Ann H |
|
|
Sunday 10 November 5.00pm |
42nd Street |
Streaming to Bodmin cinema |
Jenny M |
|
£12.50
|
17 November 3.00pm
|
Elves & Shoemaker |
Bodmin Old Library |
Val |
|
Meet 2.00pm in LCC car park for 3.00pm show. |
28 November |
Present Laughter |
Streaming to St Austell
|
Ann H |
|
£10.20 |
30 November
|
Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel |
TRP Drum 2.45pm |
Judy
|
Train |
£11 conc (£13 full) |
26 November – 22 Dec |
Christmas |
Old Library |
Val |
Discuss in November |
|
6 and 7 December |
Lerryn’s Christmas Crackers |
Lerryn Memorial Hall, 7.00 for 7.30 |
Ann H |
Minibus available from Lostwithiel (and back) |
£7 - Tickets at Nov meeting |
14 December |
Ceremony of Carols by East Cornwall Bach Choir |
St Petroc’s |
Anne F |
|
Tickets to be available at November meeting |
29 December
|
Les Gloriables |
|
|
|
No take-up |
January
|
Mary Poppins |
Bodmin College |
Carol
|
Discuss in November |
|
? |
Kite Runner |
TRP |
Rosie |
Discuss in November |
|
Thursday 12 DECEMBER LUNCH |
BOOKED 12.30 FOR 1.00 | Booked for 16 incl. Jenny and Judy |
Cash and cheque payments to the organiser.
( Online payments and cheques should specify Lostwithiel Area U3A, not individuals.)
SEPTEMBER 2019
Despite the absence of several regular members there were eighteen attendees enjoying refreshments and sharing ideas at this months meeting.
New plans include Camp Theatres 'Woman in Mind' at Menheniot. Last years production was enjoyed by all, as was the pre-show meal, so we shall do this again on 26th October. Carol is booking this for us.
Next is '42nd Street' streamed to the new Bodmin cinema, Jenny arranging for Sunday 10th Nov.
Followed by 'Elves and the Shoemaker' a matinee on 17th November arranged by Val. This is in the lovely little venue created in the Old Bodmin Library.
Then on 28th November Ann H is booking Noel Cowards 'Present Laughter'. A production by National Theatre, streamed to St Austell cinema.
This is a busy week as it is followed by 'The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel' at TRP Drum, a matinee on 30th Nov, tickets via Judy.
The evening of 1st December brings 'Confessions of a Cockney Temple Dancer' to Calstock's Art Centre. Arranged by Ann H.
An amazing variety in these six new events, enjoy!
AUGUST 2019
There are two great dance companies giving outdoor performances at present. Southpaw have a show called Icarus in Liskeard and St Austell and Yskynna have a vertical dance telling the tale of a balmaiden, Estah's Story at Heartlands heritage mine site, Redruth. Members will go to both according to the weather situation.
We have two live streamed events planned and hope to use the new Bodmin cinema.
Midsummer Night's Dream on 17 Oct (St Austell) Ann H is arranging this, also Hansard on 7th Nov, hopefully at Bodmin.
This is a lovely new 4 screen cinema in the preserved old Public Hall and is expecting its satellite for streaming to be operable late Sept.
Also up coming is 'Status' at TRP's Drum, a 'Sat mat' on 2nd Nov, Jenny arranging this.
We have been enjoying Lostwithiel's Sing Along the River on Thursday evenings throughout August.
No tickets needed, just turn up - and enjoy the food too!
JULY 2019
There have been six theatre trips in the past month and as usual members enthused over what they had seen, particularly Dead Dog in a Suitcase (Bristol Old Vic) and Gigspanner.
We are so pleased that Theatre Royal Plymouth is now offering Saturday matinees for their Drum productions. We have contacted them several times to say how much those living further afield would appreciate this as evening transport is so poor.
We were quick to choose two of these and will be going to 'Unsung' on 14 Sept and 'The Ladder' on 29 Sept, Jenny is arranging these and doubtless a lunch will also feature.
With the Kneehigh company fresh in our minds Val is organizing a trip to their Asylum marquee on Carlyon beach to see The Dancing Frog on 27 August.
Sterts are venturing into big screen films and showing Bohemian Rhapsody which Ann H is booking for us on 10 Aug.
Carol W is organizing Girl on a Train (Lyric TRP) for 5 ) October
Some members are going to HeliJazz on 9 and 10 Aug and the LAMA bus is offering transport.