Category: Recreation: Theatre, Drama, Pantomime, Stage Show

Robin Hood – The Pantomime At The Woolstore Theatre, Codford

Saturday 1st November 2025

The Woolstore Theatre , Codford – Presents
Robin Hood – The Pantomime
Join the merry adventure – as Robin Hood The Pantomime comes to Codford (Oh Yes It Does )
Steal away for a night of laughter, songs and post-Christmas cheer with our family pantomime.
Dates:
Friday 9th January – 7.30pm
Saturday 10th January -2.30pm matinee
Saturday 10th January -7.30pm
Sunday 11th January – 2.30pm matinee
—–
Thursday 15th January – 7.30pm
Friday 16th January -7.30pm
Saturday 17th January – 2.30pm matinee
Saturday 17th January – 7.30pm

All Tickets £12 – on sale now.
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-woolstore…/e-vzxzzz

Woolstore Theatre Codford | Facebook

Warminster Town Council Has Given £35,000 To Warminster Athenaeum

Thursday 16th January 2025

Press release from Warminster Town Council:

Warminster Town Council has awarded significant investment to upgrade Warminster Athenaeum.

In line with the recommendations of the CIL Working Group, councillors approved £30,000 for stage technology upgrades and £5,000 for emergency roof repairs with money coming from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This was match funded by a grant of £30,000 from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

The investment will allow Wiltshire’s oldest working theatre to purchase a new lighting desk, dimmer packs and replace microphones – enabling Warminster Athenaeum to maintain existing enthusiastic groups and continue to attract high quality touring acts to the town. Additional funding will be spent repairing the roof damaged in Storm Darragh, protecting the building for the future.

The decision was made by councillors at a Full Council meeting on Monday 13th January and is part of a wider aim of investing in and maintaining Warminster assets – making the town an attractive place to live and work.

Cllr Steve Jeffries said: “I was thrilled that the town council has voted to award this essential funding to the Athenaeum. This funding will allow the Athenaeum to upgrade and replace existing out of date equipment, with modern energy efficient replacements, which will enable this wonderful facility to continue putting on brilliant shows for the local community.”

CIL is a planning charge payable by developers on any new development. The Warminster Town Council policy is that its share of the CIL should be spent on investment in the public realm and public facilities that support the community.

Warminster Athenaeum will report back to Warminster Town Council on the completion of the project.

For more information on Warminster Athenaeum, Tel: 01985 213891 or email: info@theath.co.uk.

One Act Double-Bill By Athenaeum Youth Theatre, Warminster

Saturday 15th June 1985

One Act Double-Bill
Last winter a new drama group was formed in Warminster with the intention of providing opportunities for young people to learn about and enjoy various aspects of stage-craft and to produce themselves three or four theatre shows a year.

They called themselves the Athenaeum Youth Theatre, and from Thursday 13th June to Saturday 15th June 1985 they made their debut at Warminster Arts Centre, when they dished up two comical helpings in the form of a One Act Double-Bill.

The plots of each are not really relevant. What is important is how well or otherwise the group managed to deal with the material. On the whole they did very well, and there were some moments and performances that were very good indeed.

Dean Lawrie, Marcus Tilt, and Neil Grant, in Robert King’s Red Spy At Night were all worthy of note and on the technical side one must mention the excellent sound and lighting effects that opened this spoof-thriller.

Undoubtedly though, the highlights of the evening were two performances in the second of the two plays, Ladies, This Is War by Anthony Booth. Nadine Rack’s Lady Alicia Smythe was splendidly ghastly; voice, face and gestures all quite in character and not at all overdone. Lucy Toomey’s petty Elaine was a delight; a comical, quaint impersonation right down to her feet (particularly her feet – what a lovely, tripping, little walk).

There were some conspicuous faults as well. In the first piece some unfortunate masking – that is, players standing too close or in front of each other. And on occasions in both plays the elocution was not what it might have been – a line lost in an accent or unheard as a player left the stage. These are important considerations, but errors few enough on the Friday night to allow for a very worthwhile and entertaining show.

What a pity then that so few people ventured out to give them a try, twenty-eight being the most that bothered in one evening. Remember that this is only the beginning. There are already plans for a musical in January. This youth theatre has really got something, so let’s hope that by that time they can reckon a rather more encouraging response to their efforts.

The Dumb Waiter And The Dock Brief ~ Not The National Theatre At Warminster Arts Centre

Sunday 14 October 1984

Danny Howell writes:

The Dumb Waiter And The Dock Brief
Not The National Theatre presented two plays at Warminster Arts Centre, yesterday evening (Saturday 13th October 1984). I went along to see the performances and he has penned the following review:

Warminster was particularly blessed last night with a visit by the Not The National Theatre, a touring company who have recently formed as an off-shoot of the National Theatre, and they performed two plays with workshop treatment: Harold Pinter’s “The Dumb Waiter‘ and John Mortimer’s “The Dock Brief‘.

I thoroughly enjoyed both of them, not only because they are both excellent plays but also because of the performances by the two players, Timothy Davies and Roger Gartland. Their previous experience with the National Theatre certainly showed.

This was the first time I had come into contact with “The Dumb Waiter‘ and I found myself enchanted and intrigued as the storyline progressed. For the first five or ten minutes there was no dialogue and as the play commenced the rather basic workshop set gave no clues either and it was quite a while before I found out what the two characters were about. It was also quite a while before we were introduced rather suddenly and noisily to the dumb waiter.

“The Dock Brief‘ was much less heavy but just as entertaining. The two pieces are similar in that they were both written in the 1950s and both consist of the banter between two men in different but set-situations. That’s precisely why Roger and Timothy chose to present the two plays together and as an idea it certainly works.

Afterwards, at Roger and Timothy’s invitation, some of us stayed behind to talk to them about their presentation and to voice our own humble opinions. Much of this informal chat centred upon Pinter’s work which seems to pose several questions and leaves most of them unanswered.

Roger told us of a lady who once wrote to Pinter asking him who he was, who his characters were and where were they going, etc., so that she might be able to understand his play; only to receive a letter back from Pinter asking who she was and where she was going, etc., so that he might understand her letter!

When asked of their plans for the future Timothy and Roger said that they were looking for similar plays to present and had thought of trying some of the new American works; and while these posed some risks they would be eligible for cash aid.

They then stirred all our imaginations by telling us that following “The Dumb Waiter‘ and “The Dock Brief‘, they were seriously contemplating about performing Pinter’s “The Caretaker‘.

Let’s hope that they can get that plan off the ground and ask that they return to Warminster soon with it. That’ll be a treat I can hardly wait for.

Mother Goose ~ Pantomime By The Athenaeum Variety Group, Warminster, 1974

The Athenaeum Variety Group
presents
Mother Goose

Written and Produced by Geoff Payne

Athenaeum Arts Centre
Warminster

Monday 4th February to Saturday 9th February
and
Thursday 14th February to Saturday 16th February
1974

Doors Open 7.00 p.m. Curtain up 7.30 p.m.

Seats 40p and 35p.
Children (under fourteen) and Senior Citizens 25p.

No smoking in the Auditorium.

Cast
Wendy – Glenda Murray
Tom – Susan Reynolds
Dame – John (Taffy) Jenkins
Baron Goodyear – Richard Owen
The Goose – David G. Payne
Dock (policeman) – Archie Lawson
Green (policeman) – Bert Clews
Zeke (robber) – Len Jenkins
Sam (robber) – Barry Mole
Jake (robber) – W. David Payne
Merlin – Geoff Payne
Fairy Nuff – Dorothy Fear

Dancers
Nicola White and Elizabeth Cotton

Chorus
Deborah Sheil
Carol Pimm
Susan Fox
Barbara Grevatt
Laonie McNulty
Shirley Hampton
Debbie Reynolds
Sandra Balderstone
Pat Kinman
Marlene Hancock
Silvanna Holton
Valerie House

Act One
Scene One – Market Place
Richard Owen, Glenda Murray, Taffy Jenkins,
Archie Lawson, Bert Clews,
Susan Reynolds, Goose, Chorus.

Scene Two – The Wizard’s Cave
Dancers, Geoff Payne, Susan Reynolds,
Goose, Dorothy Fear.

Scene Three – The Road To The Woods
Barry Mole, Len Jenkins, David Payne,
Susan Reynolds, Goose, Archie Lawson,
Bert Clews, Glenda Murray,
Taffy Jenkins, Richard Owen.

Interval

Act Two
Scene One – In The Woods
Barry Mole, Len Jenkins, David Payne,
Goose, Susan Reynolds, Geoff Payne,
Dorothy Fear, Archie Lawson,
Bert Clews, Taffy Jenkins.

Scene Two – Market Place
Richard Owen, Glenda Murray,
Taffy Jenkins, Archie Lawson,
Bert Clews, Susan Reynolds, Goose.

Scene Three – The Carnival
Full Cast.

Dancers trained by Miss Gloria Sloper.

Script by Geoff Payne.
Music by Bernie Reynolds.
Drummer Steve Reynolds.
Produced by Geoff Payne.
Costumes by
Eileen Jenkins, Carol Barnett, Peggy Reynolds.
Scenery Design by Barry Mole.
Sound and Effects by Harry Barnett.
Props and Scenery by
Barry Mole, Archie Lawson, Ann Curtis
Alan Curtis, John Curtis and Richard Owen.
Lighting by Barry Wright.
Stage Manager Tony Barnett.
Front-House Manager Harry Barnett.
Assisted by Tony Lapham.
Publicity by Richard Owen.

The Athenaeum Variety Group wish to thank
stage-crew, usherettes, and others
not mentioned in the programme
who have willingly given their help
to make this show possible.

Box Office – Athenaeum Arts Centre,
Warminster, Wilts.
Open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 Noon.
Telephone Warminster 3891.

Dances And Social Events In Warminster, 1971

Information gleaned from a Warminster Town Guide, 1971:

Dances and other social events are held from time to time at the Youth Centre and the Longleat Restaurant, Old Bell and Bath Arms hotels. Plays and concerts are presented by the Warminster Amateur Dramatic Society and the Revue Group of the Warminster Youth Club.

The Warminster Dramatic Society – Witness For The Prosecution, 1963

From the Lucky Programme:

The Warminster Dramatic Society
presents
Witness For The Prosecution
by
Agatha Christie.

The Regal Cinema
Warminster

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
April 22nd 23rd 24th 1963
7.30 p.m.

Programme Price – One Shilling.

______

Witness For The Prosecution
A play by Agatha Christie.

Play produced by Norman Woolf

Synopsis of Scenes

Act I
Chambers of Sir Wilfred Robarts Q.C.

Act II
Central Criminal Court. Six weeks later.

Act III
Scene I
Chambers of Sir Wilfred Robarts Q.C. Same evening.

Act III
Scene II
Central Criminal Court. Next morning.

_______

Characters in order of appearance:

Greta – Typist to Sir Wilfred : Marilyn Fitz
Carter – Sir Wilfred’s Clerk : Joe Minto
Mr. Mayhew – A Solicitor : Bill Stone
Leonard Vole : Michael Upsall
Sir Wilfred Robarts Q.C. : Colin Grant
Inspector Hearne : Tony Keeley
Detective : Norman Woolf
Romaine : Hilary Watkin-Price
Clerk of Court : Reg Brely
Mr. Justice Wainwright : Joe Minto
Mr. Myers Q.C. : Eustace Middleton
Court Usher : Richard Yates
Policeman : Graham Weare
Dr. Wyatt – Emlyn Rees
Janet Mackenzie : Molly Dale
Mr. Clegg – Laboratory Assistant : Bruce Davis
Other Woman : Anne MacEwan
Barristers and Members of Jury

______

Stage Manager : Norman Flack
Assistant Stage Manager : Emlyn Rees
Lighting : Arthur Edwards
Publicity : Sylvia Shuttlewood
Music played by Bill Stone
Electric organ by kind permission of Emlyn Rees
Prompter : Anne MacEwan

House Manager : David Aldridge
Scenery by the Society
Scenario by Valerie Werner
Make-up : Norman Woolf
Wardrobe & Hair Styles : Joy Ball
Stage Hand : Graham Weare
Cigarettes by Wills
Programme printed by The Warminster Press Ltd.

_____

Patrons

President:
The Marquess of Bath

Vice Presidents:
G.H. Nicholls Esq.
J.J. Dewhurst Esq.
H. Kelsey Esq.
Group Captain K.P. Lewis.
A.E. Hurley Esq.
G.H. Cowles Esq.
Cdr. R. McC. P. Jonas D.S.C., R.N. (Retired).
D.H. Tucker Esq.
Mrs. K. George.
P. Kay Esq.
S. Sassoon Esq.
Mrs. V. Clarke.
H.F. Knight Esq.
Dr. N.I. Bartholomew.
A. Caruthers Daly Esq.
F.C. Taylor Esq.
A. Chew Esq.
R.P.N. Ferris Esq.
J.F.C. Brown Esq.
J.T. May Esq.
H.J.N. Richards Esq.
W. Hext Esq.
F.H. Williams Esq.
Mr. & Mrs. H. Mitchell.
Mr. & Mrs. A. Shuttlewood.
Mr. & Mrs. H.P. Curtis.
Mr. & Mrs. V.J. Robinson.
Major J.C. Walker.
Capt. A.H. Morley.
P.A.F. Carr Esq.
F.S. Webb Esq.

“Claudius The Bee”

Tuesday 20th February 1962

Kingdown School, Warminster
presents
“Claudius The Bee”
A play in three acts
by
John Leeming and Gordon Bell
in the School Hall
February 20th, 21st & 22nd 1962
at 7.30 p.m.

“Claudius The Bee”
by John Leeming and Gordon Bell.

Characters
Captain Of Guard – Anthony Kelly
Pollen Bee – Doreen Ruddle
Press Bee – Pamela Cannings
Vulgar Bee – Brenda Winchcombe
Juniper Loosestrife – Diana Fotheringham
Oswego – David Goater
Herald – Sally Howell
Claudius – Glen Shuttlewood
Prof. Bugloss – Paul Brewer
Colonel Mainsting – David Everett
Bank Bee – Beverley Grist
Black Michael – Sonia Cook
Mr. Tawney – Andrew Hicks
Tailor Bee – Roberta Dale
Wasp Sentry – John Bennett
The Boss – Andrew Kilpatrick
Young Bee – Celia Beaumont
Young Bee – Linda Biles
Young Bee – Richard Bond
Young Bee – Beverly Newport
Other Bee – Linda Hilliard
Other Bee – Pamela Earney
Other Bee – Rosemary Chant
Other Wasp – Geraldine Holton
Other Wasp – Veronica Collins
Other Wasp – Lesley Ingram

The play was first produced on December 23rd, 1943, at the
“Q” Theatre, London.

Act I. Outside The Nest. A sunny afternoon in July.
Act II. The Great Hall inside the Nest. Later that afternoon.
Act III. Same as Act I. A little later.

Characters In The Play
The Pollen Bee is the studious type/
The Captain of The Guard is like any young officer from Sandhurst.
The Vulgar Bee is a nice friendly charwoman.
Miss Juniper Loosestrife is any giggly middle-aged spinster.
Oswego is a round, fat, little old man, very fond of his tummy.
The Press Bee is one of those smart, busy young ladies
from Fleet Street.
Claudius is a fine, benevolent old man, rather like a kindly bishop.
The Professor is very vague and little and bewildered.
Colonel Mainsting is a sweet, blustering old man of the
Colonel Blimp school. Full of awful fire, but with a kind heart.
Black Michael is pale and thin, with burning, fanatical eyes. A nasty,
slimy, crawling creature.
Mr. Tawney is any nice, tough, little boy.
The Wasp Sentry is a simple, young soldier, not very bright
and a conscript in the Wasp Army.
The Boss is a caricature of one of those old-time Chicago gangsters,
but he speaks with a German style.

Between Acts II & III there will be an interval
during which refreshments will be served.

The play was produced by Mr. D. Watkin-Price,
assisted by Mr. J.D. Warwick.
Prompt – Christine Cosh.
Stage-Managers and Sets designed by Mr. S. Jones and Mr. C. Watson.
Lights – Mr. P. Briggs and Mr. L.D. Wyer.
Stage Construction – Mr. D.J. Cosh.
Costumes – Miss D. Hughes.
Properties by Mrs. E.M. Mead and Mrs. R.C. Griffen.
Music and Sound – Mr. K.L. Francis.
Refreshments – Mrs. V. Howes and Miss C.A.F. Critchell.
Front of House Manager – Mr. E.S. Walter.
Business Manager – Mr. P. Kay.
Make-Up – Mr. D. Watkin-Price, Valerie Coleman, Susan Byfield.

Thanks are expressed to all who have helped to make
this production possible.

The programme was printed by Coates & Parker,
printers, Warminster.

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