GRIFFIN PLAYERS news

An online newsletter for and about members and our friends

JULY 2012

GRIFFIN PLAYERS AGM 2012

Many thanks to those who attended the Griffins AGM this year. Following his first year as Chairman, John O'Leary had the following to say in his Chairmans Report:

What a year it has been. From a mental hospital to a barn dance in just 12 months, with a couple of pantomimes thrown in for good measure. It never fails to amaze me how much we manage to fit into what seems like a short period. From four very talented directors and production teams, came 4 very different shows: One Flew over the cuckoos nest, Snow White, Cinderella 2 and most recently Footloose; each show receiving some great feedback from audiences and positive reviews from critics. It would be remiss of me to not mention the year review by Nova Horley, in which all 4 shows in 2011 were awarded. This saw a mix of directors, musical directors, actors, actresses, writers and designers within the society being mentioned for the work they had done. Well done to all who took part!

It has also been particularly nice to see our society grow in numbers, with many new faces joining us in the last year. I particularly note the young talent that joined us for our children’s pantomime and footloose, and the new faces from Dunstable that came to be part of the cuckoos nest. With many exciting shows coming up we hope to see many current members returning, and hopefully some more new faces joining as we go through our next year.

As a committee we have been pleased to see that ticket sales for our pantomime and summer show have increased year on year, on top of our play outselling other shows in its slot since I have been with the Griffins - possibly even before. In such a tough economic climate, we must be particularly grateful to our audiences for continuing to support our shows.

Across the UK the recession continues. In the Griffin Players we have managed to go against the trend of financial difficulties that many are suffering. I am pleased that we have had a successful year which has put us in a strong position moving into 2013. I would like to thank the Committee and Production Teams for working with some very tight budgets to aid our financial stability. I would also like to personally thank Richard Lovelock for managing this so effectively over the past year, and hope monthly financial updates will continue as part of the new Committee agenda.

This is a very positive position for the new committee to be starting from, however, we must ensure we do not become complacent moving forwards. Whilst we still need to maintain the high standard of performances we have achieved in the past, it still needs to be at an affordable cost. Sadly many societies and groups within the arts across the UK have succumbed to the recession, and we need to continue to be diligent if we are to ensure the future of the society.

I am also pleased that the economy has had little to no effect on our appetite to be sociable, with people flocking to our Christmas Party and Quiz meaning that more and more places needed to be made for each event - fantastic. I do enjoy a good night out, as most of you will know, and I think you will be in agreement that these did not disappoint.

Whilst there has not been quite as many organised events as previous years, it was nice to see members taking things into their own hands with many nights out being organised in and around shows. It really is great to see performers and production teams enjoying each others company, and this really does show on stage. Hopefully over our next year time can be given back to the Car Ralley and Camping Weekends which have unfortunately been squeezed out over the past year owing to full calendars, and particularly the impact of costs by the Olympics.

I would like to take this opportunity to say that is has been a pleasure to be in the role of chairman over the past year. I would like to thank the committee personally for supporting me in a very challenging role; showing me the way when I needed to find my feet, allowing my mistakes, and journeying with me as we went into some new ways of working. I feel that we have made great things happen, and in particular feel that with our new found command of social networking we really are right up there with technology (and down with the kids!).

Above all I would like to applaud the sense of teamwork that this committee has; overcoming obstacles, challenging ways of working to do things better, and working together and supporting each other along the way. It is through working together that we can become stronger as a society. Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is a success!

We have a very exciting line up for our 2012-2013 period; raising awareness and eyebrows with Calendar Girls, revising traditional tales for our children in Aladdin – The Pantomime; venturing into Oz with our Adult Panto, and welcoming Julia Fraser back for our exciting summer musical, Whistle Down the Wind. These shows offer many opportunities for members, old and new, to get involved both on and off stage. If you would like to know more about ways you can take part, please speak to the production team or a committee member for more information.

Finally, for those of you who will be standing down from the committee, I would like to thank you for all your hard work and the commitment you have shown I your time with the Griffins this year. For those who will be standing, best of luck for the journey through the next year – it won’t be an Olympic event, but it will be exciting!

John O'Leary

Chairman, Griffin Players

For further details,

visit our COMMITTEE page...

LEAVERS

The AGM saw the departure of Reece Lowen who had done a fabulous job as Social Secretary over the past year. The success of the Christmas Party received a particular mention at the AGM, and all were in agreement that this had raised the bar for the event in 2012.

Ben Houghton and Karen Franks also stood down from the Committee. Many thanks to them all for the hard work and committment that they have shown to the society over the past year.

WHO IS NEW!?

Following their appearance recently in Footloose, we are thrilled to welcome Luke Murphy and Andy Sizmur to the Committee to assist with the important task of Publicity.

We are also pleased that Graham Elliott and Susan Sweeney have joined the Committee to take on the important job of managing our social events, following being co-opted to the Committee over the past year.

Appointments of Publicity Secretary and Social Secretary will be made at the first Committee meeting, however we are really pleased with the teams that have been put together manage these important areas for the society.

VISIT THE COMMITTEE PAGE FOR DETAILS OF THE NEW TEAM!

The committee are always looking for assistance in the many tasks that need to be completed to keep the society running over the year. If you are interested in being in a sub committee either for the year or a particular show, please e-mail John O'Leary to discuss further.