Ottershaw Players

Within the short span of less than a month, we are again greatly saddened to report the sudden death of another former member of Ottershaw Players, Jane Walters. As many were aware, Jane had been under treatment for a cancerous condition, but had been responding satisfactorily to previous medication and was maintaining good spirits up to the very abrupt, and unexpected end. The Players extend their sincere condolences and sympathies to husband Wally (another OP’s “alumnus”), to his and Jane’s extended families, and especially to Lynne, another of our OP “family”.

From a personal point of view, I first became aware of the dramatically talented Jane Lightfoot (as  she was then) in early 1970’s, when she won Best Actress at the 1974 Woking Drama Festival in the runner-up production of “The Collector”, directed for Byfleet Players by Wally Walters. ( My production of “Transcending” by David Cregan had taken the Winners award by just one mark over “The Collector”, which had been penalised for a time overrun!)  Jane went on to enjoy many successes over the years in  Drama festivals around the country, both in acting and directing roles, as well as being a regular , much admired and praised, actor in major productions with Byfleet Players, Ottershaw Players , and latterly, Runnymede Drama Group.

Among a number of OP productions at Rhoda McGaw, Jane’s direction of “ Tom Jones”  in 1988, and her performance in  our production of Peter Nichols’ “Passion Play” in 1987, stand out in my mind.  And Jane was a stalwart performer in some of the earlier Players’ “Farragos” –  ship’s cook on the Thames cruiser in “Maidenhead Revisited” was a classic!

As a professional drama teacher, Jane was always willing to share her knowledge and skills training with us “amateurs”, and helped us improve our own performances, as she has helped countless hundreds (thousands?) of  youngsters to enjoy creating , performing and learning about drama and theatre. These skills, and the lady herself, will be greatly missed by many.

There will a service on Friday May 13th, 12:15 at St Mary Magdalen Parish Church, Ripley High Street

Alan Wakefield

Hon . President Ops.

May 2011

The Ottershaw Players sadly announce ,with much sorrow and regret, the recent death of one of our long-standing, most loyal and supportive members, Irene Stevenson, following sudden illness and treatment whilst on holiday in Spain, and subsequent hospitalisation back in UK at St. Peter’s Hospital. We send our condolences to husband ( Dr.) Ronald, and to their three daughters and families.
Irene , a Glasgow university graduate, was one of the very early members of the Ottershaw Players, joining soon after our formation in 1963. Irene had moved to Ottershaw in 1961 to assist husband Ronald set up and run the first GP Doctor Surgery in the village, in Southwood Avenue.

In the early days, Irene performed in, and actively assisted in various capacities, with early Players productions. Later, she served on the Committee, and was very involved with organising front of house, box-office, Catering(!) for our early farragos and social events, as well as “technical” stage crew roles such as wardrobe , props and make up. Long standing members ( a few of us still!) will also remember the splendid summer barbecues and swimming parties at Ron and Irene’s house – which usually ended up with lots of people (but never Irene!) in drenched , disarrayed deshabile and mild (!?) insobriety.
In more recent times, Irene has regularly brought groups of family, relatives, friends and neighbours to our productions and always gave encouraging words and comments afterwards to the performers and production teams. We will miss that kind of support in future.

There will be a Thanksgiving service celebrating Irene’s life at St Peter’s Church in Chertsey on Thursday 21st April at 1.30pm.

At last!  What the adults have been waiting for, news of The Farrago 2011.

Graham Botterill is back with “The Return of Sherlock Holmes”

Performances are as follows:

Chobham Social Club – March 4/5 2011

Brook Hall – March 10/11/12 2011

Read through / Auditions are:

Brook Hall – Sunday Jan 2nd 2011 at 7pm

If you can’t make the aduition on Jan 2nd, please contact Graham (graham.botterill@btinternet.com) as

he may be able to make other arrangements for you.

Please see our The Return of Sherlock Holmes production page for further information.

Hope to see you there!!

The Ottershaw Players AGM will be held on 19th September 2010 at 6pm in Brook Hall, Ottershaw, preceded by the Chairman’s annual drinks party which will commence at 3pm.

A quorum of 20 members or one third of our membership (currently 73) is required for the meeting to go ahead so please come along and support your committee.  You should have received nomination forms for new committee members and for The Castle Cup.

Nominations for The Castle Cup (previously the Players Cup) can be sent, emailed or presented at the meeting on 19th September. You do not need to attend the AGM to nominate a recipient. This is awarded to the person or people who have made the most valuable contribution to the group during the previous year.

Please note:  Only fully paid up members of Ottershaw Players are entitled to attend the AGM, nominate officers or vote at the AGM.