As usual the Sedgefield Players are not sitting around. On 12 April, they held a Roaring 20’s fundraising evening. Full of flappers and gangsters there were the usual songs, dances and poems as well as newly written sketches, a radio play and a silent film. Thanks go to Christine Walker and Meg Edgoose-Clubley for pulling together such a great show and thanks again to a fantastic audience who always step up to the mark with their own fabulous costumes.

On 4 May, the Players are taking ‘Shakers’ the play which won the preliminary round in March, to the All England Theatre Festival Northern Area Semi-Final at the Royalty Theatre in Sunderland. We are wishing ‘break a leg’ to Lucy, Kelsy, Millie and Emily, who will do us all proud.

Rehearsals are under way for the June production of Sense and Sensibility, which involves many of the group. This lovely period costume play about the loves of Eleanor and Marianne Dashwood (Amy Henery and Lucy Atkinson). Director Sarah Atkinson said, ‘The play has many different locations, so on a small stage, I have to be creative, but with music between scene changes and using the floor of the stage, it will be lovely’.

The SPYS are well into their rehearsal schedule for their July production of The Snow Queen. This is a huge undertaking for directors Sarah Atkinson and Tom Guest, who also writes some music for the play. With almost 60 young people it will be a spectacular show.

Tickets are £10 and available from Tickety Boo and https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/sedgefield-players.

The first concert of the season was a great success and so we move onto our second which features Ewan Millar, who is a prominent young oboist building a career in the UK. Do remember that children are welcome to attend free of charge and they will have the opportunity to meet Ewan).

In 2020 Ewan won the woodwind final of BBC Young Musician, advancing to the Grand Final, and performing Navarro’s “Legacy” concerto with the BBC Philharmonic.

Since the competition he has been selected as a Tillett Debut Scheme Artist and Countess of Munster Trust Recital Scheme Artist, and as such will continue performing regular recitals in the coming years.

As a freelancer, he has had the privilege of playing principal oboe with the RPO, Aurora Orchestra, and Britten Sinfonia. Ewan did his undergraduate studies at St. Hilda’s College, Oxford, and his postgraduate at RAM, receiving firsts in both degrees.

The remaining program of BAMS dates and artists are listed below and as always, the concerts are in the lovely setting of Bishop Auckland Methodist Church (opposite Bishop Auckland General Hospital) each starting at 7.30pm:
Friday 6 June: Lise Vandersmissen (triple harp)
Friday 11 July: Ignas Maknickas (solo piano)
Friday 5 September: Lumas Winds (wind quintet)

Full details of all the programmes and artists are on our BAMS website: bvemv.orpheusweb.co.uk/BAMSWebbams.html.

VE Day Ceilidh, Field & Fodder, Bearpark
A night of dancing and celebration at Field & Fodder! A traditional Ceilidh to commemorate VE Day. 8 May, 6pm Adults £15, children £7.50
website link.