2023 Began on a high with us still reeling from the success of the panto, in my opinion, one of our best. We made some money through sales and some very generous sponsorship, and despite some trials and tribulations, we got there in the end.

Earlier this year, myself, Charlotte Newton and Lucy Woodnutt appeared at 3 venues with Sarah Simpkins production of “What the Actual…?”, a series of short sketches which kept everybody amused over the course of 3 separate evenings, 2 at the Georgian and 1 at the Blonde Hedgehog. It set the tone for future productions perhaps, using scripts and cutting down on rehearsals etc.

Coming up on May 2^nd we have mind bending magic with Britain’s got Talent sensation, Mark Shortland. Tickets are selling but we do have a few left so grab them quickly. Ronnie is putting something together for the Coronation, but we need to nail this down quite soon. I have started something along the lines of last years’ Queen’s speech, but I don’t know much more than that with regard to our commitment to the event.

June is looking bare, but I am pleased to confirm we will be hosting a Youth Drama Workshop, which will take place  from 14-16 July in the Island Hall. This 3-day course for the island’s young aspiring thespians  (age 11-18)  will be conducted by  Oliver Davis and two tutors from the Performing Arts section of the Guernsey College of Further Education. The course is  sponsored by the Alderney Theatre Group and free of charge for the participants. Hopefully, at the end of the workshop  they will have a show to dazzle us with.

On the 8^th of July we have secured Show of Hands, who are old friends of the island. They regularly fill the Royal Albert Hall for their concerts, so that should be pretty special.

Later in July, Charlotte Newton’s production of The Tempest will be appearing at a beach near you. Arch Bay to be precise. Charlotte Newton and Richard Matimong have penned a stripped down and modernised version of the Shakespeare classic, with a musical flavour.

In August we have Alderney Week, and we are working on a Gala Show around the theme of Alice in Wonderland. Anyone with any ideas is more than welcome to speak to me or Ronnie about them.

On the 9^th September we are having a Pink Floyd film night in the Island Hall, which will involve a huge screen and sound effects. This again is something new and experimental and should be tremendous fun.

That is about as far as our future dates go. So perhaps we should start looking for acts to visit in September and October and November.

I have had a letter from Tracy Jean expressing an interest in putting on a Stars In Their Eyes performance in early to mid-December. We have put aside rehearsal dates for the panto, but in all truth I don’t think I’m going to be able to commit this year, so I propose we give them to The Stars crew and help them with whatever staging, light and sound we can.

Lee Flewitt.

Chair. ATG