The Datchet Players celebrate their diamond anniversary next month - with a production of Alan Ayckbourn's famous comedy Absent Friends.

It is a smart and mordant comedy telling what happens when a group of friends gather to support their good chum Colin, who has suffered a personal tragedy.

This being an Ayckbourn play the attempt to cheer him up is a disaster because the friends are such a neurotic bunch that they are incapable of cheering anyone up and Colin does not need it anyway.

Absent Friends is a bitter sweet comedy, originally written in the 70’s.

Datchet Players are setting it in the present day.

The Players were first formed in the spring of 1959 and their first production was Figure of Fun by Andre Roussin staged at Churchmead School, which continued to be their venue until 1976 when they transferred to the Village Hall - newly built on land donated by a member.

The group has donated £20,000 to charities over the years and has a mailing list of 200.

Member Margaret Bacon said: "We are proud and happy that one of our founder members Bill Middlemass is still living in Datchet and is now our Honorary Life President and can always be relied on to give information and wise counsel whenever required.

"We extend our grateful thanks to all those who have supported us over the last 60 years and look forward to their continued patronage."

Absent Friends runs from Thursday, April 4 to Saturday, April 6.

Tickets at £8 are available from Margaret Bacon on 01753 861074. Details are available on the website at www.datchetplayers.org.u

Two photos attached left to right:- Nicola Walker: Mary Lord; Henry Taylor; Steevan Glover: Margaret Bacon and Lindsay Higton.

Diamond Anniversary Production.

The Datchet Players will present “Absent Friends” by Alan Ayckbourn on April 4th to 6th in Datchet Village Hall.

Absent Friends is a bitter sweet comedy, originally written in the 70’s but we are setting it in the present day. The dilemmas and difficulties the characters face are still very relevant for many people.

Tickets at £8 are available from Margaret Bacon on 01753 861074.

(Details on our website www.datchetplayers.org.uk)

Our Diamond Anniversary – 60 years and still going strong!

In the spring of 1959 five men decided to found a dramatic Society in Datchet. A few other enthusiasts were recruited and the first recorded committee meeting of the Datchet Players took place on 31st May 1959.

The two aims of the Society were to put on plays and promote good fellowship. These are still the objectives of the Society.

The first production of “Figure of Fun” by Andre Roussin took place on the 1st and 2nd April 1960 in Churchmead School. This continued to be the venue for our plays until 1976 when they were transferred to the Village Hall which had been built on land donated by one of our members.

We continue to thrive and always welcome new members. We are proud of the fact that we are able to donate regularly to local charities and over the years we have given over £20,000. This is only possible because of the loyalty of our audiences. We now have a mailing list of over 200 members, and our flyers are now distributed by email instead of by post!

We are proud and happy that one of our Founder Members, Bill Middlemass, is still living in Datchet and is now our Honorary Life President and can always be relied on to give information and wise counsel whenever required.

We extend our grateful thanks to all those who have supported us over the last 60 years and look forward to your continued patronage.

Kind regards

Margaret

01753 861074

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