A Date for your Diary

SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER
Social Evening at Aldridge Community Centre

Lesley Smith with her latest historical portrayal of Emma, Lady Hamilton, mistress of Admiral Lord Nelson –
followed by buffet. More details, including ticket price, later in the year.

Theatre Outing to Kilworth House Open Air Theatre

Sunday 12th July 2026 at 2.30pm

Tickets £55
On sale in February at the Evening and Afternoon meetings
(Please arrange own transport)

Social Evening Review

Saturday November 1st
Lesley Smith as
Florence Nightingale
Aldridge Community Centre

After impressing us last year with her portrayal of Catherine of Aragon (See below), Lesley was invited back for this year’s main social evening.  This time she took on the persona of Florence Nightingale.  We all know that the ‘Lady with the Lamp’ was a great pioneer of nursing, but Lesley delved deeper into her life to explain how a woman, born into a wealthy and well-connected British family, was determined to seek out a profession which was regarded as well below her social status.
Not just a nurse but a social reformer, Florence significantly reduced death rates by improving hygiene and living standards, particularly during the Crimean War where she came to prominence as a manager and trainer of nurses.  She rejected the expected role for a woman of her status to become a wife and mother, much to the disappointment of her family.
An hour’s long monologue is not easy to sustain but Lesley does it with ease. The evening concluded with an extensive buffet and the event was excellent value for the ticket money.  Many thanks to Liz Yates, Margaret Jones and all the social committee for their hard work.


’42nd Street’
at Kilworth House
13th July 2025

Our latest theatre trip coincided with a heatwave. This production of “42nd Street” has received much praise for its energy, choreography and talented cast.  The choreography was a major highlight, with crisp, synchronized rhythms and impressive footwork. Most people are familiar with many of the songs. “We’re in the Money” was outstanding for its choreography. 
The sets and costumes were stunning, with the art deco designs and lavish costumes adding to the overall spectacle. The show was a joyful and memorable experience.
Many thanks to Liz Yates for another brilliant theatre visit.

THEATRE OUTING
Kilworth House
Sunday 14th July 2024
2.30pm

With the continual wet weather that has dominated this summer, it seems appropriate that Kilworth House Theatre should present “Singing in the Rain” a musical they first produced nine years ago. 
Jack Wilcox is charming as Don Lockwood. He has a warm presence on stage. His character is well rounded with fantastic vocals, and amazing dance routines.
Lucie-Mae Sumner, playing Kathy Selden, is delightful to watch with some excellent vocals.  Lee Proud’s energetic choreography is made to look easy by a talented company but the star of the show is the rain which pours down at the end of the first act and returns for the finale.
Many thanks to Liz for organising this visit.

Musical Evening with Maggie O’Hara

Saturday October 21st 2023 at 7.30 pm at Aldridge Community Centre

Maggie O’Hara knows exactly how to get an audience involved from the very start.  Dressed in a WW2 uniform she began the evening with songs from the war years and the audience joined in enthusiastically when prompted.  These were songs that everyone knew.  ‘A Long Way to Tipperary’ merged into ‘Pack Up Your Troubles’ and other wartime favourites.  She interspersed songs with humorous comments.  (Did our president, Ray, really paint the lines on her stockings!!).

Maggie changed costumes for the second half and upped the tempo with ‘Rock Around the Clock’ and continued with songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s.  Again, the audience knew all the words.  She included work by Bacharach, the Beatles and Abba as well as Eurovision favourites. Maggie has a lovely, energetic stage presence and was well received by all.

The fish and chips during the interval were excellent as always.  Many thanks to Liz Yates and the social committee for a memorable evening.

Maggie at Aldridge Community Centre

Theatre Outing to Kilworth House Open Air Theatre

HAIRSPRAY

23rd July 2023 at 2.30pm

Liz Yates organised another visit to Kilworth House open air theatre, this time to see a superb production of the well-loved musical, Hairspray.  Although the weather was not brilliant, it did not really affect the audience as both the auditorium and stage are covered by large sails, protecting both cast and audience.
The set and costumes were bright and colourful, and the choreography was energetic as the orchestra played the songs that everyone knows and loves. From the opening Good Morning Baltimore through to the closing You Can’t Stop the Beat the energy was non-stop and the delight was compelling.
Thank you Liz