November 10, 2005
Burnham-On-Sea drama group prepares for latest performance
Final rehearsals are underway at a Burnham-On-Sea drama group in preparation for one of their biggest ever performances.
More than 30 members of BEES, the Burnham Excellent Entertainment Society, will be performing ‘Hood: The Musical’ on Saturday November 19th at 7.30pm in Burnham’s Princess Hall.
“It’s a musical based on the story of Robin Hood and is one of our biggest performances to date,” explained spokeswoman Sandy Ballantyne.
“We’re a small drama group and have been working our way through a long list of plays during the last ten years. We wanted to do one this year that would stretch our members that bit further.”
The group have already performed the play once at The Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton during October in front of a packed audience of 120.
“It was the first time we’d performed there,” said Sandy. “The cast had worked so hard we thought it would be good experience to take the show into a ‘professional’ threatre.”
“The Princess here in Burnham is our home and is great, but it is limited in its facilities so going to the Brewhouse meant the cast got first-hand experience of how it would feel to perform in a dedicated theatre.”
BEES is a self-funding group consisting of 25 actors and actresses plus a further six behind-the-scenes members.
The group usually puts on two productions a year – one in the summer and another in the winter – but is trying a new format this year with just the one major performance.
“Working with a largely junior cast, we sometimes find it difficult to put on shows,” added Sandy.
“We have to work around their exams and holidays, and it can be difficult to get rehearsal time from them.”
The group is therefore always on the look out for new recruits and meets on Sunday afternoons.
“Anyone interested in joining us should come along at the beginning of the next production in January 2006. Our first meeting will be held on January 15th at Burnham Community Centre when all will be welcome.”
BEES is one of Somerset’s longest running drama groups, having celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2004.
Tickets for ‘Hood: The Musical’ are on sale priced £4.50 for adults, £4 for concessions, by calling 01278 792520 or calling in at the box office at The Princess.
Photos courtesy of Mike Lang
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