HATS - HOLSWORTHY AMATEUR THEATRICAL SOCIETY

Details of the HATS Shows planned for 2009 (a Musical Showcase in early June and a Comedy mid September) are now available, please click the link above.

The first reading of our 2009 panto, 'Peter Pan', will now take place on Thursday 2nd October at 7.30pm at the HATS Theatre - note this is a day later than originally planned.

Regretfully, the Comedy Club shows booked for 26th June, 30th July and 27th August have been cancelled. Please 'watch this space' for information on the October and November shows.

Our recent panto 'Sleeping Beauty' has been awarded the 'Certificate of Excellence' by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association. The Award will be presented on 31st August.

The September Production, "Steel Magnolias", has been cast and preparations are in hand for the production on 18th - 27th Sept 2008.

The September Production, 18th - 27th Sept 2008, is "Steel Magnolias", replacing "Kiss Me Kate" which, sadly, has been shelved as it could not be 'cast'. First reading 2nd June, castin 9th June.

'Steel Magnolias' is a 'likable and witty' play by Robert Harlings. It was this play that inspired the famous film including (et al) Dolly Parton, Shirley Maclaine, Julia Roberts and Sally Field. Unlike the film, the play has an all-female cast.

The next session, for those who have not had 2008 training is Monday 28th April, 7.30pm in the Theatre - not 28th May as previously published. Apologies for the error.

Major additions to this website have been introduced, including:

• A comprehensive guide to what's involved in putting on a show - the timescales and activities. Valuable for potential members.
• A detailed HATS history.
• Updates to the list of past shows (to include shows put on by the Holsworthy Dramatic Society) and anecdotes for many Shows.
• A 'search facility'.

Preparations for this show kick off with an introductory meeting on 21st April, 7.30pm in the Theatre.

In a return of the annual comedy, Ken Tyrrell will be mounting the hilarious 'Shut Your Eyes and Think of England' from 8th May. See full details of the Show.

H.A.T.S. first musical for eight years! 'Kiss Me Kate' - the hit Broadway Show with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. Further details available later in the year.

The ever-successful Rotary Show will be held on Friday 28th / Saturday 29th March 2008,
not Thursday / Friday as published in the HATS Newsletter. See full details of the Show.

Tickets for the 2008 Panto Sleeping Beauty are on sale to the general public at the HATS Theatre Booking Office:

• 29 Dec 10am - 3pm (in person only)
• Thereafter Monday - Saturday 10am - 3pm, in person or by phone 01409 253826
  (except January 1st!)

Ticket prices have been kept at the same price for a further year:
Adults £7, Children/concessions £5. Further booking information

See full details of the Show.

A great report from Trevor House of his visit to the Sydney Opera House in 'Oz'.

The recent HATS fundraising Show with 'So Abba' (singing numbers from Abba and Grease) and hilarious comedian Jack Glanville, was a great success. The Theatre was bursting to the seams - with only a few empty seats in the house. People were dancing in the isles and splitting their sides at the comedian. 'It was a great night'.

'We Had a Dream' - the Show celebrating Fifty Years of H.A.T.S. is now finished. Thank you all to the many people in Holsworthy and past and present members who attended and made the Show such a success.

Now book for our Next Show on 6th October - the 'So Abba' Tribute band supported by comedian Jack Glanville.

The bi-weekly Monday evening music workshops are now on hold as we expect most will be involved in the '50 Year Celebration Show' (see below).  We plan to resume them early next year, after the '50 Year Celebration Show' and the pantomime that follows have finished.

Alas, by then, James, our excellent pianist, will be off at Uni, so we shall be looking for someone to help provide accompaniment.  Volunteers please contact a committee member or email .

Rehearsals for the HATS Production which celebrates the 50 years since the formation of the Holsworthy Theatre Club start Monday 25th June.  All present, past and potential members who wish to join in are warmly invited to join Annette and Mary at 7.30pm on the 25th in the HATS Theatre Bodmin.
This first rehearsal will include a discussion of the plans for the Show and a run-through of the extensive musical repertoire planned.   Rehearsals will continue every Monday thereafter, so, if you cannot make the first date, please come along on a subsequent Monday.

The Show will take place in September 2007 on Fri 14th, Sat 15th, Fri 21st and Sat 22nd.

The audience had the time of their life at HATS Theatre today (Saturday 9 June) watching Tank Sherman and Ruby Washington, professional entertainers - both international performers on the club and cruise scene. The whole Show was compered by Tank, a wonderful comedian, born in Exeter and living in Chudleigh.

After ten minutes non-stop laughter, he introduced Ruby, who over the next hour entranced the audience with a range of traditional and soul songs.  Her powerful melodious voice effortlessly summoned memories of so many famous performers, with a wide range of songs including 'New York, New York', 'Simply the Best',`Down Town`, `Boogie Nights` and an entrancingly-danced 'Sway'.  The audience didn't escape - we spent much time singing choruses, clapping rhythms and, at the end, some even ended up dancing on stage.

After the interval Tank Sherman returned and treated us to over an hour of rib-splitting laughter.  He showed a wonderfully light touch employing a variety of techniques - stories, one liners and a wonderful assortment of comic 'looks', moves, accents and wonderfully-timed pauses.  He covered the complete range of topics, including many local 'mentions'. Never once did it pall, never once were we embarrassed.  He ended with a hilarious spoof "Mastermind" and an - all too brief - song. 

The evening was also a great opportunity for HATS to show their technical skills - the Set was stylishly constructed and beautifully lit. The new sound system demonstrated its clarity and command excellently and, in a Show that demanded close interraction between performer and Control Box, was expertly executed.

Regretfully, for this HATS fund-raising Show, the audience was all too small.  However, what we lacked in size we made up for in volume!  During both acts the audience filled the theatre with their singing, clapping and non-stop laughter!  Tank had DVDs for sale in the Foyer after the Show and, most kindly, volunteered that all proceeds would go to the HATS fundraising fund.

For those who attended - thank you for your support, we are sure you will agree the evening was well worth while.  For those who couldn't make it - you missed a fabulous evening's entertainment!  Keep an eye out for any repeat performances by Tank Sherman and Ruby Washington, and, most importantly, make a diary note now for the next HATS professional Variety Show - the So Abba Tribute Band and Jack Glanville, hilarious comedian, returning by popular request on 6th October 2007.

Listen to Lantern FM on this Saturday 2nd June at 8.50am and 10.30am, for further details of the forthcoming variety show on 9th June with Tank Sherman and Ruby Washington.

The 2008 Panto is the wonderful 'Sleeping Beauty', directed by Amy Clarke and Robert Painter, to be performed Monday 21st January - Saturday 2nd February 2008.

Rehearsals will start in September, details to be available nearer the date

We are looking for a full cast and crew - and especially seek a Musical Director, so that our normal MD can be given a year off as he would like to perform in the production.

If you not a member but wish to give early notice of your interest (especially potential Musical Directors), please email us, with contact information and the area of your interest. 

Music workshop for all members arranged Monday evenings at the HATS Theatre, Bodmin St, from 4 June and fortnightly thereafter.

Acting workshops for younger members on 20/21 August.

The Holsworthy Rotary Show is almost full

For tickets phone 01409 254525

Our 2007 pantomime "Aladdin" is now, alas, over!!

Thanks to you, our audiences, it was a great success .
About 94% of the seats available were sold - well over 3000 people saw the Show - .

We would also like to express our gratitude to the following people/organisations
for their help and generous loan of articles for props for aladdin 2007.

• THE BERRY TREE – HOLSWORTHY
• THE CHEESE SHOP – HOLSWORTHY
• G.S.D. 2000 – CHARITY SHOP
• HOMELEIGH GARDEN CENTRE – LAUNCESTON
• SOUTHBOURNE CATERING – HOLSWORTHY
• MR. JOHN THRIPP (For making the Flat Iron and two Washboards)
• WAITROSE SUPERSTORE (for donating Biscuits for the Cast’s half time refreshments)
• GRUB BUSTERS for keeping the Foyer Doors clean during the Pantomime.

Information on the Show.

Information on booking

Our 2007 pantomime "Aladdin" is selling well, with only 14 seats left for the shows from
Weds 7th Feb - Sat 10th Feb.

Sorry!
Afraid you will have to book earlier next year
The Box Office normally opens just after the New Year

Information on the Show.

Information on booking

Following the successful 'Status Clone' Event in 2006, HATS is proud to announce two further entertainment events for 2007.

9th June - Tank Sherman plus supporting cast

6th October - Abba Tribute Band plus Jack Glanville

Further information

Our last play, the hilarious comedy "Not Now Darling", was given a 'Highly Commended' award by the Cornwall Drama Association.

The Director, Ken Tyrell, and members of the Cast, were delighted to attend the Annual Meeting of the Association in Polperro to receive the Award.