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CLUBS & SOCIETIES

The Creake Drama Group

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The Creakes Drama Group offers a warm welcome to everyone interested in theatre.

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There are many ways of getting involved with the Group: by coming to see our show, or by becoming a member when you will enjoy priority booking for productions.

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However, if you feel you might like to be more 'hands on' why not consider joining the very active group of players and backstage staff? We also need people to take on those administrative responsibilities that underpin everything.

 

If acting is not your forte, then come along and learn about the theatrical aspects of staging a production - lighting, sound, set design and building, or props. Or why not help with scene shifting, costumes, or dressing and make-up?

 

The list is endless, but whatever you choose you'll be part of a team that ensures productions continue to achieve a high standard and attract enthusiastic audiences.

 

For all drama group enquiries by email please contact Ann Dagless, Secretary, or telephone 01328 863187.

 

How did it all start? A Short History of the Group

 

It all started, as many things do, with the WI. In 1997 the North Creake group decided to put on a revue-style entertainment that was delightful. Everyone had a part in the show - costumes, sets and props were homemade, and the performers enjoyed themselves as much as the audience - but very importantly a seed was sown in the Creakes.

 

A year later, as the number of people interested grew and expertise developed, members of the cast and other contributors decided it was time to put things on a more permanent basis, so The Creakes Drama Group was launched with performances of The Fair Maid of Creake written by Sheila Upjohn of North Creake, with Ben Honniball, a fairly new resident in North Creake directing - the rest is history!

 

It was an excellent decision as Ben, who trained at RADA, had both directorial and acting experience on both the professional and amateur stage, could not resist the challenge of setting up a new company from scratch. So it was that The Creakes Drama Group was co-foundedin 1998 by Ben Honniball, Chairman, and Philip Quin, Treasurer.

 

In 2019 the CDG is now in its 21st year. It has over 50 members and 3 Honorary Life Members who mostly live in and around North and South Creake. They can all look back with considerable pride on what has been achieved.

 

The Group is very fortunate in having a number of extremely talented Directors, Actors and Backstage Staff, some of whom have professional theatrical experience.

 

With income from ticket sales and grants, in the North Creake Village Hall, the Group has installed a professional lighting and sound system, bought a stage extension and a state-of-the-art keyboard and is currently striving to improve on what is offered to supporters. We appreciate the support given by North Creake Village Hall Committee to CDG's endeavours.

 

The current Chairman, Karen Adams, says "I joined CDG in 2009, my first production being the Panto Goldilocks and the Three Bears. I have since then been involved in most of the productions either on stage or Directing and have really enjoyed being part of this extremely talented Group. I have particularly enjoyed some of the most recent summer plays in which the standard just gets better and better."

 

Awards

 

The Group is a member of NODA - The National Operatic and Dramatic Association and CDG is in Area East, Region 5. ( Area 5 covers most of North Norfolk ). Based on reviews by the local NODA representative, the Group has won 5 Annual Awards for 'Best Play in Region 5' for When We Are Married (2004), Hobson's Choice (2006), Ten Times Table (2008), Separate Tables (2011) and Ring Round The Moon (2016).

 

In addition, the following productions were also nominated for awards: Best Panto for Pompeii Panto (2011), Best Technical /Set for The Wizard of Oz (2014), Best Play for Blithe Spirit (2014), Best Play for Cash On Delivery (2015), Best Panto for Beauty and the Beast (2016) and Best Play for The Village Fete (2017).

 

The Group has most recently won its first Award for Best Panto Puss in Boots (2018).

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Children's Involvement

 

Every year we include a number of local children in our January show, which is usually either a Panto or a Musical. Any children, aged 10 or older, who are interested in taking part, should contact the Group's Secretary Ann Dagless.

Cinema in the Creakes

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This venture was initiated by the North Creake Village Hall Committee in connection with Creative Arts East & Village Screen was started early in 2009 to create a Community Cinema in North Creake for our own and other local villagers. We were awarded a grant by Norfolk Community Foundation which enabled us to purchase our own state of the art equipment.

 

This now comprises of a 4 x 3 metre screen which fills the opening on the stage plus a Digital and HD Ready Projector. Our audiences tell us that we provide some of the best sound facilities in local Village Halls which is accomplished by having 4 speakers (one mounted in each of the corners of the hall) and achieving near all round sound.

 

We also produce our own DVD each month showing local advertisements and trailers for forthcoming films. We intend in future to outsource the production of this to a local secondary school as an ongoing community involvement project.

 

Due to popular demand we are now showing regular current films on the 2nd or 3rd Tuesday of the month with a few extra classic and independent British films to be shown on specific dates.

 

Performances start at 7.30pm in North Creake Village Hall. The admission price includes a complimentary drink with the Licensed Bar opening at 7.00pm.

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Tickets are £5.00 each and are available by calling 07905 805388.

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Forthcoming Screenings

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