Nobby Dimon

Do you recognize this man?
Those of you who follow North Country Theatre will. He is Nobby Dimon the founder, and artistic director, of North Country Theatre, based in North Yorkshire.
Sat Nav and I have enjoyed many of his splendid adaptations/productions.

Last night Nobby was the guest speaker at our local Womens Institute meeting, and what an entertaining speaker he was. Although, in truth, we didn't expect anything less.

He spoke about the history of travelling players from way back when and how his company continues in that theme. He had us all laughing at the secrets behind the levitation scene in a recent production (I wondered how they did that).

He told us how he likes to include the audience in the performance; how he likes to include everyone in the lets pretend scenario. Of course Sav Nav and I knew exactly what he meant because part of North Country Theatre, and Nobby's magic, is to involve the audience and sweep them up into a fantastic fun lets pretend bubble.

The next production is Home On The Range. Check out their website for details. www.northcountrytheatre.com

Fearby and Healey Village Hall Makeover

Fearby and Healey Village Hall has had a fabulous makeover, and you can see from the before and after pictures, it looks absolutely beautiful. The new lighting system needs to be seen to be appreciated.

The official opening takes place on Friday 17th April 2009 at 7pm. Everyone welcome. There will be wine and some tasty nibbles. So why not come along and make it a night out.

The Hall is available to hire for all occasions i.e. weddings, birthdays, groups, classes, meetings, etc. Although there is no 'built-in' bar, the Village Hall does have a license, so it is possible to make arrangements to have a bar if you wish.

The Prisoner of Zenda

On Tuesday North Country Theatre came to Fearby Village Hall and transformed it into Ruritania.

You might ask why.

They came to perform Nobby Dimon's ingenious adaptation of The Prisoner of Zenda - a novel by Anthony Hope.

It was billed as 'An hilarious ripping yarn of swashbuckling romance' and it was right on the button.

The cast:
Rudolph Rassendyll - Josh Boyd-Rochford
Melbecks, Col Sapt & others - Nobby Dimon
Rose, Lady Burlesdon, Antoinette de Mauban - Vivienne Garnett
Lord Burlesdon, Kind Rudolf of Ruritania, Rupert of Hentzau - Simon Kirk
Heidi, Princess Flavia - Victoria Brazier

Audience participation is always a big part of North Country Theatre productions, and tonight was no exception. We were asked to show our support by choosing either a red or a black flag to wave at the appropriate times. I was a royalist so waved a red flag. Sat Nav (Gloria) waved a black flag in support of Black Michael (who incidentally was a puppet) . . . you had to be there! We also had a line to remember and this made us very much a part of the action.

The audience were in fits of laughter when the improvised horses appeared and galloped around the hall. And there were loud oohs and aahs during the sword fencing scene, which was extremely cleverly done.

This is the third production I have seen by North Country Theatre, and already I am looking forward to the next one.