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The uncut X-Beacon files October 1999
Question: When is Halloween not Halloween?Answer: When it’s the PaDS All Hallows Eve Supper…Mystified? So was I! I mentioned as much to Gill Cox, the eminence grise behind the forthcoming 31st October event, during the recent PaDS AGM (of which more later). "There’s more to Halloween than witches!" quoth she, fixing me with a penetrating stare that gave me the worrying impression that I might at any moment be turned into a toad. She went on to say that the PaDS All Hallows Eve Supper would be a hauntingly nostalgic evening of readings and drama, and include a presentation of the classically eerie ‘Monkey’s Paw’. Still mystified, I decided to try some easier questions, like when, where and how much? "It’s at 7.00 pm on Sunday, 31st October in the Cotswold Room." "The Cotswold Room?" I queried, with a distinct feeling that there was something going on that was beyond my ken. "The Cotswold Room in the Painswick Centre. That’s what the Institute has been changed into." Again, I began to feel uneasy: anyone who can change the Institute into the Painswick Centre is not to be trifled with! "And there’ll be a hot supper, as well" she said as she disappeared into the night. For some reason, a disturbing vision of a bubbling cauldron drifted into my mind. I suggest you try clearing up the mystery yourselves by calling Gill (on 814 367) or Jackie Herbert (on 813 229). If nothing else, they will be pleased to reserve you a ticket, including the aforementioned supper, all for £5.00 (although this doesn’t include a drink, so bring a bottle of potion or something). And so to the PaDS AGM, held on Tuesday, 21st September at - what I’m sure we’ll all get used to calling - the Painswick Centre. Jan Campbell, our revered chairperson, reported a flourishing year with two successful main productions (Seasons Greetings and Agatha Crispie), interspersed with such other dramatic happenings as the poetry readings for Valentines Day, the Great Joke Machine for Victorian Day, a Halloween party, a Christmas party and a remarkably sunny Summer Barbecue. We seem to have come a long way in a year! Jan went on to thank, in particular, our retiring (if that’s the right word) treasurer, John Stephenson-Oliver, who has not only somehow managed to keep us solvent but has also worked hard to provide a bridge between the old and new PaDS. Fortunately, John will remain active as chief organiser of the PaDS bar, which he quickly proved by serving the wine. From this point, the AGM really got going. Future plans were made: after Absurd Person Singular (2nd, 3rd and 4th December), there will be ‘Ghost Train’ (May 11th, 12th and 13th 2000), a hugely ambitious production from the technical point of view, featuring a steam train thundering across the stage at 60 mph! This prompted an appeal for more technical PaDIY members. Call Jacek Wolowiecz (‘Wol’) on 813295 if you’d like to learn more. Finally, a new(ish) committee was voted in with Jan Campbell remaining in the chair and The Most Organised Jean Burgess, remaining Secretary. The new Treasurer is Andrew Leach and the Technical Adviser is Jacek Wolowiec. Other Committee members are Maggie Drake, Elaine Howell, Gill Cox and… Jack Burgess…! Er… no… I don’t understand how that happened, either. Jack Burgess, Painswick Dramatic Society |
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