Thame theatre treats to come

THE Thame Players Theatre alterations and improvements are almost complete and soon the public will once again be able to enjoy the very best of local amateur dramatics and professional, visiting productions. Here’s a taste of what’s to come:

Quartet by Ronald Harwood – Tuesday, Saturday, September 9 – 13, at 7.45pm – The setting is a retirement home for musicians. Three elderly former opera-singers, who often worked together, are sitting in the music room. They are about to be joined by newcomer Jean, a major star in her day and to whom Reginald was once married. A gala concert is about to take place at the retirement home to celebrate Verdi’s birthday, will they sing together again. The show must go on…
Writing for The Independent, Paul Taylor described the play as “an unashamed — no, shameless — vehicle for four feisty old troupers whose task is to make us laugh a little, sigh a little and cry a little as they take us into the bittersweet world of facing up to age and mortality.

The Neil Diamond Story – The life of a legend in song… Presented by Bob Drury; Sunday, September 21, at 7.45pm – As Neil Diamond prepares to mark 50 years at the top of his profession, singer and guitarist Bob Drury, described as the UK’s ‘Voice of Neil’, celebrates the life and work of this musical legend. Featuring iconic songs from a hit filled musical career such as Cracklin’ Rosi’, Sweet Caroline, Love on The Rock’, America’, Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show, Play Me and Girl You’ll be a Woman Soon alongside much loved album tracks and more recent acoustic material. Bob Drury’s one-man show is a must see for all Diamond fans.

Two Kinds of Teardrops – The Roy Orbison & Del Shannon story – Saturday, September 27, at 7.45pm – Roy Orbison and Del Shannon had much in common ….. exceptional vocal styles, distinctive sound, dramatic song structures – plus their links to The Traveling Wilburys.

This multi-media show spans five decades of some of the most dynamic songs of joy and pain ever expressed in popular music – with Mike VanDetta singing all the hits, complemented by a biographical narrative, giving a rare insight into Roy and Del’s truth-is-stranger-than-fiction personal life stories.

Mike has been a session singer, a published songwriter and performed with such diverse acts as jazz-pop maestro Georgie Fame and folk-blues legend John Martyn.

Tickets online from www.thameplayers.co.uk (10% booking fee applies) or Tickets Anywhere, Greyhound Walk, Thame 01844 217228