The Group Leader writes:

“After a bit of general discussion we start to read our chosen play — usually a 2 Act play which is then finished at the next meeting. We do not read any Shakespeare scripts, but include a wide range of genres from modern playwrights to classical and historical scripts.

I try to include plays that have enough characters so that everyone is involved in the reading. I provide a little bit of general background — or a review which helps us to understand how the plot needs to develop.

As we have the excellent local theatre — the Tower Theatre — right on our doorstep, we have practical links with them and have even gone as a group to watch a play together. For example, their production of “Steel Magnolias” was an exceptional performance, and we followed our visit to the theatre by reading several of the scenes at our meeting afterwards.

After reading a play, we do have a little discussion — but we do not take ourselves too seriously! Just sitting round as a friendly group reading a play brings it to life and makes for an informative but entertaining afternoon.

We have tea and cookies (or at least ‘posh’ biscuits) at the end of our session; people donate £1 for this, and any extra money raised from this goes towards a local charity.”