Chandler's Ford Today

Ben Williams

Review: Chandler’s Ford MDG Players: ‘Welcome to our village, please invade carefully’

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This year’s performance by the MDG Players is a pastiche of sci-fi storytelling that lampoons radio plays and the stories of Stephen King and John Wyndham. Presented as a radio play, Welcome to Our Village, Please Invade Carefully is filled with clever humour and wit that results in a very original, fun way to spend an evening.

Mike Standing (A Minion), Lester Parry (Gryvook), and Mike Slatcher (Uljabaan)
Mike Standing (A Minion), Lester Parry (Gryvook), and Mike Slatcher (Uljabaan)

The plot is simple – the village of Cresdon Green, Buckinghamshire, is a normal English town that has just happened to be slowly invaded by aliens. It starts with a dome being placed over the village and then Uljabaan, an alien trying desperately hard to impress his superiors, attempting to blend in with the villagers. Whilst some embrace the aliens, others, led by the rebellious Katrina Lyons, want to see the aliens gone. Hilarity ensues. [Read more…] about Review: Chandler’s Ford MDG Players: ‘Welcome to our village, please invade carefully’

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Review: They Came from Mars and Landed Outside the Farndale Avenue Church Hall in Time for the Townswomen’s Coffee Morning

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Last Thursday I watched the latest Chameleons Theatre production – They Came From Mars and Landed Outside the Farndale Avenue Church Hall in Time for the Townswomen’s Guild’s coffee Morning – yes that is the title. A double parody of both amateur dramatics and sci-fi, the play is hilarious in how layered the comedy was, with multiple levels of humour. This performance also came ploughman’s dinner beforehand, which I thought was a nice touch and made the fourth wall breaks more immersive and “in tune” with the style of the play.

The nature of the play also meant a fake programme was created with lots of funny notes such as “Tickets cost £1 each- a strip of 5 is a bargain at £6” and the fact that Mrs Reece is the only member of the behind the scenes crew. The basic plot has the fictional Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society putting together a really, really, really dreadful version of They Came From Mars. Hilarity ensues. [Read more…] about Review: They Came from Mars and Landed Outside the Farndale Avenue Church Hall in Time for the Townswomen’s Coffee Morning

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Review by Ben Williams: A Christmas Carol by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

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Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is one of the most iconic stories of all time. Centered on the miserable and rude Ebenezer Scrooge, the book – oh who am I kidding, everyone knows the story. There have been countless adaptations of the story and everything from The Muppets to Blackadder to Doctor Who have tackled it. [Read more…] about Review by Ben Williams: A Christmas Carol by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

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The Chameleons: Blackadder Goes Forth – Review by Ben Williams

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Since I was very young Blackadder has been my favourite comedy show. The antics of the various members of the Blackadder family throughout history is one of Britain’s best loved comedies and for good reason.

The latest Chameleon Theatre production brought to life the show’s most beloved series – Blackadder Goes Forth, which sees Captain Edmund Blackadder desperate to escape the trenches of World War One. [Read more…] about The Chameleons: Blackadder Goes Forth – Review by Ben Williams

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Review: A Bunch of Amateurs by Chameleon Theatre Company

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The latest performance A Bunch of Amateurs by the Chameleons is a hilarious satire on Hollywood egotism and Shakespeare. When Stratford (Suffolk, not on-Avon) runs out of money for the theatre, the Stratford Player’s only choice is a washed up Hollywood actor called Jefferson Steel, who agrees to act in an amateur dramatics production of King Lear – only to find himself in the wrong Stratford- not the luxurious home of Shakespeare, but a nondescript English village. [Read more…] about Review: A Bunch of Amateurs by Chameleon Theatre Company

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A Learner Driver’s Log (1): Parking on the Side of the Road

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(Note: The learner driver is 17 years old.)

Since December I have started to learn to drive. On the whole I think I’m doing pretty great, and my driving lessons have helped me be aware of the road. Now when I’m a passenger, I’m very observant as to road behaviour and actions of other drivers. I am now aware of things that many experienced drivers have probably forgotten about or do not notice now. I hope to turn this into a recurring series, so let’s start with my biggest pet peeve about driving – [Read more…] about A Learner Driver’s Log (1): Parking on the Side of the Road

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Review: April Trio of Plays by Chameleon Theatre Company

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O, What a Lovers’ War by Karen Ince. Directed by Diana Mills.

The first play was focused on the First World War. This is a period of history I’m quite familiar with, as studying history has helped me understand the different sides of the war. I’m studying the downfall of Tsarist Russia in history and it’s linked with involvement in the First World War and I also recalled visiting Australia and reading up on the ANZAC troops involvement in the War. My mum was confused as to why the Union Flag appeared at the end, but the flag in its current form has existed since 1801. [Read more…] about Review: April Trio of Plays by Chameleon Theatre Company

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Review: Five Go Mad for Shakespeare by Chandler’s Ford MDG and Romsey Players

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The latest comedy from MDG Players from Chandler’s Ford, and the Romsey Players combines two very British writers – William Shakespeare and Enid Blyton. Shakespeare’s works are updated and refreshed for a modern age and hilarity ensues. Want to know what happens if Theresa May decided to quote Henry V? How about if Romeo and Juliet took place in rival retirement homes? [Read more…] about Review: Five Go Mad for Shakespeare by Chandler’s Ford MDG and Romsey Players

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Our Recent Trip to Salisbury (after Spy Attack)

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Two weeks ago, I went to the ancient cathedral city of Salisbury with my parents. Obviously this city has been at the centre of a major international incident for about a month now, but as a resident of Wiltshire’s neighbouring county who has visited Salisbury many times, I decided to visit the city to see what had happened. [Read more…] about Our Recent Trip to Salisbury (after Spy Attack)

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Review: Murdered to Death by Chameleon Theatre Company

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This play Murdered to Death performed by Chameleon Theatre Company in October was an obvious parody of an Agatha Christie murder mystery, right down to one of the characters being called Miss Maple, after the Miss Marple character. Poirot was also referenced, from Miss Maple knowing a Belgian chap, to Pierre Marceau resembling Poirot physically.

The funniest character was Inspector Pratt, who is the most incompetent detective ever. [Read more…] about Review: Murdered to Death by Chameleon Theatre Company

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Review: Blood and Valour Comic Book

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As a comic book fan I love reading the various Marvel and DC comic books. However, there are plenty of comic books outside of the two big companies. Blood and Valour, the comic book series detailing the exploits of the legendary Sir Bevis of Hampton (aka Southampton, somewhere very near) is a great comic that details local legends very well.

The first volume is about Bevis as a child. It tells the story of how he became a legendary warrior to fight for his kingdom. There’s magic, action and betrayal. As a huge fan of Lord of the Rings and other fantasy shows like Merlin, this instantly appealed to me. It brought me back to playing Dungeons and Dragons when I was younger. [Read more…] about Review: Blood and Valour Comic Book

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Review: The House of Fog by Chameleon Theatre Company

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I thoroughly enjoyed the comedies I watched last Thursday, performed by Chameleon Theatre Company at Ritchie Memorial Hall in Chandler’s Ford. In this post, I will focus on one of the comedies, The House of Fog, by Peter Brammer.

The play The House of Fog was a really funny mockery of a horror movie, with an extra layer of comedy added due to the fourth wall aspect.
[Read more…] about Review: The House of Fog by Chameleon Theatre Company

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Review: An Evening of Entertainment with Chandler’s Ford MDG Players and Friends from Romsey

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Last Friday I watched three short comedy performances at the Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church performed by the MDG Players and their friends from Romsey. Unlike the previous performances I’ve seen, this was a variety of plays with different characters and plots, with different styles of comedy. [Read more…] about Review: An Evening of Entertainment with Chandler’s Ford MDG Players and Friends from Romsey

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Review: The Pirates of Penzance by Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society

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Last weekend I saw The Pirates of Penzance at The Point theatre. I really enjoyed it and it surprised me as I didn’t know much about the musical.

It is about a bunch of pirates who get involved in an insane plot to do with a Major-General. It’s a really nonsensical plot and it doesn’t make much sense, but in a musical like this it doesn’t matter. All the characters are really cartoony and over the top and they fit the tone perfectly. [Read more…] about Review: The Pirates of Penzance by Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society

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Review: Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

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Last Thursday, my mum and I watched an intriguing drama Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor, performed by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players, at the Methodist Church Hall.

What’s this Sudden Death all about? A murder?

The play is about a rich and unpleasant nobleman (played by Lester Parry) [Read more…] about Review: Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

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My Belgium History Trip – Ypres and Chocolate

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Last weekend I got back from a school trip to Ypres in Belgium. It was a very tiring two days but it was well worth it to explore a different country and culture.

I was there for a history trip to look at the history of Ypres and its importance in WWI. It was a very insightful trip into how the war’s legacy has affected the country.

The first trip was to [Read more…] about My Belgium History Trip – Ypres and Chocolate

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Review: Diamond in the Sky by MDG Players

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My mum and I recently went to see a comedy based on Science Fiction, performed by MDG (Methodist Drama Group) Players from Chandler’s Ford.

The comedy is called Diamond in the Sky, written and directed by Chandler’s Ford playwright Mike Standing.

While my mum couldn’t quite understand the comedy, I understood it as I’m a sci-fi nerd. [Read more…] about Review: Diamond in the Sky by MDG Players

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Richard Hardie: “So You Want to be an Author?”

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At the Chandler’s Ford library today I attended an author talk by Richard Hardie: “So you want to be an author?”.

Richard is a Chandler’s Ford author who has written two books in the Temporal Detective Agency series – Leap of Faith and Trouble in Mind. He talked to us about being a writer and good writing tips. [Read more…] about Richard Hardie: “So You Want to be an Author?”

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A Batch of Cumbers: Review of Hamlet at Thornden Hall

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Lats Thursday I saw Hamlet broadcast by National Theatre Live, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, at the Thornden Hall in Chandler’s Ford. It was the fifth acting role I have seen Cumberbatch in, and apart from writing my review about the play, Hamlet, I would also like to write about how actors are defined by the roles they play. [Read more…] about A Batch of Cumbers: Review of Hamlet at Thornden Hall

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Voice of a Teenager: How to Improve Chandler’s Ford

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After the summer holiday in Perth and Singapore, I thought it would take a long while to get used to Chandler’s Ford life, but I have been able to recover quickly and adjust to the ordinary. My perception on many things changed slightly, more specifically how Chandler’s Ford can be improved.

Obviously I don’t hate it here. [Read more…] about Voice of a Teenager: How to Improve Chandler’s Ford

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