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drama

Review – The Chameleons – Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor

May 2, 2025 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:-
Many thanks to The Chameleons (in particular Daisy Wilkins) for kind permission to use their excellent photos. Some images created in Book Brush using Chameleon photos. Screenshot and one photo from the programme were taken by me, Allison Symes.

It’s always a joy to have a lovely night out at Ritchie Hall to see the latest production from our excellent local amateur theatre group, The Chameleons. This time Janet and I went to see Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor. (And yes I did have to fight the impulse to type Thornbury Wood there! Well, it is local!).

I have a soft spot for murder mysteries and this one was different in that the audience were able to interrogate the cast about “who did it”. It’s the first time I’ve been to an interactive murder mystery play and it was news to me there are such things. Naturally I have heard of murder mystery weekends etc but nothing like this for the stage. I live and learn!

[Read more…] about Review – The Chameleons – Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor

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Tags: amateur theatre, audience participation, Chameleon Theatre Group, drama, murder mystery, Ritchie Hall, Sudden Death at Thornbury Manor

Review – The Chameleon Theatre Company – I’ll Be Back Before Midnight

November 8, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-
A huge thank you to The Chameleon Theatre Company for supplying the photos from I’ll Be Back Before Midnight. Other images created in Book Brush using Chameleon images. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

I joined Janet Williams for the performance of I’ll Be Back Before Midnight on Thursday, 24th October. The play (a thriller) is by Peter Colley and it was advertised as not being suitable for the under-12s. Spot on there but the play had a fantastic and strong storyline, a real whodunnit and whydunnit combined.

There were so many bluffs, double bluffs, you had to pay close attention but the storyline was so gripping, that wasn’t an issue.

When you are on the edge of your seat, hoping everything will somehow work out the right way for one character, whom you believe is being set up cruelly to die (probably at their own hand or made to look that way), then you know the characters have gripped you and will not let go until the play ends. That is how it should be too.

[Read more…] about Review – The Chameleon Theatre Company – I’ll Be Back Before Midnight

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Tags: amateur theatre, bluff and double bluff, drama, I'll Be Back Before Midnight, play, Ritchie Hall, The Chameleon Theatre Company, thriller

The Chameleon Theatre Group – Bleak Expectations – Review

August 2, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-
Many thanks to The Chameleons for kind permission to use their fabulous photos, which were taken by Stuart Wineberg. Other images were created in Book Brush using one image from The Chameleons. Screenshots were taken by me, Allison Symes.

I was intrigued to discover The Chameleon Theatre Group were staging Bleak Expectations and was only too glad to go to this show. I remember this as a hilarious Radio Four comedy show which I enjoyed listening to many years ago. Both the play and the radio show were written by Mark Evans.

The title comes from Dickens’s Bleak House and Great Expectations, but there were plenty of other gags connected with the great author.

[Read more…] about The Chameleon Theatre Group – Bleak Expectations – Review

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Tags: amateur theatre, Bleak Expectations, Charles Dickens, comedy, drama, humorous plays, Ritchie Hall, spoofs, The Chameleon Theatre Group

Lilies on the Land Performed by the Chameleons – a Review

July 29, 2023 By Gopi Chandroth 3 Comments

Albert Camus once said, ‘Impulses are the most sacred of human emotions.” On Wednesday this week, my good friend Janet offered me a free ticket for Thursday evening’s show of Lilies on the Land by The Lions Part at the Chameleon, Chandler’s Ford. On an impulse, I accepted it. I am glad I did.

The advertisement for the play stated, ‘A humorous look at wartime life, based on the real lives of the Women’s Land Army’ (WLA). After the show, I came away with the feeling that the blurb did not do full justice to the director and the all-women cast who put on a show par excellence.

“We shall fight on the beaches …” Churchill’s famous wartime speech set the tone for the evening. Dressed in costumes of wartime England, the WLA girls conveyed the ambience with skill. The sombreness of war was never downplayed, yet they managed to have us splitting our sides with clever and witty dialogues, narrating and bringing to life personal anecdotes. [Read more…] about Lilies on the Land Performed by the Chameleons – a Review

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Tags: amateur theatre, Chameleon Theatre, Chameleon Theatre Group, creative arts, drama, entertainment, event, Hursley Road, review, Ritchie Memorial Hall

Lilies on the Land – Chameleon Theatre Company – Thursday 27 Jul – Saturday 29 Jul 2023

June 4, 2023 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

The Chameleon Theatre Company is an amateur dramatic group based in Chandlers’ Ford. It was established in 1965, and they stage four productions each year – three plays and a pantomime.

The next production is Lilies on the Land. Box Office is open.

[Read more…] about Lilies on the Land – Chameleon Theatre Company – Thursday 27 Jul – Saturday 29 Jul 2023

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Tags: Chameleon Theatre, Chandler’s Ford community, comedy, drama, event, Hursley Road, Ritchie Memorial Hall

Review: A Sherlock Treat with the Chameleons

October 28, 2022 By Gopi Chandroth 9 Comments

Brilliant performance. Image credit: Chameleon Theatre Company.

“The jasmine in one’s garden has no fragrance,” goes a Malayalam homily – meaning, we don’t appreciate what is right under our nose and seek our pleasures in distant venues. I realised the true import of this saying last evening when we went to see ‘Sherlock Holmes and the mystery at Mallen Hall‘ presented by the Chameleon Theatre Company on Hursley Road, Chandler’s Ford. The theatre is a mere ten-minute walk from my house. In the twelve years that I have lived in Chandler’s Ford, this was my first visit to Chameleon, thanks to a tip from my friend Janet on Chandler’s Ford Today.

Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery at Mallen Hall
Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery at Mallen Hall

The tickets were quite reasonably priced and the show played to a full house. The acoustics were impressive – dialogues came across crisp and clear even to those of us who sat in the back rows. In my youth, I have read several Sherlock Holmes mysteries, but this was the first time I watched a live enactment. And what a performance it was. Holmes, Dr Watson and other characters acted with grace and élan.

Can Sherlock solve the mystery surrounding the deaths at Mallen Hall? Image from Chameleon Theatre Company.
Can Sherlock solve the mystery surrounding the deaths at Mallen Hall? Image from Chameleon Theatre Company.

[Read more…] about Review: A Sherlock Treat with the Chameleons

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Tags: amateur theatre, Chameleon Theatre, Chameleon Theatre Group, creative arts, drama, entertainment, event, Hursley Road, review, Ritchie Memorial Hall

The Chameleons – Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery at Mallen Hall. Got Your Tickets Yet? 27th – 29th October

October 3, 2022 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery at Mallen Hall
Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery at Mallen Hall
Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery at Mallen Hall

Without Mrs Hudson to keep him in check, can Sherlock solve the mystery surrounding the deaths at Mallen Hall, including the family dog; all of which are not as they seem?

We are great fans of the Chameleons here at Chandler’s Ford Today. They are absolutely brilliant.

Have you got your tickets yet?

A few of us have bought the tickets for the Thursday show. We hope to see you there!

Chameleon Theatre Company in Chandler’s Ford

Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery at Mallen Hall
Showing: 27th – 29th October 2022

Venue: Venue: Ritchie Memorial Hall, Hursley Road, Chandler’s Ford SO53 2FT (next to St. Boniface Church).

[Read more…] about The Chameleons – Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery at Mallen Hall. Got Your Tickets Yet? 27th – 29th October

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Tags: Chameleon Theatre, Chandler’s Ford community, comedy, drama, event, Hursley Road, Ritchie Memorial Hall

The Chameleons – The Dragon of Wantley Till 30th April 2022. Don’t Miss This Show!

April 29, 2022 By Janet Williams 1 Comment

Showing: 22nd - 30th April 2022

You really don’t want to miss this show. There are still 3 shows till Saturday.

Showing: 22nd - 30th April 2022
Showing: 22nd – 30th April 2022

Allison Symes and my family and friends watched this on Thursday night. Amazing show; amazing music; funny and warm; lots of surprises. I last checked the website Chameleon Theatre Company and there are still some tickets left. Some of you may want to grab the tickets and I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time.

The pantomime has been moved from January to April due to Covid. This brilliant show is really worth waiting for. [Read more…] about The Chameleons – The Dragon of Wantley Till 30th April 2022. Don’t Miss This Show!

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Tags: Chameleon Theatre, Chandler’s Ford community, comedy, drama, event, Hursley Road, Ritchie Memorial Hall

Chameleon Theatre Company is Back with Two Comedies for July

June 20, 2021 By SO53 News 1 Comment

Chameleon Theatre Company, Hursley Road, Chandler's Ford.

Great news! The Chameleon Theatre Company is back with two comedies for summer. Box Office opens on 22.06.2021.

Date: 29th – 31st July; Adults £9, Seniors £8, under 16s £5; Licensed bar

Address: Ritchie Memorial Hall, Hursley Road, Chandler’s Ford, SO53 2FT

Chameleon Theatre Company: We're back with two comedies for summer.
Chameleon Theatre Company: We’re back with two comedies for summer.

[Read more…] about Chameleon Theatre Company is Back with Two Comedies for July

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Part 3 – The Chameleons Say Hello…to their Favourite Performances

May 1, 2020 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Hello and welcome to another installment from The Chameleon Theatre Group looking at life behind the scenes. This week, they share with us what some of their most memorable productions have been and why.

The Chameleons start with All My Sons, which they presented in October 2016.

Image Credit:  As ever, a big thanks to The Chameleons for the images.

Feature Image: All My Sons
Feature Image: All My Sons

[Read more…] about Part 3 – The Chameleons Say Hello…to their Favourite Performances

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Tags: amateur theatre, comedy, drama, entertainment, Ritchie Hall, shows, The Chameleon Theatre Group

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

December 2, 2019 By Ben Williams 4 Comments

MDG Players next production is *‘Welcome to our village, please invade carefully’* by Eddie Robson on Thursday 28^th – Saturday 30^th November in the Dovetail Centre Café at 7.30pm.

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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Tags: acting, arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, Dovetail Centre, drama, entertainment, event, fiction, humour, local interest, MDG Players, Methodist Church, review, social, theatre, Winchester Road

MDG Players’ Production: ‘Welcome to our village, please invade carefully’ – Thursday 28th – Saturday 30th November

November 2, 2019 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Chandler's Ford Today upcoming events in Chandler's Ford and around Eastleigh

MDG Players’ next production is ‘Welcome to our village, please invade carefully’ by Eddie Robson on Thursday 28th – Saturday 30th November, in the Dovetail Centre Café, of Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, at 7.30pm.

Tickets £8 can be purchased from The Dovetail Café or Brenda Discombe on 023 8025 3922 or email: johndiscombe1962@talktalk.net

MDG Players next production is *‘Welcome to our village, please invade carefully’* by Eddie Robson on Thursday 28^th – Saturday 30^th November in the Dovetail Centre Café at 7.30pm.
MDG Players’ November production is ‘Welcome to our village, please invade carefully’ by Eddie Robson – Thursday 28th – Saturday 30th November in the Dovetail Centre Café at 7.30pm.

[Read more…] about MDG Players’ Production: ‘Welcome to our village, please invade carefully’ – Thursday 28th – Saturday 30th November

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Tags: acting, Chandler's Ford, community, Dovetail Centre, drama, entertainment, event, local interest, MDG Players, Methodist Church, social, theatre, Winchester Road

The Chameleon Theatre Group: My Husband’s Nuts – Review

November 1, 2019 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Feature Image - Chameleons - My Husband's Nuts - Review

Image Credit: A big thank you as ever to Stuart Wineberg and The Chameleons for the images.

The play’s title indicated there would be play on words (in every sense) running through the latest production from The Chameleon Theatre Group. With a title like this, it can hardly be avoided! Still it does tie in with my post last week on Meanings!

Feature Image - Chameleons - My Husband's Nuts - Review
Feature Image – Chameleons – My Husband’s Nuts – Review. Image taken by Allison Symes

[Read more…] about The Chameleon Theatre Group: My Husband’s Nuts – Review

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Tags: drama, farce, humour, My Husband's Nuts, plays, review, Ritchie Hall, The Chameleon Theatre Group

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

July 28, 2019 By Ben Williams Leave a Comment

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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Tags: acting, Chameleon Theatre, Chandler’s Ford community, comedy, drama, Hursley Road, review, Ritchie Memorial Hall

Review: Spring Trio of Plays – Chameleon Theatre Group

May 3, 2019 By Allison Symes 1 Comment

Feature Image - Spring Trio of Plays

Image Credit: Many thanks as ever to Stuart Wineberg, Lionel Elliott and the Chameleons for the wonderful pictures.

I went to see the latest Chameleons’ production Spring Trio of Plays on Thursday 25th April. I like the mixed assortment of plays they often put on in the Spring as you have a variety of entertainment which have a powerful impact. None of the three plays were long enough to stage alone (at least not in this form) but worked very well in a trio format like this. [Read more…] about Review: Spring Trio of Plays – Chameleon Theatre Group

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Tags: acting, Chameleon Theatre Group, drama, entertainment, plays, Ritchie Hall, theatre

Plays – The Joys and Challenges

April 26, 2019 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Feature Image - Plays The Joys and Challenges

By the time this goes live, I will have been to the Chameleons’ latest production Spring Trio of Plays at the Ritchie Hall. Review to follow. I like the “selection box” of plays in productions like this given each play has a different flavour to it. It makes for a good evening out.

Images below both from Chandler’s Ford Today archives. [Read more…] about Plays – The Joys and Challenges

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Tags: Chameleon Theatre Group, drama, plays, Shakespeare, writing

Chandler’s Ford MDG Players: ‘He’s Not Here’ – Friday 12th April at 7.30pm

April 2, 2019 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

MDG Players are staging for one night only, on Friday 12th April at 7.30pm in the Methodist Church, a thought-provoking drama called, ‘He’s Not Here’ by Les Ellison. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford MDG Players: ‘He’s Not Here’ – Friday 12th April at 7.30pm

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Tags: acting, Chandler's Ford, community, Dovetail Centre, drama, entertainment, event, local interest, MDG Players, Methodist Church, social, theatre, Winchester Road

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

November 30, 2018 By Ben Williams Leave a Comment

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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Tags: A Christmas Carol, acting, arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, Dovetail Centre, drama, entertainment, event, fiction, humour, local interest, MDG Players, Methodist Church, review, social, theatre, Winchester Road

A Christmas Carol – The MDG Players – Review by Allison Symes

November 30, 2018 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

FEATURE IMAGE - A Christmas Carol - The MDG Players - Review by Allison Symes

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is amongst my favourite stories, as I’m sure it is with many of you. It is ultimately a tale of redemption and also a cracking ghost story.

My favourite versions of it (and there have been many produced over the years) are The Muppet Christmas Carol (Michael Caine playing Scrooge) and the version starring Patrick Stewart. It is a question of getting Scrooge’s hardness of heart right without it spilling over into melodrama, something both knights of the realm did fantastically well. [Read more…] about A Christmas Carol – The MDG Players – Review by Allison Symes

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Tags: A Christmas Carol, acting, arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, Dovetail Centre, drama, entertainment, event, fiction, humour, local interest, MDG Players, Methodist Church, review, social, theatre, Winchester Road

Review by Hazel Bateman: A Christmas Carol by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

November 23, 2018 By Hazel Bateman Leave a Comment

I enjoyed a very entertaining evening yesterday when I went to watch A Christmas Carol by the Chandler’s Ford MDG Players. It was held in the Dovetail Centre of the Methodist Church, and this venue facilitated an intimate theatre experience.

The production followed Charles Dickens’ famous story using acting, narration, carol singing and audience participation for the sound effects, which was great fun! The play was brilliantly adapted by James Reynard. [Read more…] about Review by Hazel Bateman: A Christmas Carol by Chandler’s Ford MDG Players

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Tags: A Christmas Carol, acting, arts and crafts, Chandler's Ford, community, Dovetail Centre, drama, entertainment, event, fiction, humour, local interest, MDG Players, Methodist Church, review, social, theatre, Winchester Road
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