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Ritchie Memorial Hall

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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The Dragon of Wantley – Chameleon Theatre Company – Review

May 6, 2022 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credit:   Many thanks to The Chameleons for kind permission to use their pictures here. Photos of the programme taken by me, Allison Symes.

It was a pleasure to be back at Ritchie Hall in Hursley Road to watch The Chameleon Theatre Group perform their postponed pantomime, The Dragon of Wantley. This was originally due to be staged in January.

Janet and I had a wonderful evening which was full of laughs. Comedy can be a real tonic at times (as can farcical comedy which pantomime excels at) and I must admit I walked home, feeling cheered and uplifted for watching a fabulous show. After the last couple of years, a good laugh was exactly what was needed.

[Read more…] about The Dragon of Wantley – Chameleon Theatre Company – Review

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Tags: Chameleon Theatre productions, local theatre, pantomime, review, Ritchie Memorial Hall, The Chameleons, The Dragon of Wantley

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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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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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

The Chameleons: Blackadder Goes Forth – Review by Ben Williams

November 3, 2018 By Ben Williams Leave a Comment

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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The Chameleons: Blackadder Goes Forth – Review by Allison Symes

November 2, 2018 By Allison Symes 5 Comments

FEATURE IMAGE Blackadder Goes Forth programme-1

IMAGE CREDIT:  A very big thank you to Stuart Wineberg and The Chameleons for kind permission to use the images in this post.

I’m delighted to review the Chameleons’ latest production – Blackadder Goes Forth. [Read more…] about The Chameleons: Blackadder Goes Forth – Review by Allison Symes

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The Chameleons: Blackadder Goes Forth – Review by Dominic Mayes

October 31, 2018 By SO53 News 2 Comments

This review is written by Dominic Mayes

Blackadder Goes Forth, performed by Chameleon Theatre Company, went beyond all expectations. It truly brought back a classic comedy set during one of the greatest conflicts in history on the Western Front in 1917. [Read more…] about The Chameleons: Blackadder Goes Forth – Review by Dominic Mayes

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A Bunch of Amateurs – Review by Allison Symes

August 3, 2018 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credit:  As ever, a very big thank you to Lionel Elliott and The Chameleons for supplying the pictures.

There can’t be many plays which manage to be entertaining and reveal all you need to know about Shakespeare’s King Lear at the same time but A Bunch of Amateurs managed this beautifully.

Ben Williams’ review shows what a great play this is and, if you love a laugh AND Shakespeare, it is the play for you. (It was a film, starring Burt Reynolds, but for a play about a play, the stage is the best place for it).
[Read more…] about A Bunch of Amateurs – Review by Allison Symes

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

Review: A Bunch of Amateurs by Chameleon Theatre Company

July 28, 2018 By Ben Williams Leave a Comment

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

April Trio of Plays – The Chameleons – Review by Allison Symes

May 4, 2018 By Allison Symes 1 Comment

Feature Image - April Trio of Plays

Image Credit: Many thanks to Lionel Elliott and the Chameleons for supplying the images.

It was good to be back at the Richie Memorial Hall to watch the Chameleons’ latest production on Thursday, 26th April. They staged three plays in one show. All were set in different times and backgrounds. [Read more…] about April Trio of Plays – The Chameleons – Review by Allison Symes

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Tags: acting, drama, entertainment, review, Ritchie Memorial Hall, World War One

Review: April Trio of Plays by Chameleon Theatre Company

April 28, 2018 By Ben Williams 1 Comment

Trio of plays 2018 feature

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: Jack and the Beanstalk by Chameleon Theatre Chandler’s Ford – January 2018

February 9, 2018 By Geoff Dodsworth 2 Comments

I should begin by explaining that the regular contributors who normally write these articles were unavailable on this occasion and consequently we were asked if we would write the review ourselves. I volunteered as I had had no involvement in this Pantomime, apart from watching it as a member of the Front of House Staff for the last three performances so hopefully my review will be objective. I have also attempted to follow the style of the previous articles which has been to describe rather than criticise. [Read more…] about Review: Jack and the Beanstalk by Chameleon Theatre Chandler’s Ford – January 2018

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Tags: arts and crafts, Chameleon Theatre, Chandler’s Ford community, community, entertainment, event, Hursley Road, local interest, review, Ritchie Memorial Hall, theatre

Murdered To Death – The Chameleon Theatre Company – Review Part 2

November 10, 2017 By Allison Symes 6 Comments

Feature Image - Murdered to Death Review

I had the great joy of going to see Murdered to Death by Peter Gordon as performed by The Chameleon Theatre Group on Saturday 28th October. What with the Book Fair in the morning, it was a busy day but a hugely enjoyable one and the show rounded things off beautifully.

How can you tell if something is a spoof? I always look for tautology in the title! It is done for exaggeration (a great comic technique). I can’t think of any other genre where the “To Death” bit would be added. It certainly wouldn’t be in crime fiction, where murder generally is taken very seriously! [Read more…] about Murdered To Death – The Chameleon Theatre Company – Review Part 2

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Review: Murdered to Death by Chameleon Theatre Company

November 8, 2017 By Ben Williams 2 Comments

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 – A Comedy Trio: Chameleon Theatre Company – Allison Symes

May 5, 2017 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Feature Image - A Comedy Trio

I saw A Comedy Trio by The Chameleon Theatre Group on 27th April 2017. Despite feeling miserable due to a heavy cold, (I am not the world’s best patient!), I am glad to say the production made me laugh and I went home feeling considerably better in spirit, at least, than when I arrived! Now there’s a review for you…

Many thanks, as ever, to Lionel Elliott for supplying CFT with the pictures. [Read more…] about Review – A Comedy Trio: Chameleon Theatre Company – Allison Symes

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Review: The House of Fog by Chameleon Theatre Company

April 29, 2017 By Ben Williams 2 Comments

The House of Fog feature

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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