FORTY years on from its inception, Woodlanders Music Hall is going strong and celebrating its ruby anniversary.
Located in East Woodlands, near Frome on the edge of the Longleat Estate, the once dilapidated village hall has been transformed through the efforts of the cast of enthusiastic amateurs and the community.
Over the last 40 years, more than £110,000 has been raised through Somerset’s longest running Music Hall to fund local charities. The first show raised £189 to support the village hall and local church and by 1990 the Woodlanders raised enough to pay for the hall to be extended and refurbished.
The iconic Music Hall is now facing its biggest challenge – fundraising to help the community buy the village hall outright and to preserve the ‘Woodlands Hippodrome’ – as it is known for the duration of the show – for future generations.
The Woodlanders Music Hall, which will run a series of shows between 9th-14th October, will see exciting local acts including, sketches, monologues, live music and comic songs, pastiches and parodies; some old, some borrowed and some original.
The 16-strong cast reflects the disparate nature of the group from over the years: a farmer, an undertaker, ex-civil servants, company directors, postal workers, housewives, a former pub landlady, an air stewardess, plus an ex-Pontins Bluecoat.
Original cast member, David Millard, a former auctioneer with Cooper & Tanner, provides a link back to that very first show. David has presided as ‘chairman’ on the night since 1977, introducing more than 150 performers and over 800 acts in a “decorous yet divergent diffusion of delights”. David’s dedication has seen him attend almost every show over 40 years, only missing one year through illness.
Sandra Gaisford, Woodlanders’ chairman said, “Saving the hall was the original reason the Woodlanders was formed, but the show is very much about community and village life. It is a local show, using local talent and supporting local good causes.
“In the early days of the Woodlanders, the sheer energy and inventiveness of the performers carried the show, and there was nothing else like it around. But these days we have a more sophisticated audience and there is much more alternative entertainment on offer. So now we try to put on a more polished show, but still have fun doing it. And while we may be slightly more ‘professional’ than in the past, our audience still love it when we get it wrong!
“It’s been a wonderful project to be a part of and we’re determined that the Hippodrome will continue for many more years to come.”
The Woodlanders music hall runs from 9th-14th October. All tickets are just £10 and available via the box office and from 01373 463643.
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