Birley Carr Methodist Musical & Dramatic Society

Play Productions

In October of each year, the society seeks to present a play in the Church Hall for a three night run. 

Our production in October 2007   was 'Murdered to Death'  a play by Peter Gordon.  This hilarious spoof of is one of the best of Agatha Christie traditions is set in a country manor house in the 1930's, with an assembled cast of characters guaranteed to delight.  The play introduced Bunting, the butler, an English Colonel with the prerequisite stiff upper lip, a shady French Art Dealer and his moll, a well meaning local sleuth who seems to attract murder wherever she goes and the inept and bungling Inspector Pratt, who battled against the odds to solve the murder of the house's owner.  It soon became clear that the murderer had not finished yet, but could the miscreant be unmasked before everyone else has met their doom, or would the audience die laughing first?

Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, a comedy by Constance Cox based upon short stories by Oscar Wilde was presented 16th - 18th October 2008.

Lord Arthur Savile is a well-bred gentleman who is not overburdened with brains. His engagement to the lovely Sybil Merton looks like eternal happiness - but all this changes when his prospective mother in law, Lady Julia Merton, insists he has his palm read by Mr Podgers, a well-respected cheiromantist who predicts that Lord Arthur will commit a murder at some time. To prevent his future wife from having to bow her head in shame for him, Arthur feels duty-bound to get the dirty deed over and done with before the marriage and sets about choosing his victim, and their method of disposal.

He enlists the help of his faithful butler, Baines, and decides to poison his great aunt. While planning this murder, a strange character appears offering his help. His name is Herr Winkelkopf and he professes to be President of the Royal Society of Anarchists.  Suffice to say, things go drastically awry with the first murder attempt, so another victim is selected, and another!  Things then go from bad to worse, until an important revelation about the identity of Mr.  Podgers puts an end to the whole fiasco, or does it?

The play was well attended by our community and appreciative comments were received regarding the standard of the acting and the quality of the set.

Play Producer

The current play  producer is Caroline Oakley.  Caroline has been a member of the society for over 25 years and has appeared in many of the plays staged during that period.  She is a vastly experienced actress and is looking forward to applying her skills 'on the other side of the footlights'. 

Past productions

A range of different types of play are staged by the group to give our audience some variety of entertainment.  Recent productions have included 'Hobson's Choice', 'The Late Mrs. Early' and 'Queen Elizabeth Slept Here' and   'When we are Married' by J B Priestley.  This latter production was a classic Yorkshire comedy set in a mill town where three couples, who were married on the same day, celebrate their Silver Wedding.  However, circumstances conspired to cast doubt on the legality of their weddings.  A most successful show that was well supported by audiences.

Acting Members.

The active membership of the playgroup comprises a fairly small enthusiastic  band.  We would welcome new members who are interested in acting or assisting backstage/front-stage.  This would allow a larger range of plays to be considered for production.  Rehearsals are held in the Church Hall on Thursdays between May and October with additional rehearsals when necessary on Monday evenings.

Lord Arthur Savile Gallery