HATS« Merchistoun Hall

The BIG stage clear up – Sunday 13th May 2012

By Lisa (Youth Arts) on Wednesday 04th April 2012

Sunday 13th May 2012 sees Horndean Amateur Dramatics Society (HATS) and Merchistoun Hall Youth Arts (MHYA) join forces to undertake the BIG Stage clear up. With years of performances under both groups belts, lots of props and set building equipment has accumulated over the years and its time to join together and get the best possible environment to perform in for all who use the stage areas.

We are giving up our Sunday to help make a huge difference to the theatre space that we know and love and for those who hire it. After the BIG clear out we hope in the not too distant future that we can give it a lick of paint and make it the vibrant happy theatre space it was again!

Any leftovers of paint you may have that you don’t want please let us know we might be able to use it in the BIG backstage makeover!

If you can help or want to get involved please contact Youth Arts on youtharts AT merchistounhall.co DOT uk

That Was The Weekend That Was

By Brendan Charles (Association Manager) on Thursday 08th December 2011

HATS once again entertained a packed house over the weekend of November with their production of ‘Don’t Get your Vicars in a Twist ‘. It ran from Thur Nov 24th – Sat 29th – and showcased new members to the group, an excellent cast and equally impressive set all of which have, in past productions, seen HATS win awards in excellence & other categories from NODA.

Audience feedback has been wonderful:

‘Everyone was laughing’
’It was good to see a full house’
’The entire evening was so well organised …you could pre-book your drinks for the interval’
’What a great night out for £5.00 (plus a free mince pie!)’

Their winter production for 2012 is now being planned …a Panto, Babes in the Wood – a joint production with our Merchistoun Youth Arts.

On the Sunday we entertained the Chain Gang with a three course Christmas lunch with all the trimmings! Pigs in blankets, brandy butter & homemade roast potatoes.

During the afternoon, we were presented with an engraved glass keepsake inscribed with: ‘The Chain Gang wishes to place on record its appreciation for all the years of unstinting support given by Brendan & Julia‘

We will welcome the Chain Gang back for their quarterly lunches in 2012; dates are booked and menus being planned!

Other news you might like,

That Was The Weekend That Was On Saturday Evening we hosted an After Wedding Party – congratulations to the happy couple and we wish you a...
That Was The Weekend That Was Horndean Amateur Theatrical Society (HATS) performances heralded a busy & successful weekend at Merchistoun Hall – they enjoyed a full...
That Was The Weekend That Was We hosted two events and one activity for the That Was The Weekend That Was for Saturday 25th and Sunday...

HATS wins an accolade of ‘excellence’ from NODA for their production of “Where there’s a will”.

By Brendan Charles (Association Manager) on Monday 12th September 2011

HATS is a member of NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) South East Region.

Each year NODA South East gives accolades of excellence – one for drama and one for musical – to societies in each of the districts on the recommendation of the District regional representative.

The accolades are presented at the NODA South East conference.
For 2010/11 John Thomas the Regional representative for District 10 proposed the drama accolade should go to HATS for our production of “Where there’s a Will” which we performed in November 2010.
Betty Perryman and Ross Hatcher went to the Conference in Guildford on 10 July and picked up the award.

The accolade is a scroll signed by the Regional Councillor and Regional Representative.

John Thomas came to the recent One Act plays performance on 15 July and gave a brief speech to the audience about the award and made a formal presentation of it to me on behalf of the society. A huge congratulations to all @ HATS

We will be forwarding a complete review of the summer 5 weeks – complete with pics in early Sept & also using it to promote the October 1/2 term & Christmas workshops too

That Was The Weekend That Was

By Steve Mayne (Friend) on Thursday 07th July 2011

Another busy and packed weekend at Merchistoun Hall!

Friday evening saw us play host to a relaxed evening of “Readin’, Writin’ & Rhythm” as presented by Steve Blackman (with original stories) & Will Reynolds (with original guitar music). They presented their two act show to a very appreciative audience of made up of friends, family and guests. The event was complete with a buffet supper provided by the company.

Saturday night we hosted an anniversary party complete with chocolate fountain, a pick and mix sweet stand, and popcorn machine.

Sunday we were the host to the St Edmunds Church lunchtime gathering of 50 guests to provided for themselves a cold buffet lunch in our main hall whilst also enjoying the glorious sunshine of the day!

HATS spend the rest of the Sunday afternoon and evening creating the set for their new Production, and Footlights returned for their regular rehearsals.

Other news you might like,

That Was The Weekend That Was On Saturday Evening we hosted an After Wedding Party – congratulations to the happy couple and we wish you a...
That Was The Weekend That Was Last Saturday saw the Wedding Celebration of Becky & Ashley at Merchistoun Hall. The venue dressed in blue and white, ...

Youth Arts Open Day a Success!

By Lisa (Youth Arts) on Tuesday 10th May 2011

Proteus Theatre Company staged a master-class in theatre for the Youth Arts Open Day on Saturday 7th May!

A day of devised theatre with both existing members and potential new ones was deemed a success by all!

Great fun was had improvising and putting theatre skills to use, Derek ,the surfer from Yorkshire with one leg who was also a pirate was the highlight of the day’s events! Potential members got to take part in a youth arts experience with a difference.

From the Open Day we hope that new members will come a long and become a part of our programme.

With “A Tomb with A View” being the next production for Footlights -where Agatha Christie meets the Adams Family, we hope this comedy will show case new talents!

A Christmas Pantomime is on the cards with HATS will strengthen the existing intergenerational work Youth Arts is already doing!

Proteus Theatre Co have agreed to be the Youth Arts Professional Advisers in all aspects of theatre production and we all hope to learn from them and develop our work further!