In November, the Beccles Public Hall team proudly present three different productions to mark the Centenary of the outbreak of the Great War –  a chance for all of us to remember those who served during the First World War. They sincerely hope you can join them for these magnificent productions. Earlier in the yearthey hosted an exhibition of images from WW1, which were all centred around an early Tank Commander, one Bert Parker, whose extraordinary collection of press-ready images proved to be very moving and of great interest to all those who were able to attend.

They welcome back the highly talented Seagull Rep as they return to the Hall with the final instalment of their very successful touring show – Blackadder Goes Forth written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton.  join us on Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th November 2014 at 7.30pm each night as we are proud to present, Blackadder Goes Forth and Over the Top.

OSeagull Rep Artistic Director, Paul Amer, is directing the final three episodes, ‘Private Plane’, ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Goodbyeee’. “We have loved every performance of our tours so far, from Vicar of Dibley to Blackadder II, but this time, it’s a little different. This time we get to have a great laugh with a script and pay our respects to those who died in the First World War”.

The company will leave the Blackadder franchise behind once this tour is complete and focus on some new challenges but the time felt right to conclude the episodes of Season 4 in line with the Centenary of the outbreak of the Great War and Armistice Day. ” I’ve had a ball playing Blackadder. I love the caustic humour and snide asides. Saying goodbye to him each night has a lot of power and we pay a healthy respect with our performance”, said Jonny Goddard, who concludes his tenure of the role of Edmund Blackadder. “We had a great time and great audiences for the first three episodes on our last tour. The audience are always right there with you, breathing in the trench atmosphere, feeling the slaps that Blackadder endures and ready to deliver the punchlines”! he continued “Yeah, and there seems to be quite a few more in this episode. It’s a shame they can’t actually feel them for me”! adds Michael Moretta, who plays the feckless Baldrick.

Tickets for Blackadder are £10 and £9 for concessions.

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On Thursday 6th November at 2pm, there will be a screening of the very moving and poignant film, Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) Cert 12A, with English subtitles and 116 mins in length.

The year is 1914, and as World War I continues to rage across the European countryside – the bloodiest war ever at that time in human history, numerous sections called an informal, and unauthorised, truce where the various front-line soldiers of the conflict peacefully met each other in No Man’s Land to share a precious pause.

Director, Christian Carion’s Academy Award-nominated account of the true-life wartime event that would offer hope for peace in mankind’s darkest hour – don’t miss!

Tickets for Films from around the World @ the Hall are just £5 and £4 for concessions.

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On Friday 7th and Saturday 8th November, they look forwarded to greeting talented Artistic Director, Jonathan Hunter of SERENDIPITY PRODUCTIONS and his superb cast of actors for a touching DOUBLE-BILL  of remembrance, Billy Mason from Gloucester followed by Lest we Forget, which is a programme of remembrance with poetry, prose letters, sounds and some music from both world wars. The audience will be able to sing along and there will be a visit from Gert and Daisy and the Andrews Sisters.

The first part of the evening is devoted to a wonderful drama – Billy Mason from Gloucester, a gentle and moving story by Sian James, about a 16-year old boy who deserts from the Army in 1918, hides in the woods and is befriended by the lovely Hetty, a farm worker. She is sent to prison for burning the King’s uniform and hiding a deserter. “When I held Billy in my arms it was the nearest thing to happy I know”.

“I have often been asked why did you choose the play, Billy Mason from Gloucester? I reply, in a way it chose me. I was driving back from Oxford on a dreary November afternoon in 2005 and switched on the car radio. The afternoon play was on and I started to listen. Ten minutes into the play I pulled into a lay-by and sat transfixed. The play ended and I continued my journey with moist eyes and a desire to find out more about what I considered to be, the best radio play I’d ever heard” said Jonathan.

He continues ” The next morning I rang BBC Radio Wales and spoke to the play’s Director, Gilly Adams. I asked if there was a stage version of the script. There wasn’t, but two weeks later, I received permission from Sian James, who wrote the original short story. to make my own adaptation and direct a performance. The rest is history – Serendipity Productions toured performances in Essex and Suffolk during 2006″.

“During the anniversary of the Great War, I want to resurrect the play as a tribute to all the young boys who lost their lives. Billy, I feel represents them, and their story must be told”.

The evening of Remembrance will also raise funds for the local branch of The Royal British Legion whose members will be in attendance and proudly displaying the local standards. So please come along and help us to help our HEROES.

Thank your for reading this and we look forward to seeing as many people as possible.

Tickets for this DOUBLE-BILL are £9 and £8 for concessions.

ALL TICKETS FOR THESE EVENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE FROM THE HALL BOX OFFICE, OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY, 10AM TO 3PM OR FROM ON-LINE at www.becclespublichall.com

Sue Bergin, Event Coordinator 

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