Autumn 2016 marks the 50th season for the Winchester Dramatic Society at the Chesil Theatre, Winchester. The first production of this Golden Jubilee season is an award winning comedy by Yasmina Reza, the author of the smash hit play, Art.

A playground altercation between two eleven-year-old boys brings their parents together to resolve the matter. Diplomatic niceties are observed at first, but as the meeting progresses, tensions emerge and the gloves come off, leaving the couples with more than just their liberal principles in tatters.

Director Mary Stone said: "With just four parts there is a lot of scope for character development, which makes this play an exciting challenge, for the actors. The playwright states that the parents are in their forties but so, as long as the actors look like they could be the parent of an 11 year old, they are very welcome to audition."

God of Carnage Reading and Auditions
Reading: Friday 3rd June at 7.45pm
Auditions: Saturday 4th at 2pm and Sunday 5th June at 7.45pm
Performances: Saturday 17th September - 24th September 2016
All at the Chesil Theatre

OddBox Theatre present their latest devised piece: an eerie retelling of Edgar Allen Poe's gothic classic "The Raven".

This experimental one act play explores the psyche of one man as he battles his guilt, grief and solitude. While our character spends his days unable to face the past, he starts looking for an escape and questioning his own mortality.
But when does a man get so desperate, he turns to a bird for guidance? A raven that merely cries "Nevermore"...

​Tickets are £8 each.

Both 6:30pm performances will also offer a Q&A with the Director, choreographer and actors, which will take place straight after the performance.

​Book tickets here. 

A local community art project called ‘We found it in Chesil’ has been launched to help research and discover the rich local history connected with the Chesil Street area of Winchester.

The project will engage with local residents, businesses and groups to discover what it is like to be part of this community.

French artist Laurence Dube-Rushby has been commissioned by Winchester City Council to coordinate the project.

From the stories, memories, photographs and images that people share, she will produce designs for display on the site hoardings for the Chesil extra-care housing scheme under construction on the former Chesil Street surface car park.
Laurence said: "It is amazing to discover a wealth of historical facts related to the street as well as personal stories. Chesil Street seems like a whole separate part of Winchester with a real identity attached to it. It is definitely worth a visit and a chat with all the wonderful business-owners and residents there."

The project has already sparked the interest of several local groups and businesses. These include the junior section of Chesil Youth Theatre, based in Chesil Street.

Working with their Director, Corinne James, and Laurence they have been developing a diverse range of characters from the past, all connected with the location.

They will tell their stories through improvisation on Wednesday 11 May at around 6.30pm along The Weirs, close to the Bishop on the Bridge. People will have the opportunity to join in, have some fun and tell their own stories too. Everyone is welcome.

Corinne said: "Children from the Chesil Youth Theatre junior section are aged 8-12. They have really enjoyed preparing this project: choosing a character, developing it through improvisation and learning about the history of Chesil Street, where we are based. For some this will be their first taste of performance and for the whole group a lively introduction to street theatre. We are all looking forward to being part of this fun event."

Martin Humphrey, Chairman of Chesil Theatre, added: "Chesil Street is certainly a vibrant community and Chesil Theatre this year celebrates 50 years of performing in the listed building of St Peter's Church. Our neighbours certainly lend a hand in our activities, recently including props provided by The Black Boy and Richard Steel, fundraising from Chesil Rectory restaurant and always great support from residents. We are very proud of our Chesil Youth Theatre and delighted they can contribute to this worthwhile community arts project."

There will be other opportunities for local people to meet Laurence and tell her their stories or share photographs on Wednesday 11 May at Winchester City Mill entrance, 1.30pm to 4pm.

Laurence will also run a workshop for All Saints School on 26 May and a Queen’s birthday celebration with the St John’s charity on 2 June.
Laurence can be contacted on 0750 022 0673 or by email info@laurencerushbyart.co.uk Visit Laurence’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wefounditinchesil/

Written at the height of his career, David Hare’s challenging play Amy’s View is a saga of complex family relationships and varying fortunes covering a period of immense change from 1979 to 1995.
 
In its historical context, the global market is being established; the internet and technological advances become common place. On a domestic level, there is a running argument about the respective values of traditional theatre, upheld by Esme, a successful West End actress, and those of modern media, film and television, championed by her daughter Amy’s partner, Dominic. The drama is also a study of opinions on marriage, love, fame, fidelity, betrayal and artistic integrity when the visit of Esme’s daughter Amy sets in train a series of turbulent events which reach resolution sixteen years later.
 
David Hare is known for his incisive comments on public institutions – the church, judiciary, government. Amy’s View is played against the background of the corporate world, elusive ethics and insurance giant Lloyd’s of London going through the most traumatic period in its history.
 
Amy’s View performs at the Chesil Theatre Winchester from 21st to 28th May 2016. Bookings can be made through chesiltheatre.org.uk or by calling 0333 666 3366.