Category: entertainment and leisure news

SUNDAY, November 5, is the date for another of the very popular evenings of Words and Music, featuring National Theatre actor, Bruce Alexander and international opera and recital singer, Adrian Thompson.
“Good Points and Consolations” is devised and presented by Playwright and stage director, Patrick Collins, who is also joined by members of his Broken Lace Theatre Company.
The entertainment will begin at 8pm, at the Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame, and tickts cost

SUNDAY 8th October at 7.45pm At THE PLAYERS THEATRE, Nelson Street, Thame.
Those who came to see Gordon Peters perform his tribute to Flanders and Swann at the Players Theatre in Thame last June, will know how accomplished Gordon is. His vast experience, mainly in TV shows such as Little Britain, Dads Army, One Foot in the Grave and many others, assures a professional show of the highest quality.
This time he presents ‘Comedy Tonite’ – a cocktail of hilarious comedy songs – some old – some new – nothing borrowed – nothing blue (well a little bit saucy, maybe).
The performance will take place at The Players Theatre in Nelson Street Thame on Sunday 8th October at 7.45pm. Tickets cost

REMINDER – Some tickets left- October 6, (Friday)A Dog’s Life: An Evening with John Leeson
Doors open 7.30pm for “curtain up” at 8.00pm, at Thame Barns Centre, Church Road, Thame. An opportunity to spend and evening with John Leeson, (the voice of K9).
West End stage and television star, John Leeson, goes ‘backstage’ and behind the cameras with this engaging and at times funny encounter with one of Dr Who’s closest companions, as he talks about his diverting life on stage and screen and recalls his experiences working with the Doctor. Directed by Award-winning film and stage Director, Richard FAwkes, the evening brings together the talets of two find professionals from the field of entertainment. Tickets

THAME Cinema for All is back at the Players Theatre in Thame for another season offering the best in contemporary cinema and short films from local film makers.
The season kicks off on September 30th, with what the Guardian described as one of the great films of the decade. Hidden, starring Daniel Auteuil and the wonderful Juliette Binoche, was released in the UK earlier this year, and had the critics falling over each other in their efforts to praise it. It is a contemporary thriller about a couple being stalked by someone who sends them videotapes of themselves. This person has clearly, on the evidence of his video footage, intimate access to their domestic sphere, yet they do not know who he is, or how he and his camera have infiltrated their lives. A compelling essay in psychology and politics, it builds to a knife edge of suspense.

The following week, on the 7th of October, the film will be Capote, featuring Philip Seymour Hoffman?s Oscar winning performance as the iconic American author Truman Capote. This fascinating film explores the writing of In Cold Blood, his story of the brutal murder of a mid-Western family. The book was to become his masterpiece, but was also his undoing.

The 21st of October will feature Paradise Now, a film that tells the story of two young Palestinians who are recruited to be suicide bombers. It doesn?t portray them as monsters, nor does it excuse their actions, but tells a very moving story that is terribly relevant.

All films begin at 8pm, doors open 7.30. Tickets

September 22nd-29th One World Week. Haddenham Third World Link group is mounting a display at the library to mark One World Week. The week culminates with a sale table, with cakes, biscuits, preserves etc, at the Friday Coffee Stop on the 29th (10am-12noon) to raise funds for the Third World projects the group is currently supporting.

Sunday 24th Heart and Sole Walk. This month’s country walk (about 4 miles on country footpaths) starts at 2pm from outside Haddenham library. Stout footwear and suitable clothes are needed.

Sunday 24th/Monday 25th Feast and Fair. Churches Together in Haddenham will be holding their annual, open-air, Haddenham Feast service on Sunday (7.45pm) round the fairground carousel at Church End. The fair itself will be open for business on Monday evening. Motorists are advised to avoid Church End on Sunday and Monday, if at all possible, as the roadway is likely to be very restricted at times. Please note that the 280 buses will be turning round at Willis Road and not Church End as usual – see notices on the bus stops for more details. Those attending services at St Mary’s Church on Sunday should note that St Mary’s School will be open for use as a car park.

ADVANCE NOTICES. Look out for information next week about coffee mornings in Haddenham for Macmillan Nurses on Friday 29th and Haddenham Stitchers’ Patchwork and Stitch exhibition at the Village Hall on Saturday 30th.

October 3rd Wine Tasting. Tickets (

EVERYONE who saw Ian English and the Boodlum Band at the Players Theatre, Thame, last November, will be delighted to know that Ian is returning to The Players Theatre on Sunday, October 1, at 7.45pm, this time with a broader based programme with something for everyone.
Tony Long, Thame Players Chairman, said: “Ian has been a popular local performer for many years. I’ve got an old vinyl LP of Ian’s (those were the days) from the 80s and he is even better today. I, for one, won’t miss this evening of what promises to be great music and great fun.”

Tickets cost

ACTRESS, Jenny Agutter, who as a child played in the classic film, The Railway Children, is to appear at the Players Theatre in Thame.
On Sunday, September 24, at 7.45pm, along with two musicians, Jeremy Polmear and Diane Ambache, she will perform The Pursuit of Happiness which looks at ways people have looked for happiness over the centuries.

The readings will range from Shakespeare and Emily Bronte to Oliver Postgate and Roger McGough. The music will span Bach to Gershwin, and Mozart to Cole Porter.

Words and music will weave together to create a picture of the ways we look for happiness and the promoters say: “As well as entertaining and moving the audience, the performance puts them in the frame of mind to experience happiness themselves.”

Tickets are

CRENDON Chamber Orchestra’s concert season starts soon, with a concert to celebrate the anniversaries of both Mozart and Shostakovich – and will feature some most unusual percussion!
St. Mary’s Church, Thame, Saturday, October 14, is the date for the diary, for an exhilarating mixture of both classical and twentieth century works by those two great composers.

The concert opens with Mozart’s Overture Die Entf

Haddenham Badminton Club sessions have resumed, after the summer break, on Fridays (7.30pm), at Haddenham Community Junior School. New members who have some previous experience of the game are most welcome. You can just turn up on any Friday evening, or phone Andrew Wild (01296 748679) for further details.

Thursday 14th Thursday Club. Naturalist Victor Scott pays a welcome return visit to Haddenham’s Thursday Club (1.30pm), in the Village Hall Lounge, with an illustrated talk entitled ‘The Chiltern Woodlands’ arranged by WEA Carry on Learning. Non-members are welcome.

Thursday 14th Bingo. Another bingo evening will be held in aid of Haddenham Age Concern – starting at 7.30pm at the Youth and Community Centre, Woodways. Players of all ages will be welcome.

Tues 19th Give Blood. There is a donor session at Haddenham Village Hall (1.30-3.25pm and 4.15- 6.45pm). New donors (aged 17-60) are asked to arrive at least half-an-hour before the end of the session to allow time for registration.

Wed 20th Neighbourhood Watch. A speaker from Trading Standards will be giving at talk at a Neighbourhood Watch meeting (7.30pm) at Haddenham Methodist Chapel, High Street.

Sunday 24th/Mon 25th Haddenham Feast and Fair. Advance notice that the Haddenham Feast service will be on September 24 and the fair will be in operation on September 25. Details to follow.

WEST End stage and TV Star, John Leeson, the voice of Dr Who’s K9, goes backstage and behind the cameras with this engaging, and at times funny encounter with one of Dr Who’s closest companions as he talks about his diverting life on stage and screen and recalls his experiences with The Doctor.
Directed by award-winning film and stage director, Richard Fawkes, the evening brings together the talents of two fine professionals from the field of entertainment.

Tickets for the show, which is to be held on Friday, October 6, cost