New coronavirus restrictions impact on theatre groups in the Spalding area
Following the announcement of new COVID restrictions, it is clearly going to be a while longer before we can enjoy live theatre.
Among those theatre groups affected by the coronavirus lockdown has been Spalding Amateur and Dramatic Society (SADOS).
The group would have performed its production ‘Teechers’ in May this year at the South Holland Centre. However, that was postponed until November.
But with the South Holland Centre remaining closed for the time being and with further COVID restrictions, the performance been put on hold yet again until May 2021.
The group was also set for a number of events to mark its 150th anniversary this year. Those plans have also been postponed.
Following Boris Johnson’s announcement in the House of Commons last week on tighter rules to control the spread of COVID , chair of SADOS, Jodie Schweikhardt, said: “After hearing Boris’ speech just now, it’s thrown everything into uncertainty again.
“We’re missing rehearsing together and putting on entertainment and shows for the community. We miss our friends at the South Holland Centre too. It’s been such a tough year for everybody and it’s a shame this thing is now rolling into next year.
“It is pretty sad for SADOS. It is our 150th anniversary and that has been put off until 2021. We had wanted to have an exhibition in Ayscoughfee Hall.
“Postponing our productions has a knock-on effect. We have Kei Bailey, a freelance director who has written a show called Spilt Milk. It is so funny and has been on radio during lockdown. It has gone down a storm and he has agreed to direct it for us.
“In other news we now have our own band! Charlie Russell, Zak Colam and Andrew Rudd will be playing in the band for SADOS. They’ve called it ‘SODAS’, which is SADOS backwards, like ‘pop’, as in soda pop. They will be playing for our productions and for SADOS’ own gigs with a charity bucket to help raise funds.”
Teechers is being directed by Rob Nicholls, along with first time producer Lauren Bullock. It has a small cast of four and the team was pretty much ready to go with the production before lockdown suddenly hit.
The script follows a group of fifth form students who, through their end of term play, tell the hilarious story of an idealistic new teacher in his perilous first days inside a local comprehensive school.