MEMBER: 1993 - 2016

 

The Monday Players were founded by a group of people who were no strangers to the stage in Escrick, particularly so with Frank who was seen in many sketches at the Music Hall and was renowned for his dialect monologues.  Who could forget his rendition of The Messiah?  It was only natural that he should become a Monday Player, appearing in many of our productions, again enjoying making his audience laugh.  

 

His LeClerc in ‘Allo ‘Allo was priceless.  He was also priceless with off stage help.  He found space at the farm to build and store our scenery and staging.  With a couple of other senior members he would join in fixing and painting it for the next production, interspersed with a few cups of tea.  They would joke that they were characters from “The Last of the Summer Wine”, but which one was Compo?     With a few more helping hands all was loaded onto a trailer and, with Frank at the wheel, tractored down to the village hall.  We stood in awe as he reversed it into the car park and up to the back door of the hall.  

 

For many years Frank relished being the caller for our raffles.  With his kind, witty, humour the raffle soon became part of the entertainment, especially when he would time and again produce one of the Escrick millennium mugs as his bonus prize.

 

In recognition of everything Frank had done for the Monday Players he was given honorary membership of the Society in June 2012.   Frank was our only honorary member and will be a hard act to follow.

 

There are so many happy memories of this kind, honourable, considerate, gentle man.  He loved flying and would give a flight as a prize at the village fete.  Those who flew with him, once they had given him a leg up into the plane, would never forget it.    

 

He was resourceful too, and could produce a vital piece of timber to complete a stage set or lock the stage blocks with rope tightened expertly with sheeting knots.

 

Whenever a compliment, thanks, or a gift was given to Frank, his genuine response was “Bless you dear”.  As our huge thanks to this very special and much loved man we say “Bless you Frank”.

​

 

CAST

2009 - May - Cabaret 2009 - On Stage

2008 - May - Comic Potential - The Farmer

2006 - May - Witness For The Prosecution - Foreman of the Jury

2005 - May - ‘Allo ‘Allo - LeClerc

2004 - Mar - Sandcastles - A Beachcomber

2002 - Jun - Separate Tables / Dress Rehearsal - Mr Fowler (ST) / Mr Trotter (DR)

2001 - May - Last Tango In Whitby - Henry

2000 - Nov - Celebration Arthur - Broadbent

2000 - Jun - Millennium Cabaret - On Stage

1996 - Feb - When We Are Married - Henry Ormonroyd

1995 - May - The Happiest Days Of Our Lives - Rainbow

1993 - Dec - Season’s Greetings - Bernard

 

CREW

2011 - Nov - Role Play - Front Of House

2011 - May - Habeas Corpus - Front Of House

2010 - Nov - Taking Steps - Front Of House

2010 - May - Pygmalion - Front Of House

2009 - Nov - Natural Causes - Front Of House / Set

2008 - Nov - Angels In Love - Front Of House

2008 - May - Comic Potential  - Programme Adverts

2007 - Nov - Caramba’s Revenge - Front Of House / Transport

2007 - May - Outside Edge - Front Of House / Transport

2006 - Nov - Party Piece - Front Of House

2006 - May - Witness For The Prosecution - Front Of House / Set / Transport

2005 - Nov - Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime - Front Of House / Set

2004 - Nov - Daisy Pulls It Off - Front Of House

2004 - Mar - Sandcastles - Front Of House / Set

2003 - Nov - Blithe Spirit - Front Of House

2003 - May - Joking Apart - Front Of House

2003 - Jan - Red Riding Hood - Haunted House / Front Of House

2001 - Nov - Fringe Benefits - Front Of House / Set

2000 - Nov - Celebration Set

2000 - Apr - The Farndale Ave Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery - Front Of House / Set

1999 - Nov - Stepping Out - Front Of House / Set

1998 - Nov - Flying Feathers - Front Of House / Set

1998 - May - Suddenly At Home - Set

1997 - Nov - Bedroom Farce - Set

1997 - May - Breath Of Spring - Set

1996 - Nov - Fish Out Of Water - Stage Manager / Lighting & Sound

​