Post date: Jan 17, 2018 12:38:38 PM
I’m pleased to report that we’re back (kind of) but saddened to explain the reasons behind things.
Tomorrow Productions was formed from members of June Walkers 'The Link Players'.
Unfortunately recently Link Players have gone through turbulent times. Pauline, Links leading lady for many years passed away, then unfortunately followed by June herself.
After Pauline died a decision was made to close the Link Players for good. It had been a fantastic run but everything must come to an end at some time, and it seemed fitting to retire Link then.
Interestingly audience reaction was such that June had a change of heart. She re-launched the group as Encore Theatre Group, members of Tomorrow Productions re joined and we produced a play which was performed at Birmingham Fame and at the Stockland Green Methodist Church. Entitled ‘The Next Big Thing’ it would be very familiar to all Tomorrow Production fans. Many of the usual faces were there, David wrote it but June produced it. A comedy involving football, pigeon racing and murder - sounds typical of our normal material eh?
We performed the shows over three nights to audiences who at times gave it a standing ovation. Really! However, June had been taken ill just before opening night, she died before the end of the year.
So we started this year with most of Tomorrow Productions staff working with Encore, with an open invite that any members old or new could join us if they wished. I’m pleased to report a new member for both Encore and TP, Simon has joined. So, where are we now? Effectively we’re working together, neither Tomorrow Productions or Encore are big enough to produce work apart, but together – why not!
Birmingham Fame this year will have a new play from the “Encore & Tomorrow Productions” team. ‘ Welcome to Birmingham’ is a play by David and signals the rebirth of both companies. June would be so proud we’re still out there doing it. Last year I sat with her in the bar at BFAME and she was just loving it, she did her own adjudications of all the shows, as she watched all weekend. Obviously she picked the winner, runner up and even best actor and actress.
June was always a ‘The show must go on’ type of person, so we are June, we’ll keep going and we’ll try to remembering everything you ever taught us.