THE COMPASS THEATRE – IT ALL POINTS TO RECORD AUDIENCES!

There’s a huge air of excitement at the Compass Theatre – one of the jewels in Ickenham’s Crown – as the pantomime season draws near.  ‘Aladdin’ is coming for Christmas and is expected to break all box-office records – even more than the 4,000+ who came to see ‘Cinderella’ last year. 

 

When Aladdin starts to polish that lamp on 12th December he will continue with scarcely a break until 29th December.  There will be magic in the air and on the stage with great songs, lots of laughter and specially-created animated scenery – and a voice very familiar to many of us.  For the voice of legendary DJ Tony Blackburn will be featured as The Genie.  Tony was for many years one of the main presenters of Top Of The Pops and his was the first voice to feature on Radio 1, where he hosted the Breakfast Show from 1967 to 1973.  Younger TV viewers may know him better as the first ever winner, in 2002, of ITV’s “I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!”

And no one’s looking forward to this show more than Arts Theatres Manager, Tim Saward.  Tim came to Ickenham as the Compass manager in 2010 but his responsibilities have grown since then.  He now also manages the Manor Farm estate in Ruislip (both the historic buildings and the Winston Churchill Theatre).  And he has an overview on the Hayes Amphitheatre and Southlands Art Centre in West Drayton. 

 So how does he manage to keep all those balls in the air?  “Through teamwork, keeping everything moving and enabling other people to do their best”, he says.  “Running a theatre is about organising a rather complicated building.  But fortunately, there’s so much enthusiasm and talent around to tap into.  For example, the Compass works with about 26 different drama and music societies who put on their performances here.  We are especially proud of the youth participation that’s involved.  And all our activities are strongly supported by volunteers. 

“We depend on these volunteers - of all ages and talents  - and there are always opportunities for new people to help out and learn; in the gardens, the wardrobe department, our coffee and wine bars and in the box office.  And the ‘Friends of Ickenham Hall’, (part of the Compass complex) are always looking out for practical help with their work too.” 

So we have much to appreciate thanks to the efforts of Tim and his team.  For more information on Aladdin and all the other performances coming up right here on our doorstep, view the website at www.compasstheatre.co.uk.  The Compass Box Office number is 01895 673200. 

AFN

 

FROM THE CHURCHES’ REGISTERS

Baptism at St Giles’
Oct 27th           Ethan Michael Wild

Cremations at Breakspear Crematorium
Oct 17th           Margery Hirst, aged 99
Nov 8th            Bernard Chapman, aged 89 (followed by service at St Giles’)
Nov 8th            Peter Spencer, aged 86
Nov 19th          Peter Hodgson, aged 74
Nov 20th          Gordon “Jack” Gathercole, aged 86

 

ST GILES’ CHURCH STREET PRAYER LIST

Each Sunday at St Giles’ Church we pray for all the people who live or work in a particular road in the Parish.  During December and January we will pray for the following roads:

Dec 1st	Charlbury Road		Jan 5th	Clovelly Close
Dec 8th	Charlton Close		Jan 12th	Compass Theatre
Dec 15th	Chiltern Close		Jan 19th	Copthall Road East
Dec 22nd	Church Parade		Jan 26th	Copthall Road West
Dec 29th	Clovelly Avenue

If you live in one of these roads why not join us at our 8am or 9.45am services?  You will be most welcome.