Page 6 - HGS Suburb News 132 - Autumn 2017

The curtain falls on a wonderful Suburb institution Suburb playwright

After 28 amazing years The As a result, this proved to be tickets almost always were Finally and most importantly, at the Park Theatre
Hampstead Garden Suburb a boon for many older, and snapped up very fast. An a huge ‘Thank You’ and great
Theatre Club has sadly had to sometimes frailer, Suburb eclectic mix of productions was credit must go to the committee
call ‘Finale’ but can look back members giving them the offered over the year, dramas, who have worked extremely
on having made possible regular opportunity to go to the theatre, comedies and musicals but in hard over the years to make this MATTHEW HOUSE
theatre outings to the top West which they would rarely have December there was always a all possible. One or two of them
End theatres and elsewhere been able to do, if at all. In fact popular Musical Show on offer. have been members almost
around London for countless many members have said the Also, in the summer, the from the first days. They are Sue
retired Suburb members. club was the highlight of their committee organised an extra Aldous, Barbara Bliss, Valerie
From 19 September 1989, month, enabling them to get treat… a full day outing into Codron, Sue Cookson, Madeleine
when its first outing was to the out and see first class theatrical the countryside to a theatre Melling, and Elaine Grays. They
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre to productions and an almost outside London which would have brought untold pleasure,
see ‘Prin’ with Sheila Hancock door-to-door service. always include a luncheon, a culture, stimulation and
for the princely sum of £12, it The Club has about 150 wonderful matinee production camaraderie to all the Theatre
has organised monthly visits members and with partners, and afternoon tea! This final Club members and as the
and a coach from Central over 200 and there was always a year it was ‘A Little Night Music’ metaphorical curtain falls, we
Square and Temple Fortune, to waiting list for membership. If by Stephen Sondheim at the will share with them, many
take and bring home its patrons. members moved out of the Watermill Theatre in Newbury, very happy memories.
Its informal motto became ‘The Suburb, they still wanted to Berkshire. Quite outstanding By a very grateful patron!
Club that collects and delivers’! belong to the theatre club, so and all for the price of £60! HELEN NAFTALIN

(Left to right) Natasha Bain, Susannah Doyle, Gary Webster.
Celebrated Suburb resident, former her marriage and eventually
psychotherapist and playwright her life.
Matthew Campling’s 10th play, Susannah Doyle, well-known
The Secondary Victim, runs at from TV and film (Drop the Dead
the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park Donkey, About a Boy) plays Ali.
from November 14 to December 9. Her husband is TV ‘hard man’
Ali, who is married, is a well Gary Webster (Minder, Family
respected therapist, until a former Affairs, EastEnders). Supported
client, a troubled young man, by a stunning cast of rising
makes allegations of sexual younger actors, The Secondary
misconduct against her. The Victim is a highly original take
process of an ethical complaint on today’s blame culture, where
is known to be so distressing to as Ali asks ‘What’s happened to
the therapist that they are forgiveness? Nowadays people
termed ‘the secondary victim’. seem to be always looking for
We see the progress of the someone to punish’. Book at
complaint, which culminates in The Park theatre, website: www.
an on-stage professional conduct parktheatre.co.uk.
inquiry. Who is telling the Some readers might remember
truth? And is it the whole truth? Matthew’s name as he featured,
And when Ali’s whole life comes with a mention of one of his books,
apart, can she escape becoming in the Spring 2015 issue of
the secondary victim? She finds Suburb News.
herself fighting for her reputation, TERRY BROOKS

Return of the Sunday Tea Dance What is HGS Art?

Fun afternoons of smooth, modern About 18 months ago Suburb 2017 at Fellowship House. Valerie Cowan, Social Secretary,
jiving dancing with a party artists, including photographers, We were absolutely delighted for tickets v.cowan@hotmail.co.uk
theme and yummy cakes start sculptors, jewellery makers, glass by the response to the Art Fair at or telephone 020 8458 4508.
locally in November, with men and fabric designers, were invited Fellowship House, which included You can join HGS Art for just
likely to be in strong demand. to join a group. The idea was to a very successful Children’s £25 annual membership. Visit
The new monthly Sunday exhibit their work and to offer Workshop, sponsored by Cass Art. www.hgsart.co.uk for details or
tea dances will follow previously members lectures and social events Several artists sold their work contact Mary Davis, Membership
successful events hosted by within the Suburb. It is also a and Combat Stress provided tea, Secretary, on maryd5@hotmail.
local teacher William Comet, forum to exchange ideas, meet coffee and cakes. Over £800 was com, 8458 6556. Also you can
and offer a fresh, fun, accessible other artists, encourage children’s raised for this worthy charity. follow us on facebook@hgsart
and safe opportunity to keep fit, art and make new friends. The sun shone on a truly and twitter@hgsart1.
learn new skills, meet people A steering committee was inspirational community event. You don’t have to be an artist.
and boost energy levels as the formed and over 50 artists, with The next Art Fair will be 14/15 We are looking for members who
nights draw in. an array of extraordinary talent, April 2018 at Fellowship House. can help organise events such as
However, while ladies are signed up. On Thursday 30 November the Art Fair or help with publicity
usually the first to register for A logo was designed and a at 7.30 pm HGS Art will hold its and PR. We look forward to
these events, the gentlemen are website set up, along with other first AGM at Fellowship House. having you in HGS Art.
often a little shy. “We know social media. Leaflets and a It will be followed by a wine DIANA BRAHAMS
from research that men often banner were produced and our tasting at 8pm, open to non- Rain Drop
find partnered dancing difficult first Art Fair took place in April members for £3. Please apply to by Mary Davis
and are easily embarrassed,”
says William, 51, “so we aim to private classes recently for local Hall in Northway NW11, for
make it as relaxing and residents, and taught brides and adults and supervised teenagers.
accessible as possible. The most grooms for their wedding dances There will be a beginner’s
important thing is that dancing and these were well received, too, class from about 2.30pm for
should bring a smile to your so we hope that locals will enjoy about half an hour, followed by
face and to your soul. We use a these Sunday tea dances, too.” freestyle partnered modern jive
proven, safe, low-impact format To help encourage that dancing until carriages arrive at
that enables our guests to dance relaxed atmosphere, there will around 5.45pm. William says
with a variety of people, if they also be tasty cake, snacks and, his aim is to share his love of
want to, and to feel comfortable.” for those watching their waist- this kind of partnered dancing,
“Earlier this year, we ran our lines, fruit and tea on offer. The which has helped him stay fit
evening Jive Dance Party on first of the Sunday tea dances despite long term back and
New Year’s Day, which was well will take place on Sunday 26 knee pain. He adds: “The
received. We also ran some November at the Free Church dances are low-impact and low
risk, so if you can walk
reasonably briskly to your local
P R HARTLEY post box then you can probably
handle this dance quite easily
Hamps
and you can make it as hard or Hampstead Garden Suburbtead Garden Suburb
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT as easy as you want. And you
Come and meet your two local vets,ome and meet your two local vets,
& REGISTERED AUDITOR can bring friends, partners or C
come alone. Even people with
Accounting & Taxation Services two left are welcome.” Jeremy and Sarah
To register your interest, for 22-24 The Market Place, Falloden Way,
other dates in December 2017, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, NW11 6JJ
Call 020 8731 9745 or 07850 634395 January and February 2018 and
Email paul@prhartley.co.uk to avoid disappointment, please Tel: 0208 201 9331 • Email: hampstead@medivet.co.uk
www.prhartley.co.uk visit www.jivedanceparty.com for Open Mon–Fri: 8.30am–7.00pm, Sat: 9.00am–10.00am
more information about the tea
dances and for private classes.
6 SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS