Our ‘A Brief Encounter with Noel Coward’ evening is in full rehearsal with the ‘Still Life’ play nearing books down and the poetry/songs/performance pieces for the other half of the evening all in place.

Set Building is looming and as the flats will soon be dusted off and painted.

Not wishing to repeat myself too often but as you will know by now this year is the group’s 60th anniversary and the November production will be our official event to mark this occasion. The Thursday and Friday night performances will run as usual with 7.30pm start. Tickets for these nights will soon be available at a mere £8 each..

The Saturday night will be a celebration supper evening and will start at 7pm instead of 7.30pm. Tickets will include a 2 course supper (menu to be confirmed) prepared by a professionally qualified chef and will cost £12.50 each. Full details of how to buy these tickets will be forthcoming I assure you.

Also on the approaching horizon is the ODN Quiz. (ODN=Oxfordshire Drama Network-remember?). This marathon of intellect is hosted this year by the Didcot Phoenix Drama Group on October 23rd at the Civic Hall. A full appraisal of the runners and riders is assured at a later date.

What else? Oh yes the Splinter Group’s Oldies weekend away is nearly upon us and Old Chuffer is gargling daily and breaking out his best aftershave. He has promised to be on his best behaviour this year but this hasn’t stopped him running riot amongst the ladies of a certain age throughout the south coast of England on many occasions in the past. Oh yes.

Off the see ‘The Grass is Greener’ by Hugh and Margaret Williams shortly.

This West End hit was described by The Royal Borough Observer as “A hysterical battle of the sexes". We shall see.

This weeks true story concerns a man who returns home a day early from a business trip. It's after midnight. While en route home he asks the cabbie if he would be a witness for the man suspects his wife is having an affair and he wants to catch her in the act. For £50, the cabbie agrees. Quietly arriving home, the husband and cabbie tip toe into the bedroom.

The husband switches on the lights, yanks the blanket back and there is his wife in bed with another man! The husband puts a gun to the naked man's head. The wife shouts, 'Don't do it! I lied when I told you I inherited money.

HE paid for the new Jaguar I gave you. HE paid for our new cabin cruiser.

HE paid for your Arsenal season tickets.

HE paid for our house in the country. HE paid for our club membership, and HE even pays the mortgage!'

Shaking his head from side-to-side, the husband lowers the gun. He looks over at the cabbie and says, 'What would you do?'

The cabbie replies, 'I'd cover his ass with that blanket before he catches cold.'