Diamond Gems
10 & 11 Oct
Sixty years ago, in 1965, village stalwart Sybil Stephenson gathered some friends together and put on a production of the comedy, 'Quiet Wedding', in the URC hall in Twyford. This led to the creation of Twyford & Ruscombe Theatre Group, the main aim of which was to provide staged entertainment for the local region.
The group has, since then, provided regular shows in the form of pantomimes (from 'Dragon’s Egg' to 'Cinderella'); comedy ('Noises Off' and ‘'Allo 'Allo'); murder mystery ('Rope' and 'Time to Kill') and drama ('Lady Windermere’s Fan' and the recent 'Blithe Spirit'), as well as productions by a variety playwrights - from Shakespeare to Terry Pratchett.
We rehearsed, built sets, created props and stored costumes in the Polehampton Old Boys’ School (now converted to Twyford’s new library) for more than fifty years. Now known as Twyford Drama, our new home is at Loddon Hall (where we have staged our productions ever since the early days). This year Twyford Drama is proudly celebrating its Diamond Anniversary.
Consequently, our October production in 2025, ‘Diamond Gems’' will not be a single play. We will instead be decorating the hall and transforming it to a cabaret-style layout with tables for four to six people, and inclusive tickets that will provide every audience member with entertainment, refreshments and a souvenir programme.
In recent years Twyford Drama has formed a play-writing group and five of their diamond-themed short plays will be performed, along with some other well-known drama and musical items of song and dance, with live music accompaniment and an MC to lead you from one act to the next.
Jocelyn Robinson, one of our very experienced members will be organising the overall programme of performances, as well as directing one of the plays. The whole event will involve a large number of local people pulling out all the stops to bring to you a show to remember- a sparkling cocktail of song, dance and drama.
There will be three performances – two evening events and also a matinee with tea and cakes. So put October 10th or 11th in your diaries and come and join us for our special celebration at 8pm on 10th, and 2pm and 8pm on 11th.
Updates from the production team
23 Sept 2025
Excitedly, Twyford Drama can now announce that Diamond Gems, our Diamond Anniversary October celebratory production, is nearing its performance dates, and everyone is working hard to make sure it is a resounding success.
The individual short plays, dances and musical items have all been well-rehearsed over the summer and now we are bringing the show together and smoothing over the joins between the acts. Jocelyn Robinson, the show’s director, is being helped in this by Rakhi Drennan, our Stage manager and our compere, Pete King, who will be leading the audience through the programme.
They have two new people helping them with sound and lights, Paul Robinson and Jess Leonard; our usual sound operator, James Field, has swapped his role this time for an on-stage presence as part of our Rough Diamonds band. We also have a new lighting set-up to play with, following the upgrade work partially funded by the Polehampton Trust. This includes movable lights that can change colour at the touch of a button – a welcome new facility.
Arrangements and decorations for the Hall are being organised and Front of House volunteers have been recruited.
Tickets are selling well. They cost £15 each and include a Souvenir Programme as well as a soft drink of juice or a Mocktail, tea / coffee and either cakes or nibbles. The Loddon Hall bar will be open before and during performances for purchases of bottles of wine for your table or other drinks.
We shall look forward to seeing you in our audience. Cheers!
6 August 2025
Twyford Drama Group is buzzing with energy as nearly two thirds of their 70 plus members are involved in different ways in their 60th anniversary celebratory production ‘Diamond Gems’. This talented group has been successfully entertaining the Twyford locality with plays and pantos over six entire decades.
‘Diamond Gems’ will take to the Loddon Hall stage on 10th and 11th October, and a full programme of dramatic and musical acts has been devised. Each one is now fully cast and rehearsing hard with “books down” deadlines looming.
The Rough Diamonds musical group (consisting of guitars, piano and even a few drums and tambourines) are progressing well and have already recorded the backing tracks for the singers to use in practice.
One major challenge for Jocelyn Robinson, the producer/co-ordinator of the show, is to make sure the transitions between the acts are as smooth as possible. To this end, actor and director, Peter King has been appointed as Master of Ceremonies and will expertly lead the audience through the show, while Stage Manager Rakhi Drennan works her magic in transforming the set fluidly from song and dance numbers from the Musicals to hotel bedrooms … and back again.
The auditorium seating layout in cabaret style with small round tables has been finalised and tickets are now on sale with the Friday evening, in particular, currently proving popular. There will also be a Saturday matinee with tea and cakes included.
The next item on a packed list of tasks is to sort out refreshments and decorations for the auditorium and to design the Souvenir Programme. We are anticipating a large number of volunteers from within the group when we have a tasting of our proposed mocktail recipe at one of our monthly social evenings!
It is important to note that all tickets must be purchased before the performances. They cost £15 each and include a Souvenir Programme as well as tea/coffee or mocktails, and cakes or nibbles. The Loddon Hall bar will be open before and during performances for purchases of bottles of wine and other beverages.
We shall look forward to seeing you in October.
- Jocelyn Robinson ( Producer)
Rehearsal photos
