THE Carlton Theatre, Teignmouth, is set to raise the curtain once again after a winter of discontent. Amateur dramatic group the Teignmouth Players has given a performance of a lifetime to turn around the fortunes of the ageing theatre after it was closed last year, just weeks before its annual highlight the Christmas panto. Off-stage dramas, including asbestos fears and a leaking ceiling put paid to a number of performances and left members fearing for the long-term future of the theatre that has become their spiritual home. Urgent talks were held with landlord Teignbridge Council, which agreed to a temporary reprieve, but discussions are due to resume about the long-term future of the theatre. But it is business as usual for now, as the Players prepare for the curtain call on the first of its summer productions. Celebrations begin with a sale of costumes and props from the theatre at a coffee morning on Saturday, May 19, at 10am. Charity stalls, a raffle, and tombola are some of the attractions. An evening of two plays and a picnic signals the start of the Players' on-stage drama. Audiences are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy a first night at the proms atmosphere with two award-winning plays on Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27, at 7.30pm. Teignmouth Drama Festival winning play Jane the Quene, by author and Teignmouth Player Wendy Hayden Sadler, is the story of Jane Grey and her short reign as queen. Tykes production, Dream Jobs, by Graham Jones, rounds off the evening. It won the youth award for best play in the Exmouth Drama Festival. Players' spokesman Rodney Bowen said he was delighted to mark the re-opening of the theatre. 'It is great news after such a difficult winter but after weeks of hard work to get the theatre up to scratch we are looking forward to quite an opening event. 'The preparations in place and the productions we have point to an evening of quality entertainment and conviviality to celebrate our re-opening. 'Finally, but by no means least, the Teignmouth Players would like to thank all those who have done so much work to ensure that the theatre is ready and safe to use,' he said. Tickets are available from the box office.
