1/5/2008

Community Matters

New play will inspire and delight

Anna Molesworth

A PLAY will highlight the good work of a charity set up in Woking to help refugees.

The Woking Community Play Association has commissioned a professionally-written and directed play, based on the history of the Ockenden Venture.

The charity, which was set up in the 1950s, later became Ockenden International but it has recently disbanded.

Those behind the play believe the themes of co-operation and creative thought echo exactly what a community play can bring to a town.

They believe community plays are about bringing people together to tell a story that is part of the town’s history.

Anna Molesworth, a member of the association, said: “The story of Ockenden is an inspirational one about ordinary people making a real difference and one which the fast evolving, multicultural Woking is in danger of forgetting.

“What will emerge is not just amateur dramatics but a life-changing piece of professional quality theatre with Woking at its heart.”

The group is appealing for as much as it can for the project. It needs £70,000 to pay for the fees of the writers, composers, designers and directors, as well as hall hire, although all the actors will be volunteers.

First printed in: Woking News and Mail