By James Ford-Bannister and David Young
During September we at the Riverside, along with much of the country, began to look at the various ways we could restart our many activities as the Covid19 restrictions began to be relaxed. Plans were being made by dancers, actors, musicians, painters, projectionists and administrators as to how they could carry out risk assessments and safely manage social distancing, cleanliness, one-way systems etc along with the big question of whether it was finan-cially viable to open up again? But then “Jaws” reappeared late in the month and although no-one panicked, ideas and plans had to be rethought.
Consequently we are still unable to publish a full programme of events, and of the few that are scheduled these are obviously liable to last minute amendments as regulations are changed. Just use the contact details on our Riverside presents….. on page 45 to check on the latest situation.
Riverside has already hosted a couple of Jazz concerts and now Mood Indigo Events have scheduled “A Tribute to Chet Baker” on Sunday evening 11th October which will be both a live concert in front of an audience but also streamed online. Just prior to that on the afternoon of Tuesday 6th Sunbury Flower Club are presenting a professional demonstration entitled “As you like it” given by Graeme King. This meeting is open to all visitors but you do need to book in advance. The end of October sees the return of the popular Satur-day morning coffee concerts, with pianist Anna la Hair. Coffee, croissants and concertos for piano on Saturday on 31st October.
Normally October would see the theatre busy each night of the week with groups from all around the area staging one-act plays and competing for trophies in the Spelthorne and
Runnymede Drama Festival. Instead the festival organisers have decided to go ‘virtual’ and relaxed their rules somewhat to allow shorter items, including monologues and sketches. There has been a large interest in making these home-produced videos and about 15 entries have already been received. The win-ning entries will be made available on line. One organisation who we are looking forward to seeing back this autumn is the Associated
Broad of the Royal Schools of Music, whose examinations have taken place here three times a year from 1987 until the present day.
Two new groups; the ballroom dance class and Riverside Ensemble, have successfully started and a not-so-new organisation, River-side Players of Sunbury, the amalgamation of Shepperton Players and Manor Players finally managed their inaugural AGM. Newly elected Chairman, Olwen Holme, announced a pro-gramme of plays up until the summer of 2022 which will take place as scheduled, either with an audience or via online streaming.
Although not nearly as busy as BC (before Covid) most nights of the week Riverside is again echoing to the sounds of dance instruction, piano rehearsals, musical tuition, pilates, keep fit; plus the murmering of the more aesthetic groups; all to the background noise of the slap of paint brushes, both from our artists and also of Eric and his team taking the opportunity to re-decorate much of the ground floor of the building.
View our website to see in what you could be participating in your spare time.
To keep up to date with the latest happenings go to www.riversidearts.co.uk where you can view “Events” under the ‘What can I go and see’ tab or “Activities” under the ‘What can I join ?’ In case of difficulty call 01784 452589