News

Dear Members and Friends

One more year passes and aside from wishing a VERY FINE CELEBRATORY SEASON to all, it is time to mull on 2023 and outline what is proposed for 2024.

During 2023 we managed as a Committee to learn how to live without our own theatre and started to gain acceptance with third party theatres.

The season started at the Bairro Theatre in  April with Things I know to be True by Andrew Bovell, followed in July with Lovesick at the Hangar Theatre and in October the return of the very successful production of Things I Know to be True at the Baraca Theatre. The season ended in November with a production of  Little Eyolf at the Comuna Theatre.

Under sometimes difficult circumstances in theatres with facilities and co-operation, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Directors involved Antonio Andrade, Manuela Sampaio, and Martim Mesquita Guimarães and their production teams for the extremely hard labour in staging these plays with success and accreditation from all.

In 2024 the Lisbon Players objective is  to continue to grow and develop on the 2023 success and open with a visiting production from London enacted by Kristin Millward at the BAIRRO THEATRE  FEBRUARY 8,9,10,11. Please block these dates. More information will be available shortly.

For the rest of 2024 we are in advanced mode for a further 3 to 4 productions tying up plays with theatres. As soon as we have further information we will communicate.

For the last few years we have had our costumes and stage materials stored at ADCEO, who have now asked us to vacate during the next 2 months, so we have to find  another storage area of approximately 200 square metres. If anyone has any ideas / facilities please come forth! This will be the end of our connection with ADCEO.

We continue to have discussions with the Camara of Lisbon who have once again indicated the importance English Theatre in Lisbon and we are hopeful  that the Camara will provide space(s) that we can use on a  regular basis.

At the present time we have some 1500 followers of the Lisbon Players but less than 100 are members. During 2024 we will be trying increase the membership, whose cost is a mere 5€ per year. It is important that we have a strong membership following to be able to prove to the authorities that by  having our own space is essential to satisfy the demand of the public and to be able to continue providing English speaking theatre on a regular basis.

In March we will have our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and are looking for “new blood” for the Committee 2024/2025. We look forward to your contact.!!!!!

It remains for me to wish everyone a very HAPPY XMAS celebration with friends and family and a NEW YEAR 2024 which surpasses 2023 hopes and dreams.

God Bless you all during this family season.

Peter Dawson

On behalf of LP Committee:
Paula Lobo Antunes, Valerie Braddell, Tom Connell, Martim Mesquita Guimarães, Suresh Nampuri, David Personne