We’re planning our 2013 presentation and the current feeling is for us to give the panto a go – this time hitting the ground running with the tried and tested and well-loved ‘Aladdin’. The opportunity for using stage effects and video are obvious as well as mixing up some new songs to make it a contemporary offering. Involving willing HAG Rocks! and HAG Youngstars members as well naturally!

We’d love your input – let us know how you feel about HAG staging a panto for the second half of January 2013 by voting on this poll:

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We’ve just under one week before we do our tech performance of the show Modern Major General. We’re really proud of the show – it’s got lots of the favourite Gilbert & Sullivan tunes set to the narrative of this joyful story of love and musical revenge between two opposing operatic societies. Please call 07956 412826 to secure your tickets – you’re guaranteed a great night out supporting local entertainment in beautiful Hartley Wintney. There’s a bar too!

Auditions for the eight parts (four men, four women) in our production of FRANKENSTEIN (yes – our version shouts ALL CAPS!) are to be held on Monday 14th May in the Methodist Church and Wednesday 16th May in the Methodist Hall. Start time is 7.45pm.

Watch the video below to see the difference one week makes in terms of polishing a tune/routine.

The cast rehearsed the show this evening at The Victoria Hall for the first time. This was also an opportunity to get some snaps and here are (most) of the cast of Modern Major General…

Well magnolia actually. It always seems to be magnolia…

A small, but willing, band of HAG volunteers turned up at the weekend to give the flats a lick of paint for Modern Major General – the help was very much appreciated indeed.

In the photo above are, L to R; Tony Davies, Jim Goodman, Lesley ‘Doris’ Nicholls and Jan Davies. Jim parachuted in for the event.

Just two and half weeks before the show is unleashed in all its G&S glory on the public – it’s looking and sounding spectacular. Be sure to get your tickets now so you get a good seat.

A brief video of last nights rehearsal shenanigans…

The search for a place to call our home finally drew to a close this evening (April 16th 2012) when Hartley Arts Group Chairman, Gary Wales handed over a cheque worth £50,000 to The Victoria Hall during their Annual General Meeting.

The event marks the culmination of years of work and searching for a solution for our housing and office requirements. We’re delighted to be a part of The Jubilee Hall currently being constructed for completion later this year. The state-of-the-art facility is truly a venue fit for our purpose and places us at the heart of the community. The new hall is an initiative to offer more public space for the community and sees us share the building with other local organisations and activities.

Amongst the uses we’ll benefit from are; rehearsal and pre-staging, HAG Rocks! choir, office, play readings and also plans to offer smaller, more experimental performances.

It’s a true regeneration for Hartley Arts Group and is entirely due to the fund-raising efforts of the membership over the years and the perseverance and sterling work of the accommodation team amongst them: David Walton, Tony Davies and Lesley Parish. Thank you to everyone involved in the ‘Act On It’ programme – this is a very proud moment for the group.

More news on this exciting new chapter soon!

Well we’re fast heading towards the premiere of our brilliant new musical play MODERN MAJOR GENERAL. We’re almost at the stage of complete ‘run through’ of the show at rehearsals as thus far we’ve been rehearsing the MANY separate elements during those evenings. Lots and lots of work has been completed and it’s now time for the true shape of the show to form organically – it’s an exciting and stressful time!

Be sure to secure your tickets to this new and unique performance now. We’ve been delivering the leaflets around villages – keep an eye out for them…