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About PUKKA Productions |
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PUKKA Productions is an exciting drama group that formed late in 2004 from roots in Porthkerry Road Methodist Church, a place well known for its drama and music-making tradition. The first PUKKA production was to be Jesus Christ Superstar, a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, to be performed at the Barry Memorial Hall. Performance of this show was dependent on permission from The Really Useful Company, who are understandably concerned with protecting the reputation of their show. PUKKA obviously convinced them, and anyone who saw the finished result would understand that the confidence was well placed. The director, musical director and many members of the cast, production team and band were actively involved in the life of the Barry Circuit of Methodist Churches. This first production grew from a seed sown by Sarah and Dot, who in 2004 had the idea of "branching out" from within the walls of the church buildings to reach a community of all faiths and of no faith - a community which they aimed to serve. The vision for this presentation of the Easter story so captured the imagination of Methodists in Barry that Pukka Productions was given financial backing from church funds. This support, together with individual donations and a grant from the Gibbs Trust, a Methodist charity with close links to Barry, encouraged the seed to burst into life. Nurturing the growing sapling has involved a lot of hard work, especially as the junior company Pukka Petites was formed in January 2005 and has shortly afterwards had its first show, "Annie and Friends". Jesus Christ Superstar was the first fruit of our adult company - and it was special! After the success of Jesus Christ Superstar, the company has continued to build and develop their vision of a "company with a difference" offering shows with a conscience. In 2006 PUKKA directed its efforts in support of the Richard Taylor Memorial Fund, and profits from West Side Story, performed at Barry Memorial Hall in February 2006 went to this fund. Cast and crew members also supported the Kidney Foundation Wales "Walk for Life" on Sunday 19th March, an event that was tragically overshadowed by the news that John Taylor, Richards' father, and a keen supporter of the production, had died that day. During 2006 we've also been able to help Barry Hospital, Amelia Trust Farm, and Crossway Methodists by entertaining at their events, and well over £4,000 has been raised for the Richard Taylor Fund, Cancer Care Cymru, and Porthkerry Road Methodists/ Windsor Road URC new Waterfront Church. In November 2006 the company staged a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a magical take upon the story of Joseph and the coat of many colours. This production was in aid of the Jamie Adamson Fund, and it was a real privilege to have Paul, Nicola and Sam Adamson with us during our rehearsal time. PUKKA would like to thank them for the opportunity to support other children with leukaemia. If there's a cause special to you, we might be able to help so please do get in touch with us. If that all sounds a bit worthy and self-righteous please be assured that we at PUKKA don't take ourselves too seriously. We laugh. We have fun. And with the performance of "Joseph", we wanted you to have fun and laugh with us. "Joseph" is a real tune-fest, and the lyrics are some of Tim Rice's wittiest and urbane. Everybody loves a family saga that ends happily for all concerned (apart from the goat of course), so we hope you came with us to PUKKA dreamland, complete with camels, calypsos and technicolor coats! Our spring show in 2007 is 'BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story', and the company is busy rehearsing for this, although we are still a little short of male cast members! And we're not so busy that we can't spare some time for our 'Evening of West End Entertainment' in March! Pukka's other plans for 2007 include two new ventures. Pukka Plays will present "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and our Christmas show will be an all new production of "A Christmas Carol". For further information on PUKKA call Sarah on 01446 400674 |
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PUKKA is a non-profit organisation. All proceeds are donated to local community charities. |