On Golden Pond

On Writtle's Golden Pond

Taking inspiration from the iconic centre point of the beautiful village of Writtle – the duck pond on the village green – local amateur dramatics group Writtle CARDS have chosen to perform Ernest Thompson’s On Golden Pond for their latest production.

Norman Thayer Jnr and his wife Ethel have had a summer cottage on Golden Pond since early in their long marriage. This summer their daughter Chelsea – whom they haven’t seen for years – feels she should be there for Norman’s 80th birthday. She and her boyfriend Bill are on their way to Europe, so Ethel and Norman agree to take care of Bill’s son, Billy Ray Jnr. When Chelsea returns, her stepson has the relationship with her father that she has always wanted. Will communication between father and daughter improve at last?

On Golden Pond was released as a film in 1981 starring Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn as Norman and Ethel, who both won Oscars for their performances. Playwright Ernest Thompson also won an Oscar for his adapted screenplay. Fonda’s daughter, Jane, played the Chelsea role, reflecting the strain of her real-life relationship with her father.

Writtle CARDS’ production is set to star both their oldest and youngest actors – Boot Banes as Norman Thayer Jnr, and Toby Harris as Billy Ray Jnr in his first role for the society. Nick Caton, recently seen as Victor Frankenstein in CARDS’ Halloween production, directs for the first time since their record breaking The Haunting of Hill House in 2010. The cast also includes long-standing member Clare Williams, and new members Jodee Goodwin, Chris Ivermee and Chris Rogerson.

A romantic tale of twilight love, Writtle CARDS perform for Valentine’s weekend from Thursday 14th February until Saturday 16th February at 8.00pm, with a Saturday Matinee at 2.30pm. Performances are at Writtle Village Hall – opposite the duck pond. Tickets are just £7.00 and can be reserved at writtlecards@hotmail.co.uk or on 07742 301367.