Welcome to Actonians

On this page you'll find the details any future events we have planned and the most recent three past events. You can find details of all our previous activities in the Archive section on the menu above along with links to search the site, contact us and buy tickets.

Forthcoming Events

Below is a summary of forthcoming events, clicking each event name will provide more details.

Spring 2026

Thursday 14th May - Iron Acton Parish Hall at 7:30pm

Friday 15th May - Iron Acton Parish Hall at 7:30pm

Saturday 16th May - Iron Acton Parish Hall at 7:30pm

Enchanted April

Written by Matthew Barber
Directed for Actonians by Ann Aplin

Synopsis

This Comedy of Manners starts in a 1920s postwar rainy February in London where two women see an advert for a villa to rent in southern Italy for the month of April. 

They club together with two other women for a woman only holiday.

We follow them into a glorious Italian spring - and so do three men!

'Enchanted April’ is adapted from the novel by Elizabeth von Arnim, a remarkable woman often known as ‘Elizabeth in her German Garden’.

Credits

Cast
RolePerson
Lottie Wilton ... a Hampstead housewife Sarah Godsell
Mellersh Wilton ... her husband a solicitor
Nick Pearce
Rose Arnott ... a Hampstead housewife Sarah McMahon
Frederick Arnott ... her husband a writer
Stewart White
Lady Caroline Bramble ... a socialite Rachel Taylor
Antony Wilding ... an artist Nick Sharp
Mrs Graves ... a London matron Di Pardoe
Costanza ... an Italian housekeeper Van Andrew

Enchanted April

Written by Matthew Barber
Directed for Actonians by Ann Aplin


Latest News

Dates For Your Diary

Reading for 'Life Sentence' - 3:00 - 2nd November 2025 - Parish HallReading for 'Life Sentence' - 7:30 - 5th November 2025 - Parish HallCommittee Meeting - 10th...

Read more...


Recent Events

Details and photographs of our most recent past events can be found below. Older events may be found in the archive linked from the menu.

Avon Short Play Festival 2026

Thursday 19th March - Chipping Sodbury Town Hall

Friday 20th March - Chipping Sodbury Town Hall

Saturday 21st March 2026 - Chipping Sodbury Town Hall

A Life Sentence

Written by Mark Seaman
Directed for Actonians by Mark Seaman

Synopsis

A love story depicting the emotional challenges & eventual loss of a family touched by dementia.

Credits

Cast
RolePerson
Anne Rebekah Grose
Dave Robert Pardoe
Crew
RolePerson
Stage Manager Mark Whitehouse
Lights and Sound Peter Carlin
Prompt Debby Ashton
Costume Sue Anstey
Construction Steve Anstey

A Life Sentence

Written by Mark Seaman
Directed for Actonians by Mark Seaman

Autumn 2025

Wednesday 19th November - Iron Acton Parish Hall at 7:30pm

Thursday 20th November - Iron Acton Parish Hall at 7:30pm

Friday 21st November - Iron Acton Parish Hall at 7:30pm

Saturday 22nd November - Iron Acton Parish Hall at 2:30pm

Saturday 22nd November - Iron Acton Parish Hall at 7:30pm

Synopsis

Treasure Island is an exciting adventure story about a young boy, Jim Hawkins, who comes into possession of a secret treasure map and decides to set sail with his family and friends to find the buried treasure.

On the voyage, Jim is befriended by the ship's cook, the charming but piratical Long John Silver, who plans to lead the crew in a mutiny to steal the treasure for themselves and maroon Jim on the treasure island.

Jim must be brave and clever to outsmart the pirates, find the treasure, and return home safely.

Credits

Cast
RolePerson
Jim Hawkins Haydn Todd
Honeysuckle Trelawney Evie Todd
Henrietta Hawkins Nick Pearce
Long John Silver Nick Sharp
Squire Trelawney Mike Schofield
Captain Smellit Richard Martin
Doctor Livesey Lin Bowden
Rosa Carrots Debby Ashton
Jemima Hawkins Sophie Taylor
Billy Bones Stewart White
Blind Phew Rachel Taylor
Lily Livesey Alex Holmes
Midas Wellbee Nic Harvey
Teresa Sunshine Sue Anstey
Alberta Poopdecker Gaynor Clark
Luke Warm Jenny McDowell
Cori Ander Margaret Bulmer
Shirley Knott Pat Stimson
Ben Gunn Stewart White
Annie Seedball Bethan Beebee
Della Katessen Emily Edmonds
Chorus and Pirate Dancers
Christine Rogers
Rachel Taylor
Junior Chorus
Berry Coles
Florence Gazzard
Lilianna Hampson
Maya Turner
Amber Scott
Crew
RolePerson
Stage Manager Sarah Godsell
Sound and Lights Peter Carlin
Prompt Angie Croome
Set Design Maureen Blake
Costume
Marion Hill
Rebekah Grose
Pat Stimson
Set Construction and Painting
Steve Anstey
Maureen Blake
Other Members
Front of House Team
Di Pardoe
Ann Aplin
Michelle Pawley
Abigail Hatherell
Rosie Wright
Theo Foote
Bar Team
Steve Anstey
Mark Seaman
Maureen Blake
Paul Wood
Music
Rob Pardoe
Pete Lawrey
Will Marriage
Props Sarah McMahon
Backstage
Godfrey Laundy
Joseph Grubb
Finley Hunt
Poster Design Maureen Blake
Publicity and Programme Sue Anstey
Photographer Ray Bulmer

Spring 2025

Wednesday 14th May 2025 - Iron Acton Parish Hall at 7:30pm

Thursday 15th May 2025 - Iron Acton Parish Hall at 7:30pm

Friday 16th May 2025 - Iron Acton Parish Hall at 7:30pm

Saturday 17th May 2025 - Iron Acton Parish Hall at 7:30pm

There will be a raffle each evening in aid of St. Peter's Hospice.

Synopsis

For four nights only we are transforming Iron Acton Parish Hall into a pub! We will perform eight very short plays to entertain you throughout the evening.  It will be a relaxed, informal setting with drinks and bar snacks on sale.  And at the end of the evening you can vote for your favourite play.  

Due to the seating arrangement for these evenings ticket numbers will be limited and so it is important to buy your tickets early to guarantee a seat!

The following plays will be performed:

  • 'The Intricate Workings of a Sherbet Lemon' by Stuart Lee
    A woman is stuck in a remote railway waiting room after her connecting train has been cancelled. She is joined by a fellow traveller who warns her about a serial killer who has been operating in these parts.
  • 'Up Close and Personal' by Anne Graham
    Roz decides to track down the woman who has obsessed her husband, to a Singles Night at a local pub.
  • 'The Granny Case' by Doc Watson
    A young woman, dressed all in black, seems to be waiting for something to happen. Then she is interrupted by the arrival of a suspicious looking man with some kind of agenda.
  • 'Two Woofs for Yes' by Neil Walden
    With the help from Psychic Ted, an animal psychic, Brenda wants to contact her dead pets in the hope that they have witnessed where her late husband has concealed the proceeds from a big robbery.
  • 'Driving Mr Diddy' by Mandy Bannon
    Margaret and Brian are on their way to their Line-dancing class when they get caught up in a getaway from a robbery.
  • 'Mrs Thrale Lays On ... Tea!' by Rob Taylor
    Mrs Thrale, the celebrated literary hostess, prepares to entertain the well known man of letters, Dr Johnson.
  • 'Vent' by Gavin Harrison
    Lisa and Derek are on a first date but Lisa is surprised to find that Derek has brought his rather strange friend along with him.
  • 'Custardy' by Neil Walden
    Following a failed robbery at a circus, Terry has taken a clown hostage. As they await the next move, the two realise that they have more in common then they first thought.

Voting Results:

Wednesday - Two Woofs for Yes

Thursday - Mrs Thrale Lays On ... Tea

Friday - Driving Mr Diddy

Saturday - 

Overall - 

Credits

Cast - Custardy
RolePerson
Terry Nick Sharp
Dave Nick Pearce
Cast - The Intricate Workings of a Sherbet Lemon
RolePerson
Man Nick Pearce
Woman 1 Jenny McDowell
Woman 2 Sarah McMahon
Cast - Up Close and Personal
RolePerson
Roz Debby Ashton
Frankie Nic Harvey
Cast - The Granny Case
RolePerson
Red Gemma Perrett
Man Stewart White
Cast - Mrs Thrale Lays On ... Tea!
RolePerson
Mrs Thrale Sarah McMahon
Dr Johnson Nick Sharp
Polly Rachel Taylor
Cast - Two Woofs for Yes
RolePerson
Physic Ted Steve Anstey
Brenda Lin Bowden
Cast - Vent
RolePerson
Derek Stewart White
Lisa Alex Holmes
Kelvin Mike Schofield
Cast - Driving Mr Diddy
RolePerson
Brian Mike Schofield
Margaret Rebekah Grose
Darren/Mr Diddy Haydn Todd
Crew
RolePerson
Producer Sarah Godsell
Lights an Sound Peter Carlin
Props and Assistant Stage Manager Alison Horner
Compere Di Pardoe
Bar Manager Steve Anstey
Front of House and Bar Team
Ann Aplin
Maureen Blake
Paul Wood
Margaret Bulmer
Di Pardoe
Godfrey Laundy
Val Laundy
Gaynor Clark
Rona and Barrie Wright
Rob Pardoe
Richard Stanway
Andy Fisher
cast
Photography Ray Bulmer
Costumes (Mrs Thrale...) Pat Stimson

Latest News

Dates For Your Diary

Reading for 'Life Sentence' - 3:00 - 2nd November 2025 - Parish HallReading for 'Life Sentence' - 7:30 - 5th November 2025 - Parish HallCommittee Meeting - 10th...

Read more...