The second production of the 2025 MMuDS years was The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon. I was not involved in an onstage role but I got to take photographs for “Front of House” and during a Tech / Dress Rehearsal. Taking photos during a show can be difficult because of quick changes in lighting and the movement of the cast. I am learning a lot taking these types of images. I don’t always get focus and exposure correct but I feel even those images can still give a feel for what was happening on stage. I also used for the first time my new Canon 24 to 70mm F2.9mm L series Lens. I still have much more to learn about using this lens and taking show images but I was happy with these. Some of my Images were used in a publicity review article in The Mansfield Courier.

During the hay days of radio, before television, radio was the main stay of entertainment at home. Traditionally, radio plays were performed in front of a live audience with an orchestra and a foley/soundman providing sound effects and guiding the audience reactions. 

MMuDS, for the first time, presents Radio Plays “LIVE” at the Mansfield Performing Art Centre, featuring works by local writers and performed by both well-known and emerging local actors. 

Three short Radio Plays, accompanied by The MAD Orchestra, will run over five shows. Each play offers different performers and stories ranging from humour to drama and mystery.

Performers and audience members are encouraged to dress up in evening wear. Prizes will be awarded for the best dressed, and the “Fashion Police” will be on the lookout in the foyer before the performances. So, dress to impress!

I was really pleased last night to see that a Theatre company had put on "Into The Woods" a Stephen Sondheim musical. That musical brings back so many memories for me and as the young lady, who played the Bakers Wife, sang I could not help thinking back to our production of it. I had wanted to Direct it for years and finally in 2010 the opportunity arrived. Last night however the strongest memory was off the privilege I had to collaborate with my friend and fellow Life member David Parsons. Although David was battling health issues he put up his hand to be Musical Director and like he always did he gave it one homered and ten percent. Those who know the show will understand that it's probably over eighty percent music and twenty percent dialogue. David stood night after night in the Orchestra pit conducting. At the end of each performance his arm would be so sore but yet he was back the next night. Into The Woods would be David Last active role in MMuDS and I feel blessed we were able to work together. Last night as The Bakers Wife sang my eyes got a little moist. I'm sure it was just the Hay Fever I have been suffering from. I am also sure David was looking down smiling and thinking "Well it took you long enough to catch up to MMuDS"