Players chairman Dawn Smithers says they are almost at the point where they have got no one, and the absolute worst-case scenario is that they won't be able to put on productions.
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00:00Good morning, my name is Phil Hewitt, Arts Editor at Sussex Newspapers. Always lovely
00:06to speak to Dawn Smithers, who is the Chairman of the Arundel Players. And you're saying
00:11changing world, and it's a more difficult world in so many ways. You at the Arundel
00:15Players are really, really struggling to get set builders to the point where you've almost
00:21got none. Why do you think that's the case? What's happened?
00:25I think a lot has happened since COVID, dare I say that. But I think the main reason is
00:31the self build was a bit poor. Shall I say that again? The set builders we do have had
00:37have got older, and people get older and they say, well, I've done my bit for 20 years.
00:43That's it now. And we're not getting anybody else to take over. Or maybe that's our fault
00:48for not asking. I don't know. But we are in desperate, desperate need of people to come
00:53and help. Build, paint, just an hour, maybe two hours a week.
00:58That's the point. You're not asking for somebody who's going to be there for days and days
01:02and days and huge technical expertise. You're talking about someone who can do it for a
01:06couple of hours and have a cup of coffee at the same time.
01:10And a screwdriver and maybe a drill. I don't know. We go, as Stuart's just said, we provide
01:16our own tools. So, you know, and paintbrushes. And it's all quite fun. They all get on well
01:21and have a laugh.
01:22So, you're not looking for someone who's a real specialist then? Just someone who's willing?
01:28No, somebody, exactly that, Phil. Somebody who is willing.
01:31That's good to ask. Asking the obvious, what happens if you can't find people?
01:38Well, that's the worst case scenario. You just wouldn't be able to put on a play.
01:44Yeah. And you're OK for the next couple of productions?
01:47We are.
01:48You're looking for, probably for 2025, aren't you?
01:52We just need people to come in.
01:54And even though it's a long way ahead, if people could, if they're interested, contact
01:57us and we can have a chat and come and see us and come and look at the stage and see
02:02what's involved.
02:03Yeah. And the point is, there must be people out there, mustn't there?
02:07I would have thought so. I mean, you know, even men who have just early retired, maybe
02:12think, oh, I could go up, you know, get away for an hour or two a week and, you know, help
02:17out.
02:18And the point is, you'll make it fun?
02:20Oh, yes, it is fun. Stuart does it, my husband does it, and he comes back with a bit of coffee
02:24and a laugh and that, you know, it's quite a bit of a social morning, really.
02:29Fantastic. Well, I will include in the attached article the details of how to get in touch
02:34and I hope you find who you need.
02:37Thank you very much indeed.