!For Goodness Sake!

A unique opportunity to see Virginia KcKenna and Ron Moody sharing the stage at Dorking Halls

 

Theatre goers will have a unique opportunity to see two highly acclaimed legends of star and screen come together for a one night only performance to raise funds for the Leith Hill Action Group (LHAG).   

 

 

At Dorking Halls on Friday 15th June, Virginia McKenna, actress, author and founder of the Born Free Foundation will join Ron Moody, the international star of stage and screen fondly remembered for his extraordinary performance as Fagin in the film and stage show Oliver!, and a cast of highly talented artists to present an evening of music, songs and poetry celebrating Leith Hill and the beauty of nature.   The show, !For Goodness Sake!, celebrates nature and the beauty of Leith Hill and has been written by Lindy Alexander, a resident of Brockham and an actress who has regularly appeared on television, the big screen and on stage.

 

 

The Views of Those Involved

 

Virginia KcKenna, a Coldharbour resident and passionate campaigner for wildlife and the natural environment comments:

 

“ '!For Goodness Sake!’ is going to be great fun.  A wonderful mix of songs, poetry and written excerpts from authors and musicians who have all treasured the splendour of nature.

 

Having lived in Coldharbour for over fifty years, I am still captivated by the beauty of Leith Hill and am outraged that the unique sunken lane character of Coldharbour Lane and local wildlife could be permanently damaged by Europa’s drilling application.  Our natural environment is disappearing at a frightening speed, eroded by urban sprawl and industrial activity.  If this application is granted, then what lies ahead for other nationally protected areas of outstanding natural beauty that future generations should have the opportunity to enjoy?”

 

Photo by Andy Gotts

 

 

 

Ron Moody explains why he couldn’t resist participating in the show:

 

“When Lindy Alexander sent me the script for the show, I found it irresistible.  It is going to be a truly captivating evening of poetry, music and stories. I am really looking forward to working with Virginia and Lindy, and the rest of the cast, especially the hugely talented youngsters, who may well be our stars of tomorrow. When Lindy explained the reason behind the show, I wanted to play my part in helping to preserve such a uniquely beautiful area of the country.” 

  

Lindy Alexander adds:

 

“!For Goodness Sake! will offer a unique chance to see two international legends on stage together for the first time. It is an enormous privilege to be working with both Ron and Virginia.  I have written this show as part of my deep and abiding passion for the magnificence of nature and the whole cast is determined that members of the audience will leave with enduring memories of having had the opportunity to see a once in a lifetime show with two of this country’s greatest luminaries of the stage and screen.”

 

The show is sponsored by Hart Scales & Hodges and Setfords Solicitors.  They said:

 

“Leith Hill is an astonishingly beautiful patch of countryside and a real asset to the county of Surrey. We believe it should stay that way, so have pledged our financial and legal support in fighting the drilling proposals.

 

“Our law firm has occupied the same spot on Dorking High Street for 230 years, so as established citizens of the Surrey Hills community we fully understand the importance of LHAG’s cause.

 

“We were shocked when we learned of the drilling project and its potentially damaging implications, but inspired by the tenacity with which LHAG opposed the plans right from the very start.

 

“The environmental, ecological and practical costs of allowing the proposals to go ahead would be unacceptably high, so it’s extremely encouraging to see so many local people campaigning for the area’s preservation.

 

“We believe Leith Hill is in good hands, but urge as many people as possible to get involved in securing a positive future this irreplaceable part of our wonderful county.”    

 

The Line-up

!For Goodness Sake! has a wealth of talent lined up including:

 

• A duo from the famous Yehudi Menuhin school playing music by Ralph Vaughan Williams
• Choristers from the Holmbury St. Mary choir who swept the board at this year’s Leith Hill Music Festival
• The choir from Rosebery School in Epsom, where music is a long and distinguished tradition, and whose all girl choirs have also been winners at the Leith Hill Music Festival

 

The cast will be supported by a group of talented musicians who all share a love of Leith Hill.

 

Virginia McKenna, Ron Moody and Lindy Alexander will be performing an eclectic range of popular prose and poems, all rejoicing in nature, from Robert Browning and Wordsworth to Bill Bryson and Spike Milligan.  Songs by Gershwin, Louis Armstrong, Oscar Hammerstein,  Joni Mitchell and Mike Batt will be featured including family favourites ‘Bright Eyes’, ‘The Ugly Bug Ball’, ‘What a Wonderful World’, ‘Summertime’ and ‘The Folks Who Live on the Hill’.

 

!Don't Miss Out!

Tickets can be obtained from Dorking Halls at the Box Office, via the phone on  01306 881717 or through the Dorking Halls website (follow our link to go straight to the booking or go to www.dorkinghalls.co.uk).