Kads seeks new blood

KYRENIA Amateur Dramatic Society (Kads) is in search of new blood as well as a new “home”, after stalwarts Phil and June Lucock revealed they are to leave the island towards the end of this month to make their new home near Ironbridge, Shropshire.

The departure of the linchpin couple comes as the loss of the group’s former base at Girne’s Pia Bella Hotel, while the town’s municipal cultural centre is still to reopen after refurbishment, means their next show will take place in the Karpaz resort of Bafra.

Kads chairman Don Attwood said he had given a speech of thanks to the couple at a recent committee meeting.

“They will leave a big hole all round and will be sadly missed. I, for one, am going to miss Phil on stage at Bafra,” he said.

Pivotal members of the thespian team, the husband and wife duo are well known in the community both as playwrights and directors, for Mr Lucock’s lugubrious comedies and acting and his wife’s role as theatre manager and acting in their radio plays. Mr Attwood appealed to the public: “If you want the tradition of amateur theatre to continue here please step up to the mark and join us. We are always ready to welcome new actors, now more so than ever.”

A performance of sketches penned by Mr Lucock is scheduled for Bafra’s Thalassa Resort on May 26 with a show including a selection from Kads and Bounders, Beverley Westbrook’s Shakespeare in 15 Minutes and Mr Lucock’s latest comedy, Older But No Wiser — On the Pier.

He told Cyprus Today: “I shall continue with my writing so North Cyprus audiences may yet see more of my comedy and we shall come back regularly for holidays.

“The time has come, as we never intended to stay here forever. Like my play of the same name, we are getting older.”

The couple settled in Lapta in 2007, before moving to Yeşiltepe, but are now looking forward to spending more time with their seven grandchildren, aged from 17 to nearly two years old.

Mr Lucock said: “We have had lots of good times with Kads and the Kleftiko Club and made many good friends who we will miss, of course, and never forget. It has been a wonderful time here for both of us. June would tell you the same but she is currently in the UK sorting out our new home while I am arranging for our dogs Alfie and Maxi to return with us.”

Budding thespians should phone Caroline Attwood on 0533 833 8810.