CODS is grateful for the support of so many people of the Crediton area who turned up to the Square in October and December to listen to our entertainment.

It is obvious from the comments that many of us received that you all are missing the chance to see live entertainment just as much as many of us are missing that opportunity to perform.

This current lockdown once again gives a certain level of uncertainty as to when Devon might be eased back into less severe restrictions and this has the knock on effect of CODS being unable to guarantee the performance of “Sister Act” in April.

This might bring a certain amount of anxiety to the 500 of you who have already purchased tickets but this article is written to reassure you all that “Sister Act” will be performed.

Currently the cast are continuing to rehearse via Zoom meetings. This allows everyone to sing along to the backing tracks, enabling the words to become embedded in everyone’s memory.

Our original Choreographer has unfortunately been unable to continue in the current climate but CODS is delighted that one of our very capable young cast members, Georgia Steer, has stepped up to the task.

She is even going to be brave enough to try some dance tuition during one of the Zoom meetings!

It is also possible to have dialogue rehearsals and so the time during lockdown is not being wasted.

The dates for the production are from Monday, April 12 to Saturday, April 17.

However, if Devon is not in Tier 2 by Monday, March 15, then the decision will be made to defer the show.

It will then take place from Monday, August 9 to Saturday, August 14.

Whichever dates are used, those who have already purchased tickets will be given details of when to attend the Town Hall to swap their tickets for the new performance date.

According to the Tier 2 restrictions which were in place prior to lockdown, any amateur production is only allowed to perform to 50 per cent of a maximum audience and, unless these rules change, this is what we will have to adhere to for our risk assessment.

There will therefore be very few spare tickets available should everyone take up their allocation from last year.

For those who would be thinking of purchasing any remaining tickets, it is important to email: [email protected] with details of your request and I will collate a list of people’s requirements. While we cannot guarantee what will be available until the restrictions are known and the pre-purchased tickets allocated, this will allow me to contact you about any spare tickets when we do know.

CODS is looking forward to entertaining you once again but can assure everyone that the safety of our cast, crew and audience is paramount, so please bear with us until the situation becomes clearer.

Mike Canning