asmagazine THE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE FOR COMMUNITY THEATRE WWW.ASMAGAZINE.CO.UK AUGUST 2009 £2.40
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asmagazine aug09 from the EditorIAL TEAM It’s all go here at AS HQ as we prepare for our September 63rd birthday issue. We are endeavouring to create one of our most inclusive issues ever. Every group across the UK should be hearing from us in the next few weeks to invite you to take part. It’s a great opportunity to come together - we hope you will join us. It has been bought to my attention that there was a linking error on our website that meant that online subscription was unavailable. This has now been resolved and you can subscribe and obtain back issues at either www.asmagazine.co.uk or at ww.nextphasestore.co.uk. I hope that you enjoy this issue and look forward to next months bigger birthday issue. Kind regards Doug
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NEWS
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THE PLAY PRODUCED
Ann Mortimer on a premiere production of Jekyll & Hyde
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FIRST NIGHT INSURANCE
News from around the country.
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Robert Israel talks insurance.
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PLAYSCRIPTS
Reviews of the latest playscripts.
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REVIEWS
Latest CD releases.
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WEST END REVIEWS
Mark Ludmon looks at this months dramatic offerings.
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DIARY THE FINAL WORD
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credits
The latest from Doris. Published monthly by Next Phase Media Limited Suite 404 Albany House, 324/326 Regent Street, London W1B 3HH P: 0207 622 6670 www.asmagazine.co.uk COVER: Jude Law as Hamlet. Photo: Johann Persson
Publisher - Paul Webster : paul@nextphasemedia.co.uk Editor - Douglas Mayo : editor@asmagazine.co.uk Advertising - Zoya Berkeley : advertising@asmagazine.co.uk Subscriptions/ Diary Listings : diary@asmagazine.co.uk
All rights reserved throughout the world. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written consent of AS Magazine. The views and opinions expressed by the contributors to this magazine may not necessarily represent the views of AS Magazine. (c) 2009 Next Phase Media Ltd
AS MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2009
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NEWS
ALL WINNERS DRAMA FESTIVAL RESULTS The 36th British All Winners Drama Festival, hosted by Woking Drama Association at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre last week, came to a climax on Saturday 25th July with the final night’s performance and the awards ceremony. A capacity audience watched adjudicator Mike Kaiser announce the winners who were presented with their trophies by National Drama Festivals Association chairman, Michael Lees. The winners were chosen by Mr Kaiser from among the 3 full-length and 12 one-act plays which had entered the festival Local groups were among the prize-winners, including Woking College Theatre Company who won the Youth Section with their production of Cider With Rosie, which was also voted the audience’s favourite one-act play overall. Woking Drama Association will be hosting their own festival for the 51st time in October. The two-week long celebration of theatre will see up to 20 local drama groups performing one-act plays at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre from 6th to 17th October.
with “Alas Poor Fred” by James Saunders. RUNNER UP - The NDFA Council Trophy, Lighted Fools Theatre Company with “The Dumb Waiter” by Harold Pinter. ADJUDICATOR’S AWARD - The Amateur Theatre Trophy, Runnymede Drama Group with “The King” by Stewart Conn. BACKSTAGE AWARD - The Sydney Fisher Trophy, Runnymede Drama Group with “The King” by Stewart Conn. ISLE OF MAN NEWSPAPERS AWARD - Audience Appreciation, Woking College Theatre Company with “Cider With Rosie” by Laurie Lee Youth Entry WINNER OF YOUTH SECTION - The NDFA Trophy, Woking College Theatre Company “Cider With Rosie” by Laurie Lee (A stage adaptation by James Roose-Evans). MOST PROMISING YOUTH PARTICIPATION AWARD - The Buxton Trophy, Marist Senior School with “A Memory Of Lizzie” by David Foxton. ENCOURAGEMENT OF YOUTH THEATRE - Nan Nuttall Award, GADOC with “Marry Me A Little” by Stephen Sondheim, Craig Lucas & Norman Rene.
NATIONAL DRAMA FESTIVALS ASSOCIATION in conjunction with WOKING DRAMA ASSOCIATION presented 36th BRITISH ALL WINNERS FESTIVAL at Rhoda McGaw Theatre The Ambassadors, Peacock Centre Woking, Surrey, GU21 6GQ from Sunday 19th to Saturday 25th July 2009. Adjudicator: Mike Kaiser GODA
FESTIVAL WINNERS Full Length Plays OVERALL WINNER - The Mary Blakeman Trophy, Bejou Productions with “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me” by Frank McGuinness. RUNNER UP - The Amateur Stage Trophy, Horncastle Theatre Company with “The Accrington Pals” by Peter Whelan ADJUDICATOR’S DISCRETIONARY AWARD - The Felixstowe Festival Trophy, Stageability Actors School with “Blood Brothers” by Willy Russell. BACKSTAGE AWARD - The Sydney Fisher Trophy, Horncastle Theatre Company with “The Accrington Pals” by Peter Whelan. HALIFAX EVENING COURIER AWARD Audience Appreciation, Bejou Productions with “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me” by Frank McGuinness One Act Plays OVERALL WINNER - The Irving Trophy, Karvid Productions
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NEWS
WYMONDHAM THEATRE SOCIETY PLANNED Plans to set up a new amateur theatre society in Wymondham have moved forward. Aspiring dramatists held their first meeting earlier this month in a bid to establish the new group. Further meetings have been held to discuss setting up an organising committee and constitution. The group aims to stage productions and create educational opportunities for the local community. For further information call 01953 607 331.
no bids for Barnton theatre
Agents inviting bids for a derelict theatre in Barnton did not receive a single offer. Northwich-based Frank Marshall & Co held a sealed bid auction for Oakwood Lane Theatre and its surrounding land, with a guide price of £150,000. The deadline passed at noon on Wednesday and the theatre, which is owned by Mid Cheshire Amateur Operatic Society, is now likely to be sold privately.
A BIG CELEBRATION FOR A SMALL THEATRE The smallest theatre in the world is currently celebrating its tenth birthday. Dennis Neale, owner of the Theatre of Small Convenience in Malvern, invited people to join in the celebration, by painting a piano. The old upright piano was installed outside the theatre in Edith Walk and the community was invited to express their artistic instincts by decorating the instrument. The theatre, converted from a Victorian public toilet, was officially recognised as the smallest in the world in the 2002 Guinness Book of Records. Since its opening in November 1999, the venue has hosted performances both professional and amateur of drama, puppetry, poetry, story-telling, music and monologues, and even a day of opera. Send us your news. We rely on you to tell us what is going on. editor@asmagazine.co.uk
SWAN AWARDS 2009 NOMINATIONS REVEALED The nominations for the Swan Theatre are in as artsrichmond once again recognises the best in local theatrical talent. Amateur theatre groups, including Richmond Shakespeare Society, Teddington Theatre Club and Old Hamptonians’ Amateur Dramatic Society, have received multiple nominations for the awards that will be handed out at the Hampton Hill Playhouse on September 27. Best Design - Gordon Edwards (set) and Jean Goodwin (lighting) for Mary Stuart (TTC), Gary Stevenson, Mike Elgey, Alan Corbett & Carolyn Williams (artwork) for A Christmas Carol (TTC), Jean Goodwin (set) for The Price (TTC), Chris Hurles (set design) for Moonlight & Magnolias (RSS) Annie Collinette & Susan Conte (overall design) for A Midsummer Night’s Dream (BCP). Best Child Actor (aged 14 & under) - Joe Meredith as Young Scrooge and Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol (TTC), Lauren Gilbert as Gladys Herdman in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Edmundians), George Abbott for various parts in I Hate Shakespeare (RSS Youth), Ciara Diver for various parts in I Hate Shakespeare (RSS Youth), Chris Capon for various parts in I Hate Shakespeare (RSS Youth). Best Supporting Actress - Liz Madgwick as Nurse Kelly in Harvey (RSS), Kelli White as Leah in My Sister in this House (Journeyman Theatre Co), Sue Miller as Miss Poppenghul in Moonlight & Magnolias (RSS), Julie Davis as Angela in Abigail’s Party (OHADS), Mandy Stenhouse as Moxie in Relative Values (TTC). Best Supporting Actor - Nigel Cole as Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester in Mary Stuart (TTC), Nigel Oatway as Sylvestro in Scapino (SMDG), John Mortley as Ben Hecht in Moonlight & Magnolias (RSS), Andy Smith as Frank in The Memory of Water (OHADS). Best Supporting Male Performer in a Musical - John Pyle as Don Alhambra in The Gondoliers (Hounslow Light Opera), Nick Phillips as Sir John Tremayne in Me & My Girl (Barnes Charity Players), Stuart Turnbull as Mr. Fezziwig & Old Joe in A Christmas Carol (TTC).
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Best Actress - Nikki Squire as Mona in Days of Wine & Roses (RSS), Frances Billington as Winnie in Happy Days (RSS), Joolz Connery as Teresa in The Memory of Water (OHADS), Norma Beresford as Madame Danzard in My Sister in this House (Journeyman Theatre Co), Susie Baxter as Anna in Anna Karenina (Q2 Players). Best Actor - Andy Smith as Laurence in Abigail’s Party (OHADS), Stephen Taylor as Sassoon in Not About Heroes (TTC), James Hammond as Owen in Not About Heroes (TTC), Francis Abbott as Alastair in Whipping it Up (RSS) ,Simon Mitelman as David O. Selznick in Moonlight & Magnolias (RSS). Cygnet Award - Abigail’s Party directed by Harry Medawar (OHADS), My Sister in this House directed by Bob Dilley (Journeyman Theatre Co), Last Tango in Little Grimley & Last Panto in Little Grimley directed by John Bellamy (OHADS), Anna Karenina directed by Polly Beauwin (Q2 Players). Best Musical Production - A Christmas Carol, directed by Ken Mason, Musical Director Will Williams (TTC), Godspell directed by Gill Wade, Choreography Babette Langford, Musical Director Dave Roberts (Tops). Best Production of a Play - Not About Heroes directed and designed by Chris Burton (TTC) The Price directed by David Lewsey (TTC) Moonlight & Magnolias directed by Maxina Cornwell (RSS), Much Ado about Nothing directed by John Gilbert (RSS). The nominations for the Best Young Actress and Actor aged 15-19 will be announced at the end of July. TTC – Teddington Theatre Club RSS – Richmond Shakespeare Society SMDG – St. Mary’s Drama Group, Hampton BCP – Barnes Charity Players OHADS – Old Hamptonians’ Amateur Dramatic Society Tops – Twickenham Operatic Society.
Best Supporting Female Performer in a Musical - Tracy Frankson as the Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol (TTC), Linda Sirker as Sister Amnesia in Nunsense (TTC), Bee Wilkinson in Godspell (Tops), Faye Ellingham in Godspell (Tops). Best Female Performer in a Musical - Alexa Bushell as Sally Smith in Me & My Girl (Barnes Charity Players), Sue Bell as Mother Superior in Nunsense (TCC). Best Male Performer in a Musical - Peter Beaven as John the Baptist/Judas Iscariot in
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Godspell (Tops), John Pyle as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (TTC).
Teddington Theatre Club - Nunsense.
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LOCAL THEATRE BOWS OUT IN STYLE A cast and crew of familiar faces recently helped a Corby theatre bow out in style. The Farewell Show held at the Willows Arts Centre was the final event at the 40-year-old theatre in George Street. More than 100 members of the town’s amateur dramatic and performance groups joined together to perform old favourites from shows that have taken place at the venue over the years. Volunteer Gillian Croswell said it was only right the final show should feature local people. She said: “It’s all people who have performed there over the years”.
the past and featured people from Corby Amateur Theatrical Society, the Helen King School of Dance and Eclipse Performing Arts. “It’s nice to finish on this kind of note.” The Willows is being shut to make way for the town centre redevelopment. A new theatre will be built as part of the Corby Cube project just a few yards from the Willows. Gillian added: “The Willows will be shut the next day so this really will be the last show. “The volunteers are feeling quite sad because it’s the end of an era but it’s such hard work and it really takes its toll. Lots of us have day jobs, too, and it’s really hard to fit it all in so some of us are looking forward to having a little rest. “Hopefully we’ll have a place in the new theatre.”
The show featured people from the gang shows, from a couple of Willows’ productions staged in
BROUGHTON PLAYERS ONE ACT FESTIVAL RESULTS The Broughton Players recently held their 17th One Act Play Festival at Preston Playhouse with the following results. Best Director-Norma Kelly for Preston Drama Club, Individual Achievement - Bernie Hughes Of Nobody Move Theatre Co.Liverpool, Adjudicator’s Award to Michael Hurley of The Broughton Players for Best Supporting Actor, Best Performance to Kay Dudley of Tanterton and St.Andrew’s Ashton, Preston and Best Production to Hoghton Players for their production of Waiting for Giro. The festival was adjudicated by Sue Mckay and compered by Stephen Hall.It was very sucessful in every way,drawing in eleven societies and large audiences who had a very enjoyable week of excellent plays, warm, friendly surroundings and a wealth of new writing, directing and acting. if you wish to take part in the festival in 2010 please enter your society now as places are soon snapped up.The festival will run from 22nd to Saturday 26th June at Preston Playhouse Market St West. Any information from Adrienne Hurley - hurley332@hotmail.com For information on the theatre go to www.prestonplayhouse.com
WELCOME, ZOYA! We’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Zoya Berkeley to the team here at AS Magazine. Zoya has taken up the post as Sales Manager here and is on hand to help you promote your business or services through the magazine. Advertising enquiries can be directed to advertising@asmagazine.co.uk or by calling 0203 006 3094.
Company celebrates 20 years threading the boards Performers in Crawley Down have been treading the boards for a special anniversary. The Haven Theatre Company celebrate their 20th pantomime in January and are marking the milestone by holding the auditions. The company started back in 1990 after the Haven Centre was built in Crawley Down. Original member Linda Dixon said: “Dorothy Hatswell approached Nick Watson and Frances Lancaster of the Sackville Players to start a new amateur dramatics company to make use of the new stage at the centre. “They held an informal meeting, auditions and rehearsals and the first pantomime Jack And the Beanstalk was performed at the Haven Centre in January 1991. A pantomime has been performed every January since that time.” Mrs Dixon said for the first few
performances, the stage had no curtains which lead to improvised scene changes and lighting equipment had to be hired. Most of the company’s performances have been at the Haven Centre but they have branched out to the Hawth in Crawley, Chequer Mead and the Peredur Centre in East Grinstead. The wardrobe mistress said: “Totally self-supporting, the company has gone from strength to strength over the years. The members are predominately from Crawley Down, but some from outlying villages. We try to have as many junior members as possible, but welcome adult members wholeheartedly. “It is always good to have new blood within the company as they invariably bring new ideas and we can continue as a first class amateur dramatics company.” Auditions for the January pantomime, Puss in Boots, are this Sunday (July 12) between 2pm and 4pm, and Tuesday July 14 between 8pm and 10pm. The performance dates will be January 7 to 9, 2010. For more information, contact Judith Holden on 01342 713767, or the box office on 01342 712787.
PANTOMIMES By JOHN CROCKER The Smaller Cast Versions ALADDIN “PEAK OF PANTO PERFECTION” Exeter Express & Echo MOTHER GOOSE “FUN FILLED SCRIPT” Western Morning News SLEEPING BEAUTY “ A RIP-ROARING SUCCESS” Exmouth Herald CINDERELLA “TRADITIONAL PANTO AT IT’S BEST” Hampshire Gazette DICK WHITTINGTON “A CRACKER OF A PANTO” Evening Herald, Plymouth BABES IN THE WOOD “WONDERFUL NEW CHRISTMAS PANTO” Herald Express and the latest JACK AND THE BEANSTALK “GIANT CHRISTMAS TREAT” Tiverton Crediton, Culm Valley Gazette PLUS the much loved favourites with music and lyrics by ERIC GILDER CINDERELLA, PUSS IN BOOTS, DICK WHITTINGTON, ALADDIN, BABES IN THE WOOD, SINBAD THE SAILOR, MOTHER GOOSE, ROBINSON CRUSOE, SLEEPING BEAUTY, HUMPTY DUMPTY, QUEEN OF HEARTS, RED RIDING HOOD, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK And a zany potted panto sketch POTTY PANTOMIME Also a Rock Musical THE FRANKENSTEIN MONSTER SHOW By JOHN CROCKER and TIM HAMPTON Music by KEN BOLAM Lyrics by LES SCOTT All obtainable from SAMUEL FRENCH LIMITED 52 Fitzroy St, London W1P 6JR Ph: 020 7387 9373
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NEWS
Formby Little Theatre Secretary retires after more than 60 years It is the final curtain call for a 91-yearold woman who has dedicated more than 60 years to a theatre group. Kathleen Williams, who has been involved in Formby Little Theatre since it started as the Fellowship Players in 1947 has retired as secretary. She started out serving refreshments for the cast and crew back stage and also helped out with the stage props. As a self-appointed archivist, she has a collection of photographs, memorabilia and press cuttings of the theatre and every production it has held. Kathleen was born in the Isle of Man and moved
to Grange Lane in Formby in 1917. Formby’s first amateur theatre group, which eventually came to be called Formby Little Theatre, was set up by Eric Bodger at Holy Trinity Church Hall and moved to Rosemary Lane in 1984. At the end of its Annual General Meeting, Kathleen was presented with a commemorative plaque and a bouquet of flowers by theatre chairman Stewart Brignull, who also thanked her for her years of service. Sheila Morgan, of Formby Little Theatre said: “After a champagne toast, Kathleen received a standing ovation from all those present to end a very special evening for a very special lady whose work has helped so many people in the past.” www.formbytheatre.co.uk
GODA DRAMA FESTIVAL CONFERENCE 2009 This year’s GoDA Drama Festival Conference is to be held at the Kettering Conference Centre in Northamptonshire on Saturday October 24. The aim of bi-annual conference is to give everyone involved in the drama festivals movement the opportunity to meet, share their experiences of festivals and examine the latest trends on the professional and amateur stage. New technology and its impact on drama festivals will be the subject of one conference session, another speaker will give an overview of the latest trends in professional theatre, and delegates will form a series of focus groups to examine the burning issues facing contemporary festivals. There will also be an opportunity to tour the Lighthouse Theatre – a new space for both professional and community companies that forms part of the Kettering Conference Centre venue. Participation in the event, organised by GODA on behalf of the drama festivals
movement, will cost delegates £49.95 including lunch and refreshments, representing an increase of less than £1 on the conference held in Birmingham in four years ago. Kettering Conference Centre is a splendid modern venue with excellent facilities and ample car parking, and is less than a mile from Kettering train station with its excellent links from London and the North East. For those travelling by road, the venue is less than two minutes from the main A14 East/ West link between the A1 and M1/M6 motorways. The town of Kettering has plenty of hotel and B&B accommodation. If you would like to know more about the Drama Festivals Conference, or to book your place as a delegate please contact organiser Paul Fowler on 01536 511308 or email him at paul@paul-fowler.co.uk Printed by kind permission of www.amdram.co.uk
PLAYWRIGHTS APPEAL TO HELP THE FORCES Dear AS Magazine, As a former ex-serviceman, I applaud the courage of our servicemen in Afghanistan and decry this government’s apparent lack of support. Also a dedicated supporter of the Help for Heroes charity; in order to aid the latter and the wounded servicemen it supports, I am endeavouring to raise a minimum of £10,000 over the next 12 months. To achieve this I am seeking drama groups nationwide who would be willing to stage one or more of my plays – full length and/ or one act, on the understanding that a proportion of the box office receipts go to the Help for Heroes fund. Amongst the plays available are a nomination for comedy of the year award; recent one act comedy festival finalist and others. If there are other writers out there who feel likewise, I would be happy to hear from them. Mark Robberts Interested parties can contact me via email: author.eyes@ahoo.com
DERBY NEWS The most exciting news this month is the reopening of the Derby Playhouse, now renamed Derby Theatre. The University of Derby recently bought the lease of the building which they will be using for educational purposes as well as commercial (café, bar, conferences etc.). They have appointed Derby Live to run the theatre. The official launch of Derby Theatre took place on Friday 24th July and the future programme of events was announced. Of particular interest is the fact that the whole season is being opened in October by the international award - winning local amateur group, the Derby Gilbert and Sullivan Company. It is expected that a number of other groups will also return to the theatre. We urge everyone to show your support.
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NEWS
PLAYSTAGE - A NEW PUBLISHING HOUSE Author and playwright Lynn Brittney has always made a speciality of writing for what she calls “overlooked groups”. In 2002, she started the company Playstage Junior, specifically to address the problem of a lack of drama material for use in primary schools. To date, the company has sold hundreds of plays, pantomimes and nativity plays to schools and children’s groups in the UK; Eire; Canada; America; Hong Kong; Columbia; Mexico; the Czech Republic; New Zealand; Australia; Tibet; the UAE and Malaysia. Following on from that success, 2009 sees the addition of another imprint to the Playstage group – Playstage Senior – a company devoted to providing some of the best new writing around for actors over the age of 40. Brittney, in conjunction with two other playwrights – Alan Marshall and David Summers, felt so strongly that almost all new works were aimed at young actors and the valuable experience of older actors was being marginalised, that they set about to write strong plots, parts and characters
for older age groups, to meet a long held need in amateur theatre. “Time after time, we saw drama groups struggling to cast plays,” explains Brittney, “because they had a very small number of members who could take juvenile lead roles and, frequently, they had to fall back on pieces that were written in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. It is rare that any new writing focuses on older age groups. Everything seemed to be youth-dominated.” Playstage Senior’s inaugural catalogue contains 13 brand new one-act and full-length plays, plus 5 plays which Lynn Brittney formerly published through Samuel French but the rights are now owned by Playstage. “Alan, David and I hope to write between 12 and 15 new pieces each year,” adds Brittney. An additional offering which the drama groups involved in the try-outs of the Playstage plays have found exceptionally useful is the themed Wine
& Wisdom series of one-act plays, which can be performed on their own, or bolted together to make an evening’s entertainment. “We plan to do more of this sort of thing,” says Brittney. “We have another series of six one-act plays planned, which will all be explorations of one theme. Drama groups love them because an evening of two one-act plays gives more actors in the group a chance to act, rather than one full-length play, which may only offer a handful of parts.” “We aim to be as flexible as possible,” she adds. The full inaugural catalogue of Playstage Senior can be accessed on www.playsforadults.com. The Playstage Junior catalogue can be found on www.schoolplaysandpantos.com.
VOCAL GROUPS / CHOIRS WANTED FOR O2 ARENA EVENT Are you in a vocal group, school choir, gospel choir, performance group or a keen singer that can gather a group of 10 friends? Would you like to perform at the London 02 Arena? Voice in a Million, in association with the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF), launches an inaugural concert at the 02 Arena in London on 23rd September 2009. The concert brings together as one voice 4,000 children from throughout the country, representing the estimated 4,000 people that need adopting in the UK. The concert is being held in the run-up to National Adoption Week which takes place 9th-15th November 2009. Perform some of the world’s most uplifting and powerful songs brought to life in this provocative production of epic proportions. This phenomenal gathering of young voices, school children, gospel choirs and performance groups will perform a host of well known classics made famous by many of the leading stars from the world of music including Michael Jackson’s ‘I’ll Be There’ and ‘Ben’, Diana Ross’ ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, The Four Tops’ ‘Reach Out (I’ll Be There)’, the Bill Withers classic
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‘Lean On Me’, Celine Dion’s ‘Because You Love Me’, ‘Oh Happy Day’ from the Sister Act movie and moving renditions of Dionne Warwick hits such as ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ and ‘What The World Needs Now’ to name a few.
On the day, 23rd September 2009, you will need to arrive at the O2 with the participants at 2pm, rehearsals start at 4pm, Show will start at 7.30pm. There is a 30 minute interval and so the event is scheduled to end at 10pm.
The ‘Voice In A Million’ project has captured the imagination of vocalists across the nation. This is your chance to make a difference and let your voice be heard in one of London’s most prestigious venues!
The relevant forms that need completing are now available for download from the website www.voiceinamillion.com or contact us now on 01932 592016
If you are a vocalist or in a choir or singing group and would like to perform at the London 02 Arena Concert on September 23rd 2009 email: voiceinamillion@ classic-media-group.com
Reprinted by kind permission of www.amdram.co.uk
A CD of the event will also be released on November 9th 2009 to coincide with National Adoption Week. All participants need to purchase a Voice In A Million T Shirt at a cost of £10.00 each. Footage from the event will be used during national adoption week on ITV “This Morning” when an album of the event will be released for public sale.
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22 For over 85 years
Brown, Son & Ferguson, Ltd. have been leading publishers of one act and full length plays for both amateur and professional groups from leading playwrights including:– Agnes Adam Dorothy Dunbar Robert Kemp James Scotland
Alan Cochrane Millie Gray Alan Richardson Pat Trevor
Details of plays currently available can be found on our website:
www.scottishplays.co.uk
or by writing for our free catalogue to: BROWN, SON & FERGUSON, LTD. 4-10 Darnley Street, Glasgow G41 2SD SCOTLAND Tel: 0141 429 1234 Fax: 0141 420 1694 e-mail: info@skipper.co.uk
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THEMUSICAL PLAY PRODUCED THE PRODUCED
TACKLING A PREMIERE PRODUCTION
Ann Mortimer discussed the devilish difficulties associated with a new production of Jekyll & Hyde, recently staged at the West Cliff Theatre. The Society has produced five other premieres in the past but this production was not originally intended to be the sixth. We choose three plays for each season as the theatre has to know the complete year’s programme in advance. Thinking a year ahead when in the middle of current productions sometimes leads to problems being over looked and in the case of the summer production of “Jekyll and Hyde” this proved to be the case. To start with a play that has such a massive star role, one actor playing both Jekyll and Hyde, creates the twin disadvantages of having to find someone willing to make such a huge commitment as well as reducing opportunities for other members. Add to this the inherent dangers of the transitions from Jekyll into Hyde, together with the fact that this
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particular version confines the action to a single box set and we were in a position where none of our directors was keen to take on the task. Unfortunately, this fact did not come to light in time to stop the advance publicity going out so we were faced with the dilemma of having to alter the programme with all the expense that entailed or going ahead, knowing that nobody was that keen on the play to want to direct it. Fortunately, another solution was forthcoming. Our President, Peter Horsler, is also a published playwright whose work is performed all around the world, and he offered to write a version tailored to our needs. Jekyll and Hyde would now be played by two actors, not one, as
has become the expectation. For, as he pointed out, this is a convention that started in Holywood and has little to do with the original story which clearly states that Hyde is different from Jekyll in every respect: appearance, voice and manner. Further, the action would be created in three acting areas, ‘Dr. Jekyll’s Lounge’, ‘The Boar’s Head’ ( a drinking den in Soho) and ‘The Street’ so that much more action can be seen on stage rather than narrated in the dialogue. Further more he promised to add some low-life characters of his own making to create an opportunity for humour as we did not want our audiences to sink into black despair by watching a succession of Hyde’s evil actions. In due course we were presented with a script which we knew would work as
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THE PLAY PRODUCED
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Peter had had many years of practical theatre experience but, of course, he left all movement and choice of effects to me as director and resisted including much in the way of stage directions. It was in many ways a blank canvass for the props person, the costume mistress, the set design team and the lighting and sound technicians, all of whom welcomed the challenge.
Staging the Play The stage of the West Cliff Theatre in Clacton-on-Sea is of a size that most amateur groups would be thrilled to use, being 26 feet wide and 16 feet deep behind the pros. arch with an apron giving a further 8 feet. I decided to use the latter for the street scenes and divide the above pros. arch area into the two other areas, namely: Dr. Jekyll’s Lounge and The Boar’s Head. However, this only gives a width of 13 feet for the two main areas, which is pretty inadequate for scenes which sometimes had
nine characters on stage at one time. Fortunately, our set design team came up with the idea of using a swinging flat that extended each area by approximately five feet. This was double sided to match the two areas and was moved from one to the other in the time that it took a stage hand to cross the stage. As many of the scenes were short it was essential to keep black-outs to the minimum so furnishings and props either had to be set for a complete act or brought on by the actors. Dr. Jekyll’s Lounge had only a chaise-longue, a desk and one chair set permanently, apart from décor such as pictures which were only set dressing and would not interfere with the action. The Boar’s Head scenes used home-built, lightly constructed benches and tables that could easily be carried on and off by the characters. In theory no scene break should have been longer than 45 seconds but in practice, well, we all know that theory never quite
works out, as we tend to overlook the fact that people move very cautiously in almost total black outs and minor costume changes are never quite as slick as envisaged. Nevertheless, although we didn’t quite manage cross-fades from one scene to another, we did keep scene change times short enough not to break the flow of the play. The use of linking music between those scenes that took a little longer to set helped greatly to keep up the tension and atmosphere.
The Cast In our preliminary talks with Peter, we had requested that he should include as many small parts as possible to give new members their first taste of appearing before an audience. As those people who are familiar with Stevenson’s original story will know, this is not an easy task as there are really only six characters in the story and they are all male. However, the final script that he produced consisted of six main characters (5m,1w), five
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THE PLAY PRODUCED
supporting characters (4w,1m) and five cameo parts (2w, 2m, 1 either) and five walk-ons with odd lines. Of course, a smaller company could double many of these if they needed to. The main character parts are substantial but by no means heavy. Jekyll and Hyde, being played by two actors instead of one, made two good sized parts for our more experienced actors without either being burdened with half the total dialogue of the play. The supporting characters had plenty to get their teeth into and the cameo players had a couple of pages or so exposed to the bright lights. All in all, there was something for all those interested and a chance for newcomers to work with our more experienced actors.
Rehearsals
Our rehearsal room has a total floor area smaller than the stage of the West Cliff so rehearsing is always a little compressed, often with the director pressed against one wall in order to view the whole picture. With a small cast play, this is no great problem but it is a different story when we have eight or more characters on stage at one time. Fortunately, however, this play divides very naturally into three sections for rehearsal purposes: i.e. The Jekyll lounge scenes, the Boar’s Head scenes and the
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street scenes so the whole floor area can be used to for each in turn. Naturally, the main part actors need to attend nearly all rehearsals but the smaller part players have only to attend on nights when their scenes will be running and can be assured that they will not be sitting about but working throughout the evening.
Treatment
Having read the play several times and thought about it for much longer, I had to make up my mind as to the general approach. Stevenson’s original tale was written as a Christmas creepy, a horror story intended to thrill a wide reading public. It followed in the tradition of the Gothic thriller but brought a new dimension as it was set in contemporary London and not in some ancient castle in a distant land. Reviewers of the time recognised that the story had another dimension as it dealt with scientific speculation about the human mind and the concept of good and evil. All of these elements had been woven into Peter’s play so how much emphasis was I to give them and what genre would the production ultimately become ? I asked Peter what his intention had been when he wrote the script and what genre did he consider the play to reside in. The answer was simple. He wanted the play to entertain, the philosophical, sociological and psychological strands were included
in justice to Stevenson’s tale and the audience could ponder on them if they so wished, but the overall purpose was to produce a play, not a melodrama but a thriller not dissimilar to a Hammer Horror film which, after all, is an equivalent to the Christmas creepy.
Effects It followed then that sound and lighting would play an essential and vital part in this production. I decided to use sound in the way it is employed in film; that is, as a means of building up tension and enhancing the action. The theatre’s smoke machine would also be employed to create evening and morning mist for the street scenes and, it goes without saying, lighting would be all important to isolate the different acting areas, create atmosphere and help create the special effects. Thus sound of our own creation, accompanied by special lighting was used to reinforce Jekyll’s transformation into Hyde. The idea that this represented the torment that Jekyll was experiencing within his mind was skilfully conveyed to the audience by the actions of the actor playing the part and the total lack of reaction from the rest of the cast who supposedly could hear nothing. Without going into too much detail there were many other opportunities within this play to use music sound and special lighting effects: the murder of Danvers,
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THE PLAY PRODUCED
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the stalking and subsequent murder of Dr. Lanyon, the flight of Hyde and final struggle between Jekyll and Hyde to, say nothing of numerous spot effects.
feel when he or she treads where no-one has been before. Article: Ann Mortimer Photos: APA Photography, Clacton.
Conclusion There is no doubt that putting on a brand new play does add another layer of creative excitement and I understand now what an explorer must
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FIRST NIGHT INSURANCE
DO YOU KNOW YOUR LOLER FROM YOUR COSHH? Since 1999, when I first started writing articles for Amateur Stage, I have always steered well clear of Engineering Insurance as a subject for my article. Over the years, as productions become more sophisticated, shows will of course try and stretch the boundaries of what can be achieved on stage with the advent of updated technology. On the professional side, we have experienced some very unusual special effects that have needed specialist engineering inspections. There is, of course, a line that needs to be drawn between what is called statutory and non-statutory inspections. The Lifting Operations and Lighting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) impose on the production company the requirement to have any item that lifts a human being off the floor inspected every six months. The regulations go on to state that any item that lifts a load off the floor, such as winches or fly wheels, need to be inspected every 12 months. So, if you have an item of equipment that is lifting an actor off the floor then you need to make sure that the item has the appropriate statutory inspection certificate prior to use. If you hire this item from a hire company then you should certainly ask for a copy of the certificate. Obviously, if you own the equipment then it would be your responsibility to make sure that the certificate is in place. Failure to do this could cause you immense problems in that, should an incident occur and the actor be injured then the Health and Safety Executive could well become involved. Certainly, the first thing they will do is to ask for a copy of the appropriate Certificate. If you do not have this document, major problems could ensue for the officers of the society.
It is important for you to note that the cancellation section of the First Night policy doesn’t only protect you in case the entire show is cancelled. The wording is robust enough to cover both cancellation and postponement of the performance. This will extend to include such incidents as the one mentioned above. The standard market wording for Cancellation Insurance incorporates an exclusion for illnesses that are not common to be sexes. The First Night policy does not include such a condition, thus our wording could be considered to be a wider scope. However, supposing the leading lady is pregnant. Can you make a claim? Well probably not, even though we have an extension to cover the inability or failure of any principal to perform it must be due to accident or illness and pregnancy is not an illness. The only possible exception to this could be if there were complications and then it would be entirely dependant on the medical evidence available at the time. Probably the ‘hot potato’ of the moment is Swine Flu and how it affects Travel Insurance. It is obviously very difficult for me to generalise as there are so many different policies available. But for what it is worth, if you need to make a claim and you are concerned about providing acceptable medical evidence to back up your claim and you are unable to obtain written evidence from your GP or other medical practitioner, ask your Insurance Broker or whoever arranged the cover for you, if the Insurers will accept your individual unique ID number generated by the National Flu Service. That together with the label on their antiflu drugs which states your name and the date of issue may well be accepted as proof of diagnoses to validate a cancellation claim.
The last thing any society wants is for a member of the society to be injured and then for the society itself to be in trouble with the Health and Safety Executive. It should be borne in mind that the Health and Safety Executive have very far reaching powers and criminal convictions could follow. Moving away from lifting plant, another aspect that could have relevance to amateur societies in general is the COSHH rules that relate effectively to paint fumes. Again these have to be dealt with and, depending on how you remove the fumes from the building, i.e. with the use of an air receiver, you may well need to have such an item statutorily inspected. The above is a very brief overview of the types of rules and regulations that are in place to protect general members of the public. I would therefore suggest that if any of you are concerned about any of the activities you undertake then you should certainly speak to your Insurance Brokers, explaining what you do and the plant that is used. Your Brokers can then seek opinion from specialist Engineering Insurers, who should be able to confirm whether an inspection is a statutory requirement. I have to say that a number of our professional theatre producer clients will have an engineering inspection carried out, even when it is not a requirement, just to make sure that they are acting, and can be seen to be acting, in the best interests of the cast and crew under their control. If I receive a significant amount of feedback following this article, I will arrange for a follow-up article to be penned by an Insurance Company Engineering Underwriter. We have recently been involved in a Cancellation Insurance claim for a professional theatre company where the safety curtain failed during the interval. The second act was therefore cancelled and the client made a claim.
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PLAYSCRIPTS
ONE-ACT PLAYS LIONS AND DONKEYS A play by Steve Harper Published by Samuel French ISBN: 9780573142130 (4M) It’s September 1918 on the Western Front, and Tommy Atkins and Dave Rawlings from the Third Essex Battalion are doing all they can to stay alive during the final months of the First World War. They receive an unexpected visit from an officer, Lieutenant Hargreaves, who announces that Tommy is to be awarded the Military Medal for his courage in combat. Why, then, are Tommy and Dave so keen to see the back of him? And who is the strange Icelandic character that enters the scene, brandishing a sausage? Lions and Donkeys is a nicely paced one-act play about friendship, humanity and survival. The play is reliant on a simple staging with minimal props and a few assorted music cues which lend to the atmosphere of the period. The play premiered at the Hunstanton Drama Festival in 2009 and should certainly be on the list for any group looking for a festival entry.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LADY A Play by Francis Beckett Published by Samuel French ISBN: 9780573122255 (M2, F3) Flavia is a journalist who has been poached from the BBC by a tabloid newspaper, the Daily Trumpet. Her brief - to dig up the dirt on her old friend Nicola Macdonald, now Secretary of State. Flavia exposes Nicola’s affair with a younger man, Stephen, and the ensuing sordid headlines threaten to destroy both their careers and marriages. Flavia hopes that she will now be allowed to investigate the more serious corruption taking place in the government: the acceptance of bribes from American company Omnicom.com. The Daily Trumpet editor, Miranda, and chief whip, Griff, have other ideas.
FULL-LENGTH PLAYS LIZZY, DARCY & JANE A Play by Joanna Norland Published by Samuel French ISBN: 9780573112331 (M5, F7) In recent times, there has been a spate of films and plays taking different slants on Jane Austen and her well-known canon of novels. In Lizzy, Darcy & Jane, Jane Austen pits her wit and will against her greatest adversary and ally - the intrepid heroine of Pride & Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet. Heady with her first taste of love for the dashing Tom LeFroy, Jane Austen, aged 20, creates Elizabeth in an exuberant moment of inspiration, with Mr Darcy taking on the role of her arch enemy and reluctant admirer. But when Jane’s romance with Tom sours, she sentences Elizabeth to marry the odious Mr Collins, and herself to an equally disastrous marriage. The fates of the author, the novel and its heroine are at stake. Elizabeth Bennet must take action. Lizzy, Darcy & Jane is a gem of a play which perfectly captures the style and spirit of Jane Austen whilst providing an entertaining and engaging story.
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PLAYSCRIPTS
THE CONTINGENCY PLAN (ON THE BEACH & RESILIENCE) Two plays by Steve Waters Published by Nick Hern Books ISBN: 9781848420526 (M3, W2) The Contingency Plan is a double bill of plays from the frontline of climate change, which are complimentary but can also stand alone. They present an epic portrait of an England in the near future, in the grip of unprecedented and catastrophic floods. In On The Beach, Will Paxton, a glaciologist, returns from months in Antartica to tell his parents that he will take up a role with the government. Thirty years ago his father silenced his own radical thinking on climate change. Yet behind the reunion with his father lie thirty years of secrecy and bitterness. As the truth surfaces, the family is torn apart, and Will’s parents must face the rising tide alone. In Resilience, the Tory government that has come to power wants radical answers to the imminent floods. Their newly appointed expert, Will Paxton, puts an extreme scenario on the table: England, from its coastline to its capital, faces catastrophe. The Contingency Plan premiered at the Bush Theatre in 2009 and whilst each play can stand independently, it is only when presented together does the full force of their meaning really strike you. It suprising that there have been no landmark plays about climate change to date. Where Steve Waters has succeeded in droves is that this is not just an evening of facts and figures and droning political speeches but a drama that takes the issue and presents in in human terms. Characters are real, well depicted and suffer the consequences of the situation.
SNOW WHITE A pantomime by Craig Hewlitt & Eddie Goddard Published by Spotlight Publications ISBN: 9780956020987 A new version of the classic tale featuring the Wicked Queen, the Seven Dwarves and a new comedy duo, Gladiators Wold & Scorpio. The Wicked Queen’s magic mirror tells her that her step-daughter Snow White is the fairest in the land. The Queen tells her Gladiators, Wolf & Scorpio, to take her into the forest and kill her. But they let her go, and she seeks refuge in the house of the Seven Dwarves. The Queen, disguised as an old woman, gives Snow White the Poisoned Apple, but she recovers. the Seven Dwarfes devise a cunning plan to enter the Queen’s castle and deal with her once and for all. Craig & Eddie are to be congratulated on this new take on a familiar classic. This script buzzes with comedy brilliance. This is not your standard version of those loveable dwarves. These dwarves are renamed and get their name from their defunct variety act. They sing, dance and even rap! Taking the mickey out of modern commercial panto, the Gladiators find themselves in the comic firing line. If you’re looking for something fresh, then this script is well worth a look. Even imaging the staging and audience interaction, this panto really grabbed us from start to finish.
Samuel French Ltd The play publisher
The 93rd edition of
The Guide to Selecting Plays for Performance
*Contains cast and story details of around 2000 titles available for amateur performance * Price: £8.95, post free (2nd class, UK only) *Includes free £5.00 voucher to redeem on purchases over £50 * The new edition of the Musical Plays Catalogue is expected September 2009 *
French’s Theatre Bookshop 52 Fitzroy St London W1T 5JR Tel: 020 7255 4300 Fax: 020 7387 2161 Email: theatre@samuelfrench-london.co.uk
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IS YOUR DRAMA GROUP TIRED OF NOT BEING ABLE TO CAST PLAYS? Do you suffer from a lack of young actors?
HELP HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!
A BRAND NEW FULL-LENGTH COMEDY BY BOB HEATHER
Playstage Senior is a new publishing house totally devoted to creating new plays for experienced amateur actors. Our plays have some of the best parts for actors aged 40 to 70+ that you are ever going to find. We guarantee that: You will never again have to waste your best actors in bit parts or supporting roles. You will never again have to scrabble around borrowing young actors from another group. Your older actors will never again be relegated to playing elderly relatives/butlers/housekeepers. We even have plays that have lead roles for 70 year olds – and not a Zimmer frame in sight! We don’t believe that the best new dramatic writing should only be for young actors.
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John and Chrissie have been married for nearly two years. With a pending anniversary, buying presents has never been John’s good point, so he tries the easy way out by giving Chrissie the money to buy her own present, but she insists that she would prefer a surprise. After a rushed and fraught filled dinner party where everything goes wrong, John decides to change his ways and surprise Chrissie more often, but he finds the element of surprise is not easy to master. This full length comedy play has wit and laughter running through from start to finish with not one, not two, but three surprises in the final scene to keep the audience guessing. Cast 5M + 4F Published by New Theatre Publications. www.plays4theatre.com Phone: 01925 485605 For listings of this script and all of Bob Heather’s award winning traditional family pantomimes, visit www.dublar.co.uk Pantomimes by Bob Heather include Aladdin – Dick Whittington – Jack and the Beanstalk The Pied Piper – Babes in the Wood – Mother Goose Cinderella – The King’s New Clothes
PLAYSTAGE P.O.Box 52 AXMINSTER EX13 5WB www.playsforadults.com
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REVIEWS
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A MOMENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT This month AS Magazine caught up with Dave Buchanan from Spotlight Publications to find out a little bit more about this prolific publishing house and what made them tick.
DANIEL BOYS - SO CLOSE Following his appearance on the BBC’s Any Dream Will Do and currently appearing in Avenue Q in London’s West End, Daniel Boys is fast gathering an enviable fan following. It’s not difficult to see why. This month sees the release of his first solo album which combines a well selected and stylishly crafted portfolio of songs into a cd which must not be missed. So Close is a mixture of popular and theatre material. From John Denvers’ Annie’s Song, through to So Close (Disney’s Enchanted), and upcoming show writers (One Day More), there is something here for everyone. Daniel is in fine voice here. Each song is imbued with a richness, style and honesty that are quickly becoming Daniel’s performance trademarks. Grab a copy and have a listen - you’ll be pleased you did.
AS. Tell me a little bit about Spotlight’s history and how it came into being? Dave: Spotlight launched in 1999 as a panto specialist aimed at the amateur drama market with a handful of scripts and a couple of writers, but then soon diversified into one act plays, which were and are a staple of amdram clubs, especially for competitive festivals. We now have twenty eight writers, offer forty eight pantomimes and have added full length plays to our list. AS. How many plays do you license in any given year and are they just in the UK or in other territories? Dave: We licence up to twenty new works per annum; worldwide. AS: What is Spotlight’s policy on selecting new plays? Dave: We have two simple criteria: does it work? and do the plot and characters grab the attention? AS: You representa lot of panto scripts. What do you think makes for a good panto? Dave: Plot, characters, humour, songs, costumes and FX are all in the mix, but if you haven’t got the first three, don’t bother! AS: You are building up quite a roster of playwrights, is there a lot of new talent emerging in the writing world? Dave: There is always new talent, and over a wide range of ages. At opposite ends, we have a retired pensioner in his late seventies, and a bunch of teenagers who write their own scripts.
CHESS IN CONCERT DVD & CD Just over a year ago the Royal Albert Hall played host to a concert version of the musical Chess featuring some of the biggest names in musical theatre. Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal, David Badella, Marti Pellow, Clarke Peters, Kerry Ellis and Josh Groban backed by an orchestra and mammoth choir. This double CD and DVD have recorded that event brilliantly. It’s been said that Chess is a fatally flawed musical, attested to by the fact that there have been so many versions of it performed worldwide. What is imminently clear here is that flaws aside this remains one of the greatest theatrical rock scores of the eighties. The combination of Benny & Bjorn, the musical force behind ABBA and Sir Tim Rice was inspired to say the least. There is no doubt though that this is Josh Groban’s show. His Anthem is incredibly powerful and one has to wonder how long it will be before the West End or Broadway beckons.
AS: You are running some Credit Crunch deals at the moment how do those work? Dave: Clubs get a 15% discount if they purchase a set of scripts and put on a minimum of three performances. You can find out more about Spotlight by contacting Dave Buchanan at SPOTLIGHT PUBLICATIONS 259 The Moorings, Dalgety, Fife KY11 9GX P: 01383 825 737 E: enquiries@spotlightpublications.com W: www.spotlightpublications.com
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REVIEWS Photo: Joan Marcus
The Rover Southwark Playhouse
THE CHERRY ORCHARD Mark Ludmon takes a look at some of the latest dramatic offerings from London’s West End.
The Cherry Orchard The Old Vic, London
In last month’s AS magazine, we featured the transatlantic treatment of The Winter’s Tale by The Bridge Project, the alliance between Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Old Vic under the direction of Sam Mendes. Its companion piece, Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, is another classic tale of time passing and things lost which has been transformed by a lively new translation by Tom Stoppard, full of puns and moments of delightful but dark-tinged humour which support Chekhov’s insistence that the play should be seen as a comedy. Dressed in opulent gowns, Sinéad Cusack dominates the stage as Ranevskaya, the owner of the ancestral estate and the eponymous cherry orchard. Child-like, she clings to her family’s aristocratic past while desperately trying to avoid the changes afoot in Russian society represented by Simon Russell Beale’s pragmatic businessman, Lopakhin. He brings comedy and lightness to the role but with an unsettling undercurrent of menace that comes from Lopakhin’s knowledge that he is the face of the future. But Ranevskaya is not the only one who fails to listen, with characters often appearing to talk to themselves even when there are others around them.
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Anthony Ward’s sparse set emphasises their dislocation, with an opening scene where they move like giants around a nursery of miniature furniture. It is an ideal ensemble piece, from the eternal student Trofimov (Ethan Hawke) and the billiards-obsessed Gaev (Paul Jesson) to Ranevskaya’s daughters played by Morven Christie and Rebecca Hall. Selina Cadell’s eccentric governess, with her pointless magic tricks, sums it up when she proclaims to herself: “There’s no-one I can talk to. I’m all alone, and who I am and why I’m here is a mystery.”
Restoration comedies are hard to do for modern audiences, even for the most experienced actors and directors. The witticisms and wordplay that had people in stitches in the late 17th century are too obscure to make the plays as funny as they should be. However, a young cast and production team at Southwark Playhouse have proven that there is fun to be found in 300-year-old comedy. They have breathed life into The Rover by Aphra Behn, who is often regarded as Britain’s first female professional writer. This is a rollicking tale of three young women who break out of the confines of the family home in disguise to explore life and sexuality at carnival time in Venice. Mistaken identities, double-dealing and mask-wearing lead to romantic and farcical confusions involving a group of eligible young gentlemen, but the production maintains a clarity that keeps modern audiences on board. As is typical with Southwark Playhouse, the action is not confined to the main theatre space, starting off in the bar. This may not be ideal acoustically but it literally draws you into the action, as actors weave around the audience and finally grab your hand to drag you to the main theatre for other parts of the story. Rebecca Shanks, Natalie Macaluso and Catherine Skinner are delightful as the three young women, while the womanising rover of the title is played to great swaggering effect by Sam Wilkin. Andura Onashile is impressive as a courtesan wronged by the rover’s lustful deceit. With the action regularly punctuated by masked revellers darting across the stage, the company win you over with their energy and charm.
Photo: Graham Michael
THE ROVER
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REVIEWS
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Hamlet
Donmar West End, Wyndham’s Theatre Before Jude Law rose to Hollywood stardom, he was causing a stir on stage throughout the 1990s, and his return proves he has lost none of his skill for live theatre, creating an emotionally ravaged Hamlet torn apart by indecision and thoughts of death. Michael Grandage’s production avoids fanciful re-interpretations, telling the story clearly and at a good pace, with the actors dressed mainly in black. There is a chill in the air from an additional opening tableau, where Hamlet is alone at the back of the stage, grief-stricken in the winter half-light, to the falling snow of his “To be or not to be” speech. Another interesting touch is to reverse the closet scene between Hamlet and his mother, where a transparent gauze-like “arras” hangs in front of the actors with Polonius front of stage eavesdropping. The full text takes over four hours to perform but this version is well edited to three hours. One beneficiary is Polonius who loses some of his more verbose lines and, in the hands of Ron Cook, becomes less ridiculous and more sympathetic as a father and minister trying to do his best.
Penelope Wilton’s Gertrude is a simple soul who moves from perplexity to disgust, while Kevin R McNally is excellent as Claudius, calmly trying to plot his way out of trouble with the coolness of an accomplished politician. In her mad scene, Gugu Mbatha-Raw is movingly understated rather than hysterical. Christopher Oram’s set of stone walls and narrow windows increasingly looks more like a prison than a castle, and there is little sense of a political context of something rotten in the state of Denmark. It becomes more of a private story about a family trapped in a world of deception and disorder as warlike forces bear down on them from outside.
Peter Pan
Kensington Gardens, London This summer saw the presentation of a very special Peter Pan. Presented in a big top in Kensington Gardens, Peter Pan had returned to his spiritual home.
us effortlessly from the Darling nursery to high above London to the magical Neverland. Designer William Dudley is in his element here. Having designed the Woman In White and Carousel for the West End, he has been freed of the constraints of a proscenium and has been given an incredible space in which to let his imagination run wild. The technical wizardry of this production steals the show. Seeing Peter, Wendy and the boys soar over London is truly breathtaking. Casting wise, Jonathan Hyde as Hook and Ciaran Kellgren as Peter, are perfectly balanced adversaries. Each plays his part to perfection. The only weakness in this dazzling production comes in the script. Seemingly employing the original Victorian script for the play I was struck by what I can only describe as the clunk nature of this version. Instead of a fast paced tale, this Pan chugged along with overly melodramatic pretence.
This is no ordinary Pan. Sets and scenery have been abandoned in favour of a projected scenic system which takes
PETER PAN
Photo: Simon Annand
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DIARY
DIARY SEPT - OCT 2009
1950s Musical Revue
A Murder is Announced
Annie Get Your Gun
14 - 18 October 2009 Woodmansterne Operatic & Dramatic Society St Peter’s Church Hall, Chipstead Way Woodmansterne, Surrey 01737 555009
23 - 24 October 2009 Ace Theatre Company The Hawth Studio Crawley, West Sussex 01293 553636
05 - 10 October 2009 Harpenden Light Operatic Society Harpenden Public Halls Harpenden, Hertfordshire 01582 624147
Abigail’s Party
11 - 17 October 2009 Stafford & District Operatic Soc The Gatehouse Theatre Stafford, Staffs 01785 253595
42nd Street 06 - 10 October 2009 Splinters Theatre Group University Drama Studio Sheffield, S Yorks 07910 251584 14 - 17 October 2009 City of Plymouth Theatre Co The Devonport Playhouse Plymouth, Devon 01752 560726 14 - 17 October 2009 The Kings Lynn Players Corn Exchange King’s Lynn, Norfolk 01553 764864 26 - 31 October 2009 Centre Stage of Exmouth Exmouth Pavilion Exmouth, Devon 01395 232830
A Chorus Line 13 - 17 October 2009 Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company Ltd Sutton Coldfield Town Hall Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands 07856 537168
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To the Forum
13 - 17 October 2009 Hessle Theatre Company Hull Truck Theatre Hull, E Yorks 01482 323638
Anything Goes Across The Bay 24 - 26 September 2009 The Bay Players The Grand Theatre Lancaster, Lancs 01524 64695
Aladdin 06 - 12 September 2009 Kinver Light Operatic Society Edgecliff High School Kinver, nr Stourbridge, W Mids 01384 836963
All My Sons 24 - 26 September 2009 The Chameleons The Kingsland Hall Wembley, Middlesex 0208 123 6443
All Shook Up 20 - 24 October 2009 Haverhill & District Operatic Society Haverhill Arts Centre Haverhill, Suffolk 01440 714140
‘Allo ‘Allo
30 September - 03 October 2009 Lewes Operatic Society Town Hall Lewes, Sussex 01273 480127
14 - 19 September 2009 Louth Playgoers Riverhead Theatre Louth, Lincolnshire 01507 600350 www.louthplaygoers.co.uk
A Man for All Seasons
Annie
02 - 10 October 2009 Nomad Theatre Group Nomad Theatre East Horsley, Surrey 01483 284717
15 - 19 September 2009 Evesham Operatic & Dramatic Society The Arts Centre Evesham, Worcs 01386 442348
A Midsummers Night’s Dream 12 - 19 September 2009 Bolton Little Theatre Bolton 01204 334400 www.boltonlittletheatre.co.uk
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17 - 19 September 2009 Bacup Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society The Royal Court Theatre Bacup, Rossendale, Lancashire 01706 874080
01 - 05 September 2009 Bridport Musical Theatre Co. Bridport Arts Centre Bridport, Dorset 01308 420804 22 - 26 September 2009 Torquay Operatic Society Princess Theatre Torquay, Devon 0844 8472315 30 September - 04 October 2009 Erewash Musical Society LittleTheatre, St John Houghton Catholic School, Kirk Hallam Ilkeston, Derbyshire 0115 946 4346 13 - 17 October 2009 South Yorkshire Musical Comedy Society Dearne Community Theatre Goldthorpe Rotherham, S Yorks 01709 894128 13 - 17 October 2009 Northampton Amateur Operatic Company Royal and Derngate Theatre Northampton, Northants 01604 712651 14 - 17 October 2009 Crigglestone Theatre Company Theatre Royal Wakefield, W Yorks 01924 211311 20 - 24 October 2009 Leamington Spa Opera Group Royal Spa Centre Newbold Terrace Leamington Spa, Warks 01676 532477 20 - 24 October 2009 Circle Light Opera Company Old Rep Theatre Birmingham, W Midlands 0121 353 0633
www.asmagazine.co.uk 27 - 31 October 2009 Ingatestone Musical Operetta Group Ingatestone & Fryerning Community Club Theatre Ingatestone, Essex 01245 360532 27 - 31 October 2009 Saddleworth Musical Society Saddleworth School Uppermill, Oldham 0161 633 3597
Arsenic and Old Lace 15 - 19 September 2009 Magic Hat Productions Compass Theatre Ickenham, Middlesex 07769 560991 www.magichat-productions.com 19 - 26 September 2009 Rugby Theatre Society Rugby Theatre Rugby, Warks 01788 541234 29 - 31 October 2009 Lyndhurst Drama & Mus Society Vernon Theatre Lyndhurst, Hants 023 80282729 www.lyndhurstdrama.i12.com
Back to the 80s 16 - 19 September 2009 Young Inspirations Theatre Co Pomegranate Theatre Chesterfield, Derbyshire 01246 345222
Bedroom Farce 17 - 24 October 2009 Rugby Theatre Society Rugby Theatre, Henry St Rugby, Warks 01788 541234
Black Comedy 29 - 31 October 2009 Curtain Up Amateur Dram Society Totland Church Hall Totland, Isle of Wight 01983 760344
Blitz! 27 - 31 October 2009 Haywards Heath Operatic Society Clair Hall Haywards Heath, W Sussex 01444 455440
Blood Brothers 28 - 31 October 2009 Sale Nomads Theatre Club Sale, Cheshire 0161 969 5140 29 - 31 October 2009 Kings Lynn Operatic & Dram Soc Kings Lynn Arts Centre Kings Lynn, Norfolk 01553 764864
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CHAD Photos
DIARY
www.asmagazine.co.uk Blood Brothers
Brigadoon
Calamity Jane
Chess
22 - 26 September 2009 Harlow Theatre Company Victoria Hall Theatre Old Harlow, Essex 01279 420062 www.harlowtheatrecompany.co.uk
05 - 10 October 2009 Carluke Amateur Operatic Society Motherwell Theatre Motherwell, Lanarkshire 01555 751176
06 - 10 October 2009 Huddersfield Longwood Amateur Operatic Society Lawrence Batley Theatre Huddersfield, West Yorkshire 01484 430528
27 - 31 October 2009 Sainsbury Singers The Hexagon Reading, Berks 0118 988 2510
Boogie Nights 22 - 26 September 2009 Lowestoft Players The Marina Theatre Lowestoft, Suffolk 01502 531279 08 - 10 October 2009 Skegness Theatre Arts Group Embassy Theatre Skegness, Lincs 01754 897671
Brassed Off 30 September - 03 October 2009 The Harrogate Dramatic Society Harrogate Theatre Harrogate, N Yorks 01423 772272
Brief Encounter 31 October - 07 November 2009 Bolton Little Theatre Bolton 01204 334400 www.boltonlittletheatre.co.uk
Broadway meets Hollywood 11 - 11 October 2009 Porthcawl Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society Grand Pavilion Porthcawl, Bridgend 01656 815995
Bugsy Malone 14 - 17 October 2009 Blaenau Gwent Young Stars Youth Musical TC Beaufort Theatre Ebbw Vale, Gwent 01495 301049 20 - 24 October 2009 Walney Junior Amateur Op Soc. Forum 28, Duke Street Barrow in Furness, Cumbria 01229 820000
07 - 10 October 2009 Welwyn Thalians Mus / Dram Soc Campus West Theatre Welwyn Garden City, Herts 01707 357117
Children of Eden Camelot 26 - 31 October 2009 Adlington Music & Arts Society Adlington Community Centre Railway Rd Adlington, nr Chorley, Lancs 01257 480166
Caught in the Net 11 - 12 September 2009 Over Players Community Centre Over, Cambs 01954 230056
Chess 28 - 31 October 2009 Eastbourne Operatic & Dram Soc. Devonshire Park Theatre Eastbourne, East Sussex 01323 412000
28 - 31 October 2009 Stratford Upon Avon Operatic Soc Civic Hall Stratford upon Avon, Warks 01789 207100
22 - 26 September 2009 Chelmsford Am Op & Dram Soc. Civic Theatre Chelmsford, Essex 01245 606505
06 - 10 October 2009 St Patrick’s AOG Calderhead High School Shotts, Lanarks 01501 822332
Cinderella 09 - 12 September 2009 KLOS Musical Theatre Winston Churchill Theatre Ruislip, Middlesex 0208 868 4096 27 - 31 October 2009 Caldicot Musical Theatre Society Caldicot School Caldicot, Monmouthshire 01291 422207
CHADS - The Accrington Pals Photos: Pauline Nield
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DIARY
www.asmagazine.co.uk
City of Angels
Curtain Up On Murder
08 - 12 September 2009 Bristol Musical Comedy Club Redgrave Theatre Clifton, Bristol 01454 773673
01 - 03 October 2009 Hayes Players Hayes Village Hall Bromley, Kent 07905 210718 www.hayesplayers.org.uk
Communicating Doors 14 - 17 October 2009 The Oxted Players Barn Theatre Oxted, Surrey 01883 724852 www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk
Dead Guilty 02 - 10 October 2009 Nantwich Players Players’ Theatre Nantwich, Cheshire 01270 537359 www.nantwichplayers.com
LINDISFARNE - The Talented Mr Ripley
Copacabana 02 - 05 September 2009 Melksham Comedy Club Melksham Assembly Hall Melksham, Wilts 01225 707424 09 - 12 September 2009 Clevedon Light Opera Club Princes Hall Clevedon, N Somerset 01275 880688 14 - 17 October 2009 Eldorado Musical Productions The Bob Hope Theatre Eltham, London 0208 850 3702
Crazy For You 16 - 19 September 2009 Southampton Musical Society Theatre Royal Winchester, Hants 01962 840440 29 September - 03 October 2009 Falmouth Theatre Company Princess Pavilion Falmouth, Cornwall 01326 211222 26 - 31 October 2009 Northallerton Amateur Op Society Hambleton Forum Northallerton, N Yorks 01609 770936
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Entertaining Mr Sloan 22 - 26 September 2009 Sharnbrook Mill Theatre Trust The Mill Theatre Sharnbrook, Beds 01234 781587
Farce & Furious + The Real Inspector Hound 28 - 31 October 2009 Tenterden Operatic & Dram Soc Town Hall Tenterden, Kent 01580 241966
Fiddler on the Roof 05 - 10 October 2009 Hitchin Thespians The Gordon Craig Theatre Stevenage, Herts 08700 131 030 www.gordon-craig.co.uk 06 - 10 October 2009 Strode Productions Strode Theatre Street, Somerset 01458 442846 07 - 10 October 2009 Mid-Cheshire Amateur Op Society The Grange School Theatre Northwich, Cheshire 01606 331557 20 - 24 October 2009 Keighley Am Op & Dram Soc Victoria Hall Keighley, West Yorkshire 0845 017 0718
26 October - 07 November 2009 County AM Op & Dram Soc Theatre Royal Lincoln, Lincs 0845 652 5021 28 - 31 October 2009 Weston-Super-Mare Operatic Soc Playhouse Theatre Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset 01934 628707 28 - 31 October 2009 Rhyl & District Amateur Op Soc Pavilion Theatre Rhyl, Denbighshire 01745 330000
30 September - 03 October 2009 Good Companions Stage Society Assembly Rooms Derby, Derbyshire 01332 721108 www.derbyartsandtheatre.org.uk 19 - 24 October 2009 Stourbridge Amateur Op Society Town Hall Theatre Stourbridge, W Mids 07504 301767 21 - 24 October 2009 Heywood Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society Heywood Civic Centre, Church St Heywood, Lancs 01706 368904
Five Guys Named Moe 26 - 31 October 2009 Spennymoor Youth Theatre Group Town Hall Bishop Auckland, Durham 01388 602610
21 - 24 October 2009 New Southern Musical Productions Pavilion Theatre Worthing, W Sussex 01903 206206
Follies 28 - 31 October 2009 Manor & Philbeach Light Opera The Lund Theatre Frognal, London 0207 328 7846
Gigi 13 - 17 October 2009 Briton Ferry Musical Theatre Co. Princess Royal Theatre Port Talbot, W Glam 01639 763214
Footloose 02 - 12 September 2009 Wilton Productions Plowright Theatre Scunthorpe, N Lincs 01724 277733
Godspell 22 - 26 September 2009 Downfield Musical Society DMS Clubrooms Dundee 01382 322537
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DIARY
www.asmagazine.co.uk 07 - 10 October 2009 GHosTs Electric Theatre Huildford, Surrey 01483 444789
19 - 24 October 2009 Beaconsfield Operatic Society Phoenix Theatre Blyth, Northumberland 01670 356102
20 - 24 October 2009 Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Co Stoke Minster Stoke on Trent, Staffs 01782 659156
Hi-di-Hi
Gondoliers 22 - 27 September 2009 Stamford G & S Players Corn Exchange Stamford, Lincs 01780 763203 04 - 09 October 2009 Harpenden Light Operatic Society Harpenden Public Halls Harpenden, Herts 01582 624147 05 - 10 October 2009 Yeovil Amateur Operatic Society Octagon Theatre Yeovil, Somerset 01935 422884
Good Gods 09 - 12 September 2009 Wells Operatic Society Ltd The Little Theatre Wells, Somerset 01749 672611
Goodnight Mister Tom 28 September - 03 October 2009 Newcastle Amateur Operatic Soc The Repertory Theatre, Leek Rd Stoke on Trent, 01782 565873
Harper Valley Heartbreak Express 20 - 24 October 2009 Keynsham Light Opera Group Saltford Hall, Wedmore Road, Bristol, Avon 0117 986 3399
Hello Dolly 22 - 26 September 2009 Fareham Musical Society Ferneham Hall Fareham, Hampshire 01329 231942 www.pad.hampshire.org.uk 23 - 27 September 2009 Worthing Light Opera Company Pavilion Theatre Worthing, W Sussex 01903 206206 07 - 10 October 2009 Brierley Hill Musical Theatre Co Brierley Hill, West Midlands 0845 658 8095
04 - 05 September 2009 Sutton-In-Craven Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society Sutton Village Hall Sutton-in-Craven, N Yorks 01535 632289
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying 13 - 17 October 2009 Epsom Light Opera Company Epsom Playhouse Epsom, Surrey 01372 742555
Iolanthe
Ladies Day 24 - 26 September 2009 Swaffham Players To be confirmed Swaffham, Norfolk 01760 721899
Ladies Down Under 30 September - 03 October 2009 Yeadon Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society Yeadon Town Hall Yeadon, Leeds, W Yorks 0113 250 5587
High School Musical 2
07 - 10 October 2009 Putteridge Bury G & S Society Queen Mother Theatre Hitchin, Herts 01462 455166
13 - 17 October 2009 Musicality Academy of Performing Arts Penyrheol Theatre Gorseinon, Swansea 07986 385479
29 - 31 October 2009 Halton Singers John Colet School Wendover, Bucks 01296 623056
16 - 19 September 2009 Honley Players Amateur Dramatic Society Southgate Theatre, Honley Huddersfield, W Yorks 01484 662378
28 - 31 October 2009 Wisbech Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society (WAODS) Thomas Clarkson Community College Wisbech, Cambs 07776 318309
It could be any one of us
Lady Windermere’s Fan
22 - 24 October 2009 Wetherby Drama Group Linton Memorial Hall Wetherby, W Yorks 01937 520665
23 - 26 September 2009 BreakaLeg Productions Unicorn Theatre Abingdon, Oxon 01235 821351
HMS Pinafore
Jekyll & Hyde
22 - 31 October 2009 Cowes Am Op & Dram Soc Trinity Theatre Cowes, Isle of Wight 01983 295229
06 - 10 October 2009 Chesterfield G & S Society Pomegranate Theatre Chesterfield, Derbyshire 01246 345222 28 - 31 October 2009 Bournemouth G & S Operatic Soc Lighthouse Poole, Dorset 0844 406 8666
Hot Mikado 22 - 26 September 2009 Truro Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society (TAODS) Hall for Cornwall Truro, Cornwall 01872 262466 13 - 17 October 2009 Dukinfield Am Op & Dram Society The George Lanton Hall Stamford St Mossley, Ashton-u-Lyne, Lancs 0161 330 2944
22 - 26 September 2009 Cygnet Players Putney Arts Venue Putney, London 07941 448689
Kindly Leave The Stage 30 September - 03 October 2009 East Berkshire Operatic Society Pinewood Theatre Wokingham, Berks 0118 973 3464
King’s Rhapsody
Ladies in Retirement
Last Night of the Proms 17 - 17 October 2009 The Elizabethans Amateur Operatic Society Town Hall Ossett, W Yorks 01924 280344
Little Shop of Horrors
05 - 10 October 2009 Abergavenny Light Opera Co Borough Theatre Abergavenny, Monmouthshire 01873 850805
20 - 24 October 2009 Ravensbourne Light Operatic Soc The Bob Hope Theatre Eltham, London 0208 857 1918
La Boheme - Puccini
27 - 31 October 2009 Marsden Parish Church AODS The Parochial Hall, Marsden Huddersfield, Yorkshire 01924 456211
30 September - 03 October 2009 Sheffield City Opera Uni of Sheffield Drama Studio Sheffield, S Yorks 0114 269 4958
15 - 17 October 2009 Elstree & Borehamwood Light Operatic Society The Radlett Centre Radlett, Herts 01923 857546 20 - 24 October 2009 Maesteg Amateur Operatic Soc Maesteg Town Hall Maesteg, Bridgend 01656 732690
Hotel Paradiso 13 - 17 October 2009 Waveney Light Opera Group Public Hall, Smallgate Beccles, Suffolk 01502 712329
21 - 24 October 2009 Abbey Foregate (Shrewsbury URC) Drama Group Shrewsbury URC Church Hall Shrewsbury, Shropshire 01743 236855
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www.asmagazine.co.uk
Little Women 14 - 17 October 2009 Guildonian Players The Little Theatre Harold Wood , Essex 01708 762822
Mack and Mabel 26 - 31 October 2009 Burton on Trent & District Op Soc De Ferrers Specialist Tech Col. Burton upon Trent, Staffs 01283 541552
Maiden Voyagers 22 - 26 September 2009 Sylvia Walker Players The Festival Theatre Hyde, Tameside 0161 338 4662
Mime 20 - 31 October 2009 Highbury Little Theatre Sheffield Road Sutton Coldfield, W Midlands 0121 373 2761
Much Ado About Nothing 28 - 31 October 2009 Farnham Shakespeare Co The Bourne Hall Farnham, Surrey 01252 716342
Murder at the Vicarage 16 - 24 October 2009 Chapel Players Chapel Playhouse Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire 01298 813176
Murdered to Death 22 - 24 October 2009 Sturminster Newton Amateur Dramatic Society The Exchange Sturminster Newton, Dorset 01258 475137
Music Man 05 - 09 September 2009 Vale G & S Society Court Theatre Tring, Hertfordshire 01296 662745
27 - 31 October 2009 COS Musical Theatre The Hawth Theatre Crawley, West Sussex 01293 553636
28 - 31 October 2009 Kingsbury Amateur Operatic Soc KAOS Theatre Kingsbury NW9 9JR, London 0845 020 4240
07 - 10 October 2009 Tamworth Arts Club Tamworth Assembly Rooms Tamworth, Staffs 01827 709581
My Fair Lady
Natural Causes
08 - 12 September 2009 Cwmbran Woodland Players Congress Theatre Torfaen 01633 868239
07 - 12 September 2009 The Little Theatre Gateshead Saltwell View Gateshead, Tyne & Wear 0191 478 1499
13 - 17 October 2009 Brighouse Theatre Productions Brighouse Civic Hall, Bradford Rd Brighouse, W Yorks 01484 719689
12 - 16 October 2009 Jarrow Musical Theatre Company Jarrow Community Centre Jarrow, Tyne and Wear 0191 428 0873
Nunsense - The Mega Musical
22 - 24 October 2009 Swindon ALOS Wyvern Theatre Swindon, Wilts 01793 524481 23 - 24 October 2009 Dunstable Amateur Operatic Soc The Grove Theatre Dunstable, Beds 01582 602080 26 - 31 October 2009 Settle Amateur Operatic Society Settle Victoria Hall Settle, N Yorks 01729 825718
08 - 10 October 2009 Forest Musical Productions Kenneth More Theatre Ilford, Essex 0208 553 4466
Oklahoma! 23 - 26 September 2009 Weymouth Operatic Society Weymouth Pavilion Theatre Weymouth, Dorset 01305 783225 30 September - 03 October 2009 Tingdene Entertainers The Star Hall Finedon, Northants 01933 680680
14 - 17 October 2009 Rugeley Musical Theatre Co Rugeley Rose Theatre Rugeley, Staffs 07971 263172 27 - 31 October 2009 Brigg Amateur Operatic Society Westmoor House Vale of Aucholme Music & Technology College, Brigg, 01724 330874 28 - 31 October 2009 Local Amateur Music Players Royal Victoria Hall Theatre Southborough, Kent 08452412573 28 - 31 October 2009 Spot On Musical Theatre Moldgreen United Church Huddersfield, W Yorks 01484 305421
27 - 31 October 2009 Falkirk Bohemians Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society Falkirk Town Hall, Falkirk 01324 557233 27 - 31 October 2009 Swindon ALOS Wyvern Theatre Swindon, Wilts 01793 524481 27 - 31 October 2009 Urmston Musical Theatre Poolside Theatre, Urmston Leisure Centre Urmston, Trafford 0161 408 1288
Lighted Fools Theatre Co - Shirley Valentine
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DIARY
www.asmagazine.co.uk Every two weeks you can read the complete, unabridged reviews of all the major national drama critics, reprinted with photos in Theatre Record. Send for a free specimen copy to:
Theatre Record PO BOX 445 CHICHESTER, W. SUSSEX Oliver! 15 - 19 September 2009 Carnoustie Musical Society Carnoustie High School Theatre Carnoustie, Angus 01241 410337 22 - 26 September 2009 Gateshead Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society Joseph Swan School, Lowfell Gateshead, Tyne and Wear 0191 496 1289 05 - 10 October 2009 Infirmary DO & LS Little Theatre Leicester, Leics 0116 292 0162 06 - 11 October 2009 Ferryhill Stage Society Mainsforth & District Community Centre Ferryhill, Durham 01740 652551 13 - 17 October 2009 Maidenhead Musical Comedy Soc Peterborough Suite, Maidenhead Town Hall Maidenhead, Berks 01628 605077 20 - 24 October 2009 The Arcadians The Crescent Theatre Birmingham, W Midlands 0121 421 7278 28 - 31 October 2009 Brixham OD&CS Brixham Theatre Brixham, Devon 01803 857654 29 - 31 October 2009 Stage One STC Youth Theatre Group Ferneham Hall Fareham, Hants 01329 231942
On With the Mottley! 24 October 2009 The Oxted Players Barn Theatre Oxted, Surrey 01883 724852
Orpheus In the Underworld 26 - 31 October 2009 Windsor & Eton Operatic Society Farrer Theatre Eton, Berks 01753 863719
Pickwick 27 - 31 October 2009 Long Eaton Operatic Society May Hall, Trent College Long Eaton, Notts 01332 874352
Pirates Of Penzance 29 - 31 October 2009 Preston Opera Company Preston Playhouse Preston, Lancashire 01772 784578
Out of Order 23 - 26 September 2009 Kidderminster Operatic & Dramatic Society Rose Theatre Kidderminster, Worcs 01562 743745 27 - 31 October 2009 Potters Bar Theatre Company Tilbury Hall Potters Bar, Herts 01707 880017
Outside Edge 14 - 17 October 2009 Clitheroe Parish Church AO & DS St Mary’s Centre Clitheroe, Lancashire 01254 248679
Pajama Game 09 - 12 September 2009 KLOS Musical Theatre Winston Churchill Theatre Ruislip, Middlesex 020 8868 4096
Party Piece 20 - 24 October 2009 St Johns Players The Swan Theatre Worcester, Worcs 01905 640298
Patience 22 - 26 September 2009 Uplands Arts Taliesin Arts Centre Swansea, S Wales 01792 360867 21 - 24 October 2009 Hounslow Light Opera Company Hampton Hill Playhouse Hampton, Middlesex 020 8898 2971
Perfect Wedding 06 - 10 October 2009 Wellingborough Co-operative ADS The Castle Wellingborough, Northants 01933 405522
Peter Pan 24 - 26 September 2009 Coliseum Operatic & Dramatic Society Aberdare Coliseum Theatre Aberdare, South Wales 01685 881188
09 - 11 September 2009 Dundee Schools Music Theatre Whitehall Theatre, Dundee 01382 434940 07 - 10 October 2009 Castleford & Dist G & S Soc The Town Hall Pontefract, W Yorks 0113 287 3461 13 - 17 October 2009 Marton Operatic Society Lowther Pavilion Lytham St Annes, Lancs 01253 658666
Popcorn 30 September - 03 October 2009 Argosy Players Compass Theatre Ickenham, Middlesex 0845 838 9058 07 - 10 October 2009 Wick Theatre Company Barn Theatre Southwick, West Sussex 01273 597094 www.wicktheatre.co.uk
Princess Ida 07 - 10 October 2009 Peterborough G & S Players Key Theatre Peterborough, Cambs 01733 207239
Relative Values 16 - 17 October 2009 Theatre 28 Solihull Arts Complex Solihull, West Midlands 0121 704 6962
Rent 23 - 26 September 2009 All4One Productions Doncaster Civic Theatre Doncaster, S Yorks 0844 880 1872 29 September - 03 October 2009 West Bromwich Operatic Society Mill Theatre Sedgley, West Midlands 0121 550 3667 19 - 24 October 2009 Chorley Amateur Dram & Op Soc Chorley Little Theatre Chorley, Lancashire 01257 264362 21 - 24 October 2009 Stage Productions Regent Theatre Stoke, Staffs 0870 060 6649
COSTUMES COSTUME HIRE, SHOWS KING & I, PHANTOM, LES MIZ, OLIVER, FIDDLER, KISS ME KATE, FOLLIES, PINAFORE, ANNIE, ALL PANTO SUBJECTS, ORIENTAL COSTUMES www.bpdcostumes.co.uk P: 01273 481004
“Revuing” the Situation 24 October 2009 Sounds Musical Devonport Playhouse Plymouth 01752 51093
Ruddigore 07 - 10 October 2009 St John’s (Sidcup) Am Op Soc St John’s Church Hall Sidcup, Kent 07766 320888 30 October - 01 November 2009 Kington & District Amateur Operatic Society Lady Hawkins Community Leisure Centre Kington, Herefordshire 01544 231501
Ruth 27 - 29 October 2009 Kingfield Theatre Company Kingfield Hall Sheffield 0114 2362758
Scrooge 29 September - 04 October 2009 Acton Amateur Operatic Society Lyceum Theatre Crewe, Cheshire 01270 567799 27 - 31 October 2009 The Haslemere Players Haslemere Hall Haslemere, Surrey 01428 642161
Seasons Greetings 23 - 24 October 2009 Quaintwood Players Quainton Memorial Hall Quainton, Bucks 01296 770723
September Serenade 14 - 19 September 2009 Wombwell & District Amateur Operatic Society Operatic Centre Wombwell, S Yorks 01226 758375
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www.asmagazine.co.uk 29 September - 03 October 2009 From The Top Theatre Company Highbury Theatre Centre Sutton Coldfield, W Mids 07974 894 542
27 - 31 October 2009 Abingdon Operatic Society Amey Theatre, Abingdon School Abingdon, Oxon 01235 834383
06 - 10 October 2009 From The Top Theatre Company Highbury Theatre Centre Sutton Coldfield, W Midlands 07974 894542
Sweet Charity 21 - 24 October 2009 Ellesmere Port Mus Theatre Co Ellesmere Port Civic Hall Ellesmere Port, Cheshire 0151 339 4390
Sweeney Todd 08 - 12 September 2009 First Stage Theatre Company Royal Northern College Of Music Manchester, Greater Manchester 0161 907 5555
Seussical
Somewhere in England
15 - 17 October 2009 Hemel Hempstead Theatre Co The Boxmoor Theatre Hemel Hempstead, Herts 01442 239581
13 - 18 October 2009 Pickering Musical Society Kirk Theatre Pickering, N Yorks 01751 474833
Seven Brides For Seven Brothers
Song and Dance from Great Broadway Musicals
29 September - 03 October 2009 Loudoun Musical Society Palace Theatre Kilmarnock, Ayrshire 01560 320732
Shadowlands 15 - 17 October 2009 Henfield Theatre Company The Henfield Hall Henfield, W Sussex 01273 492204
Shakers 01 - 03 October 2009 Little Theatre Donnington The Little Theatre, Donnington Telford, Shrops 01952 603231 28 - 31 October 2009 Harleston Players Archbishop Sancroft High School Harleston, Norfolk 01379 676324
Singin’ In The Rain 19 - 24 October 2009 Congleton AOS Daneside Theatre Congleton, Cheshire 01260 276371
Skirmishes 21 - 24 October 2009 New Stagers Theatre Company St Anne’s Church Hall Wandsworth, London 07814 611239
Some Enchanted Evening (R&H) 01 - 03 October 2009 St Helens Amateur Operatic Soc Theatre Royal St Helens, Merseyside 01744 756000
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25 - 26 September 2009 Gainsborough Amateur Operatic Society Trinity Arts Centre Gainsborough, Lincs 01427 676655
15 - 19 September 2009 Bath Light Operatic Group Theatre Royal Bath 01225 863740 05 - 10 October 2009 Workington Amateur Operatic Society Carnegie Theatre Workington, Cumbria 01900 602122 13 - 17 October 2009 St Albans Operatic Society The Alban Arena, Civic Centre St Albans, Herts 01727 844488
Sweet Charity 27 - 31 October 2009 Tavistock Musical Theatre Co The Wharf Theatre Tavistock, Devon 01822 611166
Sweet FA 30 September - 03 October 2009 UoP Dramatic & Muscial Society New Theatre Royal Portsmouth, Hampshire 023 9261 9000 www.pad.hampshire.org.uk
Taking the Mick-a-Doo 21 - 26 September 2009 CODY Farnborough Amateur Operatic Society (CFAOS) Princes Hall Aldershot, Hants 01252 329155
Sounds Familiar 02 - 10 October 2009 Ipswich Operatic & Dramatic Soc Spa Pavilion Theatre Felixstowe, Suffolk 01394 282126
Spend, Spend, Spend 22 - 24 October 2009 Thistles Musical Theatre Co. Kenneth More Theatre Ilford, Essex 0208 504 4577
Steppin’ Along Broadway 25 - 26 September 2009 Gainsborough Amateur Operatic Society Trinity Arts Centre Gainsborough, Lincs 01427 676655
Stepping Out 30 September - 03 October 2009 Kinver Light Operatic Society Edgecliffe High School Kinver, South Staffs 01384 836963
Sugar 15 - 19 September 2009 Carlinghow Theatre Company Batley Town Hall Batley, W Yorks 07548 880094
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DIARY
www.asmagazine.co.uk The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas
The Importance of Being Earnest
23 - 26 September 2009 Pied Piper Productions The Hawth Crawley, W Sussex 01293 553636
29 September - 03 October 2009 Centenary Theatre Company The Brindley Theatre Runcorn, Merseyside 0151 907 8360
The Boyfriend
The Likes of Us
27 - 31 October 2009 Kettering & District Theatrical Soc The Masque Theatre Kettering, Northants 01536 726311
07 - 12 September 2009 Loughborough Amateur Op Soc Town Hall Theatre Loughborough, Leicestershire 01509 231914
The Edge of Darkness
29 September - 03 October 2009 Tudor Musical Comedy Society The Crescent Theatre Birmingham, West Birmingham 0121 643 5858
12 - 17 October 2009 Louth Playgoers Riverhead Theatre Louth, Lincolnshire 01507 600350 www.louthplaygoers.co.uk
The Farndale Avenue Murder Mystery 25 - 27 September 2009 Corvus Amateur Dramatic Society Greneway School Royston, Hertforshire 07774 782440
The Farndale Mikado 30 September - 03 October 2009 Ruislip Operatic Society Winston Churchill Hall Ruislip, Middlesex 07905 932366/0208 866 2555
The Full Monty 24 Sept 2009 - 26 Sept 2009 Frome Amateur Operatic Society Memorial Theatre Frome, Somerset 01373 462795 26 September - 03 October 2009 The Tinhatters Concordia Theatre Hinckley, Leics 01455 635774
The Full Monty 29 October - 07 November 2009 Hereford Musical Theatre Co The Courtyard Hereford, Herefordshire 01432 340555
The History Boys 16 - 19 September 2009 Kenley Holiday Workshop Barn Theatre, Oxted, Surrey 01883 331400 www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk 09 - 12 September 2009 CCADS New Theatre Royal Portsmouth, Hampshire 023 9261 9000 www.pad.hampshire.org.uk
06 - 09 October 2009 Glenrothes Am Musical Assoc Rothes Halls Glenrothes, Fife 01592 611101 11 - 18 October 2009 Belmont Theatre Company The Pumphouse Theatre Watford, Hertfordshire 0845 521 3453 12 - 17 October 2009 Carpet Trades Operatic Society Civic Centre Stourport on Severn, Worcs 01562 638864
The Merry Widow 21 - 26 September 2009 Tiverton Amateur Operatic Society The New Hall, Tiverton, Devon 01884 256986 19 - 24 October 2009 Bishop Auckland Am Op Society Eden Theatre, Town Hall Bishop Auckland, Durham 01388 602371
The Mikado 30 September - 03 October 2009 Tees Valley G & S Society Middlesborough Theatre Middlesborough, Yorkshire 01642 815181 21 - 24 October 2009 Generally G & S Majestic Theatre, Retford, Notts 01777 706866
The Producers 22 - 26 September 2009 Newcastle Musical Theatre Co Theatre Royal Newcastle upon Tyne, 08448 112121 20 - 24 October 2009 Orbit Theatre Ltd - Cardiff New Theatre Cardiff 02920 878889
The Profane Autumn of Sherlock Holmes 23 - 26 September 2009 Phoenix Players St Peter’s Theatre Southsea, Hampshire 0845 293 9350 www.pad.hampshire.org.uk
The Railway Children 27 - 31 October 2009 Halifax Amateur Operatic Society Halifax Playhouse Halifax, West Yorkshire 01422 246369
The Scarlet Pimpernel 22 - 26 September 2009 Quarry Bank Amateur Op Society Netherton Arts Centre Netherton, West Midlands 01384 820902 29 September - 03 October 2009 Pendle Hippodrome Theatre Co Pendle Hippodrome Theatre Colne, Lancs 01282 612402
The Secret Garden 27 - 31 October 2009 Oswestry Musical Theatre Co The Marches School Theatre Oswestry, Shropshire 01691 655490
20 - 24 October 2009 Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Soc Palace Theatre Southend on Sea, Essex 01702 351135 21 - 24 October 2009 St Nicolas Players The South Holland Centre Spalding, Lincs 01775 764777 26 - 31 October 2009 Guiseley Amateur Operatic Soc Guiseley Theatre Guiseley, Leeds 0845 370 5045 26 - 31 October 2009 Newmarket Operatic Musical & Dramatic Society (NOMADS) Kings Theatre Newmarket, Suffolk 01638 663337
The Melody Lingers On (Berlin) 10 - 17 October 2009 Dereham Operatic Society The Memorial Hall Dereham, Norfolk 01362 694222
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The Sorcerer 16 - 19 September 2009 Wellingborough Arts Barn G & S Society The Castle Wellingborough, Northants 01933 270007
The Threepenny Opera 20 - 24 October 2009 Gasleak Theatre Company Melton Theatre Melton Mowbray, Leics 01664 560407
The Titfield Thunderbolt 28 - 31 October 2009 Ringwood Musical & Dram Soc Ringwood School Theatre Ringwood, Hants 01425 470837
The Weekend 09 - 12 September 2009 Dynamo Youth Theatre Havant Arts Centre Havant, Hampshire 023 9247 2700 www.pad.hampshire.org.uk
The Wiz 23 - 26 September 2009 WAWWA The Musical Youth The Dolman Theatre Newport, Gwent 01633 411992
20 - 24 October 2009 Dartford Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens Dartford, Kent 01322 527165
30 September - 03 October 2009 The Festival players Loughborough Town Hall Leicestershire 01509 231914 www.festivalplayers.com
Yeoman of the Guard
20 - 24 October 2009 Murton & East Durham Theatre Group East Durham College New Drive, Peterlee 0191 526 2532
When It Rains
07 - 10 October 2009 Bristol Savoy Operatic Society Redgarve Theatre Clifton, Bristol 0117 9651784
27 - 31 October 2009 Worcester Operatic & Dramatic Society Swan Theatre Worcester, Worcs 01905 611427
When The Lights Go On Again
Time and Time Again 30 September - 03 October 2009 Rayleigh A O & D S The Dixon Studio Southend-on-Sea, Essex 01702 390657
Trial By Jury & concert “Not just G&S” 06 - 10 October 2009 St Andrews G & S Society St Andrew’s Church Monkseaton, North Tyneside 0191 252 6999
Thirty Dancing
Trial By Jury & HMS Pinafore
27 - 31 October 2009 Variety Express Plinston Hall Letchworth Garden City, Herts 01438 223461
26 - 31 October 2009 Cirencester Operatic Society The Barn Theatre Cirencester, Glos 01285 648234
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Unexpected Guest
15 - 19 September 2009 The Mellow Dramatics The Brewhouse Arts Centre Burton upon Trent, Staffs 01283 508100
15 - 17 October 2009 Maldon Drama Group Maldon Town Hall Maldon, Essex 01621 856503
Untouched 05 - 10 October 2009 Newton Abbot & District Musical Comedy Society Alexandra Theatre Newton Abbot, Devon 01626 203570
25 - 26 September 2009 Falkirk Operatic Society Town Hall Falkirk 01324 506850
Viaticum 06 - 10 October 2009 Bolsover Drama Group The Bolsover School Theatre Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire 01246 850402 19 - 24 October 2009 Braintree Musical Society The Institute Braintree, Essex 07835 122663
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09 - 12 September 2009 Newmarket Operatic Musical & Dramatic Society (NOMADS) Kings Theatre Newmarket, Suffolk 01638 663337
Wait Until Dark 15 - 17 October 2009 Winton Players Festival Hall Petersfield, Hants 01730 269066
27 - 31 October 2009 Ulverston Amateur Operatic Soc Coronation Hall Ulverston, Cumbria 01229 587140
23 - 27 September 2009 Morley Amateur Operatic Society Morley Town Hall Morley, W Yorks 07960 766 344
When we are married 16 - 19 September 2009 Kingsbridge Am Theatrical Society Malborough Village Hall Kingsbridge, Devon 01548 511174
07 - 10 October 2009 Wycombe Savoy Opera Company Beacon Centre Theatre Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshrie 07974 421488
29 September - 03 October 2009 Taunton Amateur Operatic Society Brewhouse Theatre Taunton, Somerset 01823 283244
You Can’t Stop The Beat 07 - 10 October 2009 Monklands Light Opera The Theatre Caldervale High School Airdrie, N Lanarkshire 0141 771 1460
Zombie Prom Whose Life is it anyway? 22 September - 03 October 2009 Highbury Little Theatre Sutton Coldfield, W Midlands 0121 373 2761
21 - 24 October 2009 Clydebank Musical Society Town Hall Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire 01389 386455
Wizard of Oz 15 - 19 September 2009 Limelight Productions Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline, Fife 01383 822501 12 - 17 October 2009 Dinnington Operatic Society The Lyric Theatre Dinnington, South Yorks 01909 569340 20 - 24 October 2009 Bolton Catholic Musical and Choral Society The Albert Halls Bolton, Lancashire 01204 856977
WYRD Sisters 08 - 10 October 2009 Twyford & Ruscombe Theatre Group Loddon Hall Twyford, Berkshire 0845 450 1308 10 - 17 October 2009 Chesham Bois Catholic Players The Little Theatre by the ParChurch Street Chesham, Bucks 01494 580327 15 - 17 October 2009 Thurrock Courts Players Thameside Theatre Grays, Essex 0845 300 5264
AS MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2009
11/08/2009 14:26:29
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11/08/2009 12:44:37
THE LAST WORD
Wisteria Cottage Garrick Road Campton Royal
Hello, dear hearts, Rehearsals of my Blithe Spirit have been a somewhat erratic affair due to the predictable interference of holiday arrangements, which, I might add, were totally unexpected. At our first meeting, every member of my cast protested that I would have one hundred percent attendance and that they would not dream of rushing off to sunnier climes, or in Marjorie’s case, Torquay. Imagine my dismay, when first Nikki, then Vera, announced their imminent departure. In my day, commitment meant commitment, not ‘I’ll rehearse when it suits me.’ I was informed of this exodus during a coffee break, or more accurately beverage break, since Vera drinks a flowery tea concoction, Darren always brings something fizzy and Nikki insists on a decaffeinated brew with soya milk. Nikki calmly announced that she was off to play with the minnack in Cornwall and that Darren would be going too. I expressed surprise that two such young people would have any interest in angling, particularly for a species of marine life that I had never heard of. She laughed, somewhat patronisingly I thought and said she had other fish to fry. I was about to pass on an excellent recipe for soused herring when Vera sidled up to me. Her face was flushed and she kept looking over her shoulder at Jeff who was hovering within earshot. I assumed she was about to impart something of a personal nature so took her by the arm and lead her into the far corner. ‘The sillies.’ she whispered, obviously embarrassed. I now understood her apprehension; it is so not done to criticise fellow actors overtly. I expressed my approval and Vera replied ‘So you don’t mind?’ I said that on the contrary, I did mind, but what could you expect from the youth of today. There was a silence before she blurted ‘Not sillies, Scillies; I’ve booked a trip to the Scilly Isles. I leave tomorrow.’ I was stunned, and, for a moment, speechless – not a common occurrence. Then, I did the only thing possible, I left. Always a professional, as I headed for the door, I announced that next week I would concentrate on Condamine’s final monologue. There are times when a point must be driven home and the expression on Jeff’s face suggested that I had succeeded. How wrong can one be? He rang the next morning with the bombshell that a close friend needed his urgent support and he, too, would be missing next week. Vainly, I suggested that his friend could be left for a couple of hours while he rehearsed, but he said this would not be possible since his acquaintance lived in Tresco. As I put the phone down, initially wondering why one would take up residence in a supermarket, it dawned on me that Tresco was also in the Scilly Isles. Is that not an amazing coincidence? I must finish now, my window cleaner has just arrived and I need to discuss his habit of streaking.
Till next time,
Doris Richardson-Hall
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ARTS EDUCATIONAL SCHOOLS LONDON
TRAINING THE AWARD WINNERS OF THE FUTURE
INDEPENDENT VOCATIONAL DAY SCHOOL 11-18YRS
OPEN EVENING 6th October, 6:30pm
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