asmagazine THE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE FOR COMMUNITY THEATRE
WWW.ASMAGAZINE.CO.UK OCTOBER 2009 £2.95
THE HISTORY BOYS
STAGE FRIGHT * A BRAND NEW PHANTOM * DIARY WEST END REVIEWS * PLAYSCRIPTS * NEWS AUDLEY CELEBRATE 40 YEARS * MICHAEL BRUCE OCT09_1-11.indd 1
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asmagazine oct09 FROM THE EDITORIAL TEAM Firstly, I’d like to thank you all for the hugely encouraging response we got to our 63rd birthday issue. The development of the magazine is ongoing. We are trying to address a balance between musicals and drama so in this issue we are featuring The History Boys as our Play Produced whilst profiling new composer Michael Bruce and the Launch of the sequel to Phantom Of the Opera. Next month we have a great new Musical produced and will be featuring a great new playwright. I hope that there’s something in here for everyone. I would like to also apologise for any delays in getting your magazine. We seem to be well and truly in the middle of the rolling postal strikes that are hitting nationwide. Hopefully these will be resolved soon and deliveries will be back on track.
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Kind regards Doug
THIS MONTH 5
NEWS
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AUDLEY TURNS 40
We chronicle the history of Audley Theatre.
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STAGE FRIGHT
Paula Kay looks at every actors worst nightmare
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THE PLAY PRODUCED
Christine Keates talks about her recent production of The History Boys.
20
SHOW DIARY
A UK wide list of productions for November and December.
34
LOVE NEVER DIES
AS attended the launch of Andrew Lloyd Webbers sequel to Phantom and reports back.
36
MICHAEL BRUCE
We profile a young musical theatre writer on the ascendancy.
News from around the country.
38
SCRIPT REVIEWS
The Latest offerings from the publishers.
41
WEST END REVIEWS
Mark Ludmon looks at this months dramatic offerings.
42
THE FINAL WORD
The latest from Doris.
20
34 CREDITS
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 Publisher - Paul Webster : paul@nextphasemedia.co.uk Editor - Douglas Mayo : editor@asmagazine.co.uk Advertising - Salesforce : 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
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WANTED ATTENTION ALL PANTO DAMES
asmagazine
are currently preparing our Pantomime Scripts issue for February 2010. We are trying to reach Britain’s great amateur panto dames to help us with a special project that is to be part of this yearly feature. We invite you to contact us to find out more. Email us at editor@asmagazine.co.uk Deadline: 15th November 2009 OCT09_1-11.indd 4
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NEWS
SIR DAVID HELPS LONDON GROUP RAISE FUNDS Incognito Theatre Group will hold a Gala Fundraising Dinner on Saturday 21st November 2009 at Hendon Hall. Sir David Jason will be guest of honour at the dinner. The evening is being held as part of their IncogACTion 2010 Access For All programme which aims to raise £120,000 to create new audience and company spaces at its current home. Funds raised will augment funds being raised from grant applications, fund raising events and private donations. The group was started in 1942 by a group of primary school teachers. It wasn’t long before the group took over a lemonade factory in 1938 where it continues to flourish today some 70 years later. Incognito is one of London’s largest theatre groups staging six productions per year. It maintains a proud history of training actors including it’s much loved patron Sir David Jason. Tickets to the dinner are £75 and can be booked by calling Ruth Nixon on 020 8886 3274 or by emailing ruthrhedel@aol.com. For further information about IncogACTion visit the groups website at www.incognitotheatre.com.
DRAMA FESTIVALS CONFERENCE POSTPONED
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Due to a series of circumstances beyond the control of the organisers it has become necessary to postpone the Drama Festivals Conference due to be held in Kettering on October 24. The conference will now be held in September 2010 at the Kettering Conference Centre and Lighthouse Theatre. Further details will be announced as soon as possible in order to facilitate planning for the event. Consultations are taking place with all relevant bodies involved regarding the Drama Festivals Conference, which is organised by The Guild of Drama Adjudicators on behalf of the entire festival movement. If you, or your organisation, have any comments or suggestions regarding the event please contact Paul Fowler on 01536 511308 or by email: paul@paul-fowler.co.uk
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NEWS
KENT DRAMAS I have often heard it said that straight drama always seems to play second fiddle to our musical counterpart – excuse the pun – and looking at the contents of some of the editions of the NODA National News, that I have occasionally read, this would appear to have some credence. However, I can almost hear my old colleague and NODA’s recent President, Bob Drywood, saying. “Well if you don’t bother to submit articles for publication, what do you expect!” So here is my attempt to remedy that, at least on behalf of Kent.
For the last four years it has been my privilege and honour to be the Chairman of the Kent Drama Association. This association has been in existence, in some form or another, for quite a number of years, its basic aim being to foster the development and improvement of amateur theatre in Kent. To this end, each year we run a full length play festival running from February to the end of May with the awards evening being held early in June, usually hosted by one of the member societies. Although we do have the competitive element with quite a few trophies for the winning in all aspects of production, the main emphasis as far as I’m concerned, is on the opportunities it gives us all to view a wide spectrum of productions from Ayckbourne to Zerlin and Chekov to Pinter, as has been the case over the last few years, and to celebrate the health of drama in Kent. This year the adjudicator was to have been Charles Evans, but unfortunately, at the last moment he was struck down by a particularly bad attack of Influenza, which left him without any hearing! Fortunately at the eleventh hour we were able to avail ourselves of the services of Paul Mills, a new associate member of GODA who we found lives in the county. In fact we have been very fortunate in our choice of adjudicators in recent years. Apart from Charles Evans, last year we had the services of Arthur Rochester. All three have said how impressed they have been with the standard of productions throughout the county.
As Chairman I can heartily endorse their comments. Having visited quite a few of the productions over the last four festivals, and I must express my admiration not only on the standard of production but on the ingenuity & imagination employed by those companies who work in difficult conditions; for instance, last year The United Players in Chatham presented “The importance of being Ernest” on a small stage within the confines of their small local Church. The Rainham Theatrical Society who staged “Dad’s Army” with many scene changes and a cast of 28 on a stage measuring roughly 15ft by 12ft. Lastly and by no means least, hats off to the Gravesend and District Theatre Guild who presented “Colder than here” who devised a set in a very clever way, but also have the problem of dismantling the set and storing away the seating after every performance as the hall they use becomes a nursery school during the day, there’s dedication for you! I also remember on the bigger stages, Cranbrook O.D.S’s superb set for Ayckbourne’s “Communicating doors”, The Hayes Players evocative sets for Noel Coward’s “Private lives”, and Masquerade’s winning design for “One flew over the cuckoo’s nest”. This year has been no different. The Lindley Players multi level set for Arthur Miller’s “Death of a salesmen” and the Medway Little Theatre’s clever representation of the barn and surrounding countryside and the subsequent fire that occurs near the end, also the clever use of mimed second world war songs to point up various points in the story in Dennis Potter’s “Blue remembered hills”. I could go on but I must stop somewhere. Also our finals night in June has been superbly show-cased over the last two years by, firstly, The Lindley Players and this year by Cranbrook O.D.S. Each year the committee are always looking for ways and means to improve what we do. This year we instigated a new lifetime achievement award, which this year went to Doreen Beardsmore of Cranbrook O.D.S for over 60 year’s service to the one society. Top that! We also invited, for the first time, societies youth groups to participate, which four of them did. Finally I attach the complete results of this year’s festival. Also if there are any Kent societies out there who feel they would like to join the KDA, please contact our honourable secretary, Danny Waters, 15 Parrock Street, Gravesend, Kent
OLIVIER JUDGES SOUGHT Can you judge a five star show? Do you know your Shakespeare from your Rodgers and Hammerstein? The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) is looking for ten theatregoing members of public to join the judging panels of the 2011 Laurence Olivier Awards.
Working alongside the professional judges, this is a unique opportunity to see the very best of London’s theatre, dance or opera for free for a whole year. The Laurence Olivier Awards are the most prestigious awards in London theatre and are the highlight of the theatrical year. Recent recipients include Patrick Stewart, Sir Derek Jacobi, Dane Judi Dench, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lord Lloyd Webber and Sir Alan Ayckbourn. Whatever age or profession, applicants must have a passion for theatre, opera or dance. They will be required to attend a vast array of productions staged throughout the year in London and consider each of these performances with perception and clarity. President of the Society of London Theatre, Nica Burns, comments: “This is an amazing opportunity to be part of the Laurence Olivier Awards judging panel, and select the winners for the next round of awards. We’re looking for dedicated, enthusiastic and knowledgeable people from all walks of life who are passionate about the performing arts. You’ll see the best of what London theatre has to offer in 2010, and have to make some very difficult choices!” In order to be considered for the panel, SOLT will ask each applicant, who must be over 18 and live within easy access of London, to write a detailed 150 word review of a production they
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have seen recently and list all the productions they have seen in the last 12 months. Applicants may choose to join the judging panel for theatre, opera dance or SOLT affiliate members, such as The Soho, The Tricycle and Theatre Royal Stratford East. Anyone wishing to apply can pick up a leaflet from any West End theatre, apply online at www.olivierawards.co.uk, or request a form from SOLT via: awards@solttma.co.uk or send an SAE to Awards Office (P), 32 Rose Street, London WC2E 9ET. The closing date for applications is Monday 30 November and interviews will take place in early December. Successful applicants will judge productions running between 1 January and 31 December 2010 and will be invited to attend the 2011 Laurence Olivier Awards ceremony.Up to the minute news about the awards can be found at www.olivierawards.co.uk
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DA12 1QG. Or e-mail dan@nakedvine.co.uk Jack Homewood (Chairman. KDA) Best Play - Masquerade (The Pillowman) - Challenge Trophy; Lifetime Achievement Award - Doreen Beardsmore - Dover Players Trophy; Best Director - Denis Prince Trophy - Danny Waters, Masquerade (The Pillowman); Best New Festival Director - Pauline Chalk Award - Steven Fry, Masquerade (On the Shore of the Wide World); Adjudicator’s Special Award - Irene Weller Award - Stephen Dandridge, Tenterden ODS - for Original Music; Youth Drama Award - Youth Drama Challenge Trophy Gravesend Youth Theatre (The Magdalen Whitewash); Best Actor Marlowe Shield - Larry Dobin, The Lindley Players; Best Actress - Marlowe Cup - Francesca Wilson, Beckenham Theatre Centre; Best Young Player Young Players Trophy - Lucy Parkinson, Medway Little Theatre (Bold Girls); Best Actor in a Supporting Role - TODS Trophy - David Banfield, Masquerade (The Pillowman); Best Actress in a Supporting Role - TODS Trophy - Amanda Hunt, The Lindley Players; Best Actor in a Cameo Role - Detling Players Cup - Mark Cheeseman, Cranbrook Operatic and Dramatic Society; Best Actress in a Cameo Role - Detling Players Cup Brenda Pearson, Rainham Theatrical Society (Sand Castles); Best Debut in a Full-Length Play - Finch Trophy - Heidi Griggs, Theatrecraft; Best Stage Presentation - Roy Link Trophy - Masquerade (The Pillowman) Most Effective Use of Limited Space - Alan Birch Award - Medway Little Theatre (Blue Remembered Hills); Best Technical Achievement - Anne Gearey Cup - Gravesend Youth Theatre (The Magdalen Whitewash); Best Set Design - Jean Grice Trophy - Danny Waters, Masquerade; Initiative in Stage Presentation - Timber Wood Memorial Shield - Rainham Theatrical Society (Mr Wonderful); Best Wardrobe Achievement Marian Baldwin Trophy - Tenterden Operatic and Dramatic Society; Best Lighting - Geoff Goodwin Cup - Medway Little Theatre (Blue Remembered Hills); Best Sound - Geoff Goodwin Trophy - Tenterden Op and Dram Society.
BABES UK PREMIERE Is it a pantomime? Is it an operetta? Is it Music Hall?
Well, to be honest, Babes is a little bit of all of those things. And yes - kids will love it but so will any adult who enjoys good music and a humourous script. Take the pantomime tradition of ‘tinkering’ with fairy stories, add tunes from Victor Herbert - one of America’s most acclaimed songwriters - blend with an enthusiastic cast of adults and children, season with Wimbledon Light Opera’s 80 years of experience and you have a heart-warming, hilarious and melodious show. Babes in Toyland will appeal to music lovers of all ages . So is it any wonder that The Dramatic Mirror (New York theatre trade paper) declared ‘It will prove a perfect dream of delight to the children, and will recall the happy days of childhood to those who are facing the stern realities of life’. If audiences in this country have come across ‘Babes’ it is most likely to be the highly comical film version starring Laurel and Hardy or the Disney production featuring Ray Bolger as the wicked Barnaby or even the television version with Drew Barrymore. But now’s your chance to experience, for the first time in the UK, a show that has been a perennial classic in the USA for more than a century. Wimbledon Light Opera Society’s production of Babes in Toyland will be at the Secombe Theatre, Cheam Road, Sutton from 19th - 22nd November. Theatre box office 020 8770 6990 or book online at www.wlos.org.uk/tickets
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
DERBY GOES FOR G & S A new era for live theatrical productions at Derby Theatre begins this week with the first public performances taking place there. Derby Gilbert & Sullivan Company will lift the curtains for two separate nonprofessional operattas: The Gondoliers showing tomorrow night (October 7) and October 10 and The Mikado to take place on October 8 and 9. The operettas are the first productions to take place at the theatre since the University of Derby stepped in to purchase the lease for the former Derby Playhouse earlier this year. The University has been busy this summer refurbishing the theatre to welcome the public, students and staff, and also entered into a partnership with Derby LIVE to manage an exciting calendar of public performances this coming season. Academic staff and students are also looking forward to using the venue as a ‘working theatre’ to enhance their studies. And last week, Gary Johnson was unveiled as the theatre’s new manager. Derby Theatre’s first professional production, The Pros, The Cons and A Screw opens officially on October 29. University of Derby Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Gunn (Learning,
Teaching and Scholarship), said: “There is a tremendous opening programme for our first season operating the new Derby Theatre as a learning theatre that supports our students in an experiential learning environment to enable them to meet and exceed their aspirations. “Also, an environment that provides high quality productions for the benefit of all the local community, including our students, and that creates a sustainable operation that will have a long term future for the benefit of the city of Derby and the county of Derbyshire.” Andy Loydall, from the Derby Gilbert & Sullivan Company said: “Our company is honoured to be opening the Derby Theatre with The Gondoliers and hopes this will be the start of a very exciting and successful future for all concerned in the business of bringing live theatre back to the people of Derby – be it with professional or nonprofessional productions. “The dawn of a new era for live theatre in Derby has been brought about by the University of Derby and Derby LIVE and I hope that many people will get great pleasure from being able to go to the theatre here once again.” Peter Ireson, Director, Derby LIVE, said: “Staff at both the University of Derby and Derby LIVE have been working round the clock to get Derby Theatre ready for its
opening and both parties are extremely excited about reopening the venue on October 7. “There has been a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes for the last few months such as procuring and installing a new sound system and lighting rig, as well as the testing and servicing of the existing theatre technical equipment. “Derby LIVE have also upgraded the Box Office system and integrated IT and phone systems at all Derby LIVE venues. “But what happens on October 7 is what our customers and the people of Derby really want, their theatre back open and accessible to all sections of the community. We are excited about welcoming new and old customers to the venue and ask them to join with us as we work in partnership with the University to make Derby Theatre a success.” Tickets for The Gondoliers (7th & 10th October) and The Mikado (8th & 9th October) - at the Derby Theatre can be booked on Derby (01332) 255800 or on line at Derby LIVE. Prices are £15 with £13 concessions. For full details of DerbyLIVE’s Autumn and Winter 09/10 season, please visit: www.derbylive.co.uk
CASH APPEAL LAUNCHED FOR ROSENDALE East Lancashire residents are being asked to play a part in the future of an amateur dramatic society. The Summerseat Players need to raise more funds towards their £400,000 theatre redevelopment currently under way. The amateurs have already raised half the money, helped by a £25,000 Arts Council Lottery Grant. Now they are asking people to help raise the rest of the cash by making a donation and becoming a ‘Summerseat Star’. The society’s priority is to develop its youth theatre and to make the theatre more accessible to the community. Founder director, Geoff Sword, said: “The future of live amateur theatre must lie with youngsters. We have been terrifically successful in the past but now we have to bring on new members, young or old. “We also want to be able to hire out the theatre to community groups to stage their own productions or use it for workshops, seminars and confer-
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ences. This will benefit both theatre and town.” This year, the group won five Greater Manchester Drama Federation Awards, including Best Production for The Crucible. The redevelopment has already added a new mezzanine floor to the Theatre Royal, in Smithy Street, Ramsbottom. The ground floor bar and lounge have also been revamped to host cabaret-style entertainment. Work is due to be completed this week, which coincides with the first performance of the new season on October 16. To become a Summerseat star, donating £50 to £74 to the Summerseat Players will make you a bronze star; £75 to £149 a silver star; and £150 or more a gold star. Anyone wishing to offer their services by working at the theatre or joining the society can call Alan Rodgers on 01706 823975.
EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS AS Magazine welcomes editorial submissions and news items for potential inclusion in upcoming issues. Submissions should be made to editor@asmagazine.co.uk Monthly news deadline 1st of each month for publication on the 15th of each month. Pictures submitted should be high resolution to enable clear reproduction. Please note that AS Magazine reserves editorial control over acceptance and publication of materials submitted.
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NEWS
GO iGOBO CRAZY WITH THIS NEW iPOD APPLICATION Rosco has recently launched iGobo for iPhone and iPod Touch. The application is the perfect tool for lighting designers, technicians and creative directors on the go. Containing the entire Rosco gobo library of more than 2300 images, iGobo makes it easy to browse, compare and select steel, glass or effects gobos, black and white or color, no matter where you are -- in your studio, at the tech table, in a design meeting or even in transit. iGobo uses the familiar look and feel found on the Rosco Gobo Website and printed catalog, with gobos sorted into helpful categories and shown along side similar, related images. The app defaults to the same order and layout found in the Rosco Gobo Catalog, but you can re sort by gobo code or name or by category Your most recently browsed gobos are always available for review in case you want to go back to something you know you saw before. A comprehensive table of keywords helps you to zero in on the right gobo. Choose any 2 gobos to compare side by side, replacing one or both images quickly and easily. When you find
something you like, add it to a Favorites list so you can recall it at another time. Make notes about how you might use it, or on what project. Finally the powerful search finds gobos by name, code, category, keyword, designer name or even the DHA gobo code familiar to many designers in Europe and Asia. And of course all of the iPhone’s magical gestures have been implemented allowing you to flick back and forth among gobos, rotate or reposition them with a simple twist of your finger and double tap into new screens. Features include:•More than 2300 gobo designs in steel and glass, b/w, full color and iPro images •Crisp clear thumbnails and brilliant full screen images •Arranged by category and easily sorted by code, name, category or catalog order •Search by name or code •Rotate or spin gobos with the flick of your finger •Compare any two designs •Store your selections as a Favorite’s list for easy recall later.
ENGLISH HERITAGE HONOR FOR STANLEY HOLLOWAY Stanley Holloway has been commemorated with an English Heritage blue plaque at 25 Albany Road, Manor Park, E12, London, where he was born in 1890. The English Heritage blue plaque to Holloway is only the second so far erected in the London Borough of Newham (the first commemorates trade union leader and Labour Member of Parliament, Will Thorne, and was unveiled in 1987). As a boy soprano growing up in Manor Park, Stanley Holloway contemplated a career in singing, and his visits to the nearby Stratford Empire inspired his interest in comedy and revue. He went on to study singing in Milan and, after service in the First World War, he joined a series of concert parties. His first singing engagement was in Clacton-on-Sea, and was followed by a tour of South America. His breakthrough came with the pierrot show The Co-Optimists, which ran from 1921 to 1927 with a revival in 1929. From then onwards, Holloway regularly appeared in pantomime, light comedies and reviews. In 1927 he added a monologue to his routine, Sam, Sam Pick up Tha’ Musket, delivered in a flat Lancashire accent. The stories of Sam Small were followed four years later by those of Albert Ramsbottom, of which the
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most famous was the first, Albert and the Lion. Yorkshire Pudding and Brahn Boots were other pre-war monologues written for Holloway and made famous by him. With the birth of the ‘talkies’ in the 1920’s, Holloway’s film career went from strength to strength. He appeared in several popular films alongside Gracie Fields, but it his personable and dominating character came to the fore during the 1940’s and 50’s in such classics of British cinema as Brief Encounter (1945), The Way to the Stars (1945), Passport to Pimlico (1949), The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) and The Titfield Thunderbolt (1952). Holloway was also an effective performer of Shakespeare, playing the First Gravedigger in Laurence Olivier’s film version of Hamlet in 1948 and transferring the role to the stage with John Gielgud in 1951. He followed this cameo by playing Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1954, in Edinburgh, and on tour.
baritone voice and perfect comic timing. The plaque in Manor Park reflects Holloway’s London roots and the childhood that inspired him to take up a career as an entertainer and serves as a fitting tribute to the actor, described by the critic Harold Hobson as ‘a maelstrom of uncomplicated happiness’.
Holloway is perhaps best remembered as Albert Doolittle in My Fair Lady, a character he played on Broadway (19557), in the West End (1958-9) and on film (1964), alongside Audrey Hepburn as Eliza. The role was well-suited to his extraordinary range of talents, in particular his cockney authenticity, strong
AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
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FEATURES
AUDLEY 40
Audley Theatre opened its doors to the public for the first time on 15th April 1969. The opening ceremony was performed by the then pop star Jackie Trent along with her musician husband Tony Hatch (composer of the theme tune to popular TV shows like Crossroads and Neighbours). It was a real “dreams can come true” moment for all of those involved, but this wasn’t the beginning. The real story had begun some 34 years earlier.
It was about this time that a disused bingo hall caught their eye. The Coronation Picture House had been built in 1910 to commemorate the coronation of King George V and was later renamed The Palace Cinema. It prospered in its hey day but suffered its demise with the introduction of television. The building then fell into use as a bingo hall but even this use was short lived and the building eventually put up for sale.
In 1935, Mrs Marion Platt along with a few friends started a Youth Club in Audley to give the youngsters of the village something to do and something to look forward to. The Youth Group was a huge success and became an important part of Audley life for the youth and adults of that time. It was during this period that a few members from the Youth Club decided to form a drama group; they called themselves “The St James Repertory Players”. They staged their performances of play-lets, dramas, musicals and pantomimes in the Church Hall up until 1948 (although during the war years there were a few breaks). In 1948 the Players disbanded and but for a few local enthusiasts the story would have ended.
With the building up for sale, The Players felt it was at least worth taking a look. A couple of viewing missions were arranged and carried out (mainly by torchlight) to see what potential existed and what the building could offer the Players, but with months of neglect, the sights and smells that greeted the group, to say the least, were not very inspiring. They entered a dark world of decay with dampness throughout and a horrible musty smell pervading throughout. Old bingo tickets littered the floor, the seats were covered in mildew and mould was growing up the walls. Still it was enough to inspire them. So with £30 in the bank and with the help of a local businessman, Mr Ned McEllin, and interest free loans from many interested people in the community, the old cinema was purchased and signed over in May 1967. In June of that same year work started to convert the old cinema into a theatre. The conversion took two years of hard graft with all the work being carried out voluntarily by theatre members. During the conversion period a membership was drawn up and formed and the new group named the Audley Players Theatre Club. The fruits of all the hard work, time and effort that the members had given to this project were now ready to be reaped and in the spring of 1969 their once wonderous dream became a reality. On the 5th July 1969 the Audley Players Theatre Club opened the doors of their new home for the first time.
In the Autumn of 1954, six years after the “St James Repertory Players” ceased performing, Mrs Marion Platt gathered together some of the original members and a few local drama enthusiasts and re-formed the society to provide funds for the “New Village Hall”. They were called “The Repertory Players” later to be renamed “The Hall Players”. They were based in the then Village Hall (now known as the Boughey Hall). Their first production Bonaventure, was staged in 1955. The Hall Players produced dramas and light entertainment shows at the Village Hall until 1967, a time when certain dreams began to become reality. Those dreams were of course “to have a theatre of our own”.
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www.asmagazine.co.uk
FEATURES
AUDLEY - A PICTORIAL HISTORY
Opposite: The 1930’s . A Crowd of children at the Saturday matinee; (1) The cinema was in a state of disrepair. Whilst conversions progressed, members continued to stage productions at the Village Hall. In 1968 productions were suspended and attention focused on finishing the conversion work. (2) A stage had to be constructed from scratch as the cinema did not have a stage. (3) Youngsters outside the cinema awaiting a Saturday matinee. (4) Jackie Trent and Tony Hatch opening the theatre . (5) & (6) Installation of new seating and renovation of the auditorium. For more information visit www.audleytheatre.co.uk
AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
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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! 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. playstage P.O.Box 52 AXMINSTER EX13 5WB www.playsforadults.com
PINT SIZED PLAYS 09
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The 2009 round of Pint-sized plays opened Tenby Festival week in six pubs in September, followed by performances in Cardigan and Fishguard, Kilgetty and Narberth. And the response so far has been excellent. In Tenby the plays were performed to packed pubs, who thoroughly enjoyed the short 5-10 minute comedies they saw. Pubs, which had been fairly empty, filled up as the performance time approached and, remarkably, what were very noisy pubs became quiet as the plays started, followed by loud applause at the end. Organiser, Derek Webb, said: “The positive feedback we’re getting is amazing - and this is from people who normally wouldn’t dream of going to the theatre! We’re hopefully breaking down some barriers!” Comments included: “Not the usual for a pub. But what a performance. Good acting. Well done. Will spread the word!”, “Brilliant - a wonderful outlet for the cast - and a wonderful time for the audience - thank you!”, “As good as last years - if not better.” There were holidaymakers who went to festivals in London, Shrewsbury and the Buxton Fringe who all said it was something that should be done where they lived. This year the number of venues for Pint-sized Plays has grown considerably and a Welsh version now to be called ‘Dramâu Dros Beint’ (Plays over a Pint) is planned for North Pembrokeshire later in the year. The writing competition this year attracted over 120 entries from as far afield as Australia, USA and Finland. Phil Clark was the judge and the ten winners were performed throughout Pembrokeshire. All ten winning plays will also be performed at the Grand Pint-Sized Script Slam at Theatr Gwaun in Fishguard on Saturday October 10 where the audience get to vote for their favourite script. Tickets (£6 and £5 concessions) from the box office on 01348 873421.
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FEATURES
www.asmagazine.co.uk
STAGE FRIGHT
“If stage fright is the most common fear, and death is the secondmost common, the person at the funeral should feel more pity for the person giving the eulogy than the person in the casket!” Jerry Seinfeld. Stage fright is a form of performance anxiety whereby fear is aroused in an individual (mainly performing artists) by the requirement to perform in front of an audience or camera. In the context of public speaking, this fear is termed glossophobia and is one of the most common phobias affecting 75% of the population. Anyone who has had bad nerves before a social speech or an interview can identify with how unpleasant this type of anxiety can be. However for drama students the repercussions can result in poor grades, bad performances and even fester into a tragic waste of talent. Stage fright can arise in mere anticipation of performing and it has numerous manifestations which include: a pounding heart, dry mouth, shaking, blushing, diarrhea, facial nerve tics and corpsing (forgetting what you are supposed to be saying or doing). Stage fright may be observed in people of all ages from beginners to professionals and can strike at any point during ones career. For example, Donny Osmond entered into show business with the Osmond clan when he was just 6 and then developed stage fright after performing in public for 33 years. He says: “There were times when if I had been able to choose between going on stage or dying, I would have chosen death.” Ian McDiarmid, the award-winning actor and director from the Almeida Theatre says: “Van-loads of film stars have wobbled like jelly in a hurricane climbing onto that theatre’s stage”. One of McDiarmid’s stage fright anecdotes was of fellow actor, Ian Holm. In a preview of The Iceman Cometh, Holm unfortunately forgot his lines during a 22 minute monologue. In terror, he blundered off stage and curled up on his dressing-room floor. As a result, Holm refused to return to the theatre for 17 years. Hollywood actress Daryl Hannah went to see the stage hypnotist Paul McKenna to cure her stage fright before her West End run of The Seven Year Itch. Prior to receiving help, Hannah had such a fear of appearing on stage that she refused to accept any theatre work.
She confessed: “I’d lose it even walking into a premiere. If I become in any way shape or form the centre of attention, I become like a deer int he headlights. I just freeze. I get catatonic...I can’t think, I can’t see, I can’t hear.” Renowned singer Barbra Streisand is infamous for having avoided live performances for nearly three decades. In 1967, Streisand suffered a debilitating bout of stage fright during a concert in New York’s Central Park. She forgot the lyrics to one of her songs and described the experience as “staggering”. Streisand explained: “I couldn’t come out of it. It was shocking to me to forget the words so, I didn’t have any sense of humour about it. I didn’t sing and charge people for 27 years because of that night. I was like, ‘God, I don’t know. What if I forgot the words again?’” Streisand returned to the stage in the early 1990’s (probably coaxed by the $1500 each ticket prices). Some performers use beta blockers or alcohol to avoid stage fright and there are many cases in which the above had led to habit forming behaviour. In recognition of this, various unions and associations fro performers such as Equity, the Screen Actors Guild and The British Performing Arts Medicine Trust, help put afflicted performers in touch with various relaxation therapists to help relieve their career crippling symptoms. Relaxation therapies like hypnotherapy, meditation, positive affirmations and guided visualisation are all highly effective, natural and non addictive approaches to combating stage fright and coping with the stresses of the performance industry. The above therapies work by releasing negative thought patterns which cause stress and anxiety and replace them with high levels of self confidence and relaxation which are the antidotes to stage fright. So next time you are on stage or at an audition and you feel those butterflies and sweaty palms approaching – “chillax”. Remember, you perform for the love of it and have a good time. Paula Kay has relaxation tips at www.pkperformance.co.uk – she is offering a free download of Total Body Relaxation to all readers. Email pkperformance@hotmail.co.uk with AS Magazine in the subject line.
5 QUICK TIPS TO AVOID STAGE FRIGHT IF YOU FORGET A WORD, DON’T STOP, JUST CONTINUE Try to use other words that were not in the script. If your scene partner makes a mistake, stay in character. Do you best to ignore the mistake, or, if it was too large to let is pass, improvise around it. Having the ability to improvise is an essential attribute of a true actor. DON’T FORGET TO BREATHE! One of the first psychological changes that the body makes when nervous or anxious are short, shallow breaths which can result in becoming light headed and even feinting. The best way to reduce stage fright is to take slow, deep breaths from the diaphragm. IMAGINE THAT YOU ARE SOMEONE ELSE DURING THE PERFORMANCE If you are singing, visualise yourself as your favourite confident singer or when acting, imagine that you are Meryl Streep or Brad Pitt and just go for it. BE PREPARED That means learning your stuff back to front and upside down. And on the day of your performance, wake up on time and arrive early to ground yourself before performing. DON’T BE A DRAMA QUEEN Yes, we all love drama but come on now people. We aren’t saving lives and the world won’t end if we forget our lines or don’t book the job! So let’s just reeelax and enjoy ourselves.
AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
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THEMUSICAL PLAY PRODUCED THE PRODUCED
THE HISTORY BOYS Following an internationally acclaimed tour and a hit film adaptation, Alan Bennett’s The History Boys has recently been released to amateurs. Christine Keates talks about her recent production for Redbridge Stage Company. It is a truth universally acknowledged that an amateur dramatic society must be in need of a quantity of young male players. So why on earth was the company I belong to even considering including Alan Bennett’s incredibly successful play The History Boys as part of our repertoire? My company is the RSC – no, not that one; the other one – Redbridge Stage Company which stages three or four plays each year at the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford, Essex. Finances are tight and choices have to be made with an eye to the box office but as often as possible we like to risk something more adventurous that will prove a real challenge.
THE PLAY
Set in a boy’s grammar school in the 1980s The History Boys follows the progress of a group of students as they
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are prepared for Oxbridge entrance guided by three teachers with totally contrasting teaching styles.
CASTING
Casting the staff was not a problem as two of our company are or were experienced teachers in the real world. One of them had run a Sixth Form, taught English and had the physical makings of a Richard Griffiths in embryo so no problem there. But where would we find eight suitably talented young actors to play the students? Nobody in our own company fitted the bill so we spent a hair raising few weeks advertising on our website (www.redbridgestage.co.uk), scouring other local companies and chatting up any likely looking candidates we happened to bump into. Eventually we had enough young actors to hold an audition which we disguised as a read through to make it less nerve wracking.
With fingers crossed we watched them file in. Apart from acting ability it was important to get the balance right physically. Too much disparity in size would spoil the illusion that they were all of an age; they weren’t – they ranged from sixteen to twenty seven. It was also important that they would gel as a group so we could believe that they had known each other for years and just as importantly they had to come across as exceptionally bright, forever quoting literary texts and discussing philosophers. Fortunately they were all these things and more. An added bonus was that one of them was a talented pianist. There are moments in the play where the boys act out scenes from old films with piano accompaniment and the facility to do this live made an enormous difference.
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THE PLAY PRODUCED
www.asmagazine.co.uk
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals were a breath of fresh air and we soon realised that we had the makings of a hit on our hands. The ability of the our newcomers to be inventive, take direction well and throw themselves into things with wild abandon was a real tonic and it soon became evident that our ex teachers were falling back into type. I do have to confess that some liberties were taken with the script as the running time was likely to be too long for our (mostly) aging audience who like to be out by 10.15 pm. It is very easy to cut a badly written play but enormously difficult to do so when the calibre of the writing is so high. Nevertheless it needed to be done and at the same time some of the strong language had to be expunged – much to the disappointment of our young cast! One concession we did make to ease the process was to drop the original northern accents and transpose the play to our local area (references to Sheffield became Shenfield). This meant that there was one less potentially distracting
THE SET
element for all to worry about.
COSTUMES
School uniforms proved an interesting challenge. We opted for white shirts, gray trousers and navy blue blazers in the hope that at least some of our young men would still have their own from their school days. Though some did, some didn’t and of those that had there had been obvious growth spurts leading to large expanses of forearm on show. We didn’t want to borrow from a local school in case of potential embarrassment and charity shops proved a poor source in this instance. The National Theatre’s original costumes were available but well out of our budget range. The gaps were finally plugged when the mother of one of the “boys” who worked in a school in far away Wiltshire was able to help out. The disparate school badges were covered with one designed by an artistic company member and eight striped ties, courtesy of an M & S sale, completed the ensemble.
The set happily proved less of a headache. The episodic nature of the play (plus the usual financial constraints) called for as simple a set as possible. Most of the action takes place in a classroom so this was set up centre stage with typical classroom furniture. Two large wooden boards on castors were covered with collages of all the poets, film stars, historical figures, etc. mentioned in the play and this formed a colourful and easily moved backdrop. A wood panelled flat ran across the back of the stage to give the impression of the school hall for the final memorial scene. The Head’s study and the staffroom were set up on either side of the stage in front of the proscenium arch and decorated with appropriate artefacts (trophies, school photos, timetables) to indicate which was which. For the outdoor scene at the monastery a gauze was flown in front of the classroom with a suitable gobo for effect. This worked well as it left the front of the stage uncluttered
AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
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THE PLAY PRODUCED
enough for the actor in a wheelchair to manoeuvre himself about with aplomb. To show the passage of time and highlight important offstage action we used stills and video projected onto a screen suspended above the classroom. Thus we were able to see Hector and pupil Scripps on a motor bike. However this had to be stationary as our Hector did not feel competent enough to go roaring off into the distance (and he wasn’t insured!) As a complete technophobe this aspect terrified me. Everything was loaded into an appropriately programmed laptop and the theatre stuff set up the links for us. It was extra added headache for our stage manager and board operator who had limited
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rehearsal time actually at the theatre to cope with it all. But cope with it they did even when assorted error messages suddenly manifested themselves on screen – fortunately this was at the dress rehearsal. I suppose one of the disadvantages of tackling such a well known piece is its familiarity and availability as a film. Would an audience turn out when they could sit comfortably at home watching on their TV? The answer was a resounding yes. We played to some of the best houses we’d had for a long time, actually made a profit and most encouraging of all attracted a higher proportion of young people in. Finally a few words from our Hector
who realised a long held ambition in this production: “Seldom have rehearsals and a show been such a refreshing treat. I’m sure The History Boys will go down as one of THE plays of the early 21st century and it was a privilege to be involved in one of the few amateur productions that have been staged. Also I don’t suppose I’ll ever have another opportunity to learn and play a whole ten minute scene in French (please God!). Hector encourages his students to stretch their minds and abilities and that was what was so great about being involved in this production. As he says at the end of the pay ‘Pass it on!’ ”
AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
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NEW BOOKS FROM & ARDEN SHAKESPEARE
ARDEN EARLY MODERN DRAMA
NEW MERMAIDS
STUDENT EDITIONS
CAREER ADVICE
Thousands of quality costumes, props, furniture and armour from past National Theatre productions available to hire. Beautifully crafted and historically accurate, the collection is easily accessible at one convenient location, where our friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you find exactly what you’re looking for – from a single costume to an entire production. Chichester House, Kennington Park Estate, 1 – 3 Brixton Road, London SW9 6DE Costumes 020 7735 4774
Stay up-to-date with all our latest new titles by signing up for newsletters at
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www.methuendrama.com
Props 020 7820 1358
nationaltheatre.org.uk/hire
16/10/2009 11:28:08
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LISTINGS>CLASSIFIEDS>PHOTOS>>>
SHOWdiary DAISY PULLS IT OFF Lyne Up
SUMMER VARIETY Be Inspired
GODSPELL Featured shows this month include Daisy Pulls It Off, The Shape Of Things, Lend Me A Tenor, Parade, The Graduate, Godspell, The Summer Variety Show, Godspell, and By Jeeves
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PARADE Ariel Theatre Co.
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SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiar 25TH ANNIVERSARY CHRISTMAS CONCERT with Brighouse & Rastrick Band 19 December 2009 Harrogate G & S Society The Royal Hall Harrogate, N Yorkshire 0113 250 2677
42ND STREET
12 - 14 November 2009 Worle Operatic & Dramatic Society Playhouse Theatre Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset 01934 645544 24 - 28 November 2009 Bradford Catholic Players Alhambra Bradford, W Yorks 01274 432000 03 - 07 November 2009 South Downe Musical Society Kings Theatre Southsea, Hampshire 023 9282 8282
50/50 CONCERT
07 November 2009 Kilmarnock Amateur Operatic Society Grand Hall, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire 01563 554900
70, GIRLS, 70
10 - 14 November 2009 Manifest Theatre Group Manifest Theatre Manningtree, Essex 01206 391309
84 CHARING CROSS ROAD
18 - 21 November 2009 Honley Players Amateur Dramatic Society Southgate Theatre, Honley Huddersfield, W Yorkshire 01484 662378
A BEDFULL OF FOREIGNERS 18 - 21 November 2009 Ruislip Dramatic Society Compass Theatre Ickenham, Middlesex 01895 675343 www.ruislipdramatic.org
A CABARET OF SONG AND DANCE
25 - 28 November 2009 Petersfield Theatre Group Festival Hall Petersfield, Hants 01730 233919
A GREAT & MIGHTY WONDER 03 - 05 December 2009 Havant Light Opera Havant Arts Centre Havant , Hampshire 023 9247 2700
A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED
ANYTHING GOES
ABIGAILS PARTY
24 - 28 November 2009 Newport Operatic Society Dolman Theatre, Kingsway Newport, Gwent 01633 891363
ACE CHORUS ENTERTAINS
25 - 28 November 2009 Mid Argyll Musical Society Public Hall Ardrishaig, Argyll 01546 603412
14 November 2009 Artistic Concert Experiences The Clyde Auditorium Glasgow, Strathclyde 0870 040 4000
ALADDIN
26 November - 01 December 2009 Sultan Theatre Group Brunel Theatre Gosport, Hampshire 023 9254 2272 06 - 12 December 2009 Kinver Light Operatic Society Edgecliff High School Kinver, South Staffs 01384 836963 11 - 19 December 2009 Purbrook Amateur Theatre Deverell Hall Purbrook, Hampshire 023 9261 0856
03 - 07 November 2009 Ilkley Amateur Operatic Society Kings Hall Ilkley, W Yorks 01943 602028
03 - 05 December 2009 Kibworth Theatre Company Kibworth Grammar School Hall Kibworth, Leicestershire 07950 306968
11 - 13 December 2009 Hawkhurst Amateur Theatrical Society Marlborough House School Theatre Hawkhurst, Kent 07807544872
07 - 12 December 2009 Progressive Players Little Theatre Gateshead Gateshead, Tyne & Wear 0191 478 1499 www.littletheatregateshead.com
ALL IN LOVE
A DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS
ALLO ‘ALLO
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18 - 21 November 2009 WOW Youth Musical Theatre Pavilion Theatre Weymouth, Dorset 01305 783225
09 - 14 November 2009 South Shields Westovian Theatre Society Westovian Theatre, Pier Pavilion South Shields, Tyne & Wear 0191 456 0980
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
11 - 14 November 2009 The Grove & Rawdon Theatre Company Yeadon Town Hall Yeadon, Leeds, W Yorks 0113 250 5011
03 - 14 November 2009 Hinckley Concordia Operatic Society Hinckley Concordia Theatre Hinckley, Leics 01455 615005
25 - 28 November 2009 Athelney Productions St Peter’s Theatre Southsea, Hampshire 023 9281 7662
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
04 - 07 November 2009 Wantage Stage Musical Company Civic Hall Wantage, Oxon 01235 770087
27 December 2009 - 03 January 2010 Dereham Operatic Society The Memorial Hall Dereham, Norfolk 01362 694222
28 November - 05 December 2009 Clockwork Theatre Group St John’s Church Hall Leeds, W Yorks 07807 030516
18 - 21 November 2009 St Austell Players St Austell Community Centre & Arts Theatre St Austell, Cornwall 01726 879500
06 - 07 November 2009 Ace Theatre Company Chequer Mead Theatre East Grinstead, West Sussex 01342 302000
28 - 28 November 2009 Applause Dovehouse Theatre Solihull, W Midlands 0121 451 3110
11 - 14 November 2009 Chesham Theatre Company The Elgiva Theatre Chesham, Bucks 01494 774557
AN INSPECTOR CALLS
04 - 07 November 2009 Sherard Players Tyler Theatre Eltham, Middx 0845 490 0216
04 - 07 November 2009 Colchester Theatre Group Headgate Theatre Colchester, Essex 01206 366000 www.headgatetheatre.co.uk
AN IDEAL HUSBAND
10 - 14 November 2009 Radcliffe-on-Trent Drama Group Grange Hall, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Notts 0115 933 2906 www.radcliffe-on-trentdramagroup.co.uk
AUTUMN CONCERT
05 December 2009 Southminster Operatic & Choral Society St Leonard’s Church Southminster, Essex 01621 740787
AVAST BEHIND
12 - 19 December 2009 Wells Operatic Society Ltd The Little Theatre Wells, Somerset 01749 672611
BABES IN THE WOOD 19 - 21 November 2009 Banbury Cross Players The Mill Arts Centre Banbury, Oxfordshire 01295 279002
29 December 2009 - 09 January 2010 Sidmouth Amateur Dramatic Society Manor Pavilion Theatre Sidmouth, Devon 01395 514413
BABES IN TOYLAND
19 - 22 November 2009 Wimbledon Light Opera Society Secombe Theatre Sutton, Surrey 020 8770 6990
BELOW STAIRS
09 - 20 December 2009 Apollo Players Apollo Theatre Newport, Isle of Wright 01983 296388
BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT 11 - 14 November 2009 The Anonymous Players Lowther Pavilion Lytham St. Annes 01253 658666 www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk
BLITZ!
03 - 07 November 2009 Gosport Amateur Operatic Society Ferneham Hall Fareham, Hampshire 01329 231942
18 - 21 November 2009 Barnstaple Musical Comedy & Dramatic Soc The Queen’s Theatre Barnstaple, Devon 01271 861128
BOOGIE NIGHTS
10 - 14 November 2009 Huddersfield Amateur Operatic Society Lawrence Batley Theatre Huddersfield, W Yorks 01484 430528
BRIEF ENCOUNTER
31 October - 07 November 2009 Bolton Little Theatre Bolton 01204 334400 www.boltonlittletheatre.co.uk
BUGSY MALONE
09 - 14 November 2009 Chelmsford Young Generation Amateur Musical Society The Civic Theatre Chelmsford, Essex 01245 257898
BY POPULAR DEMAND
16 - 21 November 2009 Hamilton Operatic & Dramatic Club The Town House Hamilton, Lanarkshire 01698 385627
CABARET OF SONG & DANCE 28 November 2009 Applause Dovehouse Theatre Solihull, West Midlands 07814 368889
CALAMITY JANE
11 - 14 November 2009 Wembley Operatic Society Winston Churchill Hall Ruislip, Middlesex 07983 103444 17 - 21 November 2009 Ramsgate Operatic Society Granville Theatre Ramsgate, Kent 01843 591750
CANTERVILLE GHOST 26 - 28 November 2009 Hulviz Operatic Society The Bob Hope Theatre Eltham, London 020 8858 9803
CAP’N HOOK
10 - 13 December 2009 Crofton ADS Crofton Community Centre Stubbington , Hampshire 01329 661143
CARMEN
05 - 07 November 2009 Kennet Opera Corn Exchange Newbury, Berks 01635 522733
CAROUSEL
02 - 07 November 2009 Letchworth Arcadians Gordon Craig Theatre Stevenage, Herts 08700 131030 www.gordon-craig.co.uk 03 - 06 December 2009 Chippenham Light Opera Group Neeld Hall Chippenham, Wiltshire 01249 721171
CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA & TRIAL BY JURY 10 - 14 November 2009 Winchester Operatic Society Theatre Royal Winchester, Hants 01962 840440
AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
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Wdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>> CHARLEY’S AUNT
25 - 28 November 2009 Beaconsfield Theatre Group Beacon Theatre Beaconsfield, Bucks 01628 524127
CHESS
07 - 14 November 2009 Burnley Light Opera Society Mechanics Theatre Burnley, Lancs 01282 664400
CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR 28 - 30 December 2009 Ipswich Co-Op Juniors Charter Hall Colchester, Essex 01206 282020
CINDERELLA
10 - 14 November 2009 Vane Tempest Theatre Group Vane Tempest Social Welfare Centre Seaham, Durham 0191 581 9631
28 November - 05 December 2009 Rugby Theatre Society Rugby Theatre Rugby, Warks 01788 541234
23 - 28 November 2009 Childrens Theatre Bo’ness Society Town Hall Bo’ness, Falkirk 01324 712443
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
28 November - 05 December 2009 Johnstone Phoenix Theatre Group Johnstone Town Hall Johnstone, Renfrewshire 07748 827727
12 December 2009 The Elizabethans Amateur Operatic Society Town Hall Ossett, W Yorks 01924 280344
CHRISTMAS CRACKER 2009 12 December 2009 Barn Theatre Oxted, Surrey 01883 714103 www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk
CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR 16 - 22 December 2009 Ipswich Co-Op Juniors Snape Maltings Concert Hall Snape, Suffolk 01728 687110
02 - 05 December 2009 Caistor Amateur Theatrical Society Caistor Town Hall Caistor, Lincs 01472 851212 02 - 05 December 2009 Youth Onstage Dovehouse Theatre Solihull, W Midlands 0121 474 2104 03 - 05 December 2009 The Harlequins The Studley Village Hall Studley, Warks 01527 870295
04 - 06 December 2009 Whittle Hall Cranwell, Lincs
10 - 14 November 2009 Curtain Up Productions Grimsby Auditorium Grimsby, NE Lincs 0844 847 2426
CINDY RELLA
05 - 06 December 2009 The Uptown Players Hampden Park Community Association Hall Eastbourne, East Sussex 01323 722895
COMEDY PLAYHOUSE FEATURING THE PLAY BLACKADDER “MAJOR STAR” 13 - 14 November 2009 Suffolk on Stage The Royal British Legion Club Lakenheath, Suffolk 01842 861160
CONFUSIONS
COX & BOX AND THE SORCERER 18 - 21 November 2009 Ipswich G & S Society The Corn Exchange Ipswich, Suffolk 01473 433100
CRASH JORDAN
05 - 07 November 2009 Girton Players Mumford Theatre, Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge, Cambs 0845 196 2320
CRAZY FOR YOU
26 - 28 November 2009 St John’s Players St John’s Hall Palmers Green, London 020 8364 4995
02 - 07 November 2009 Walmsley Church AODS Walmsley Parish Hall Egerton, Bolton, Manchester 01204 305812
COPACABANA
12 - 14 November 2009 Gravesend & District Theatre Guild Woodville Halls Gravesend, Kent 01474 360315
04 - 07 November 2009 Zodiac Musical Society Magna Carta Arts Centre Staines, Surrey 01932 782571 10 - 14 November 2009 Nottingham Operatic Society Theatre Royal Nottingham, Notts 0115 959 8936
CURTAINS
26 - 28 November 2009 Alive Warehouse Theatre Ilminster, Somerset 01460 52982
LyneUp - Daisy Pulls It Off
AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
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SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiar
Neath Little Theatre - The Shape Of Things
DICK WHITTINGTON
03 - 05 December 2009 Rayleigh A O & D S Rayleigh Mill Arts and Events Centre Rayleigh, Essex 01268 771751 11 - 23 December 2009 Downfield Musical Society Whitehall Theatre Dundee 01382 322537 15 - 20 December 2009 Whitehaven Theatre Group Trust Ltd Civic Hall Whitehaven, Cumbria 01946 692468 28 December 2009 - 02 January 2010 Bedford Pantomine Company Bedford Corn Exchange Bedford, Beds 01234 269514
DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT 04 - 12 December 2009 London Pantomimers The Intimate Theatre Palmers Green, London 01992 304327
DISCO INFERNO
16 - 21 November 2009 St Augustine’s Musical Theatre Company Solihull Arts Complex Solihull, W Midlands 0121 704 6962
DIVIDED LIVES
04 - 05 December 2009 Young Rogues & Vagabonds Civic Hall Stratford-upon-Avon, Warks 01789 207100
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DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER 09 - 14 November 2009 Louth Playgoers Riverhead Theatre Louth, Lincolnshire 01507 600350 www.louthplaygoers.co.uk
EVENING OF ONE-ACT PLAYS DOG’S LIFE, BLUE SUEDE BLUES, THE DONAHUE SISTERS 14 November 2009 Auchenblae Drama Group Auchenblae Village Hall Auchenblae, Aberdeenshire 01561 320222
FAME -THE MUSICAL
10 - 14 November 2009 Spa Theatre Company Royal Spa Centre Leamington Spa, Warwickshire 07780 678582 08 - 12 December 2009 1020 Musical Youth Company Victory Hall, Thorner Leeds, W Yorks 0113 293 2653
FARNDALE AVENUE HOUSING ESTATE TOWNSWOMEN GUILD DRAMATIC SOCIETY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL 01 - 05 December 2009 Doncaster Amateur Operatic Society Little Theatre, Doncaster, S Yorks 01302 340422 07 - 12 December 2009 Bingley Little Theatre Bingley Arts Centre Bingley, W. Yorkshire 01274 432000
FAUST (GOUNOUD)
FOOTLOOSE
FAWLTY TOWERS
19 - 21 November 2009 Yeovil Youth Theatre Octagon Theatre Yeovil, Somerset 01935 422884
25 - 28 November 2009 Guildford Opera The Electric Theatre Guildford, Surrey 01483 444789
17 - 21 November 2009 Ulverston Outsiders Coronation Hall Ulverston, Cumbria 01229 587140 25 - 28 November 2009 Hertford D & OS Castle Hall Hertford, Herts 01992 531500
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
02 - 07 November 2009 Rotherham & District Teachers Operatic Soc Civic Theatre Rotherham, S Yorks 01709 701120
FROM BOW BELLS TO BROADWAY 18 - 21 November 2009 Loughton Operatic Society Lopping Hall Loughton, Essex 01992 575502
02 - 07 November 2009 Herstmonceux Amateur Theatrical Society Herstmonceux Village Hall nr Hailsham, E Sussex 01323 832117
FROM STAGE TO SCREEN
03 - 07 November 2009 Horsham Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Soc The Capitol Horsham, W Sussex 01403 750220
GENERATIONS APART
11 - 14 November 2009 Coliseum Operatic & Dramatic Society Aberdare Coliseum Theatre Aberdare, South Wales 01685 881188 17 - 21 November 2009 South Moor Musical Theatre Group Lamplight Arts Centre Stanley, Co Durham 01207 218899
13 - 14 November 2009 Spotlight Musical Theatre Company Lampton School, Hounslow, Middlesex 01895 430031
10 - 14 November 2009 Highbury Players St Phillip’s Hall, Cosham, Portsmouth 023 9238 9359
GEORGE THE GLADIATOR 26 - 28 November 2009 Horndean Amateur Theatrical Society Merchistoun Hall Horndean , Hampshire 023 9259 7114
GLOW ON STAGE
10 - 11 December 2009 Glow Theatre Group Barn Theatre,Oxted, Surrey 01883 714103 www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk
AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
16/10/2009 11:38:41
Wdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>> Iver Heath Drama Club - Jack & The Beanstalk
CADOS - Lend Me A Tenor
GONDOLIERS
03 - 07 November 2009 Halifax G & S Society Halifax Playhouse Halifax, W Yorks 01422 365998 16 - 21 November 2009 Haworth-West Lane Baptist Am Operatic Soc West Lane Baptist Chapel, Haworth Keighley, W Yorks 01535 643425
GYPSY
04 - 08 November 2009 Swanbank Music Putney Arts Theatre Putney, London 0208 286 0229
HABEAS CORPUS 17 - 21 November 2009 Hull Playgoers’ Society Hull Truck Studio Theatre Hull, E. Yorkshire 01482 701570
HEAR MY SONG
01 November 2009 Sideshow Theatre Co. Kenneth More Theatre Ilford, Essex 0208553 4466 www.kenneth-more-theatre.co.uk
HEDDA GABLER 02 - 07 November 2009 Arundel Players Priory Playhouse Arundel, West Sussex 01243 782976
HELLO DOLLY!
10 - 14 November 2009 Vane Tempest Theatre Group Vane Tempest Welfare Hall Seaham, Durham 0191 581 9631
17 - 21 November 2009 Redditch Operatic Society Palace Theatre Redditch, Worcestershire 01527 527363 www.redditch-operatic.co.uk
HONK!
18 - 21 November 2009 Whitefield AODS Radcliffe Civic Suite Radcliffe, G Manchester 0161 766 6674 www.waods.co.uk
03 - 07 November 2009 Scunthorpe G & S Amateur Operatic Society Plowright Theatre Scunthorpe, N Lincs 01724 277733
23 - 28 November 2009 Neath Amateur Operatic Society Princess Royal Theatre Port Talbot 01639 763214
HOT MIKADO
02 - 07 November 2009 Kendal Amateur Operatic Society The Town Hall Kendal, Cumbria 01539 727813
23 - 28 November 2009 Cotswold Savoyards The Playhouse Theatre Cheltenham, Glos 01452 618425
17 - 21 November 2009 Sheffield Teachers Operatic Society Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield, S Yorkshire 0870 774 3422
HALF A SIXPENCE
10 - 12 December 2009 Southampton Operatic Society Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Aikman Lance Totton, Hants 023 8066 7274
18 - 21 November 2009 KVODS Arthur Cotterell Theatre Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey 07982 046210 www.kvods.com
HARVEY
HIGH SOCIETY
13&14, 20&21 November 2009 Sutton Theatre Company Trusthorpe Village Hall Trusthorpe, Lincolnshire 01507 441324 www.suttontheatrecompanylincs.com
HMS PINAFORE
10 - 14 November 2009 New Earswick Musical Society Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York 01904 768182
HIGHBURY’S CHRISTMAS TURKEY 10 - 12 December 2009 Highbury Little Theatre Sutton Coldfield, W Midlands 0121 373 2761
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SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiar HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES 18 - 21 November 2009 Witham Dramatic Club Public Hall Witham, Essex 01621 892404
HUMBLE BOY
17 - 20 November 2009 Abbots Langley Players Henderson Hall Abbots Langley, Herts 0844 804 5613 18 - 21 November 2009 The Cuffley Players Cuffley Hall Cuffley, Herts 01707 870854 www.cuffleyplayers.freeserve.co.uk
HYPNOSIS
10 - 21 November 2009 Highbury Little Theatre Highbury Little Theatre Sutton Coldfield, W Midlands 0121 373 2761
I DON’T WANT TO SET THE WORLD ON FIRE 04 - 07 November 2009 Stafford Players The Gatehouse Stafford, Staffordshire 01785 254653
IOLANTHE
17 - 21 November 2009 Radlett Light Opera Society The Radlett Centre Radlett, Herts 01923 859291
IT WAS A DARK STORMY NIGHT
JUNGLE BOOK
IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS
KETTERING GANG SHOW
25 - 27 November 2009 Bartholomew Players Village Hall Eynsham, Oxfordshire
30 November - 05 December 2009 Willow Tree Theatre Company The New Hall Tiverton, Devon 01884 250485
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK 04 - 07 November 2009 BMOS Youtheatre Old Rep Theatre Birmingham, West Mids 07890 306318
17 - 20 December 2009 Act One Pantomimes Eric Morecambe Theatre Harpenden, Herts 01582 767525 22 December 2009 - 03 January 2010 Paignton Pantomime Productions Palace Theatre Paignton, Devon 01803 290371
10 - 19 December 2009 Humdrum Havant Arts Centre Havant, Hampshire 023 9247 2700
24 - 28 November 2009 Tunbridge Wells Operatic & Dramatic Society Assembly Hall Theatre Tunbridge Wells, Kent 01892 530613
LEND ME A TENOR
18 - 21 November 2009 Glendon District Scout Council Lighthouse Theatre Kettering, Northants 01536 414141
04 - 07 November 2009 Radlett Players Radlett Centre Radlett, Herts 01923 859291 www.radlettplayers.com
KING AND I
LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES
02 - 07 November 2009 Trafford Margaretians Amateur Operatic Soc Altrincham Garrick Playhouse Altrincham, Cheshire 0161 9281677 17 - 21 November 2009 Leeds Amateur Operatic Society The Grand Theatre Leeds, West Yorkshire 0844 848 2701 24 - 28 November 2009 Cleckheaton & Spenborough AO & DS Town Hall Cleckheaton, W Yorks 01274 877828
KISMET
27 December 2009 - 02 January 2010 St Paul’s Amateur Dramatic Society Plinston Hall Letchworth, Herts 01462 672003
17 - 21 November 2009 Abbey Players Swansea Swansea Grand Theatre Swansea, Wales 01792 475715
29 - 30 December 2009 HEOS Musical Theatre Greenford Hall Greenford, Middlesex 01784 255164
KISS ME, KATE
02 - 07 November 2009 St Alphege Musical Productions Society Arts Complex Theatre Solihull, W Midlands 0121 705 1435
04 - 07 November 2009 Spreadeagleplayers (aka Barclays DS) The Bridewell Theatre Bride Lane, London 0208 946 7850 www.spreadeagleplayers.org.uk
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD 10 - 14 November 2009 St Cuthberts ADS Darwen St Chad’s Theatre St Cuthbert’s Primary School Darwen, Lancs 07804 681778
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS 02 - 05 December 2009 Hayes Players Hayes Village Hall Bromley, Kent 07905 210718 www.hayesplayers.org.uk
MACK AND MABEL
20 - 28 November 2009 Sharnbrook Mill Theatre Trust The Mill Theatre Sharnbrook, Beds 01234 781587
Ariel Theatre Co - Parade
Lighted Fools Theatre Co - Shirley Valentine
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AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
16/10/2009 11:39:39
OWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>> 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
COSTUMES
MAD MONSTER PARTY
MUSIC MAN
MOBY DICK - THE MUSICAL
MY BOY JACK
06 - 07 November 2009 Belper Stage Productions Robert Ludlam theatre, St Benedict’s School Derby, Derbyshire 01332 666404
09 - 14 November 2009 Abergavenny Amateur Op & Dramatic Society Borough Theatre Abergavenny, Monmouthshire 01873 850805
MOTHER GOOSE
30 November - 05 December 2009 Saundersfoot Footlights Am Music Theatre Regency Hall Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire 01646 682058
MR CINDERS
01 - 05 December 2009 Stowmarket Operatic & Dramatic Society The Regal Theatre Stowmarket, Suffolk 01449 612825
COSTUME HIRE, SHOWS KING & I, PHANTOM, LES MIZ, OLIVER, FIDDLER, KISS ME KATE, FOLLIES, PINAFORE, ANNIE, ALL PANTO SUBJECTS, ORIENTAL COSTUMES
MR SCROOGE
www.bpdcostumes.co.uk
MURDER MOST MUSIC HALL
P: 01273 481004
23 - 28 November 2009 Lamproom Musical Theatre Company The Lamproom Theatre, Barnsley 01226 200075
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING 25 - 28 November 2009 Southsea Shakespeare Actors New Theatre Royal Portsmouth, Hampshire 023 9264 9000
05 December 2009 Phoenix Arts Company OWG Centre Dartford, Kent 01322 221840
18 - 21 November 2009 Axminster & District Amateur Operatic Society The Guildhall Axminster, Devon 01297 33595
09 - 14 November 2009 Cassio Operatic Society Watford Palace Theatre Watford, Herts 01923 225671
23 - 28 November 2009 Oxford Operatic Society Oxford Playhouse Theatre Oxford, Oxfordshire 01865 305305
13 - 15 November 2009 CCADS D-Day Museum Theatre Southsea, Hampshire 023 9282 7261
MY DARLING CLEMMIE 26 November 2009 Indigo Entertainments Barn Theatre Oxted, Surrey 01883 714103 www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk
NO SEX PLEASE - WE’RE BRITISH 18 - 21 November 2009 The Ashtead Players Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall Ashtead, Surrey 01737 640352
NOISES OFF
10 - 14 November 2009 Newcastle Players Stoke on Trent Repertory Theatre Stoke on Trent, Staffs 01782 627551
MY FAIR LADY
03 - 07 November 2009 Green Room Productions Wyllyott’s Theatre Potters Bar, Herts 020 8360 1957 04 - 07 November 2009 Southend on Sea Operatic & Dramatic Soc Cliffs Pavilion Southend on Sea, Essex 01702 351135 10 - 14 November 2009 Minerva Club Glasgow The Mitchell Theatre Glasgow, Scotland 0141 942 4245 17 - 22 November 2009 Bishops Stortford Musical Theatre Company Rhodes Arts Complex Bishop’s Stortford, Herts 01279 651746
19 - 28 November 2009 ATG Warlingham Church Hall Warlingham, Surrey 0208 668 3131 www.atgdramagroup.co.uk
NOT ABOUT HEROES 11 - 12 November 2009 Lighted Fools Theatre Co. Cranleigh Arts Centre Cranleigh, Surrey 08456 128128 www.lighted-fools.co.uk
OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR 13 - 21 November 2009 ShowCo Bedford The Place, Bedford, Beds 07956 122333
COS Players - The Graduate
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SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiar ROBIN HOOD & THE SINGING NUN 05 - 09 December 2009 Admirals Players Fisher Hall HMS Excellent, Portsmouth 023 9262 5265
ROBINSON CRUSOE 03 - 05 December 2009 The Bury Players The Bury Village Hall, Bury Pulborough, W Sussex 01798 831468
ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE PIRATES 19 - 29 December 2009 Kidz R Us St Ives Theatre St Ives, Cornwall 01736 797007
OKLAHOMA
26 - 28 November 2009 IODS Kenneth More Theatre Ilford, Essex 0208553 4466 www.kenneth-more-theatre.co.uk 04 - 07 November 2009 Buttington Musical Theatre Company Trewern Community Centre nr Welshpool, Powys 01938 552053 09 - 14 November 2009 Our Lady’s High School FPA Light Opera Soc Motherwell Theatre Motherwell 01698 733502 17 - 21 November 2009 Bristol Light Opera Club Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol 0844 847 2341 24 - 28 November 2009 New Mills Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Soc The Art Theatre, New Mills, Derbyshire 01298 25750
OLD TIME MUSIC HALL 13 - 16 November 2009 New Empire Players The New Empire Theatre Southend on Sea, Essex 01702 353577
OLIVER!
09 - 11 November 2009 Pilkington Musical Theatre Company Theatre Royal, St Helens, Merseyside 01744 892330 10 - 14 November 2009 Halifax Light Opera Society Victoria Theatre, Halifax, W Yorks 01422 351158 17 - 21 November 2009 Esna Players Loughborough Town Hall Loughborough, Leics 01509 231914
ON THE RAZZLE
12 - 14 November 2009 Lion and Unicorn Players Festival Hall, Petersfield, Hampshire 01730 821491
ONE NIGHT ONLY - AGAIN! 13 - 14 November 2009 Hayling Muscial Society Parkview Community Centre Hayling Island, Hampshire 023 9246 2834
ONE O’CLOCK FROM THE HOUSE 27 - 28 November 2009 SPATS Salford Priors Memorial Hall Salford Priors, Warwickshire 01789 773523 www.spatssalfordpriors.com
28 diary.indd 10
PASTIMES
ROKELLA
18 - 28 November 2009 QUADS Quarndon Village Hall Derby, Derbyshire 01332 840007 www.quarndonquads.co.uk
10 - 14 November 2009 Idle & Thackley Theatre Group Bradford Playhouse Bradford, W Yorks 01274 820666
PATIENCE
11 - 15 November 2009 Maidenhead Operatic Society Desborough Suite, Town Hall Maidenhead, Berkshire 01628 671589
12 - 14 November 2009 Battle Light Opera Group Memorial Hall Battle, E Sussex 01424 211140
PETER PAN
02 - 06 December 2009 Margate Operatic Society Winter Gardens Margate, Kent 01843 297780 09 - 12 December 2009 Over Players Community Centre Over, Cambridgeshire 01954 230056 25 - 28 November 2009 SODS Swinford Village Hall Swinford, Leicestershire 01788 869140 / 860793
PIRATES OF PENZANCE 17 - 20 November 2009 Petts Wood Operatic Society The Stag Theatre Sevenoaks, Kent 01689 820448
17 - 21 November 2009 Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society The Point Eastleigh, Hants 023 8065 2333
PRIVATE LIVES
26 - 28 November 2009 Loddon Players Sherfield on Loddon Village Hall Sherfield on Loddon, Hants 01256 880224 www.loddonplayersatsherfield.co.uk
RENT
RUDDIGORE
17 - 21 November 2009 Stewartby AO&DS Stewartby Village Hall Stewartby, Beds 01525 402457
SCROOGE
10 - 14 November 2009 Sussex Musical Productions Pavilion Theatre Worthing, W Sussex 01903 206206 17 - 21 November 2009 Durham Musical Theatre Company Gala Theatre Durham City, Durham 0191 332 4041 25 - 28 November 2009 Bridgwater Amateur Operatic Society Bridgwater Town Hall Bridgwater, Somerset 01278 662181 30 November - 05 December 2009 Walton & Weybridge AOS The Playhouse Walton upon Thames, Surrey 01483 770130 08 - 12 December 2009 Gloucester Operatic and Dramatic Society The Picturedrome Theatre Gloucester, Gloucestershire 07530 560440
16 - 19 December 2009 The New Strolling Players Memorial Hall Freshwater, Isle of Wight 01983 752956
17 - 21 November 2009 EODS Devonshire Park Theatre Eastbourne, East Sussex 01323 412000 www.eodsinfo.co.uk
24 - 28 November 2009 The Opera Club of Reigate and Redhill The Harlequin Theatre Redhill, Surrey 01737 276500
15 - 21 November 2009 Henley-on-Thames Operatic & Dramatic Soc Kenton Theatre Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire 01491 684177
10 - 12 December 2009 Lantern Arts Centre Raynes Park, London 020 8944 5794 www.lanternarts.org
SEARCHING FOR DOCTOR BRANOVIC 18 - 21 November 2009 Flying Ducks Theatre Company Theatre on the Steps Bridgnorth, W. Midlands 01746 763257
SEASONS GREETINGS 04 - 07 November 2009 Ditching Players Ditching Village Hall Ditching, East Sussex 01273 843344 www.ditchingplayers.co.uk 04 - 07 November 2009 Forest Players Freshfield Hall Forest Row, East Sussex 01342 323640 06 - 07 November 2009 Quaintwood Players Grendon Village Hall Grendon Underwood, Bucks 01296 770723
SERENDIPITY
29 November 2009 Jay Aston Theatre Arts Barn Theatre Oxted, Surrey 07968 381471 www.jayastonschool.co.uk
SEUSSICAL
25 - 28 November 2009 Croydon Stagers Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls Croydon, Surrey 0208 651 0527 26 - 28 November 2009 Curtain Up Youth Theatre Maesteg Town Hall Maesteg, Bridgend 01656 732855
SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS
02 - 07 November 2009 Middlesbrough Amateur Operatic Society Middlesborough Theatre, Middlesborough 01642 815181 09 - 14 November 2009 Cradley Heath Amateur Operatic Society Brierley Hall Civic Hall Brierley Hill, West Midlands 0121 585 7380
15 - 19 December 2009 Redruth Amateur Musical & Pantomime Soc Regal Theatre Redruth, Cornwall 01209 216278
12 - 14 November 2009 Giselle Academy St Peter’s Theatre, Southsea, Hampshire 023 9264 3385
RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET
Summe
09 - 12 December 2009 Colyton Theatre Group Colyton Town Hall Colyton, Devon 01297 552317
01 - 05 December 2009 Andover Operatic Society The Lights Andover, Hants 01264 368368
AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
16/10/2009 11:40:25
Wdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>> Summer Variety Show - Be Inspred Productions
SHOW TIME
26 - 28 November 2009 Bidborough Dramatic Society Bidborough Village Hall Tunbridge Wells, Kent 01892 523499
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
10 - 14 November 2009 Walney Musical Theatre Company Forum 28 Barrow in Furness, Cumbria 01229 82000
SLEEPING BEAUTY
20 - 21 November 2009 Hambledon Arts Society Drama Group Hambledon Village Hall Hambledon, Hampshire 023 9263 2800 24 - 28 November 2009 Dewsbury Arts Group Dewsbury Arts Group Studio Theatre Dewsbury, W. Yorkshire 01924 465647 www.dewsburyartsgroup.com
SLEEPING BEAUTY - GET ME OUT OF HERE 01 - 06 December 2009 Ormskirk Theatre Company Civic Hall, Ormskirk, Lancs 01695 577393
SNOOPY - THE MUSICAL
04 - 07 November 2009 Dewsbury Arts Group Dewsbury Arts Group Studio Theatre Dewsbury, W. Yorkshire 01924 465647 www.dewsburyartsgroup.com
SNOW WHITE
02 - 06 December 2009 Collingwood RSC Millennium Hall HMS Collingwood, Fareham 07502 037922 02 - 06 December 2009 Marlow Entertainers Shelley Theatre, Marlow, Bucks 01628 483597 www.marlowentertainers.co.uk
01 - 05 December 2009 Garforth Amateur Dramatic Society The Miners’ Welfare Hall, Garforth Leeds LS25 1AA, W Yorks 0113 286 3534
08 - 12 December 2009 Stewarton Drama Group Stewarton Area Centre Stewarton, Scotland stewartondramagroup@hotmail.co.uk
23 December - 02 January 2009 Deben Players Seckford Theatre Woodbridge, Suffolk 01394 382240
29 December 2009 - 02 January 2010 Hertford D & OS Castle Hall Hertford, Herts 01922 531500
23 December 2009 - 03 January 2010 OTFM Productions Bridge House Theatre Warwick, Warwickshire 01926 421774
SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS
18 - 21 November 2009 Eyemouth & Dist Community Youth Theatre Eyemouth High School (old) Eyemouth, Berwickshire 01890 750585
07 - 12 December 2009 Retford & District Amateur Operatic Society Retford Little Theatre Retford, Notts 01777 702002 08 - 12 December 2009 Fakenham & District Light Opera Society Fakenham Community Centre Fakenham, Norfolk 01328 862622
SOMETHING’S AFOOT 11 - 14 November 2009 Players 2 Compass Theatre Ickenham, Middx 01895 673200
SWEENEY TODD
24 - 28 November 2009 Cleckheaton & Spenborough AO & DS Town Hall Cleckheaton, W Yorks 01274 877828
SWEET CHARITY
03 - 07 November 2009 East Berkshire Operatic Society The Wilde Theatre South Hill Park Arts Centre Bracknell, Berks 0845 450 5301 10 - 14 November 2009 Chester-le-Street Amateur Operatic Society Park View Community Theatre Chester-le-Street, Durham 0191 584 3061
SOUTH PACIFIC
09 - 14 November 2009 Bingley Amateur Operatic Society Bingley Arts Centre Bingley, W Yorkshire 01274 432000
SPOTLIGHT ON BROADWAY 27 - 28 November 2009 Wimborne Musical Theatre Society The Tivou Theatre Winborne, Dorset 012012 885566
10 - 14 November 2009 Rickmansworth Players Watersmeet Rickmansworth, Herts 08447 451944 17 - 21 November 2009 Potters Bar Theatre Company Wyllyotts Theatre Potters Bar, Herts 01707 880017
STRICTLY MUSICALITY
TAN TAN TARA TZING BOOM
SUMMER HOLIDAY
THE BFG
03 - 05 December 2009 Aldridge Musical Comedy Society Brownhills Community School Theatre Brownhills, West Midlands 01543 480626
10 - 14 November 2009 Southey Musical Theatre Co Montgomery Theatre, Sheffield 0114 243 5587 www.southeymusicaltheatre.pwp.blueyonder. co.uk
27 - 28 November 2009 Sheringham Savoyards The Little Theatre Sheringham, Norfolk 01263 822347
09 - 12 December 2009 CCADS New Theatre Royal Portsmouth, Hampshire 023 9264 9000
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SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiar
TOPS Twickenham - Godspell
THE BLUNDERBUSS HALL MURDERS 09 - 14 November 2009 Progressive Players Little Theatre Gateshead Gateshead, Tyne & Wear 0191 478 1499 www.littletheatregateshead.com
THE BOYFRIEND
25 - 28 November 2009 Sudbury Musical Society Quay Theatre Sudbury, Suffolk 01787 374745 12 - 14 November 2009 Redbridge Musical Guild Kenneth More Theatre Ilford, Essex 0208553 4466 www.kenneth-more-theatre.co.uk
THE CANTERVILLE GHOST 26 - 28 November 2009 Hulviz Operatic Society Bob Hope Theatre Eltham, London 020 8858 9803
THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE
19 - 21 November 2009 Hemel Hempstead Theatre Company The Boxmoor Playhouse Hemel Hempstead, Herts 01442 234004
THE CHALK GARDEN
19 - 21 November 2009 Redbridge Stage Co. Kenneth More Theatre Ilford, Essex 0208553 4466 www.kenneth-more-theatre.co.uk
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THE CRUCIBLE
25 - 28 November 2009 Runnymede Drama Group Rhoda McGaw Theatre Woking, Surrey 01784 242512 www.rdg.org
THE DARLING BUDS OF MAY 18 - 21 November 2009 Stage Door Theatre Company Windmill Theatre Littlehampton, West Sussex 01903 722224
THE DRESSER
18 - 21 November 2009 Pattingham Drama Group Pattingham Village Hall Pattingham, nr Wolverhampton, Staffs 01902 700393
THE EDGE OF DARKNESS 23 - 28 November 2009 Droylsden Little Theatre Castle Close Manchester, Greater Manchester 0161 370 7713 www.droylsdenlittletheatre.co.uk
THE FULL MONTY
October 28 - November 7, 2009 Darlington Operatic Society Darlington Civic Theatre 01325 244659 www.darlingtonoperaticsociety.org.uk 17 - 21 November 2009 Springers Cramphorn Theatre Chelmsford, Essex 07765 772059
18 - 21 November 2009 Bacup AO & DS Royal Court Theatre Bacup, Lancashire 01706 874080
THE HAUNTED THROUGH LOUNGE AND RECESSED DINING NOOK AT FARNDALE CASTLE 05 - 07 November 2009 Hall Players Parish Hall, Fulwood Preston, Lancashire 01772 863801 www.hallplayers.org.uk
THE HOLLOW
25 - 28 November 2009 Edinburgh Makars Adam House Theatre, Edinburgh, Scotland 0131 445 3911 www.edinburghmakars.com
THE HOMECOMING
18 - 21 November 2009 One Off Productions New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, Hampshire 023 9264 9000
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
02 - 05 December 2009 Bramley Players Electric Theatre, Guildford, Surrey 01483 444789 www.bramleyplayers.org
THE JUNKYARD STORY
18 - 19 December 2009 Be Inspired Productions Be-Inspired Productions Studio Rugby, Warwickshire 07842 687632 www.beinspiredproductions.webs.com
THE LIKES OF US
18 November 2009 - 21 November 2010 BLODS De La Warr Pavilion Bexhill-on-Sea, E Sussex 01424 229111 25 - 28 November 2009 Polden Productions Edington Village Hall Bridgwater, Somerset 01278 723095
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
11 - 12 December 2009 The Histons Players Amateur Dramatic Soc Trinity Methodist Church Codsall, Staffs 07799 116823
THE LOVE OF FOUR COLONELS
05 - 07 November 2009 Alton Operatic & Dramatic Society Assembly Rooms Alton, Hants 01730 827200
THE MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW 10 - 21 November 2009 Leeds Childrens Theatre The Carriageworks Leeds, West Yorkshire 0113 2243801 www.leeds-childrens-theatre.co.uk
THE MIKADO
03 - 07 November 2009 Erdington Operatic Society Sutton Coldfield Town Hall Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands 0121 360 6627
AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
16/10/2009 11:41:12
OWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>> THE MUSIC MAN
17 - 21 November 2009 Oxted Operatic Society Barn Theatre Oxted, Surrey 01883 714103 www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk
THE MUSICAL COMEDY MURDERS OF 1940 17 - 21 November 2009 Nomad Theatre Group Nomad Theatre East Horsley, Surrey 01483 284717
THE PANTOMIME ADVENTURES OF SINBAD 03 - 06 December 2009 Kaleidoscope Players The Guildhall Theatre Derby 01332 281900
THE PIED PIPER
26 - 28 November 2009 Rowlands Castle ADS Rowlands Castle Parish Hall Rowlands Castle, Hampshire 023 9241 3124
THE PRODUCERS
03 - 07 November 2009 North Staffordshire Amateur Operatic Society Regent Theatre Hanley, Stoke on Trent, Staffs 01782 323050
THE RAILWAY CHILDREN 03 - 08 November 2009 Morecambe Warblers AOS Grand Theatre Lancaster, Lancs 01524 417216
THE SHELL SEEKERS 20 - 21 November 2009 Princess Theatre Club The Princess Theatre Club Hunstanton, Norfolk 01485 532252
THE THREE TOWNS IN CONCERT 20 - 21 November 2009 Three Towns Operatic Society Lowton Civic Hall Lowton, Cheshire 01942 883722
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS 03 - 06 December 2009 The Good Companions John Keble Church Hall Edgware, Middlesex 0845 241 0364 www.thegoodcompanions.org.uk
THE WEDDING SINGER
THERESE RAQUIN 11 - 14 November 2009 Preston Drama Club Preston Playhouse Preston, Lancs 01772 744771
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE 03 - 07 November 2009 Bury St Edmunds AO & DS Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk 01284 769505
18 - 21 November 2009 Wallasey Amateur Operatic Society Floral Pavilion Theatre New Brighton, Wirrall, Merseyside 0151 639 4016 19 - 21 November 2009 Lytham Acadamy of Theatre Arts Lowther Pavilion Lytham St Annes, Lancs 01253 658666 23 - 28 November 2009 Kirkcaldy Amateur Operatic Society Adam Smith Theatre Kirkcaldy, Fife 01592 583302 24 - 28 November 2009 Stockport Amateur Operatic Society Plaza Theatre Stockport, Cheshire 0161 427 7121
TITUS ANDRONICUS 10 - 14 November 2009 Derby Shakespeare Theatre The Guildhall Theatre Derbyshire 01332 255800
21 November 2009 Woodley Players Theatre Company Hatherlow Sunday School Romiley, Stockport 0161 430 5066
TOM, DICK & HARRY 02 - 05 December 2009 St Ursula Players The Newman Hall Westbury On Trym, Bristol 0117 9624431 www.stursulaplayers.co.uk
TONS OF MONEY
19 - 21 November 2009 Amateur Players of Sherborne Digby Hall Sherborne, Dorset 01935 814626
TREASURE ISLAND
22 December 2009 - 02 January 2010 Highbury Little Theatre Highbury Little Theatre Sutton Coldfield, W Midlands 0121 373 2761
TRIAL BY JURY AND HMS PINAFORE
01 - 05 December 2009 Selsig Amateur Operatic Society Park and Dare Theatre, Treorchy 01443 438053
TWELFTH MAN
10 - 14 November 2009 Ecclesall Theatre Company Ecclesall Parish Hall Sheffield, S. Yorkshire 0114 2308842 16 - 19 December 2009 Stage 2 Youth Theatre Company The Crescent Theatre Birmingham, W Mids 0121 643 5858
ty sH ows
Music and Lyrics by CHARLIE SMALLS Book by WILLIAM F. BROWN Adapted from “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum
28 - 31 OctOber 2009 ARTHUR COTTERELL THEATRE, KINGSTON 7.30pm (2.30pm Sat Matinee) Tickets £13.00 / £9.00 BSL SIGNEd pERfORMANCE ON THURSdAy 29 OCTOBER @ 7.30pm
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Samuel french Limited
Wardrobe Supplies
Dress Studs
CUFFLINKS
Ageing/breaking
down products
DYES
11 - 14 November 2009 Tinkers Farm Opera Company The Crescent Theatre Birmingham, W Midlands 0121 643 5858
18 - 21 November 2009 Woodford Community Players Woodford Community Centre Stockport, Cheshire 0161 439 7535
HALL OWIz Hal ! par loween
TOAD OF TOAD HALL
11 - 14 November 2009 Greenock Light Opera Company Greenock Arts Guild Theatre Greenock, Renfrewshire 01475 723038
THE WINSLOW BOY
JOIN U 31 O ctOb S ON er FO r OU r
STIFF COLLARS
08 - 12 December 2009 Salisbury Amateur Operatic Society City Hall Salisbury, Wilts 01722 434434
www.wardrobesupplies.co.uk 0845 053 8873
AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
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SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiar By Jeeves - Theydon Bois Drama Society
Barefoot in the Park’ at the Walton-on-Thames Festival of Drama Staines Players
www.asmagazine.co.uk
TWELFTH MAN
05 - 12 December 2009 Halifax Thespians Halifax Playhouse Halifax, West Yorkshire 01422 365998 www.halifaxplayhouse.org.uk
VAUGHAN SINGERS IN CONCERT 21 November 2009 Vaughan Singers Sutton Coldfield Town Hall Sutton Coldfield, W Midlands 0121 354 6977
WAR-TIME NOSTALGIA
19 November 2009 Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society The Athenaeum Warminster, Wilts 01225 763261 20 - 21 November 2009 Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society The Arc Theatre, Trowbridge, Wilts 01225 763261
WEST SIDE STORY
02 - 07 November 2009 Worthing Musical Comedy Society Connaught Theatre Worthing, W Sussex 01903 247999
11 - 14 November 2009 Mulberry Singers Drayton Methodist Church Drayton, Hampshire 01489 565252
17 - 21 November 2009 Centenary Theatre Company The Brindley Theatre Company Runcorn, Merseyside 0151 907 8360
WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
WIND IN THE WILLOWS
10 - 12 December 2009 East Berkshire Operatic Society Pinewood Theatre, Pinewood Leisure centre Wokingham, Berks 0118 973 3464
WEST END NOW
13 November 2009 Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society Matravers School Westbury, Wilts 01225 763261 14 November 2009 Trowbridge Amateur Operatic Society The Pound Arts Centre Corsham, Wilts 01225 763261
25 - 28 November 2009 Guilsborough Musical & Dramatic Society Guilsborough Village Hall Guilsborough, Northants 01604 7400293 26 - 28 November 2009 Soberton Players Soberton Village Hall Soberton, Hampshire 01329 833823 01 - 05 December 2009 Spotlight Musical Theatre Group Public Hall Beccles, Suffolk 07887 750846
Fundraising Murder Mystery Plays
WIZARD OF OZ
04 - 07 November 2009 The Hastleons White Rock Theatre Hastings, E Sussex 01424 462288
26 - 28 November 2009 Richmond Operatic Society The Georgian Theatre Royal Richmond, North Yorkshire 01748 825252
Simple to Stage Earn hundreds for your society!
11 - 14 November 2009 Maghull Musical Theatre Company The Little Theatre Southport, Merseyside 01704 530521 17 - 21 November 2009 Chesterfield Operatic Society Pomegranate Theatre Chesterfield, Derbyshire 01246 345222
03 - 05 December 2009 Whitby Area Musical Theatre Company Whitby Pavilion Theatre, Whitby, N Yorks 01947 604855
WORKING
02 - 04 November 2009 Rainbow Youth Theatre Harraton Community Centre Washington, Tyne and Wear 0191 416 3454
Titles to suit all casts www.murderplays.com NEVILLE’S ISLAND 01257 483702
25 - 28 November 2009 Ponteland Repertory Society Memorial Hall Ponteland, Northumbria 01661 822985
04 - 12 December 2009 Nantwich Players Player’s Theatre, Natwich, Cheshire 01270 537359
Entries invited HERTFORD THEATRE WEEK
Organised by Hertford Dramatic & Operatic Society Full-length play Festival and heat for NDFA British All-Winners Festival
CASTLE HALL, HERTFORD 22nd to 27th March 2010 Adjudicator Paul Fowler, GODA
Full details and entry forms from Penny Coyston, 8 Martins Drive,Hertford, SG13 7TA. (01992 537440 or p.coyston@dsl.pipex.com) Closing date for entries – 2nd November 2009
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AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
AN IMP OF THO ACCES COVER AVAILA BEAUT
16/10/2009 12:32:41
Wdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>> The Bull Theatre FFBOS.com
68 High Street, Barnet, EN5 5SJ
Finchley & Friern Barnet Operatic Society presents
Book & lyrics by Howard Ashman Based on the film by Roger Corman
Designed by STEPHANIE NYLAND
e
Evenings at 7:45 pm Sat Matinee at 3:00 pm
ck M et ON s fo DA r Y th N e IG pr H ic T e of
Monday 19th to Saturday 24th OCTOBER 2009 at 7.30pm
2
Ti
TICKETS £9.00 - £12.00 BOX OFFICE 0161 928 1677
Music by Alan Menken Screenplay by Charles Griffith
Tues 10th – Sat 14th November 09 on
Directed by JOHN CUNNINGHAM
Affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association
Tickets: 020 8482 6923 tickets@ffbos.com
www.ticketsource.co.uk/ffbos This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD. on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of NEW YORK.
Zodiac Musical Society Presents
By arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD Orchestration: Andy Rumble Music: Barry Manilow • Lyrics: Bruce Sussman & Jack Feldman Book written by: Barry Manilow, Bruce Sussman & Jack Feldman
4-7th Nov 2009
Magna Carta Arts Theatre, Egham Ticket Prices: £10.00 - £13.00 Box Office: 01932 782571 Director: Jo Garofalo Registered Charity No. 800031
www.zodiacmusicalsociety.net Zodicac Musical Society is affiliated with NODA Zodiac A5 Leaflet Copacabana.indd 1
1/9/09 16:19:38
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33 16/10/2009 11:42:24
FEATURES Yes, the announcement has been made that Love Never Dies, a musical which continues the story of The Phantom Of The Opera will open in London in March 2010. The genesis of this show has been a long one. There have been numerous collaborators and several false starts but this time Lloyd Webber seems convinced he’s got it right. Lloyd Webber started the process of dreaming up a new Phantom story many moons ago with collaborator Frederick Forsythe. Lloyd Webber says “ It was Freddy’s idea to relocate the Phantom to New York where he would rule over Manhattan from above”, ideas which were eventually published in Forsythe’s novella The Phantom Of Manhattan. The duo set to work but ultimately it came to nothing. It seems that the main problem for Lloyd Webber centred on the story. Original set designer Maria Bjornson once quipped to Lloyd Webber that the ending of the original show was entirely unfulfilling and Lloyd Webber was quick to comment “There’s unfinished business here, the ending of Phantom is quite enigmatic to put it mildly. I just felt it would be great to come back to the characters but it all came back down to the story.”
HE’S BACK!
Last week in London, Andrew Lloyd Webber gathered the international media to announce his new musical offering. Douglas Mayo went along to hear the news and chat with Lord Lloyd Webber, Director Jack O’Brien and the two stars of the show.
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It was not until Ben Elton entered the frame that Lloyd Webber seemed to have found his solution. It was apparently Elton’s comment that people wanted to know what happened to the characters they already knew that seemed to seal the deal and set the train moving again. Together with Jack O’Brien, director of Hairspray and Glenn Slater, lyricist of Sister Act and The Little Mermaid, a new story was developed and it was decided that Love Never Dies would pick up ten years on. The Phantom has relocated to Coney Island in New York. He lures Christine to the USA with promises of a performance contract. More than this is being kept shrouded in secrecy at the moment. “It’s a fantastic story” says Lloyd Webber, I have found that in musical theatre, story is fundamental, therefore the story drove this”. Jack O’Brien comments that once on board as director he offered advice to the whole team. “You are playing around with people’s memories and aspects of their imaginations here. You’d better know what you are doing!” he says. “I thought it was a good idea to have some Americans on the team for this one and let’s face it the atmosphere in America was very different to France at that time so it helped to have that vocabulary on
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FEATURES
www.asmagazine.co.uk tap creatively. When I came on I became the nasty schoolmaster. Yes but why? Yes but who? How did that happen? Why did that come about? because audiences are going to be listening very astutely and we can’t afford to be cavalier. If it doesn’t make sense then we are culpable” O’Brien said. Musical Theatre history is scattered with the ghosts of sequels to hit musicals that failed to achieve the success of the originals. Annie 2, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public and Bring Back Birdie also failed spectacularly. Imagine then the pressure to follow up what is now officially the single most successful piece of entertainment ever created. Having taken billions of dollars worldwide, surely the pressure to succeed is huge? Even though the show is billed as “Phantom – The Story Continues”, mention the word “Sequel” to Lloyd Webber and the response received is interesting. “I don’t regard this as a sequel but more as a stand alone piece. There are practically no musical quotes from the original show, and none of the original melodies have been used. It’s a completely new show, if you haven’t seen the original you wouldn’t have any problems”.
better because you learn shortcuts and staging improvements. Jerry and I felt if we could just get all these companies together in the same place at the same time we could impart some of the fervour associated with a brand new production and have that carried onto productions around the world” O’Brien said. “We soon realised that finding actors for these roles was not going to be easy. These are daunting roles that are vocally punishing. In three or four years you can bet the conservatories will be turning out Christines and Phantoms by the score but in the meantime we decided to slow it down and roll out the show objectively.” What is rather unique about this production is the level of preparedness. The show is already completely cast and the original cast album is fully recorded and ready to be released on opening night. “I finished it about six weeks ago and I’m very happy” says Lloyd Webber.
The role of The Phantom has been given to the current West End incumbent Ramin Karimloo whilst Christine will be played by Sierra Boggess who played the role of Christine to great acclaim in Las Vegas before heading to Broadway to star in The Little Mermaid. “We’re just honoured and looking forward to the challenge” Sierra said. Asked whether he was modeling his Phantom on any of his predecessors, Ramin commented “that he had enjoyed finding his own version of the Phantom and was looking forward to developing the role further”. One thing is certain, the box office phones have already started ringing off the hook and tickets for this highly anticipated opening are already becoming scarce. Has Lloyd Webber created a second pot of theatrical gold – only time will tell – but the signs are looking good. www.loveneverdies.com
“It struck me that Coney Island as a setting was exotic, sinister and slightly macabre. You just have to wonder what this place must have been like” said Lloyd Webber. O’Brien comments “I mean no one had seen electricity at that time. When immigrants sailed into New York at night it wasn’t the Statue of Liberty they saw first, it was the electric lights of Coney Island. It is in this location we now find the Phantom. He is hiding in plain sight amongst all the other freaks and there is no doubt he is king of his domain”. We talked to Jack O’Brien about a rumour that had been circulated that the show was to open in three or four cities around the world simultaneously, a mammoth feat for any new musical. “Yes, Jerry Mitchell and I saw the value in doing this because first of all the show is completely written. I’m not going to be sitting up til 3am re-doing scenes. Andrew and the team have spent years getting this right and putting together what is in fact an opera. The way that things normally work is that a show is rolled out worldwide over several years. Trying to get the original team together to do that can be problematic so sometimes direction gets left to people who never had a hand in the original and motivations can be lost in translation. We all know that if the first staging is good, subsequent productions get better and
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FEATURES
MICHAEL BRUCE GOOD ENOUGH? Michael Bruce is a young British composer on a roll. Currently preparing for an all star concert showcase of his work in the West End in November, he took time out to chat with Douglas Mayo about his rather eclectic beginnings and what drives him to succeed. Michael Bruce is currently riding high as an up and coming musical theatre writer, but his beginnings couldn’t have been further from where he is now. “As a young kid of two or three my grandfather used to march us kids around the sofa to pipe band music. I started dance classes and eventually did some highland dancing becoming Scottish Champion when I was a bit older.” He says. “ It was something I was passionate about. When I started secondary school I was still very much into it but started playing Table Tennis (random I know), but I found out that at a certain level I could play for Scotland. That became slightly more cool to me at the time. Throughout this I had a thing about wanting to learn the piano but we didn’t have one in the house, we didn’t have spare room for one and to be honest we really couldn’t afford one, so in my desperation I taught myself piano. To this day I have never had a lesson. If I was in a music shop or at school near a piano I was on it. The first time I sat down at a piano it wasn’t a natural thing. It took some work but I loved it”. “I got a little keyboard and taught myself quite a bit. At that stage there was a rule that you couldn’t learn piano unless you had one; and a keyboard didn’t count. So I learnt the violin instead and hated it. I was very much one of those kids who really didn’t want to do it. I’d go in to lessons once a week knowing I hadn’t practiced and the teacher was really lovely. I’d start to play a scale and I’d just wait for the moment she realised I hadn’t done any practice at all”. “One day in music class we had an exercise to write a song in a group. I sat down and found it came quite naturally and people seemed to like it. That kind of started something and I went through a period where I saw myself becoming a popstar like Britney Spears and I’d write my own songs. I had written this really great cowboy song, I had even visualised the music video and what I’d wear. Hearing it back now it actually wasn’t
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that bad but it’s quite dated.” Michael’s eureka moment came thanks to a TV documentary on Diane Warren. “You know how as a kid you watch things over and over again, it suddenly hit me that this amazing woman made a living out of writing songs and I thought that’s what I want to do.” Unsuprisingly though the system really didn’t know what to make of Michael. “At school I was quite good academically and they wanted me to go off and do law or something like that. On careers day I decided to test the water by saying I wanted to be a songwriter and I’ll never forget the women shouting at me. She just didn’t get it and said “Whatever, but here’s the books on law!”, which made me incredibly angry. I ended up finding places like the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA), which is where I ended up. I did end up applying for law (and I got in) but I really wanted to go to LIPA to study songwriting. The only glitch was that I wasn’t old enough, so I took a year out to write songs and try to do my own thing. I spent the year working in Sainsburys which was important I think in terms of learning about life and money and just realising how hard it was. A year later I auditioned for LIPA and a few other places and whilst I did get into other places I didn’t get a place at LIPA. I badgered and badgered them. I was on a reserve list calling them weekly to find out if I had got in. They offered me a place and I set to work. It was at the end of the second year that I thought I’d like to write for musical theatre. I had had my own band but to be honest it was a nightmare trying to get everyone together to practice and perform so it kind of fell by the wayside. Someone approached LIPA to write the score for a musical they had obtained Arts Council funding for. I ended up doing it and rewriting some of the lyrics. What we also did was to stage a small showcase of it at LIPA. People came and seemed to like it and seemed to be
moved by it. By my third year my focus had moved from performing to writing. After I graduated, I got a job working with the producer Chris Moreno working on tours of Annie, Hello Dolly and his cruise ship productions. I loved the job because of the variety it offered me. Some days were spent in the studio, others were spent doing music copying or rehearsing. It was just a case of getting thrown in at the deep end and I loved it. There was no time to think about what you were doing, you just had to do it. The opportunity to write a bit for panto was really cool. “ So what’s it like having a concert of your work in the West End with such an amazing cast? “It’s great at this time to be coming into the West End and being allowed to do a concert of my work. I’ve never really conformed to how it’s supposed to be done, so it feels kind of cool that I’m doing this in my own way. I’m not really interested in doing old stuff, it’s so much more fun to write new material. “ Is there a style that you have been most influenced by or particularly like? “I’m still very early into my career but I was taught that every show needs to have its own musical world – it’s own musical vocabulary. At the moment i’m really enjoying writing comedy. I’ve been to a few showcase events where everybody is pouring their heart out in huge ballads, but I just love those comedy moments. In the concert I am lucky enough to have the lovely Julie Atherton singing a new song about a jilted Disney princess. It takes a lot to imbue a song with comedy but also have it break your heart as well.” What about collaborators, do you ever see yourself working with other people? “I tend to write music and lyrics. I’ve not really had much success with collaborating. I find that the music and lyrics are so intrinsic that I feel that they
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FEATURES
www.asmagazine.co.uk need to come from the same place and work seamlessly. The music for me is informed by what the people are singing.” Is there a key to success with musicals? “I know that people say that new musicals are usually based on existing stories but all of my stuff has been based on new material. It still comes down to having a strong story though.” He says. You seem to be a go getter when it comes to work, what else are you working on at the moment? “I’ve just finished work on a cd of the concert series Christmas In New York which I orchestrated and which includes two of my songs. I’m not expecting anything to come out of the concert, but I am looking forward to showcasing my work and being able to show people that there is good new British talent out there. “ So is it difficult to get material performed in the UK? “In terms of being difficult to get shows up and running, my thinking is this - You need to get your material performed to see if it works, so try putting it on in your school hall and get friend to come and see it. It’s not easy to get presented in the West End but if you are doing it for all the right reasons , to tell a story or to move people, then do it small and build on it. I’ve never really gotten anywhere by writing off to people and asking them to do things, that has never really worked for me. It tends to be people you meet socially. You have to get up and get out and try to get involved. I always seem to get myself in situations where people ask me to do something and I think “wow, that’s really out of my comfort zone – ok I’ll do it” and so far it’s worked out for the best. The first time I did any proper orchestrations was for Ruthie Henshall in concert. It could have been awful but I had to put a lot of work into it to make it great. “ A competition was recently announced giving performers a chance to join the cast through an online audition process. What was the thinking behind that? “I started working with the concert producers as a result of winning a competition to write a song in The Stage. Looking at the cast for the concert we realised a few of them have been involved in reality TV shows that tried to cast musicals. So this competition is a really nice way for me to say to someone else here’s a chance – make the most of it.” We’re looking forward to hearing more about Michael as he develops further shows. He is currently doing further work on a musical called ED which took Edinburgh by storm. In the meantime, make a point of seeing his concert or perhaps entering the competition. You
may end up sharing a stage with Daniel Boys!! Michael Bruce – A Little Less Ordinary will be presented at the Apollo Theatre on November 1st. For further information
on the concert and the Christmas In New York CD visit: www.notesfromnewyork.com.
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PLAYSCRIPTS
THE FLINT STREET NATIVITY
A play by Tim Firth Published by Samuel French ISBN: 978057311310 (Boys 7, Girls 5) Mizzis Horrocks’ class of seven year olds is about to perform their nativity play at Flint Street Junior School for the proud mums and dads - and the occassional social worker. Squabbles arise when Gabriel wants to play Mary, the Star grumbles he’s not a proper star like they have at NASA, Herod won’t stop waving to his mum and dad and the subversive Innkeeper is determined to liven up the traditional script. And then the stick insect escapes... The children are played by adults, who later play their parents, so the set changes accordingly to reflect the difference in scale. This warm, witty funny play is an ideal alternative to the usual Christmas far with original lyrics set to the tunes of traditonal carols. Tim Frith’s play has a delicate blend of light and darkness which gives this play the potential to appeal to audiences of all ages. The politics of staging a school play, the childrens characters and the witty lyrics make this well worth a look if you are looking for your next seasonal offering.
ROSIE’S SHOES
A One Act Play by Audrey Ringrose Published by Drama Association of Wales ISBN: 1898740844 (M1, F1) Stan is lonely and irascible, still grieving after the death of his beloved wife, Rosie, and haunted by guilt memories of his Polish childhood. He strikes up a friendship with Samantha, a young single mother. As a child at primary school, Samantha loved Rosie, who was a classroom assistant there. Samantha has her own problems and her relationship with Stan is often tempetuous. It is hard for her to understand his passionate Polish temperament, and he is too proud to compromise. Hoever, their love of Rosie unites them and Samantha is able to bring Stan’s life to a tranquil close.
LITTLE GEM
A Play by Elaine Murphy Published by Nick Hern Books ISBN: 9781848420786 (F3) This superb little play relates the story of three generations of women over the course of one extraorinary year. Amber has fierce bad indigestion and the sambucas arent getting rid of it. Lorraine attacks a customer and her boss wants her to see a psychiatrist. Kay’s got an itch ‘down there’ that Gem can’t scratch. And if all that wasn’t enough, Little Gem makes his presence felt and - well - life is never the same again. These entwined monologues create a remarkable portrait of these Dublin women. The characters are incredibly down to earth, easy to care about and beautifully realised by playwright Murphy.
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PLAYSCRIPTS
www.asmagazine.co.uk
BLOOD AND ICE
A Play by Liz Lochhead Published by Nick Hern Books ISBN: 9781848420618 (M3, F4) It is Summer 1816 and at a house party on the shores of Lake Geneva, eighteenyear-old Mary and her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley, along with Mary’s half sister Claireand the infamous Lord Byron, take part in a challenge to see who can write the most horrifying story. Mary’s contribution is to become one of the most celebrated Gothic novels of all time. This play as every bit as exciting and thrilling as the plot description. It’s a play that offers an acting tour de force from the actor playing Mary, as she’s on for nearly all of the play. The writing is lush and poetic, Lochhead has woven a lavish spider’s web as Mary’s life is subtley connected with her infamous monster.
BOOKS THE ESSENTIAL NOEL COWARD COMPENDIUM Edited by Barry Day Published by Metheun Drama ISBN 9781408108697
Noel Coward made a prolific contribution to the arts with over fifty plays and musicals, screenplays, songs, verse, novels, two and a half volumes of published autobiography, letters and diaries to his name. For fans and newcomers to Coward’s work, this compendium represents the very best of Noel Coward in one entertaining volume - with extracts from the best scenes from his plays and screenplays, songs, verse and an entire short story. Material is also included from Coward’s autobiography, diaries and letters, along with caricature drawings, photographs, anecdotes and trivia. If you only buy one book on Coward, or do not have time to wade through other more substantial works, this collection represents excellent value.
FIRST STEPS FOR STROLLING PLAYERS
A practical Guide to Promenade Theatre by Ann Thomson Self Published - contact author on fontonann@aol.com Following her own experiences with staging promenade productions, Ann Thomson has sought to pass on her experiences and insight into the staging of promenade theatre. This concise guide provides a masterclass in planning, directing and promoting promenade productions. The very idea of such productions often involving numerous performance spaces in outdoor settings are enough to make many turn and run, but Thomson’s guide does much to alleviate problems and pitfalls providing well thought out valuable advice.
Samuel French Ltd The play publisher
NEW RELEASES!
Lizzy, Darcy and Jane a play by Joanna Norland
Cast M5 F7 or M2 F4 with doubling. SCene Various simple settings. Period 1796 - 1802 In Lizzy, Darcy and Jane, Jane Austen pits her wit and will against her greatest adversary and ally — the intrepid heroine of Pride and 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 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. Price £8.50
The Flint Street Nativity
a play by Tim Firth Cast M7 F5 sCene Various simple settings
Mizzis Horrocks’ class of seven year olds is about to perform their nativity play at Flint Street Junior School for the proud mums and dads — and the occasional social worker. Squabbles arise when Gabriel wants to play Mary, the Star grumbles he’s not a proper star like they have at NASA, Herod won’t stop waving to his mum and dad and the subversive Innkeeper is determined to liven up the traditional script. And then the stick insect escapes ... Price £8.75
French’s Theatre Bookshop 52 Fitzroy St London W1T 5JR Tel: 020 7255 4300 Fax: 020 7387 2161
AN OMMISSION
Please accept our apologies we neglected to mention that Brown, Son and Ferguson where the publishers of Ghosts of the Rosevear and the Wreck of the Nancy Packet last month.
Email: theatre@samuelfrench-london.co.uk
www.samuelfrench-london.co.uk AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
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REVIEWS
SO YOU WORK IN AMATEUR THEATRE? Have you ever thought about becoming even better at what you love most? There are hundreds of amateur theatre companies in the country, and quite a few of them produce such high-quality work that they outshine even the professionals. If you are amongst them, skip to the second to last paragraph of this article now, for details of our special offer. If you feel you could possibly join their ranks with a bit of a step-up, please read on. At Nick Hern Books we try our best to support amateur theatre groups through our free Guide to Plays for Performance, which is regularly updated and provides you with detailed information on each play, with cast and staging information, extracts and summaries. We also pride ourselves on our friendly service and personal advice over the phone. Choosing a play that is right for you should therefore be made relatively easy. (Here is our phone number, in case you haven’t got it to hand: 020 8749 4953) But what do you do once you’ve found that elusive play of your dreams, the one that really works for you, your cast and crew? You want to give it the best possible treatment, of course, and to help you do just that, we have published a series of books for people who really want to polish up their existing skills, be they as an actor, director or even as a playwright (in case you decide that none of the plays already written fit the bill).
So You Want To Be A Theatre Director?
Stephen Unwin, Artistic Director of the Rose Theatre, Kingston, and previously head of English Touring Theatre (ETT), has written the perfect ‘how to’ book on theatre directing, taking us step-by-step through *choosing the play *casting *design *rehearsals, including: Establishing Facts, Improvisation, Language, Character, Blocking and Using Specialists He is aware of the many difficulties of directing and says that although the book is written with professional practice in mind, directing is directing, wherever you do it. So this is perfect briefing material for amateur dramatics, university drama and school plays as well as for professionals.
So You Want To Be An Actor?
Co-written by two of the best-known names in British theatre, Prunella Scales and Timothy West, this book covers over
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sixty topics and offers practical, handson advice on all you need to know to become a good actor: *Approach to A Character *Auditions and Interviews *Working With People You Don’t Get On With *Audiences *Learning the Lines *Handling Text *Costume *Touring *Media Attention and *Fan Mail (you never know)
So You Want To Be A Playwright?
A manual for would-be playwrights - how to develop your play from first idea to first night. Tim Fountain, himself a playwright and former literary manager, raises - and provides answers to - over fifty topics, including: *What kind of play do you want to write? *Where do you get your ideas from? *How much exposition do you need? *Where do you find your character’s voices? *What should you do when you get stuck? *Where should you send your play? The final section deals with the actual production, from choosing directors, designers and actors to coping with rehearsals, previews and press nights. There are also vital websites and contact details for new-writing theatres, agents and publishers included. Does this sound inspiring? We do hope so... But if you do belong to the chosen few whose work is already bringing in awards by the dozen, you might still want to consider our special offer for a talented niece or nephew’s Christmas present: SPECIAL OFFER: If you order any of these three titles before 31 December 2009, you will receive a substantial discount and free UK delivery. When ordering, quote “SO YOU WANT AN OFFER” to receive the titles at £10.99 (RRP £12.99) “Director”, £7.99 (RRP £9.99) “Playwright”, and £7.49 (RRP £8.99) “Actor”. You can order on our website www.nickhernbooks.co.uk, by phone (020 8749 4953) or by fax (020 8735 0250) or by sending us a cheque to Nick Hern Books Ltd., The Glasshouse, 49a Goldhawk Road, London W12 8QP Out in January 2010: So You Want To Be A Theatre Producer? Pre-order offer £8.99 (RRP £10.99 free UK delivery
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REVIEWS
www.asmagazine.co.uk
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION Wyndham’s Theatre
The 1994 movie of Stephen King’s novella, The Shawshank Redemption, has attracted so much love and acclaim over the years that it was only a matter of time before it made it to the stage. After premiering in Dublin earlier this year, Owen Neill and Dave Johns’ stage version is a solid rendition of the story of Andy Dufresne, a prisoner wrongly convicted of murdering his wife, and his friendships and conflicts inside the Shawshank jail in Maine. Unlike the film, the play takes place entirely within the walls of the prison, represented by bars the full height of the stage, forming a cage around the actors. Some of the metaphorical power is lost in this version, which comes across as a straightforward prison drama, but it still has powerful moments thanks to the ensemble cast. What is missing is a sense of passing time – you are told at one point that something like 20 years have passed but the characters never change or age. Kevin Anderson (the original Joe Gillis opposite Patti LuPone in Sunset Boulevard) is strong as the aloof selfcontained Dufresne, while Reg E Cathey – best know for The Wire – is captivating as his wise, dignified friend, Red. Geoffrey Hutchings gives a moving performance as the bookish Brooksie while Mitchell Mullen is memorable as the dangerously smooth prison governor. Inevitably, the play will be compared to
the film and found lacking but, while it may not have some of the Hollywood punch, it is a well paced, unpretentious show redeemed by some excellent performances.
JERUSALEM
Royal Court, London Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem was a sellout success at the Royal Court, destined for a West End transfer in January 2010 and then possibly Broadway. Its appeal owes much to its lead, Mark Rylance as Johnny “Rooster” Byron, a lord of misrule who lives in a caravan in the woods, defying the authorities and regaling his rag-tag entourage with fabulous tales of his adventures. But the play is populated with a colourful variety of characters who help to build up a picture of a rural England under threat from the controls and conformities of modern civilisation. It is not an idealised world by any means but it is a world of gorgeous anarchic complexity that is being encroached upon by council officers, developers, violent thugs and the law. Ian Rickson’s production turned the stage into a
woodland using real trees (diseased Dutch elms that were destined for the chop anyway). Smells seeped off the stage into the auditorium, from the stench of petrol and early-evening woodsmoke to burning flesh, and you see real animals such as hens and a goldfish on stage, adding to its immediacy and vibrancy. It is not all about Rylance, however, with a splendid ensemble of characters making up his retinue of misfits who have little place in the new world order, with Mackenzie Crook particularly notable as Johnny’s oldest friend, Ginger. As they come and go from Rooster’s caravan in the woods, the action shifts back and forth from hilarious comedy to dark drama, with a constant sense of fantasy and myth lurking beneath the surface.
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THE LAST WORD Wisteria Cottage Garrick Road Campton Royal
Dear hearts, Campton Royal Amateur Players are in good form – well, mostly, but more of that later. The cast are working hard and I have made sure that they do not deviate from my direction by so much as an inch. Nikki made some comment about allowing the piece to develop in performance, naturally, I put her in her place. For goodness sake, where would we be if actors thought for themselves and started putting business and moves in willy-nilly? Truth be told, Nikki has far too many opinions for my liking. Take publicity for example. It has always been my practice to write postcards to put in the window of the newsagents and the Post Office notice board, bearing the title of the play and the dates and of course the name of our group. Sadly, there is only room for our initials. I showed one to Nikki who reacted by laughing hysterically for several minutes, so much so that she had an attack of hiccups and was taken outside by Darren to recover. When she returned, I patiently explained that this method has always attracted the fifty or sixty regulars to the three performances. For some reason, this set her off again and a good twenty minutes of rehearsal was wasted. Costumes are also under control. Evening suits for the men were proving hard to acquire, then, as luck would have it, Mr Phelps, the local undertaker died. (Lucky for us, not for him, that is.) Anyway, his wife could not bear to send his work clothes to Oxfam, and was delighted when I offered to take them off her hands at the funeral. Props proved my downfall, literally. I have a crystal ball, actually a fishing float, but it serves the purpose. Said object is stored on a high shelf, necessitating the use of a chair to reach it. Unfortunately, I overbalanced and fell in the process. The ball survived but my ankle was badly sprained. I called Marjorie and told her that I would not manage rehearsals for the next couple of weeks, but would be back for the dress, even if Madame Arcati had to use a cane. (I have a black one with a silver handle). She said she was sure they could muddle through. I do hope so, though I have my doubts. Who else has my expertise? Must phone her again and ask her to buy me more frozen peas. 577.peds_Hammond_AmatStage_Adv:2 Farewell for now
4/9/09
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AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009
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