amateur stage magazine december 2009

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WWW.ASMAGAZINE.CO.UKDECEMBER 2009 £2.95

THE MUSICALS ISSUEHERTFORD TURN 90 * THE PLAY POSTPONED

SHOW DIARY * WEST END REVIEWS

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dEC09_1-11V2.indd 2 14/12/2009 10:23:07

AS MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 20093

asmagazinedec09

15

FROM THE EDITOR

Seasons Greetings.In this issue of AS Magazine we are focusing on musicals. We are celebrating those exceptional shows which are still popular many years after this first productions and look at the latest offerings from one of the UK’s biggest musical rights holders.At this time of year we would like to offer all of our readers the very best and wish you all a propserous 2010 with a “Full House” sign outside all of your theatres.We look forward to a bigger and better 2010. We hope you enjoy this issue. RegardsDoug

THIS MONTH

20

12

8

5 NEWS News from around the country.

8 THE PLAY POSTPONED A cancellation diary by Helen Sharman.

11 FIRST NIGHT INSURANCE Robert Israel discusses insurance issues.

12 HERTFORD 90TH Jo Crossley looks at thei special anniversary. 15 MUSICAL BIRTHDAYS We look at some musicals celebrating significant birthdays this year. 20 THE MUSICAL PRODUCED Julian Cound talks about The Full Monty.

24 SHOW DIARY Listings for January and February 2010.

32 NEW MUSICALS The latest musicals available from Josef Weinberger

35 CD REVIEWS We look at the latest musical theatre recordings. 36 WEST END REVIEWS Mark Ludmon reviews the last West End offerings.

38 THE FINAL WORD The latest gossip from Doris Richardson Hall!

CREDITS

Published monthly by Next Phase Media LimitedSuite 404 Albany House, 324/326 Regent Street, London W1B 3HH

P: 0207 622 6670 www.asmagazine.co.uk

Publisher - Paul Webster : [email protected] - Douglas Mayo : [email protected]

Advertising : [email protected]/ Diary Listings : [email protected]

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

dEC09_1-11.indd 3 14/12/2009 11:39:11

Wed 24th - Sat 27th Feb 2010, 7.45pmTickets: £7.00 / £6.00 • Box Office: 01606 353534

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NEWS

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Orbital Sound and AS Magazine are proud to announce a very special training scheme for our readers. In 2010 Orbital Sound will be offering a newly-developed series of training courses structured to broaden theatre sound skills, irrespective of previous experience. Take advantage of our decades of theatre sound know-how, and demystify the techniques and technology by attending our free courses, covering eight modules each weekend.

Held at Orbitals’ South London seminar facility, the practical courses will help you become more proficient in all areas of theatre sound, with modules including:� the basics � mics, speakers and desks � show control software � MIDI, networking and remote control � wired and wireless communication � radio microphones � sounds system design and deployment � digital mixing desks � hands-on experience � sound effects � sourcing and strategies � bands, click tracks and foldback � working with digital audio. Put theatre sound at the top of your 2010 agenda by signing up for one or more of our free Professional Sound for the Amateur Stage courses:

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In 2010 we will be commissioning a range of technical articles. We’d like to know what you’d like to see. Email us with your suggestions : [email protected]

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dEC09_1-11.indd 5 14/12/2009 12:59:47

NEWS


MCKELLEN JOINS RUGBY AT 60TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Stage and screen star Sir Ian McKellen helped tiny Rugby Theatre celebrate its 60th birthday in style on Saturday night.

The Lord Of The Rings star was there on the final night of the theatre’s production of the hit musical Chess – and cut a massive 60th birthday cake in front of a packed audience at the venue in Henry Street in the town.

Sir Ian was there as the patron of the Little Theatre Guild, of which Rugby Theatre is a member, and climbed up on stage with the amateur stars to praise their production of the musical.

He said during a rousing speech: “With amateurs like these, who needs professionals,” before turning to the cast and saying a stage whisper “...I don’t mean that, obviously!”

Sir Ian said he was overawed by the quality of the theatre’s production, and urged the people of the town to support their local amateur actors by packing the auditorium for every performance of every show.

PETITION DEMANDS THAT THEATRE IS RE-OPENED.

A Plymouth man’s call for the city council to step in and re-open the Ath-enaeum Theatre has found support among amateur dramatic societies.

Fred Sharpe, from Plymstock, said he always enjoyed going to the Ath-enaeum, which provided reasonably-priced theatre entertainment in a ven-ue easily accessible to everyone.

Now Mr Sharpe, 59, has started a petition on the Number 10 Downing Street website calling on the council to speed the re-opening of the thea-tre for the benefit of the city and sur-rounding area.

“I know they haven’t got money for everything but they seem to find it for other things,” he said.

The financially-troubled Athenaeum Theatre closed at the end of July this year, leaving dozens of organisations such as amateur dramatic groups having to find new venues for their performances.

Mr Sharpe, who also campaigned against the closure before it hap-pened, said: “The longer the theatre remains closed the less likely it is to re-open.”

The Athenaeum remains open as the home to the Plymouth Athenaeum So-ciety, a 200-year-old members’ group of people interested in the arts and sciences which leases the building from Plymouth City Council. The soci-ety used to hire out the 340-seat thea-tre to other organisations, but said the

theatre ran at a loss of £50,000 a year due to staffing and insurance costs.

A council spokesperson said yes-terday: “We simply do not have the resources to ‘step in’ to run the Ath-enaeum, which is not a council-run venue.

“Our arts unit is currently compiling a guide for theatre companies detailing stages which are available in the city including stage sizes, technical spec and auditorium size. We also hope to extend this to consider more unusual spaces such as community centres and facilities in our schools and col-leges.

“Plymouth City Council is a keen supporter of the arts and contributes funding to the Theatre Royal, the Pa-vilions and the Barbican Theatre. “

But Mr Sharpe’s petition has found support among amateur dramat-ics groups, who said the Athenaeum could be made more financially viable if it were better advertised and the box office opened for longer hours.

Wendy Holmes, chair of the Wran-

glers Theatre Company, said this year her children’s company was perform-ing a Christmas show at Lipson Com-munity College’s new theatre, but it was not the same. “It’s absolutely out-rageous that the Athenaeum closed,” she said. “It’s a perfect community theatre.

“It’s so sad. I’m appalled by the lack of interest the council has shown.”

She said performing in a real, full-sized theatre provided young actors with a valuable experience that built confidence and would be beneficial whether or not they chose a career in acting.

David Bailey, the chairman of the Touchwood Musical Company, said: “I think it’s disgraceful that it closed down in the first place.”

He said bids had been made by oth-er parties to run the theatre but noth-ing came of them.

The petition can be seen and signed on the website http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/helpathenaeum/ and Mr Sharpe suggested that people could also write to the council if they did not have access to the internet.

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AS MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2009 7

PANTOMIMESBy JOHN CROCKER

The Smaller Cast VersionsALADDIN “PEAK OF PANTO PERFECTION”

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Western Morning NewsSLEEPING BEAuTy “ A RIP-ROARINg SUCCESS”

Exmouth HeraldCINDERELLA “TRADITIONAL PANTO AT IT’S BEST”

Hampshire GazetteDICK WHITTINGTON “A CRACKER OF A PANTO”

Evening Herald, PlymouthBABES IN THE WOOD “WONDERFUL NEW ChRISTmAS PANTO”

Herald Expressand the latest

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK “gIANT ChRISTmAS TREAT”Tiverton Crediton, Culm Valley Gazette

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52 Fitzroy St, London W1P 6JR Ph: 020 7387 9373

A NEW SOURCE OF PLAYSCRIPTSInnovative new source of playscriptsThe Bush Theatre in London has launched an innovative website, called Bush Green, where writers can upload their plays for other writers, producers, theatres and, of course, drama groups to read and consider for production. There is a wealth of plays, both full length and short with a full search facility, so it could be a val-uable extra source of scripts. There is a small charge for download, but you can preview each script before you do so. AS contributor Derek Webb was one of the first writers to have worked featured and is very pleased with the response to his work so far. His full-length play ‘Objects of Obsession’ has in fact become the fifth most popular download! You can access Bush Green by going to www.bushgreen.org

SOUTHERN COUNTIES DRAMA FESTIVAL AT OXTED’S BARN THEATRE

The All England Theatre Festival has a history dating back to 1919 when the British Drama League was formed. It is the only national competitive one act drama festival in the UK and organises an eliminating series of festivals which lead ultimately to the British final. The Southern Counties Drama Fes-tival, (previously The Betchworth Festival), a preliminary round of this festival has been an important part of local amateur dramatics in Surrey and Kent for over 50 years.

The result is the return of an exciting week of festival drama in 2010 from 22nd – 27th February, at the Barn Theatre in Oxted, with 12 groups com-peting against each other and Arthur Rochester, a member of The Guild of Drama Adjudicators, pressed with the difficult task of deciding who should be declared winner to go forward to the next round of festival.

With a mixture of youth and adult teams during the week, most entrants are experienced in festival and the Young Oxted Players have had recent experience of success in the further rounds that lead to the English and Brit-ish finals.

Tenacity and perseverance has ensured that this festival endures and you can support the endeavour by ordering your tickets by telephoning 01959 561811. General enquiries can be answered by telephoning 01959 561811 or by email at [email protected]. More information is also available at www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk/scdf.html This year’s selection of plays is an eclectic and interesting mix of comedy,

tragedy and drama and a week not to be missed.

SHOWS CANCELLED AS ELECTRICS FAILTheatre groups have had to call off their shows at the Royal Victo-ria Hall in Southborough as it shuts for extensive electrical rewiring work. The first stage of ongoing refurbishment will see the theatre close from January 18 to April 30.The town’s annual pantomine was almost cancelled when Scar-borough Town Council was told, by local electricians that the hall needed emergency electrical work to see it through the Christ-mas Season. The council agreed to carry out immediate work this week, leaving the bulk of the re-wire until the New Year.“The electrics keep failing because of their age” Mayor Colin Both-well said. “It’s been put off for probably the past 15 years by previ-ous councils because we thought we would have the money from the town centre development and it has never happened. But it’s come to a point where we can’t put it off any longer and we have to bite the bullet.” “It’s one of the finest theatres in the south east and we either have to save it or lose it.” Seven groups - schools, amateur dramatic clubs and dance schools - have had to cancel or schedule shows. However, all 2010 bookings were provisional as the council knew the works would have to take place some time in the year. The overall revamp of the hall - estimated to cost £500,000 is running behind schedule. The council would like to redecorate, update sound and lighting, improve the bar, toilets and seating, install a kitchen and return the front of the building to its original Victorian design.But the £65,000 of Southborough Town Council reserves allocated to the project are not enough to see the ambitious project through.“We have got to raise a lot of money and we haven’t got it so we’re going to have to fundraise,” said Cllr Bothwell.“Unfortunately, we don’t think we qualify for grants from English Heritage or the lottery.”He said he expected the whole project to run over the course of three to four years, without inter-rupting shows.

NEWS

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FEATURE


This is a cautionary tale of the farce and the ‘flu. For the first time that anyone can remember in its 59 year history, Beaconsfield Theatre Group was forced to cancel an entire run. This eventuality is mercifully rare, but with the dreaded swine ‘flu on the rampage, amateur groups are more vulnerable. The unthinkable can happen!BTG’s production of Charley’s Aunt was all systems go. The penultimate rehearsal showed energy, pace and panache and the cast could not wait to put it in front of an audience. Then the countdown to disaster started.

SUNDAY Set build on schedule and bookings looking good. Two members of cast phone the director. Both unwell and unable to come to the evening run through.

MONDAYTechnical rehearsalThe first two casualties still unwell. The husband of one confirmed as having swine ‘flu. Number two feeling worse. Number three calls in, also ill.Deep breaths all round and the tech continues as planned. Mercifully, this is not a demanding show in terms of sound

and lights. Stage management have three set changes to contend with and innumerable props, but who needs actors to sort logistics? Fast costume changes can be rehearsed at dress. So no panic.

TUESDAYDress rehearsalOne invalid is much better, one is on the way to recovery and threatening to stagger in, the other is barely able to speak or stand. Unfortunately this was the actor playing Jack who is the driving force in the play. Never mind, we can read him in and carry on. But no. Casualty number four calls at 3pm with a violent gastric upset. Dress rehearsal cancelled.Plan B: run Wednesday as a preview/open dress rehearsal and reduce ticket prices accordingly.

WEDNESDAYCall all invalids. Good news – three back on their feet and raring to go.Bad news -Jack Chesney is worse than yesterday. We have no understudy and the part is so physically demanding that even supposing we had a spare actor, it cannot be done justice without rehearsal and certainly not with a book in hand.Call the director and committee

members. We agree to cancel tonight and keep fingers crossed for tomorrow. This is a slim hope, but all amateurs are optimists. Call all cast and crew. Cast run a skeleton dress rehearsal without Jack. If he is back, then they will be better able to support him.Box office hits the phones. Fortunately we run our own system including on-line bookings and manage to contact all those pre-booked for tonight. I stand in the forlorn empty foyer to catch anyone who comes on the door. Ten appear, a party of four from a nearby operatic society who are very understanding. Two couples who said they would try again. Notice saying ‘Tonight’s performance cancelled’ attached to main door.

THURSDAYI didn’t sleep well last night! Cast had a good rehearsal and are desperate to go on. I am begged to coax, cajole and drag Jack to the theatre, in a wheelchair if necessary.11.30am : As arranged, call Master Chesney. He is wiped out, cannot say three words without coughing and has been diagnosed with swine ‘flu. No amount of coaxing is going to help the guy give a half decent performance. We’re out of choices. Call the director

THE PLAY POSTPONEDWe’re sure that many of you have read our insurance pages and thought “It will never happen to me”, well don’t be too sure. Helen Sharman (GODA) diarises the plight of her recent production of Charley’s Aunt.

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FEATURE

9

www.asmagazine.co.uk

and as many of the committee as possible; this sort of decision is a team game.12.30pm : We agree that a sub-standard performance would be frustrating for the actors, disappointing for the audience and all in all, would do the company as a whole far more harm than good. We further decide that we cannot repeat this process tomorrow in the hope of two shaky performances and we should call the whole thing off. Plan B: check availability of the theatre and redo the play sooner rather than later. If no slot available, then we would consider putting in our March slot and bumping March into May.1pm : Notice of the cancellation goes on our web site. Frantically try to contact cast and crew and field incoming calls at the same time. Don’t manage to speak directly to all of them, but leave messages with my number attached. I fear many of the cast are likely to be severely unhappy. Calls completed by 2.30pm. Regrettably, one actor has found out from a friend who saw the web site and calls me in fury. Much pouring of oil.Am pleasantly surprised by the response. Most are disappointed, but realistic, likewise the crew. Call them all to the theatre in the evening to discuss possible new dates and take advantage of the set, lights and costumes to grab publicity shots.4pm: Establish that the last two weeks in January are available. Perfect – the cast get a break, but not so long a gap that they will have forgotten everything. The dates are also early enough not to have a major knock-on effect on the next show.The local paper is sent an urgent press release which goes up on their web site almost immediately. A miracle!5pm : Box office and team have e-mailed the on-line bookers and our mailing list. Phone calls to other bookings for tonight and most of Friday completed.Be warned, it seems that if the phone provider is other than BT, then the individual and that precious number are not listed in the current BT directory.Treasurer has been in touch with our insurance company. Likely that major expenses will be covered, though obviously we lose ticket sales. Charley’s Aunt is out of copyright, but we make a courtesy call to Samuel French anyway.6pm: Meet with cast and crew. Despondent, but up for a second bite of the cherry. New dates are settled and booked with the theatre. Photo shoot goes well and there is much needed laughter and larking about. Props beaver away and take an inventory of everything on the stage and where it comes from. Those that are from members of the group are carefully boxed.The stage manager is absent and ill;

another key player is pink-eyed and streaming with cold. We made the right call!7pm; Attach notice to main door – All performances cancelled. Shame. I was hoping for ‘House Full’! Wait in foyer. Only four. One older man has come some distance so is plied with coffee and generally looked after.

FRIDAY : A little less stressed. The technicians plan the get-out with care and aim to work on Saturday afternoon. We need to keep the flats in as good a condition as we can for next time. There is also a hardboard floor that must be preserved as far as possible.Box office have finished the marathon task, hopefully word will have got round and there will be few on the door. The majority of those who booked are keen to return in January. All those who booked on-line using PayPal have been refunded. 7pm : Back in the foyer. Three or four appear looking for tickets. They are sympathetic and eager to come back. Take contact details to add them to our mailing list.

SATURDAY: Set is dismantled, lights de-rigged and so on, in a couple of hours thanks to many hands, including cast members. Mr Chesney is improved but still fragile, there was no way he could have done the show. He has a medical certificate to prove it!Try to make direct contact with the show sponsors, but have to make do with email. We will reprint the programme that they paid for and retain their big ad. They also paid for roadside boards which we have asked them to keep and we will alter the dates at our expense. Hope they will be happy with this.7pm: Back in the foyer. Only two tonight – one at 7.05pm the other at 7.55pm.In between it was like watching paint dry.

SUNDAY : We strip the theatre. Another good turn out, so quick work. The group is now looking forward to the ‘revival’ and the few who were disgruntled are now happy that the right decision was made.The photos look great and marketing has come up with a bright new image. As a silver lining, like many towns, Beaconsfield has a Festival of Lights, the perfect opportunity to leaflet and advertise the new dates. We will be competing with panto, but hey, it’s a farce

and we have a dame!P.S. We got fantastic coverage in the local press the very next week, so asDoris would say ‘Onwards and Upwards!’

LESSONSSome of these may seem obvious, but when you’re in a panic things are easily missed.1. Check the terms of your insurance.2. Know your cast. I have known ‘Jack’ for many years and if he says he can’t do it then he means it.3. If an irreplaceable actor is too ill to appear, try and get a medical certificate for insurance purposes.4. Talk. Talk. Talk and keep talking. Decisions of this magnitude are a team game and emails don’t cut it.5. Look for a new date wherever possible. To simply discard a production is demoralising for everybody and you will lose members6. If you have a revised date, catalogue props and costume and plan the get out to preserve as much as you can.7. Check your booking system. How would you , or the venue that handles the tickets, deal with this problem? ALWAYS take a phone number.8. Contact local press as soon as you can. They love a good disaster!9. Remove all advertising material, leaflets, posters as fast as possible.10. If you have paid royalties, contact the rights holders quickly to arrange refund or, hopefully, new dates.

playpostponed.indd 3 14/12/2009 10:28:19

AS MAGAZINE | MAY 200912

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others we offer our thanks.

insurance.indd 2 14/12/2009 11:19:30


FIRST NIGHT INSURANCE

11


Unfortunately, there is nothing like a good catastrophe to concentrate people’s minds on the boring subject of insurance. The latest event to capture the public’s imagination has, of course, been the severe flooding in Cumbria which occurred during the period of 19-22 November. The main areas being affected are the towns of Cockermouth and Workington, along with surrounding villages. Apparently the rainfall in Cumbria included the wettest 24 hour period for a single location in the UK since records began in 1914.

Insurers’ shop window is always their claims service and it is in circumstances like these that clients see whether they have in fact bought value for money. Unfortunately there have been a number of similar incidents over the recent past and insurers have, I am pleased to say, learned from each event. Loss adjusters and insurers themselves decamp en masse to the affected area in order to provide on-the-spot assistance to claimants.

The obvious portion of any claim is, of course, the flood aspect, which will result in drying out costs, as well as replacement and reinstatement costs. This, of course, is not the only element of the claim. Most important to the affected policyholders is where they are going to live whilst their property is undergoing the, unfortunately, very long timeframe required for drying out. This cover is provided by the “alternative accommodation” section of a household buildings policy. Most insurers will provide cover in the region of 10% of the buildings sum insured for alternative accommodation cost. One fortunate, if there is a fortunate, aspect to this particular flood is that there are, I understand, a higher proportion of properties to let in the vicinity than would normally be the case due to the “holiday let” market, so hopefully by the time you read this article everybody who has needed alternative accommodation will have been settled.

The problem unfortunately is that the incident occurred only 5 weeks prior to the Christmas break, which is notorious for extended holiday periods. This, of course, is absolutely no good at all for the claimants, who obviously want to return to their properties as quickly as possible. I do understand that loss adjusters’ response units and back office staff at insurers have been working over weekends and will continue to work extended periods to try and assist everybody in the best way possible.

As far as commercial claims are concerned, these are obviously more complex, especially when trying to find alternative accommodation. This cover is, of course, not included as standard in most policies because commercial clients are deemed to be able to “work out” what cover they need and not be reliant upon a package policy. Unfortunately, in this particular set of circumstances, it appears that there are a higher proportion of commercial claims than for previous losses.

First reports indicate that the overall cost of the flooding in Cumbria is, whilst considerable, unlikely to have any effect on insurers’ overall pricing costs for 2010, but the level of water damage excess may be revised upwards. When bearing in mind that the standard water damage excess under a commercial policy is probably £250 and under a household policy can be low as £50-100, any increase in these figures can be a severe burden on the customer. I am well aware that in certain parts of the UK insurers’ excess for flood can be as much as £10,000. For a private householder or small commercial business, this is a real worry. However, insurers would respond by saying that they either impose such an excess or they decline to give this cover in its entirety. Unfortunately, this all harps back to the change in weather patterns and the amount of money that the government are spending on enhancing flood defences.As far as amateur theatre societies are concerned, obviously

water damage to scenery props and wardrobe is of major concern, but of course there is also the possibility of cancellation

due to damage to the venue or indeed to equipment which prohibits the show carrying on. In any of these circumstances we would expect to be told immediately, even if there is no guarantee that the show is going to be cancelled, Underwriters should be aware that there is a potential loss as of course, there is an immediate notice of claim clause under the Policy. So, if there is any possibility of a claim, you must notify Underwriters immediately.

As another year draws to a close, this is now probably an ideal opportunity to review 2009 from an insurance perspective.

The year started with major snow issues affecting Central London, which resulted in many West End shows being cancelled. The worldwide recession has not helped insurers because of dwindling investment income, together with the expected increase in the number of claims, so bottom line rates have been under pressure. Given that clients’ trading conditions are equally as bad, the problem is that insurers are trying to increase rates, whereas customers are unable to pay increases due to reduction in turnover/profit margin.So the elastic is being stretched and it will be an interesting time

in 2010 to see whether insurers continue increasing rates or whether pressure from customers to reduce rates tips the balance in favour of policyholders.

Interesting times ahead, but from all at Gordon and Co I take this opportunity of wishing every reader of Amateur Stage a happy, healthy and prosperous 2010.

HELP IS AT HAND!!Robert Israel ASCII from Gordon & Co discusses the latest insurance issues affecting amateur theatre.

insurance.indd 3 14/12/2009 11:17:21

FEATURE


It was `House Full` on Saturday September 27th at the Studio Theatre, Pegs Lane, Hertford, Hertfordshire, the headquarters of Hertford Dramatic and Operatic Society when the Society celebrated the 90th anniversary of its formation. The membership, past and present made the most of the opportunity to enjoy the afternoon festivities in what is a busy annual programme presenting a pantomime, two plays, a musical, two youth productions and the Full Length Play Festival, Hertford Theatre Week either at the Castle Hall, Hertford or the Studio Theatre. The society is a member of NODA and NDFA.Four Past presidents served the three course lunch after which the President, Mary Jane Tomlin (a founder member of the Young Idea section) proposed a toast to the Society. She then invited the Mayor (Cllr) David Poole to assist her in cutting the specially decorated cake. Several members who have been in the Society for more than 60 years joined

them for the photo call. Included in the `chorus line` is Zillah Driver who was in the production of The Vagabond King in 1938. Before the afternoon tea, there was a short entertainment, which was written and directed by member Cheryl Nicholson. It took the form of a melodrama, entitled `Something for the Week-end` which was performed by Cheryl and other members of the Society. The script included 135 titles of productions presented over the 90 years. To add to the fun the audience were asked to make a note of how many titles they recognised - the winner recognised 130! Society Archivist, Pat Steadman, mounted a stunning display of photos, programmes and memorabilia, which spanned the 90 years from the first production Mice and Men by M.L.Ryley in November 1919 up to the recent production of The Pied Piper by the Young Idea, youth section. The display

gave members a unique opportunity to see this material and share their memories. There were shrieks of laughter and groans of embarrassment – did we really look like that? There were also reminders of the important milestones in the Society’s life including the move to the purpose built Bentley House, in 1983 that incurs a `peppercorn rent` on the 999year lease. Past members travelled from Wales, the West Country, Suffolk and Lincolnshire to exchange memories, renew `old friendships` and indulge in a little nostalgia. However, there was something for everyone. The younger members of the Society had a display showing photos and programmes from the Young Idea productions since its formation in 1971, and at the workshop on the following Sunday morning they all enjoyed slices of the cake. What a great celebration it was to mark the anniversary of 90 years of the Society. So, it is on to the 100th – we had better start planning now!! Jo Crossley

HERTFORD TURNS 90!!

HERTFORD 90.indd 2 14/12/2009 10:29:54

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HERTFORD 90.indd 1 14/12/2009 11:46:54

LB00141 BeigeAd_297x210_OCT09_OLAW.indd 1 28/10/09 14:45:33Front page.indd 1 29/10/2009 12:38:21

AS MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2009

THE PLAY PRODUCED

13


CELEBRATION TIME!The next twelve months sees some of the world’s biggest musicals celebrate some landmark birthdays. Musicals that we consider to be modern are now coming of age. Milestone dates like these can offer groups some amazing opportunities for publicIty. Douglas Mayo took a brief look at some shows that are celebrating major birthdays in 2010.

musicals.indd 3 14/12/2009 10:41:19


With music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver is based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. It premiered in the West End in 1960, enjoying a long run, a successful Broadway production in 1963. It was made into a film in 1968 and a new London production opened following a reality tv hunt for the role of Nancy in 2009. Oliver was the first musical adaptation of a Dickens work to become a stage hit. The production featured a revolving stage set, an innovation designed by Sean Kenny. The London production ran for 2618 performances and featured Georgia Brown, Barry Humphries, and Ron Moody (who narrowly beat a young Michael Caine for the role of Fagin). Oliver offers amateurs a rich score full of well known showstoppers, comedy and emotion, but most of all the opportunity to cast lots of children – a sure fire way to bring in families to buy tickets. At the time of writing performance rights to Oliver were under some restrictions. Musicscope are taking applications with permission being granted on an application by application basis.OLIVER

50

One of the first modern rock operas Jesus Christ Superstar started life as a double concept recording in 1970. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lyricist Tim Rice created this through sung production which stormed the world to acclaim and considerable controversy. The controversy has now ebbed but the brilliance of this rock opera remains. In June 1971, the “first” US staged version was performed at Southold High School in Southold, New York by students of the school. However, other unauthorized productions were also going on at the time, eliciting a response in court from the authors, eventually shutting down several hundred productions between them before the official premiere (and becoming a benchmark in copyright law). Performance rights are now available and here at AS we have already been receiving notification from groups around the country celebrating the shows birthday. 40

JESUS CHRISTSUPERSTAR

musicals.indd 4 14/12/2009 10:41:50

A Chorus Line has certainly earned its place in musical theatre history. Conceived following a series of actor workshops by director/choreographer Michael Bennett and with music by Marvin Hamlisch, the musical received 12 Tony Nominations winning 9 awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The show holds the record for Longest Running Broadway Musical Originally Produced in the USA and the Fourth Longest Running Broadway musical with a run of 6,137 performances.

35A CHORUS LINE

Originally produced in the West End in 1937, 2010 marks the 25th birthday of the revised version of the show which took the West End by storm in 1985 running for 3,303 performances. With a revised script by Stephen Fry, the show was as fresh and alive as it had ever been and had audiences dancing to the Lambeth Walk once again.

25

Me andMy Girl

CarouselOpening on Broadway in 1945, Carousel ran for 890 performances and was named Best Musical of the

Century by Time Magazine. The show has become a staple of amateur musical seasons for many years with its lush score and wonderful roles. Both Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II named the show as their favourite collaboration, one reviewer for the New York Times called it “goo”.

65

musicals.indd 5 14/12/2009 10:42:19

Adapted from the 1933 Hollywood film and original novel by Bradford Ropes, the Broadway musical was written by Mark Bramble, Michael Stewart, Al Dubin and Harry Warren and skilfully produced by David Merrick, one of Broadways most controversial and publicity savvy producers. Merrick took a huge gamble producing the show. Prior to 42nd St, the only musical film ever made into a Broadway show was the 1974 flop Gigi. The shows real magic though, came from the incredible staging of Gower Champion who created some of the shows landmark dance sequences. The London season of the musical launched the career of Catherine Zeta Jones who understudied the role of Peggy Sawyer, taking over when the original actress bowed out due to illness shortly after opening. 42nd Street currently enjoys amateur productions around the world.

42nd St 30

One of the most frequently performer shows in the world is the result of the epic collaboration between Gilbert & Sullivan. The ninth show of their collaboration it ran for 672 performances when it opened at the Savoy theatre in 1885. The creation of the operetta was dramatised in the 1999 film Topsy Turvy.

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OCT09_1-11.indd 9 16/10/2009 10:56:53

THE MUSICAL PRODUCED



Julian Cound talks about the production of The Full Monty at DarlingtonOS, presented in Oct/Nov 2010.

It was a brave choice. Choosing the musical adaptation of a film that is written into UK film folklore… an adaptation that transports the setting from Sheffield over to Buffalo, New York…. an adaptation that drops the wealth of seventies and eighties pop hits so loved in the movie version in favour of 15 original musical numbers in a time when the ‘back-catalogue’ musical was breaking ground. A brave choice indeed.

Would the ‘gamble pay off’?

THE MUSICALSet in present day Buffalo, New York State, The Full Monty sticks close to the original storyline of the film. Indeed it expands on the relationships not only between the main six male characters but their relationships with their wives, mothers or ex-wives. It interweaves these relationships in a fast paced, rollercoaster of a musical. We are introduced to Jerry, Dave, Malcolm, Harold, ‘Horse’ and finally Ethan… six characters from hugely different backgrounds each with their own failings but all of them feeling emasculated by recent unemployment, watching their lives turn upside down as the women of the town become the main breadwinners.

CASTINGCasting was always going to be difficult…. Finding six men capable of

commanding the stage by themselves but also willing to strip completely naked in the final scene – their blushes saved only by a snap lighting cue.

As a modern musical, the voice range is set high… consistently high. With numbers ranging in styles from theatrical rock through blues and with some beautiful ballads thrown in for good measure you need six men capable of strong acting, singing and dancing. Add to this the fact that one character has to be black… this adds an extra dimension of difficulty in casting for amateur groups whose membership may not be ethnically diverse.

Not forgetting the women. Many people think of The Full Monty as a man’s show, but with five decent leading female roles to consider along with several cameos this is a fine ensemble piece of musical theatre.

Following an enlightening and often revealing day of auditions we had our cast… one of the strongest we had put together for some time, including a ‘Horse’ we imported from Leeds – who was one of four possible ‘Horses’ we could have chosen, following a concerted national advertising campaign.

REHEARSALSRehearsals were a dream to be a part of. The small cast (22 in total) gelled so quickly, and the sound being made often made the hairs stand on end… we knew from an early stage this was something completely different for the Society and everyone could sense it. We

use professional directors for our shows and this means block setting an entire act in just five or six rehearsals, so there were some very late nights and some long Sunday rehearsals. Our Assistant Director worked like the ture star she is in order to get our heads together and make sense of the sensory overload we were experiencing – always in the back of our minds we knew the ‘strip’ had yet to be set.

Then came the fateful night…. How would it go… would we be expected to go all the way from the outset? Of course not… with our little g-strings over our boxer shorts or swimming trunks all blushes were saved, well… apart from Horse who decided enough was enough on one of our final run-throughs and literally went ‘The Full Monty’ at rehearsal… most of the women watching did not know where to look!

COSTUMESOur Director was setting the piece in present day which meant we could self-costume a majority of the show. We do tend to rely on hiring costumes for major shows but for something like Monty we knew there was an opportunity to save some money here. Our costume team knew what the Director wanted so set out individual colour schemes for the entire cast and let them loose on the chatiry shops in the town. With several people playing more than one part in the show their task was often harder than most.

There were costumes we had to hire in… namely the strip uniforms (consisting of jacket, shirt, tie, trousers, belt, bright

THE MUSICAL LAID BARE

musicalproduced.indd 2 14/12/2009 10:46:41



21





boxer shorts and the skimpiest thong you have ever laid eyes on!

The biggest problem in terms of ‘costumes’ was that, in the final number, 6 men end up not wearing one… so where do we put the mic. pack? Do we put the final number on click-track… but with dialogue interspersed this could prove tricky…. Do we have hanging mics… these may not pick up enough to come over the orchestra. Eventually we worked out that the 6 guys needed a separate mic in their security guard hats…. Taking off their first mic during their quick changes at various points leading into the final scene…

SETThe set was hired from Scenic Projects and mirrors the Broadway production. There does not seem to be a lot on

paper – many open stage sets and only 4 ‘cloths’ to hang. But once the trucks were all built we knew things would be tight back-stage.

The Full Monty sign required specialist equipment in order for it not to fuse most of Darlington when fully lit… this sign is in position throughout the entire show as it is too heavy to fly, being exposed just at the right moment during the final number. All through rehearsals we were told not to get too close as it is hot, hot, hot and boy was it hot! Having a raked stage meant that trucks needed bolting or wedging to stay static… but on more than one occasion we suffered ‘moving door’ syndrome (much to the amusement of the audience).

The need for a full sized, fully accessible car on stage raised the largest laughs of

the night… with Malcolm trying to commit suicide by exhaust fumes being pumped in through the back window. On stage for only a matter of minutes, the car took up most of stage right wing space but there is no other way to play the scene. With the right amount of ‘fumes’ the scene brought the house down every night.

So, did the ‘gamble’ pay off….? If audience comments have anything to go by, then yes. If ticket receipts are anything to go by, then yes. If society member enjoyment is anything to go by, then yes.

www.darlingtonoperaticsociety.org.uk


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Tokenline 0870 164 8800 www.theatretokens.com

Nov09_1-11.indd 11 20/11/2009 17:02:10


1001 ARABIAN NIGHTS22 - 30 January 2010Corvus Amateur Dramatic SocietyGreneway SchoolRoyston, Hertfordshire07774 782440

42ND STREET13 - 20 February 2010Clitheroe Parish Church AO & DSSt Mary’s CentreClitheroe, Lancs01200 424545

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM19 - 23 January 2010Southampton Operatic SocietyNuffield TheatreSouthampton, Hants023 8067 1771

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC20 - 23 January 2010Pendle Hippodrome Theatre CompanyHippodrome TheatreColne, Lancs01282 863210

ABSURB PERSON SINGULAR28 January - 06 February 2010Hartley Arts GroupVictoria HallHartley Wintney, Hampshire079564412826

ACT YOUR AGE17 - 20 February 2010Ruthin Musical TheatreTheatre John AmbroseRuthin, Denbighshire01824 703748

ALADDIN08 - 16 January 2010Otterbourne Village Hall CommitteeOtterbourne Village HallWinchester, Hampshire02380 614655

08 - 09 January 2010Felling & District Music, Arts & Drama Felling Methodist ChurchGateshead, Tyne and Wear0191 420 6632

09 - 16 January 2010Huddersfield Light Opera CompanyLawrence Batley TheatreHuddersfield, W Yorks01484 430528

10 - 16 January 2010Wombwell & District AOSOperatic CentreWombwell, S Yorks01226 758375

14 - 17 January 2010Walkerville Musical SocietyWalkerville Community CentreNewcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle0191 236 25647

16 - 23 January 2010Dursley Operatic & Dramatic SocietyLister Hall, Long StreetDursley, Glos01890 203318

20 - 23 January 2010NOMADSThe Masque TheatreBarton Seagrave, Kettering, Northants07857 186005 29 - 30 January 2010Sheffield Grenoside Community Association Panto SectionGrenoside Community CentreSheffield, S Yorks0114 201 7338

14 - 16 January 2010Theydon Bois Drama SocietyTheydon Bois Village HallTheydon Bois, Essex01992 812250www.theydondrama.co.uk

ALADDIN AND HIS WONDERFUL LAMP21 - 24 January 2010Barnton Variety Theatre WorkshopNorthwich Memorial HallNorthwich, Cheshire01606 782442

ALI BABA & THE FORTY THEIVES04 - 10 January 2010Newton Abbot & District Musical Comedy SocAlexandra TheatreNewton Abbot, Devon01626 203570

23 - 30 January 2010HIADSStation TheatreHayling Island, Hampshire023 9246 6363www.pad.hampshire.org.uk

ALI BABA AND THE “FAULTY” THIEVES05 - 09 January 2010From The Top Theatre CompanyHighbury Theatre ComplexSutton Coldfield, W Midlands07974 894542

ANNIE16 - 20 February 2010Fatfield Musical Stage SocietySt Robert’s SchoolWashington, Tyne and Wear0191 388 5425

23 - 27 February 2010Melyncrythan Amateur Operatic SocietyPrincess Royal TheatrePort Talbot, Neath Port Talbot01639 635502

BABES IN THE WOOD27 - 30 January 2010Morpeth Theatre GroupKing Edward VI Lower School HallMorpeth, Northumberland01670 820999

17 - 20 February 2010Brantham Amateur Theatrical SocietyBrantham Village HallBrantham, Suffolk07523 218270

BAD GIRLS THE MUSICAL23 - 27 February 2010York Stage MusicalsJoseph Rowntree TheatreYork, York07989 586 906

25 - 27 February 2010TheatreworkzThe Masque TheatreBarton Seagrave, Kettering, Northants01933 224294

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST16 - 20 February 2010Shavington Village Festival CommitteeShavington Leisure CentreCrewe, Cheshire07913 372619

BEDROOM FARCE24 - 27 February 2010Belmont Theatre CompanyPump House TheatreWatford, Herts0845 521 3453

BLITHE SPIRIT25 - 30 January 2010Rotherham Phoenix PlayersRotherham Civic TheatreRotherham, S Yorks01142 756981

BRIGADOON15 - 20 February 2010Penzance Amateur Operatic SocietySt John’s HallPenzance, Cornwall01736 363198

15 - 20 February 2010Bridgnorth Musical Theatre CompanyBridgnorth Sports & Leisure CentreBridgnorth, Shropshire01746 763510

BUGSY MALONE22 - 27 February 2010Guiseley Amateur Operatic SocietyGuiseley TheatreLeeds, W Yorks08453 705045

24 - 27 February 2010Carnegie Youth TheatreCarnegie HallDunfermline, Fife01383 602302

CALAMITY JANE23 - 27 February 2010Selkirk Amateur Operatic SocietyVictoria HallSelkirk 01750 21719

CAROUSEL17 - 20 February 2010Community of HungerfordJohn O’Gaunt Community and Technology CollegeHungerford, Berkshire01488 684011

26 - 30 January 2010Elmbridge Youth TheatreThe PlayhouseWalton-on-Thames, Surrey01932 845855

CASH ON DELIVERY02 - 13 February 2010Highbury Little TheatreSutton Coldfield, W Midlands0121 373 2761

CAUGHT IN THE NET16 - 23 January 2010Farnworth Little TheatreFarnworth, Bolton0845 643 0808www.farnworthlittletheatre.co.uk

CHRISTMAS CAROL08 - 17 January 2010Quaintwood PlayersQuainton Memorial HallQuainton, Bucks01296 770248

CINDERELLA09 - 16 January 2010Arrow PlayersSt Edmund’s HallNorthwood Hills, Middlesex020 8868 7785www.arrowplayers.org.uk

08 - 10 January 2010Broxbourne Theatre CompanyBroxbourne Civic TheatreHoddesdon, Herts01992 441946

14 - 16 January 2010Orchard PlayersCapel St Mary Village HallIpswich, Suffolk07761 782456

14 - 16 January 2010Broxbourne Theatre CompanyBroxbourne Civic TheatreHoddesdon, Herts01992 441946

20 - 23 January 2010Priory PlayersOssett Town HallOssett, W Yorks07852 978407

15 - 30 January 2010Lane End PlayersLane End Village HallLane End, Buckinghamshire07852 [email protected]

22 - 31 January 2010Phoenix PlayersSt Peter’s TheatreSouthsea, Hampshire0845 293 9350www.pad.hampshire.org.uk

29 - 31 January 2010Kingfisher PlayersStuart Memorial Village HallTempsford, Beds01767 691982

10 - 13 February 2010Irchester PlayersParsons HallIrchester, Northants01933 624310

16 - 20 February 2010Hereford Amateur Pantomime SocietyThe CourtyardHereford, Herefordshire01432 340555

17 - 20 February 2010Seaton Pantomime SocietySeaton Town HallSeaton, Devon01297 23202

20 February 2010St Mary’s Panto PlayersSt Peter’s TheatreSouthsea, Hampshire023 9229 3020www.pad.hampshire.org.uk

CINDERELLA - NOT QUITE A PANTO23 - 31 January 2010Aston PlayersAston on Trent Memorial HallAston on Trent, Derby07813 641006

CRAZY FOR YOU24 - 30 January 2010Christchurch Theatre ClubLoughborough Town HallLoughborough, Leics01509 231914

CURTAIN UP28 - 30 January 2010Petuaria PlayersBrough Village HallBrough, East Yorkshire01482 668610

DAISY PULLS IT OFF10 - 13 February 2010Guildonian PlayersMethodist ChurchHarold Wood, Essex01708 341442www.guildonianplayers.co.uk

DANCE ATTACK09 - 13 February 2010Island Dance FusionStation TheatreHayling Island , Hampshire023 9246 6363www.pad.hampshire.org.uk

DICK BARTON SPECIAL AGENT11 - 13 February 2010Thurrock Courts PlayersThameside TheatreGrays, Essex0845 300 5264

DICK WHITTINGTON06 - 11, 21 - 23 January 2010Chellaston PlayersThe Guildhall TheatreDerby, Derbyshire01332 703828www.derbyartsandtheatre.org.uk

08 - 16 January 2010Oxted PlayersBarn TheatreOxted, Surrey01883 724852www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk

SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>

diary.indd 4 14/12/2009 10:54:50


Harlequin Theatre - Sweeney Todd

SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>DICK WHITTINGTON09 - 16 January 2010NOMADSKings TheatreNewmarket, Suffolk01638 663337

15 - 23 January 2010South Shields Westovian Theatre SocietyWestovian Theatre, Pier PavilionSouth Shields, Tyne & Wear0191 456 0980

29 January - 13 February 2010Lindsey Rural PlayersBroadbent TheatreWickenby, Lincolnshire01673 885500

DISCO INFERNO17 - 20 February 2010Pendle Hippodrome Youth TheatreHippodrome TheatreColne, Lancs01282 699799

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST07 - 15 January 2010Broxbourne Theatre CompanyBroxbourne Civic TheatreHoddesdon, Herts01992 441946

01 - 06 February 2010Southern Light Opera CompanyKings TheatreEdinburgh, Midlothian0131 529 6000

DOUBLE DEATH25 - 30 January 2010Keighly PlayhouseKeighly, West Yorkshire08451 267 859www.keighlyplayhouse.co.uk

DROP IN02 - 06 February 2010Revellers Music & Dramatic SocietyPeterborough Indoor Bowls ClubPeterborough, Cambs01733 560449

FAME - THE MUSCIAL17 - 20 February 2010STP Muscials AcademyFerneham HallFareham, Hampshire01329 231942www.pad.hampshire.org.uk

FESTEN24 - 27 February 2010CCADSPortsmouth Central LibraryPortsmouth, Hampshire023 9247 7466www.pad.hampshire.org.uk

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF26 - 30 January 2010Leatherhead Operatic SocietyEpsom PlayhouseEpsom, Surrey07787 870012

26 - 30 January 2010Shenfield Operatic SocietyQueen’s TheatreHornchurch, Essex01708 700625

22 - 27 February 2010Orpheus ClubThe King’s TheatreGlasgow, Scotland08700 606648

23 - 27 February 2010Chelmsford Amateur Op & Dramatic SocietyCivic TheatreChelmsford, Essex01245 606505

FOOTLOOSE06 - 09 January 2010Five Towns TheatreStoke on Trent Repertory TheatreStoke on Trent, Staffordshire01782 321666

17 - 20 February 2010Seaham Youth TheatreSeaham School of TechnologySeaham, Durham0191 581 0340

22 - 27 February 2010Edinburgh Music Theatre Company Ltd.Church Hill TheatreEdinburgh, Midlothian0131 332 6558

GLAMOROUS NIGHT17 - 20 February 2010Present CompanyDerby TheatreDerby, Derbyshire01332 255800www.derbyartsandtheatre.org.uk

GODSPELL23 - 25 February 2010Kirkcaldy Youth Music TheatreAdam Smith TheatreKirkcaldy, Fife01592 203161

GOLDILOCKS & THE THREE BEARS15 - 23 January 2010Creakes Drama GroupNorth Creake Village HallNorth Creake, Norfolk07818 696660

GONDOLIERS09 - 13 February 2010Crosby G & S SocietyCrosby Civic HallWaterloo, Liverpool0151 924 5977

GOODY TWO SHOES22 - 27 February 2010Burton Bradstock PlayersBurton Bradstock Village HallBurton Bradstock, Dorset01308 897415

GRIMM TALES 28 January - 06 February 2010Harleston PlayersArchbishop Sancroft High SchoolHarleston, Norfolk01379 676324

HAIRSPRAY15 - 23 January 2010Curtain Call ProductionsGrange TheatreHartford Northwich, Cheshire01270 587173

HARVEY06 - 09 January 2010Wick Theatre CompanyBarn TheatreSouthwick, West Sussex01273 597 094www.wicktheatre.co.uk

diary.indd 5 14/12/2009 10:55:27

Bournemouth Little Theatre Club - Shadowlands


HELLO DOLLY!15 - 20 February 2010CAOS Musical ProductionsMinerva TheatreChichester, West Sussex01243 781312www.pad.hampshire.org.uk

HICKORY DICKORY DOCK22 - 30 January 2010Chapel PlayersChapel PlayhouseChapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire01298 813176

HMS PINAFORE16 - 20 February 2010Rugby Operatic SocietyRugby TheatreRugby, Warwickshire01788 541234

HOT MIKADO23 - 27 February 2010Torbay Operatic & Dramatic SocietyPalace TheatrePaignton, Devon01803 290371

HUMPTY DUMPTY06 - 09 January 2010Woodlands Theatrical SocietyWoodlands HallNewcastle-upon-Tyne0191 236 3060

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK14 - 17 January 2010The ChameleonsThe Paul Daisley HallWembley, London0208 123 6443

19 December 2009 - 02 January 2010GADOCBeau Sejour TheatreGuernsey, Channel Islands01481 747200www.gadoc.org

24 - 30 January 2010Northallerton Amateur Variety CompanyHambleton ForumNorthallerton, N Yorks01609 770936

26 - 30 January 2010Bolsover Drama GroupMoorfield HallBolsover, Derbyshire01246 850402

04 - 07 February 2010Morley Amateur Operatic SocietyMorley Town HallMorley, West Yorkshire07960 766 334

02 - 17 January 2010Jersey Amateur Dramatic ClubJersey Arts CentreJersey, Channel Islands01534 700444

KEY FOR TWO25 - 27 February 2010Lechlade PlayersNew Memorial HallLechlade, Glos01367 253351

KING AND I09 - 13 February 2010Lindley Church Amateur Operatic SocietyThe Lawrence Batley TheatreHuddersfield, W Yorks01484 430528

22 February 2009 - 27 February 2010Wickersley Musical Theatre CompanyCivic TheatreRotherham, South Yorkshire01709 544643

KISS ME, KATE15 - 20 February 2010Penzance Amateur Operatic SocietySt John’s HallPenzance, Cornwall01736 363198

LA PERICHOLE - OFFENBACH23 - 27 February 2010Opera SouthHaslemere HallHaslemere, Surrey01428 642161

LES MISERABLES (SCHOOL EDITION)15 - 20 February 2010Centrestage Productions Youth TheatreThe PointEastleigh, Hants023 8065 2333

15 - 20 February 2010Tiverton Junior Operatic ClubThe New HallTiverton, Devon01884 253672

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD12 - 16 January 2010Dover Operatic & Dramatic SocietyDover Town HallDover, Kent01304 240477

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS20 - 22 January 2010Swanley Light Opera GroupWoodlands TheatreSwanley, Kent01474 703448

LORD ARTHUR SAVILE’S CRIME09 -13 February 2010Stafford PlayersMalcolm Edwards TheatreStafford Gatehouse, Staffordshire01785 254855www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

LOST MAN’S CHEST23 - 30 January 2010St Mark’s PlayersThe Stanley HallsS. Norwood Hill, London020 8393 3640www.smplayers.co.uk

MOTHER GOOSE11 - 16 January 2010Wellingborough Pantomime SocietyThe CastleWellingborough, Northants01933 317304

14 - 16 January 2010Heath PlayersEast Malling InstituteEast Malling, Kent01622 717491

15 - 23 January 2010Yeadon Charities AssociationTown HallYeadon, Leeds, W Yorks07758 278395


diary.indd 6 14/12/2009 10:56:08



15 - 23 January 2010Winton PlayersFestival HallPetersfield, Hampshire01730 268829

19 - 23 January 2010Harlequin Pantomime ProductionsPerton Community CentrePerton, South Staffordshire01902 678242

NOISES OFF23 - 27 February 2010Potters Bar Theatre CompanyWyllyotts TheatrePotters Bar, Herts01707 880017

NOT QUITE PANTO04 - 06 February 2010Bolney PlayersRawson HallBolney, W Sussex01444 461320

OKLAHOMA!20 January - 06 February 2010Ballywillan Drama GroupRiverside TheatreColeraine, Londonderry02870 323232

16 - 20 February 2010South Shields G & S Operatic SocietyCustoms HouseSouth Shields, Tyne & Wear0191 454 1234

OLD MOTHER HUBBARD23 - 30 January 2010The Young OnesNetherton Arts Centre, NethertonNr Dudley, W Midlands01384 895266

OLIVER!09 - 13 February 2010Porthsmouth PlayersKings TheatreSouthsea, Hampshire023 9266 0880www.pad.hampshire.org.uk

16 - 20 February 2010Heanor Operatic SocietyHeanor Gate Science CollegeHeanor, Derbyshire01773 762042

ONCE UPON A TIME - TALES FROM THE BROTHERS GRIMM24 - 27 February 2010Stevenage Lytton PlayersLytton TheatreStevenage, Herts0870 777 7619

PAJAMA GAME14 - 15 February 2010Havering Music MakersQueens TheatreHornchurch, Essex01708 762256

PATIENCE17 - 20 February 2010Intake Methodist Musical SocietyIntake Methodist ChurchSheffield, S Yorks0114 248 9971

PETER PAN06 - 09 January 2010Cheshire Youth Pantomime Society (CHYPS)The Woodford CentreWoodford, Cheshire01625 529774

PIRATES OF PENZANCE25 - 30 January 2010Northampton G & S GroupRoyal & DerngateNorthampton, Northamptonshire01604 624811

16 - 20 February 2010Burton on Trent & District Operatic SocietyDe Ferrers Specialist Technology CollegeBurton upon Trent, Staffordshire01283 541552

17 - 20 February 2010Southgate OperaWyllyotts TheatrePotters Bar, Hertfordshire020 8372 2383

Iver Heath Drama Club - Jack & The Beanstalk

Darlington OS - The Full Monty

12 - 16 January 2010Dryburn Theatrical WorkshopPark View TheatreChester-le-Street, Durham0191 388 9709

29 January - 06 February 2010New Mills Amateur Operatic & Dramatic SocArt TheatreNew Mills, Derbyshire0161 427 5317

11 February 2010 - 13 February 2010Coquetdale Amateur Dramatic SocietyJubilee HallRothbury, Morpeth, Northumberland01669 622856

diary.indd 7 14/12/2009 10:56:34


PIRATES OF PENZANCE (BROADWAY VERSION)01 - 06 February 2010Cupar Amateur Musical SocietyCorn ExchangeCupar, Fife01334 654187

22 - 27 February 2010Hinckley Comm Guild AOSConcordia TheatreHinckley, Leicestershire01455 847676

PUSS IN BOOTS13 January - 06 February 2010The Pantomime CompanyConcordia TheatreHinckley, Leics07956 543369

14 - 24 January 2010Nomad Theatre ProductionsNomad TheatreEast Horsley, Surrey01483 284747

20 - 24 January 2010Littlehampton Musical Comedy SocietyWindmill TheatreLittlehampton, W Sussex01903 722224

22 January - 06 February 2010St Nicholas PlayersSt Nicholas Church HallDerby, Derbyshire01332 556228www.derbyartsandtheatre.org.uk

30 January - 06 February 2010Keighley Amateur Operatic & Dramatic SocVictoria HallKeighley, W Yorks01535 611922

09 - 13 February 2010Circle Light Opera CompanySutton Coldfield Town HallSutton Coldfield, W Midlands07960 869250

RAPUNZEL04 - 06 February 2010Woodmansterne Operatic & Dramatic SocietySt Peter’s Church HallWoodmansterne, Banstead, Surrey01737 555009

RED HOT AND COLE23 - 30 January 2010Cheltenham Operatic & Dramatic SocietyPlayhouse TheatreCheltenham, Gloucestershire01684 565030

RED RIDING HOOD22 - 30 January 2010Watson PlayersGuildhall TheatreDerby, Derbyshire01332 343649www.derbyartsandtheatre.org.uk

RELATIVE VALUES11 -16 January 2010Arundel PlayersPriory PlayhouseArundel, West Sussex01243 782976

RENT09 - 13 February 2010Blaenau Gwent Young Stars - Youth Mus TCBeaufort TheatreEbbw Vale, Gwent01495 301049

24 - 27 February 2010Stampede Theatre CompanyYeadon Town HallYeadon, Leeds07947 535536

RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET09 - 13 February 2010Wilton ProductionsPlowright TheatreScunthorpe, N Lincs01724 330940

REVUE 201014 - 16 January 2010Musselburgh Amateur Musical AssociationBrunton TheatreMusselburgh, East Lothian01620 826210

RJ - THE MUSICAL25 - 27 February 2010Sosage FactorySolihull Arts ComplexSolihull, W Midlands0121 704 6962

ROBIN HOOD14 - 16 January 2010Killin Drama ClubMcLaren HallKillin, Scotland01567 820424www.killindramaclub.co.uk

21 - 24 January 2010Saint Monica’s PlayersThe Intimate TheatrePalmers Green, London0844 414 2731www.smptheatre.co.uk

29 - 30 January 2010Tread the Boards Theatre GroupChrysalis TheatreMilton Keynes, Bucks01908 377449

ROBIN HOOD & BABES IN THE WOOD12 - 16 January 2010St Austell PlayersSt Austell Community CentreSt Austell, Cornwall01726 879500

ROBINSON CRUSOE12 - 16 January 2010Spennymoor Stage and SongTown HallSpennymoor, Durham01388 420057

17 - 20 February 2010Lowdham Pantomime GroupLowdham Village HallLowdham, Notts0115 9664143

ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDEN-STERN ARE DEAD30 January - 06 February 2010Richmond Shakespeare SocietyMary Wallace TheatreTwickenham Embankment, Surrey020 8744 0547www.richmondshakespeare.org.uk

RUDDIGORE03 - 06 February 2010West Norfolk G & S SocietyKing’s Lynn Corn ExchangeKing’s Lynn, Norfolk01553 764864

22 - 27 February 2010Barrow SavoyardsForum 28Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria01229 820000


asmagazinewishes all our readers

SEASONS GREETINGand a

PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

diary.indd 8 14/12/2009 10:56:56

COSTUMES

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KISS ME KATE, FOLLIES, PINAFORE, ANNIE, ALL

PANTO SUBJECTS, ORIENTAL COSTUMES

www.bpdcostumes.co.uk

P: 01273 481004

Every two weeks you can read the complete, un-

abridged reviews of all the major national drama critics,

reprinted with photos in Theatre Record.

Send for a free specimen copy to:

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CHICHESTER, W. SUSSEX


SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>23 - 27 February 2010Preston G & S SocietyPlayhousePreston, Lancashire01772 339452

SCROOGE09 - 16 January 2010Seaford Musical TheatreThe Barn TheatreSeaford, East Sussex01323 492240

26 - 30 January 2010Ferndown Phoenix Musical SocietyBarrington TheatreFerndown, Dorset01202 874073

SEASONS GREETINGS21 - 23 January 2010Grange DramaVictoria HallGrange over Sands, Cumbria01539 533735

SEE HOW THEY RUN!14 - 16 January 2010Loughton Amateur Dramatic SocietyLopping HallLoughton, Essex0208 502 5843

SHUT YOUR EYES AND THINK OF ENGLAND17 - 20 February 2010Preston Drama ClubPreston PlayhousePreston, Lancs01772 744771

SINBAD THE SAILOR19 - 25 January 2010Spittal Variety GroupThe Malting Art CentreBerwick upon Tweed, Northumberland01289 330999

SLEEPING BEAUTY07 - 09 January 2010Starlight ProductionsEastwood TheatreEastwood, Southend, Essex01702 612351

09 - 16 January 2010Pickering Musical SocietyThe Kirk TheatrePickering, N Yorks01751 474833

10 - 16 January 2010Frodsham PGFrodsham Community CentreFrodsham, Cheshire01928 579575

11 - 16 January 2010Whitley Bay Pantomime SocietyPlayhouse TheatreWhitley Bay, 0191 252 3681

14 - 23 January 2010Leeds Insurance Dramatic & Operatic SocietyCarriage Works TheatreLeeds, West Yorkshire0113 2522514

22 - 30 January 2010Dinnington Operatic SocietyThe Lyric TheatreDinnington, South Yorks01909 569340

15 - 30 January 2010Riverside PlayersEynsford Village HallEynsford, Kent01322 861001www.riversideplayers.co.uk

SNOW WHITE16 - 23 January 2010Alnwick Theatre ClubAlnwick PlayhouseAlnwick, Northumberland01665 510785

24 - 30 January 2010Reydon & Southwold Panto GroupSt Edmunds HallSouthwold, Suffolk01502 724539

SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS19 - 23 January 2010The Mellow DramaticsBrewhouse Arts CentreBurton-upon-Trent, Staffs01283 508100www.mellow-dramatics.org

17 - 20 February 2010Brixham OD&CSBrixham TheatreBrixham, Devon01803 857654

SNOW WHITE AND THE CURSE OF THE ICE QUEEN10 - 13 February 2010Darnall Musical Theatre CompanyDarnall & District Community Association HQSheffield, South Yorkshire0114 268 3327www.mellow-dramatics.org

Southern Counties Drama Festival22 - 27 February 20101st Round All England Theatre FestivalBarn TheatreOxted, Surrey01959 561811www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk

SOMETHING ABOUT ALWAYS THE DEBUT ALBUM FROM

SIMON BURKEAVAILABLE FROM SIMONBURKE.COM & DRESS CIRCLE LONDON

WITH SPECIAL GUEST STARS CONNIE FISHER & CAROLINE O’CONNOR

ARTWORK SIMON BURKE SOMETHING ABOUT ALWAYSPUBLICATION BEIGE TRIM W185 H130 MM BLEED W191 H136 MM CONTACT PETER CITRONI 07515 402 508

SIMON_BURKE_BEIGE_185x130.indd 1 13/10/09 13:44:47

diary.indd 9 14/12/2009 10:57:55


STRICTLY MURDER23 February - 06 March 2010Highbury Little TheatreHighbury Little TheatreSutton Coldfield, W Midlands0121 373 2761

09 - 13 February 2010Ecclesall theatre Co.Ecclesall Parish HallSheffield0114 230 8842

SUMMER HOLIDAY17 - 20 February 2010Marvellous Amateur Dramatics (MAD)The GuildhallAxminster, Devon01297 561400

22 - 27 February 2010Melyncrythan Amateur Operatic SocietyPrincess Royal TheatrePort Talbot, Neath Port01639 763214

SWEENEY TODD26 - 30 January 2010Slough Musical Theatre CompanyNorden Farm Centre for the ArtsMaidenhead, Berks01628 788997

SWEET CHARITY16 - 20 February 2010Shrewsbury Amateur Operatic SocietyAshton TheatreShrewsbury, Shropshire01743 281281

SWEET REVENGE23 - 30 January 2010Rossendale PlayersNew Millenium TheatreWaterfoot, Rossendale, Lancs01706 228720

THE ANNUAL VARIETY SHOW23 - 27 February 2010The Rex PlayersThe Rex CinemaWareham, Dorset01929 551817

THE FULL MONTY18 - 23 January 2010Brentwood Operatic SocietyBrentwood TheatreBrentwood, Essex01277 626515

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME22 - 30 January 2010Haverhill & District Operatic SocietyTown Hall Arts CentreHaverhill, Suffolk01440 714140

16 - 20 February 2010St Andrews Youth Fellowship SandonSandon Village HallSandon, Chelmsford, Essex01245 477872

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST24 - 27 February 2010Harlequin TheatreHarlequin TheatreNorthwich, Cheshire01606 353534www.harlequinplayer.co.uk

THE LIKES OF US20 - 23 January 2010Sunderland Amateur Operatic SocietySunderland Empire TheatreSunderland, Tyne & Wear0844 847 2499

23 - 24 January 2010Silhouettes Operatic SocietyGrimsby Central HallGrimsby, NE Lincs01472 346251

THE MIKADO09 - 13 February 2010St Andrews Operatic SocietySt Andrew’s RokerSunderland, Tyne & Wear0191 548 4621

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE04 - 09 January 2010Dynamo Youth TheatreSt Faith’s Church HallHavant, Hampshire023 9245 4244www.pad.hampshire.org.uk

THE PRODUCERS01 - 06 February 2010Norfolk & Norwich Operatic SocietyTheatre RoyalNorwich, Norfolk01603 891494

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN16 - 20 February 2010Court PlayersThe Memorial HallRangeworthy, South Glos01454 321149

THE SEVEN AGES OF MAN27 - 27 February 2010Centre Stage Theatre ArtsAssembly RoomsDerby, Derbyshire01332 754449

THE SHAPE OF THINGS16 - 20 February 2010Kelvin Players Theatre CompanyThe StudiosBishopston, Bristol0117 942 5540www.kelvinplayers.co.uk

THE SNOW QUEEN11 - 16 January 2010St Giles Marys Panto/TSPontefract Town HallPontefract, W Yorks01977 795904

THE SORCERER17 - 20 February 2010Dunfermline G & S SocietyCarnegie HallDunfermline, Fife0845 2412 187

THE WEDDING SINGER24 - 27 February 2010Cecilian Society - University of GlasgowThe Mitchell TheatreGlasgow, Scotland07595 363006

THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD16 - 20 February 2010Godalming Operatic SocietyBorough HallGodalming, Surrey01252 703376

26 - 27 February 2010Godalming Operatic SocietyThe Leatherhead TheatreLeatherhead, Surrey01252 703376

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE27 - 30 January 2010Stockport Amateur Operatic SocietyPlaza TheatreStockport, Cheshire0161 427 7121

16 - 20 February 2010Letchworth ArcadiansPlinston HallLetchworth Garden City, Herts01462 453801

17 - 20 February 2010Cygnet PlayersThe London Oratory SchoolWest Brompton, London07941 448689

TOM, THE PIPER’S SON13 - 16 January 2010Ripon Charity Pantomime GroupRipon Leisure CentreRipon, N Yorks01765 601262

TOUCH & GO30 January - 06 February 2010Heald Green Theatre CompanyHeald Green TheatreHeald Green, Cheshire0161 436 5000www.hgtc.org.uk

UTOPIA LIMITED25 - 27 February 2010Girton Operatic SocietyGirton Glebe Primary SchoolGirton, Cambridgeshire01223 276601

VIVA, MEXICO!04 - 05 February 2010Aycliffe Musical TheatreGreenfield School Arts and Community CentreNewton Aycliffe, Co Durham01325 379048

WYRD SISTERS13 - 16 January 2010Preston Drama ClubPreston PlayhousePreston, Lancs01772 744771


DIARY SUBMISSIONS

Diary submissions are published each month for the two months immediately

following publication.

Please note that the submission deadline is the 1st of each month.

Submissions should be sent in the format shown in the magazine to [email protected]

diary.indd 10 14/12/2009 10:58:28

AS MAGAZINE | MAY 200912

ONLINE www.asmagazine.co.uk

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VISIT THE AS ARCHIVE WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY REPRESENT OUR ENTIRE 64 YEARS OF PUBLICATION

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editorial contributions that have combined to make this site possible have proven invaluable. To George Taylor, Roy Stacey, Charles Vance, Mark

Thorburn, Dawn Kellogg, Irene Rostron GODA (Hon), & Jill Streatfeild and innumerable others we offer our thanks

32-33.indd 2 13/05/2009 01:18:11

NEW and IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE

SLEEP NO MORE

A gripping supernatural thriller by

DAVID GILLESPIE and COLIN WAKEFIELD

(3F, 4M – one set)

“A fabulous play” – Nunthorpe Players (Amateur World Première – October 2009)

For all enquiries or an inspection copy please contact:

07796 178581 or [email protected]

insurance.indd 3 23/11/2009 11:01:36

PLAYSCRIPTS



13Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown Book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn

A grown-up story about growing up!When his parents get divorced and he’s forced to move from New York to a small town in Indiana, Evan Goldman just wants to make friends and survive the school year. Easier said than done. The star quarterback is threatening to ruin his life and his only friend, Patrice, won’t talk to him. The school freak sees an opportunity for blackmail and someone is spreading the nastiest rumours. With an unforgettable rock score from Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, “13” is a hilarious, high-energy musical for all ages about discovering that cool is where you find it, and sometimes where you least expect it.Cast: Flexible ensemble cast with many featured teenage roles Instrumentation: Bass, Drums, 2 Guitars, 2 Keyboards

THE BRAIN FROM PLANET XMusic and Lyrics by Bruce Kimmel.Book by David Wechter, Bruce Kimmel. Orchestrations by Larry Moore.

An hilarious musical send-up of bad 50’s sci-fi movies, THE BRAIN FROM PLANET X tells the story of an alien invasion circa 1958. A Brain and its two alien cohorts arrive on Earth with a plan to take over the San Fernando Valley - starting with a happy nuclear family. It’s the first step on the road to their quest of taking over the entire planet and destroying the family unit. This rousing, toe-tapping musical features a dancing, singing brain ... what more could you want from a musical? Cast: 6 men, 3 women, Singing-dancing ensemble of Townspeople, Newscasters and Aliens. Instrumentation: Acoustic Bass/Bass Guitar; Drums/Percussion; Synthesiser

DRACULA THE MUSICALMusic by Frank Wildhorn Book and Lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton Conceived by Don Black, Christopher Hampton, Frank Wildhorn and Des McAnuff

Drink deep...and live forever! A terrifying and passionate new musical based on one of the most frightening novels ever written. “Dracula: The Musical” is a thrilling drama of suspense and a Gothic romance of dreamlike temptation from the extraordinary team Christopher Hampton, Don Black and Frank Wildhorn. Set in Europe at the end of the Victorian Age, the production follows Dracula’s lust for new blood and a small band of mortal men and women who must face his overwhelming seduction and mesmeric supernatural powers. Cast: 7M, 2F, Female Chorus. Instrumentation: Reed 1 (Alto Sax/Flute/Piccolo); Reed 2 (Oboe/Cor Anglais); Reed 3 (Clarinet/Bass Clarinet); 2 Horns; Trumpet; Trombone; Percussion; Guitar; 2 Keyboards; 2 Violins; Viola; Cello; Bass

playscripts.indd 2 14/12/2009 11:00:20


PLAYSCRIPTS

33


THE DROWSY CHAPERONEBook by Bob Martin and Don McKellar. Music & lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison

If you’ve ever sat in a darkened theatre and thought ‘Dear Lord in heaven, let it be good’, then this is the show for you. Winner of

five awards at the 2006 Tonys, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is a rare combination of unprecedented originality and good old-fashioned nostalgia, a musical-within-a-comedy hosted by a die-hard musical theatre fan whose favourite musical bursts to life in his living room as soon as he places the cast album on the turntable. The show is filled with glorious, zany characters and at its heart is an affectionate mocking of musical theatre in all its silliness and self-absorption.Cast: 9 males, 5 females, possible chorus Instrumentation: Reed 1 (Alto Sax, Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo, Soprano Sax); Reed 2 (Alto Sax, Clarinet, Flute, Soprano Sax); Reed 3 (Clarinet, Piccolo, Tenor Sax); Reed 4 (Baritone Sax, Bass Clarinet, Clarinet); 3 Trumpet; Trombone; Drums; Percussion; 2 Keyboard; Bass

EUROBEAT ALMOST EUROVISION (SARAJEVO)By Craig Christie & Andrew Patterson

Eurobeat is a riotously funny musical banquet, a glorious and dazzling homage to the biggest annual song contest in the world, LIVE ON STAGE! Winning Is Everything in Eurobeat. This

critically-acclaimed musical event gives audiences the power to decide which of the ten competing countries will win the coveted award! No two shows are ever the same at Eurobeat! Sir Terry Wogan will help to whip you and your fellow Europeans into a frenzy and only you and your texting thumb can affect the outcome* as no one knows who will be crowned the most ‘euro-tastic’ on the night... including the contestants! Bring your mobile phone, your best and loudest friends, grab a flag and get set for the best night out you will EVER have. WARNING: Do not wear mascara to Eurobeat. Cast: Flexible ensemble cast, 1 male & 1 female presenterInstrumentation: Accompaniment CD

FOOTLOOSEBook by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. Based on the Original Screenplay by Dean Pitchford.Music by Tom Snow. Lyrics by Dean PitchfordAdditional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Haggar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman

When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the adjustment to his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the local laws - including a ban on dancing - which are the brainchild of a local preacher bent on exercising control over the town’s youths. When the Reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her heart on Ren, her boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation and many of the locals are eager to believe the worst

about the new kid. With its Oscar-nominated hit score (the film soundtrack album has sold over 15 million copies worldwide) the celebrated film musical now bursts explosively onto the stage. Cast: 5 men, 3 teenage boys, 4 women, 2 teenage girls, chorus. Instrumentation: 1 Reed; 2 Keyboards, Drums; Percussion; 2 Guitars; Bass

GREENWILLOWMusic and Lyrics by Frank Loesser Book by Frank Loesser and Lesser Samuels Based on the Best-Selling Novel by B.J. Chute

Based on the novel by B.J. Chute, Greenwillow is the tale of a magical town whose inhabitants see no reason to leave the comforts of home… that is, all the inhabitants save

Amos Briggs. For generations, the eldest Briggs men have been cursed with a powerful wanderlust, a “call” that fills their souls and sends them traveling, leaving the ones they love behind them. Determined to stop the curse from passing to the next generation, and despite his love for Dorrie Whitbred, Amos’ son Gideon vows never to marry. While the gloomy Reverend Lapp wrestles with the town over their souls, the arrival of Reverend Birdsong encourages the citizens of Greenwillow to trust their hearts, helping Gideon listen to a new “call” and find his way back home for good.

With a lush, romantic score, fine ensemble singing, and a cast of quirky, fablebook characters, Greenwillow is a Broadway charmer with opportunities for actors of all ages.

Cast: 8M, 10F, 2 boys, 1 girl, ChorusInstrumentation: Reed 1 (Piccolo/Flute/Alto Flute); Reed 2 (E flat Clainet/Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Oboe/Cor Anglais); Reed 3 (E flat Clarinet/Clarinet/Bass Clarinet); Reed 4 (Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Oboe/Cor Anglais); Reed 5 (Bassoon/Contrabassoon); Horn; Trumpet; 2 Trombones; Percussion; Harp; 3 Violins; Viola; 2 Cello; Bass

OUR HOUSEBook by Tim FirthMusic and Lyrics by Madness

Our House is the story of Joe Casey who, on the night of his sixteenth birthday, takes Sarah, the girl of his dreams, out on their first date. In an effort to impress her with bravado, he breaks into a building site overlooking his home on Casey Street, which is owned by Mister Pressman, a high-end

property developer. The police turn up, at which point Joe’s life splits into two: the Good Joe, who stays to help, and Bad Joe, who flees.

All of these great new muscals can be licensed throughJosef Weinberger Ltd 12-14 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JJ T/: 020 7580 2827 F: 020 7436 9616www.josef-weinberger.com e-mail: [email protected]

playscripts.indd 3 14/12/2009 11:00:45

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HERTFORD 90.indd 1 14/12/2009 13:06:07


REVIEWS

35


NEXT TO NORMALNext To Normal is a musical about mental illness and the effect of that illness on people’s lives. Currently playing on Broadway, it’s unique, modern and definitely worth a listen. Encompassing all manner of musical forms there’s something for everyone here. With a knockout central performance by Alice Ripley (you may remeber her as one half of the Siamese Twins in Side Show) Side Show may not be to everyone’s taste but it is a musical that dares to be different and in doing so will hopefully encourage others to develop the form. I must admit to also finding some of the emotions expressed in the show quite touching as people grapple with life, mental health and the medications which in effect numb one to the world.

9 TO 5Based on the hugely successful film of the same name, this new musical by Dolly Parton should have been a huge hit. Something went wrong though on the way to Broadway and whilst it’s a hard call having not seen the show itself, I found the CD as bland as bland could be. Vocally the three leads - Allison Janney, Stephanie J Block and Mehan Hilty are in fine form, the problem seems to lie in Parton’s score. There are a few stand out moments but its perhaps a warning that writing musicals is perhaps not quite as easy as many may think.

DAD’S ARMY This is a stonking recording of the Dad’s Army stage show made at the Forum Theatre Billingham in 1975. This must have been a brilliant show with original songs and war time classics. Recorded with all of the original cast including Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn and Ian Lavender, this recording sparkles with the wit and humour of Jimmy Perry and David Croft. At £5.99 what have you got to lose? For Dad’s Army fans, this is a great opportunity to re-discover an unreleased live performance of this cult lassic.

BLUEBIRDFrom the writer and composer of Escape and A Million Grains of Sand. Bluebird takes place in and around East London and the battlefields of Europe, during the turbulent years of the Second World War. It charts the story of ordinary people, living in extraordinary times. This is an amazing concept recording made all the more interesting by the casting of Ramin Karimloo (who is about to take on the role of Phantom in Love Never Dies). Ramin’s voice is devastatingly beautiful. Hoined by other West End actors including Sarah lark, Stephen Weller and Abi Finley, Bluebird is a real must have for musical theatre fans who like to be two steps ahead of the next big smash!!

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bookscdreviews.indd 3 14/12/2009 14:00:57


REVIEWS

SPEAKING IN TONGUESDUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE

Andrew Bovell’s Speaking in Tongues has been performed several times since its premiere in 2000 and a film version, called Lantana, two years later. It is an intricate narrative of nine characters, played by just four actors, each doubling or tripling up, to add extra dimensions and complication to the story.

It begins with two couples contemplating a one-night stand with each others’ partners, played out in two different hotel rooms but occupying the same stage space. To make matters more complex, the parallels and differences between the simultaneous scenes are emphasised by the actors speaking many of their words and lines in perfect unison with each other – a fascinating but disorienting technique that thankfully ceases until later in

the play.

After the repercussions of these bedroom infidelities, the story suddenly opens out, switching to new characters mentioned only in passing earlier in the play – a man spotted

throwing a woman’s shoe onto a building site late at night, a woman missing in the woods, a discarded pair of brogues belonging to a man distressed by the disappearance of his fiancée.

While the characters weave in and out of each others’ stories, they share a feeling of isolation and inability to trust despite the connectivity of their lives. There is a strong ensemble cast of John Simm, Lucy Cohu, Ian Hart and Kerry Fox, matched by some interesting staging including effective use of sound and video to add nuances to the stories being told.

PAINS OF YOUTHCOTTESLOE THEATRE, NATIONAL THEATRE

When I first saw Ferdinand Bruckner’s 1926 play Pains of Youth at the Finborough Theatre nine years ago, I found it rather flat but I had hopes that my opinion of it would be changed by Katie Mitchell’s production at the National Theatre, with a new translation by the excellent Martin Crimp. Sadly, I am still baffled why theatre companies return to this Austrian play where a series of 20-something characters drift humourlessly about the stage, talking with great seriousness about not much at all.

Of course, this is at the heart of what the play is about, showing the discontented, listless youth of 1920s Austria after their country

Kerry Fox and Ian Hart (photo by Johan Persson)

Lydia Wilson and Laura Elphinstone

westendoctober.indd 2 14/12/2009 11:01:53


REVIEWS

37


was let down by their elders and supposed betters during World War One. With its depiction of drug-taking and lesbianism, it would have been shocking at the time, but it seems quite tame for anyone who has been to the Royal Court in the last 50 years.

The most exciting aspects are in the staging, with an unsettling soundscape designed by Gareth Fry and atonal music by Paul Clark. The most striking moments come between each scene where the action freezes and members of the cast move props around the stage in semi-darkness before everything fizzes back into life like electricity switched back on. Before the play starts, the furniture is draped with large sheets of transparent hermetic plastic, which are removed by the actors before the action begins and then replaced during the interval. These all create a sense that the characters are part of a lab experiment, being moved like automata by an unseen scientist.

The cast do a good job with a difficult play, particularly Laura Elphinstone as the morally confused, disintegrating Marie and Lydia Wilson as the highly strung Desiree, but you are left with the sense that they are not only clinical subjects in an experiment but are like ghosts haunting a room, pointlessly repeating their unfulfilled existences – which is all intellectually stimulating but not so thrilling as theatre.

TALENTMENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Long before the days of Acorn Antiques and Dinnerladies, a 25-year-old Victoria Wood wrote a short play set backstage during a talent contest at a Manchester variety club, Bunters Nitespot, focusing on aspiring singer Julie and her best friend Maureen. Starring Julie Walters and herself, it had some success and was made into a play for TV, providing a push for the pair’s careers. Thirty-one years later, it has been revived at the

Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere and then at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory.

Still set in the 1970s, it gets much of its appeal from now-kitsch references to Babycham and Lena Zavaroni, with some hilarious lines that are now familiar to Wood’s fans, such as the tale of the woman who laughs to much that “a Malteser came down her nose” and the nun who left the monastery because “they were always having tomato soup and she lost her faith”.

The play is more like a musical, featuring many of Wood’s comic songs, with new ones added for this production which aim to “open up the lost world of the cabaret club”, according to Wood who has directed the revival. There are some good performances, most notably from Suzie Toase as Wood’s original character, Maureen, and Mark Hadfield as both Mary the club’s front-of-house manager and the charmingly hopeless assistant to Jeffrey Holland’s ventriloquist. But funny lines and nicely drawn characters are not enough to make this more than just an extended sketch with songs.

Laura Elphinstone and Leo Bill

Suzie Toase and Leanne Rowe (photo by Catherine Ashmore)

westendoctober.indd 3 14/12/2009 11:02:14

THE LAST WORD


Wisteria CottageGarrick Road

Campton Royal

Greetings,

Here we are in the midst of panto season yet again. Not my favourite genre I have to say. I find the concept of directing a cow most disturbing, particularly when the front end has gone home. And I have had some dreadful experiences. Probably the worst was playing the genie and being trapped in the very confined space of the ‘cave’, not helped because I’m claustrophobic. This was all because Aladdin dried on ‘Open Sesame’ and the prompt had gone for a smoke.

During my last foray into this world of bad jokes and even worse singing, there was an unfortunate incident with the cooking scene. One night, one of the actors took it upon himself to break an egg on top of his partner’s head. The following night, said partner exacted revenge and another egg bit the toupee. The scene then descended into an extended ad lib and what should have taken four minutes became a toe-curling twenty. As a not-so-grand finale a number of cream pies ended up on the theatre curtains, the piano and the pianist’s blue-rinsed hair. The cleaning bill was extortionate.

As if this was not enough, I had major problems with the gentleman operating the lights. I use the term ‘gentleman’ loosely; he was a used car salesman. There was a moonlit scene during which I had demanded a complete black out for a tricky transformation. However, three nights running, despite my protests, the lights remained stubbornly on and the audience were treated to the witch and the good fairy changing places as furtively as possible and wishing the stage would swallow them. This resulted in the fairy waving her magic broomstick and the witch making a hasty exit with a pair of wings impaled on her pointed hat.

I finally challenged Harold, I think that was his name. And do you know what he said? He said ‘You can’t turn off the moon, Doris. That ain’t natural.’ I knew he wasn’t very bright, but really! Then I had an inspiration and replied ‘For your information, at precisely ten minutes past nine, every night, a dirty big black cloud will blow across the moon.’ Though I think I said ‘dratted big cloud’ to add force to my argument and I had no more trouble!

Happy Thesping,

Doris Richardson-Hall

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amateur stage magazine december 2009

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