amateur stage magazine september 2009

asmagazineTHE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE FOR COMMUNITY THEATRE WWW.ASMAGAZINE.CO.UKSEPTEMBER 2009 £2.95

63BIRTHDAY ISSUE

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AS MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 20093

asmagazine sept09

52

from the editorWelcome to our 63rd Birthday issue! Colleagues here thought i was mad when i suggested we should celebrate our 63rd birthday. Perhaps i am, but i thought we had good reason to celebrate.

over the past months we have been endeavouring to communicate with as many groups as we possibly could, not always an easy task, given the sheer numbers out there and the lack of any form of contact list. if we missed you in the process, our apologies - please, please, please get in touch with us and add your details to our email list.

my especial thanks to the many groups who are submitting pictures of their productions for publication. We are endeavouring to publish as many as we can in each issue. it’s been enormous fun to look at the pictures and see what is going on.

in this issue we take a look at two corporate societies, the British Airways Cabin Crew entertainment Society and the John Lewis Partnership dramatic Society. it’s great to see two corporate heavy hitters supporting their staff in artistic endeavours.

Lastly, we are trying to establish a balance that satisfies the drama lovers, the musical fans, the festival lovers, the youth sector and the audiences. it’s no easy feat, let me assure you. enjoy this birthday issue and send us your contributions and feedback. We are nothing without you!

doug

thiS moNth

19

27

29

7 NeWS News from around the country.

15 hiGh fLYiNG PANto We look at the British Airways Cabin Crew entertainment Society

19 SiLVer SCreeN to StAGe is the recent glut of adaptations good or bad for business? 22 retAiL drAmA the John Lewis Partnership dramatic Society celebrate 80 years. 27 AUditioNS Some hot tips for surviving auditions.

52 SCeNiC SALVAtioN UK Productions have started hiring. We talk to martin dodd.

55 ProJeCtiNG YoUr AmBitioNS Andy Vere discusses new technology in production.

61 WWW We look at some of the great websites.

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

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(c) 2009 Next Phase Media Ltd

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OUR FIRST ISSUE

Thank you for your support over the last 63 years.


www.asmagazine.co.uk

Thank you – that’s all we need for today...is full of practical advice for anyone who auditions for musical theatre shows, whether professionalor amateur. Starting with the earliest stages, it covers every aspect of the audition process.

Mary Hammond is one of themost significant figures in themusical-theatre world. She is a vocal consultant to CameronMackintosh Ltd, The ReallyUseful Group, the RoyalShakespeare Company, theNational Theatre and manyleading West-End producers.Mary founded the post-graduateMusical Theatre course at theRoyal Academy of Music.

Available from all good music shops or visit www.editionpeters.com

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A CD of vocal warm-ups is included to help you get the best out of your voice.

577.peds_Hammond_AmatStage_Adv:2 4/9/09 13:27 Page 1

auditions.indd 2 10/09/2009 12:04:52


NEWS

7

The Southern Counties Drama Festival, now established as one of leading drama festivals for One-Act Competitive Drama, will again return to the Barn Theatre in Oxted for its 59th season from 22nd February - 27th February 2010.

This prestigious festival now boasts a full week with some outstanding youth and adult drama performed by some of the leading drama groups in the South East. Past winners of the festival have gone on to win the English Final of the All-England Theatre Festival of One- Act Plays and been invited to perform at the NDFA All Winners Festival.

With Gatwick Airport Community Trust again offering financial support, the festival committee hope to be able to offer financial assistance to competing teams as they did this year.

The 2010 festival will be adjudicated by GoDA adjudicator Arthur Rochester who, each evening, will provide a critical appraisal of the plays presented, culminating with the awards ceremony on the last night. The advice and encouragement given from the stage is invaluable to the groups participating and to the enthusiastic audiences. Participating groups can enhance their craft of acting by watching other groups perform, and by being involved in a friendly and fun festival.

The Festival Committee will be delighted to receive entries for the 2010 festival for which the closing date for entries will be October 26th 2009. Application forms and any other information can be obtained by ringing the festival office on

FESTIVAL FEVER

01959 561811 or from the Barn Theatre website at http://www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk/scdf.html where a lot of other useful information can also be found.

BOLTON CELEBRATES AT AWARDS CEREMONYThe best of Bolton amateur dramatics was celebrated in style at the town’s own ‘Tonys’ ceremony. the annual Bolton Amateur Theatre Societies’ awards took place on Sept 4 at The Last Drop Hotel.The awards are held to celebrate the achievements of various theatre groups that make up BATS.The evening, a black tie affair, was a huge success with Mr Cohen presenting awards judged by a team of reviewers from The Bolton News. Winners included: Best Drama - Marco Players - The Madness Of George III; Best Comedy - Bolton Little Theatre - Fawlty Towers; Best Musical - Farnworth Performing Arts Co - Oliver and Best Pantomime - Tyldesley Little Theatre - Snow White

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NEWS


DRAMA FESTIVALS CONFERENCE POSTPONEDDue 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: [email protected]

EDINBURGH COMPANIES TRIUMPHTwo amateur theatre companies are celebrating after winning Evening News Drama Awards for the second year running.

Edinburgh Theatre Arts received the award for Best Play on this year’s Fringe with their production of A Tale Of Two Cities, but the biggest cheer of the night came when Forth Children’s Theatre was named the winner of the Best Musical award for its production of Ragtime.

Chairman of Edinburgh Theatre Arts, John McLinden said: “ It is fantastic to win the award because it is great recognition for six months of really hard work putting the show together. It was quite a difficult show with 34 scenes, which we had to cram into St Ninians Church Hall. We also had to build a working guillotine for people to have their heads chopped off!”.

Around 100 actors, directors and producers from all 12 nominated amateur companies witnessed the presentation of this year’s awards.

One of the adjudicators, Mr James Haworth commented: “Many of the shows that the Edinburgh amateur companies have put on have actually been better than the professional productions I have seen this year”.

It has been claimed that some young performers are losing out on opportunities to appear in UK television drama because local authorities are refusing to grant them licenses if they disapprove of the shows editorial content.

This warning came from John McVay, the chief executive of PACT, which represents independent producers in the UK.

McVay said there was concern that councillors at some local authorities, which license children to appear in television shows, including dramas, were refusing to grant some actors the right to appear in both amateur theatre productions and television programmes because of their objections to the content.

He said that local authorities were not allowed to do this by law and questioned whether it was right that license decisions should provide authorities with a chance to exert editorial control.

Concerns were raised earlier in the year about the welfare of children on shows

such as Britain’s Got Talent, by McVay stressed that the rights of councils to based decisions for permits based on scripts and content was not within their remit.

CHILD LICENSES REFUSED ON CONTENT

Auditon notices have just been posted by Ariel Company Theatre for their 2010 production of Jesus Christ Superstar at The Hawth Theatre in Crawley.

The company are looking to cast a quirky, diverse, interesting, eclectic mix of team players, who are passionate about the show. Vocal stamina is the key to this production with the production team looking for leads who can withstand the vocal pressures of rehearsals and a performance run without buckling under the weight of Lloyd Webber and Rice’s phenomenal score.

It’s hard to believe that this acclaimed show is now nearly 40 years old. Superstar follows the last days in the life of Jesus as told through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.

Superstar follows in the wake of Ariel’s previous productions of Rent, Return To the Forbidden Planet, Tommy, We Will Rock You and Les Miserables.

Audition information is available online at www.arielct.co.uk or www.arielproductions.co.uk or for an application form call 01444 250 407.

ARIEL COMPANY THEATRE ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

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AS MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2009 9

PANTOMIMESBy JOHN CROCKER

The Smaller Cast VersionsALADDIN “PEAK OF PANTO PERFECTION”

Exeter Express & EchoMOTHER GOOSE “FUN FILLED SCRIPT”

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

PLUS the much loved favourites with music and lyrics by ERIC GILDERCINDERELLA, 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 sketchPOTTY PANTOMIME

Also a Rock MusicalTHE FRANKENSTEIN MONSTER SHOWBy JOHN CROCKER and TIM HAMPTON

Music by KEN BOLAM Lyrics by LES SCOTT

All obtainable fromSAMUEL FRENCH LIMITED

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

GABRIEL BYRNE BECOMES A PATRON OF DUBLIN’S PLAYHOUSEFollowing the re-opening of its Artillery Street site earlier this year, The Playhouse has continued to attract attention both nationally and internationally. Already the recipient of a major architectural award and with its first patron - the internationally acclaimed Londonderry-born actress Bronagh Gallagher in place, The Playhouse has started to cast its net further and wider.

And what a catch it’s been reaching as far as Hollywood to bring in an unusual suspect in the form of Irish acting legend Gabriel Byrne. Byrne is one of Ireland’s finest acting exports and a man who has always had a deep love and appreciation for theatre, having worked in Dublin’s Focus and Abbey Theatres as well as with the Royal Court and Royal National Theatres in London.

In a recent quote the star said: “Every village, every city, needs a theatre. It’s not just a building, it’s about being exposed to new ideas. Theatre changes the way we view society and connects us to global ideas. Theatre is seriously important for who we are.”

As a patron of the Playhouse, Gabriel is helping to support once of the most vibrant arts centres in the whole of Ireland. Since it first opened its doors in 1992, The Playhouse has served every aspect of the community from professional and amateur theatre companies, community groups, young people to adult education and many, many more.

COST CRISIS HITS NORTH WEST GROUPSAmateur theatre groups in Preston claim they are being priced out of staging shows at a city theatre by rocketing fees. Groups are claiming that the cost of staging performances at the Guild Hall and Charter Theatre has gone up 70% in the past three years.

The Preston Musical Comedy Society, which this year produced My Fair Lady at the venue, said the cost of some performances have soared by up to £5,000. It warned that it will not be performing at the Charter Theatre next year unless a better agreement is reached.

Preston Opera also said that rising costs meant it cut yearly performances at the venue from two to one around three years ago. Barbara Walsh from Preston Opera said “It was very expensive and we could not afford to use it twice a year.”

Preston Muiscal Comedy Society committee member Geoff O’Hara said: “Certainly for 2010 we won’t be there because we can’t afford it”.

Preston Lib Dem Councillor Alan Hackett has raised the matter with the council and remarked: “The point I was making is amateur theatre is something Preston has to keep because it is very valuable. The situation must never get to the point where they cannot use what I might call the best venue.”

Chris Haylett, general manager of the Guild Hall and Charter Theatre, said: “Discussions are ongoing. The venue was subsidising Preston Musical Comedy Society for many years but the costs at the Charter Theatre are real costs. The Preston Musical Comedy Society has a very good deal but they need to do more on their side. They need to do more marketing.”

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NEWS


NEW ACTING SCHOOL OPENS IN LEEDSIn October 2009, a new acting school will open in Leeds, offering would-be actors in the North of England a chance to take their first steps towards a career in the profession. Geared towards school leavers and those looking for a mid or later life career change, the school has available a coveted 20 places in its inaugural year starting in October 09 and is offering free auditions by arrangement throughout the summer. Acting School North is the only independent school in Yorkshire to offer full-time professional acting training for adults. Three bursaries are being made available to support students with the talent but not enough funds to train.

A concept envisioned by acting teacher, actor and drama theoretician Rogelio Nevares, and created by actor and director of the new School Sorcha Donaldson, Acting School North will operate one-year full-time courses using a technique developed by Rogelio Nevares. The technique has been adapted from the Stanislavsky methodology he learned in Moscow at the world-leading All Russian State University of Cinematography to suit modern British stage actors as well as those with a passion for screen acting. In addition to acting, students will also learn financial management, how to market themselves, and other business disciplines that make the best talent stand out from the crowd.

Contact teaching hours during each 10-week term are distributed over 3 consecutive days, allowing students to fulfil other working or family commitments whilst they study.

A Burnley amateur theatre group may be forced to drop the town’s name out of its title after 80 years.

Members of Burnley Garrick Club claim they have been financially cornered by the Mechanics theatre after charges to use the performance space rose 22% in two years.

Bosses at the Garrick have predicted that recent falls in profits, coupled with the charges by the Mechanics, could bankrupt the group by 2012.

The company is now looking to relocate to the Nelson ACE Centre for a better deal. Lynne Atkinson, chairman of the Garrick Club, said the group was now

considering dropping Burnley from its name.

She said: “ At the annual general meeting, members were told that the cost of performing at the Burnley Mechanics had increased so much that it threatens the future of the club. The members encouraged the idea of moving and some were critical of Burnley Council’s attitude to quality amateur theatre.

A spokesman for the ACE Centre in Nelson said: “We are thrilled that the Burnley Garrick want to come here and we look forward to an excellent partnership. The plays they do are unusual and will bring a great balance to what we have here. Due to the group’s

The school’s Professional Practice programme will help students prepare for the world of work. During the 1-year course, students’ performances will be filmed, providing them with material for a varied portfolio to present to agents and casting directors. Professional actors, agents and casting directors will be on hand to offer advice and support through a series of full-day workshops each term. Fringe theatre productions will be developed and managed by students for public consumption and to professional standards, mentored by Acting School North, enabling them to fully experience the fundraising, managerial and creative demands required to produce work for real audiences.

Unlike many drama schools, Acting School North will not charge for auditions, levelling the playing field for students from any background to take a first step towards a career in acting, and the team is keen to hear from students of any age or level of experience to arrange an audition.

Sorcha Donaldson, Director of Acting School North said: ‘We’re calling on any adults in the UK, looking for an interesting challenge and career in acting, to audition. Competition for acting schools is fierce, because despite the recent TV talent shows, it is really only trained actors who stand a chance at working in the industry. We’re here to equip our students with the best skills possible for succeeding in their career path, whether they are fresh from school or college, or whether they are changing direction later in life, and we believe there is potential for them to find their niche and apply their learnings across an industry that spans everything from live theatre to video games.’

FEES MAY FORCE BURNLEY RELOCATION

Professor Michael Gaunt, actor and director said: ‘I am pleased to applaud the concept driving Acting School North, that is, a desire to ensure that acting students will receive a training that prepares them technically and creatively, both in the theatre and before the camera, for their professional future. It is so important that acting schools do not fall into the trap of allowing students to perform each new character as instant copies of themselves and this is exactly what Acting School North sets out to avoid. How much more exciting it is for the actors and their audiences when roles are prepared imaginatively and unique characterisations are allowed to develop arising from the study of text, action, character and relationship. Graduating actors will be able to gain not only bread and butter employment in their working lives, but they will have the ability to engage with the classical repertoire and be part of keeping it alive for future generations of actors and their audiences.’

Tel: 0113 232 0699Email: [email protected]: www.actingschoolnorth.co.uk

reputation, the Garrick has a loyal following which we will welcome with open arms.”

One of the club’s priorities this year is to recruit more staff to help with running the company. A club secretary has been sought in recent weeks to help with the fundraising and administration side of running the group.

Mick Cartledge, director of community services at Burnley Council said: “We are disappointed to think they would consider moving. Over the past two years their fees have increased, but in line with other societies and performers and not to a rate which we feel is excessive.”

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NEWS


THE STAGE LAUNCHES RANGE OF E-BOOKSThe Stage has recently released a range of educational E-Books aimed at young people interested in pursuing a career in theatre. There are five books in the Backstage Guide series. These are aimed at youngsters from 15 to 21 whose skills could be applied to a career offstage rather than on.

These include kids who may be unaware of the opportunities for them and may have no interest at present in theatre. We seek to make them realise that training in theatre may be an end in itself or lead to work in film, TV, sport or music. The books are designed to be very concise, honed down to the essential things they need to know.

The intro gives an overview so readers can decide which area interests them most. In addition to advice on course applications, preparation (including work in amateur theatre) and funding we provide interviews with recent students and those at the top of their game, tips, a course list and individual glossaries for all subject areas. Plus essential questions answered by our careers coach ‘Dear John’ Byrne, whose column appears weekly in The Stage.

The guides include:-

INTRODUCTIONGood at working with your hands, leaving school soon and like the idea of an exciting job where your skills are in demand? From the Olympics ceremony to Glastonbury, Hollywood to the West End, there’s no event that doesn’t rely on an army of highly skilled backstage people. Britain’s reputation in this field is second to none. With opportunities increasing around the world, the UK needs to train thousands more. If you have a knack for building things, design, electrics, computers, or a flair for costume, hair and make-up, then you’re the sort of person the industry wants. Produced by experts writing for the world-renowned publication for the performing arts and entertainment, The Stage Guide to Working Backstage series consists of five essential books. Our introduction provides you with an overview of what’s on offer, how to find funding and what area of work suits you best. The other four volumes focus on key areas - stage management, craft and construction, lighting and sound, plus

costume and make-up.

CRAFT AND CONSTRUCTIONFrom a lavish stage set that would tax the skills of the best builders and carpenters, to a realistic, life-sized animal puppet or an authentic-looking model of a severed head, craft and construction experts create the effects that help make a show convincing to the audience. Most have no interest in acting but their talents mean they are constantly in demand in theatre, film, television and events. Even in these gloomy economic times, demand for your talents is set to grow over the next decade. For those in secondary school or just finished, the career opportunities are abundant but you need the right advice. This guidebook, is edited by the paper’s training editor Susan Elkin. In it, you’ll find an outline of the jobs available, a glossary of words and phrases you need to know, interviews with teachers, students and the experts themselves, FAQs and advice on passing that all-important college audition.

COSTUME AND MAKE-UPEver wondered how a film actor can age from 30 to 130, how to make a modern day actress look like a convincing Jane Austen heroine or what it takes to turn a male performer into a convincing Edna Turnblad for a performance of Hairspray on stage? The answer lies with top quality costume and make-up artists – an area of entertainment in which Britain is a world leader. Your chances of getting on a top backstage training course can be ten times higher than for a leading acting course. This guidebook, is edited by specialist writer Paul Vale. In it, you’ll find an outline of the jobs available, a glossary of words and phrases you need to know, interviews with teachers, students and the experts themselves, FAQs and advice.

LIGHTING AND SOUNDHow many blockbuster theatre, music, film and other events wouldn’t work without the aid of top-class lighting and sound? It’s an area of entertainment in

which Britain is a world leader and there couldn’t be a better time to get involved. To be a part of this industry, you don’t need to have any acting talent but a lot of technical ability and creativity. Employment prospects afterwards are much greater too, with the potential to work in theatre, television, film, music and events. This guidebook, published by The Stage, the world-renowned UK arts and entertainment publication, is edited by lighting and sound expert Geoffrey Joyce. In it, you’ll find an outline of the jobs available, a glossary of words and phrases you need to know, interviews with teachers, students and the experts themselves, FAQs and advice on passing that all-important college audition.

STAGE MANAGEMENTWhat do world famous impresario Cameron Mackintosh and Mamma Mia! director Judy Craymer have in common? They both began their working lives as stage managers. No wonder when the job requires people skills, technical ability and great organisational ability. You may never tread the boards, but backstage, when the performance starts, you are the key person who keeps the show on the road. This guidebook, is edited by Barbara Eifler, executive director of the Stage Management Association and co-editor of the paper’s weekly Backstage section. In it, you’ll find an outline of the jobs available, a glossary of words and phrases you need to know, interviews with teachers, students and the experts themselves, FAQs and advice.

Guides can be purchased online at www.thestage.co.uk/ebooks.

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19 22

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FEATURE



HIGH FLYING PANTO

Musical

Theatre

Ralph Richardson Memorial Studios, King�sher Place, Clarendon Road, Wood Green, London N22 6XF

Undergraduate & Postgraduate Courses

Plus an exciting programme of Part-time and Summer Courses

Tel: 020 8881 2201Fax: 020 8829 0034

[email protected]

Acting

Technical

Theatre

Mountview is committed to equal opportunities.

Stage Management • Lighting • Sound • Design • Construction

balsofeature.indd 2 10/09/2009 10:56:21


FEATURE

15


HIGH FLYING PANTOThe British Airlways Cabin Crew Entertainment Society is noordinary society. This talented group have been entertainingaudiences for over 30 years, all the while fulfilling theirobligations to British Airways. Work obligations which sees themflying all over the world, not the easiest of tasks when you arerehearsing a panto.

The group is made all the more interesting thanks to some ofthe people they have managed to entice into taking part. Eachyear a group of long standing London Symphony Orchestramusicians, augmented by talented students helps the societywith the recording the music for their yearly pantomime.This year is no different when an extraordinary orchestragathering to record the music for Ali Baba.

ABOUT THE GROUPThe British Airways Cabin Crew Entertainment Society(BACCES) was formed in 1971 after two BEA stewards wrote acomedy review and staged it at York House in Twickenham. Thetwo-night show was such a success that they were forced toextend the show for a further three nights.Since then, BACCES has gone from strength-to-strength andhas developed a highly successful group of amateur actorswhich to date has raised over half a million pounds for charity

through its annual pantomime. Some of the cast members fromthe first show are still performing today.THE PANTOMIMEThe pantomime takes place at the Beck Theatre in Hayesin early December kicking off the Christmas season sellingaround 5,000 tickets during the run. The show is supportedby individuals who are specialists in their field, from musicto stage management and direction. Costumes are madeand sourced through the BACCES wardrobe mistress, alsoa member of BA cabin crew. Over the years, some of thecostumes are acquired from places around the worldsuch as Bangkok, which the crew have sourced during theirwork trips.

THE CHARITIESLast year, BACCES raised £14,000 for various charities inludingthe RNLI and the Kidney Patient Association, which supportspatients and families suffering from kidney-related illnesses.

Each year the society lays on two additional free performancesfor which they donate all the tickets to deserving peopleincluding under-privileged children and elderly residents whomight not otherwise have the opportunity to see the show.

The British Airways Cabin Crew Entertainment Society are preparing to stage their yearly pantomime production - AliBaba. AS Magazine was invited to pay them a visit to see and hear the recording session for their next production. Wesoon realised this was no ordinary undertaking.

Musical

Theatre

Ralph Richardson Memorial Studios, King�sher Place, Clarendon Road, Wood Green, London N22 6XF

Undergraduate & Postgraduate Courses

Plus an exciting programme of Part-time and Summer Courses

Tel: 020 8881 2201Fax: 020 8829 0034

[email protected]

Acting

Technical

Theatre

Mountview is committed to equal opportunities.

Stage Management • Lighting • Sound • Design • Construction


FEATURE



PREPARING THE SHOWGiven that the society members are all working members ofBA staff, serving various long-haul and short-haul destinations,rehearsing can provide various unique challenges. Principalamongst these is that for most of the rehearsal period largenumbers of the cast are unable to attend rehearsals. As youcan imagine, blocking large musical numbers can be a chal-lengewhen half the cast is halfway round the world.

By the time the show arrives, it is usual that the whole casthas only met on a select few occassions, making itan all-the-more impressive undertaking. Victoria Hodgkin, anewcomer to the group who has landed the role of Ali Baba,is enthusiastic “It’s quite a big commitment but we have a bidsystem on Eurofleet, so I try to do my best to bid around this.Now I’m part of it, I’m trying not to miss a thing”.

Director Steven Warner has the job of making the whole showcome together with cast in absentia. “You use your imaginationa great deal to imagine where the missing people are goingto be. Sometimes I stand in using different voices!” Perhapsthe biggest challenge lies with choreograhers who are stagingdance numbers, having to rehearse them over and over again.

THE MUSICBACCES have the unique privilege of being accompaniedby member of the London Symphony Orchestra at eachperformance. Each year, LSO musicians and some studentsgather together to record the backing tracks for the panto.Sneaking into Angel Studios in North London, we got theimpression that this was a real family affair, with catering laid onand a number of cabin crew on hand to hear the orchestra playthe score that will eventually be used during their performances.

Getting to this point though each year is no easy feat. Eachyear Eunice Brushfield-Hodges (working under her professional music writing name of Bobbie Field), sits down to arrangethe mountain of music needed for the annual recording session.Bobie came to know the BACCES society when she workedin the music department of the BBC. “Each year they wouldcome to us and ask for orchestrations to various songs, on theoccasions when we didn’t have what they wanted I’d arrangesomething for them. When I left the BBC, I continued to helpand eventually when their MD retired, he recommended I takeon the job. It’s one of the highlights of my year”.

So how does one get the LSO involved in recording a pantoscore? The story goes that many years ago the orchestrawere returning to the UK on a long haul flight and a coupleof members of the society spent the flight wooing them andcajolling them to become involved. That flight formed thebasis of a relationship that has lasted now for 25 years. I haveto admit it was quite a buzz to hear such a talented group ofmusicians playing through the theme from Happy Days!

“They are so lovely to do this for us. We are so grateful. It reallymakes the show special”, says Dee Bull, one of the company’slong serving members.

So next time you find yourself flying BA and see one of your cabin crew soft shoeing it down the aisle, take the time to ask if they are a member of BACCES, They are a delightful bunch who deserve some kudos for the work they do.

Ali Baba wil be performed at The Beck Theatre Hayes from 1st to 6th December. Bookings can be made on 020 8513 0507 or at www.bacces.info.


29


AS MAGAZINE | JULY 2009


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Untitled-1 1 10/07/2009 12:49:54


FEATURE

19


SCREEN TO STAGEThere has been a trend of late amongst many theatre folk to routinely bash the number of new shows adapted from the silver screen. It is, they exclaim, the death of new shows and the dumbing down of theatre for the mass public.

Well I’m not sure I quite agree with that blanket statement but there is no doubt that the number of new productions based on films is skyrocketing. At the moment the West End plays host to Priscilla, Hairspray, The Lion King, Calendar Girls, Billy Elliot, Sister Act, Dirty Dancing, and is about to premiere productions of Breakfast At Tiffany’s and The Shankshaw Redemption. Even Broadway, which is struggling under the weight of recession, is reliant on shows such as Mary Poppins, Shrek, Billy Elliot, Spiderman and White Christmas to keep crowds pleased.

It’s a scheduling phenomenon that is fast catching on with amateur theatre groups. The reasons for this are manifold but generally come down to a few significant factors:

Casting - All societies are reliant on their memberships to stage shows. There is usually a serious underestimation of the amount of time and commitment required to make shows happen and trying to get younger participants involved can sometimes mean the difference between success and failure for a group. The ability to get a potential cast excited about a show must be a matter for consideration.

Audiences - Amateur groups are fast realising what professional

producers have been thinking for a few years now. In the past, audiences have been encouraged to come along to shows that were unfamiliar to them. Asking audiences to part with money on a leap of faith can sometimes be difficult in tough economic times. Giving audiences the chance to see a show which they already connect with through a successful movie will usually prove an easier sell.

It’s no mug’s game, though. The stage adaptation of films has attracted some serious writers and composers all keen to bring well known stories to the stage. Even the likes of Bono from U2 and the Eurythmics Dave Stewart have entered the fray.

Whilst some playwrights are unflinching in their criticism of this trend, Nica Burns, owner of the Nimax Theatre group in the West End, has argued that as long as the story was strong, it shouldn’t matter where it came from. “What they are bringing to the table is that they are really original stories”, she said. “You can’t do a play adaptation without having a good writer, you don’t just take the film and put it on stage”. Sir Peter Hall, founder of the RSC agreed, “I think new playwriting is coming through”, he said. “There are vast numbers of films out there that are part of our cultural heritage. They go back 50 years and if they are part of our heritage it’s perfectly right that they should be examined. I think we have to be more open to influence.”

Many critics attack the trend in the musical theatre world but adaptations have been staged for many years now.

The number of screen to stage adaptations is booming in recent times. AS took the opportunity to look at the recent trend and examine how it might work to the advantage of amateur groups.

A Few Good Men

stage to screen.indd 3 10/09/2009 11:09:22

FEATURE



Productions including The Ealing Comedies, The Lady Vanish-es, The 39 Steps, and some Hitchcock classics have become staples of some companies’ repertory. Dramatic adaptation is not abating either as recent years have seen adaptations of films including Rain Man, Girl With A Pearl Earring, A Few Good Men, All About My Mother, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest,Swimming With Sharks, The Graduate, Brief Encounter and On The Waterfront.

Its also worth looking at The Producers and Hairspray. Both were non musical films which were musicalised for the stage and then re-made as musical films.

On the musical front many shows are quickly transferring to the amateur domain. Show such as Beauty and the Beast, The Wedding Singer, Fame and Singin’ In The Rain are fast proving popular choices.

Perhaps the biggest surprise for amateur groups came in the form of Disney’s High School Musical, the TV to stage adapta-tion which has dominated the UK stages since its release. The success of this one show alone has helped many groups rebal-ance their budgets and saved many from closure. Groups have rushed to climb on board the High School bandwagon knowing full well that version of the subsequent films will soon be hitting the stage. Indeed, you get the impression that the films produc-ers saw opportunities too with many of the musical numbers in the third film being staged in a theatrical setting.

Going with an adaptation is not always a surefire solution though. Just as many adaptations have tanked as have suc-ceeded. Recent failures include Desperately Seeking Susan, and 9 to 5 (which has only just closed on Broadway), with other

shows like Xanadu, The Little Mermaid, Young Frankenstein, and High Fidelity failing to achieve long run status.

The phenomenon of adaptations shows no sign of abating. Planning is already underway for productions including The First Wives Club, The Hudsucker Proxy, Moonstruck, Catch Me If You Can, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, A Fish Called Wanda, Pretty Woman, Tootsie, Get Shorty, Rocky, Mask, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Soapdish, and Field of Dreams amongst others.

The staging of any adaptation should be viewed in exactly the same way as any other production. Don’t be fooled into thoughts of quick success and financial return. Look at your group and ask if you have the where with all to stage one of these shows. If it looks good, then proceed.

In the meantime, there will be a plethora of options becoming available as the professional market for these production must ultimately reach saturation.

Breakfast At Tiffany’s

ShrekAll About My Mother

stage to screen.indd 4 10/09/2009 11:09:55

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playscripts.indd 5 10/09/2009 13:52:37

PROFILE



It’s a well-known face on the high street with an ever-increasing number of department stores and supermarkets around the country, but what isn’t generally known about the John Lewis Partnership is that it has its very own amateur dramatic society.

The John Lewis Partnership Dramatic Society was formed in 1929 at the instigation of the company’s founder, John Spedan Lewis. Years ahead of his time, he realised the importance of workers being happy, and one way of achieving this was by providing opportunities for staff (or more precisely, ‘Partners’ of the company) to participate

in activities and hobbies which would not be readily available to them in the outside world. In the autumn of that year the Society’s first production, Douglas Murray’s The Man from Toronto, was performed in the customer restaurant of one of the John Lewis branches, Peter Jones in Sloane Square. Until the outbreak of the second world war, plays were performed on an annual basis in this location and included such well-known favourites as Noel Coward’s Hay Fever, George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion and She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith.

Unsurprisingly, the war years saw the activities of the Dramatic Society being put on ice and it wasn’t until J.B. Priestly’s Laburnum Grove was performed in 1946 that Partners were able to tread the boards on a regular basis once more, at Peter Jones. The 50s saw plays such as The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde and Peter Ustinov’s The Love of Four Colonels being performed to packed audiences. During the war the company’s flagship branch, John Lewis in Oxford Street, had suffered serious bomb damage and was closed for a number of years to be rebuilt. To the delight of those with thespian

On the eve of their 80th Anniversary Gerry Wilkinson takes a look at the John Lewis Partnership Dramatic Society - one of the flourishing corporate societies entertaining audiences.

RETAIL DRAMA

waitrose.indd 2 10/09/2009 13:59:51


PROFILE

23


tendencies in the company, the massive rebuilding programme included an auditorium, which for many years became home to the Dramatic Society, the Music Society and various other groups within the company who showcased their talents to Partnership audiences.

The first play to be performed in this new purpose-built location was The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder in 1961. The ready availability of the auditorium and the keenness to return to normal life in the somewhat bleak post-war years gave the Dramatic Society a suitable impetus, and they started producing two and occasionally three productions a year. This was no mean feat - virtually all productions then (and now) involved full-time working Partners both on the stage and behind the scenes.

The 60s and 70s saw the Society go from strength to strength, performing plays such as R.B. Sheridan’s The Critic, Pinter’s A Night Out, The Crucible by Arthur Miller and Antigone by Sophocles, and 1976 saw the first Shakespearean production, The Taming of the Shrew. Around this time there were also a number of joint collaborations with the Music Society. The Society’s Golden Jubilee in 1979 saw a production of Dickon by Jack Pullman. Unfortunately all good things must (apparently) come to an end and the competitive retailing environment which developed during the 1980s led to a decision to close down the auditorium and convert it into selling space. The final Dramatic Society production performed there was Pack of Lies by Hugh Whitemore in early 1990. For the following nine years the Partnership Dramatic Society led a somewhat nomadic existence, performing plays in a variety of London theatres, including the Britten Theatre at the Royal College of Music and the Rudolf Steiner Theatre. In 1999 the society decided to put on A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and a momentous decision was taken. Not only would it be performed at a London location, but also outdoors in the grounds of the Partnership’s very own country club, Odney, in Cookham near Maidenhead. The success of that venture led to regular outdoor performances at Odney, with the 2009 Constance Cox adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice being the seventh such production.

The last decade has seen the activities of the Dramatic Society continue to grow and move out to a wider audience. After being based and performing exclusively in London for the vast majority of its existence, the rapidly growing Partnership, including the Waitrose Head Office in Bracknell, Berkshire, demanded that productions should be made available outside the metropolis. While the group have put on an annual production at RADA in Malet Street, London WC1 for the last four years, they have also secured a hopefully regular slot at the Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead. This year they performed Philip Goulding’s The Titfield Thunderbolt at RADA in the spring and will be performing Laura Wade’s Colder than Here at Norden Farm in the autumn. In November this year the group celebrate 80 years of the John Lewis Partnership Dramatic Society and will be holding a get-together for all past and present members, performing scenes from various plays they have produced over the years (hopefully at least one from each decade) and no doubt reminiscing about all the wonderful moments that have been shared during the various amounts of time they have been privileged to have been associated with the Society. Needless to say they will be raising many a glass to our Founder, John Spedan Lewis, without whose foresight and magnanimity none of this would have been possible.

Photos: Main Photo - Pride & Prejudice 2009 by Jeff Hopkins. Below - The Titfield Thunderbolt 2009 by James Mackenzie.

waitrose.indd 3 10/09/2009 14:00:19

AS MAGAZINE | MAY 200912

ONLINE www.asmagazine.co.uk

NOW ONLINE!

www.asmagazine.co.ukSUBSCRIBE ONLINE

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

ORDER BACK COPIES

SUBMIT ARTICLES

AS Magazine would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who have contributed to the magazine over its history. Their efforts and

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


SUBSCRIBE ONLINE

VISIT THE ONLINE ARCHIVE

ORDER BACK COPIES AND BINDERS

The publishers would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who have contributed to the magazine throughout its history. Their efforts and editorial contributions have

combined to make this website possible. To George Taylor, Roy Stacey, Charles Vance, Mark Thorburn, Dawn Kellogg, Irene Rostron GODA (Hon) and Jill Streatfeild and innumerable

others we offer our thanks.

insurance.indd 2 10/09/2009 13:32:54


FIRST NIGHT INSURANCE

25


So, 63 years have elapsed since the Opening Night of “Amateur Stage” Magazine. And I thought that 10 years was a long time! So, having started to write articles for “Amateur Stage” in 1999 I am, as I always thought, a mere youngster.

Firstly, many congratulations to all involved with “Amateur Stage” and here’s to the next 63 years, which should take me nicely into my early 30s!

Your editor tells me that this month’s magazine is a bumper issue and that there will be lots of new readers, so it might be advisable for me to explain a little about my company.

I am the Managing Director of a firm of Insurance Brokers in the City of London that specialise in providing insurance solutions for theatrical and associated trades. We have acted for a number of well-known professional theatre companies for a significant period of time and it is primarily for that reason that in the late 1990s we developed a specific theatre insurance package for amateur societies, which we called “First Night”.

Over the years, the cover has been refined, but basically the package we offer is aimed specifically at the amateur theatre insurance market.

We do, of course, aim to provide not only a good service when setting up the insurance, but also to provide specialist advice in the event of a claim. Because the package provides a significant number of different insurances under one policy wording, we have to be able to respond to a multitude of different questions ranging from the ever so thorny subject of Cancellation Insurance down to the type of cover that is available for open air performances at, say, the Minnack.

Throughout the years it has been my intention to write about different classes of insurance and how they relate to the amateur theatre market, but I have also spent a lot of time in trying to keep you updated with topics of the moment, the most recent of which is the current hot potato of the moment, namely Swine Flu and how that may impact on Cancellation Insurance Policies, both already in force and those about to be issued.

When deciding what cover to take, probably the most important aspect for an amateur society to consider is cost. This is, of course, as important to amateur societies as it is to professional theatre companies, but for slightly different reasons. Amateur societies need to keep their costs down in order to continue to trade, professional theatre companies need to keep their costs down in order to maximise profit.

I have spoken in the past about insurance cycles and this is probably a good time to provide an update.

There is absolutely no doubt that over the first six months of 2009 insurers were trying to increase rates across the board, even for profitable business. It seems that over the last few weeks this charge to increase rates has met such significant resistance that we are now seeing insurers scaling back their rate demand increases. Faced with these increases during the early part of this year, it seemed to me that, whilst I could understand why insurers were asking for rate rises, during this unprecedented period of financial instability, clients were not unwilling to pay the increases, it was more that they were unable to pay the increased and I feel that probably insurers have now realised this point.

From the insurers point of view, they have seen their losses

increase and investment income return diminish so there is significant strain on their margins. The upshot is that we are still seeing rate increases, but they are now at a much lower and probably acceptable level.

I suppose the question to ask in this birthday edition is what does the future hold in insurance terms? Well I would suspect that there will be more mergers of insurers in order for economies of scale to operate and drive down costs even more. I would suspect that insurers will continue reducing the number of staff the they employ, relying more on computers which, in itself, is not a bad thing except that insurers will lose the expertise their older staff have gained over many years. This becomes a problem when a client has a risk that is not “the norm”.

Enough about insurance companies, what about Brokers? Well, I would hope that there will continue to be a place for us in the future. I think there will, but I would suspect that the number of independent brokers will probably reduce, with the large financial institutions probably growing even larger.

Finally, following my last article in “Amateur Stage”, if you have any specific queries regarding theatre safety issues, my advice would be for you to contact your professional organisation as a first port of call. There is an awful lot of help and information out there which is readily accessible.

DOESN’T TIME FLY!

AS MAGAZINE | MAY 200912

ONLINE www.asmagazine.co.uk

NOW ONLINE!

www.asmagazine.co.ukSUBSCRIBE ONLINE

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

ORDER BACK COPIES

SUBMIT ARTICLES

AS Magazine would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who have contributed to the magazine over its history. Their efforts and

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

Robert Israel ASCII from Gordon & Co discusses the latest insurance issues affecting amateur theatre.

insurance.indd 3 10/09/2009 16:45:34



SURPRISE ME DARLINGA BRAND NEW FULL-LENGTH COMEDY BY

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John and Chrissie have been married for nearly two years. With a pending anniversary, buying presents has never been John’s good point, so he tries the easy way out by giving Chrissie the money to buy her own present, but she insists that she would prefer a surprise. After a rushed and fraught filled dinner party where everything goes wrong, John decides to change his ways and surprise Chrissie more often, but he finds the element of surprise is not easy to master. This full length comedy play has wit and laughter running through from start to finish with not one, not two, but three surprises in the final scene to keep the audience guessing.

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FEATURE

27


Auditions are a major part of every performer’s life. Like a never ending series of job interviews, they are a process that instils fear into even the most confident of performers. The prospect of standing exposed before a casting panel seems to be a mod-ern day version of hell on earth for some.

Talk to the people on the panel, though, and most agree that there are some basics when it comes to auditions that most performers choose to ignore or seem not to know. So let’s take a quick look at some audition basics:

PREPARATIONAs with any job interview, preparation is everything. Taking the time to thoroughly prepare for an audition is something that so many performers fail to do. “Of course, it depends on what you are auditioning for”, says Mary Hammond. “Most people will prepare but don’t take the time to learn it so they won’t forget it. When you get nervous, so many other things come into your consciousness, so it needs to be like second nature to you. Sometimes it’s better to do something you’ve done in public a few times before.”

Mary added “If you are preparing a song I would suggest prac-ticing doing it too fast or too slow. Sometimes it’s about having an internal clock. If you have an Ipod and can have something in your ear then you can often walk down the road and get a pulse in your mind. Very often auditionees don’t give the people playing for them enough clue as to what they want. They don’t know the speed it should be or have their music clearly marked. Go into an audition knowing exactly what you want. Be practi-cal. You can put yourself on another level purely by your ap-proach”.

NERVESIt’s something that affects so many performers, but Richard Evans is quick to point out that nerves are something that strike down a lot of the population in various situations. “With this in mind, find your own way to control your nerves and positively channel that nervous energy to help you do better in auditions” he says. “Think back on past experiences and work out how you could improve what you did – and what was the worst incident that actually did happen? Looking back, were those nerves justi-fied and would you have performed any better without them?. You can rest assured that you will rarely, if ever, come across a panel that will give you the treatment that Simon Cowell gives to

those auditioning for the X Factor.”WARDROBEMost casting panels agree that less is more when it comes to what to wear when auditioning. Try to dress to express your character. Some sense of costume can be a good thing but it really isn’t necessary to go over the top. A simple jacket or different style of dress can make all the difference in how you present to a casting panel.

PRESENTATION AND PUNCTUALITYAs with any job interview, presentation and punctuality are everything. Make sure you turn up on time for your audition. Be prepared to wait, even with the best of planning auditions will invariably run late. Have your CV and headshot ready, be polite but don’t ramble on when asked questions. Practice keeping your answers concise and to the point.

DON’T BE AFRAID OF MAKING A MISTAKEMary Hammond is quick to point out that most people in a cast-ing capacity need to be discrete. “If people come to you, they have to be able to make mistakes, they are at their most ex-posed. I won’t tell stories about auditions for that reason.” Most casting people agree, so don’t worry about making a mistake.Of course, the whole preparation of auditions, and the proc-esses involved for musical theatre, drama, television, commer-cials and the many other types of work vary, but most agree that preparation is everything.

Mary and Richard’s books offer a wealth of information for any-one who has ever auditioned or is planning to audition. Good audition technique is something you learn through practice and experience. It was once said that you should go for as many job interviews as you can at regular intervals to keep up your interview skills. Auditioning is very much the same. The more auditions you undertake, the better you are likely to get at it.

AUDITIONS – A Practical Guide by Richard Evans CDG is available from Routledge.

THANK YOU – THAT’S ALL WE NEED FOR TODAY by Mary Hammond with Emer Gillespie and Nigel Lilley is published by Edition Peters.

AS looks at the daunting task of auditioning and talks to Mary Hammond, founder of the Musical Theatre course at the Royal Academy of Music and Richard Evans CDG who has worked in casting and taught audition technique.

AUDITIONS

auditions.indd 3 10/09/2009 11:46:04

Wed 21 - Sat 24 Oct 2009, 7.45pmTickets: £6.00 / £5.00 • Box Office: 01606 353534

www.harlequinplayers.co.uk

diary.indd 2 10/09/2009 11:11:32

SHOWdiaryLISTINGS>CLASSIFIEDS>PHOTOS>>>

SITTING PRETTYHayes Players

THE LOVE SHOPBig Village Theatre Co

HMS PINAFOREMarton Operatic

FAMEFeatured shows this month include Oklahoma!, The Likes Of Us, Barefoot In The Park, Alice In Wonderland, The Thwarting of Baron Bollingrew, Cider With Rosie, Sitting Pretty, The Love Shop, Raise The Roof and Someone To Watch Over Me.

Wed 21 - Sat 24 Oct 2009, 7.45pmTickets: £6.00 / £5.00 • Box Office: 01606 353534

www.harlequinplayers.co.uk

diary.indd 3 10/09/2009 11:13:54


A Murder is Announced23 - 24 October 2009Ace Theatre CompanyThe Hawth StudioCrawley, West Sussex01293 553636

06 - 07 November 2009Ace Theatre CompanyChequer Mead TheatreEast Grinstead, West Sussex01342 302000

25 - 28 November 2009Athelney ProductionsSt Peter’s TheatreSouthsea, Hampshire023 9281 7662

1950s MusicAl revue14 - 18 October 2009Woodmansterne O & DSSt Peter’s Church Hall, Chipstead WayWoodmansterne, Surrey01737 555009

42nd street06 - 10 October 2009Splinters Theatre GroupUniversity Drama StudioSheffield, S Yorks07910 251584

14 - 17 October 2009The Kings Lynn PlayersCorn ExchangeKing’s Lynn, Norfolk01553 764864

14 - 17 October 2009City of Plymouth Theatre CompanyThe Devonport PlayhousePlymouth, Devon01752 560726

26 - 31 October 2009Centre Stage of ExmouthExmouth PavilionExmouth, Devon01395 232830

03 - 07 November 2009South Downe Musical SocietyKings TheatreSouthsea, Hampshire023 9282 8282

12 - 14 November 2009Worle O & DSPlayhouse TheatreWeston-Super-Mare, Somerset01934 645544

24 - 28 November 2009Bradford Catholic PlayersAlhambraBradford, W Yorks01274 432000

50/50 concert07 November 2009Kilmarnock Amateur OSGrand HallKilmarnock, Ayrshire01563 554900

70, Girls, 7010 - 14 November 2009Manifest Theatre GroupManifest TheatreManningtree, Essex01206 391309

84 chArinG cross roAd18 - 21 November 2009Honley Players Amateur Dramatic SocietySouthgate Theatre, HonleyHuddersfield, W Yorkshire01484 662378

A Bedfull of foreiGners18 - 21 November 2009Ruislip Dramatic SocietyCompass TheatreIckenham, Middlesex01895 675343www.ruislipdramatic.org

A Box of oBlivion & fAte’s threAd23 - 24 October 2009Celesta PlayersDidsbury, Manchesterwww.celestaplayers.co.uk

A chorus line13 - 17 October 2009Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre CompanySutton Coldfield Town HallSutton Coldfield, West Midlands07856 537168

A christMAs cArol11 - 14 November 2009Chesham Theatre CompanyThe Elgiva TheatreChesham, Bucks01494 774557

A dAy in the deAth of Joe eGG03 - 10 October 2009HIADSStation TheatreHayling Island, Hampshire023 9246 633www.pad.hampshire.org.uk

A funny thinG hAppened on the WAy to the foruM11 - 14 November 2009The Grove & Rawdon Theatre CompanyYeadon Town HallYeadon, Leeds, W Yorks0113 250 5011

25 - 28 November 2009Petersfield Theatre GroupFestival HallPetersfield, Hants01730 233919

A MAn for All seAsons02 - 10 October 2009Nomad Theatre GroupNomad TheatreEast Horsley, Surrey01483 284717

ABAndonMent08 - 10 October 2009Portchester PlayersAshcroft Arts CentreFareham, Hampshire01329 223100

ABiGAils pArty13 - 17 October 2009Hessle Theatre CompanyHull Truck TheatreHull, E Yorks01482 323638

09 - 14 November 2009South Shields Westovian Theatre SocietyWestovian Theatre, Pier PavilionSouth Shields, Tyne & Wear0191 456 0980

Ace chorus entertAins14 November 2009Artistic Concert ExperiencesThe Clyde AuditoriumGlasgow, Strathclyde0870 040 4000

AlAddin26 November - 01 December 2009Sultan Theatre GroupBrunel TheatreGosport, Hampshire023 9254 2272

Alice in WonderlAnd (disney)03 - 07 November 2009Ilkley Amateur OSKings Hall, Ilkley, W Yorks01943 602028

All in love04 - 07 November 2009Sherard PlayersTyler TheatreEltham, Middx0845 490 0216

All shook up20 - 24 October 2009Haverhill & District OSHaverhill Arts CentreHaverhill, Suffolk01440 714140

An ideAl husBAnd10 - 14 November 2009Radcliffe-on-Trent Drama GroupGrange HallRadcliffe-on-Trent, Notts0115 933 2906www.radcliffe-on-trentdramagroup.co.uk

An inspector cAlls29 - 31 October 2009Common Ground Theatre CompanyBishop Greaves TheatreNewport, Lincolnshire01522 873894www.commongroundtheatre.co.uk

18 - 21 November 2009St Austell PlayersSt Austell Community Centre & Arts TheatreSt Austell, Cornwall01726 879500

Annie Get your Gun05 - 10 October 2009Harpenden Light OSHarpenden Public HallsHarpenden, Hertfordshire01582 624147

11 - 17 October 2009Stafford & District OSThe Gatehouse TheatreStafford, Staffs01785 253595

03 - 14 November 2009Hinckley Concordia OSHinckley Concordia TheatreHinckley, Leics01455 615005

04 - 07 November 2009Wantage Stage Musical CompanyCivic HallWantage, Oxon01235 770087

AnythinG Goes13 - 17 October 2009South Yorkshire Musical Comedy SocietyDearne Community Theatre, GoldthorpeRotherham, S Yorks01709 894128

13 - 17 October 2009Northampton Amateur Operatic CompanyRoyal and Derngate TheatreNorthampton, Northants01604 712651

14 - 17 October 2009Crigglestone Theatre CompanyTheatre RoyalWakefield, W Yorks01924 211311

20 - 24 October 2009Circle Light Opera CompanyOld Rep TheatreBirmingham, W Midlands0121 353 0633

20 - 24 October 2009Leamington Spa Opera GroupRoyal Spa Centre, Newbold TerraceLeamington Spa, Warks01676 532477

20 - 24 October 2009Portsmouth PlayersKings TheatreSouthsea, Hampshire023 9266 0880

27 - 31 October 2009Ingatestone Musical Operetta GroupIngatestone & Fryerning Community Club TheatreIngatestone, Essex01245 360532

27 - 31 October 2009Saddleworth Musical SocietySaddleworth SchoolUppermill, Oldham0161 633 3597

18 - 21 November 2009WOW Youth Musical TheatrePavilion TheatreWeymouth, Dorset01305 783225

24 - 28 November 2009Newport OSDolman Theatre, KingswayNewport, Gwent01633 891363

25 - 28 November 2009Mid Argyll Musical SocietyPublic HallArdrishaig, Argyll01546 603412

Arsenic And old lAce29 - 31 October 2009Lyndhurst Drama & Musical SocietyVernon TheatreLyndhurst, Hants023 80282729www.lyndhurstdrama.i12.com

BABes in the Wood19 - 21 November 2009Banbury Cross PlayersThe Mill Arts CentreBanbury, Oxfordshire01295 279002

BABes in toylAnd19 - 22 November 2009Wimbledon Light Opera SocietySecombe TheatreSutton, Surrey020 8770 6990

BedrooM fArce17 - 24 October 2009Rugby Theatre SocietyRugby Theatre, Henry StRugby, Warks01788 541234

BlAck coMedy29 - 31 October 2009Curtain Up Amateur Dramatic SocietyTotland Church HallTotland, Isle of Wight01983 760344

Blithe spirit22 - 24 October 2009Dollar Drama ClubDollar Academy Studio TheatreDollar, Scotland01259 742404www.dollardrama.org.uk

Blitz!27 - 31 October 2009Haywards Heath OSClair HallHaywards Heath, W Sussex01444 455440

03 - 07 November 2009Gosport Amateur OSFerneham HallFareham, Hampshire01329 231942

18 - 21 November 2009Barnstaple Musical Comedy & Dramatic SocietyQueen’s TheatreBarnstaple, Devon01271 324242

Blood Brothers28 - 31 October 2009Sale Nomads Theatre ClubSale, Cheshire0161 969 5140

29 - 31 October 2009Kings Lynn O & DSKings Lynn Arts CentreKings Lynn, Norfolk01553 764864

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

diary.indd 4 10/09/2009 11:14:23


Big Village Theatre Co - The Love ShopPhotos: Jon Davey

SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>Blood Wedding12 - 17 October 2009Winchester Dramatic SocietyChesil TheatreWinchester, Hampshire07527 471539www.chesiltheatre.org.uk

Boogie nights07 - 10 October 2009Monklands Light OperaCaldervale High SchoolAirdrie, Lanarkshire07976 547652

08 - 10 October 2009Skegness Theatre Arts GroupEmbassy TheatreSkegness, Lincs01754 897671

BoUnCeRs30 September - 3 October 2009Teddington Theatre ClubHampton Hill PlayhouseHigh StreetMiddlesex0845 8387529www.ttc-boxoffice.org.uk

BRief enCoUnteR31 October - 07 November 2009Bolton Little TheatreBolton01204 334400www.boltonlittletheatre.co.uk

BRigadoon05 - 10 October 2009Carluke Amateur OSMotherwell TheatreMotherwell, Lanarkshire01555 751176

BRoadWay meets hollyWood11 October 2009Porthcawl Amateur O & DSGrand PavilionPorthcawl, Bridgend01656 815995

BUgsy malone14 - 17 October 2009Blaenau Gwent Young Stars - Youth Musical TCBeaufort TheatreEbbw Vale, Gwent01495 301049

20 - 24 October 2009Walney Junior Amateur OSForum 28Barrow in Furness, Cumbria01229 820000

28 - 31 October 2009Eastbourne O & DSDevonshire Park TheatreEastbourne, East Sussex01323 412000www.eodsinfo.co.uk

09 - 14 November 2009Chelmsford Young Generation Amateur Musical SocietyThe Civic TheatreChelmsford, Essex01245 257898

By PoPUlaR demand16 - 21 November 2009Hamilton Operatic & Dramatic ClubThe Town HouseHamilton, Lanarkshire01698 385627

CaBaRet of song & danCe28 November 2009ApplauseDovehouse TheatreSolihull, West Midlands07814 368889

Calamity Jane06 - 10 October 2009Huddersfield Longwood Amateur OSLawrence Batley TheatreHuddersfield, West Yorkshire01484 430528

07 - 10 October 2009Welwyn Thalians Musical & Dramatic SocietyCampus West TheatreWelwyn Garden City, Herts01707 357117

29 - 31 October 2009Skipton & District Amateur O & DS The Mart Theatre Skipton, N Yorks01756 791411

11 - 14 November 2009Wembley OSWinston Churchill TheatreRuislip, Middlesex07983 103444

17 - 21 November 2009Ramsgate OSGranville TheatreRamsgate, Kent01843 591750

Calamity Jane - the Panto28 - 31 October 2009Dragon Tale Theatre GroupPrudhoe Community SchoolPrudhoe, Northumberland01661 833614

CalifoRnia sUite07 - 10 October 2009Dursley O & DSLister HallDursley, Glos07890 203318

Camelot26 - 31 October 2009Adlington Music & Arts SocietyAdlington Community CentreAdlington, Lancs01257 480166

CaRmen05 - 07 November 2009Kennet OperaCorn ExchangeNewbury, Berks01635 522733

CaRoUsel02 - 07 November 2009Letchworth ArcadiansGordon Craig TheatreStevenage, Herts08700 131030

CaUght on the hoP07 - 10 October 2009Phoenix Theatre CompanyThe Church HallChelmsford, Essex01245 468956www.phoenixtheatrechelmsford.co.uk

CavalleRia RUstiCana & tRial By JURy10 - 14 November 2009Winchester OSTheatre RoyalWinchester, Hants01962 840440

diary.indd 5 10/09/2009 11:15:00

Hayes Players - Sitting PrettyPhotos: David Slater


Charley’s aunt25 - 28 November 2009Beaconsfield Theatre GroupBeacon TheatreBeaconsfield, Bucks01628 524127

Chess27 - 31 October 2009Sainsbury SingersThe HexagonReading, Berks0118 988 2510

28 - 31 October 2009Stratford Upon Avon OSCivic HallStratford upon Avon, Warks01789 207100

07 - 14 November 2009Burnley Light Opera SocietyMechanics Theatre, Manchester RoadBurnley, Lancs01282 664400

28 November - 05 December 2009Rugby Theatre SocietyRugby TheatreRugby, Warks01788 541234

Children of eden06 - 10 October 2009St Patrick’s AOGCalderhead High SchoolShotts, Lanarks01501 822332

Cinderella27 - 31 October 2009Caldicot Musical Theatre SocietyCaldicot SchoolCaldicot, Monmouthshire01291 422207

10 - 14 November 2009Vane Tempest Theatre GroupVane Tempest Social Welfare CentreSeaham, Durham0191 581 9631

23 - 28 November 2009Childrens Theatre Bo’ness SocietyTown HallBo’ness, Falkirk01324 712443

28 November - 05 December 2009Johnstone Phoenix Theatre GroupJohnstone Town HallJohnstone, Renfrewshire07748 827727

Colder than here21 - 24 October 2009John Lewis Partnership Dramatic SocietyNorden Farm CentreMaidenhead, Berkshire01628 788997facebook: John Lewis Partnership Dramatic Society

Comedy Playhouse featuring “major star”13 - 14 November 2009Suffolk on StageThe Royal British Legion ClubLakenheath, Suffolk01842 861160

CommuniCating doors14 - 17 October 2009The Oxted PlayersBarn TheatreOxted, Surrey01883 724852www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk

ComPlete Works of William shakesPeare (abridged)27 - 31 October 2009HUMDRUMHavant Arts CentreHavant, Hampshire023 9247 200

CoPaCabana14 - 17 October 2009Eldorado Musical ProductionsThe Bob Hope TheatreEltham, London SE90208 850 3702

04 - 07 November 2009Zodiac Musical SocietyMagna Carta Arts CentreStaines, Surrey01932 782571

10 - 14 November 2009Nottingham OSTheatre RoyalNottingham, Notts0115 959 8936

10 - 14 November 2009Curtain Up ProductionsGrimsby AuditoriumGrimsby, NE Lincs0844 847 2426

Cox & box and the sorCerer18 - 21 November 2009Ipswich G & S SocietyThe Corn ExchangeIpswich, Suffolk01473 433100

Crash jordan05 - 07 November 2009Girton PlayersMumford Theatre, Anglia Ruskin UniversityCambridge, Cambs0845 196 2320

Crazy for you26 - 31 October 2009Northallerton Amateur OSHambleton ForumNorthallerton, N Yorks01609 770936

02 - 07 November 2009Walmsley Church O & DSWalmsley Parish HallEgerton, Bolton, Manchester01204 305812

12 - 14 November 2009Gravesend & District Theatre GuildWoodville HallsGravesend, Kent01474 360315

Curtain uP on murder01 - 03 October 2009Hayes PlayersHayes Village HallBromley, Kent07905 210718www.hayesplayers.org.uk

Curtains26 - 28 November 2009AliveWarehouse TheatreIlminster, Somerset01460 52982

daisy Pulls it off30 September - 03 October 2009Trowbridge PlayersArc TheatreTrowbridge, Wiltshire0845 2990476


diary.indd 6 10/09/2009 11:15:42



Daisy Pulls it Off19 - 24 October 2009Exmouth PlayersBlackmore TheatreExmouth, Devon01395 269013

Darling BuDs Of May18 - 21 November 2009Stage Door Theatre CompanyWindmill TheatreLittlehampton, West Sussex01903 722224

DeaD guilty02 - 10 October 2009Nantwich PlayersPlayers’ TheatreNantwich, Cheshire01270 537359www.nantwichplayers.com

DiscO infernO16 - 21 November 2009St Augustine’s Musical Theatre CompanySolihull Arts ComplexSolihull, W Midlands0121 704 6962

DOn’t Dress fOr Dinner09 - 14 November 2009Louth PlaygoersRiverhead TheatreLouth, Lincolnshire01507 600350www.louthplaygoers.co.uk

Dry rOt07 - 10 October 2009Wordsley Amateur Dramatic SocietyKingswinford Methodist Church HallWordsley, West Midlands01384 273026www.wads-onlie.co.uk

faMe -the Musical10 - 14 November 2009Spa Theatre CompanyRoyal Spa CentreLeamington Spa, Warwickshire07780 678582

farce & furiOus28 - 31 October 2009Tenterden O&DSTown HallTenterden, Kent01580 241966

faust (gOunOuD)25 - 28 November 2009Guildford OperaThe Electric TheatreGuildford, Surrey01483 444789

fawlty tOwers17 - 21 November 2009Ulverston OutsidersCoronation HallUlverston, Cumbria01229 587140

25 - 28 November 2009Hertford D & OSCastle HallHertford, Herts01992 531500

fiDDler On the rOOf05 - 10 October 2009Hitchin ThespiansThe Gordon Craig TheatreStevenage, Herts08700 131 030 www.gordon-craig.co.uk

06 - 10 October 2009Strode ProductionsStrode TheatreStreet, Somerset01458 442846

07 - 10 October 2009Mid-Cheshire Amateur OSThe Grange School TheatreNorthwich, Cheshire01606 331557

20 - 24 October 2009BCMCSThe Albert HallsBolton, Greater Manchester01204 334400www.bcmcs.co.uk

20 - 24 October 2009Keighley Amateur O & DSVictoria HallKeighley, West Yorkshire0845 017 0718

26 October - 07 November 2009County Amateur O & DSTheatre RoyalLincoln, Lincs0845 652 5021

28 - 31 October 2009Rhyl & District Amateur OSPavilion TheatreRhyl, Denbighshire01745 330000

28 - 31 October 2009Weston-Super-Mare OSPlayhouse TheatreWeston-Super-Mare, North Somerset01934 628707

02 - 07 November 2009Herstmonceux Amateur Theatrical SocietyHerstmonceux Village Hallnr Hailsham, E Sussex01323 832117

03 - 07 November 2009Horsham Amateur O & DSThe CapitolHorsham, W Sussex01403 750220

Iver Heath Drama Club - Jack & The Beanstalk

diary.indd 7 10/09/2009 11:16:07

Lighted Fools Theatre Co - Shirley Valentine


Fiddler on the rooF11 - 14 November 2009Coliseum O & DS Coliseum TheatreAberdare, South Wales01685 881188

17 - 21 November 2009South Moor Musical Theatre GroupLamplight Arts CentreStanley, Co Durham01207 218899

Five Guys named moe26 - 31 October 2009Spennymoor Youth Theatre GroupTown HallBishop Auckland, Durham01388 602610

Follies28 - 31 October 2009Manor & Philbeach Light OperaThe Lund Theatre, University College SchoolFrognal, London0207 328 7846

Footloose30 September - 03 October 2009The Good Companions Stage SocietyAssembly RoomsDerby, Derbyshire01332 721108www.derbyartsandtheatre.org.uk

19 - 24 October 2009Stourbridge Amateur OSTown Hall TheatreStourbridge, W Mids07504 301767

21 - 24 October 2009New Southern Musical ProductionsPavilion TheatreWorthing, W Sussex01903 206206

21 - 24 October 2009Heywood Amateur O & DSHeywood Civic CentreHeywood, Lancs01706 368904

02 - 07 November 2009Rotherham & District Teachers OSCivic TheatreRotherham, S Yorks01709 701120

19 - 21 November 2009Yeovil Youth TheatreOctagon TheatreYeovil, Somerset01935 422884

From Bow Bells to Broadway18 - 21 November 2009Loughton OSLopping HallLoughton, Essex01992 575502

From staGe to screen13 - 14 November 2009Spotlight Musical Theatre CompanyLampton SchoolHounslow, Middlesex01895 430031

Fur coat & no KnicKers08 - 10 October 2009Locko Amateur Dramatic SocietySpondon Village HallSpondon, Derbyshire01332 669138www.thladsdrama.co.uk

Generations apart10 - 14 November 2009Highbury PlayersSt Phillip’s HallCosham, Portsmouth023 9238 9359

GeorGe the Gladiator26 - 28 November 2009Horndean Amateur Theatrical SocietyMerchistoun HallHorndean, Hampshire023 9259 7114

GiGi13 - 17 October 2009Briton Ferry Musical Theatre CompanyPrincess Royal TheatrePort Talbot, W Glam01639 763214

Godspell07 - 10 October 2009GHosTsElectric TheatreHuildford, Surrey01483 444789

20 - 24 October 2009Stoke Youth Musical Theatre CompanyStoke MinsterStoke on Trent, Staffs01782 659156

Golden JuBilee concert09 October 2009The Elizabethans Amateur OSTown HallOssett, W Yorks01924 280344

Gondoliers04 - 09 October 2009Harpenden Light OSHarpenden Public HallsHarpenden, Herts01582 624147

05 - 10 October 2009Yeovil Amateur OSOctagon TheatreYeovil, Somerset01935 422884

03 - 07 November 2009Halifax G & S SocietyHalifax PlayhouseHalifax, W Yorks01422 365998

16 - 21 November 2009Haworth-West Lane Baptist Amateur OSWest Lane Baptist Chapel, HaworthKeighley, W Yorks01535 643425

Good deads deadly deeds08 - 10 October 2009Woodcote Amateur Dramatic SocietyWoodcote Village HallReading, Berkshire01491 680556

Gypsy04 - 08 November 2009Swanbank MusicPutney Arts TheatrePutney, London0208 286 0229

haBeas corpus17 – 21 November 2009 Hull Playgoers SocietyHull Truck TheatreHull, Yorkshire01482 701570

harper valley heartBreaK express20 - 24 October 2009Keynsham Light Opera GroupSaltford Hall, SaltfordBristol, Avon0117 986 3399

harvey13&14, 20&21 November 2009Sutton Theatre CompanyTrusthorpe Village HallTrusthorpe, Lincolnshire01507 441324www.suttontheatrecompanylincs.com


Common Ground Theatre Co - Cider With Rosie

diary.indd 8 10/09/2009 11:16:46

COSTUMES

COSTUME HIRE, SHOWSKING & I, PHANTOM, LES MIZ, OLIVER, FIDDLER,

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:

Theatre RecordPO BOX 445

CHICHESTER, W. SUSSEX


SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>ThE haUnTEd ThrOUgh LOUngE and rECESSEd dining nOOk aT FarndaLE CaSTLE05 – 07 November 2009Hall PlayersParish Hall, FulwoodPrestonLancashire01772 863801www.hallplayers.org.uk

hEdda gabLEr02 - 07 November 2009Arundel PlayersPriory PlayhouseArundel, West Sussex01243 782976hELLO dOLLy!07 - 10 October 2009Brierley Hill Musical Theatre CompanyBrierley Hill Civic HallBrierley Hill, West Midlands0845 658 8095

13 - 17 October 2009Waveney Light Opera GroupPublic Hall, SmallgateBeccles, Suffolk01502 712329

19 - 24 October 2009Beaconsfield OSPhoenix TheatreBlyth, Northumberland01670 356102

10 - 14 November 2009Vane Tempest Theatre GroupVane Tempest Welfare HallSeaham, Durham0191 581 9631

17 - 21 November 2009Sheffield Teachers OSLyceum TheatreSheffield, S Yorkshire0870 774 3422

18 - 21 November 2009KVODSArthur Cotterell TheatreKingston Upon Thames, Surrey07982 046210www.kvods.com

high SChOOL MUSiCaL 213 - 17 October 2009Musicality Academy of Performing ArtsPenyrheol TheatreGorseinon, Swansea07986 385479

28 - 31 October 2009Wisbech Amateur O & DSThomas Clarkson Community CollegeWisbech, Cambs07776 318309high SOCiETy10 - 14 November 2009New Earswick Musical SocietyJoseph Rowntree Theatre, York01904 768182

hMS PinaFOrE06 - 10 October 2009Chesterfield G & S SocietyPomegranate TheatreChesterfield, Derbyshire01246 345222

28 - 31 October 2009Bournemouth G & S OSLighthousePoole, Dorset0844 406 8666

03 - 07 November 2009Scunthorpe G & S Amateur OSPlowright TheatreScunthorpe, N Lincs01724 277733

hOnk!23 - 28 November 2009Neath Amateur OSPrincess Royal TheatrePort Talbot01639 763214

hOT MikadO13 - 17 October 2009Dukinfield Amateur O & DSThe George Lanton HallMossley, Ashton-u-Lyne, Lancs0161 330 2944

15 - 17 October 2009Elstree & Borehamwood Light OSThe Radlett CentreRadlett, Herts01923 857546

20 - 24 October 2009Maesteg Amateur OSMaesteg Town HallMaesteg, Bridgend01656 732690

27 - 31 October 2009Wycombe Society for the Performing ArtsLancaster Arts Centre, Wycombe AbbeyHigh Wycombe, Bucks01494 564667

02 - 07 November 2009Kendal Amateur OSThe Town Hall, Kendal, Cumbria01539 727813

17 - 21 November 2009Redditch OSThe Palace TheatreRedditch, Worcs01527 527363www.redditch-operatic.co.uk

18 - 21 November 2009Whitefield Amateur O & DSRadcliffe Civic SuiteRadcliffe, G Manchester0161 766 6674

The Biz - Fame

diary.indd 9 10/09/2009 11:17:19


23 - 28 November 2009Cotswold SavoyardsThe Playhouse TheatreCheltenham, Glos01452 618425

Hotel Paradiso21 - 24 October 2009Abbey Foregate (Shrewsbury URC) Drama GroupShrewsbury URC Church HallShrewsbury, Shropshire01743 236855

How to succeed in Business witHout really trying13 - 17 October 2009Epsom Light Opera CompanyEpsom PlayhouseEpsom, Surrey01372 742555

HumBle Boy18 - 21 November 2009The Cuffley PlayersCuffley HallCuffley, Herts01707 870854www.cuffleyplayers.freeserve.co.uk

HyPnosis10 - 21 November 2009Highbury Little TheatreSutton Coldfield, W Midlands0121 373 2761

i don’t want to set tHe world on Fire04 - 07 November 2009Stafford PlayersThe GatehouseStafford, Staffordshire01785 254653

i’ll get my man16 - 17 October 2009The Community PlayersNew Elthan Methodist ChurchNew Eltham, London01322 613128www.thecommunityplayers.co.uk

iolantHe07 - 10 October 2009Putteridge Bury G & S SocietyQueen Mother TheatreHitchin, Herts01462 455166

29 - 31 October 2009Halton SingersJohn Colet SchoolWendover, Bucks01296 623056

17 - 21 November 2009Radlett Light Opera SocietyThe Radlett CentreRadlett, Herts01923 859291

iron30 September - 03 October 2009Barony PlayersBarony TheatreBo’ness, Scotland01506 829197www.baronyplayers.co.uk

it could Be any one oF us22 - 24 October 2009Wetherby Drama GroupLinton Memorial HallWetherby, W Yorks01937 520665

it’s Beginning to look a lot like cHristmas30 November - 05 December 2009Willow Tree Theatre CompanyThe New HallTiverton, Devon01884 250485

Jack and tHe Beanstalk04 - 07 November 2009BMOS YoutheatreOld Rep TheatreBirmingham, West Mids07890 306318

kettering gang sHow18 - 21 November 2009Glendon District Scout CouncilLighthouse TheatreKettering, Northants01536 414141

king and i02 - 07 November 2009Trafford Margaretians Amateur OSAltrincham Garrick PlayhouseAltrincham, Cheshire0161 9281677

17 - 21 November 2009Leeds Amateur OS (LAOS)The Grand TheatreLeeds, West Yorkshire0844 848 2701

24 - 28 November 2009Cleckheaton & Spenborough AO & DSTown HallCleckheaton, W Yorks01274 877828

king’s rHaPsody05 - 10 October 2009Abergavenny Light Opera CompanyBorough TheatreAbergavenny, Monmouthshire01873 850805

kismet17 - 21 November 2009Abbey Players SwanseaSwansea Grand TheatreSwansea, Wales01792 475715

02 - 07 November 2009St Alphege Musical Productions SocietyArts Complex TheatreSolihull, W Midlands0121 705 1435

kiss me, kate24 - 28 November 2009Tunbridge Wells O & DSAssembly Hall TheatreTunbridge Wells, Kent01892 530613

lady windermere’s Fan22 - 31 October 2009Cowes Amateur O & DSTrinity TheatreCowes, Isle of Wight01983 295229last nigHt oF tHe Proms17 October 2009The Elizabethans Amateur OSTown HallOssett, W Yorks01924 280344

lend me a tenor21 - 24 October 2009Fintry Amateur Drama SocietyMenzies HallFintry, Scotland01360 860078www.fintrydrama.org.uk

little red riding Hood10 - 14 November 2009St Cuthberts ADS DarwenSt Chad’s TheatreSt Cuthbert’s Primary SchoolDarwen, Lancs07804 681778

little sHoP oF Horrors20 - 24 October 2009Ravensbourne Light OSThe Bob Hope TheatreEltham, London0208 857 1918

27 - 31 October 2009Marsden Parish Church AODSThe Parochial Hall, MarsdenHuddersfield, Yorkshire01924 456211

little women14 - 17 October 2009Guildonian PlayersThe Little TheatreHarold Wood, Essex01708 762822

mack and maBel26 - 31 October 2009Burton on Trent & District OSDe Ferrers Specialist Technology CollegeBurton upon Trent, Staffs01283 541552

20 - 28 November 2009Sharnbrook Mill Theatre TrustThe Mill TheatreSharnbrook, Beds01234 781587

mad monster Party06 - 07 November 2009Belper Stage ProductionsRobert Ludlam Theatre, St Benedict’s SchoolDerby, Derbyshire01332 666404

magician’s nePHew10 - 21 November 2009Leeds Childrens TheatreThe CarriageworksLeeds, West Yorkshire0113 2243801

mein Bunker16 - 17 October 2009Encore Shipley Theatre CompanyShipley United Reformed ChurchShipley, Leeds01274 592727

mime20 - 31 October 2009Highbury Little TheatreSutton Coldfield, W Midlands0121 373 2761

moBy dick - tHe musical09 - 14 November 2009AAODSBorough TheatreAbergavenny, Monmouthshire01873 850805

motHer goose30 November - 05 December 2009Saundersfoot Footlights Amateur Music TheatreRegency HallSaundersfoot, Pembrokeshire01646 682058

mr scrooge23 - 28 November 2009Lamproom Musical Theatre CompanyThe Lamproom TheatreBarnsley01226 200075

mucH ado aBout notHing28 – 31 October 2009 Farnham Shakespeare Co.The Bourne HallFarnham, Surrey01252 716342www.farnhamshakespeare.co.uk

25 - 28 November 2009Southsea Shakespeare ActorsNew Theatre RoyalPortsmouth, Hampshire023 9264 9000

murder at tHe Vicarage16 - 17, 23 - 24 October 2009Chapel PlayersChapel PlayhouseChapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire01298 813176

murdered to deatH22 - 24 October 2009Sturminster Newton Amateur Dramatic SocThe ExchangeSturminster Newton, Dorset01258 475137

music man27 - 31 October 2009COS Musical TheatreThe Hawth TheatreCrawley, W Sussex01293 553636

09 - 14 November 2009Cassio OSWatford Palace TheatreWatford, Herts01923 225671

my Boy Jack12 - 15 November 2009CCADSD-Day Museum TheatreSouthsea, Hampshire023 9282 7261

SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>Plough Youth Theatre - Oklahoma!Photos: Sarah Willans

diary.indd 10 10/09/2009 11:17:45



My Darling CleMMie26 November 2009Indigo EntertainmentsBarn TheatreOxted, Surrey01883 714103www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk

My Fair laDy12 - 16 October 2009Jarrow Musical Theatre CompanyJarrow Community CentreJarrow, Tyne and Wear0191 428 0873

22 - 31 October 2009Swindon ALOSWyvern TheatreSwindon, Wilts01793 524481

My Fair laDy23 - 24 October 2009Dunstable Amateur OSThe Grove TheatreDunstable, Beds01582 602080

26 - 31 October 2009Settle Amateur OSSettle Victoria HallSettle, N Yorks01729 825718

27 - 31 October 2009Falkirk Bohemians Amateur O & DSFalkirk Town HallFalkirk01324 557233

27 - 31 October 2009Urmston Musical TheatrePoolside Theatre, Urmston Leisure CentreUrmston, Trafford0161 408 1288

28 - 31 October 2009Kingsbury Amateur OSKAOS TheatreKingsbury, London0845 020 4240

03 - 07 November 2009Green Room ProductionsWyllyotts TheatrePotters Bar, Herts020 8360 1957

04 - 07 November 2009Southend on Sea O & DSCliffs PavilionSouthend on Sea, Essex01702 351135

10 - 14 November 2009Minerva Club GlasgowThe Mitchell TheatreGlasgow, 0141 942 4245

17 - 22 November 2009Bishops Stortford Musical Theatre CompanyRhodes Arts ComplexBishop’s Stortford, Herts01279 651746

18 - 21 November 2009Axminster & District Amateur OSThe GuildhallAxminster, Devon01297 33595

23 - 28 November 2009Oxford OSOxford Playhouse TheatreOxford, Oxfordshire01865 305305

nightMare07 - 10 October 2009Broughton PlayersThe PlayhousePreston, Lancashire01772 463122

no Sex PleaSe - We’re BritiSh18 - 21 November 2009The Ashtead PlayersAshtead Peace Memorial HallAshtead, Surrey01737 640352

noiSeS oFF10 - 14 November 2009Newcastle PlayersStoke on Trent Repertory TheatreStoke on Trent, Staffs01782 627551

not aBout heroeS20 - 21 October 2009Lighted Fools Theatre Co.RiverhouseWalton-on-Thames, Surrey01932 253354www.lighted-fools.co.uknot aBout heroeS11 - 12 November 2009Lighted Fools Theatre Co.Cranleigh Arts CentreCranleigh, Surrey08456 128128www.lighted-fools.co.uk

nunSenSe - the Mega MuSiCal08 - 10 October 2009Forest Musical ProductionsKenneth More TheatreIlford, Essex0208 553 4466

oh What a lovely War13 - 21 November 2009ShowCo BedfordThe PlaceBedford, Beds07956 122333

oklahoMa!07 - 10 October 2009Tamworth Arts ClubTamworth Assembly RoomsTamworth, Staffs01827 709581

13 - 17 October 2009Brighouse Theatre ProductionsBrighouse Civic HallBrighouse, W Yorks01484 719689

14 - 17 October 2009Rugeley Musical Theatre CompanyRugeley Rose TheatreRugeley, Staffs07971 263172

27 - 31 October 2009Brigg Amateur OSWestmoor House Vale of Aucholme Music & Technology CollegeBrigg01724 33087428 - 31 October 2009Spot On Musical TheatreMoldgreen United Reformed ChurchHuddersfield, W Yorks01484 305421

28 - 31 October 2009Local Amateur Music PlayersRoyal Victoria Hall TheatreSouthborough, Kent8452412573

04 - 07 November 2009Buttington Musical Theatre CompanyTrewern Community Centrenr Welshpool, Powys01938 552053

09 - 14 November 2009Our Lady’s High School FPA Light Opera SocMotherwell TheatreMotherwell01698 733502

Plough Youth Theatre - Oklahoma!Photos: Sarah Willans

diary.indd 11 10/09/2009 11:18:25


17 - 21 November 2009Bristol Light Opera ClubBristol Hippodrome, Bristol0844 847 2341

24 - 28 November 2009New Mills Amateur O & DSThe Art TheatreNew Mills, Derbyshire01298 25750

Old Time music Hall13 - 16 November 2009New Empire PlayersThe New Empire TheatreSouthend on Sea, Essex01702 353577

Oliver!05 - 10 October 2009Infirmary DO & LSLittle TheatreLeicester, Leics0116 292 0162Oliver!06 - 11 October 2009Ferryhill Stage SocietyMainsforth & District Community CentreFerryhill, Durham01740 652551

13 - 17 October 2009Maidenhead Musical Comedy SocietyPeterborough Suite, Maidenhead Town HallMaidenhead, Berks01628 605077

20 - 24 October 2009The ArcadiansThe Crescent TheatreBirmingham, W Midlands0121 421 7278

28 - 31 October 2009Brixham OD&CSBrixham TheatreBrixham, Devon01803 857654

29 - 31 October 2009Stage One STC Youth Theatre GroupFerneham HallFareham, Hants01329 231942

10 - 14 November 2009Halifax Light Opera SocietyVictoria TheatreHalifax, W Yorks01422 351158

17 - 21 November 2009Esna PlayersLoughborough Town HallLoughborough, Leics01509 231914

On THe razzle12 - 14 November 2009Lion and Unicorn PlayersFestival HallPetersfield, Hampshire01730 821491On WiTH THe mOTTley!24 October 2009The Oxted PlayersBarn TheatreOxted, Surrey01883 724852www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk

One nigHT Only - again!13 - 14 November 2009Hayling Muscial SocietyParkview Community CentreHayling Island, Hampshire023 9246 2834

One O’clOck FrOm THe HOuse27 - 28 November 2009SPATSSalford Priors Memorial HallSalford Priors, Warwickshire01789 773523www.spatssalfordpriors.com

Orpen players 40TH anniversary music Hall29 - 31 October 2009Orpen PlayersOrpen HallColchester, Essex01206 241048www.orpenplayers.co.uk

OrpHeus in THe underWOrld26 - 31 October 2009Windsor & Eton OSFarrer TheatreEton, Berks01753 863719

29 - 31 October 2009Preston Opera CompanyPreston PlayhousePreston, Lancashire01772 784578OuT OF Order27 - 31 October 2009Potters Bar Theatre CompanyTilbury Hall, Potters Bar, Herts01707 880017

OuTside edge14 - 17 October 2009Clitheroe Parish Church AO & DSSt Mary’s CentreClitheroe, Lancashire01254 248679

parTy piece20 - 24 October 2009St Johns PlayersThe Swan TheatreWorcester, Worcs01905 640298

pasTimes18 - 28 November 2009QUADSQuarndon Village HallDerby, Derbyshire01332 840007www.quarndonquads.co.uk

paTience21 - 24 October 2009Hounslow Light Opera CompanyHampton Hill PlayhouseHampton, Middlesex020 8898 2971

12 - 14 November 2009Battle Light Opera GroupMemorial HallBattle, E Sussex01424 211140

perFecT piTcH05 - 10 October 2009Droylsden Little TheatreCastle CloseManchester0161 370 7713www.droylsdenlittletheatre.co.ukperFecT Wedding06 - 10 October 2009Wellingborough Co-operative ADSThe CastleWellingborough, Northants01933 405522

peTer pan28 - 31 October 2009Victory-Land Theatre SchoolKings TheatreSouthsea, Hampshire023 9273 2785


Marton Operatic Society - HMS Pinafore

diary.indd 12 10/09/2009 11:19:14


SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>Pickwick27 - 31 October 2009Long Eaton OSMay Hall, Trent CollegeLong Eaton, Notts01332 874352

Pirates Of Penzance07 - 10 October 2009Castleford & Dist G & S SocThe Town HallPontefract, W Yorks0113 287 3461

13 - 17 October 2009Marton OSSt Paul’s ChurchMarton, Blackpool01253 694856www.martonoperatic.co.uk

13 - 17 October 2009Worcester Gilbert & Sullivan SocietySwan TheatreThe Moors, Worcestershire01905 611427www.gasworcs.com

17 - 21 November 2009Eastleigh Operatic and Musical SocietyThe PointEastleigh, Hants023 8065 233317 - 20 November 2009Petts Wood OSThe Stag TheatreSevenoaks, Kent01689 820448

PLaY - curtain uP On Murder22 - 24 October 2009Blaby Drama GroupBlabyLeicester, Leicestershire0116 277 1157

POPcOrn07 - 10 October 2009Wick Theatre CompanyBarn TheatreSouthwick, West Sussex01273 597094www.wicktheatre.co.uk

Princess ida07 - 10 October 2009Peterborough G & S PlayersKey TheatrePeterborough, Cambs01733 207239

raiLwaY chiLdren27 - 31 October 2009Halifax Amateur OSHalifax PlayhouseHalifax, West Yorkshire01422 246369

03 - 08 November 2009Morecambe Warblers Amateur OSGrand TheatreLancaster, Lancs01524 417216

reLative vaLues16 - 17 October 2009Theatre 28Solihull Arts ComplexSolihull, West Midlands0121 704 6962

rent16 - 24 October 2009CADOSChorley Little TheatreChorley, Lancashire01257 264362www.chorleytheatre.com

21 - 24 October 2009Stage ProductionsRegent TheatreStoke, Staffs0870 060 6649

12 - 14 November 2009Giselle AcademySt Peter’s TheatreSouthsea, Hampshire023 9264 3385

17 - 21 November 2009Eastbourne O & DSDevonshire Park TheatreEastbourne, East Sussex01323 412000www.eodsinfo.co.uk

return tO the fOrbidden PLanet15 - 21 November 2009Henley-on-Thames O & DSKenton TheatreHenley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire01491 684177

“revuing” the situatiOn24 October 2009Sounds MusicalDevonport PlayhousePlymouth, 01752 510934

rOkeLLa10 - 14 November 2009Idle & Thackley Theatre GroupBradford PlayhouseBradford, W Yorks01274 820666

ruddigOre07 - 10 October 2009St John’s (Sidcup) Amateur OSSt John’s Church HallSidcup, Kent07766 320888

14 - 17 October 2009West Wirral Musical SocietyWestbourne Community HallWest Kirby, Wirral0151 625 9053

30 October - 01 November 2009Kington & District Amateur OSLady Hawkins Community Leisure CentreKington, Herefordshire01544 231501

11 - 15 November 2009Maidenhead OSDesborough Suite, Town HallMaidenhead, Berkshire01628 671589

17 - 21 November 2009Stewartby Amateur O & DSStewartby Village HallStewartby, Beds01525 402457

ruth27 - 29 October 2009Kingfield Theatre CompanyKingfield HallSheffield, S. Yorkshire0114 2362758

scrOOge27 - 31 October 2009The Haslemere PlayersHaslemere HallHaslemere, Surrey01428 642161

10 - 14 November 2009Sussex Musical ProductionsPavilion TheatreWorthing, W Sussex01903 206206

17 - 21 November 2009Durham Musical Theatre CompanyGala TheatreDurham City, Durham0191 332 4041

25 - 28 November 2009Bridgwater Amateur OSBridgwater Town HallBridgwater, Somerset01278 662181

30 November - 05 December 2009Walton & Weybridge Amateur OSThe PlayhouseWalton upon Thames, Surrey01483 770130

24 - 28 November 2009The Opera Club of Reigate and RedhillThe Harlequin TheatreRedhill, Surrey01737 276500

searching fOr dOctOr branOvic18 - 21 November 2009Flying Ducks Theatre CompanyTheatre on the StepsBridgnorth, W. Midlands01746 763257

seasOns greetings23 - 24 October 2009Quaintwood PlayersQuainton Memorial HallQuainton, Bucks01296 770723

04 - 07 November 2009Forest PlayersFreshfield HallForest Row, East Sussex01342 323640

04 - 07 November 2009Ditching PlayersDitching Village HallDitching , East Sussex01273 843344www.ditchingplayers.co.uk

06 - 07 November 2009Quaintwood PlayersGrendon Village HallGrendon Underwood, Bucks01296 770723

serendiPitY29 November 2009Jay aston Theatre ArtsBarn TheatreOxted, Surrey07968 381471www.jayastonschool.co.uk

seussicaL15 - 17 October 2009Hemel Hempstead Theatre CompanyThe Boxmoor TheatreHemel Hempstead, Herts01442 239581

25 - 28 November 2009Croydon StagersAshcroft Theatre, Fairfield HallsCroydon, Surrey0208 651 0527

guiseley amateur Operatic society - the Likes Of usPhoto: barbara boothroyd

diary.indd 13 10/09/2009 11:19:43


26 - 28 November 2009Curtain Up Youth TheatreMaesteg Town HallMaesteg, Bridgend01656 732855

Seven BrideS For Seven BrotherS02 - 07 November 2009Middlesbrough Amateur OSMiddlesborough TheatreMiddlesborough01642 815181

09 - 14 November 2009Cradley Heath Amateur OSBrierley Hall Civic HallBrierley Hill, West Midlands0121 585 7380

ShadowlandS15 - 17 October 2009Henfield Theatre CompanyThe Henfield HallHenfield, W Sussex01273 492204

ShakerS28 - 31 October 2009Harleston PlayersArchbishop Sancroft High SchoolHarleston, Norfolk01379 676324

Show time26 - 28 November 2009Bidborough Dramatic SocietyBidborough Village HallTunbridge Wells, Kent01892 523499

ShowBoat ConCert & nautiCal G&S09 - 10 October 2009Cowbridge Amateur Dramatic SocietyTown HallCowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan01446 713110

SinGin’ in the rain19 - 24 October 2009Congleton AOSDaneside TheatreCongleton, Cheshire01260 276371

10 - 14 November 2009Walney Musical Theatre CompanyForum 28Barrow in Furness, Cumbria01229 82000

SkirmiSheS21 - 24 October 2009New Stagers Theatre CompanySt Anne’s Church HallWandsworth, London07814 611239

Snow white and the Seven dwarveS18 - 21 November 2009Eyemouth & Dist Community Youth TheatreEyemouth High School (old)Eyemouth, Berwickshire01890 750585

Some enChanted eveninG (r&h)01 - 03 October 2009St Helens Amateur OSTheatre RoyalSt Helens, Merseyside01744 756000

Somewhere in enGland13 - 18 October 2009Pickering Musical SocietyKirk TheatrePickering, N Yorks01751 474833

SonGS From SCreen and StaGe08 - 10 October 2009Denmead OSVarious LocationsHampshire023 9226 9260www.pad.hampshire.org.uk

SoundS Familiar 200902 - 10 October 2009Ipswich O & DSSpa Pavilion TheatreFelixstowe, Suffolk01394 282126

South PaCiFiC09 - 14 November 2009Bingley Amateur OSBingley Arts CentreBingley, W Yorkshire01274 432000

SPend, SPend, SPend22 - 24 October 2009Thistles Musical Theatre CompanyKenneth More TheatreIlford, Essex0208 504 4577

SPotliGht on Broadway27 - 28 November 2009Wimborne Musical Theatre SocietyThe Tivou TheatreWinborne, Dorset012012 885566

StePPinG out09 - 10 October 2009Berwick-upon-Tweed Amateur OSThe MaltingsBerwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland01289 330999

SuGar (Some like it hot)06 - 10 October 2009From The Top Theatre CompanyHighbury Theatre CentreSutton Coldfield, W Midlands07974 894542

Summer holiday05 - 10 October 2009Theatre Guild GlasgowEastwood Park TheatreGiffnock, Glasgow0141 577 4970www.theatreguild.uktheatre.net

10 - 14 November 2009Southey Musical CompanyMontgomery TheatreSheffield, S. Yorkshire0114 243 5587www.southeymusicaltheatre.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Sweeney todd05 - 10 October 2009Workington Amateur OSCarnegie TheatreWorkington, Cumbria01900 602122

13 - 17 October 2009St Albans OSThe Alban Arena, Civic CentreSt Albans, Herts01727 844488

21 – 24 October 2009Harlequin TheatreNorthwich, Cheshire01606 353534www.harlequinplayers.co.uk


Barefoot in the Park’ at the Walton-on-Thames Festival of DramaStaines Players

diary.indd 14 10/09/2009 11:20:11



27 - 31 October 2009Abingdon OSAmey Theatre, Abingdon SchoolAbingdon, Oxon01235 834383

28 - 31 October 2009Three Towns Theatre CompanyThe Brook TheatreChatham, Kent01634 338338

24 - 28 November 2009Cleckheaton & Spenborough AO & DSTown HallCleckheaton, W Yorks01274 877828

Sweet Charity21 - 24 October 2009Ellesmere Port Musical Theatre CompanyEllesmere Port Civic HallEllesmere Port, Cheshire0151 339 4390

27 - 31 October 2009Tavistock Musical Theatre CompanyThe Wharf TheatreTavistock, Devon01822 611166

03 - 07 November 2009East Berkshire OSThe Wilde TheatreBracknell, Berks0845 450 5301

10 - 14 November 2009Chester-le-Street Amateur OSPark View Community TheatreChester-le-Street, Durham0191 584 3061

17 - 21 November 2009Potters Bar Theatre CompanyWyllyotts TheatrePotters Bar, Herts01707 880017

Sweet Fa30 September - 03 October 2009UoP Dramatic & Muscial SocietyNew Theatre RoyalPortsmouth, Hampshire023 9261 9000www.pad.hampshire.org.uk

taking SideS21 - 24 October 2009Adel PlayersMemorial Hall, AdelLeeds, W. Yorkshire0113 275 5585

tan tan tara tzing Boom27 - 28 November 2009Sheringham SavoyardsThe Little TheatreSheringham, Norfolk01263 822347

the BoyFriend27 - 31 October 2009Kettering & District Theatrical SocietyThe Masque TheatreKettering, Northants01536 726311

25 - 28 November 2009Sudbury Musical SocietyQuay TheatreSudbury, Suffolk01787 374745

the Canterville ghoSt26 - 28 November 2009Hulviz OSBob Hope TheatreEltham, London020 8858 9803

the CauCaSian Chalk CirCle19 - 21 November 2009Hemel Hempstead Theatre CompanyThe Boxmoor PlayhouseHemel Hempstead, Herts01442 234004

the Cemetery CluB28 - 31 October 2009LimeLight Drama GroupThe CarriageworksLeeds, W. Yorkshire0113 224 3801

the CruCiBle25 - 28 November 2009Runnymede Drama GroupRhoda McGaw TheatreWoking, Surrey01784 242512www.rdg.org

the dreSSer18 - 21 November 2009Pattingham Drama GroupPattingham Village HallPattingham, Staffs01902 700393

the edge oF darkneSS12 - 17 October 2009Louth PlaygoersRiverhead TheatreLouth, Lincolnshire01507 600350www.louthplaygoers.co.uk

23 - 28 November 2009Droylsden Little TheatreCastle CloseManchester0161 370 7713www.droylsdenlittletheatre.co.uk

the Full monty29 October - 07 November 2009Hereford Musical Theatre CompanyThe CourtyardHereford, Herefordshire01432 340555

17 - 21 November 2009SpringersCramphorn TheatreChelmsford, Essex07765 772059

18 - 21 November 2009Bacup Amateur O & DS The Royal Court TheatreBacup, Rossendale, Lancashire01706 874080

the gondolierS07 - 10 October 2009Derby Gilbert & SullivanDerby TheatreDerbyshire01332 255800

the handyman25 - 31 October 2009Northenden PlayersMethodist Church HallNorthenden, Manchester0161 445 6868www.northendendplayers.co.uk

the hollow25 - 28 November 2009Edinburgh MakarsAdam House TheatreEdinburgh, Scotland0131 445 3911www.edinburghmakars.com

the homeComing18 - 21 November 2009One Off ProductionsNew Theatre RoyalPortsmouth, Hampshire023 9264 9000

Young Wick Theatre Company - The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew. Photos: Lucien Bouchy

diary.indd 15 10/09/2009 11:20:39


The Likes of Us29 September - 03 October 2009Tudor Muscial Comedy SocietyThe Crescent TheatreBrindleyplace, Birmingham0121 643 585806 - 09 October 2009Glenrothes Amateur Musical AssociationRothes HallsGlenrothes, Fife01592 611101

11 - 18 October 2009Belmont Theatre CompanyThe Pumphouse TheatreWatford, Hertfordshire0845 521 3453

12 - 17 October 2009Carpet Trades OSStourport Civic HallStourport on Severn, Worcs01562 638864

12 - 17 October 2009Carpet Trades OSCivic CentreStourport on Severn, Worcs01562 638864

20 - 24 October 2009Leigh O & DSPalace TheatreSouthend on Sea, Essex01702 351135

21 - 24 October 2009St Nicolas PlayersThe South Holland CentreSpalding, Lincs01775 764777

26 - 31 October 2009Guiseley Amateur OSGuiseley TheatreGuiseley, Leeds0845 370 5045

26 - 31 October 2009NOMADSKings TheatreNewmarket, Suffolk01638 663337

18 - 21 November 2009Bexhill Light O & DS De La Warr PavilionBexhill-on-Sea, E Sussex01424 229111

25 - 28 November 2009Polden ProductionsEdington Village HallBridgwater, Somerset01278 723095

The Love of foUr CoLoneLs05 - 07 November 2009Alton O & DSAssembly RoomsAlton, Hants01730 827200

The MagiCian’s newphew18 - 21 November 2009Leeds Children’s TheatreThe CarriageworksLeeds, W. Yorkshire0113 224 3801www.leeds-childrens-theatre.co.uk

The MeLody Lingers on (BerLin)10 - 17 October 2009Dereham OSThe Memorial HallDereham, Norfolk01362 694222

The Merry widow19 - 24 October 2009Bishop Auckland Amateur OSEden Theatre, Town HallBishop Auckland, Durham01388 602371

The Mikado02 - 04, 08, 09 October 2009Derby Gilbert & SullivanChatsworth House TheatreChatsworth, Derbyshire01332 735980

21 - 24 October 2009Generally G & SMajestic Theatre, Retford, Notts01777 706866

03 - 07 November 2009Erdington OSSutton Coldfield Town HallSutton Coldfield, West Midlands0121 360 6627

The MUsiC Man17 - 21 November 2009Oxted OSBarn TheatreOxted, Surrey01883 714103www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk

The MUsiCaL CoMedy MUrders of 194017 - 21 November 2009Nomad Theatre GroupNomad TheatreEast Horsley, Surrey01483 284717

The prodUCers20 - 24 October 2009Orbit Theatre Ltd - CardiffNew TheatreCardiff, Wales02920 878889

03 - 07 November 2009North Staffordshire Amateur OSRegent TheatreHanley, Stoke on Trent, Staffs01782 323050

The seCreT garden27 - 31 October 2009Oswestry Musical Theatre CompanyThe Marches School TheatreOswestry, Shropshire01691 655490

The sheLL seekers13 – 16 October 2009 GADOCBeau Sejour TheatreGuernsey, CI01481 747200www.gadoc.org

20 - 21 November 2009Princess Theatre ClubThe Princess Theatre ClubHunstanton, Norfolk01485 532252

The Three Towns in ConCerT20 - 21 November 2009Three Towns OSLowton Civic HallLowton, Cheshire01942 883722


Dramawise Sawston - Alice In Wonderland

diary.indd 16 10/09/2009 11:21:11


SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>The Threepenny Opera20 - 24 October 2009Gasleak Theatre CompanyMelton TheatreMelton Mowbray, Leics01664 560407

The TiTfield ThunderbOlT28 - 31 October 2009Ringwood Musical & Dramatic SocietyRingwood School TheatreRingwood, Hants01425 470837

The Wedding Singer11 - 14 November 2009Greenock Light Opera CompanyGreenock Arts Guild TheatreGreenock, Renfrewshire01475 723038

The WinSlOW bOy18 - 21 November 2009Woodford Community PlayersWoodford Community CentreStockport, Cheshire0161 439 7535

ThereSe raquin11 - 14 November 2009Preston Drama ClubPreston PlayhousePreston, Lancs01772 744771

ThirTy dancing27 - 31 October 2009Variety ExpressPlinston HallLetchworth Garden City, Herts01438 223461

ThOrOughly MOdern Millie05 - 10 October 2009Newton Abbot & District Musical Comedy SocAlexandra TheatreNewton Abbot, Devon01626 203570

06 - 10 October 2009Bolsover Drama GroupThe Bolsover School TheatreChesterfield, Derbyshire01246 850402

19 - 24 October 2009Braintree Musical SocietyThe InstituteBraintree, Essex07835 122663

20 - 24 October 2009Dartford Amateur O & DSOrchard Theatre, Home GardensDartford, Kent01322 527165

20 - 24 October 2009Murton & East Durham Theatre GroupEast Durham CollegeNew Drive, Peterlee0191 526 2532

27 - 31 October 2009Worcester O & DS Worcester, Worcestershire01905 611427

03 - 07 November 2009Bury St Edmunds Amateur O & DS Theatre RoyalBury St Edmunds, Suffolk01284 769505

18 - 21 November 2009Wallasey Amateur OSFloral Pavilion TheatreNew Brighton, Wirrall, Merseyside0151 639 4016

19 - 21 November 2009Lytham Acadamy of Theatre ArtsLowther PavilionLytham St Annes, Lancs01253 658666

23 - 28 November 2009Kirkcaldy Amateur OSAdam Smith TheatreKirkcaldy, Fife01592 583302

24 - 28 November 2009Stockport Amateur OSPlaza TheatreStockport, Cheshire0161 427 7121

ThOrOughly MOdern MuSicalS27 - 31 October 2009Herne Bay OSThe PlayhouseWhitstable, Kent01227 272042

TiTuS andrOnicuS10 - 14 November 2009Derby Shakespeare TheatreThe Guildhall TheatreDerbyshire01332 255800

TOnS Of MOney07 - 10 October 2009Carleton Theatre GroupCarleton Community CentrePontefract, W. Yorkshire01977 700052www.carletontheatregroup.co.uk

19 - 21 November 2009Amateur Players of SherborneDigby HallSherborne, Dorset01935 814626

Trial by Jury & cOncerT “nOT JuST g&S”06 - 10 October 2009St Andrews G & S SocietySt Andrew’s ChurchMonkseaton, North Tyneside0191 252 6999

Trial by Jury & hMS pinafOre26 - 31 October 2009Cirencester OSThe Barn TheatreCirencester, Glos01285 648234

11 - 14 November 2009Tinkers Farm Opera CompanyThe Crescent TheatreBirmingham, W Midlands0121 643 5858

undergrOund26 - 31 October 2009Bingley Little TheatreBingley Arts CentreBingley, W. Yorkshire01274 432000

unexpecTed gueST15 - 17 October 2009Maldon Drama GroupMaldon Town HallMaldon Essex, 01621 856503

CADOS (Lancashire) - Raise The Roof

diary.indd 17 10/09/2009 11:21:40


Vaughan SingerS in ConCert21 November 2009Vaughan SingersSutton Coldfield Town HallSutton Coldfield, W Midlands0121 354 6977

Wait until Dark30 September - 03 October 2009The Festival playersLoughborough Town Hall, Leicestershire01509 231914www.festivalplayers.com

15 - 17 October 2009Winton PlayersFestival HallPetersfield, Hants01730 269066

War-time noStalgia11 - 14 November 2009Mulberry SingersDrayton Methodist ChurchDrayton, Hampshire01489 565252

We happy FeW20 – 24 October 2009Kelvin Players Theatre Co.The StudiosBishopston, Bristol0117 959 3636www.kelvinplayers.co.uk

WeSt enD noW13 - 21 November 2009Trowbridge Amateur OSVariousWestbury, Corsham, Warminster, Trowbridge, Wilts01225 763261

WeSt SiDe Story02 - 07 November 2009Worthing Musical Comedy SocietyConnaught TheatreWorthing, W Sussex01903 247999

17 - 21 November 2009Centenary Theatre CompanyThe Brindley Theatre CompanyRuncorn, Merseyside0151 907 8360

When it rainS27 - 31 October 2009Ulverston Amateur OSCoronation HallUlverston, Cumbria01229 587140

WinD in the WilloWS25 - 28 November 2009Guilsborough Musical & Dramatic SocietyGuilsborough Village HallGuilsborough, Northants01604 7400293

26 - 28 November 2009Soberton PlayersSoberton Village HallSoberton, Hampshire01329 833823

WizarD oF oz12 - 17 October 2009Dinnington OS. The Lyric TheatreDinnington, South Yorks01909 569340

20 - 24 October 2009Bolton Catholic Musical and Choral SocietyThe Albert HallsBolton, Lancashire01204 856977

22 – 24 October 2009Lees Street CC AMDSLees Street Church Hall TheatreHigher Openshaw, Manchester0161 231 0004www.amdram.piczo.com

04 - 07 November 2009The HastleonsWhite Rock TheatreHastings, E Sussex01424 462288

11 - 14 November 2009Maghull Musical Theatre CompanyThe Little TheatreSouthport, Merseyside01704 530521

17 - 21 November 2009Chesterfield OSPomegranate TheatreChesterfield, Derbyshire01246 345222

25 - 28 November 2009Ponteland Repertory SocietyMemorial HallPonteland, Northumbria01661 822985

26 - 28 November 2009Richmond OSGeorgian Theatre RoyalRichmond, North Yorkshire01748 825252

Working02 - 04 November 2009Rainbow Youth TheatreHarraton Community CentreWashington, Tyne and Wear0191 416 3454

SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>SHOWdiary>>WyrD SiSterS08 - 10 October 2009Twyford & Ruscombe Theatre GroupLoddon HallTwyford, Berkshire0845 450 1308

10 - 17 October 2009Chesham Bois Catholic PlayersThe Little Theatre by the ParkChesham, Bucks01494 580327

15 - 17 October 2009Thurrock Courts PlayersThameside TheatreGrays, Essex0845 300 5264

yeoman oF the guarD07 - 10 October 2009Wycombe Savoy Opera CompanyBeacon Centre TheatreBeaconsfield, Buckinghamshrie07974 421488

07 - 10 October 2009Bristol Savoy OSRedgarve TheatreClifton, Bristol, 0117 9651784

you Can’t Stop the Beat07 - 10 October 2009Monklands Light OperaThe Theatre, Caldervale High SchoolAirdrie, N Lanarkshire0141 771 1460

zomBie prom21 - 24 October 2009Clydebank Musical SocietyTown HallClydebank, West Dunbartonshire01389 386455

Impact - Someone To Watch Over Me

diary.indd 18 10/09/2009 11:22:05



Monday 21st to Saturday 26thSEPTEMBER 2009 at 7.30pm

TICKETS £9.00 - £12.00BOX OFFICE 0161 928 1677

Directed & Designed by BARRY PURVES

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IGHT

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At: The Church Hall, Christ Church URC,New London Road, Chelmsford.

Adult £7. Concession £6Cheques payable to ‘The Phoenix Theatre Company’ + SAE to:

27 Ashurst Drive, Chelmsford. Essex. CM1 6TN .Tel: 01245 468956E-mail: [email protected]

The Phoenix Theatre Company Chelmsford presents

Wed 7th - Sat 10th October 2009 at 7.45pm(Doors open 7.15pm)

THEPHOENIX THEATRE COMPANY

CHELMSFORD

49

A Comedy byDerek Benfield

Directed byChris Wright

An amateur production by arrangement with Samuel French

TO ADVERTISE YOUR SHOW HERE CALL ZOYA ON 0203 006 3094 - DISCOUNTED RATES

diary.indd 19 10/09/2009 11:22:38

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TRAINING THE AWARD WINNERSOF THE FUTURE

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AS Mag:Layout 1 07/08/2009 17:27 Page 1

backcover.indd 1 11/08/2009 12:42:01

PLAYSCRIPTS

47



JOSEF WEINBERGERJosef Weinberger is pleased to announce two new titles to its ever-growing catalogue of seasonal offerings, play titles and publications, broadening the choice of pantomimes now on offer from the traditional well-known favourites, to the more contemporary Christmas show.

The Merlin Theatre Pantomime Company in Frome, Somerset initially commissioned Colin Wakefield and Kate Edgar to adapt the Snow Queen, which opened to fantastic reviews. This is a perfect choice for amateur companies. With a cast of 19, the Snow Queen has something for every one of all ages to enjoy.

Our other new title, also from the well-known team of Colin Wakefield (Book) and Kate Edgar (Music and Lyrics) is Ali Baba, which again was an original commission for the Theatre Royal Margate. Although the main cast is for six and would suit the smaller societies, it has the capacity to expand the cast for the larger societies.

Also available for amateur performance from 1st January 2010 will be three new plays.

Greenwash by David Lewis had its professional premiere earlier this year at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond. An up-to-the minute comedy about public and private deception, personal revelations and heated debate in a topical comedy about sex, lies and climate change, Greenwash features a cast of 3M and 4F.

One Night in November by Alan Pollock opened in March 2008 at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry and was revived during the Spring 2009 season. Casting for this title is 6M and 5F. The piece examines the controversial view that Winston Churchill received advance warning on the attack on Coventry in 1940. Following the story of one family, Pollock’s writing forces the audience to question the historical content as it is told through the romantic liaison of its central characters 18 year old Katie Stanley and Oxford Language tutor Michael Green. It soon becomes clear Michael is putting his linguistic skills to work in deciphering German codes. Katie lives with her family in Coventry, a city living under threat of war. The Stanley’s have no idea how terrible that threat is… but Michael does and is being sworn to secrecy.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck in a new adaptation by Tim Baker. This has a large cast of 10M and 6F it also has casting for nine children making it an ideal play for community theatre projects and larger societies.First produced to critical acclaim at Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Tim Bakers stunning production is masterfully adapted for the stage from Steinbeck’s novel. This epic tale of the Joad family and their ill fated trip from Oklahoma to start a new life in the ‘promised land’ of California, captures the spirit of generosity he saw in the raw country which was both lost and waiting to be found.

And finally, Weinberger is proud to announce the publication of two new titles, both Dickens adaptations.

Great Expectations. Adapted by the acclaimed associate

director of Theatr Clwyd, Tim Baker. This has just finished a successful run at the Theatr Clwyd followed by a tour of regional theatres. Casting is 5M and 3F. Expected publication October 2009.

A Christmas Carol. Adapted by Stephen Sharkey, this production was originally commissioned by the Northern Stage Company, Newcastle, and enjoyed a successful run over the Christmas period 2007/2008. Casting is 6M and 4F with a chorus/ensemble of eight. There is some doubling with the parts, which extends the casting possibilities for larger societies. Expected publication October 2009.

NICK HERN BOOKSNow available for amateur performance is Dracula by Bram Stoker, adapted by Liz Lochhead (4f 5m doubling), which is ideal for schools and drama groups, and all the more chilling for the respect it shows for Stoker’s original nightmare creation.

Staying with the gothic theme, the story of the creation of Frankenstein, Blood and Ice, also by Liz Lochhead (3f 2m) paints a vivid picture of the way Mary Shelley’s life influenced her creation and how that creation came to haunt her for the rest of her life. Staying with Liz Lochhead’s plays, we have re-issued her modern classic Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off (4f 4m), a play which draws the most uncomfortable parallels between the sacrifice of Mary and the myriad sexual, political and religious deformities that still plague the Scottish psyche even to this day.

Last but not least, Ella Hickson’s debut play Eight (4f 4m, but the monologues can be performed separately as well, so any combination is possible) ranges from Millie, the jolly-hockey-sticks prostitute who mourns the loss of the good old British class system to Danny, the ex-squaddie who makes friends in morgues. These monologues also provide excellent audition material.

For more information on any of these plays, free approval copies or to obtain the performing rights, please contact the Performing Rights Manager on [email protected].

NEWS FROM THE PUBLISHERSThis month sees the return of one of our regular features. On a bi-monthly basis will be passing on news from the pub-lishers about their latest releases. To submit your information please email [email protected].

AS MAGAZINEPRINT DEADLINES

DIARYAll entries must be submitted to

[email protected] 1st of each month.

EDITORIALAll releases and photographs must be submitted to

[email protected] 5th of each month


PLAYSCRIPTS



SUPRISE ME DARLINGA Play by Bob HeatherPublished by New Theatre PublicationsISBN 9781840947175Cast: W4, M5This witty comedy takes the old adage of being careful what you wish for to its fullest extent. John and Chrissie have been married for two years and its become evident that romantic gestures and buying presents isn’t one of John’s fortes. Despite the best intentions in the world he just has no idea. After a last-minute, incident -ridden dinner party, John decides to mend his ways and surprise Chrissie more often. He is about to find out though that mastering the art of surprise is no easy feat. With a cast of nine, this is a comedy that will have you wincing at times with the near pin-point accuracy of the relationship comments it makes. The women in the audience will nod their heads gleefully as the blokes miss the point. With three surprises in the final scene, this comedy is sure to delight audiences in search of a great night’s entertainment.

DREAMS OF VIOLENCEBy Stella FeehilyPublished by Nick Hern BooksISBN 9781848420427Cast: W4, M4For forty-something Hildy, political activism comes easier than dealing with the disorder of her family life: her druggie son; her philandering soon-to-be-ex husband; her father, misbehaving in a hugely expensive retirement home. Then there’s Shirley, Hildy’s charismatic mother – a former pop star with a fondness for booze – who sets up camp in Hildy’s spare room to belittle her from close range. By day, Hildy leads the City’s cleaners in a revolt against the bankers. But by night, she dreams of unsettling acts of violence. Dreams of Violence is a riotous comedy about love, death and responsibility. The play is more like a snappy collection of scenes that never come to any great conclusion. Dreams offers a great opportunity for a 40ish-year-old actress to really pull out the stops.

EIGHTBy Ella HicksonPublished by Nick Hern BooksISBN9781848420595Cast: W3, M5There’s nothing remotely new or exciting about a series of eight monologues, yet Ella Hickson’s Eight caused a stir in theatre circles when it was presented in 2008, purely due to the fact that audiences were asked to select which four of the eight monologues they wished to see. A great boost for audience power but pity the poor actors who weren’t chosen at each performance. Eight’s monologues offer a state-of-the-nation group portrait for the stage. From Millie, the jolly-hockey-sticks prostitute who mourns the loss of the good old British class system, to Miles, a 7/7 survivor, and Danny, an ex-squaddie who makes friends in morgues, Eight looks at what has happened to a generation that has grown up in a world where everything has become acceptable. Of course, you don’t have to adopt the audience vote, you can select particular monologues for performance, and there are some sharply and brilliantly observed characters here.

APOLOGIABy Alexi Kaye CampbellPublished by Nick Hern BooksISBN 9781848420533Cast: W3, M3Kristin Miller is an eminent and successful art historian. As a young mother she followed her politics and vocation, storming Parisian



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barricades and moving to Florence. Her birthday should be a time for celebration but, when her two sons deliver their versions of the past, everyone must confront the cost of Kirstin’s commitment to her passions. Apologia is an embittered family reunion, thought-provoking and touching, although sometimes the sympathy factor gets a bit much. Apologia is one of those plays where truths are unearthed as the wine flows. It’s fresh and at times quite breathtaking.

JERUSALEMBy Jez ButterworthPublished By Nick Hern BooksISBN 9781848420502Cast: W5, M9On St George’s Day, the morning of the local country fair, Johnny Byron, local water and modern day Pied Piper, is a wanted man. The council officials want to serve him an eviction notice, his children want their dad to take them to the fair, Troy Whitworth wants to give him a serious kicking, and a motley crew of mates want his ample supply of drugs and alcohol. Jerusalem seems to lament the loss of the England of old. Jerusalem garned some incredible rave reviews during its recent London season and it’s easy to see why. It’s not a short piece and runs with two intervals, but you can’t help but get a sense of sweep, or drama and great comedy.

FOR A FEW MONDAYS MOREBy Joe GrahamPublished by J. Garnet Miller (Cressrelles Publishing)ISBN: 9780853436614Cast W3, M5Published as a sequel to the hugely popular A Fistful Of Mondays, For A Few Mondays More is a great two act comedy. The Walbeswick Social Club is under threat from an unscrupulous property developer. The Monday Night All-Star Linedancing club have to deal with threat of closure as well as the death of Mary, an old group stalwart, and Annie and Tom’s troubled relationship. For A Few Mondays More utilises a suggested musical score to accentuate moments and according to the publishers a full musical version is in preparation. The wrecking ball looms large in this drama as character dramas and situations resolve.

THE AUDITIONA Play in One Act by Richard MacaulayPublished by The Drama Association of WalesISBN 1898740828Cast: W3, M4Adam Sparrow attends an audition for Garrick’s Drury Lane company at the beginning of a new season. He meets two of the backstage staff, Mrs Trundle and Tom Grout, then Hannah Moody, also hoping for an audition, who immediately catches his heart, and seemingly returns his feelings. Dr Johnson arrives. Finding Garrick is indisposed after too riotous an evenings, he indulges himself by conducting his own audition, a scene from Romeo and Juliet. But this brings ructions, first from Peg Woffington, one of the Lane’s established actresses and Garrick’s mistress, then from Garrick himself. Hannah, deserting Adam, succeeds in joining the company, but Adam loses both his new love and his chance of employment. Johnson sympathises but can do nothing. Only the sonnet that Adam bought with him as his audition piece can echo his feelings in the end.

The Dragon Of Wantley

by Norman RobbinsCAST 12 or 13 principals. Chorus. SCENE

Various simple settings This spectacular pantomime, based on an English legend involving real people, was beloved by Victorian audiences and has now been adapted for the 21st century by that master of pantomime — Norman Robbins. With vengeful fairies, knock-about bailiffs, a romantic leading lady and a handsome Principal Boy, plus the outrageous Dame, all the ingredients are here for a wonderful evening’s etnertainment! The choice of music is left to the director. Price £8.50

Tom �umbby Paul Reakes

CAST 15 Principals. Chorus. SCENE Simple interior and exterior settings

A hungry giant is advancing upon the Royal Kingdom, and his evil henchman Slither Slugslime has forced the citizens to give up all their food to him. Only Tom Thumb, the King’s head gardener, will stand up to him, but as punishment Slugslime shrinks him – to the size of a thumb! Mum Thumb, her son Tim, Princess Primrose and her maid Lucy Lastic enlist the help of the beautiful witch Spellena to restore Tom to his normal size. In the meantime Slugslime has taken a liking to Primrose and Mum must somehow rustle up a cake for the giant with two extremely dimwitted sous-chefs! Price £8.50

Contact us for a FREE pantomime list

French’s Theatre Bookshop52 Fitzroy St London W1T 5JR

Tel: 020 7255 4300 Fax: 020 7387 2161

email: [email protected]

www.samuelfrench-london.co.uk

Samuel French Ltd

The Play publisher

The Catalogue of Musical Plays 2009-2011

is now available! Price £4.00

NEW PANTOMIMES!


BOOKS



BOOK OF THE MONTHTHE LONDON PALLADIUMThe Story of the Theatre and its StarsPublished by Jeremy Mills PublishingISBN 9781906600396

It’s not very often that a sumptuous book like this arrives in our offices. Chris Woodward has captured the glamour, beauty and memories of this iconic London theatre. This is a building which engenders huge loyalty from the many people who have performed and worked there and that amazing affection is chronicled here. The book is richly illustrated with historic photographs, programme images and memorabilia that bring to life decades of entertainment history. Littered with memories of performers and other Palladiumites, this book would make a great gift for anyone with an interest in theatre. We found it enchanting and couldn’t put it down until we’d read it cover to cover.

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO WORKING IN THEATREBy Gil ForemanPublished by Methuen DramaISBN: 9780713687675

Written by the Acting Head of the Young People’s Programme at the Royal Shakespeare Company and former Director of Education at the Bristol Old Vic, this is a book for new entrants in the theatre industry needing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how theatre is made. With contributions from across the industry, this new and up-to-date guide will be essential for all those planning their careers. Covering each role, including director, designer, sound and lighting, front of house and playwright, each chapter looks in detail at what each role entails, the main people who it involves working alongside and the skills required. This essential guide includes interviews with industry leaders including Nick Hytner, Emma Rice, Simon Russell Beale, Michael Boyd, Mike Shepperd and Rachel Kavanaugh.

THE THEATRE PRACTICE OF TADASHI SUZUKIBy Paul Allain

Published by Methuen DramaISBN 9781408116432

A lively, critical study of one of the most important innovators, thinkers and directors in contemporary world theatre: Tadashi Suzuki. This book explores Suzuki’s theatre practice and contains a DVD with practical Suzuki Method actor – training examples. The DVD covers and actor training session (featuring both novices and an experienced practitioner with over ten years Suzuki training) showing the physical moves.

IMPROVISATION IN REHEARSALBy John Abbott with foreward by Mark RylancePublished by Nick Hern BooksISBN 9781854595232

Following on from his successful Improvisation Book, John Abbott now explains how theatre directors at every level can use improvisation in the rehearsal room. Packed with useful exercises and improvisation scenarios, and examples from a wide variety of plays, Improvisation in Rehearsal reveals how improvisation enriches and enlivens the creation of characters, back-stories, relationships, shared histories and emotional lives. The book also demonstrates how improvisation

can be used as a powerful tool in the foundation of a strong company, and when searching for the hidden depths and dynamics in a scene.

TALKING THEATRE – INTERVIEWS WITH THEATRE PEOPLEBy Richard EyrePublished by Nick Hern BooksISBN 9781848420465

Shortly after he left the directorship of the National Theatre, Richard Eyre embarked on a series of interviews with people who had played a significant part in making and influencing the theatre of the second half of the twentieth century. Forty of these interviews – threaded through with Eyre’s own commentary – are published here for the first time.

Eyre’s interview subjects are a Who’s Who of theatre including John Gielgud, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Arthur Miller, Stephen Sondheim, Cameron Mackintosh, Christopher Hampton, Harold Pinter and Vanessa Redgrave amongst others. There are some strong opinions here but it’s an engrossing read.


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GHOSTS OF ROSEVEAR AND THE WRECK OF THE NANCY PACKETBy Todd Stevens & Edward CummingISBN 9781849270120

In the Isles of Scilly archives there are listed over seven hundred wrecks, the first of which was recorded in 1305. Whilst always a matter of opin-ion, the authors believe that the story associated with the East India Company packet ship Nancy rates in the top ten

shipwreck incidents currently published.

The loss of Sir Shovell’s fleet in October 1707 was certainly the worst shipwreck incident in the Isles Of Scilly, responsible for the loss of four ships and up to 2000 lives.

What has this got to do with theatre, we hear you asking. This great little book caught our eye based solely on the involvement on one Miss Ann Cargill, a notorious London actress who was initially seduced by several men involved in London Theatre. Eloping with a Captain to Bombay, she made a fortune in India, until the Prime Minister William Pitt instructed the East India Company to get her back to Britain as he was outraged that “an actress should be defil-ing the pure shores of India”. The search continues today for her cash and jewels lost in the wreck.

It’s a true story that is well worth a read.

THE GUIDE TO SELECTING PLAYS FOR PERFORMANCE93RD EDITION

Samuel French have done it again. This is one of the most comprehensive guides you will ever need. The guide contains cast and plot details for over 2000 plays, including full length plays, one act plays and revue sketches, plays for children and young people, musical plays and pantomimes.

THE PLAY PRODUCEDYou will notice that our regular feature The Play Produced is taking a sebatical this month. We are preparing a great new series of articles which we hope you will enjoy. There are some productions though we would like to feature and we’d like to invite interested parties to get in touch. If you have recently staged productions of any of the following we’d love to hear from you.

The Producers, The History Boys, Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf, The Likes Of Us, State Fair, Zombie Prom, The Railway Children, The Wedding Singer, Art, Boogie Nights, Dealer’s Choice, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Popcorn, Rent, and Footloose.

To find out more information contact us at [email protected].

Nancy Packet Book Cover 28/4/08, 5:29 pm1


PROFILE



“It’s taken us 15 years to get around to formalising our rental production. Over the years we’ve done the odd one or two” says Martin Dodd from UK Productions.

“UK Productions have been in business 15 years now. We were formed to produce pantos and musicals. Our first tour was Barnum in 1995 which toured for 18 months. Since then we’ve done numerous productions, with three to four musicals touring each year.” No mean feat, given the current economic climate. “This year we have Disney’s Beauty & The Beast, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, Singing In the Rain and we’ve just gone into production on Oklahoma!

for 2010.” For most people that would be more than enough, but at UK Productions that is only just the beginning of a massive theatrical operation. “We are also currently contracted to produce 10 pantos per year, which can get a little hairy around Christmas. This year Beauty & The Beast will also stay out at Christmas in Glasgow so we are presenting all over the country.”

“As a result of that we have built up an extensive store of costumes, sets and technical kit.” Martin said. UK Productions are now in the hire business. Their massive stores are now open to companies around the country who want

to hire sets and costumes for any of the musicals they have produced. “Being touring sets, they have been designed to tour and relatively quickly get in and out. Beauty & The Beast is not quite so easy, it’s a big set.” So how can UK Productions help your company? Martin is quick with a response “Because we are so used to playing all these different venues, with tight get in and out times, there are very few theatres that are unknown to us. Our production manager can tailor a hire to your time and space requirements. We have various packages available where you can swap elements to fit your venue and make it easier to present. Over the 5 years we’ve

UK Productions recently opened up its sets and costume store to amateurs around the UK. AS spoke to Martin Dodd about the new hire business, making productions fit, and what makes productions work.

SCENIC SALVATION

martindodd.indd 2 10/09/2009 15:28:18


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been touring Beauty and other shows they’ve played in non-flying venues, small venues, massive venues, so we have two or three versions of the sets available”, he said.

So what prompted the move into rentals? “We have rented out the odd set in the past but we decided it was time to formalise it. Beauty & The Beast has really make us aware of the interest out there. People have now started asking us if we have other shows available and chances are we probably do as we’ve never scrapped a show since the day we started.”

“It leads to some fairly hefty storage bills, that’s partly the driving force between our decision to start hiring if I’m honest. We

keep everything in very good condition so that we can revive shows easily. In the meantime it does seem crazy to let them sit there.”

Surely, hiring out big commercial sets costs a fortune. Martin sets the record straight, “Costwise, hires depend on us trying to tailor a package to your company and budget. For example Beauty & The Beast could go out for £5000 per week for the full set and all the bells and whilstles, we realise though not many companies could accommodate the whole set, so there are packages available for £1000 - £1200 per week. We do the same with the costumes. We have our own wardrobe department and costume designer and huge warehouse in Blackpool which is manned all the time as we are always making for panto and our own shows. There are tens of thousands of costumes. Obviously Beauty has a load of specialist costumes with all the enchanted objects so we have different deals available so you can hire the enchanted costumes or the whole shebang. The same applies for all our other shows.”

Given that so many shows fail, what does Martin attribute his success to? “I tend to go for shows I grew up with and that I like myself. It’s why we mainly do revivals. You need to get a show that is deep in people’s psyche, a show that they really love. That is to a large degree what the amateur market does – shows that they really love. That’s why R & H and shows like 42nd Street are so popular. The audience knows what they are getting, they know the tunes, so if you give them a good production they come out with a

smile on their face.”

So how much notice do UK Productions need to help groups with staging their productions? “We don’t, to be honest. As long as there is time to get it on a truck and get it out there. We are used to reacting to things so it takes next to no time. Our stores are fully manned, so its not an issue. But obviously as more and more people are interested in shows like Beauty (we’re already taking bookings for the set for 2011), then a bit of notice would be great.”

For more information email [email protected] or visit www.ukproductions.co.uk.SCENIC SALVATION

martindodd.indd 3 10/09/2009 15:28:49

TECHNICAL



nationaltheatre.org.uk/hire

Chichester House, Kennington Park Estate, 1 – 3 Brixton Road, London SW9 6DE

Costumes 020 7735 4774

Props 020 7820 1358

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.

lighting.indd 2 10/09/2009 14:52:19


TECHNICAL

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We all want our plays and productions to look stunning, but what looked fresh and creative 10 years ago can now, sometimes, look dated. Obviously there are occasions when this style of lighting suits the genre but with the advancement of technology, we now have the choice to move beyond static lighting controlled by a simple lighting desk, and look towards the future. Multimedia in the form of automated lighting can help transform your production by adding dynamics – whether with more flexibility, functionality or movement – and by giving the lighting designer more scope for creativity you can really increase the production values and give audiences something to remember.

As automated lighting is now more affordable, many amateur companies are embracing this technology, even if it’s only a gel scroller controlled via the lighting desk. However, nowadays it is projection that is the new tool available to designers to create their stunning looks, but how available and cost effective is this technology to amateur companies? Andy Vere, business development manager at London Light Production Services, explains: “With amateur companies experiencing tight budgets, it’s easy to be demoralised and think that the highest quality looks are reserved only for professional productions. But you can still be creative with projection even when you have little money.”

Andy points towards a regular carousel slide projector as an example. “In the past, we’ve used one of these for projecting titles onto the set for a production of Les Misérables. We created our own slides by printing white text with a black background onto transparencies that we then cut to size and placed in the carousel. You can rent one of these projectors for around £20 or you can often find a friend who has one tucked away somewhere. We also connected a dimmer to the lamp so that the words can be faded in and out rather than snapping on and off as the projector changes slides.”

“You aren’t limited to words either,” he continues. “You could use them for projecting any image onto almost any surface – as an example, you could project an image of an outdoor scene onto a cloth behind a window on stage to help set the location. But you must remember that the bigger the surface you’re projecting onto, the dimmer the image will become.”

The next step up from a slide projector is a TV screen or computer monitor connected to something like PowerPoint. This can be placed, again, behind a window or even inside a fireplace for example, so you can play footage of a real fire rather than just flickering red and orange lamps.

Beyond TVs and monitors is the realm of digital projectors. A basic one can be bought

for about £200 or hired from a lighting rental company from £40 a week. A huge range of projectors are available, in different power outputs and lens angles depending on how big your stage is and what you want to project, so it is very important to do your research. If you get the wrong type of projector you may have issues with it being too dim or not being able to project the image as big as you need it from the distance it is rigged. Hire companies like London Light are always available to offer advice to get you the correct projector for the job and at the right price. You could use a projector, or several, to project moving images of anything from clouds to an entire setting. For example, the Little Britain Live comedy show set was entirely projected and at points “moved” while they pretended to walk. The set for Our House, a musical based on Madness songs, featured projections of London, creating the impression of the car “flying” round town while they sang Driving in my Car.

There are a number of things to consider when looking at projection:

• Who is going to be responsible for what is to be projected? • Who will control the projector itself? • How will the projector interact with the lighting, sound and set? • Will it assist or distract from the narrative? • How will it fade in and out (remembering

PROJECTING YOUR AMBITIONSAndy Vere, business development manager at London Light Production Services, talks to AS Magazine about how a little imagination goes a long way in lighting and projection.

lighting.indd 3 10/09/2009 11:37:13

TECHNICAL



that projectors don’t project true black)?• What happens if something goes wrong (such as the computer crashes)?

There are several ways to control projections. “With a simple slide projector,” says Andy, “it is usually a wired remote with two buttons for forwards and backwards. More advanced digital projectors can be linked up to a computer running PowerPoint, or you could use a DVD player. However, you then need to consider how to prevent the ‘play’ icon displaying on screen. There is the option to put a vision mixer in the system so you can manually fade from black into the video or image after the ‘play’ icon has disappeared. However, these will set you back about £85 per week unless you can pick up a bargain from an online auction site.

Another option, which is used at London Light, is the Green Hippo Hippocritter Media Server. This is simply a high spec computer that is built to cope with high quality graphics and videos and play them back through any device. The media server also gives you the ability to manipulate the media content as in real time. This means you can take the same raw data and give it different effects each time you use it. The different manipulations include brightness, contrast, colour, zoom, rotation, shaping, fading, blurring and will also allow you to add movement effects, including ripples and scrolling and many more! As an added bonus, you can control the media server through you lighting desk for ease and accuracy of cueing.

Another fantastic function of the media server is ‘pixel mapping’. A pixel is defined as one dot of an image and using this function, you can assign each of these dots to a specific lighting fixture. This works particularly well when you are using LED fixtures and you want to project an image through them. All you need to do is input your fixtures onto a grid, in the same layout as they are in the rig, and the media server calculates which part of the image is projected through which LEDs.

This function becomes very useful for London Light’s stock of Chroma Q’s Color Web, which is a matrix of coloured LEDs mounted in webbing 25cm from each other. It comes in metre square sections and can easily be clipped together to create large surfaces of varying shapes and is as versatile as a cloth so it can be hung round corners, draped over set or whatever you wish. Therefore being able to ‘map’ this layout into the media server by just clicking and dragging saves lots of time before you even arrive in the theatre or venue. It is often used in TV, film, events and theatre to fill in black holes with low-resolution images.

“We’re about to use Color Web for an amateur production of Hairspray,” says Andy. “Because it’s simply fabric with LEDs attached, it is very light-weight and easy to

handle, yet can provide stunning results. Double hanging the Color Web so that one section hangs offset in front of another will increase the resolution for the images we use as seen on ITV’s The Cube. That’s what we’re about to do with Hairspray – there are several scenes so we are projecting different images or just adding colour to assist in the setting and emotion of the moment.”

Imagine going one step further, though: for a dancing scene, such as Hairspray’s finalé, You Can’t Stop the Beat, not only are the lights above the dancers flashing, but so is the backdrop, as Andy continues: “We’ve created a disco wall effect with bright, vivid colours flashing across the backdrop; like Saturday Night Fever’s dance floor, but on the wall instead!”

The Color Web can also be used in place of a star cloth – so one minute it’s gently twinkling; the next, it’s bright colours as

the sun comes up; the next, it’s displaying moving images – the options are endless as demonstrated currently in the West End production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical.

Just as production values develop and improve beyond recognition from what we remember only a few years ago, so does the visual quality of lighting. With some creativity and imagination you can go some way to replicating the spectacular effects seen on the professional stage and on TV shows such as X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.

Useful links: London Light: http://www.london-light.com Color Web: http://tinyurl.com/colorweb

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WEST END

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State Fair Finborough Theatre

Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals, such as the recently staged Sound of Music and Carousel, are best known for big production values, but one of their lesser-known shows, State Fair, has been pared down for the small fringe venue of the Finborough, allowing it to really focus on the melodies and the characters.

This is the European premiere of a musical that played Broadway in 1996, based on a 1945 film of the same name – the only time Rodgers & Hammerstein wrote directly for the movies. It is an uncomplicated tale of the Frake family leaving their Iowa farm for the state fair in Des Moines, where the mother and father get caught up in the politics of pig and pickle competitions while the son and daughter have their own romantic adventures.

There are strong performances across the 14-strong cast, which includes Kellie Shirley (Carly Wicks from EastEnders), accompanied by musical director Magnus Gilljam on piano. As the older Frakes, Susan Travers and Philip Rham bring some touching comedy, while their children are well played by Siôn Lloyd and Laura Main, whose beautiful sweet voice is best displayed in the Oscar-winning melody of It Might As Well Be Spring.

Other songs are less memorable but still enjoyable, such as More Than Just a Friend with the farmers’ amusing and slightly troubling adoration of their “sweet hog”. Many of the melodies were salvaged from the cutting room floor of other Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals, especially Oklahoma!, which State Fair most closely resembles. While the intimacy of this production is one of its strengths, it would be interesting to see this simple escapist gem burnished for a slightly larger venue with more space and more instruments.

aLaN CUMMiNGVaudeville Theatre

I was quite unsure what to expect from Alan Cumming’s one man show I Bought A Blue Car Today. Cabaret can be a dodgy medium at best and one man vehicles can often fall flat, but I am pleased to say this was neither.

Cumming took to the stage performing an eclectic mix of material which ranged Chess to Hedwig And The Andry Inch, with smatterings of original material and popular songs. Each piece had been re-arranged to suit not only Cummings incredible vocals but to put a unique spin on sometimes familiar material. It was certainly a night that had me wanting more.

Highlights included a rather full force version of Mein Herr from Cabaret, the aforementioned Hedwig Medley, Taylor, The Latte Boy - presented with a refreshing spin, and What More Can I Say from the musical Falsettos.

Much of the musical credit for the evening must go to Musical Director, Lance Horn who arranged most of Cummings’ selection for his embryonic on stage band. Cumming was repeatedly heard to quip about the age of his on stage musicians - many of whom had not been born when he debuted in the West End.

All in all this was an amazing evening, very nearly a masterclass in taking well known favourites and giving them fresh vitality. A CD of material from the show has only just been released and personallly I am looking forward to getting my hands on a copy.


INTERNET



NICK HERN BOOKSwww.nickhernbooks.co.ukAny reader of AS Magazine will be familiar with Nick Hern Books and the numerous plays and great theatre books they publish each year. This website represents a significant information source for plays and authors. It also allows you to purchase from their sizeable catalogue online. For real fans there is also a section offering signed editions of selected publications.

DRESS CIRCLE RECORDSwww.dresscircle.co.ukDress Circle continue to offer one of the greatest online catalogues in the world for musical theatre fans. Be it cast albums, sheet music, memorabilia, books or DVDs - it’s all here. For years Dress Circle has supported new artists, encouraged the recording of new and interesting works in many languages and tried to get its shopper participate in special events. It’s a shop we probably couldn’t do without. Bravo!!

KIRKINTILLOCH PLAYERS - SCOTLANDwww.kirkintillochplayers.co.ukThe Kirkintilloch Players is a community-based amateur theatre club in Kirkintilloch, a town 9 miles to the north of Glasgow. Established in 1923, they’re even older than we are!! This snappy and very simple website is a great portal for anyone interested in finding out about the company. Everything you could want from society history, picture galleries, information on joining and upcoming shows, is all here. It’s very easy to navigate and beautifully designed.

THE MUSIC ROOMwww.musicroom.comA nifty online store that offers online sales of sheet music and music folios. You can also purchase backing tracks, video tutorials and much more, all aimed at teaching you how to reach and enjoy music. The store offers a great musical theatre section for anyone seeking music at the last minute for auditions or performance. For the music techies amongst you the latest in musical software is available for purchase and there’s even a range of instruments and accessories.

HENLEY IN ARDEN DRAMA SOCIETYwww.hads.org.ukHADS was formed in 1954, and continues to be a lively and thriving Drama Society. They generally perform in the Memorial Hall, Henley-in-Arden, two or three times a year. This simple and effective website is a great way to show so-cieties that getting online isn’t as scary as many may think. It’s simple to navigate, really well put together and informa-tive. Top marks to Henley, too, for keeping everything up to date.

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THE LAST WORD


Wisteria CottageGarrick Road

Campton Royal

Salutations,

I trust you enjoyed what passed for summer? Regrettably, what used to be my favourite season seems to be shorter every year. Indeed, as far as my local supermarket is concerned, August along with September are in danger of vanishing from the calendar altogether. Their displays indicate that children go ‘Back to School’ in July and Halloween paraphernalia is already in evidence. There is never enough time for rehearsals as it is.

Talking of rehearsals, Blithe Spirit is back on track. My errant cast returned safely from their travels, and, to my delight, even seem to have taken their scripts with them. Last week Jeff’s Act 2 positively whizzed along. When I commented, he muttered that his Tresco friend had been a great help and since they had spent most of the holiday closeted in a hotel bedroom, it had helped pass the time. At this point, Vera had a coughing fit and ran from the hall. I trust she is not coming down with swine flu.

I have not been idle myself and most of the cozzies for the girls are hanging from the picture rail in my spare room. Marjorie proved to be something of a problem being of, shall we say above average dimensions. Fortunately my mother was also of ample proportions and I still have some of her wardrobe in my attic. I made her try it on and was pleased with the result. Marjorie, on the other hand, was not pleased. She said that the smell of camphor would make her sick and the zip would only go half way up. I countered smartly that a squirt of eau de cologne and a woolly cardigan would solve the problems in an instant.

Props have been more difficult, that is until I visited Kath, my Elvira, and discovered her house was a positive treasure trove. She was reluctant to part with her sofa, complete with anti-macassar, until I pointed out that during the week of the play she would not have time to use it anyway. As I was leaving, I noted an old-fashioned radiator in the hall which would add authenticity. I may ask Darren to pop over with his tool box while she’s rehearsing.

I should also mention that a friend of Nikki’s will be helping with the lights. I was concerned when he mentioned hiring birdies, until he explained they had bulbs and no feathers. But you can never be too careful can you?

Till next time,

Doris Richardson-Hall

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amateur stage magazine september 2009

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