SCENEThe newsletter of

Leicester Drama Society JULY 2017

In typical seaside postcard style, Joshua J. Knott as Francis Henshall finds himself in a spot of bother with a rather heavy trunk in Richard Bean’s comedy One Man Two Guvnors’.

NOTICES & ARTICLES FOR PUBLICATION SHOULD BE SENT TO: scene@lds-mail.net MEMBERS’ WEBSITE Log onto the members’ website for up-to-date information at: www.ldsmembers.co.uk

S C E N E THE LITTLE THEATRE . DOVER STREET . LEICESTER . LE1 6PWAdministration telephone: 0116254 2266 Box Office 0116 2551302Editor CHRISTINE HEWSONEditorial & Technical Assistant ROY SMITH

AUGUST Edition of SCENEFINAL COPY DATE: WEDNESDAY JULY 19th

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EditorialOur customers have been very supportive during the installation of the new booking system. There have been a few hick-ups but I suppose that is inevitable with anything new. I must admit the training sessions last time around rather put me off for life. See our ticket booking compilation on page 5.The results of Nominations for the Operating Teams highlight the alarming reduction in the number of members willing to serve on any of the committees and, like our present government, it would seem that there needs to be some serious thinking given to how things are run in the future. To those members who like a challenge over the summer months with words, get out the pen and paper and see what you can do once again in weaving next season's plays into a coherent story. The complete list of plays is readily to hand below and we’d love to hear your ‘Tall Stories’.

July 3rd - 8thHAY FEVERBy Noel CowardDirected by PENNY KIMMINS

MAIN HOUSE

Sept 11th - 16th 2017 ARSENIC AND OLD LACEBy Joseph Kesselring Directed by JOHN BALE* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Oct 2nd - 7th 2017CONFUSIONS By Alan Ayckbourn Directed by DAVID KIMMINS* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Oct 23rd - 28th 2017PLAYHOUSE CREATURESBy April De AngelisDirected by STEVE ELLIOT* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Nov 13th - 18th 2017 THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE By John Dighton Directed by JOHN GHENT* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Dec 14th 2017 - Jan 7th 2018 PANTOMIME: DICK WHITTINGTONBy John BaleDirected by JOHN BALE* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jan 22nd - 27th 2018JEEVES & WOOSTER By David & Robert Goodale Directed by RUTH CHEETHAM * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Feb 5th - 10th 2018 THE DECORATOR By Douglas Churchill Directed by COLIN WOODS

THE NEW SEASON Feb 26th - Mar 18th 2018THE ODD COUPLE By Neil Simon Directed by STEVE KANTOR* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Apr 9th - 14th 2018 FROST/NIXON By Peter Morgan Directed by RICK LAMOURE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Apr 30th - May 5th 2018THE PERFECT MURDER By Shaun McKenna/Peter JamesDirected by MARY JONES* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *May 21st - 26th 2018MRS WARREN’S PROFESSION By George Bernard ShawDirected by CHRISTINE HEWSON * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *June 18th - 23rd 2018QUARTET By Ronald Harwood Directed by PENNY KIMMINS* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *July 9th - 14th 2018ALLO, ALLOBy Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft Directed by JANE TOWERS

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Summary of the 175th Board MeetingThe transition from Databox to the new electronic box office from Spektrix has been completed.The Board reviewed the profit and loss accounts for the nine months to April 30th. With more last minute sales over the course of a run and fewer ‘6 for 5’ and concessionary tickets being bought, the average ticket price paid increases and helps to offset any financial impact of a show not meeting its target audience percentage.The Dragon’s Den bar at performances of Sleeping Beauty made a profit of over £2275.The Adelaide Buildings ‘Takeaway Day’ on May 7th raised £812, with the total raised by donations in connection with the clearance standing at £2184.The Board accepted the Facilities Team’s recommended quotation for a new boiler. The Props Room floor in the dressing rooms will also be recovered and remedial work will be carried out on the paintshop roof and roof over the dressing rooms in due course.

The event celebrates the work of playwright and former LDS member JOE ORTON.

FRANCES BARBER will be reading a selection of comic letters written by Orton’s alter ego Edna Welthorpe (Mrs), together with new letters from top comedy writers: The Emmy award winning writer of Veep, DAVID QUANTICK and comedian GRAHAM FELLOWES (JOHN SHUTTLEWOOD) who will also be discussing Orton’s impact on contemporary comedy. Tickets £10 from the Theatre Box Office.

A Celebration of the work of JOE ORTON

Wednesday AUGUST 9TH at 7.00pm

NOMINATION RESULTS FOR OPERATING TEAMS Thank you to all members who stood for positions on the Operating Teams. Overall, there were fewer nominations than positions available. All nominees have therefore been successful in obtaining positions on their chosen Teams with effect from August 1st 2017. The outcome of the nomination process is set out below:MEMBERSHIP TEAM 3 vacancies, no nominations.MARKETING TEAM 2 vacancies, no nominations.PRODUCTION PLANNING TEAM (Planning the 97th season which begins on August 1st 2018) 6 vacancies, 2 nominations: John Ghent, Kate Waterfield.BACKSTAGE CO-ORDINATION TEAM 7 vacancies, 2 nominations: Simon Dickens (Stage), Timothy Neville (General Responsibility).Congratulations to all nominees. Enjoy your time with your respective Teams. The Trustees may appoint temporary serving members to fill the vacancies until the next elections. Teams can also enlist support from members willing to help with their work. Christopher Nuttall, Company Secretary

CLOSED SEASON WORK begins on Tuesday and Thursday evenings during July. Help is particularly needed to progress with the planned exit from Adelaide Buildings, beginning on Thursday July 13th at 7.00pm.

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AUDITIONS

December 14th 2017 to January 7th 2018SUNDAY July 2nd.Auditions for Principal rolesSUNDAY July 9thAuditions for Junior and Senior Dancers If interested or you know anyone who is, please contact me for more information.John Bale: Director johnrbale@hotmail.com 07906 624735

Dick Whittington

PRODUCTION DATES: January 22nd - 28th 2018

AUDITION DATES: TUESDAY August 15th At 7.30pm in the Haywood StudioIf you can’t make this date a second date is available but please contact me.Casting:I’m not going for any particular age for any of the characters other than to say that the three characters must fit together. The show has thirteen characters which are played by the three cast so regardless of which part you go for you will need to be able to keep up the fast and frenetic pace.

Hope to see you all there, if you wish to discuss any part please contact me. Ruth Cheetham

Mobile: 07889 233004 Landline: 01664 434351e-mail: ruthcheetham@btinternet.com

Join the aristocratic fool Bertie Wooster and his dutiful valet, Jeeves, along with fellow manservant, Seppings, in playing a dizzying array of roles in an evening of Perfect Nonsense.

in Perfect Nonsense

EEVES & JWOOSTER

CASTING

Type to enter text

DAYS OF YOUR LIFE By John Dighton

APPIEST

___ __ THE

Directed by JOHN GHENT

PRODUCTION DATES: November 13th - 18th 2017

AUDITION DATES : TUESDAY JULY 18th 2017 At 7.30pm in the Haywood Studio.

Scripts available on short-term loan from the Little Theatre Office. Pease be familiar with the play before the audition and it would help if you would advise me of your wish to attend.

Mr Godfrey Pond, head of Hilary Hall School for Boys, is flummoxed when Miss Evelyn Whitchurch, bossy headmistress of St. Swithin’s School for Girls, together with staff and pupils, is billeted on his school at short notice by an incompetent Ministry of De-vacuation. How will he withstand this domineering woman and how will she manage to placate easily shocked parents when they discover what is actually going on? This mad as a box of frogs farce has great parts for actors of all ages and types. Casting: (Please regard ages given as a guide only.)DICK TASSELL, personable Assistant Master at Hilary Hall (mid 20s).RAINBOW, lugubrious School Porter and Groundsman (middle-aged).RUPERT BILLINGS, acerbic Senior Assistant Master at Hilary Hall (30s).GODFREY POND, pompous Headmaster of Hilary Hall (50s).MISS EVELYN WHITCHURCH, formidable headmistress of St. Swithin’s School for Girls (50s).MISS GOSSAGE, sporty Senior Assistant Mistress at St. Swithin’s (mid 30s).HOPCROFT Minor,a pupil of some notoriety at Hilary Hall (12).BARBARA CAHOUN, a self-confident pupil at St Swithin’s (14)JOYCE HARPER, personable Assistant Mistress at St Swithin’s (mid 20s).THE REVEREND EDWARD PECK, a very straight-laced parent (50s).MRS PECK, his equally straight-laced wife (50s).MR SOWTER, a very self-important parent (middle-aged).MRS SOWTER, his stately, severe wife (middle-aged).

JOHN GHENT: 07703 764 800 or j.ghent38@btinternet.com

CREATIVE TEAMDirector: John Bale, Set Design: Alec Davis Costume Design: John Bale, Stage Manager: Sam Simpson, DSM: Mo Carberry assisted by Andy Mear, Lighting Design: Andy Crookes, Sound Design: Tim Neville, Properties: Lynn Audley & Joe Middleton, Prompt: Sandra Brown.

Arsenic & Old LaceCASTAbby Brewster Sue DaleThe Rev. Dr Harper Phillip NormanTeddy Brewster Darrell ImbertOfficer Brophy Paul LargeOfficer Klein Joe MiddletonMartha Brewster Jacque Hamilton Elaine Harper Rose BaleMortimer Brewster Keir WatsonMr Gibbs Alan Freckingham Johnathan Brewster David LovellDr Einstein Charles MossOfficer O’Hara Chris Brookes Lieutenant Rooney Russell HughesMr Witherspoon Terry Cowlishaw

The saying goes: ‘Behind every great man stands a great woman’, and this was very true when it comes to summing up the partnership of Rita and John Guillain. Rita wasn’t one to seek the limelight but she was a tremendous support to her husband John, whose death we were only writing about in September 2016.

Both of them were huge supporters of the Little Theatre. Together they put on a number of shows written by John using members of the LDS as well as the younger members from the Guillain School of Drama which they ran. Rita was content to type out John’s many scripts and play the piano for his rehearsals. She was an accomplished singer in her own right giving singing lessons and certainly helped John with everything he needed for his many productions.

John and Rita assembled a group of entertainers from the Drama Society, calling themselves ‘Six For The Road’ and I have many memories of playing with them at a diversity of venues around the area, from village halls to large firm’s social clubs - changing in toilets, playing on stages made up of large moveable blocks which opened up beneath your feet, waiting to perform to audiences that really were only interested in drinking - the sort of thing that really makes you appreciate the Little’s facilities.

The death of John and now Rita will leave many people who worked with them over so many years very sad, and our thoughts are with the family, Rebecca and Adam and their children. Roy Smith

Obituary: Rita Guillain

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Volunteer opportunityMake a real difference to sales of tickets for Little Theatre productions.A volunteer is needed to create marketing e-mails using a professional system with supplied images and text based on the website or brochure.

Since 2009 I have enjoyed putting these e-mails together and seeing the results is rewarding but I now have increasing commitments which mean I am looking for another LDS member to take over from me.The creation of the e-mails can be done from anywhere with a broadband connection. Full training and continued support will be available. If you are interested please get in touch via newsletter@lds-mail.net and include a telephone number. Rodney Spokes

Jottings Series TwoHave you missed me? After the marathon of Breakfast at Tiffany's last year I'm embarking on another tour, this time with the classic children's story of The Railway Children by Edith Nesbitt, made famous on film by Bernard Cribbins and Jenny Agutter. The production is coming out of the Exeter Northcott Theatre, and The Railway Children is their first on a Number One Tour (mostly venues over a thousand seats). Most of you would have been aware of the production last year with a real steam engine at Kings Cross, but alas we can't tour a real engine over the full length of the country so a new and exciting production has been developed. The adaptation by Dave Simpson is as true to the book as you can get, and focuses on the relationships of the characters, the challenges they face and on all things train. Something we hope will interest children and adults alike.

As a company we have developed the characters in the story through improvisation and play. Placing each character into parts of the story you don't see. Exploring the relationships and the themes of the piece have enriched our background knowledge and should give the audience a greater understanding of the story.Tech rehearsals have been tough, and very long. The nature of the piece demands seamless changes to enable the actors to continue to push the story along. It was a gruelling three or four days but hopefully the proof is in the pudding.

We are now into previews and after three Performances, so far they have gone very nicely. A few technical issues and an actor fainting during the second show interval, calling the understudy into action for the second half but none the less very warm responses thus far.

We move on to Newcastle, Glasgow and Inverness before a well deserved rest, be sure to read all about it in the next issue of SCENE.

A shot of the Front Cloth and general setting which I managed to take at one of the final rehearsals.

The outside of The Northcote Theatre in Exeter.

JOSHI’S Jottings ON TOUR with ANDREW JOSHI

“ I can offer you P backwards”. Customer: “Oh, does that mean they don’t face the stage then !”

Any preference on seating madam?

Customer: “ Well, I would like ones with some padding please.”

How would you like to pay for the tickets sir? Customer : “ I suppose the wife could get a job”

“ Little Theatre . . . Can I help you? ”

Jim O Donoghue would be the last person to want to get tied up with computers and when he tried the new booking system he soon found himself taking on more than he could cope with. Things were so much simpler in his day.

So our new computer ticket booking system is up and running. The new software ticketing provider Spektrix must be highly regarded with the likes of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Bristol Old Vic as well as a number of the Little Theatre Guild members using their services. Our dedicated Volunteer Office Staff have now the unenviable job of coping with its complexities. Even the best of computers can be frustrating when they fail to do what you want them to do and this can be a real headache when there is a customer hanging onto the other end of the phone.How things have changed since what we like to think were the good old days. Life was a lot easier then, where all you had to do was physically tear a printed ticket out of a book - at least it didn’t seize up on you. The Theatre Office was run by a number of

Managers, one of whom had a reputation for having a very aggressive manner particularly on the phone, and many a customer has unfortunately had the sharpe end of his tongue.

Any booking office is that vital link between customer and theatre and we all know how frustrating this can sometimes be when you are trying to book tickets. You are put onto hold, have to listen to a distorted musical sound track, and are continually being told that “All our operators are busy”. The latest irritation is being informed that you can’t book the two seats you want as it leaves a single seat. Do they really want your custom? Not something which happens at the

Little we hasten to add.

BEWARE OF THE SARCASTIC CUSTOMER!

SORRY ALL OUR OPERATORS ARE

BUSY

Compiled by Roy Smith and Mary Joneswith help from Richard Dixon.

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AN ODE TO THE BOX OFFICEVolunteers for box office, are mostly quite unknown,For many of us are just a voice, that’s heard upon the phone.We never get to wear a badge or in the programme named.But we fulfil a vital role and for mistakes we’re never blamed.

We answer all the telephones with a smile and a manner oh so cheery(Even when a customer’s demands can really make us very weary.)We've struggled on for quite a while, with I.T. that's outdated,New booking system’s now in place, let’s hope it turns out top rated.

So, the volunteers more training sessions have had to undertake.But this could take a little time, as there are changes we must make.The main consensus seems to be, that this system's much improved.(Just need to get our heads around the things that now have moved).

There was a little moaning at the size of the actual screenBut though we had to squint to see, to listen we were quite keen.It could take time to become au fait with a system that is very new When the times we get to practice are actually quite few.So, spare a thought for all of us - We're on a learning curve -We’ll soon get up to speed, for all those customers we aim to serve. The Box Office Team.

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From the ARCHIVESTEN YEARS AGO

ABIGAIL’S PARTYBy Mike LeighDirected by JAN FROST(From L. to R.)Katherine O’Sullivan, Trevor Butlin and Sue Dale.

SITTING PRETTYBy Amy RosenthalDirected by VAL HODGSON(From L. to R.)Chris Ball, Peta Carlino, Lynette Watson, Anthony Ward, Clive Hawley and Sue Dale.

THE LATE EDWINA BLACKBy William Dinner & William MorumDirected by RUTH CHEETHAMDavid Wortley and Val Hodgson.

Whilst rummaging through the archives it was interesting to see that in April 2007, the Theatre embraced the digital age with the instalment of a computerised booking system. One which ten years later is now being updated. 2007 saw for the first time at the Theatre, the introduction of Audio Description Tours for the visually impaired patrons.SCENE reported that a few complaints had been received about the price of the programmes which were then £1.50. I wonder whether we get any complaints about the current price of £2.50, since in ten years our programmes have only risen £1.Ten years ago the City Council was being pestered to improve the ticket machines in the carpark opposite and everyone was being warned about the changing of the yellow lines around the Theatre which affected the parking on the street. Has anything changed?

SEPERATE TABLESBy Terence RattiganDirected by NADINE BEASLEY(From L. to R.)Geraint Griffiths, Tessa Wright and Helen Anderson.

WHEN WE ARE MARRIEDBy J.B. PriestleyDirected by JOHN GHENT(From L. to R.)Anthony Ward, Michael Hughes, Adam Jones, Olwen Milhouse, Elaine Rook and Jacque Hamilton.

2007

7Photographs by Sally Evans.

ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS’Richard Bean has based his play on the classic comedy by Carlo Golden, usually translated as The Servant Of Two Masters, coming up with an inspired riotous farce set in the criminal underworld of Brighton in 1963, which combines the original's structure with Anglo-Saxon verbal and physical humour.

The complicated plot really defies description - an out-of-work skiffle player finds himself working for two guvnors' where neither boss is aware of the others existence. There are further complications involving a twin disguised as her dead brother, a local mobster, some comic business with a very heavy trunk, an elderly waiter and Francis’s passion for food which necessitates him serving dinner to both of his bosses simultaneously.

LAST MONTH’S PRODUCTION

(Above from L.to R.) Alan (Jordan Handford), Dolly (Liz Kavanagh), Pauline Clench (Georgina Clarke). Seated: Stanley Stubbers (Keir Watson), Charlie Clench (David Lovell), Francis Henshall (Joshua J. Knott), Lloyd Boateng (Jeff Reid) and Harry Dangle (Michael Bull).

(Above) Francis Henshall with Stanley Stubbers.

(Left) Pauline Clench, with Rachel Crabbe, (Annabel Griffiths) posing as her dead brother Rosco.

(Far left) Francis Henshall, Alfie, the waiter (Martin Bell), and Gareth, the Chef, (Colin Woods).

THE BACKSTAGE CO-ORDINATION TEAM Lighting (Trustee) Andy Crooks (07940429973)Stage Simon Dickens (07866 459971)Prompters Judith Andrew (07804664036)Sound (Trustee) James Simpson (07980711957)Administration Timothy Neville (07522827465)Production Manager Anna Field (07866893376) FIND US ON FACEBOOK www.fb.com/groups/LittleCrewLDS

SHOW DATE PLAY DIRECTOR DESIGNER SM DSM LX DESIGNER

LX ASSIST

SOUND DESIGNER

SOUND ASSIST

PROPS/ASM PROMPT

July 3rd - 8th HAY FEVER Penny Kimmins

Ruby Savage Andy Mear Russell Finlay Lynne Audley & Emma Jennings

Sandra Brown

THIS MONTH’S PRODUCTION TEAM contact@ldsbackstage.co.uk.

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THE BACKSTAGE CO-ORDINATION TEAM Lighting (Trustee) Andy Crooks (07940429973)Stage Simon Dickens (07866 459971)Prompters Judith Andrew (07804664036)Sound (Trustee) James Simpson (07980711957)Administration Timothy Neville (07522827465)Production Manager Anna Field (07866893376) FIND US ON FACEBOOK www.fb.com/groups/LittleCrewLDS

June in the workshopWell, what a month! As well as building One Man Two Guvnors, I also worked on the production as stage manager. We had a fantastic week, with some big scene changes. We used at least five people for every show and it was really good to see the membership come along and support this busy production. A big thanks to Becky Bell, Clay Cragg and Simon Keast for doing every single performance!As soon as One Man was up and running, we started to plan and build the final two shows of the season as well as have a Backstage Meeting in order to plan for the summer and next season. There's lots to do, so please come and join in. The Backstage Co-ordination Team have more details, so please get in touch.

Anna’s Agenda BACKSTAGE WITH ANNA FIELD

DID YOU KNOW?Big opera houses that work in rep often have two sets of stage crew. There is a day team which covers morning rehearsals, afternoon set changes and then works on the performance in the evening. They are followed by the arrival of the night crew who generally arrive at the end of the performance and build the set for the following day's rehearsal. They tend to finish around 5 or 6 am, ready for the day crew to come in for their shift.

Ladies in Lavender is complete and up on stage. It's a gorgeous cottage designed by Al Davis and is everything you could wish for and more. It's a deceptively simple design as it relies heavily on lots of flats to build the structure of the house. Al’s flair for interior design is the icing on the cake and takes us back to the era of the play quite wonderfully. Next we are onto Hay Fever. Designed by Ruby Savage (Aladdin and Sleeping Beauty), it encapsulates the feeling of early summer madness in a beautiful house and garden. We will have to make a stunning window for the back of the house which should keep us out of trouble for a few days!

(Above) The front of the pub in the process of being painted for One Man Two Guvnors’. (If you have an eagle eye you might just spot the set designer’s model sitting on the window sill).(Left) The finished set piece complete with a bench and a real bobby.

A flyman’s fascinating view of the stage.