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WELCOME TO THE CHESHIRE THEATRE
GUILD 2001/2002 SEASON Good luck with all your seasons
productions The Good and Bad
News The affiliation and
adjudication fees remain unchanged – can you remember the last
increase? It was many years ago and for your £15 affiliation fee we try to give
better value. Now that your details are on our web site, the details of your
productions now reach a wider potential audience and I know some groups have
picked up backstage and acting members from web browsers. it is also an
opportunity to thank our adjudicators for keeping fees down to a minimum - again
£23 - with all that time spent on busy roads – often against the clock – to
get to your venue by curtain up – a journey home and then a very detailed
adjudication to write up, around 50 times in a season. They are not doing it for
the money! Now the bad news Sorry
but we need the usual form completing to keep our records and your handbook and
website entry up to date. If you prefer not to have names and telephone numbers
on the website these can be left off. CTG Membership saves the play The
play “On Golden Pond” had bben cast and some early rehearsals between the 2
main characters had taken place when the actor playing Norman was taken ill and
would be unable to continue. Fortunately Gerry Card (CTG Committee Member and
One Act Play Festival Organiser) had played the part for Frodsham a few years
ago and agreed to help Sale Nomads by taking over the part. Congratulations
To Sarah Mann (Knutsford
Little Theatre) who was selected by the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain
to attend a three week drama course. To Sheila Hetherington
(Moulton Drama Group) who was presented with the “Service to Local Arts”
award at the Guardian Rose Bowl awards in Northwich. To Dianne Brooks
(Impact Theatre) who won the Best Individual award for her “consummate and
moving performance” as Effie in “Effies Burning” in the Sheffield and
District One Act Play Festival. Summer Shows
On a short break in Criccieth
(North Wales) I happened to see advertisements for “The Continental Quilt”
performed by “The Starlight Players” - a local amateur group. There were 5
performances between May 27th and June 19th and one of
these was during my stay. I decided to go along but unfortunately the evening
menu at my hotel was too tempting to miss! A brisk walk was needed to walk off
those calories and I set off for the memorial hall to catch the last few minutes
of the play. I slipped unnoticed into the back of the circle - plush fixed
seating too! There was a good sized stage with a pleasant set, some nice
performances and one less experienced cast member who seemed to need the backs
of chairs for support! The curtain came down to good
applause, I made a hasty exit feeling rather ashamed that I had not supported
those enterprising amateurs providing entertainment for the holidaymakers in
quiet and unspoilt Criccieth. Amateur Stage - August - a
warning
This issue carries a warning
that is well worth
repeating. DON’T EVEN THINK OF STAGING A PRODUCTION OF ANY COPYRIGHT WORK
BEFORE ENSURING THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GET A LICENCE TO DO IT. There is some correspondence on
page 24 from a group who had to cancel a play half way through the rehearsal
period. You may be surprised to learn that this play was Agatha Christies
“Murder at the Vicarage”. It would appear that even professionals have been
refused permission to perform Agatha Christie plays by the Agatha Christie
Estate until further notice. Actually I cannot recall any
CTG member performing a Christie play even although audiences are reputed to
flock to them! But the warning applied to ANY play and Amateur Stage does from
time to time list a number of French’s plays that have been withdrawn –
usually because a professional tour is to take place. CHECK FIRST before
commencing rehearsals. One Act Play Festival 2002
It is never too early to start
looking for a suitable play and the August issue of Amateur Stage could give you
inspiration. On page 4 you will find synopsis of the 17 entries in NFDA One Act
Playwriting Competition. At the moment these are unpublished (but the winner may
well get taken on board by a publisher) and there are details of how to contact
the authors. Keep Us Informed
Don’t forget to let me have
your play dates etc to ensure they go in the Diary and on the website. Remember,
you can also book in your entire seasons plays for adjudication now. If you only
have dates at this stage, that will suffice and the title can be added later.
Many of you also pay for all plays in advance. If you do this and then have to
cancel, your money will be refunded or held over to the next season – the
choice is yours - you have nothing to lose. Can You Help Us?
We are seeking a venue for the
One Act Play Festival usually held mid June. If you think you can help please
contact Gerry Card on 01606 883128. We also need a venue for the
AGM/Awards evening - the favoured dates being around July 10th / 11th.
Offers of help to John Powell on 01606 833645 evening or 01606 832299 day. |
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