Nantwich Players are Back!

After a July production of “Cider with Rosie” work started on a major refurbishment of the players theatre. This included a new floor in the raked auditorium (now in a rich polished wood) – new carpets – lights and a repaint in warm yet theatrical shades of aubergine and deep pinks. A hearing loop was also installed.

On Saturday November 16^th the theatre was reopened by the Chairman of Nantwich Town Council and the Mayor of Crewe and Nantwich.

The enterprising Players saw the opportunity to publicise the theatre with an open day.

Tours of the theatre – a chance to watch a rehearsal – enjoy a cup of coffee or watch the youth section in action with “Street Theatre”.

The first play in the refurbished premises was “My Three Angels” – an ideal pre Christmas choice. From March 1^st to 8^th (not 2^nd) you can take a look yourself if you go and see “Funny Money”. Tickets from Nantwich Information Centre on 01270 610983.

P.S. Another group who got some useful publicity recently was Sale Nomads. They helped in the switching on ceremony for the shopping centre lights in Sale. A short extract from their forthcoming pantomime “Babes in the Wood” provided a highlight and having had a preview of some of the costumes and parts of the set this promises to be Panto at it’s very best.

Can You Help

I have received the synopsis of a one act play by a Cheshire author. I am looking for a group willing to read (not learn) this play with the author present so that he can get some ideas of how this comes across “off the page” and some feedback from the cast and anyone else sitting in on the reading. This can be on your home premises – you could even make it part of a social evening and copies of the script can be arranged in advance so that you are not reading cold. A synopsis of the play is enclosed – please contact me on 01606 833645 if you can help.

Stockton Heath Methodist Dramatic Society on the Fringe

A chance remark, a throwaway line and the idea was born – “why don’t we take a show to the Fringe?” “Why not!” was the reassuring reply. The context of this germination of an idea was late into our post play party last November. We had just completed three performances of Seasons Greetings and the party was in full swing. Nothing seemed impossible; no ides, however mad, seemed bad.

The internet told me to register the group in order to receive all relevant information and that a Festival Fringe road show would be in Liverpool in January; we duly went. The advice was don’t expect o make any money; don’t expect a big audience; do expect a lot of fun. The mechanics at this stage were to find a venue that would take you and at a cost you could afford.

Information from the Fringe organisers is excellent. Within days of the suggestion I had the first key to the Festival – “how to Choose a Venue”. I selected about 10 nvenues according to position and cost and decided to combine a trip to see my son, currently studying at Edinburgh University, with an attempt to find a venue to suit our group. This involves a lot of walking and I quickly realised that the more central the venue the more fun it would be and the better chance of an audience. I took my short list to the Fringe office for further advice, but it was shut. Or was it? A chink of light from under an inner door suggested that someone was in. Courageously pounding on the door led to its rather hesitant opening by a rather bleary eyed student type (it was 11.00 am). Once in, I felt my luck was also in. Amanda (there are loads of festival types called Amanda) looked at my list, ticked some, crossed others off and suggested I speak to Alison of Diverse Attractions, Lawnmarket, it being just up the High Street.

Now this is the most difficult part of the process – getting a venue manager to accept your group. I was armed with a list of previous productions, thousands of words from adjudicator Garth Jones, and a reluctance to leave Edinburgh empty handed. Fortunately, Alison liked the sound of our group and the play we had chosen. Five minutes later, the deal was made – we were in. All that lay between us and our first performance was quite a bit of form filling and many, many rehearsals.

Our May play over we set to work on Home by Davis Storey. A cast of five was supplemented by two understudies (just in case) and parallel rehearsals were held culminating with a dress rehearsal with audience the week before we went. This period was not unfraught – summer holidays seemed to get in the way; duel rehearsals seemed to quadruple the angst. But by August 5^th we were ready for our first performance at Venue 11, Diverse Attractions, Lawnmarket (just down from the castle).

Edinburgh at Festival time is the most exhilarating place – crammed with shows, actors, would be actors, just qualified actors, - all it seems under 30; most under 25! We am-dram actors were over 50. There were a thousand other shows for the visitors to choose from. Our flyers reflected our small budget and did not look good against most others. Each day we cajoled, persuaded and entreated passers by to at least consider our show. “I’ve seen it already” lied one shifty looking tourist to me. “What’s it about?” was the most common question.

All the efforts, all the work was rewarded with a sucessful run, a final performance audience of 42.

What did it cost? – well we made no money, nobody does. Performance costs of about £850 were offset by ticket sales, fund raising and sponsorship.

Selling your show to strangers, seeing a few of them attend and gauging their reaction afterwards was part of the challenge of the Fringe. Being part of the biggest and best arts festival in the world is an experience none of us will ever forget.

Richard Broadbent
Stockton Heath Methodists Dramatic Society.

An Offer from New Theatre Publication

New theatre publication recognise that many theatre companies have limited funds to purchase READING COPIES FOR PLAY SELECTION. You can download FREE copies of scripts in the current catalogue – a maximum of 3 at a time – Requests should be made by Email to plays4theatre@btinternet.com

One of the plays suggested as being of interest is “When the Lights Go Out” by Ken Chapman. see attached letter from Theatre Stop.

For Sale

2 sets of curtains with rouched pelmets (swagged) and tie backs. Grey / beige background with large flower design in green / pinks.

Sizes 56” wide by 52” deep 1 set of 2

          79” wide by 78” deep 1 set of 2

These are in glazed cotton – lined and top quality in clean condition – they could of course be used without the pelmets.

These are free of charge BUT only if you have a specific use for them so this offer is aimed at groups with their own premises. I make this a stipulation because they are too good to lie in the bottom of a box getting creased, crushed and even going mouldy! I’m sure we have all seen curtains in props rooms!

First Aid Course

We have now talked to at least three providers and have yet to make a final choice for a course in early 2003. Prepare to move quickly when you receive the details because all the providers have a maximum number per course of only 12 to 15 people.

Some Reminders from the November Newsletter

One Act Play Festival – Feedback wanted on the future of the festival. Contact John on 01606 833645 or Gerry on 01606 883128. (see last months newsletter). Your thoughts please by 19^th January, when we have our next Cheshire Theatre Guild Committee meeting.

Chairperson / Secretaries Lunch – Sunday February 2^nd at The Club Theatre – details to follow but put the date in your 2003 diary now.

And Finally

“Do an autobiography? I would if someone would remind me what happened”.

Actor John Hurt in a radio interview.

BEST WISHES FOR MANY SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTIONS IN 2003 FROM THE CHESHIRE THEATRE GUILD COMMITTEE.