A Difficult Start to the Season

For many Cheshire Theatre Guild groups this season has not started well, I cannot remember when so many plays have been put into production and have had to have cast changes, date changes, or have had to abandoned altogether.

Happily, other groups appear to flourish – why should this be? What is the ingredient that holds a group together and encourages others to join them? Is it your own theatre with a bar and therefore a social element, or a programme of social events such as theatre visits, quiz evenings etc? It could be that some groups are going through a rough patch and the good times will return – this has happened in the past. I can think of groups that once struggled to survive that now seem well established, unfortunately, there are those that once thrived that are now down to a handful if members. What is the reason? Do lifestyle changes and an increasing number of leisure time activities signal a decline in the amateur theatre? Is it a case of fewer people willing to make the commitment that being in a drama group involves?

Your views on this subject would be most welcome.

Impact Theatre at the Derek Newton Theatre

Congratulations go to Impact Theatre who are now resident company at the Derek Newton Theatre, Padgate Campus, Warrington.

I quote from the 2000/01 season brochure.

“Last season Impact presented their stunning production of ROAD and we were so impressed by what we saw that we invited them to become a resident company. Impact were the real surprise and find of the season”.

Awards Evening Photographs

These are enclosed with this newsletter if you were a winner. They have already been seen on our web site. Again thanks to Jimmy Tait for once again being our official photographer.

CTG Web Site

This is up and running and some kind remarks have been made about this site. The Diary has included your play dates etc. and I guess that the exposure on the web site is greater than the copy enclosed with this newsletter.

We have also received an Email from someone who has offered his services for a course. This will quite possibly be considered by the CTG committee for a later date.

Every society has a page on the website to advertise themselves in a similar style to the handbook, with the growing use of the internet this form of free advertising will increase in importance. Why not set up your own web sites, the CTG are willing to give assistance and advice, it’s not difficult and the costs are very cheap, this site costs about £50 per year to run.

One Act Play Competition

Don’t forget to keep your eyes open for a good one act play, or maybe you will write one or enter a section of your last full length play. Whichever you decide your entry will be most welcome. Details of this event will be circulated in the new year. However you know it takes place in June so you have plenty of time to make your decisions, but don’t forget time passes quickly when you’re enjoying yourselves.

Vicki Lane

It is with deep regret that we have to inform you of the death of Vicki Lane after a short illness.

Vicki had been involved with the Club Theatre, Altrincham since 1946 and in that toime has directed over 200 productions. In the 1999/2000 CTG awards Vicki’s production of “Don’t Listen Ladies” was awarded the Ron Arscott Sheild as runner up to the best overall production, we have an excellent photograph of Vicki receiving the award. This production also allowed Vicki to demonstrate her love and knowledge of costume. She would spend many hours altering costumes to fit the cast or even making them if nothing could be found in the extensive Club Theatre wardrobe. Vicki was also keen to encourage young actors and actresses at the drama school held at the Club Theatre – these young people are the future of drama and Vicki was keen to encourage them. It was demonstrated by so many young people attending her funeral, some of them in their school lunch hour. She was also insistent that actors and actresses spoke properly and clearly “the Queens English” as she would often say.

Vicki was keen to promote new writing and several authors had work first performed at the Club Theatre and directed by Vicki.

In 1992 Vicki was presented with the Laurence Roberts Trophy by Greater Manchester Drama Federation for her outstanding contribution, dedication and love of amateur theatre.

In 1998 her work in the community was acknowledged when she was invited to become a Freeman Burgess of Altrincham and join the ancient Court Leet.

Vicki was a tireless worker for the Club Theatre and even up to three weeks before her death she was working on casting and organising the October production!

Vicki was that rare thing today “a Character” we will not see her like again and she will be greatly missed. At this sad time our deepest sympathy goes to her daughter Victoria and son in law Gil.

Some Thoughts from our President – Margaret Thomas

I first met Vicki Lane when I was asked to go on the committee the then Mid Cheshire Theatre Guild, Vicki was Chairman, and the committee met regularly at her house in Bowdon - to discuss plans for the year, and furtherance of theatre – we were all made to feel at home and we were always asked to the after play parties at their home. These took place in the cellar which had been converted into a bar and dance floor, a night club atmosphere.

Her generosity was displayed also in other ways.

In 1983 Vicki decided to relinquish the chair and much to my surprise at the AGM at Knutsford I was made Chairman. In those days the AGM and trophy presentations did not include excerpts from the years plays – these came later.

As a new girl to chairmanship I needed help which Vicki gave me time and time again. Her knowledge of theatre and running a committee was phenomenal and she never minded sharing this knowledge. I will always be grateful to her – and will miss her very much.

Some Thoughts from the Famous

Eileen Atkins.

“I never understand why people get in such a state about nudity. For God’s sake, it’s much much more difficult and revealing, and incredible, to show your soul, and that’s what you’ve got to be willing to do. Why anyone should want to become an actor, without being prepared to do that I have no idea”.

Alan Bates

“You just have to keep yourself very free, very loose so that something can happen, even if it’s not what happened the night before, even if it’s not what you thought would happen, something must remain alive and flexible”.

Brenda Fricker

“I do think there are 3 main ingredients you need in this business; talent, toughness and stamina. I’d like more talent please”,

From “In the Company of Actors” by Carole Zucker. Published by A and C Black.  

And Finally

We are planning a “MASTERCLASS” acting course in conjunction with a local professional theatre. Discussions are in hand for a date in the early part of 2001.

The only thing we can say now is that the course fee will still be our usual £5. This will be subsidised by the Cheshire Theatre Guild.