Directing for the Terrified

This workshop is intended for those who have never directed – have fumbled through on the “It’ll be alright on the night” principle or who have directed and been disappointed with the result.

A booking form is enclosed with this newsletter.

The date is 30^th January 2005

The venue is The Club Theatre

Time 10am to 4 pm

The workshop will be taken by John Powell who will guide you through the process from play selection to dress rehearsal.

Affiliation Subs 2004/2005

These were requested in the newsletter / forms sent out in mid September.

Our treasurer tells me that a handful of groups have still not affiliated. If you are one of the guilty ones a further form is enclosed – a prompt response would be very much appreciated.

News from Around the Groups

The Club Theatre

A small but dedicated group have made impressive improvements to the F.O.H. areas.

The kitchen has been re-arranged with 2 dishwashers, new work surfaces and a general tidy up.

New seating was obtained FOC for the bar area, the bric-a-brac and bookstall was moved, a serving area was created for interval coffees and pre show confectionery sales. The icing on the cake must be the burgundy velvet look curtains on wooden poles. I’m told that while work was in progress comments of the “what a mess” variety were made – these people must now be eating their words!

Harlequins Theatre

It was the turn of the foyer for a much-needed face lift. Burgundy is again a prominent colour along with arandom stripe wallpaper. Theatrical pictures of arather unusual nature add to the atmosphere and there is also an amazing lectern (is that the right word Gordon?) to hold the seating plan and tickets for collection. I will say no more – except it is worth a visit to the theatre just to see that lectern!! (where did you get it from?).

Davenham & Sandiway Players

By the time you receive this newsletter Davenham & Sandiway Players will have presented a “World Premiere” – a play written for them by local member Simon Jones entitled “Which Service Please?”

Culcheth Players

It was almost a cast of thousands for their production of “Witness for the Prosecution” – well 20 actually – with only one person doubling up. Impressive, for a group that a short time ago faced the possibility of folding unless new members were found. They were and “the show goes on” as they say. Not only does this play have a large cast but it has two sets – very cleverly managed. (I suspect that several actors also had to change the set). Well done Culcheth.

Wilmslow Guild Players

For the first time in recent years their October production did not have to share the premises with other Guild users. This meant they could use the foyer and a lecture room to create a more theatrical ambience than is normally possible – tremendous advantage for them and the other good news was that ticket sales were particularly good.

OOPS

It was the opening performance of English Touring Operas visit to the Buxton Festival. I had gone to see “The Turn of the Screw” (Benjamin Britten) – I knew the story from the play based on the Henry James novel – it was also sung in English – helpful!

The first night audience was illustrious – Sir Roy Hattersley and the Earl of Harewood were in Row A of Centre Circle – as you would expect I like to mingle in such company and was in row B – I know how to live!

At the end of Act 1 the boy Miles is lying on stage with the Governess crouched over him – the lights started to dim to blackout (it was a very dimly lit set for most of the opera – I think the young director was seeking to create mood and atmosphere). As the lights went even lower the Governess started to rise to make her exit – “WE DON’T MOVE” came from Miles in a very audible stage whisper – heard by a large proportion of the audience. A tribute to the superb acoustics of the Match designed Buxton Opera House.

Have You Got Your 2005 Diary?

One lady who has now had one for some months is our adjudicator Danny Flowers – and this is filling up quickly. To those groups who have booked dates “thank you” – these go as far ahead as June 2005 and it does help Danny to organize her weeks when she has this early information.

If you do have a 2005 diary you may like to make a note of our 2005 AGM/Awards evening. This will be Wednesday July 13^th at the Civic Hall Winsford. This is a week later than usual so that we don’t clash with the “Salt Tellers” community play – flyer enclosed.

Yearbook

The yearbook is nearly ready for publishing, it will be with you before Christmas. If you have not sent in your amended details please do so now. Some of you have sent in copies of your logos which will be included with your yearbook and internet entries. The publicity you receive is always useful and effective. The Club Theatre has just had a call for help from the Wool Gatherers in Heswall. They had been let down at the last minute with battery candles and wanted to borrow some. They had obtained the contact information from looking on the CTG internet site.

The Gladstone Theatre

It was a Saturday morning – the sun was shining (honestly) the lawns could wait – a day out was called for and a visit to Port Sunlight makes a very pleasant excursion. The village itself was founded in 1888 by William Hesketh Lever for his soap factory workers, the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Christ Church, a unique war memorial and beautifully tended gardens (Britain in Bloom winner) plus a heritage centre.

There is also the Gladstone Theatre originally the men’s dining hall opened in 1891 by William Ewart Gladstone the ladies dined in the Hulme Hall.

In 184 the Gladstone Theatre Trust was formed to run the theatre and provide quality entertainment – there is seating for 400 and the day after I visited the existing seating was to be ripped out and refurbished with the help of grants and a “sponsor a seat” scheme. The dressing rooms had been renovated with showers and toilets thanks to a lottery grant.

The venue claims to be one of the Wirral’s best perforemance venues – it is used by Port Sunlight Players – The Bebbington Dramatic Society – StarlightYouth Theatre – Rock Ferry Amateur Operatic Society – Hoylake and West Kirby Theatre Group and Others! Not surprisingly there are very few weeks when the theatre is not in use – September 2004 to January 2005 has 17 events from one night stands to full week runs.

Unfortunately the theatre is not usually open for daytime tours. How did I manage to get “the tour”? – by chatting up a very nice lady who was on the ticket office that day – you know how persuasive we theatre people can be!

By the way the sun didn’t last – by mid afternoon it was raining – what a surprise!

I’m Free

I recently gave a talk to Moulton Drama Group “Touring with the Tudors” – my visits to the Isle of Man Festival over 7 years.

If you are looking for a speaker for a members / social evening I would be delighted to come and visit you. Will you be on the edge of your seat or falling asleep?

For an honest opinion phone Sheila on 01606 551673 or Tony on 01606 888268 the secretary and chairman of Moulton Drama Group.

For Sale

Knutsford Little Theatre have some theatre seats for sale. There are approximately 100 seats plus spares with purple velour covering. They will be available from the end of November. Contact Graham Browne Tel 01477 544559

And Finally

“I am asking you to stand up, leave the auditorium and never ever come back”.

Actor Richard Griffiths, after a mobile phone repeatedly rang during a performance of The History Boys at the National Theatre. The offender did as he was told.

The West end’s Five Longest Runners

The Mousetrap (51 years)

Les Misérables (19 years)

The Phantom of the Opera (17 years)

Blood Brothers (16 years)

The Woman in Black (15 years)

John R Powell

Chairman