Introducing Joan Cooper our 2006/2007 adjudicator.

 

Joan has been involved in amateur theatre for most of her life. Prior to becoming a committed one society member, from which she received a Life Membership following her retirement as it's Secretary for 25 years, she was a member of a number of Operatic and Dramatic Societies, regularly appearing in musicals, pantomimes, and plays.

She has received numerous nominations and awards for her acting and directing, the latter whilst leader of her theatre's Youth Group. A Best Supporting Actress Award for her portrayal of Madame Arcati in 'Blithe Spirit' was received as far back as 1986! A proud moment was when she received the Lawrence Roberts Trophy for her personal contribution to amateur theatre from the Greater Manchester Drama Federation.         

  

Joan has run courses and workshops in Adult Education Centres and for other statutory and voluntary bodies since gaining a Certificate in Education from Manchester University. She has adjudicated for the Greater Manchester Drama Federation and Hale One Act Play Festivals.

 

Joan loves theatre and has spent many enjoyable evenings, as many as three in one week, in the audience of most Greater Manchester Drama Federation and some Cheshire Theatre Guild members, and is a regular visitor to Buxton Opera House.

 

Her other passions are Stockport County, which she has supported for over fifty years and, more recently, indoor bowling.

 

 

Adjudicaton Request

 

Please get these in early. As usual, these can  be dates only at this stage. If you have yet to select plays. Some groups like to pay for the entire season “up front” and treasurer Margaret will be more than happy to accept your adjudication fees – with a guarantee that if you have to cancel or decide not to have a play adjudicated a refund will be made.

 

 

Affiliation / Internet forms.

 

Unfortunately the Guild is suffering from the same problems as it’s members – increases in charges for everything. For example the guild is faced with increases in the postage charges and with the new multi tier charges based not just on weight but size of envelopes the cost of posting scripts will increase. We have endeavoured to keep our costs down as much as possible but it has become necessary to introduce a small increase in the membership and adjudication fees.

 

Affiliation cheques as soon as possible please – also return of year book and internet forms (enclosed with this newsletter) to keep our records up to date.

 

 

Lighting and Sound Workshops

 

"A Stage Further”    Sound and Light workshop course 

Saturday Lighting workshop.

 

I and junior MADS member lain MacDonald had applied to do the Sound and Lighting workshop week-end at Crewe Lyceum Theatre. 10am to 4.00pm.

 

We were greeted by a member of the Lyceum staff pointing us to the assembly point where we would meet a couple of course member soon followed by the remaining group.

 

Having signed in, for Jocelyn, our course organiser, and getting our sticky labels to append our name, but the pen was a standard fine point so no one could read it, which became an icebreaker with our course leader David and assistant, Oliver, their only criteria for the day "To enjoy and laugh a lot." And we did.

 

Introductions over they point us USR to the beverage area for a cup of tea or coffee where they get the basics of who knows "a lot" , "a little", or "now't " from that point on all were taken as equals.

 

The stage had been pre-set up with a goal post scaffold fitted with different lanterns used in theatre and the same as most societies use, merely larger, most of them been Selecon (New Zealand manufacturer) Moving light Mac3OO and 500 and "Scrollers" plus Cyc lights.

 

After the usual Health and Safety advice, straight into excellent easy to understand How each lantern has it's place and How it operated followed by a "Hands on" practical instruction on Focusing and rigging and use of Flying with their range of Single, Double, and counterweight systems and their "Iron" (Safety Curtain) that must come down, to a least one person on each performance in under 30secs (29.5 usually) Plenty to learn even if you "know a lot"

 

Followed by a tour of the Theatre feeling very envious of their full racks of spare lanterns ( Which they don't own, as all equipment is on six year lease and due to be replaced when the theatre is painted this Summer ) and as the temperature rose to a very hot mid-day plus the KWatts of lighting, we broke for lunch.

 

Keen to return we arrived to find others also shortening the lunch break to about 30 minutes inside the auditorium is distinctly cooler and a loud roaring sound, Oliver points out the lovely painted ceiling, high up where a circle of Six Gas multi-Burner units were operating This is the last WORKING 95year old Air conditioning unit in the country, (Buxton has one but it is not working) However it was highly efficient, But cost of running it can only be used in short bursts, {but they are very proud of it, so like to boast of it to visitors)

 

The afternoon started again with a visit to USR beverage corner and splitting the group into two groups in order to have "hands on" instruction to the Lighting Desk and it's numerous function and quirks, This all brought the witching hour of 4pm and nobody itching to get out, the day ended reluctantly with course organiser Jocelyn returning, asking our views of the day and filling out an evaluation form and thank s all round.

 

Sunday Sound workshop

 

Arrive at theatre the doors opened by a new Backstage staff Carl with a big smile and "Were you here yesterday ?” "Yes" "You know then where the Tea and coffee is, see you in short while " Soon others members from Saturday and 4 new members who joined in the tea and coffee spree.

 

We are joined by Company Stage Manager Kevin and assistant Carl and Jocelyn with her clip board and stickers But Kevin was on top of things and produced nice thick permanent markers so we could see ours and each others name.

 

The day progressed in the same very relaxed and informative way as the day before but orientated to Sound and Sound production and some rigging Some overlapping of Saturday for the new members and guess what? Showing off the Gas Air Conditioner.

 

Practical instruction of creating a Sound plot and cues using Minidisc and CD all very worthwhile and interesting Stage managers desk and their not very welcoming dressing rooms.

 

The day came to an end too soon as Sautuday with Jocelyn returning and no-one eager to leave, but the course ended with a Bang!!! As they demonstrated various Pyrotechnics from simply Flash pot to Snowto Confetti Canon to the final Maroon in a Bomb Tank on the Fly Gallery which literally shook the dust out of the rigging and allowing you to feel the pressure wave of the explosion.

 

In Conclusion

 

A Very, Very worthwhile 2 day course given by four highly experienced and friendly course instructors, with a final statement, “if anyone has a problem ring them up they will try to help,"  and if anyone would like to help on the Panto season and get paid you need to apply early in order so that the usual Child protection and CRB (Criminal record Bureau) checks can be done. Backstage help. Followspotters Scenery movers etc.

 

If all the other "A Stage Further" courses equalled this course, then Cheshire Theatre Guild, NODA and Vale Royal Arts Council especially Chairman John Powell   deserve a huge congratulations more please.

 

One thing that our course instructors felt that if it could be arranged for each course to be run over a number of days or week-ends then all could culminate in putting on a show combining all the skills taught, Direction, Musical Direction, Stage combat, Choreography Sound, and Lighting they would more than happy to take part.

 

Bob Nixon

CTG committee member August 2006

 

Footnote

 

We have started to consider how best to develop the series of workshops. Do we offer follow ups on the same subjects as before but possibly at a more advanced level or do we try and introduce some new workshops. Eg set design, acting?

 

We also have to seek funding for these workshops and it could be that certain local authorities who supported us before may be unwilling to do so this time. My own feelings are that “YES” there will be more “Stage Further” workshops but these do take time to pull together so please be patient.

 

 

Flyers

 

You will find details of the 2006/2007 seasons programmes for several guild members. Can we mail yours and save you some money? This service is free of charge.

 

 

Amateur Stage Diary

 

It has always surprised me that very few memebers take advantage of these pages. For some time now the Diary has been much easier to follow and you can include a contact number for tickets.

 

Entries for the diary can be submitted by post, fax or email to:

Platform Publications

Hampden House

Weymouth Street

London

W1W 5BT

 

Fax 0207 636 2323

Email magazine@charlesvance.co.uk

 

I know that as I go around groups it is sometimes to sit in a half full auditorium – you know who you are! Surely, it is worth contacting “Amateur Stage” to try to sell a few more tickets. The magazine is published on the 1st of each month and entries should be submitted no later than the 15th of the previous month.

 

 

A Good Week (Ending 17th June 2006)

 

This is the wek alan bennett’s hit play “The History Boys” won six tony awards in New York – the highest tally since Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” in 1949. The awards included Best Play, Best Actor for Richard Griffiths and actress Frances de la Tour and a best Director award for Nicholas Hytner.

PS If you have yet to catch up with “The History Boys” the play returns to the Lowry from 21st to 25th November. The last visit was a sell out and you might already be too late for decent seats for November.

 

 

News From the Groups

 

Ashton Hayes Theatre Club

 I have been informed by chairperson Gill Ridley that Ashton Hayes Theatre Club have sadly decided that it can no longer operate a costume store – this was available to other groups on a donation basis and the high cost of renting a space had become a luxury they could no longer afford. It seems that for hiring out a few frocks, hats and tail coats Ashton Hayes costume hire would be treated as a business and charged accordingly! A decision was made to offer all these costumes to the Verdin Centre at Winsford ensuring availability is not completely lost to Guild members.

 

Ashton Hayes Theatre Club have no production plans in the pipeline – a director is urgently required so please telephone Gill on 01928 724417 if you can help.

 

Contributions from you are always welcome for the News From the Groups section of the newsletter. A special event – a celebration – a theatre revamp, just let me know.

 

 

Ticket Deals

 

With many professional theatres now sending out brochures for the autumn / spring season it is worth looking out for some good ticket deals. You need to book early because to take advantage you have to see every show in the season – (possibly with the xception of the Christmas offering) and book these at the same time. These deals include:

Theatre Clwyd – book for 4 plays and pay for 3

Library Theatre Manchester – Book 3 plays at just £10 each (excludes Saturday nights)

New Vic Stoke – On its “be a Darling” scheme you can book 3 plays for just £24 (£27 for Friday and Saturday) and you can exchange tickets for another performance of the same play at no extra charge.

 

 

On a Rather Sad Note

 

Autumn / Winter 2006 is to be the last ever season for Chester Gateway Theatre. Closure has been threatened for some time – I understand the area is due for redevelopment. The theatre first opened its doors at the end of 1968. The artistic director Julian Oldfield had been appointed 12 months earlier having moved from the Lyceum Crewe – (struggling to keep the theatre running with weekly rep). The opening production was “The Double Case History of Dr Valmy” with a certain James Bolam playing the lead. This was followed by a another likely-lad Rodney Bewes in “Billy Liar”. Over the years several actors – now big names appeared on the Gateway stage – John Alderton, Pauline Collins, Sinead Cusack, Patricia Hodge, Geraldine James – list goes on and we are only up to 1973! Who remembers those early days? For the last few years the theatre had become a receiving house for 1- 2 – 3 nights and the odd weekly run – the days of a “Gateway Company” and runs of 3 to 4 weeks were over.

 

From day 1 the Gateway had certain problems it was never able to overcome – the packed foyer on busy nights – crowded bar area and lack of food facilities. A “Studio Space” was opened and this was also delayed due, I seem to think, to problems with rainwater seeping in. Despite all this a visit to the Gateway in those days of rep theatre were always enjoyable and under various artistic directors standards remained high. For many a visit to Theatre Clwyd was a better experience – possibly because of it’s superior facilities – a bistro, shop, exhibition area and lots of space!

 

On a personal note I will miss the Gateway – yes it’s auditorium with those awful orange or blue seats had become rather tacky but its what happens on stage that matters and I rarely had complaints in that department.

 

 

And Finally

 

A welcome to new Cheshire Theatre Guild committee member David Postance, elected at the July AGM. It’s good to have you with us.