A “new” government?? Well, not quite, but certainly some interesting results. Do hope you are all sporting your purple thumb/nail! We had a bumper edition of this newsletter last month so not too much this time but here goes:
AN APOLOGY
First and foremost, Wendy Morling, who was the very capable back-stage assistant for Hello & Goodbye was mistakenly referred to as Heather Morley in the last newsletter!! Sorry, Wendy. Which leads very nicely to …..
GRAHAMSTOWN FESTIVAL
As mentioned a while ago our own Magdalena Zukowski’s first film Paper Hearts is going to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown!! Well done and good luck, Mags! Equally exciting is that our most recent production (Athol Fugard’s Hello and Goodbye, directed by birga Thomas), is also heading for the festival. birga, Wesley Figaji, Suzi Gehr and director’s assistant Raymond Rudolph, are heading for “10 days of amazing happenings”. The play has to be shortened by about 20 to 25 minutes, and we obtained special permission for a 90-minute slot (instead of the usual 50 to 60). It is certainly not easy to “trim” a Fugard play. The dramatist is very sparse with his words, and even when it looks/sounds like repetition there is a special reason. Also, many seemingly “throw-away” remarks tie up with passages later (or earlier) in the play. So birga (and later the actors) are sweating over this now …
This is the first time in 19 years that a Mvds’ production is going to the festival fringe. We are extremely fortunate in obtaining funding to the tune of some R10 000 from the National Arts Festival. In exchange for this birga will hold post-production discussions with the audience. The reason for this support? 2009 marks the 50th year since Athol Fugard’s first play Nongongo was staged and birga was the only producer who had the vision to present a Fugard play! Excellent work, b!! AND she found some extra sponsorship!
So, if you are going to be one of the Festinos this year from 2 to 11 July, don’t miss these two productions! We will keep you up to date about the times, venues, etc.
FUTURE PRODUCTIONS
All You Need is Love opened on Friday, 24 April, at the Masque. Anyone who saw this production last year will agree that it is a definite “must-see”. BOOK NOW as bookings are already heavy!! New talent and new songs have been incorporated into this year’s show and it promises to be a huge hit. An interesting snippet: on 24 April 1969 Paul McCartney stated that there was no truth to rumors that he is dead!!
The audition notice for our third production, Agatha Christie’s Appointment with Death, to be directed by Alastair Duff, is again attached. The audition takes place at 14:00 on Saturday, 9 May 2009.
WIN WITH MVDS!
This month we are running a competition-come-lucky draw: a wonderful prize of breakfast for two to the value of R100 has been very kindly sponsored by Knead Bakery in Muizenberg. Please support them in return!! I can testify that they produce really yummy goodies! To enter, you will “knead” to know the answer to the following question: The Beatles toured Australia in 1964. What was drummer Ringo Starr suffering from which prevented him from going at the beginning of the tour? And what was the name of the drummer who replaced him? Bring the answer to our next member’s evening.
MEMBERS’ EVENINGS
The members’ evening on 20 May will see Miranda Lewis directing a one-act play for our entertainment. Miranda has taken sections from the hugely successful production of Shakers presented by Milnerton Players in the early 1990s and created a one act challenge for four young actresses. The four, including two newcomers, play cocktail waitresses (and all of their customers!) in an amusing and sometimes poignant account of their day.
The evening will commence at 19:00 for 19:30 and the usual form of light supper will be provided. FREE for members and a measly R10 for your guests! Please RSVP to Luke Luies on 021 797 0243 or 0825567371 or luke.luies@gmail.com by 13 May. You will have the opportunity to answer the competition question – all correct answers will go into a lucky draw which will be drawn during the evening.
A previous newsletter stated that our next members’ evening would be on 20 August – this has now been changed to either the 27th or 28th of August to coincide with the opening of Appointment with Death. Details in a future newsletter.
BIRTHDAYS
May birthday greetings go to Alastair Duff on the 5th, Robyn Hosking on the 10th, Gary Fargher on the 12th, Dave D’alton and Brenda Gray on the 23rd, Bronwyn Ferraz and Helen Mathers on the 24th and Julie Summers on the 25th. Hope you guys have a great year!
EVENTS TO DIARISE
All You Need is Love at the Masque from 24 April to 2 May. Devised by Coleen Van Staden and co-directed by Celia Musikanth for MVDS. This musical journey is back by popular demand with some additions, supported by a four-piece band.
Appointment with Death Audition to be held on 9 May – full details attached.
Trap for a Lonely Man An audition will be held at Milnerton Playhouse on Saturday 9 May at 13.30 for 14.00 for their August production to be directed by Mike Tompson who can be contacted on 021 976 3840 or 082 743 7569 or monmike@mweb.co.za for further information.
A Christmas Carol An audition for a pantomime by Pinelands Playes will be held on 10 May at their playhouse from 13:30. Further info contact Tina Gough on 0827719644.
Old Wicked Songs, recently seen at the Masque, directed by Brenda Gray with musical direction by Victor Tichart, has been invited to the Artscape Arena from 8 to 16 May. Book at Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat on 021 4217695
Private Lives by Noel Coward is on at Milnerton Playhouse from 15 to 23 May. Visit www.milnertonplayers.com or call Sheila on 021 557 3206 for further information.
Time Of My Life at the Masque from 15 to 23 May. Probably one of Alan Ayckbourn’s funniest and wittiest black comedies. Directed by Barrie Howard for Constantiaberg Theatre Players.
Please note days, times and prices for Masque Theatre productions
(unless otherwise stated) are Thurs & Fri performances at 20:15,
Saturday matinee at 14:15, Saturday evening at 18:15
Thurs eve and Sat Matinees R45 (Theatre Club members R35)
Other Nights R55 (Theatre Club members R45)
Bookings on 021-7881898
REMINDER
A teeny, tiny reminder: If you do not receive this missive next month (always providing you would notice its absence!) could it possibly be that you haven’t paid your subs????
Well, I have managed four pages so no room for trivia this month!!!
Cheers
Eve
Our Committee:
Chair: Andrew Blake 021 7810114/0824933330 Vice-Chair: Alastair Duff 021 7884984/0845312457
Secretary: birga Thomas 021 7885272 Treasurer: Raymond Rudolph 0217945229/0823122737
President & Masque Trustee: Celia Musikanth 021 7887911/0833588415 Vice-President: John McConnell 021 7822743
Other Members: Tom Byrne 021 6741470/0839627233 (Backstage co-ordintation) Eve Carr 021 7977286/0827892281 (Newsletter)
Ron Carr 021 7977286/0727847236 (Bar) Luke Luies 021 7970243/0825567371 (Members’ Evenings)
Coleen Van Staden 021 7879140/0721205645
MUIZENBERG DRAMATIC SOCIETY
AUDITION NOTICE
‘APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH’
BY AGATHA CHRISTIE
Directed by: Alastair Duff
AUDITION DATE: SATURDAY 9TH MAY 2009.
TIME: 14:00
PLACE: FALSE BAY RENDEZVOUS (OLD LAKESIDE BOWLING CLUB), PROMENADE ROAD, LAKESIDE
ENQUIRIES: ALASTAIR DUFF – 021…
DATES OF RUN: 28 AUGUST to 5 SEPTEMBER 2009
SYNOPSIS: Sometime in the early fifties a group of characters, the majority of whom are one large family of Americans, meet accidentally at the King Solomon Hotel in Jerusalem. It is obvious from the start that something is deeply wrong with the Boynton family, all of whom seem to be under the hypnotic “spell” of Mrs Boynton, a large, malevolent woman. The party of tourists move to Petra, to explore the “Rose Red City, half as old as time”. Soon someone dies and after a number of twists and red herrings, a very different ending provides us with a most unusual denouement.
The Cast:
Dr Sarah King 25+ Attractive, strong-minded. A large,
important part
Dr Gerard +50-60 Dapper, clever man. Must have french
accent. Large part
Lady Westholme +50 Large, important-looking woman. Snobbish
and domineering. Medium Part
Miss Pryce 40-50 Spinsterish, very much under Lady
Westholme’s thumb. Medium Part
Jefferson Cope 40-50 Pleasant, friendly. American accent.
Medium role
Mrs Boynton 50+ A vast woman, sadistic and cruel, hiding
her vicious nature with smiles.American accent. Large challenging part.
(we can fatten you up with padding!)
Ginevra Boynton +19 Pretty, lost, bordering on psychotic.
An important, medium part
Jadine Boynton 25-35 Mrs Boyton’s daughter-in-law. Quiet,
serious, intense. Medium role. American accent
Lennox Boynton 30-40 Jadine’s husband. Distracted, serious,
unhappy. Medium role. American Accent
Raymond Boynton +24 Good-looking, slightly distracted, not
yet destroyed by Mrs Boynton. Medium role. American accent
Alderman Higgs 45-55 Must have pronounced Lancashire accent.
Portly, slightly comical. Medium role
Colonel Carbury 40-50 British officer, shrewd beneath a superficial
mask. Medium to small part
Hotel Clerk any age Nice Cameo. Arabic or French accent
A Dragoman 30-50 Smallish comic part. Must have pronounced
Eastern accent
A Girl 20-30 Hotel guest. Non-speaking. Must be prepared
to wear a bikini
An Arab Boy Non-speaking. Appears quite a lot
NB!! Accents (except for Higgs) are not that crucial and, of course, can be learnt!
Apart from a clever plot and exotic locations, the play offers the opportunity for excellent characterization and acting.
Props, set, stage, lighting, sound, costume people are also needed.
