OCTOBER 2009
Ooooh – can you believe the shops have had CHRISTMAS decorations out for nearly a month already???!!! Talk about rushing the year away! I, however, have already bought TWO Christmas presents – good hey? Well, I suppose MVDS’ dramatic year IS coming to a close what with our last production opening on 15 October and our last members’ evening being held next month ….
PRESENT PRODUCTION
Mothers of the Criminal Element will now only open on Thursday, 15 October, instead of the previous week. This decision was bravely taken by the committee, Tom Byrne and his cast when Janine Scher was recommended on medical advice not to continue. Niki Hodson stepped in at literally the 11th hour and it was felt that the production would benefit greatly from one more week of rehearsals. We wish them the best of luck and trust that Janine will make a speedy recovery.
MEMBERS’ EVENING
Last month I promised you more details about our next members’ evening in this newsletter. Well, since there was no October committee meeting, my information is still a bit sketchy: Wednesday, 25 November, will celebrate MVDS’ birthday, and will be a light, social and humorous evening. Still looking for people to contribute a 3 to 5 minute “bit” to the evening’s entertainment! Come on guys – this is YOUR society – be a part of it! Contact a member of the committee (details below) for more information. So, put this in your diary NOW and I promise full details early in November.
INTER-SOCIETY QUIZ
The 2009 Inter-Society quiz is to be hosted by Claremont Dramatic Society and is scheduled for Sunday 22 November at the Masque Theatre. We need to put together a couple of teams – their entrance fee (which usually includes a yummy meal) is sponsored by MVDS – so, please, if you are interested email birgatom@iafrica.com. More details to follow. BUT Andre Thomas is still asking for submissions of questions in the categories of TV, Politics, Musicals, Technical, Logos and World History. If you have any bright ideas email him at andrethomas@vodamail.co.za.
EVENTS TO DIARISE
Mothers of the Criminal Element written and directed by Tom Byrne for MVDS opens at the Masque Theatre on Thursday, 15th October and runs until Saturday 17th October. This zany comedy promises to be huge fun.
Abigail’s Party written by Mike Leigh and directed by Wesley Figaji for Constantiaberg Theatre Players opens at the Masque Theatre on Friday 30th October and runs until Saturday 7th November. Described as a dark comedy, this very funny social satire is set firmly in the 1970’s. Not to be missed!!!!
Love’s old sweet Songs, one show only, 15:00 Sunday 1 November, at the Masque Theatre featuring Leon Dreyer, Veronica Miller, Paul Stevens and Desiré Walker accompanied on piano. Included in the enjoyable programme are “Love is a many-splendoured Thing”, “You are my Heart’s Delight”, “As Time goes by”,“Merry Widow Waltz”. Tickets: R50 (R40 Theatre Club members).
Return from Oz written and directed by Yvonne Copley for Claremont Dramatic Society at the Masque Theatre from 20 to 28 November. Ever wondered what happened to Dorothy when she clicked her red shoe heels together? This light-hearted story tracks Dorothy’s journey with her three friends as they travel back to Kansas. Full of familiar songs from The Wizard of Oz that dovetail with popular songs. Great family entertainment. Please note extra show at 15:00 on Sunday 20 November.
Please note days, times and prices for Masque Theatre productions
(unless otherwise stated) are Thurs & Fri performances at 20:00,
Saturday matinee at 14:30, Saturday evening at 18:30
Thurs eve and Sat Matinees R50 (Theatre Club members R40)
Other Nights R60 (Theatre Club members R50)
Bookings on 021-7881898
WELL WISHES
Mav Magnin, who so ably handles the Masque reservations, has had a bad time with her leg since her return from England some time ago – hope the hospital stays are now a thing of the past, Mav! Terry Best also had an unexpected hospital stay – an emergency hip replacement! Make sure you take that recovery very slowly Terry!
A PLEA
Wesley Figaji is urgently looking for the following 70’s style props for Constantiaberg’s Abigail’s Party:
Coffee table, 4 matching dining chairs, framed picture of “The Wings of Love” (a naked man standing on a swan’s wing and a naked woman sitting on the ground), an empty Estee Lauder Youth Dew bottle (the one with the gold bow) and the amplifier/radio part for a record player plus two speakers.
If you can help with any of the above, please email Wesley on wes@mseed.co.za or call him on 073 286 9871
FUTURE PRODUCTIONS
The audition for Improbable Fiction, to be directed by Coleen Van Staden, is on Sunday, 18 October – full details attached.
BIRTHDAYS
The most common birthstone for November is the Topaz. But the alternate is Citrine, which I had never even heard of! The name is derived from the Latin “Citrus” meaning lemon and describes a transparent quartz stone in shades ranging from orange to yellow. Symbolising generosity, this delicately coloured stone was thought to safeguard secrets and was regarded as a stone of mystery and subtly.
Our birthdays for November are Simon Sutton on the 7th, Sandy Alexander on the 9th, Ryan Cyster 13th, Rick Magnin and Christin Sterly share the 19th with Suzi Gehr and Luke Luies on the 22nd and 26th respectively.
November’s flower is the Chrysanthemum, which is closely related to the daisy and is often referred to by cultivators and gardeners as “mums”. In some countries in Europe Chrysanthemums are the symbol of death and are only used in funeral arrangements, while the opposite is true in America where it is seen more as positive and cheerful.
THE NOTHING TO DO WITH DRAMA BIT
While I was wondering how to entertain you this month I asked myself the question “Why is October called October when Oct means 8 and October is the 10th month?” (And ditto for September, November and December). Well, here is ONE answer:
Because the ancient Roman calendar (instituted by Romulus, supposedly) originally was determined by the cycles of the moon and the seasons of the agricultural year, it began in March, in the spring, and ended in December with the autumn harvest (the Med has a longer growing season than Temperate zones AND the world was actually warmer in 700 BC than it is now). The Roman year was ten months long (304 days) and had six months with thirty days and four with thirty-one. The two winter months, when there was no work in the fields, were not counted. October was the eighth month on this calendar. We then changed to the Georgian calendar, which was designed to coordinate Christmas with the winter solstice, and October (and the other months) retained their names.
Use it, don’t use it.
Okey Dokey Smokey – till next time!!
Eve
MUIZENBERG DRAMATIC SOCIETY
AUDITION NOTICE
‘IMPROBABLE FICTION’
BY ALAN AYCKBOURN
Directed By: Coleen Van Staden
AUDITION DATE: Sunday 18TH October 2009 at 14:00
PLACE: Rendezvous (Old Zandvlei Bowling Club), 57 Promenade Road, Muizenberg
CALLBACKS: Sunday 25TH October 14:00
ENQUIRIES: June Edwards (Production Secretary) on sunshinedesign@intekom.co.za /
0825577873 or Coleen Van Staden on coleenvs@vodamail.co.za / 072 1205645
DATES OF RUN: 5 to 13 February 2010 – Masque Theatre, Muizenberg
REHEARSALS: Every Monday and Wednesday (19:30 – 21:30) and Saturday (14:00 – 17:00) commencing Mon 2 November 2009. A Christmas break from Thurs 17 December 2009 to 5 January 2010. Recommencing Wed 6 January 2010. The Rehearsal period is longer than normal to allow for the technical challenges of the costume/scene/character changes and the Christmas break. Auditionees must be able to commit to these dates.
PLEASE NOTE: Auditionees must prepare for the audition with prescribed readings which may be obtained from June or Coleen (as above). Full scripts are also available. Auditionees are welcome to read for more than one character.
SYNOPSIS: 6 aspiring authors meet at their last monthly “Writers Circle” Meeting of the year in the home of their host, Arnold. It is Ayckbourn’s usual bunch of misfits! Each is pursuing their own particular “style” of writing, but few are succeeding in even putting pen to paper! In an attempt to encourage and motivate them, Arnold suggests that they collaborate and write something together. The suggestion is not at all popular as they cannot agree on subject matter or style! The meeting breaks up and it is at this point that the play takes a weird and wonderful turn! The second act is Arnold’s suggestion played out with the actors taking on parts in a number of storylines in a number of genres, resulting in a comedy that is zany and very funny. The play is set in a house in the English countryside.
THE CAST:
ARNOLD 40+ Mild Mannered, gentle man who lives with his dementia-suffering mother (unseen but heard!) He writes Instruction Manuals. He stays in the “real world” throughout the play.
ILSA 18+ Uncomplicated, happy girl from the local village who comes in to look after Arnold’s mother while the meetings are held. English regional accent. Also plays a Victorian ward, a 1930’s housemaid and Doblin the Goblin. (All will be revealed!)
GRACE 35+ Insecure, “put upon” wife and mother who wants to write children’s books. Also plays a Victorian cook (regional accent) a villain in the 1930’s Detective story, an Alien hunter in the Sci Fi story (American accent)
CLEM 25 + Nerdy, city council worker writing science fiction. Also plays a Victorian fop, a poetry quoting Detective in the 1930’s Detective Story and an Alien hunter in the Sci Fi story (American accent)
VIVVI 25+ Outgoing, vivacious – a man pleaser. Has a nervous laugh. Is the most prolific writer in the group but has nothing published. Writes 1930’s Detective Novels. Also plays a Victorian Housekeeper, Detective in the 1930’s Detective Story, an Alien hunter in the Sci Fi story (American accent)
JESS 40+ Butch lady farmer – straight talking, pragmatic and is pursuing the Victorian Romance genre. Also plays a Victorian tutor and narrator, a mother in the 1930’s Detective story (regional accent) and Sid the Squirrel!
BREVIS 60+ Retired schoolteacher. Cranky and overbearing. Writing a musical based on the Pilgrim’s Progress. Also plays a Victorian Doctor, the leading Alien hunter in the Sci Fi story (American accent) a father in 1930’s Detective story (regional accent). This Actor should be able to play the piano, but could be taught!
