Claremont Chat – March 2009

Claremont Dramatic Society Newsletter

P O BOX 50, Eppindust, 7475
Tel 021 683 8630 (h) 083 327 7350 (c)
Fax 021 431 3410 Email simon.d@mweb.co.za

http://www.claremontdramatic.wordpress.com

No 79                                                          MARCH 2009

——————————————————————————–

Hi Folks

First of all humble apologies for the non-publication of February’s Claremont Chat, we have a new editor and he’s only just finding his feet, in future hopefully all the editions will be published on time with the right by-lines.

It is not the intention to change the format of the Newsletter, however it is a society publication and any contribution to the content would be much appreciated.

CLAREMONT DRAMATIC SOCIETY’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

On Tuesday 17th February we held the society’s Annual General Meeting, our on the spot roving reporter Mr Adrian Kettle sent the following report on the event.

The Society’s Annual General Meeting was a glittering affair. The setting in the Palmyra Room set the tone and a large turnout showed that the society is in good shape. The meal was served with Kelvin’s impeccable efficiency, although the bar prices made one wince! The Chairman’s report, reportedly from “How to run a meeting in 30 seconds” lasted a little longer. I liked his remark that the purpose of an AGM is to inform members that the society has performed well and is in good hands but that there are others who look forward to a good meal, satisfactory beverage and enjoy socialising!

Elsewhere you will find the names and details of the committee for 2009/10 (World Cup Fever seems to have taken hold!)

CLAREMONT DRAMATIC SOCIETY’S ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY.

Following the AGM we had the society’s annual awards ceremony.

The CDS panel Chairman Mr Graham Boxall together with his fellow panel members Mike Scott and Coleen van Staden emphasised that once again the society had put on 3 excellent productions at the Masque all of which were of a high standard, making the work of the panel a very daunting one, but that the panel had to choose a winner in each category the winners were:

Best Actor: James Skilton, Unoriginal Sin
Best Actress: Nava Sarracino, Barefoot in the Park
Best Supporting Actor: Richard Farmer, Barefoot in the Park
Best Supporting Actress: Jo Darby, Unoriginal Sin
Best Play: Brenda Gray, Old Wicked Songs
Production Support: birga Thomas, Old Wicked Songs
Outstanding Contribution to the Society: Simon Sutton
Merit Award: Set Design: Wendy Goddard, Barefoot in the Park

Thank-you to the panel for the sterling and sometimes difficult task they perform, we were pleased to hear that a 4th member has been introduced to the panel for this years production reviews Mr Mike Harris and welcome him to the panel.

As introduced at the 2008 AGM the Members’ Choice awards were as follows

Members Choice Best Actor: Brian de Kock, Old Wicked Songs
Members Choice Best Actress: Trista Gamble, Barefoot in the Park
Members Choice Best Play: Brenda Gray, Old Wicked Songs

Well done to all the winners, nominees, the CDS Panel and all those that took part in the productions.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

As you are all aware the Members’ Choice awards are done as a separate poll on the night of the awards, but in order to be eligible to vote a member must be up to date with their subscriptions, which brings me to the request made by our esteemed treasurer, that whoever hasn’t yet managed to pay theirs can do so directly either at a Standard Bank branch or by EFT.

The fees currently are:

R40 for members

R30 for students and pensioners

R60 for couples

R45 for student and pensioner couples.

Should you have any queries with regards to the above please contact Wendy Goddard.

MEMBERS EVENING

Our next members evening is scheduled for Friday 17th April 2009 – for more details see under HOK NEWS

UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS

CDS’s next production is

ISN’T IT ROMANTIC By: Wendy Wasserstein

Which will performed at The Masque from the 17 – 25 July 2009 and directed by Graham Boxall

Wendy Wasserstein’s work brought her recognition when she won a Pulitzer Prize and Tony award for drama.

This play takes place in the late 1980’s in New York City with action set in various locations in Manhattan. The title is somewhat tongue-in-cheek as Wasserstein was herself part of the feminist movement in America. However in this play, she looks at the bittersweet side of relationships creating some wonderfully textured characters against the background of New York life. Essentially a comedy with some brilliant one-liners, there is room for a tear or two.

Auditions for the play will be held on Sunday 19 April at 14h30 in The Hok, with all the holidays, long weekends, and voting day please make a careful note and diarise.

American accents (not Southern) required throughout, except for Vladimir. Ages of Tasha, Simon and Lillian will depend on the Janie and Harriet castings, but if you are keen on auditioning don’t get too hung-up on age.

CHARACTERS:

· Janie Blumberg – A doted upon daughter of a typical New York family in her late 20’s to mid 30’s. Janie is attractive, in a slightly off-the-wall way, has recently moved back to New York from Brooklyn to take up a freelance job as a graphic artist. (Lead)

· Harriet Cornwall – Janie’s closest, very attractive and well put together friend from school days and Harvard University. She is the daughter of a highly successful business woman and thinks of Janie as her family. Also late 20’s to mid 30’s (Lead)

· Marty Sterling – A son of a well known New York restaurateur, now specialist doctor in his 30-40’s. A past college friend of Janie and Harriet who is uncertain of life and personal identity – Janie’s eventual lover. (Support)

· Tasha Blumberg – In opposition to her daughter Janie’s character – Tasha is the flamboyant, ultra-hyped, fitness-obsessed mother who holds down the ‘perfect ‘ relationship with her husband – Janie’s father. (Support)

· Simon Blumberg – Doting, well meaning father. (Support)

· Lillian Cornwall – Carbon copy older version of her daughter Harriet. Lillian is a highly successful marketing executive with mundane outlets.(Support)

· Paul Stuart – Smooth, HR executive who works for the same company as Harriet and with whom she has an affair. The typical non-committed, older lover who lives with another woman. (Support)

· Vladimir – Russian New York inexperienced, taxi driver with “no English” skills.(Cameo)

For further information contact Graham on 083 7073055.

‘Old Wicked Songs’

Brenda Gray’s production of ‘Old Wicked Songs’ has been invited to the Artscape Arena from 8 to 16 May. Diarise these dates now – don’t miss this chance to see this superb show if you didn’t catch it first time round.

Booking Opens 8th April 2009

Ticket prices R65 – 10% disc for groups of 10 or more

R45 – Pensioners and Students

R35 – Scholars

The get-in to the Theatre for the society for set construction, lights, decoration etc is Monday 4th May 2009 anyone interested in helping out should contact either Brenda 021 686 3554 or Simon Sutton 021 794 1923

THEATRE DIARY

The Masque

No Sex please, we’re British on from 27 March to 4 April at the Masque. Directed by Aubrey Hindle for Fish Hoek Dramatic Society, this farce was the longest running of its genre on the West End in London.

The Storyteller at the Masque. A special holiday show of classic fairy tales with a twist. On from 6 to 9 April. Show times and bookings phone 021-7891057/ 0829274906 or email debbi@airspace.co.za

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.

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

2008 CAPE AMATEUR THEATRE AWARDS

The 58th CATA awards were held on the 9th March 2009 our congratulations go to the following CDS members who received one of the highly coveted awards:

Merit Awards

Winner of the Estelle Knott Craig award for Technical Excellence is:-

Gary Fargher – Sound/Lighting/Effects – Old Wicked Songs (Claremont Dramatic Society)

Winner of the Lynette Barling Award for Artistic Contribution is:-

Kyla Thorburn – Choreography – My Fair Lady (C.T. Gilbert & Sullivan Society)

Best Set

Winner of the Harry Hargreaves Award for Best Set is:-

Wendy Goddard – Barefoot in the Park (Claremont Dramatic Society)

Best Play, Best Musical Most Adventurous Production

The Cape Times Award for Most Adventurous Production goes to:-
All You Need is Love directed by Coleen van Staden and Celia Musikanth for Muizenberg Dramatic Society

Best Actress in a Play or Musical

The Winner of The Walter Swanson Award for Best Actress in a Musical is:-
Julie Summers – Cabaret (Festival Productions) Shared Award

Best Actor in a supporting role in a Play or Musical

The Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play is:-
Richard Farmer – Barefoot in the Park (Claremont Dramatic Society)

The Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical is:-
Graham Boxall – My Fair Lady (C.T Gilbert & Sullivan Society)

HOK NEWS by Adrian Kettle

Are you in for a pleasant surprise when next you grace the Hok!. I won’t spoil it but you will need to see it for yourselves. A huge thank you to Simons (Sutton and Dutton), Wendy Goddard and of course to Alison, whose hand, and skills, are very much in evidence What better occasion than our members’ evening on 17th April when, among other interesting items, a one act play will start the entertainment (The Bishop and The Actress). There will be the usual snacks, and the Hok watering hole will dispense waters both benign and non, at mouth-watering prices. With the onset of autumn, stocks of OB will be laid on to dispel that creeping chill. The ‘Festival’ begins at 7.30 (19h30). If you wish to present an item, please ring Pam Burger at 021.657.5757. The selfsame Pam will be will be operating a reminder ring-around, just in case your memory is as bad as mine is!

CLAREMONT DRAMATIC SOCIETY COMMITTEE 2009

Simon Sutton (Chairman)
simons@gem.co.za
021 794 1923

Elza-lynne Kruger (Vice-Chairman)
elmkruger@telkomsa.net
021 855 2677

Wendy Goddard (Treasurer)
wendygoddard@xsinet.co.za
021 671 2888

Simon Dutton (Secretary)
simon.d@mweb.co.za
021 683 8630

Adrian Kettle (Hok Manager)
adriankettle@telkomsa.net
021 532 3271

Kim Harris-Dalla (Archives)
kbjhharris@yahoo.co.uk
021 713 2026

Pamela Burger (Members Evenings)
pamb@masterparts.com
021 696 5959

Andre Thomas
andre.thomas@privatesafaris.com
021 528 2200

Read Full Post »

Audition – Isn’t it Romantic

AUDITION NOTICE

ISN’T IT ROMANTIC

By: Wendy Wasserstein

When: 2.30pm, Sunday 19 April

Where:  The Hok

Performance Dates:  17-25 July 2009

Directed for Claremont Dramatic Society by Graham Boxall

Wendy Wasserstein’s work brought her recognition when she won a Pulitzer Prize and Tony award for drama.

This play takes place in the late 1980’s in New York City with action set in various locations in Manhattan. The title is somewhat tongue-in-cheek as Wasserstein was herself part of the feminist movement in America. However in this play, she looks at the bittersweet side of relationships creating some wonderfully textured characters against the background of New York life. Essentially a comedy with some brilliant one-liners, there is room for a tear or two.

American accents (not Southern) required throughout, except for Vladimir. Ages of Tasha, Simon and Lillian will depend on the Janie and Harriet castings, but if you are keen on auditioning don’t get too hung-up on age.

CHARACTERS:   

• Janie Blumberg – A doted upon daughter of a typical New York family in her late 20’s to mid 30’s. Janie is attractive, in a slightly off-the-wall way, has recently moved back to New York from Brooklyn to take up a freelance job as a graphic artist. (Lead)
• Harriet Cornwall – Janie’s closest, very attractive and well put together friend from school days and Harvard University. She is the daughter of a highly successful business woman and thinks of Janie as her family. Also late 20’s to mid 30’s (Lead)
• Marty Sterling – A son of a well known New York restaurateur, now specialist doctor in his 30-40’s. A past college friend of Janie and Harriet who is uncertain of life and personal identity – Janie’s eventual lover. (Support)
• Tasha Blumberg – In opposition to her daughter Janie’s character – Tasha is the flamboyant, ultra-hyped, fitness-obsessed mother who holds down the ‘perfect ‘ relationship with her husband – Janie’s father. (Support)
• Simon Blumberg – Doting, well meaning father. (Support)
• Lillian Cornwall – Carbon copy older version of her daughter Harriet. Lillian is a highly successful marketing executive with mundane outlets.(Support)
• Paul Stuart – Smooth, HR executive who works for the same company as Harriet and with whom she has an affair. The typical non-committed, older lover who lives with another woman. (Support)
• Vladimir – Russian New York inexperienced, taxi driver with “no English” skills.(Cameo)

 

For further information contact Graham on 083 7073055.

Read Full Post »

Audition – Trap for A Lonely Man

An audition will be held at Milnerton Playhouse on Saturday 9 May at 13.30 for 14.00 for our August production

TRAP FOR A LONELY MAN

By Robert Thomas

Direction: Mike Tompson

A psychological thriller set in a lonely chalet in the French Alps. (No accents required). Designed to keep the audience entertained and on the edge of their seats to the last page.

Daniel Corban’s wife has gone missing and has gone to the local police for help.

When the local priest finds his wife and returns her to him he is outraged to discover she is not his wife. She insists she is and he is now in danger of losing his mind as well.

The audience is left to wonder which of the characters is who they claim to be and this, if they are slightly larger than life, should add fun to playing them.

            

Cast requirements: 4 men & 2 women

THE MAN (33%)	The major role. Playing age 25-35. A pleasant and believable hero. A challenging, worthwhile part. On stage all the time but not too heavy on the lines.
THE INSPECTOR (25%)	Major role. Playing age 40-60. Conscientious, plodding, caring. Typical stage French policeman. (Or so it seems.)
THE WOMAN (17%)	Major role. Playing age 25-35. Pleasant and believable as the man’s wife. (That is if she is his wife.)
THE PRIEST (12%)	Important role. Playing age 25-40. Too good to be true.
THE TRAMP (8%)	Delightful, important cameo role. Could play any age but preferably over 50.
THE NURSE (5%)	Delightful, important cameo role. Could play any age but preferably over 40
POLICEMAN(3 lines)	Hopefully a stagehand, barman or anyone who happens to be passing.

 

Dates of run: 14 to 22 August 2009

 

For further information please contact Mike Tompson:

021 976 3840 or 082 743 7569 or e-mail: monmike@mweb.co.za

         

Read Full Post »

Audition – Red Hot in Amsterdam

Audition for Pinelands Players Supper Theatre One Act play

 

Monday 30th March – 7.30 pm at the clubhouse.

 

Production dates: 2nd, 3rd & 4th July 2009. 

 

Rehearsals to start after Easter.

 

Director – Shirley Nixon 

 

RED  HOT  IN  AMSTERDAM   by  Patricia Robinson

 

The action of the play takes place in the parlour of Madame Celestine’s “establishment” in the Red Light District of Amsterdam.

 

Running from Amsterdam police, diamond thieves Frank and Mickey find an open window, clamber inside, and discover they are in a brothel !!  They hide the diamonds and escape, planning to return later.  Two “working girls”, Corrine and Kora, find the diamonds and move them to a vase, but their boss, Madame Celestine, finds them in turn and vows to keep them.  Chaos ensues !! 

 

C H A R A C T E R S :

 

CORRINE:    French prostitute –  20 – 30 (Slight French accent )

 

KORA:          Dutch prostitute –  30 – 40 (Slight Dutch accent )

 

FRANK:      British burglar – Tall –  40 ish (Cockney or any “regional” British accent)

 

MICKEY:    British burglar – Short – 40 ish (Cockney or any “regional” British accent)

 

MADAME CELESTINE:  Owner of the “establishment” 50 – 60 (Slight European accent)

 

CHIEF OF POLICE:     Tall – well-built – 50 ish (Slight European accent)

 

MAN:  (Thief):     Walk-on part – no speaking.

 

Read Full Post »

Holiday Acting Workshop

We provide quality training in the areas of theatre- and film acting. The training is presented in the form of interactive workshops. We discuss and tutor topics such as:

• Theatre and Film Acting,
• Voice Training and Public Speaking,
• Movement (How to utilize your body on stage and in front of camera),
• Creativity
• Self Confidence
• Preparation for castings (improving success rate of kids already attending castings)

 

This is a 3 day Workshop – This is not only for those who want to be actors. The workshop is also for anyone who just wants to improve their self esteem or want to be able to speak confidently in front of people. Students who have participated in Dramatic activities are less likely to have difficulty SPEAKING IN PUBLIC, will be more PERSUASIVE in their communication, both written and oral. They will have a more POSITIVE CONFIDENT SELF IMAGE. Participation in dramatic activities requires SELF CONTROL and DISCIPLINE that will serve students well in all aspects of life. Students in drama will learn to WORK TOGETHER. Drama also helps students develop TOLERANCE and EMPATHY

The workshops will be held at the Milnerton Playhouse in Pienaar Rd,  Milnerton (behind library)                  

Dates: Monday to Wednesday 6 – 8 April 

Primary and High School learners will be in separate age appropriate groups.                                                              

The workshop is from 10h00 till 16h00 each day.

The workshop will amount to only R600 per student.    

This includes all tuition fees, notes, snacks and beverages. 

If you are interested in the workshop please phone or e-mail us.                                                                                  

Carin Bester: 072 305 1525

Christine Lowe: 084 529 0384        

E-mail: carin@creativeartsolutions.co.za

 

The workshops are presented by experts who have formal training in the various fields of the industry.

Read Full Post »

Audition – Appointment with Death

MUIZENBERG DRAMATIC SOCIETY

AUDITION NOTICE

 

‘APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH’

BY AGATHA CHRISTIE

 

Directed by: Alastair Duff

 

AUDITION DATE:      SATURDAY 9^TH MAY 2009.

TIME:                          14H00

PLACE:                       RENDEZVOUS (OLD LAKESIDE BOWLING CLUB), PROMENADE ROAD, LAKESIDE

ENQUIRIES:              ALASTAIR DUFF – 021 788 4984

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.

Read Full Post »

MVDS Messenger – March 2009

.

MEGA-MARCH 2009

 

My, my, my – can you believe we are nearly a quarter of the way through the year?  Did everyone have a good Friday the thirteenth?  I know I did as that is the day my boss has a birthday and we were treated to a slap-up buffet breakfast.  He was born on a Friday so certainly does not suffer from “Paraskavedekatriaphobia” – yeah, you guessed it: fear of Friday the thirteenth!!  A little more on that a little later.

 

PAST PRODUCTION

 

Well, Hello and Goodbye finished its run at the Masque on Saturday 14 March but is certainly anything BUT “past” as this production is going to the Grahamstown Festival in July as a MADS production.  This was a tour de force by Suzi Gehr and Wesley Figaji and the Masque audiences and media reviewers were high in their praise. Hats off to Director, birga Thomas, Raymond Rudolf (Prod. sec and Stage Manager) and Heather Morley (Backstage assistant), Margi Blewett (Set Designer), John Blewett (Lighting Designer) and Christopher King (Lighting Operator).  I am sure we all wish the team a very exciting and rewarding run at the festival.

 PAST MEMBERS’ EVENING

 

We had a great turn-out at Thursday’s members’ evening – ably co-ordinated by Luke Luies and well-fed by Sue Hallinan.  We had two tastes of the Beatles to whet our appetites for their production in late April, and the teenagers of the Masque Theatre Speech and Drama Club, under the watchful eye of Jean Glass, presented us with a very different version of Snow White.  Their production of The Storyteller is on at the Masque during the school holidays – for details, see the Diary elsewhere.  An excerpt of Tom Byrne’s Mothers of the Criminal Element followed after the break – this promises to be a most amusing production … with a couple of twists in the tale!

 

WELCOME!

 

A very warm welcome to John-&-Margi Blewett, Gary-&-Hayley Fargher and Simon Sutton, all of whom are stalwarts of the Masque and who probably need no introduction whatsoever!  Welcome also to Wesley Figaji and Suzi Gehr, both of whom appeared in Hello and Goodbye.

FUTURE PRODUCTIONS

 One of the Directors of All You Need is Love has confirmed that rehearsals are going very well, there is a super atmosphere, team spirit and lots of hard work and fun.  The show is a repeat of last year’s but great changes have been made and new songs included.  Due to the excellent voices and energy, the clubhouse resounds with the sound of music on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.  I can certainly confirm that statement as we had a committee meeting a few Mondays ago ……. it was actually very amusing as we were discussing birga’s production of Hello and Goodbye to the strains of the Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye” being sung next door!  So, all you need is love and MADS ……………………get your diaries out now and mark the dates 24 April (opening) till 2 May including Sunday 26 April at 3pm.

The audition notice for our third production, Agatha Christie’s Appointment with Death, to be directed by Alastair Duff, is attached.  The audition takes place at 14:00 on Saturday, 9 May 2009.

 

FUTURE MEMBERS’ EVENINGS

At our next members’ evening on 20 May we want to give all aspiring directors a chance to try their hand!  A perfect place to start as you know you will be among friends and any criticism will only be constructive.  So ………who wants to give it a shot??  There are a wealth of one-act plays around and the committee can certainly assist you in choosing one.  Or ……. has anyone written their OWN short play/story??  We already have at least one script-writer in our number – Tom Byrne, an excerpt of whose play was read at the last members’ evening (see elsewhere in this newsletter).  Obviously this play will also require actors so we are calling for those too!  Please contact Luke Luies on 021 797 0243 or 0825567371 or luke.luies@gmail.com if you are interested in either directing or being directed.  Experienced directors will be on hand for advice and/or assistance.

THEATRICAL WEBSITE

Member Magdalena Zukowski has advised that there has been a blog started by theatre folk about all those things that could ONLY happen in theatre.  It will be a home for all the funny/weird stories and happenings that we all know go on in the theatre and is called www.thistheatricallife.wordpress.com.  They are currently looking for stories that fit into these categories: “I wish there was a button to press to make the director disappear”; “Folks, we are experiencing technical difficulties”; and “I wanted the orchestra pit to swallow me”.  Sounds like fun!

BIRTHDAYS

 

Greetings in advance to our April birthday girls-and-boys who are John Gales on the 5^th, Peter Rickards and Clare Stableford both on the 8^th (hey, you two are both bar volunteers – do you ever team up?), Bridget Coyne on the 14^th, Terry Best on the 20^th and Kelsey Koopman, Brian Commins and Robin Rattle on the 25^th, 26^th and 27^th respectively.

 

EVENTS TO DIARISE

 This month I have managed to be very clever indeed –

this page can be (printed and) stuck on your fridge!

 

Right this instant!!!  Phone Luke to volunteer to be part of YOUR next members’evening!!

No Sex please, we’re British on from 27 March to 4 April 4 at the Masque.  Directed by Aubrey Hindle for Fish Hoek Dramatic Society, this farce was the longest running of its genre on the West End in London.

 

Special Occasions by Bernard Slade, a bittersweet comedy, directed by Yvonne Copley for Milnerton Players, is on at the Milnerton Playhouse from 20 to 28 March 2009  Details and bookings from Sheila at 021 5573206 or 0822671061 or email macdram@absamail.co.za.

 

Audition for Pinelands Players One Act Play, being Red Hot in Amsterdam, will be held on 30 March at 7.30pm.  Visit www.pinelandsplayers.co.za or email Tina Gough on bgough@telkomsa.net for further details.

 

Holiday Acting Workshop to be held at the Milnerton Playhouse from 6 to 8 April.  For cost, details and bookings or email carin@creativeartsolutions.co.za  or phone Carin 0723051525

 

The Storyteller at the Masque.  A special holiday show of classic fairy tales with a twist.  On from 6 to 9 April.  Show times and bookings, phone 021-7891057/ 0829274906 or email debbi@airspace.co.za

 

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.

 

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

 

CAPE AMATEUR THEATRE AWARDS EVENING

 

A wonderful evening was had by all who attended the 58^th CATA evening – except perhaps for Margaret Hill who was carted off to hospital at the beginning of the evening but who is now fine and is just sorry she missed it!  Clifford Graham of Pinelands Players ably organized some wonderful entertainment – how about that spectacular costume worn by the woman who did the tap dance??  And the number about the actress who DIDN’T win an award – superb!  Also, a surprise visit by Dame Edna, some of whose humour was very “close to the bone” but who had the audience in stitches nonetheless.  The CATA panellists presented awards in the various categories and a full list is attached hereto.  Well done to All you need is love for its two well-deserved awards!!  Sue Bolton retired after a full 8 years on the panel and our very own Coleen Van Staden has stepped up to the plate for 2009.  Honourary Life Membership of the Masque Theatre Club was bestowed on Pam Ross and Jill Cooke (posthumously).  Constantiaberg Theatre Players has the “honour” of presenting next year’s entertainment!!

 

THE NOTHING-TO-DO-WITH-DRAMA BIT

 

As promised, more on Friday the thirteenth.  Here is just one of a multitude of theories:  That it is a modern amalgamation of two older superstitions – thirteen is an unlucky number and Friday is an unlucky day.  In numerology, the number twelve is considered the number of completeness, as reflected in the twelve months of the year, twelve signs of the zodiac, twelve tribes of Israel, etc, whereas the number thirteen was considered irregular, transgressing this completeness.  Friday has been considered an unlucky day since at least the 14th century and many regard Friday as an unlucky day to undertake journeys or begin new projects. Black Friday has been associated with stock market crashes and other disasters since the 1800s.

 

AND ON A MORE SERIOUS NOTE:

Let’s all contribute to a “greener” earth – Saturday, March 28^th sees World Earth Hour happening between 20:30 and 21:30!  All you need to do is switch off your lights for that hour – Table Mountain is also going dark.  1 508 cities and towns in 80 countries have already committed to showing their support.  Visit www.earthhour.org for more info.

 

If you do not receive this newsletter by email, please let me (everon@absamail.co.za) know if you do acquire an email address so that I can update my list.  Likewise, if your email (or postal) address is going to change, drop me a line.

Enough March Madness!

Until April then!!!

Eve

 

CATA AWARDS 2008

 

Technical Excellence and Artistic Contribution

Merit Awards

• Musical direction and musical presentation: Show Stoppers (HHDS)
• Chorus: My fair Lady (G&S)
• Ensemble and chorus: All You need is Love (Mvds)
• Munchkin Chorus: The Wizard of Oz (PP)
• Choreography: Amanda Peacefull: Show Stoppers Encore (HHDS)
• Costumes: Mandrie Haupt/Karin Matthee/Jan Barber: The Wizard of Oz (PP)
• Make-up/hair: Jan Barber/Guilma Stander: The Wizard of Oz (PP)

Winner of the Estelle Knott Craig Award for Technical Excellence: Gary Fargher: Sound/Lighting/Effects – Old Wicked Songs (CDS)

Winner of the Lynette Barling Award for Artistic Contribution: Kyla Thorburn Choreography – My fair Lady (G&S)

Best Set

Winner of the Harry Hargreaves Award for Best Set: Wendy Goddard – Barefoot in the Park (CDS)

Best Play, Best Musical, Most Adventurous Production, Best Director of a Play, Best Director of a Musical

Merit Award  to Lindsay Small for original conception and interpretation for Radio Gaga

The Cape Times Award for Most Adventurous Production: Coleen van Staden and Celia Musikanth All You need is Love (Mvds)

The Joseph Manca Award for Best Director of a Musical: Teddy Davies for Cabaret (FP)

The Bertie Stern Award for Best Director of a Play: Mari Mocke for Sorrows and Rejoicings (MP)

The Marcia Lawton Award for Best Musical: Teddy Davies for Cabaret (FP)

The Sol Rodsell Award for Best Play: Sorrows and Rejoicings directed by Mari Mocke (MP)

Best Actor in a Play or Musical

The Geoffrey Tansley Award for Best Actor in a Play: Willie Sass – Sorrows and Rejoicings (MP)

The Downey Award for Best Actor in a Musical: Brian Winter – Cabaret (FP)

Best Actress in a Play or Musical

The Doris Tansley Award for Best Actress in a Play: Denise Dubber – The Rainmaker (CTP)

The Walter Swanson Award for Best Actress in a Musical [shared award]: Julie Summers – Cabaret (FP) and Ami-Rose Barber – The Wizard of Oz (PP)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Play or Musical

Best Actress in a supporting Role in a Play: Megan Landry-LeRiche – Last of the Red Hot Lovers (HHDS)

Best Actress in a supporting Role in a Musical: Trish Sutton – Cabaret (FP)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play or Musical

Best Actor in a supporting Role in a Play: Richard Farmer – Barefoot in the Park (CDS)

Best Actor in a supporting Role in a Musical: Graham Boxall – My fair Lady (G&S)

Most promising Newcomer

The Imps Award for Most Promising Newcomer: Yvonne Pedretti – Last of the Red Hot Lovers (HHDS)

Cameo Performance

The Fiona Chisholm Award for a Cameo Performance: Lisa Stallianou – Cabaret (FP)

 

MUIZENBERG DRAMATIC SOCIETY

AUDITION NOTICE

 

‘APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH’

BY AGATHA CHRISTIE

 

Directed by: Alastair Duff

 

AUDITION DATE:      SATURDAY 9^TH MAY 2009.

TIME:                          14H00

PLACE:                       RENDEZVOUS (OLD LAKESIDE BOWLING CLUB), PROMENADE ROAD, LAKESIDE

ENQUIRIES:              ALASTAIR DUFF – 021 788 4984

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.

Read Full Post »