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
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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