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 80 APRIL 2009
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NEW CDS LOGO
Claremont Dramatic Society now has its own logo, thanks to Mike Moss. We thank him for the efforts in producing a selection of ‘Brand’ models for selection all put together with sound reasoning for each. After careful and prolonged debate the committee decided on this one. We feel quite sure that this can but only enhance our profile.
Once again, many thanks to Mike Moss.
MEMBERS EVENING
Roving correspondent Adrian Kettle reports
Our last members evening was held on Friday 17th April 2009 The play reading originally scheduled had to be shelved at short notice, but thankfully Roy Oldfield generously came to our rescue with a quiz which went off very well. The Karaoke, also scheduled as the second attraction, ran into some technical difficulties! But Am dram folk are not easily put off so we spent time eating (thanks to Pam Burger for organising the food), drinking and talking.
At one stage I was standing on the rough-caste patio (compliments of Group Five) looking into the enlarged Hok and commented to Mike Tompson that no one had made use of the newly available space. He laughed loudly, remarking that we are conservatives by nature
UPCOMING CDS PRODUCTIONS
‘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
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 this play were held on Sunday 19th April. What a fantastic turn out it was. Old and new faces braved the rainy day to participate. (As well as fighting off car park attendants) Our committee made sure that everything was organized to make a really smooth running audition and as the readings progressed and the auditionees got used to the script the laughs began.
Thanks to all those who participated in the audition. Thanks must also go to Celia Musikanth for her input, especially on the pronunciation of the Jewish expressions, ‘naches’ was the one word that took some getting used to.
The director Graham felt the need for a call back audition and this was held on the following Sunday.
Graham has selected the following to portray the play’s characters.
CHARACTERS:
· Lesley Gill to play 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)
· Fae Wheeler to play 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)
· Gary Hartley to play 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)
· Barbara Mayers to play 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)
· Clifford Graham to play Simon Blumberg – Doting, well meaning father. (Support)
· Michele Belknap to play Lillian Cornwall – Carbon copy older version of her daughter Harriet. Lillian is a highly successful marketing executive with mundane outlets.(Support)
· Darren Telford to play 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)
· Gary Greene to play Vladimir – Russian New York inexperienced, taxi driver with “no English” skills.(Cameo)
Congratulations to those chosen but well done to all who participated, the standards were very high which made the choice very difficult.
Lights & Sound will be by Gary Fargher
Stage Manager will be Cheryl Mischevsky (I do hope I’ve spelt this correctly!)
Set Model – Wendy Goddard
The director has appealed for a production secretary anyone interested can contact Graham directly on 083 7073055.
THEATRE DIARY
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.
Just a few days left of this production, it should also be noted that there are 7 CDS members in the cast.
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
Private Lives by Noel Coward is on at Milnerton Playhouse from 15 to 23 May. Visit http://www.milnertonplayers.com or call Sheila on 021 557 3206 for further information.
AUDITIONS
Appointment with Death by Agatha Christie An audition will be held at False Bay Rendezvous (Old Lakeside Bowling Club), Promenade Road, Lakeside by the Muizenberg Dramatic Society on Saturday 9 May at 14:00 for their end Aug early Sep production at the Masque. The play is to be directed by Alastair Duff who can be contacted on 021 788 4984 for more details.
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 Players will be held on 10 May at their playhouse from 13:30. Further info contact Tina Gough on 0827719644.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
A big thank-you to those persons up to date with their CDS subscriptions, to those who it may have slipped their minds can make amends by paying theirs directly either at a Standard Bank branch or by EFT. Once you have done so just let our esteemed treasurer Wendy know.
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
CLAREMONT DRAMATIC SOCIETY COMMITTEE 2009
Simon Sutton (Chair)
simons@gem.co.za
021 794 1923
Elza-lynne Kruger (Vice-Chair)
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 (Production Coordination & 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
