JULY 2010
During the World Cup, Ron ended up doing his “tour guide” thing (which he loves!) for some American visitors and they arrived on 4 July which, as I am sure you are all aware, is American Independence Day. It got me to thinking what else is celebrated in July and apparently in the United States, July is the official month for a number of national month-long events. Here are a couple of the more unusual ones: UV Safety Month; Smart Irrigation Month; Women’s Motorcycle Month; Cell Phone Courtesy Month; Sandwich Generation Month and International Zine Month (huh? wot’s dat?). Ja, leave it to the Yanks!
MEMBERS’ EVENING
Our next members’ evening will be on Wednesday, 11 August, at the Rendezvous, at 19:30. MVDS’ member Barbara Basel will be directing a short “piece” (probably a melodrama) and is looking for volunteers as it will need a few (very) rehearsals before the night. Please contact her on 021 7890070, 0792118929 or barbas@telkomsa.net or contact Wendy Morling on 021 7150694, 0834628242 or home@morling.co.za if you are interested in taking part. Please also RSVP to Wendy by no later than 6 August if you wish to attend, for catering purposes. We will be having yummy soups and breads as this always goes down well on a cold winter’s night! Remember, entrance is FREE, GRATIS, and FOR NIKS, for members and, should you wish to bring a guest, they pay a measly 10 bucks. So, don’t leave it to the last minute – contact Wendy now!
AUDITION
Remember our audition for ‘What The Butler Saw’ by Joe Orton to be directed by guest director and professor of drama from England, Professor Ralph Yarrow. 14:00, Saturday 7TH August 2010 at The Rendezvous (Old Lakeside Bowling Club), Promenade Road, Lakeside. Callbacks on Monday 9 August 2010. There are no prescribed readings but enquiries can be directed to Andrew Blake on 021 7810114 or 0824933330 or ablake@mweb.co.za. Dates of run: 1 to 9 October 2010 at the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg. Rehearsals start 11 August 2010 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The play is classic farce with fast, furious and bizarre dialogue and stage directions. Many of the characters are at various times forced to remove large amounts of clothing!
Synopsis: The play consists of two acts, and revolves around a Dr. Prentice, a psychiatrist attempting to seduce his attractive prospective secretary, Geraldine Barclay. The play opens with the doctor examining Geraldine Barclay in a job interview. As part of the interview, he convinces her to undress. The situation becomes more intense during Dr. Prentice’s supposed “interview” with Geraldine Barclay when Mrs Prentice enters. When his wife enters, he attempts to cover up his activity by hiding the girl behind a curtain. His wife, however, is also being seduced and blackmailed by a Nicholas Beckett. She therefore promises Nicholas the post as secretary, which adds further confusion, including Nicholas and Geraldine dressing as the opposite sex. Dr. Prentice’s clinic is then faced by a government inspection. The inspection, led by Dr. Rance, reveals the chaos in the clinic.
The Cast: Comprises one male and female in their early twenties and three males and one female aged between 40 and 60. Props, set, stage, lighting, sound, costume people are also needed.
SAD NEWS
Keith Galloway, much loved director of the Waterfront Theatre School and Company, passed away on Monday, 5 July 2010. The Waterfront Theatre Company has become almost synonymous with the Masque Theatre as they have often produced two shows in any given year. Our thoughts are with his wife, Delia, his daughters and all at the School.
CALENDAR
16 -24 The Collector by Mark Healy directed by Yvonne Copley for Milnerton Players at the Masque.
July This psychological thriller stars MVDS’ members Jane de Sousa (Miranda) and James Skilton (Frederick) and is described as “a chilling portrayal of one man’s darkest fantasy made real”.
18 July Freeing the Voice Power workshop. Compiled by Lynsey Milewski, who has a Licentiate Trinity College of London Diploma, worked for ‘The Voice Clinic’ for 8 Years and ran her own Drama Company for three years. She has done a number of amateur plays including ‘Twelfth Night’ and ‘Butterflies are free’ (Best actress of the year for Fish Hoek players). It has been identified that there is a need to enhance the skill of projecting one’s voice when on stage. Lynsey is therefore presenting a workshop at the Masque theatre from 15.00 to 18.00. The workshop will cover: Background to projection and resonance; Breathing processes; Relaxation techniques; Shoulder, jaw and neck exercises; Body language; Warm up exercises for the stage; Tongue twisters; and much more. There will be a special price of R25.00 for Amateur Dramatic Society members, which includes tea or coffee. Book with Celia Musikanth on masquetheatre@mweb.co.za. I have just been advised that Lynsey Milewski was Lynsey Hochfelden who has of course appeared in many MVDS productions!!!
22-31 Preeoudly Seeouff Affriken directed by David Bolton for Pinelands Players at the Pinelands
July Community Hall. 19:00 for 19:30. Tickets R90, which includes Hot Beef Potjie and Dessert. Bookings on bgough@telkomsa.net or phone Tina on 0729231035.
29 -31 Dance me a Song presented by the Waterfront Theatre Company at the Masque. An excellent,
July diverse and eclectic mix of song an dance featuring over 300 costumes and promising to deliver entertainment for everyone with Broadway, Classical Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Hip Hop, Disney and Cabaret. Tickets all shows R60/R50.
13 -21 Lady Windermere’s Fan by Oscar Wilde. Directed by Brenda Gray for Claremont Dramatic Soc-
August iety. Lady Windemere, about to celebrate her 21st birthday, hears a piece of gossip that has a ripple effect on her life. Her hasty decisions and actions lead to unexpected twists and turns in the plot. Written by one of the finest exponents of social comedy in the English language.
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
MEMBERS’ VIEWS
Both Val Stephens and Alastair Duff took advantage of the long school holidays (both work at
Plumstead High) and escaped “football fever” to visit Canada and Madagascar respectively.
Hopefully they will share highpoints of their holidays with us next month.
A member who SUCCUMBED to “football fever” was June Edwards who shares her experience
with us (she stresses that any reference to black and white is merely to reflect
how the “gees” does not see in colour for a change):
On Saturday 3 July we did what goes against the very core of my being. But what an experience! We had been avoiding the soccer congestion and everything that goes with it up to then. Just enthusiastically following the games on TV. But decided that we have to at least do the fan walk once. Everybody who’s done it raves about it. Dense shuffling crowds has never been my scene. So I prepared myself for the worst. Normally and of sound mind I would never consider taking a packed train and then walk from Cape Town station to the stadium just for fun. Walking, to fetch my illegally parked, towed away car from the pound across town once was more than enough for me!
According to Cape Talk Radio, 150,000 plus people walked the fan walk that day. Of which approx 35,000 actually entered the stadium. So we were part of the ticketless rest. We took a train from Plumstead station to Cape Town station. Jam packed train carriages. We were about 200 people in a carriage made for 60. Across the colour spectrum, from tiny tots to elderly. The “gees” was something to behold. Painted faces, wigs, fan gear, flags, you name it. The banter was delightful. Not to mention the vuvuzelas. They were mostly considerately blown poking out the open windows of the train. No need to find a hand rail to hang on to. We were packed so tightly that when the train swerved it was like mexican wave of bodies. We were like one, never mind where your loyalty lay. A young black man got up and offered his seat to a little old white lady, upon which a loud cheer went up and comments about chivalry not being dead, well done, etc. poured from all around, with many people patting him on the back. He made his way towards the doors and said, “I’m getting off at the next station”. A moan and many boos went up and a small voice from the corner said, “Alas she is dead.” At every station, when the train doors opened a particular Argentinean fan, a young coloured man, shouted, “all the Germans get off now!” He was wearing a soccer shirt with “Messi” printed on the back. As we were pulling in to Cape Town station, a German fan, an elderly white man, said loudly, “This train is getting messy you must get off now! “Mr Messi” just laughed over his shoulder. Apparently it was like that for hours, a sandwiched train pulling into Cape Town station every 15 minutes.
The walk was unbelievable. Every street block had different musicians, from tenors, rock and roll to our very own minstrels. And of course music of all sorts pumping out of every other building. Many fun parades, young agile men in costumes of all kinds, not just walking, dancing on tall stilts. Also on Waterkant Street, a giant vuvuzela gas canon blowing flames up into the air every few minutes. It was more of a fan shuffle than a walk. Wall to wall people. Even the old and disabled being pushed in wheelchairs, part of the whole thing. Many babies and toddlers carried on shoulders and baby carriers. We even saw police on horseback, just like in London. Yes, even MOI proudly displayed a painted German flag on my face! A young black man on the street, with brushes and all the colours in paint pots, was painting flags on faces for R30! Speak of entrepreneurial. When paying our R30 Bruce needed change and for lack of two hands the guy pulled a fist full of notes out of his pocket, held it out to Bruce and said ,”Take what you need”. Carpe Diem! There was a group of people advertising free hugs and in the spirit of it I hugged a total stranger. The whole experience was too big to even begin describing it to any one who wasn’t there. At least we can say WE DID IT! And I will certainly always remember it as my 2010 highlight.
June (and Bruce)
Thanks, June, we actually did it as well that day and, yes, it was spectacular!
BIRTHDAYS
Well, it appears you like having the birthdays “in advance” so here goes for August. Thanks again to Bruce who provided me with lots more than the ones listed (including those I mentioned LAST year) so, being mindful of space, I just picked and chose the ones I fancied! Please contact Bruce or myself if you are dying to see the whole list. We actually have three “0” birthdays this month: John McConnell turns 70 and Jonathan Duguid and Jabu Hallinan both turn 20!
Starting with John on the 10th:
Norma Shearer (1900-Scottish ballet dancer and actress); Leo Fender (1909-inventor of the Fender guitar); Jimmy Dean (1928-singer, one hit wonder “Big Bad John”), James Dean (1931-American actor died in a car accident 1955), Ian Anderson (1947-flautist and band leader of “Jethro Tull”).
Then Tobie Beele on the 15th:
Napoleon Bonaparte (1769); T. E. Lawrence (1888-“Lawrence of Arabia”); Julia Child (1912).
Sandy Gee & Ralph Lawson share the 20th with:
Benjamin Harrison (1833-23rd president of the US); Jim Reeves (1924-American crooner).
The 24th sees Jonathan Duguid and:
Jorge Luis Borges (1899-Argentinian poet, short story writer); Jean Desailly (1920-French actress).
Joan Hitchcock’s 25th also belongs to:
Clara Bow (1905-American actress, one of the most popular stars and sex symbols of the 1920s);
Ruby Keeler (1910-Actress of the 1930s); Van Johnson (1916-Actor “Brigadoon” 1954); Monty Hall (1923).
Jabu on the 20th:
Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908-36th president of the US); Mother Theresa (1910); Martha Raye (1916-film actress); B. J. Thomas (1942-American vocalist, well-known for “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”).
Last but not least Lynwen Roman on the 29th:
Ingrid Bergman (1915-Actress); Charlie Parker (1920-jazz saxophonist); Richard Gere (1949).
Hope you all have a wonderful day and an equally wonderful year!
FEEDBACK
The Presentation & Discussion session of the budget and finances of the Masque Theatre was held on 21 June 2010 and was attended by some 25 people, a number of which belong to our society. A chance to share views on the future of our theatre resulted in some lively discussion and the eventual appointment of a “task team”, to be facilitated by Yvonne Finch (Copley). This will comprise of members of each of the four Masque Societies who will “brainstorm” ideas and present them to Mancom.
Go on – have a hotdog!
‘Cos July is also National Hotdog month in America!!
Eve
Our Committee:
Chair: Andrew Blake 021 7810114/0824933330 Vice-Chair: Alastair Duff 021 7884984/0787801994
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: Eve Carr 0217977286/0827892281 (Newsletter) Ron Carr 0217977286/0727847236 (Bar, Backstage)
Wendy Morling 021 7150694/0834628242 (Members’Evenings)
yes’>�9 �sa����ns with Peter Jennings, born in 1938 and American actor William Horatio Powel (1892) who studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. His stage career, however, was interrupted by World War I. His early film roles were as heavies in Westerns. His break came when he was cast in Sherlock Holmes (1922) as Holmes, opposite John Barrymore. When talking movies came along, Powell’s stage-trained voice made him a valuable commodity. One of his other major roles was Nick Charles in The Thin Man (1934).
Let’s hope that the World Cup continues smoothly,
brings in LOTS of bucks,
and unites our wonderful country!
Eve
Our Committee:
Chair: Andrew Blake 021 7810114/0824933330 Vice-Chair: Alastair Duff 021 7884984/0787801994
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: Eve Carr 0217977286/0827892281 (Newsletter) Ron Carr 0217977286/0727847236 (Bar, Backstage)
Wendy Morling 021 7150694/0834628242 (Members’Evenings)
MUIZENBERG DRAMATIC SOCIETY
AUDITION NOTICE
‘WHAT THE BUTLER SAW’
BY JOE ORTON
To be directed by Professor Ralph Yarrow
MVDS’ is delighted to announce that this busy Professor of Drama, who currently resides in England and who has acted in and directed numerous productions both in the UK and in
India, has agreed to take time out to guest-direct for our society
DATE : SATURDAY 7 AUGUST 2010
TIME : 14:00
PLACE : RENDEZVOUS (OLD ZANDVLEI BOWLING CLUB), 57 PROMENADE ROAD, MUIZENBERG
ENQUIRIES : ANDREW BLAKE TEL 021 7810114/0824933330 EMAIL ablake@mweb.co.za
RUN : 1 TO 9 OCTOBER 2010, MASQUE THEATRE, MUIZENBERG
CALLBACKS ; MONDAY 9 AUGUST 2010
REHEARSALS : START WED 11 AUGUST. MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS
SYNOPSIS: The play consists of two acts, and revolves around a Dr. Prentice, a psychiatrist attempting to seduce his attractive prospective secretary, Geraldine Barclay. The play opens with the doctor examining Geraldine Barclay in a job interview. As part of the interview, he convinces her to undress. The situation becomes more intense during Dr. Prentice’s supposed “interview” with Geraldine Barclay when Mrs Prentice enters. When his wife enters, he attempts to cover up his activity by hiding the girl behind a curtain. His wife, however, is also being seduced and blackmailed by a Nicholas Beckett. She therefore promises Nicholas the post as secretary, which adds further confusion, including Nicholas and Geraldine dressing as the opposite sex. Dr. Prentice’s clinic is then faced by a government inspection. The inspection, led by Dr. Rance, reveals the chaos in the clinic.
Characters
Dr Prentice
Geraldine Barclay
Mrs Prentice
Nicholas Beckett
Dr Rance
Sergeant Match
Nick and Geraldine are early 20s; the others anywhere between 40 and late 50s.
The play involves much fast and furious ‘business’ typical of classic farce. Dialogue is also fast, furious and bizarre. For examples of both stage directions and dialogue, and a more detailed account of the play, contact the production secretary via email above. So you need to have physical and verbal agility if you intend to audition! Please note also that, although there is no actual nudity (the play was written in1967, the year before censorship was ended on the British stage), Geraldine, Mrs Prentice, Nick and Sgt. Match are at various times (and, in the case of Geraldine, for considerable periods) forced to remove large amounts of clothing.
Props, set, stage, lighting, sound, costume people are also needed.
Read Full Post »
