Claremont Chat
http://www.claremontdramatic.wordpress.com
October 2011 – Number 103
Well here we are: the merry month of October, and all is go, go go! You’re probably wondering why The Chat is looking a little different this month? André Thomas is living la dolce vita in Berlin at the moment, and so I have taken on the Chat duties in his absence, or absinth (whichever is more applicable?). By all accounts “la dolce vita” may be an understatement, have a great time André! We will of course, miss you.
We at Claremont are having a very busy time with our production of Terence Rattigan’s Separate Tables in rehearsal. Director Sue Bolton and her cast are hard at work to stage this truly great play. It’s Terence Rattigan’s centenary year and so it’s fitting that this piece should be tackled by CDS and Sue Bolton. More about the play later.
The audition for our next production, Marvin’s Room, is fast approaching. Read on for more details…
We also have CDS members “out there” so to speak. I along with Wendy Goddard, Michele Belknap, Su Cunningham and Anton Schäfer will soon be treading the boards in the MVDS’s production of Tracy Letts’s August: Osage County. This play is very new to audiences outside of the USA. It was premiered as recently as 2007. Tracy Letts is a Pulitzer Prize Nominee for his earlier play, Man From Nebraska. Again, more about this later.
Clifford Graham
Sad News
Bruce Edwards passed away on 22 September, and a very touching memorial service was held at the Masque on Friday 30 September. It was lovely to see so many people there, paying tribute to a man who was so passionate about everything he did. Much love to June and family.
Inter-Society Quiz
Claremont Dramatic Society entered three teams into this year’s Inter-Society Quiz. I think most of us enjoyed a great evening but were “sobered” by the questions posed and realised just how little we really know about our shared passion. Thanks to Jay Heale, The Claremont “Clod Hoppers” (team name) were able to score a perfect five points in only one category! That being “Shakespearean Quotes”.
Final results saw Fish Hoek taking the win with 68 points. Claremont’s three teams, Claremont Clod Hoppers, Claremont 2 and 3 finishing with 36, 37 and 43 points respectively. Thanks to all those CDS members who put their reputations on the line for the society!
CDS Update
You may or may not have noticed – but CDS has a strong online presence. It’s not only our blog getting hits at http://www.claremontdramatic.wordpress.com, but also our Facebook page – make sure you go and “Like” it, and follow interesting updates: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claremont-Dramatic-Society/252816564804
Our move to sending newsletters from a centralised email address is well underway, with 47 people having signed up already. If you know anyone who would like to receive our newsletters, they can subscribe by clicking on this link: http://groups.google.com/group/claremont_dramatic_society/topics and then clicking on ‘Join this group’ (on the right hand side). Their details will not be visible to anyone, and they will not get any spam.
Apropos things online, I have started a website called The Monday Missile Dot Coza—a theatre, art and entertainment journal. Feel free to visit and get news, insights and reviews from the theatre and music world: http://www.mondaymissile.co.za or visit the Facebook Page: Monday Missile Dot Coza.
Members’ Evenings
Feedback from our last members’ evening on Friday 30 September. Contributed by Jane De Sousa:
The last members’ evening was interesting, thought provoking and very entertaining. Sheldon Cross and Penelope Youngleson presented Kismet – a piece of collaborative theatre. As both are a combination of talented actor and creative theatre makers (read on to see what this term means), Kismet was a clever, funny and original piece of theatre consisting of a series of monologues and occasional dialogues that explore the identity of young white South Africans. Sheldon and Penelope used humour very effectively to explore uncomfortable aspects of White South African identity, and balance the more serious dramatic moments. The staging of Kismet was clever without being pretentious and provided a supportive framework for the different performances. Sheldon and Penelope are to be congratulated on developing and thanked for presenting this engaging piece of theatre.
After their performance and a much needed glass of reviving spirit, Sheldon and Penelope answered questions from the audience. This was a great opportunity to discuss and explore our common passion. All the questions and discussions were insightful and interesting. For me, the difference between the traditional actor and the newly emerged theatre maker was particularly interesting. The traditional actor is cast and directed, giving a performance guided by an existing script and the director’s interpretation of that script. The theatre maker is both writer and performer, creating theatre to explore issues that interest them and characters they wish to play. Theatre making enables performers to create pieces of theatre that are original and provide a vehicle to showcase and explore their talents.
Thank you to Sheldon, Penelope and the CDS Committee for a fabulous members evening that provided us with an opportunity to enjoy, indulge and revel in our love of theatre.
Our next members’ evening on Friday 21 October will be a performance of I am Amazing by Rebecca Dallas and Cameron Hutchison. It is a comedy about an eccentric doctor preparing for a practice inspection. The day becomes rather chaotic as a result – with mistaken identities adding to the confusion.
Jemma Kieser directs the cast of six – the doctor, receptionist, inspector and three patients. I am Amazing is the 2011 winner of the Westerford High School One-Act Play Festival, which was held in September. Rebecca and Cameron have been awarded honours in drama by Westerford, and have written four plays for the Festival, two of which have won the Best Play Award.
This promises to be an entertaining evening, giving us a sneak preview of the talent that is coming through our schools, which will hopefully continue to flourish after matric. And this is also an opportunity for learners to see how their passion for theatre can continue, through societies like CDS.
The usual yummy snacks will be available, as will the cash bar. There is no entry fee. Please RSVP to Pam Burger on 082 488 0442 before 18 October, so she can make sure there’s enough grub to go around.
The evening will start at 19h30 for 20h00 – and remember that you are welcome to bring guests and new thespians (and even ‘old’ ones!).
I am very encouraged by the way the member’s evenings have worked out over the past few months. All have been performances of a very high calibre. That’s what we are about, theatre, and I love the fact that we are doing just that, theatre!
The following member’s evening will also be our Christmas party! Can this be believed? Where has the year gone? So many plays, so little time!
Friday 2 December: I will be putting together a little performance piece entitled “Sonnets and Sound” Fourteen Sonnets and a soundscape, not to be missed? Times etc. will be announced in the next Chat. Once again the words of The Bard will reverberate through our collective audio senses.
AUDITION NOTICE
MARVIN’S ROOM by Scott McPherson
March 16 – 24 2012 at the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg
directed by Brenda Gray
Audition date: Saturday 22 October (Call backs: Saturday 29 October)
Time: 2.30 p.m.
Place: The Hok, Campground Road, Claremont (Under the bridge)
Marvin’s Room had its premiere in Chicago in 1990 and went on to national acclaim, winning the 1992 Outer Critics Circle award for best play, the 1992 Drama Desk award for best play and the Joseph Jefferson award in Chicago for best original work. Described as a ‘mordantly funny comedy’ and ‘a zany and emotionally-affecting story about death, aging parents, reconciliation, and the healing power of selfless love’, it was made into a film in 1996 with Dianne Keaton, Meryl Streep, Leonardo di Caprio and Robert de Nero.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
BESSIE: 40s. Takes care of her father and aunt (large role)
LEE: late 30s. Bessie’s sister. A hairdresser who is about to get her degree in cosmetology. (large role)
RUTH: 70s Bessie’s aunt – frail and delightfully dotty. (medium role)
DOCTOR CHARLOTTE: Psychiatrist – head of the mental clinic. (small/cameo role)
DR WALLY: 50s -could be older, because he is very dithery. (medium role)
HANK: 17 Lee’s son. In a mental clinic for burning down his mother’s house.(medium role)
CHARLIE: 12 Hank’s younger brother. Is ‘doing poorly at school because he reads too much’. (small role)
BOB: Dr Wally’s brother and receptionist. A ‘sheltered employment’ candidate. (cameo role)
RETIREMENT HOME DIRECTOR: m/f (small/cameo role)
MARVIN: Bessie’s bedridden father. (Non-speaking part, but onstage a good deal of the time)
Enquiries: phone Brenda: 021 6863554 Cell: 083 3300670
Separate Tables
Masque Theatre 18 to 26 November.
Directed by Sue Bolton
Set Design by David Davidson
Lighting and Sound Design by Gary Fargher
Stage Manager: Clifford Graham.
Bookings 021 788 1898
The action of the story takes place in a seaside hotel on the English South Coast in 1954. Living there, are many permanent residents from all walks of life, many of whom are lonely, or needy. Miss Cooper the manageress, is unable to remain aloof from their troubles, and endeavours to help them, or just give them the courage to face life.
The characteristics and foibles of the diverse personalities are superbly brought to life by Terence Rattigan’s astute dialogue and understanding of people, and we are reminded of the attitudes and morals of the time. We have a wonderful cast to bring it all to life for you.
Of course when this play was written , Britain was bankrupt from the war, there was so much that needed to be re- built, and so many countless thousands who had died, which left a void which would take time to fill. Moral attitudes where conservative [almost puritanical] and the social class system was still firmly in place, but was showing signs of cracks, where the ‘upper’’ classes were no longer deferred to as much as they had in the past. But every one was feeling the pinch, and was careful with money.
Get Thee to the Masque!
7 – 15 October: Hayfever by Noel Coward . Directed by Alastair Duff for Fish Hoek Dramatic Society. A deliciously wicked comedy of ill-manners! The Bliss family invites four wildly different guests down to their country house for the weekend … with hilarious results! Coward said that this delightful comedy is considered by many to be his best comedy… it is very clever, and an assured crowd pleaser.
Friday 28 Oct. to 5 Nov. 2011
Tracy Letts’s August: Osage County
Directed by birga Thomas for MVDS
Bookings 021 788 1898
Award-winning poet Beverly Weston and his pill-popping wife Violet set the tone for a never boring, always astounding reunion of their large family. Catty and foul-mouthed Violet’s claws have turned her hot tin roof into an ice sheet long ago – and now, with the Weston family around her (and each contributing to the melting-pot of insults and betrayal), the temperature in their home heads relentlessly towards boiling point, on the hot Plains of the USA in August 2007 …
When the extended Weston clan reunites in Oklahoma after the disappearance of their patriarch, the gathering explodes soon “in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets. This play unflinchingly – and uproariously – explores the dark side” of a quintessentially dysfunctional American family in the 21st century. Critics say that this emotional rollercoaster measures up to O’Neill, Tennessee Williams and Albee, and they call it the “first great American large-scale drama of this millennium”. To quote the trailer for the Broadway production: “One bitch of a family reunion – you’ll recoil in shock, you’ll cry and you’ll laugh. Whatever your take, you’ll never forget August: Osage County”.
Our Hok Matters!
Many members have noticed that slowly but surely, small changes are been made at The Hok.
We now have a small lighting setup for all those theatrical evenings we are planning. Many thanks to Gary Fargher, Brett Radloff and Wendy Goddard for arranging the procurement of this “little gem” – so useful! We will be expanding its capabilities as we progress. Who knows? One day we have a bona fide
performance space… okay can’t help myself, watch this space.
Also, we have been able to add a proper urn to our inventory. A bit of a search, but I was finally able to track one down at Glomail. This was made possible through a gift from Beren Belknap (Michele’s son) for the use of the Hok as a rehearsal space. So The Hok is being put to good use!
Our new addition: An electric air pot. Easy to use (honestly) and a good energy saver. Once boiled, the thermos facility keeps water hot enough for hot drinks for a good few hours. Don’t be afraid of it, the instruction manual is on the shelf behind the bar. It’s easy to follow!
Bottoms up!
Oh dear, parting is always such sweet sorrow, here’s hoping you get as much pleasure out of reading this month’s Pulitzer Prize winning “Chat” as I have had putting it together,
Your erstwhile scribe,
Clifford Graham
Dates to diarise
Thursday 13 – Saturday 15 October: Hayfever at the Masque
Friday 21 October 7.30pm: Members’ evening – I am Amazing
Saturday 22 October 2.30pm: Audition: Marvin’s Room
Friday 28 October 7.30pm: August: Osage County opens
Friday 18 November 8pm: Separate Tables opens
Friday 2 December 7.30pm: Members’ evening – Sonnets and Sound
