Claremont Chat – May 2013

Claremont Chat

Claremont Dramatic Society Newsletter

email: claremontdramatic@gmail.com

www.claremontdramatic.wordpress.com

May 2013 – Number 120

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Hello All,

There are many exciting things to look forward to on the CDS calendar, including Cyprienne starring some stellar CDS members.

Brenda and the cast are hard at work with rehearsals for Amy’s View which opens on the 5^th of July.

For those of you who attended the last members evening, we hope you enjoyed the blind wine tasting and general knowledge quiz that followed. The wine seemed to bring out everyone’s competitive streak!

Hooray hooray, it’s the month of May, the Claremont Chat came out today. Happy reading.

First up:

Downton Abbey Day – this Sunday, 26 May

At the Hok from 14:00 for Episodes 1-3 and 18:00 for Episodes 4-6 plus the latest Christmas Special.  You’re welcome to bring your own supper, but you can have the night off cooking, as we’ll be ordering pizza when we’re hungry.

 Members’ Evening – Friday 19 July 2013

Jenny Brandt and Liz Roodt will be staging their directing pieces for the members and this will be followed by a question and answer session.

Jenny is directing the first scene from the play Not About Heroes by Stephen MacDonald and depicts the friendship between the World War I poets, Wilfred Owen and Stephen Spender.

Jenny is looking for two male actors between the ages of 18 and 35, who preferably have some understanding of speaking poetry.

Please contact Jenny if you’d like to take part:  Cell: 082 492 5984, or work (021 713 1528), or home (021 7857610) or e-mail (jennybrandt74@gmail.com).

Liz is looking for two willing female actors for her piece. Please contact her if you fit the bill: lizroodt@yahoo.co.uk.

Call for Writers!

The members’ evening on Friday the 4^th of October is a New Writers Showcase. Those of us that fancy ourselves as the next Agatha Christie or Athol Fugard are welcome to submit a 15 minute programme for the evening. You would be responsible for your 15 minute showcase including writing, casting actors and directing. How you present your work is entirely up to you; from a basic read to a staged performance, it’s your show.

The only requirement is that the piece performed is self-written. Please contact Liz if you are interested (lizroodt@yahoo.co.uk).  There are only four slots for the evening, and two have already been taken, so book your place now…

Who, what, where and why:

AUDITION 1:

Constantiaberg Theatre Players Invites You To Audition For

A HANDFUL OF FRIENDS

 By David Williamson

Directed By Sue Bolton

DATE :  9TH JUNE 2013

VENUE : BERGVLIET GUIDE HALL ( off Ladies Mile )

DIRECTIONS:

From Ladies Mile Road , turn left into Childrens Way (at first traffic lights from Main Road), then immediately right into Glen Alpine Way. Follow the road until you see a parking lot on your left.  The Guide Hall is opposite the parking lot.

TIME :  14.30 Hrs

PRODUCTION DATES : 20TH—28TH SEPTEMBER

Enquiries to Sue Bolton ph. 021 7822506 cell 0766703629

ABOUT THE PLAY

The five characters in this play [two couples and a sister to one of the men] were all at University together as inseparable friends. On graduating they all went their separate ways, returning to their home town ten years later. We are told that Mark Marshall has now become a film-maker and has released a film, in which the storyline is based on the character of his old friend, Russell, in a very unflattering way. The friendships quickly unravel, and everybody’s lives are affected in one way or another.

This is a clever, moving, true to life play of ambition and revenge. It is a wonderful study of five professional men and women where self-seeking can hide beneath the most cultured surface and destroy those taken for granted values of friendship and trust.

THE CHARACTERS

RUSSELL McALLISTER — 40 — A professor of English, engaging in a leprechaunish sort of way.

JILL McALLISTER — 35– His sister, warm, attractive, a good journalist, pleasant.

WENDY McALLISTER — 38 – RUSSEL’S wife, tall, beautiful, gentle, patient, but rather detached.

MARK MARSHALL– 41– Good looking, intense, nervously energetic.

SALLY MARSHALL — 30 — vivacious and exceptionally attractive, ambitious.

AUDITION 2:

Call To Audition for

“THE WISDOM OF EVE”

Celia Musikanth directs “The Wisdom Of Eve” by Mary Orr and Reginald Denham for Fish Hoek Dramatic Society.

Audition Date: Sunday 16 June at 2pm
Venue: False Bay Rendezvous, 57 Promenade Road, Muizenberg.

(Allow for a call back on Sunday 23 June at the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg at 2pm)

The production runs from 11 – 19 October 2013 at the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg.
“The Wisdom of Eve” is a page turning play on which the famous multi-Oscar award-winning film “All About Eve” was based, about the machinations behind the scenes in theatre. All the roles are marvelous vehicles for actors of both genders.

Ages range from 25 – 60 plus.

Enquiries: Debbie Beswick 082 859 3728 or email debrazoeb@gmail.com

THE CHARACTERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

• Margo – a famous star 45 plus (Lead)
• Karen – Margo’s friend (an ex-actress) 45 plus (Lead)
• Eve – a theatre fan 25 – 35 (must be able to metamorphasise into a beautiful butterfly) – can be played by an older actress who is able to play younger convincingly. (Lead)
• Lloyd (Karen’s husband)– a playwright (40 – 50) Medium – large role
• Clement (Margo’s husband) – a producer (40 – 50) Medium role
• Harvey – Margo’s stage manager (30 – 50) Medium role
• Jack Marshall – an actor – almost Cameo role
• “Tally-Ho” Thompson (male or female) A gossip loving newspaper columnist (60 plus) Medium-ish role
• Vera – a very strong actress 25 – 35 – Small gem of a part
• Mrs Blake – Margot’s dresser 45 plus – Cameo role

Director’s Note:

• Strong performers are needed for this play.
• The director’s method is textual unpacking until cast is familiar with intonation, pauses, meaning, etc.
• Thereafter blocking, cementing and characterisation are undertaken.

Celia promises an exciting journey into the world of the theatre. “The Wisdom of Eve” will be set in present day. 

CALENDAR 

23 May – I June Hisses Boos and Cheers.  An evening of three Melodramas.  Directed for Pinelands Players by Roché Buckle. R110 includes a pub-style supper with hot pies, chips and peas Bookings: PHONE 021 5318682 OR 072 446 7532 or email cjwells@mweb.co.za 

24 May – 1 JuneConstantiaberg Theatre Players presents ‘CYPRIENNE’, a witty comedy adapted from the play Divorçons by David Nicholson, directed by Barrie Howard.  Bookings:  Masque Theatre 021 788 1898 

24 May – 1 June Milnerton Players’ production of ‘CHILDREN OF THE WOLF’ by John Peacock. Direction by Bruce Sanderson.  Bookings:  bookings@milnertonplayers.com, go to www.milnertonplayers.com or call 082 267 1061

26 May – Downton Abbey Day at the Hok, from 14:00

27 May – Stern Masque Theatre Association AGM, 19:00 for 19:30.  Masque Theatre Foyer

5 -13 July – ‘Amy’s View’ directed by Brenda Gray for Claremont Dramatic Society.  Bookings 021 788 1898 or bookings@masquetheatre.co.za

19 July – 19:30 for 20:00 Members evening – New Directors Showcase

4 October – Members’ Evening – New Writers Showcase

Thank you to those who have responded, and a gentle reminder to those who have forgotten – please pay your membership fees.

Bank details: Claremont Dramatic Society, Standard Bank Claremont (025109), Current account number 072637676.  Please use your name as the beneficiary reference. Member: Single R40, Couple R60, Pensioner/student: R30 Couple: R45

All my love

Sheldon Cross

 

 

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MADS Messenger – May 2013

MAY 2013

 

Not so much a newsletter this one – just a quick update of things that are happening right now!!

I promise a nice, newsy June missive!

 

MASQUE NEWS

THE AGM IS ON MONDAY 27 MAY 2013

That’s tomorrow, folks!

A number of the committee are attending but the more the merrier!

And here is exciting news – a good reason to attend!

Dear Masque Theatre Trustees, Board Members and Member Societies:

It gives me great pleasure to officially inform you of the appointment of Nico Dreyer as the Masque Theatre Manager. Nico has a Bachelor of Dramatics Honours Degree from the University of Stellenbosch and has worked for 10 years as the assistant to the Manager at the Promusica Theatre in Johannesburg. During his time with the Promusica Theatre he had extensive experience in the management of all aspects of a theatre, including being responsible for the establishment of the theatre’s basement venue and tuition programme, and being the orchestra manager. He has also done management courses, a funding proposal writing course and is qualified in first aid and basic firefighting. Nico signed his employment contract with the Masque Theatre on Thursday 23 May and will start work on 10 June 2013. He is looking forward to meeting the rest of the Theatre team and will be attending the AGM on Monday 27th May. He is very impressed with the theatre and all we are currently achieving and looks forward to being part of the team that takes the Theatre forward.

Regards, Jane De Sousa, Stern Masque Theatre Association

 

AUDITIONS

 

Constantiaberg Theatre Players will be holding an audition at 14:30 on 9 June 2013 for A Handful of Friends by David Williamson to be directed by Sue Bolton.  The production will be on at the Masque in September 2013 and requires two men (40 ish) and three women (30 ish).  Enquiries to Sue Bolton on 021 7822506 or 0766703629.

 

MEMBERS’ EVENING

 

Just to whet your appetite – all you’re getting is a date …….

WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2013

CALENDAR

24 May –  Cyprienne directed by Barrie Howard for Constantiaberg Theatre Players at the Masque.

1 June     This play by Victorien Sardou and Emile DeNajac is a delicious, coquettish, manipulative and almost farcical look at divorce in the French style.  In 2009 David Nicholson adapted the play to a 1921 setting when such portrayals would have become acceptable although still daring, to English-speaking audiences.  In a setting of upcoming divorce act amendments, Henri des Prunelles suspects that his young wife Cyprienne has been flirting with his young cousin Adhemar – and more. When confronted Cyprienne justifies her actions as those of a young married wife married to an older man… unlike him, she hasn’t tasted the best of life yet and prefers the excitement of exotic spices over the regularity of wheat germ. A crafty Henri turns the situation around by agreeing to a divorce.  Whereupon the young cousin Adhemar assumes a new, boring status of husband-to-be and Henri takes on the allure of forbidden fruit. The only way Henri can convince Cyprienne he does not have a lover himself, is to invite her to a romantic “divorce dinner” at his old bachelor bistro.  Champagne, laughter, fine food and making sport of Adhemar rekindles their love, with hilarious results.  Thu. 30/5 at 20:00, Fri. 31/5 at 20:00 and Sat. 1 June at 14:30 and 18:30.  Tickets: Matinée, Thurs eve R55 (TC R45), other eves R65 (TC R55).  Bookings 021 7881898 or bookings@masquethreatre.co.za.

24 May–   Hisses Boos and Cheers, an evening of three Melodramas, directed for Pinelands

1 June     Players by Roché Buckle at their Playhouse.  The melodramas will take you back to an older, simpler time when men were men, women were women and evildoers were easily identified by handlebar moustaches.  It is an opportunity for audience members to partake in throwing popcorn at the villains and cheering on the hero and heroines of the evening.  Boo and hiss your way through damsels in distress, ill-fated love, dastardly villains, and good triumphing over evil!  R110 includes a pub-style supper with hot pies, chips and peas.  Book on 021 5318682 / 072 4467532 /cjwells@mweb.co.za.

24 May–   Children of the Wolf by John Peacock, directed by Bruce Sanderson for Milnerton

1 June     Players.  Bookings and info on 0822671061 or go to www.milnertonplayers.com.

6 & 7        Staying Alive at the Masque, 20:00 both evenings.  Six of Cape Town’s finest

June        musicians have joined forces to pay tribute to one of the greatest bands in the history of pop music – The Bee Gees.Tickets are R80 (Theatre Club Members enjoy a R10 discount).  Book on 021 7881898 / bookings@masquetheatre.co.za.

8 June     Below My Feet, directed by Luke Brown and Ciara Baldwin at the Masque – two shows only – 15:30 and 19:30.  Tickets R40.00 and R35 for anyone under 18 or with student card.  After recently opening for the Western Cape National School’s Festival at the Artscape Theatre, Below My Feet are performing only two shows in Cape Town before travelling to the National Arts Festival.  This is a collaboration of Movement (Contemporary, Modern Jazz, Tap, lyrical hip-hop), Music (for the head, heart and feet) and Media (Stills and live footage in the form of a full short film).  This Multimedia/Live Performance piece asks the audience the question, “How much do you know about the person next to you?”  By working across these different mediums, the aim of this piece is for each audience member to take something away with them, whether it is a piece of choreography, a line of music or a projected image.

14 – 16      Cry for Love Concert by popular singer Selim Kagee at the Masque.  Some of the world’s most

June        creative and inspired voices take a little while longer to mature, percolate and surge to the fore.  Thirty-four-year-old vocal master Selim Kagee is one such case in point who has recently stepped forward with his debut album Cry For Love (Piango D’Amore).  His stellar album into a world of contemporary classical music has been a work and dream that has evolved over the past 20 years and has culminated in EMI Music signing Kagee to the international label.  The Cry For Love concert is a journey of self discovery through music which is both inspiring and heart-warming. The show consists of songs performed by Selim accompanied by Tuning 4rk, a fresh, young, 6-piece orchestra ensemble made up of South Africa’s top classically trained musicians. The show is linked with anecdotes of his life and music. Highlights from his repertoire, which are made up of mostly English and Italian songs, include: O Sole Mio, Some Enchanted Evening, Parla Piu Piano (The Godfather Theme), Smile and his original hit song Cry For Love.  Fri. 14/6 and Sat. 15/6 at 19:00 and Sun. 16/6 at 17:00.  Tickets: R120 (Theatre Club R110).

So, lots to keep you busy!

Eve

  

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Pinelands Adlib – April 2013

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE PINELANDS PLAYERS
Est.1948 & Inc The Cape Town Reps. Scribe: June Wells
Hi Everyone!
got a call from Mandy this morning on Facetime (similar to Skype), they were watching the Brumbies playing the Crusaders – and there I was with them in the Canberra Stadium. Isn’t technology just amazing? It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was typing the AdLib on wax sheets and using the roneo machine with thick gunky ink to make copies. If I wanted a picture, I had to draw it into the wax with a stylis. Then the writing out of all the envelopes and taking them to the Post Office to send off as bulk mail; and they’d arrive in our Member’s letterboxes 3 days later. The ‘scribes’ in all
the other societies were doing the same thing….and their newsletters were all the more precious to read knowing how much work it took to get them out.
Now we have these wonderful tools that help us in everything we do. Instead of reel-to-reel tapes & sticky-tape for quick fixes, we have laptops & just press the key for the next sound effect; the same with lights – remember the old ‘gels’ to change colours?
Sometimes its good to remember the old times so we can appreciate progress!

MELODRAMAS – BOOKING
BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN. FOR A MERE R110 YOU WILL BE ENTERTAINED WITH NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT THREE MELODRAMAS. AS WELL AS THAT YOU’LL FEAST ON A PUB TYPE SUPPER WITH HOT PIES, CHIPS & PEAS, GREAT FARE FOR A CHILLY WINTER EVENING. OF COURSE WE ALSO HAVE A WELL STOCKED BAR WITH VERY REASONABLE PRICES.
THREE IS THE LUCKY NUMBER THIS TIME AS YOU HAVE THREE WAYS TO BOOK:
PHONE 021 5318682 OR 072 446 7532 OR EMAIL cjwells@mweb.co.za
IF THERE ARE VEGETARIANS IN YOUR PARTY, PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN YOU BOOK SO THAT WE CAN CATER FOR THEM.
DATES: 23RD, 24TH, 25TH, 30TH, 31ST MAY & 1ST JUNE

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE TO CATER, SO ONCE YOU’VE BOOKED YOU MUST GIVE US AT LEAST 24 HOURS NOTICE OF ANY CANCELLATIONS; IF NOT YOU WILL BE LIABLE FOR PAYMENT.

MURDER IN THE RED BARN
William Corder is a villain you’ll want to hiss and boo! Throwing of missiles (provided in the form of popcorn) is encouraged. This melodrama is based on the true story of the 1827 Red Barn Murder and was in fact first staged just after the trial.
THE DRUNKARD’S DILEMMA
Poor Georgina has saved ten pence for the rent, but when the villainous landlord comes to collect,the money has
disappeared. Will Georgina have to pay ‘the ultimate price’ instead? will her drunken uncle never learn? will the handsome young stranger save the day? And who is he anyway?
THE WAGES OF SIN
Victorians were quite prissy – chairs & table legs were covered, even the shapely legs of the piano were deemed
provocative and discretely hidden. Yet the Lord of the Manor has no qualms about making a lunge at his wife’s twin sister the minute his wife leaves for France! (And what’s with that weird butler?)
Direction by Roché Haupt Buckle
MUSICAL(S) QUIZ
Thanks for coming – it was a bit of a squeeze, but we managed to fit everyone in. What a great evening we had! The competition amongst the teams was ferocious and very funny, with quips flying up and down and energetic dashes to get answers up in time. The winning team was Hammerstein: Tina Gough, Tanya March, Shaun Browne and Barry Coppin (my boet!). They nosed ahead in the last round with Glyn Fogell’s amazing ‘backwards’ clips, winning two bottles of wine.
The losing team got a packet of Smarties each – we thought they might help!
Grateful thanks to everyone who took turns at running the bar and to Glyn and Roy Oldfield for the sound and scoring respectively. Great turnout, and wasn’t it terrific to see some faces from way back when and also to meet some new people?
The Clubnights will be put on hold until after the Melodramas, but watch this space!

TALENT CONTEST AND MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
THIS TOO WILL GO INTO FULL SWING AFTER THE SHOW. IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO’D LIKE TO GET INVOLVED ON THE PRODUCTION SIDE OF THE TALENT SHOW, PLEASE JUST EMAIL ONE OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO OFFER YOUR SERVICES, WE ARE GOING TO NEED A GOOD PRODUCTION TEAM TO CO-ORDINATE THIS HUGE UNDERTAKING. VERY, VERY, VERY EXCITING!
QUESTION FOR ALL OF YOU, GET YOUR THINKING CAPS ON: IF YOU WERE TO CHOOSE, WHICH MUSICAL WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE US STAGING NEXT YEAR?
THERE ARE CRITERIA – IT HAS TO BE ‘BOX-OFFICE’, HAVE A DECENT SIZE CAST (AT LEAST 20), PREFERABLY GOOD FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT.
SEND YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO ME AT cjwells@mweb.co.za
NEWS
CONSTANTIABERG THEATRE PLAYERS: ‘CYPRIENNE’, adapted from the play Divorçons by David Nicholson,
directed by Barry Howard. For those not in the know, this play is a witty comedy that revolves around the idea of the first Divorce Law being passed – and the humour in it transcends the ages. The play will be taking place at the Masque
Theatre from the 24th of May until the 1st of June, 2013.

CTP will also be AUDITIONING ‘A HANDFUL OF FRIENDS’ on the 9th June at the Bergvliet Guide Hall at 2.30 p.m. The director is Sue Bolton (back in the saddle already Sue!)
MILNERTON PLAYERS’ annual ‘Milly’s Awards’ on Saturday was great fun. Staying with them, the Players production
of ‘CHILDREN OF THE WOLF’ runs from 24th May – 1st June bookings@milnertonplayers.com (Fantastic poster by
the way – looks chillingly thrilling!)
FISH HOEK DRAMATIC SOCIETY’S production of ‘ARSENIC & OLD LACE’ will be running at the Masque until
Saturday night. Get your tickets to see this macabre farce: Booking on 021 788 1898.

TAILPIECE
In August Pinelands Players will be facilitating a Benefit Concert for Victor Tichart. This will be a very special evening, with so many volunteers wanting to get involved, including professional artistes who have offered their services free of charge. Of course it will be all about music! There will be raffles and prizes and we already have sponsorship from a large
company. The organisation of this has also gone into limbo until June!
Please book soon to see the Melodramas, they are going to be great fun.

 

Speak next month,

cheers, June

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