Claremont Chat – September 2013

Claremont Dramatic Society Newsletter

email: claremontdramatic@gmail.com

www.claremontdramatic.wordpress.com

September 2013 – Number 124

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Greetings All,

 

Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder where the boidies is. They say the boid is on the wing. But that’s absoid. The wing is on the boid… that is all. We find ourselves in a new month with plenty of exciting news. Rehearsals have begun, lines are being learnt and this time next month CDS will be moments away from opening our final production of the year. Please enjoy our absurd spring newsletter…point.

We would like to offer very warm congratulations to new Dad David Campey and Granny Elza-lynne Kruger on the arrival of Lily Blythe.

We would also like to welcome new members Kim R² and Lucy O’Connell.  We hope your stay with us is long and rewarding.

Next Members Evening 4th October …

 We have come to the penultimate of our member’s evenings and this one – like the others gone – proves to be worth attending.

In October, we are going to showcase a few pieces written by our very own rising stars.

We have the pleasure of presenting:

Ralph Kelly brings you digestible portions of his full-length play – ‘Drew’s Island’.  Set in the 60’s, with a lighthouse keeper who is anything but likeable.  Murder, cruelty, greed and a twist of justice.  It is delicious!

Scott  Gill  has written a piece called ‘The Public is Always Right’.  In his write up he says ‘Any relationship to persons living or dead is purely intentional!’  Scott’s play takes place in the foyer of a small community theatre.  A ‘Constable Goodie’ like character and two elderly ladies await the matinee, with interesting results.

Wayne Ronné, whom we have stolen from Constantiaberg Dramatic Society, will present his play called ‘Finding Emily’.  Four girls at a bus station delve into a deeper meaning of life.  Different personalities present different perspectives of the same situation – a thought provoking presentation.

We are so fortunate to have enthusiastic writers that are willing to share their pieces with us.  I am sure this will be an interesting evening.

Please contact Pam before Monday 1 October, to confirm your place at our next members evening on Friday 4^th October 2013. Tel: 021 657 5793 Cell: 082 488 0442 email: PamB@Masterparts.com

 Henceforward…

 James Skilton has recently undergone surgery, and has regrettably had to withdraw from our production.  We wish James well with his recovery, and hope he is back on the stage strutting his stuff very soon.  Patrick Jordi will now be performing as Jerome, and David Sharpe will take the role of Mervyn.  Thank you to both of you for taking up the challenge.

Visit our Facebook page, read about the progress of the production and get to know some of the wacky characters:  https://www.facebook.com/Henceforward?fref=ts

Pssst…. Hok Clean-up

Just a friendly reminder of the planned Hok clean up – this Sunday 22 September at 10am.  Bring your tool box, muscles, sense of humour and something to put on the braai. Your committee will supply more tools, more humour (and probably a bit of silliness), a fire, salads and rolls for afterwards. We’ll be putting up shelves, tidying the props cupboard, sorting and chucking out excess costumes, and generally tweaking everything that needs it. Who knows, you might get to go home with a boot load of props and costumes you’ve always wanted…

Please let Simon know if you’ll be joining us (simon.d@mweb.co.za or 083 327 7350)

Subs

There are still a few of you out there who haven’t paid their subs for the year!  Here’s a deal:  if you pay the full amount now for this year, you can have membership for next year thrown in for the same price.  What a bargain! Subs are R40 (Couple:  R60), or R30 for pensioners and students (Couple:  R45).

Shortage of men:

During our last committee meeting we came to the conclusion that something urgently needs to be done about the shortage of male actors of all ages, but especially younger ones.  Of course, this has always been problem within the community theatre world, but as the experience this year of several of our directors will illustrate, it has become particularly pressing of late.

We also have a situation now where all the societies in the southern suburbs are on the lookout for new and exciting directors.  How can we possibly, as committees, provide encouragement and support to these new directors if we are not able to help them procure male actors!

That is why we would like to make an appeal to all of you to help us ferret out any men of any ages from wherever you can, be it husbands, sons, friends, colleagues, neighbours, whoever!  It also doesn’t matter if they’ve never been on a stage before.  We are more than up to the challenge to coach them in the basics.  Start off by encouraging them to attend our next member’s evening in October.  We promise to be as welcoming and charming as possible!

Love Jenny.

A Delicate Light:

 So I, Sheldon, have written a play that will be performed by the incredible Michele Belknap at Theatre Arts Admin Collective. Methodist Church Hall, Cnr Milton Road & Wesley Street, Observatory, Cape Town, Western Cape.

A Delicate Light is about a middle aged white woman alone in a dark room who awakens to navigate her past, present and future. She constantly seeks light, an escape from her shattered sense of self. Her candid confessions and recollections are emotionally engaging; the humorous absurdity of life juxtaposed with heartache. A contemporary work dealing with abandonment, fear and madness…

We open 29^th October 2013 and run till 2^nd November 2013. Show starts 8pm.

For information about bookings, please contact me on sheldon_cross@yahoo.com or 072 596 8369

Auditions:

We held our audition for Noel Cowards’ ‘Private Lives’ on Saturday.  Director John Carne was very pleased with the turnout, and will soon be announcing the cast and crew. ‘Private Lives’, will be staged from 21 February to 1 March 2014 at the Masque Theatre.

Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society is holding an audition on Sunday, 27 October at 17h00, at the Playhouse in Somerset West, for Amadeus by Peter Schaffer.  This Tony Award winning play will be directed by Philippe Pringiers and will be staged in April 2014.  There are 9 speaking parts: one requires an actress between 18 and 30, then the call is for 6 men between the ages of 25 and 60.  A further 2 actors or actresses of any age are required.  There are also about 15 small/non-speaking parts but an audition for these will be held in Jan 2014. More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/365140436922556.

or philippe@pringiers.co.za

Intersociety Quiz:

Constantiaberg Theatre Players would like to formally invite CDS to field a team (or several) comprising 4 contestants, for this year’s intersociety quiz night, in the Masque Foyer on Sunday 13th October, 5:45 for 6:30. There will be a wall quiz to fill this beginning period and thereafter the main quiz will begin.

The society will cover the cost of R20 per participant, which includes a complimentary drink.  Individual on-lookers/guests pay R20 per head @ the door on arrival.

The deadline for submitting a team is Friday 28 September, so if you would like to be part of the CDS team please contact Wendy ASAP: wendygoddard@xsinet.co.za.

Calendar: 

12 – 21 Sept:              A Streetcar Named Desire directed by Darryl Spijkers and presented by Carnivals of the Heart at the Playhouse in Somerset West. Book through Computicket or email bronwyn@radis.co.za

22 Sept:                      Hok Cleanout from 10am

20- 28 Sept:                A Handful of Friends by David Williamson, directed by Sue Bolton and presented by Constantiaberg Theatre Players at the Masque.

 22 Sept:                      Eating With Energy presented by Nikita McShane and friends in the Masque Foyer at 19h30.  Come and join a group of talented and energetic young performers who will serve up a three-course menu of songs, dances, skits and hearty food.  This foot-tapping, lip-licking sing-along of a show is not to be missed!!  The duration of the show is 90 minutes and tickets at R100 (R90) include a 3 course meal.  Bookings on 0743704961 or 021 785 5350.  Please specify if you require a vegetarian meal…

4 October                   Members’ Evening – New Writers Showcase. 7.30 for 8pm 

4-6 October               My Dog’s Got No Nose written by Ron Aldridge, directed by Celia Musikanth and performed by Raymond Rudolph.  This one-man comedy is presented in the Masque Foyer as a fundraiser in aid of the Theatre.  Book online at http://www.quicket.co.za.  (Search for “Dog”).  There is no set ticket-price – pay what you can afford: choose from R200, R150, R100, R80, or R60 per ticket.  Full details & links to the Facebook Event, Booking Site, & YouTube trailer can be found on www.about.me/raymrud. 

11- 19 October          The Wisdom of Eve directed by Celia Musikanth and presented by Fish Hoek Dramatic Society at the Masque.

13 October                 Inter-Society Quiz

18-10 Nov                   Guys and Dolls directed by Kyla Thorburn for The Gilbert and Sullivan Society at theArtscape. This well loved musical needs no introduction!  Book through Computicket.

 

I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.

                                                                                                                        -Oscar Wilde

All my love,

 

Sheldon Cross

 

 

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MADS Messenger – September 2013

SEPTEMBER 2013
I decided to go a bit “downbeat” this month and re-visit the tragedy of 9/11 – but I have tried to keep on the “up” side!!
Two of the 20 people who were pulled from the World Trade Centre rubble alive were John McLoughlin and William Jimeno, two Port Authority policemen, who were rescued after being buried in debris around a freight elevator for about 13 and
21 hours. They were the subject of the 2006 Oliver Stone film ‘World Trade Center.’
MEMBERS’ NEWS
A very warm welcome to MADS to new member Dee Gillett!!!

Member Chris Bingham shares some news from abroad:

I’m just coming to the end of my annual three month sojourn in London, where I took in some theatre, films and concerts. The ‘Official Agatha Christie Company’ still going strong in repertory and at my local pre-West end Richmond theatre – and packing the house. Took in Summer Swing concerts at Kew Botanical Gardens, much like Kirstenbosh,and saw Blondie’s last concert – the old rocker is 60 now. Twickenham Film Studios is celebrating ‘The First 100 Years’ with an exhibition of all their films at main libraries. The National theatre is broadcasting the ‘Best of British Theatre’ live to cinemas throughout London. Helen Mirren featured in June with ‘The Audience’, which had her in the role of the Queen imagining meetings with all 12 prime ministers during her reign. Coming up is The National Theatre’s latest production of Othello. The live theatre productions also feature some behind the scenes insights to cinema audiences. Don’t know if this ‘stage- to- screen’ has taken off in SA yet? Charles Dicken’s great, great grandson Harold Lloyd, is performing in some of the writer’s plays around
London at the moment. Also, it’s reported that it cost on average around £30,000 to stage a play at The Edinburgh Festival this year!

Thank you, Chris – looking forward to seeing you in SA soon.

We trust all our Jewish members celebrated a wonderful Rosh Hashanah and wish them well over the Fast
Two other survivors were Pasquale Buzzelli, a structural engineer for the Port Authority, and Genelle Guzman, a secretary, who were in offices on the 64th floor of the North Tower when the building was hit. Buzzelli was knocked unconscious for three hours, and awoke on a hill of rubble, looking at the sky. Suffering from a broken foot, cuts and a concussion, he was
removed by rescue workers and evacuated on a stretcher. Guzman, who was just below the surface, was rescued more than 27 hours after the Tower fell. Her leg was crushed but she fully recovered within four months.
CALENDAR
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 R60 (Theatre Club members R50),
Other Nights R70 (Theatre Club members R60) Bookings on 021 7881898 or bookings@masquetheatre.co.za or at the theatre Mon-Fri, 10:00 to 16:00 (During run of shows also 9:30 to 12:00 on Saturdays)
12 – 21 Sept A Streetcar Named Desire directed by Darryl Spijkers and presented by Carnivals of the Heart at the Playhouse in Somerset West. This award-winning American classic has a cast of 31 and includes 1950s New Orleans dance and song with creative direction from Verne Osmand and Renier Jacobs. Tickets R70 (Pensioners R50). Parental Guidance is advised – violence and drinking. Book through Computicket or email bronwyn@radis.co.za.
20 – 28 Sept  A Handful of Friends by David Williamson, directed by Sue Bolton and presented by Constantiaberg Theatre Players at the Masque. A powerful well written contemporary play written by Australia’s best known playwright – this ‘true to life’ story will captivate you to the very end. The five characters involved are all 30 something in age, and became very close friends when they all attended the same university. They were all clever and ambitious, and after graduating all followed different career paths, and met up again several years later back in their own hometown. In the interim one of the men had made a film, which was based on the unflattering behaviour of his friend as a young man and it had just been released on the circuit. The reaction of the others to this betrayal leads to a total breakdown of their friendships and of their lives. This is a cleverly written 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.
Sunday 22 Sept at 19h30 Eating With Energy presented by Nikita McShane and friends in the Masque Foyer.  Come and join a group of talented and energetic young performers who will serve up a three-course menu of songs, dances, skits and hearty food. This foot-tapping, lip-licking sing-along of a show is not to be missed!! The duration of the show is 90 minutes and tickets at R100 (R90) include a 3 course meal. Bookings on 0743704961 or 021 785 5350. Please specify if you require a vegetarian meal.
4 – 6 Oct My Dog’s Got No Nose written by Ron Aldridge, directed by Celia Musikanth and performed by Raymond Rudolph. This one-man comedy is presented in the Masque Foyer as a fundraiser in aid of the Theatre. it is a journey around a stand-up comedian’s first ever public performance – his lifelong dream covers everything from comedy, unrequited love, dogs, the facts of life, animal-lovers and a whole lot more. In this funny, bitter-sweet story, we discover that the man and his “performance” are not quite what they seem. Hilarious, provocative & poignant, with dramatic twists in the tale, the show recently had its African premiere at the 2013 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Performances are at 20h00 on Fri 4 Oct, Sat 5 Oct & Sun 6 Oct, 2013. Book online at http://www.quicket.co.za. (Search for “Dog”). There is no set ticket-price – pay what you can afford: choose from R200, R150, R100, R80, or R60 per ticket. Full details & links to the Facebook Event, Booking Site, & YouTube trailer can be found on http://www.about.me/raymrud.
11 – 19 Oct The Wisdom of Eve directed by Celia Musikanth and presented by Fish Hoek Dramatic Society at the Masque. The well-loved movie classic All about Eve and the hit musical Applause Applause were both adapted from this page-turning play about the machinations of what goes on both onstage and backstage in the theatre world. Margo Crane (played by Julie Summers) is a glamorous stage star and into her life steps Eve Harrington an ardent “fan”. What follows is an intriguing story which could happen at any given time in the desperate “success at all costs ambition” of stage and screen actors. In 1998 Celia Musikanth directed this play in a little church hall to great acclaim – she feels it deserves to be staged in a real theatre. Be prepared to be totally engrossed by this intriguing play with a stellar cast.
18 Oct – 10 Nov Guys and Dolls directed by Kyla Thorburn for The Gilbert and Sullivan Society at the Artscape. This well loved musical needs no introduction! Book through Computicket.
AUDITIONS
Claremont Dramatic Society is holding an audition for Noel Coward’s classic comedy of manners, Private Lives, on Saturday, 14 September 2013 , at 10h00 at their clubhouse, The Hok, 162 Campground Road, Claremont. The production will be directed by John Carne and will be staged from 21 February to 1 March 2014 at the Masque Theatre. Two female and two male leads required aged 20 to 40 and a support role for a female 18 to 30. For more info call John on 0826310421 or email him on john@paratour.co.za.
Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society is holding an audition on Sunday, 27 October at 17h00, at their playhouse in Somerset West, for Amadeus by Peter Schaffer. This Tony Award winning play will be directed by Philippe Pringiers and will be staged in April 2014. There are 9 speaking parts: one requires an actress between 18 and 30, then the call is for 6 men between the ages of 25 and 60. A further 2 actors or actresses of any age are required. There are also about 15 small/non-speaking parts but an audition for these will be held in Jan 2014. More info: philippe@pringiers.co.za or  https://www.facebook.com/events/365140436922556.

37-year-old Canadian DiFrancesco was escaping the World Trade Center South Tower as the second plane hit between the 77th and 85th floors, immediately throwing him against the wall on impact. After making a difficult descent to the ground floor, DiFrancesco managed to exit the building – which then collapsed behind him. Engulfed in a fireball, DiFrancesco woke in hospital days later with lacerations on his head, burns all over his body and a broken bone in his back. After his miraculous escape he was one of only four people to escape from above the South Tower 81st floor.
ASSISTANCE FOR OUR NEXT PRODUCTION!!
Does anyone have a metronome which we can use for Rope?? It would be needed from about the beginning of November till mid December. Obviously we would take the best care possible but I wouldn’t loan us the family heirloom!
OTHER HAPPENINGS!!!
Nico Dreyer has very kindly undertaken to arrange a Drama Workshop with Richard Antrobus of the OddBody Theatre Co., to be held at the Masque Theatre. The workshop would cover characterisation, movement, mime, etc and would be suitable for anyone with energy and enthusiasm! Nico hopes the workshop would be priced between R50 and R70 but this obviously depends on the number of people attending. Please let Nico know by 20 September if you are interested in learning more – 021 788 6999 or nico@masquetheatre.co.za.
Pinelands Players is hosting a Line Dance Bonanza on Friday, 27 September, at 19h00 in the Pinelands Town Hall, which will be led by professional line dance teacher, Jenny Feldman. R30 entrance includes a hot dog!! Prizes galore, cash bar. Contact Tina on 0827719644 or bgough@telkomsa.net if you want to joint the fun.
Constantiaberg Theatre Players is hosting this year’s Intersociety Quiz in the Masque Foyer on Sunday 13th October, 5:45 for 6:30 starting with a wall quiz. The cost is R20 per person (contestant or on-looker) which includes a complimentary drink and light refreshments. MADS will pay team members’ entrance fees – each team consists of 4 – and there is no limit on the number of teams a society can enter!! So please let Eve know by 19 September (0827892281 or everon@absamail.co.za) if you are keen to be part of a team (or even if you just want to attend). Constantia promises this will be an evening of fun competition and dramatically orientated trivia!
Global financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald was the worst business affected by the 9/11 attacks. Unfortunately, its New York headquarters based on the 101st and 105th floors at One World Trade Center lost 658 out of its 960-strong workforce – which amounted to two third of its total NYC staff. After the tragedy hit, CEO Howard Lutnick called a colleague and said: “We could shut the firm and attend our friends’ funerals, or we’re going to work harder than we’ve ever worked before to help their families.” And that’s exactly what they did. Ten years later, Cantor Fitzgerald had handed out more than $180 million (£109 million) to the families of the deceased staff and fulfilled its promise to pay their health care.
MEMBERS’ EVENING
Wednesday, 18 September, is our next Members’ Evening. We have had to postpone the “Melodrama Evening” so this one will now be a “Poetry Evening”. You can come prepared with a short poem if you like but we will have a heap of different books for you to browse through and choose! We hope to see a lot of new faces there (and of course the “old” faces are very
welcome!!) We are doing something a LITTLE different for this one: times are tough and, in order for us to give the maximum proceeds of our shows to the Masque, we need to find a way to keep our own coffers filled!! So, there will be a “receptacle” to accept your donations – large or small, every bit helps! And also a LITTLE different will be the food – your committee will be
trying out their culinary skills on a variety of dips and snacks – think veg pickle and pretzels!!!
Some time during the evening we will be holding a short remembrance for member Tom Byrne who passed away in July – those who knew him are welcome to share an anecdote with us.

We do need to know how many to expect so please let Wendy know if you can make it by 13 September – that is THIS FRIDAY!! You can phone her on 0834628242 or email home@morling.co.za.
A dozen years after 9/11, an American musician has turned memories of grief into survivor songs — some of them surprisingly joyous. Composer and pianist Jake Heggie said that his new album titled “here/after (songs of lost voices)” is meant “to create a sense of hope and newness that can come from the grief. Otherwise, the people who did it win.”
And since we definitely need some humour in this newsletter I decided to slot it in here while wishing all our September-ers a wonderful birthday!
11th Debra Beswick
Birthdays are nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake.
12th Shirley Chipps
A true friend remembers your birthday but not your age.
16th Patrick Jordi
Artificial intelligence is a wonderful thing.
I told my computer that today is my birthday, and it said I needed an upgrade.
20th Aubrey Hindle
You know you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake…
23rd Nikita McShane
“Doctor, I get heartburn every time I eat birthday cake.”
“Next time don’t eat the candles.”
29th Celia Musikanth
What is the left side of a birthday cake?
The side that’s not eaten.

On the album mentioned above, one of the songs is from the words of a firefighter from Texas Task Force 1 who had combed through the smoking ground zero rubble: “And everything belonged to somebody/To somebody gone/And we all belonged to each other/From that moment on.”
Sad, but uplifting at the same time don’t cha think?

Bye for now, Eve

Our Committee:

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HHDS newsletter – September 2013

Dear Members and Friends,  September is here and spring should be just around the corner! Firstly on behalf of the Society we extend our condolences to Lyn Brandon-Podd and family on the passing of Garth (our very own ‘Basil Fawlty’). Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Now for theatre update. During the last 6 weeks the stage floor has been buckling and bending and, upon investigation, we have discovered that the original floor (under the one you see) is rotting away and will have to be replaced. This has meant we have had to cancel any further dance shows for this year, as the floor is not safe for dancers in its current state.  The floor is scheduled to be replaced December/ January at a cost of R45,000.00. The committee are working on all sorts of ideas to ensure we have the cash however we need your assistance and support to ensure we have the funds to cover this expense so watch for next month’s newsletter. The next show at the Playhouse will be Carnivals of the Heart production of ‘Streetcar named Desire’.  This drama has been given the Darryl touch and promises to provide a good evening’s entertainment. Giles Scott had his auditions on Sunday and has assembled an excellent cast for his production ‘Who did you say you were’. This production is scheduled for October. We all need to sell and support these shows to maximise income for the Society. We heard through the grapevine that Lisa Squire-Jones will soon be leaving us to relocate to Gauteng. We wish you and Mike luck in your new venture. We will miss you. Thanks to everyone, Regards Lindsay S. Chairman! See you at the theatre! STARTING THIS WEDNESDAY @ 19:30! This award winning American classic has never looked this good. A Streetcar Named Desire is a 1947 play written by American playwright Tennessee Williams for which he received the Pulitzer Price for Drama in 1948 following a successful run on Broadway. Since termed the American classic, this play takes on new levels with Spijkers` use of music and movement to capture smokey New Orleans. Blanche du Bois is a fading, but still-attractive, Southern belle whose pretensions to virtue and culture only thinly mask alcoholism and delusions for grandeur. Direction by Darryl J Spijkers and choreography by Verne Osmand starring Patrick Lloyd O’Brien, Lizelle Gouws, Brendin Mourratts, Roxy Caroline, Caroline Mae Brinckmann, Samantha Taylor, Rick Harington, Daneel Van Wyk, Thomas Agates and many more. Dates and Times: Sept 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 @ 19h30 Sept 21 @ 14h30 Prices: All tickets are R70 please book at www.computicket.com AUDITION NOTICE AMADEUS by Peter Schaffer Directed by Philippe Pringiers HHDS will stage this Tony Award winning play, next year April at the Playhouse in Somerset West. Auditions will be held on Sunday October 27 from 5 pm onwards for the 9 speaking parts. Non-speaking parts will be auditioned in January. Rehearsals will be every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 pm and Sunday at 5 pm, although certainly in the early stages of the process, not all actors will be needed at every rehearsal.  A detailed rehearsal schedule is available on the Facebook event page. Facebook event page for Amadeus audition: Click Here to stay up to date with more info Actors auditioning will be asked to prepare a piece from the script. These pieces are also available from the Facebook event page. In order to streamline the audition, you are encouraged to book your 10 min’s audition slot through Facebook or email philippe@pringiers.co.za Speaking characters: Antonio Salieri: male, 30-50s. This is the main part and requires an enormous stage presence and contains several long monologues. A very demanding part giving the actor the opportunity to portrait a very tormented and complex personality. A basic knowledge or ability to speak Italian and French is required. The part also requires some singing. Piano playing is a plus but not essential. Continuously and rigorously observing the courtesies of the time and place, Salieri is a mediocre composer who is on the one hand fascinated by Mozart’s genius but on the other hand appalled by his lack of style. Salieri who has sworn his life to God in order to create that one masterpiece of music which will make him immortal is deeply envious at Mozart’s easy way of creating such oeuvres. This envy leads him to secretly obstruct the young genius’s progress resulting finally in his death caused by sickness and poverty. In later years Salieri, realising that he will never beat Mozart’s famousness with his music, seeks immortality through the recognition  of being to blame for the genius’s death.  This is where the play starts as a flashback. Mozart: male, 25, small, large eyed, pallid, restless and volatile, high voice. Singing voice and piano playing would be preferred. This part is obviously also crucial to the success of the play. It is important to portray the complete opposite characters of Mozart and Salieri. Whereas the latter is composed but shrewd, Mozart is extremely outspoken but naive. Constanze: female, 18-30, high spirited. A bit childish to start but becoming more world-wise throughout the play.  One scene might require a degree of nudity: actresses please to indicate what they are comfortable with. Venticelli: 2 male or female characters of any age. They are the gossipers of Vienna and speak very rapidly. Their parts can be compared to jesters. Emperor Joseph: male 30-50, commanding personality, pleased with himself, not too bright. Basic knowledge of French is required. Count von Strack: male, 55, stiff and proper Count Orsini-Rosenberg: male, 60, plump and supercilious Baron van Swieten: male, 50, cultivated and serious Non-speaking characters: Kapellmeister Bonno: male, 50-70, has a few lines to say. Salieri’s cook: male, preferably a more corpulent, short figure Salieri’s valet: male, in contrast to the cook it would be preferable to have a tall, very slim figure 8 Citizens of Vienna: male/female, all ages Priest: male, 30-70, this part will most probably be a double role with being a citizen of Vienna. 4 servants: male/female, all ages. They act as stagehands bringing on and removing furniture and props. Teresa Salieri: female, 30-40, placid lady described by Salieri as lacking fire. Katharina Cavalieri: female, 18-30, soprano voice. During one scene, some degree of nudity/revealing will be required. HHDS DIRECTORS SEMINAR 2014 CALLING ALL Directors and 2014 Hire Parties, Don’t Forget, the plan for 2014 is in place! Please be informed of a compulsory Productions Seminar on Sunday 22 September at 6PM at the Playhouse. This is for the DIRECTOR and STAGE MANAGER of your production to attend. Interested members of the public are more than welcome to attend but not permitted to ask questions unless time allows. The bar will be open afterwards for general discussion. Should you be unable to attend, a separate meeting must be arranged with you before your slot is officially booked! Please confirm you attendance by 12 September 2013. Our condolences to Lyn Brandon-Podd and family on the passing of GarthBrandon- Podd Garth had been suffering from Prostate Cancer for some considerable time, and despite undertaking all the latest treatments bravely, he had gone downhill rapidly in recent weeks. He had a spell in the Old Stellenbosch hospice until last week, but wanted to come home to be with Lyn and his family and friends around him. He faded away peacefully. The funeral was heald at Mountain View Baptist Church, Heritage Park on Saturday 7th Sept at 10.30 am – instead of flowers, fans and friends donated to the Old Stellenbosch Road Hospice where Garth spent some of his time. Members Evening 2 Acts! 1 Play! Beware the Ides of March “Beware the Ides of March” is a short play inspired by Shakespeare’s Caesar. However the play is in modern 21st century English, and has a timeless setting. You will see ancient Rome, early 19th century France, nowadays South-Africa and indeed nowadays global humanity side by side. 12 Characters represent and portray a problem of all ages: Do the people still have the ability to raise noble men? And does the humble man, once in power, inevitably become corrupt? What are the duties of the electorate in a democracy, then and now? The play also brings quite a few newcomers to the stage: Estelle O’Neill, Michelle Strauss and Marie-Claire Stewart, Mighaela Alexander, Bronwyn Bennie and Bernie Jacobs alongside ‘old rots’: Andre Kershaw, Philippe Pringiers, Colette Dacre, Katjenka Pringiers, Hugo Botha and Gert Venter. Adapted and directed by Pilar Spinnox. Bevange ‘Bevange’ is a modern Afrikaans play about 7 teenagers who went out to a club a Friday night and got involved with drugs. The whole story takes place in a holding cell, with shouting policemen, just after they got arrested. Why are they here? How do they all fit in? How do their stories fit in? Do teenagers only use drugs to be accepted by others? What is the deeper story of each character? With a fantastic cast consisting of Rick Harington, Nadia van der Merwe, Tamsyn Hanslo, Hugo Botha, Mighaela Alexander, Nicol Jansen & Heinrich Vermeulen, be sure to come and find the answers to the questions out. Congratulations to those that auditioned for winning through one of the toughest auditions Giles Scott has experienced! Welcome back to those I have worked with before. And a hearty welcome to our ‘newcomers’. All of you richly deserve the parts you have been given. I can’t wait to start working with you all. So the cast, in order of appearance, is: Chrissie: Bettina Horvath Alan: Herman Hearn Geoff: Graham Kershaw Sue: Barbara-Marie Immelman Lizzie: Anne Walsh Jennifer: Heidi Laubscher Vic: Norman MacFarlane Celebrity: Martin Linette Bert: Bill Kemlo Slugger: Michael Wills The cast’s first read through was held last Wednesday and the show is officially on schedule. ‘My Dog’s Got No Nose’ 4- 6 Oct 2013 Written by Ron Aldridge. By popular demand, Raymond Rudolph stars in this one-man comedy, which is presented as a fundraiser in aid of the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg, Cape Town. Directed by Celia Musikanth, it is a journey around a stand-up comedian’s first ever public performance – his lifelong dream covers everything from comedy, unrequited love, dogs, the facts of life, animal-lovers and a whole lot more. In this funny, bitter-sweet story, we discover that the man and his “performance” are not quite what they seem.   Hilarious, provocative & poignant, with dramatic twists in the tale, the show recently had its African premiere at the 2013 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. “HIS HILARIOUS PERFORMANCE WILL KEEP YOU GLUED TO YOUR SEATS“. L.M. – Cue (National Arts Festival Newspaper) – 2013. “I DIDN’T INTEND WATCHING BUT IT STARTED AS I WALKED IN.  I LOVED IT SO MUCH: FUNNY, TOUCHING, BEAUTIFUL.  4 STARS“. Marcel Oudejans (Comedy Magician) – 2013. “THIS SHOW IS THE BEST, BEST THING I’VE EVER, EVER SEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE – YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED“. His mother – 2013. ” AW  SHUCKS! …THANKS, MA“. The performer – 2013. As an added bonus, the performer will be available after the show to sign autographs, t-shirts or fans’ breasts. The show is a fundraiser for the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg, which currently requires funds in excess of R1-million for necessary repairs to its infrastructure and for an upgrade of its technical equipment. Proceeds will be donated to the theatre to help it continue providing top quality entertainment to the people of Cape Town. Performances: 8 pm on Fri 4 Oct, Sat 5 Oct  & Sun 6 Oct, 2013. Book online at quicket.co.za.  There is no set ticket-price. Pay what you can afford… Choose from R200, R150, R100, R80, or R60 per ticket. Full details, with links to the Facebook Event, Booking Site, & YouTube trailer can be found on  about.me/raymrud. PLEASE SHARE THIS EVENT ONLINE WITH YOUR FRIENDS & FOLLOWERS. HHDS and Carnivals of the Heart present… CINDERELLA!!! Set in Cape Town’s Bo-Kaap! Christmas pantomime fun… Not to be missed… For all ages! Day time and evening shows from 6 – 16 December! All tickets R50 through Computicket… More info in next newsletter!!! Directors Seminar: 22nd September (Evening) Directors Ticket: 28nd September (Evening) Audition Notice for Amadeus: 27th October at 6pm Who Did You Say You Were?: 21st  October – 3rd November Amanda Peacefull: 24th November Cinderella van die Kaap: 8th – 20th December

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Audition – Private Lives

AUDITION NOTICE

PRIVATE LIVES

Date: Saturday 14 September 2013 

Time:  10:00 

Venue: The Hok*, 162 Campground Road, Claremont

Claremont Dramatic Society is proud to announce the staging of Noel Coward’s classic comedy of manners, ‘Private Lives’, which will be staged from 21 February to 1 March 2014 at the Masque Theatre, under the direction of new director, John Carne.

Written from his sick bed in Shanghai, in 1930, Coward said that ‘Private Lives’ tells “the sophisticated tale of a couple who can’t live with or without each other”. In typical Coward fashion, the play is liberally sprinkled with fast and hilarious repartee and the hint of farce.  When it opened to packed houses on Broadway, the New York review noted of the principals, “They are only adults under the skin.  They are really sulky adolescents on long legs and the humour they distil is infectious and superb.”

To bring this smash hit comedy to life, we require the following characters in order of appearance:

• Sibyl Chase (20 to 30): “An attractive, young woman, first-time bride who feels very threatened by her new husband’s first wife, Amanda.”  (Lead)
• Elyot Chase (30 to 40): Married to Sybil and previously married to Amanda, “he has a quick and cutting wit that he wields throughout the play”. (Lead)
• Amanda Prynne (25 to 40): “A beautiful second-time bride (she was formerly married to Elyot, and is now married to Victor) with a fiery temper and a tendency toward impulsive behaviour”. (Lead)
• Victor Prynne (35 to 45): “Amanda’s second husband, who is a few years older than Elyot, is very pleased to describe himself as “normal.”” (Lead)
• Louise (18 to 30): French Maid (Support)

(All character descriptions thanks to http://www.bard.org/Education/studyguides/private/liveschara.html)

Please do not be late as we will conduct the audition as an unprepared reading, partnering prospective players with others to find the right combinations.

Note, that although professional in its demands on its actors and crew, nobody will be paid for their part in the production.

Call  John 082 631 0421 or email him on john@paratour.co.za for more info.

*Directions to the Hok:  From Main Road, Claremont, turn into Claremont Boulevard (between SAB and the Southern Sun Hotel, opposite Newlands Swimming Pool).  Take the first right into Hemlock Road. Drive to the end and go straight into the car park.  The Hok is the second door on the left, under the bridge.

 

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