Claremont Dramatic Society Newsletter
email: claremontdramatic@gmail.com
www.claremontdramatic.wordpress.com
September 2013 – Number 124
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 4th 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 29th October 2013 and run till 2nd 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.
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