Claremont Chat
Claremont Dramatic Society Newsletter
email: claremontdramatic@gmail.com
http://www.claremontdramatic.wordpress.com
March 2014 – Number 131
________________________________________
Greetings All,
Your regular scribe, Sheldon, is up to his eyeballs in scripts (scholastic, not dramatic), so I (Wendy) am your purveyor of news, information and requests this month. First up, Kim shares her impressions of being part of our first show of the year:
Private Lives
On the face of it, tackling a well-known play by a legendary playwright with a new director and two brand new actors in the leading roles looks like a recipe for disaster. But, like everything that happens in “Private Lives”, things are not as they appear. John Carne knew from the outset exactly what he wanted the play to look like and was determined to do justice to Noël Coward’s classic. And he succeeded in inspiring that determination in both the cast and the crew. Under John’s patient, merry leadership and with help from the two more experienced leading ladies, the two newbies made enormous progress as actors. But that was not the greatest achievement of this production. What John ended up creating with “Private Lives” was a full theatre experience when he included the extremely talented Helen and Melissa at the start of the play with their Noël Coward cabaret. That for me highlights how dedicated John was to his vision of “Private Lives”. And in my opinion the cast and crew achieved it with 1930s style and grace.
AGM and Awards Evening
What a wonderful turnout! About 50 members and friends joined us at Barristers for our most prestigious gathering of the year. After the formalities of the AGM were out of the way (welcome to the committee, Kim, as Publicity Officer, and Jenny, adding Minutes Secretary to your bow), we moved on to the exciting bit…Awards!
And the winners are:
Best Actress: Shared between Jo Frater and Kim Randleff –Rasmussen
Best Actor: Patrick Jordi
Best Supporting Actress: Sheila Inglis
Best Supporting Actor: Gavin Werner
Best Production: Henceforward…
Certificates of Excellence:
Grace Brain: For her Portrayal of Geain, aged 13 in Henceforward…
Technical Excellence in Henceforward… Kim Randleff-Rasmussen, Ryan Mitchley, Gary Fargher, Bob Goode, Grant Bottcher
Members’ Choice Awards:
Best Actress: Jana Botha
Best Actor: Patrick Jordi
Best Production: Henceforward…
Congratulations to all of you! Many thanks to our panellists Graham Boxall, Lieske Bester, sue bolton and Mike Harris. Thank you too, to Simon for organising the trophies and certificates, and to Pamela Burger, for her magnificent calligraphy on the Members’ Choice certificates.
New Members
A warm welcome to four new members who signed up at our AGM: All of you are familiar to us already, but it’s great to have you as ‘official family’: Mandy Cardin, Nico Dreyer, Gary Fargher and Gavin Werner. We hope your stay with CDS will be long and happy.
Members’ Evening
Our first Members’ Evening of the year will be on Friday 2 May at 19h30 for 20h00. It will be a pub-style quiz, with Simon Dutton as your question master.
Maximum 4 people per team. Don’t worry if you can’t make up a team – we will find you a home for the evening. Non-members are welcome to take part, and supporters are welcome. The emphasis is more on fun than intellectual expertise. This evening will be a voorsmakie of the type of question you can expect for the Masque Fundraising Quiz which will be held on Saturday 10 May. For catering purposes, RSVP to Pamela before Tuesday 29 April on 021 657 5793 (o/h) or pamb@masterparts.com. There will be fun spot prizes throughout the evening. No charge for members, R10 for non-members.
Planning Ahead: 2015
With our first production of the year only just put to bed, can you believe that we need to start our planning for next year? Anyone who wishes to direct for CDS in 2015 should please contact Wendy on wendygoddard@xsinet.co.za, with a proposal, which should include the name of the play, genre, composition of cast (numbers and gender split), and preferred slot (beginning, middle or end of the year). Please let us have this information by the end of April, so that we can present the options to the Masque Productions Team before the end of May.
The Hollow – Agatha Christie
The auditions were well-attended, and director, Liz Roodt, was able to cast the play almost immediately. However, two cast members have since had to withdraw, and Liz is now looking for an actor and actress for the following two characters (Ages specified are only approximate):
John Cristow (30)
Friend of the Angkatells. John is an arrogant man. He is a doctor and a bit of a womaniser. He has sown his seeds in the past and had some history with Henrietta. He married Gerda for stability. I would prefer to hate John by the end of the play – he is so arrogant that he must deserve what is coming to him!
Veronica Craye (30)
Veronica had an affair with John. The only reason she is around is that she is actually stalking him. She is deeply shallow, but being a movie star, has all the men’s jaws hanging low. When my Veronica walks into the audition, I will know her because she will make everyone pay attention to her!
If you are interested in auditioning for either of these roles, please do not hesitate to contact Liz: lizroodt@yahoo.co.uk or 081 259 3607.
Auditions
No sooner is one audition over, another one appears on the horizon! Here is the audition notice for our third and final production of the year, Quartet, directed by Brenda Gray:
AUDITION NOTICE
for
QUARTET
by Sir Ronald Harwood
To be staged from October 10 – 18, 2014 at the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg.
Directed by Brenda Gray for Claremont Dramatic Society.
Audition Date: Sunday 23 March 2014
Time: 11.00 am (PLEASE NOTE TIME)
Venue: The Hok
Sir Ronald Harwood was born in Cape Town and schooled at Sea Point High. After training for the stage at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he joined the Shakespeare Company and was Sir Donald Wolfit’s personal dresser, later drawing on this experience to write the stage play, ‘The Dresser’. He has written more than 21 stage plays and 10 books, and screenplays include ‘The Browning Version’, ‘The Dresser’, ‘Being Julia’, and Roman Polanski’s version of ‘Oliver Twist’. He won an Academy Award for the script of ‘The Pianist’, and received his third Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2007 for ‘The Diving Bell and The Butterfly’, for which he also won a BAFTA and the Prix Jacques du Scenario. In June 2010, he received a knighthood for service to theatre.
Sir Ronald adapted ‘Quartet’ for film, starring Maggie Smith as Jean Horton, Tom Courtenay as Reggie, Billy Connolly as Wilf and Pauline Collins as Cissy.
CAST
The action takes place in a Beecham House, a home for retired musicians in Kent.
All characters are over 70 years of age, and are past opera stars.
CECILY (CISSY) ROBSON: ‘a large woman’, delightfully absent-minded. kindly, sweet-natured’.
REGINALD PAGET: ‘slim fit immaculate serious minded collar and tie man.’
WILFRED BOND: ‘big in every sense, untidy in an artistic sort of way’. Given to a
naughty preoccupation about the female gender – i.e. sex
JEAN HORTON: a real diva (think Maria Callas) with the manner of a Grande dame, dressing accordingly.
Enquiries: phone Brenda on 021 6863554 Cell: 083 3300670
AUDITION NOTICE
for
BENEFACTORS
BY MICHAEL FRAYN
Directed by Colleen Van Staten for Muizenberg Dramatic Society
AUDITION DATES: Saturday 22 March at 14:30, Call Backs Thursday 27 March at 19:30
PLACE: Rendezvous (Old Candle Bowling Club), 57 Promenade Road, Muizenberg
CONTACT: Colleen on 0721205645 or coleenvs@vodamail.co.za to obtain your audition piece prior to the audition
DATES OF RUN: 25 July to 2 August 2014 – Masque Theatre, Muizenberg
REHEARSALS: Start Wednesday 16 April
THE PLOT:
David, a somewhat aloof but idealistic architect has taken on the re-development of a South London slum with the “do-good” intention of providing well-built and attractive new housing for the masses. Budget constraints force him to compromise more and more, and he ends up having to design high rise tower blocks that keep getting taller as the number of obstacles in his way increase.
His wife, Jane, forever the pragmatist, grapples with her loyalty to him and his “cause” and loyalty to their friends whose floundering marriage cries out for her help. Her good intentions backfire horribly and end up being the ultimate undoing of their marriage and worse still, the ultimate failure of David’s project.
The “hapless” friends, Sheila, the quiet and needy put-upon wife and Colin, her cynical and sometime cruel husband, turn out to be the real puppet-masters of the piece as the dynamics in the relationships shift and true colours are revealed.
“Progressive Collapse” an architectural term for the tower blocks, becomes a metaphor for the collapse of a marriage and a friendship.
The plot unfolds in a series of scenes both present and past, where the actors address the audience directly, think out loud and move seamlessly between the 1980’s and 1960’s on a minimalistic set. The characters are multi-layered , the comedy subtle, the language beautiful and the structure elegant.
It’s an exciting and challenging piece of theatre.
“One of the subtlest plays Broadway has seen in years, by one of the most extraordinary writers of the English speaking theater.” – Newsweek
Awards: 1984 Evening Standard Award for Best Play; 1984 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play; 1984 Plays and Players London Theatre Critics Award for Best Play; 1986 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Foreign Play
CHARACTERS:
(If desired, auditionees can audition for both parts but should indicate their preference)
David (30 – 50) Energetic, enthusiastic, self confident, idealistic. Not in entirely in tune with what is happening around him. Single-minded and focused on his work.. As the dream slips away, we see the progression from optimism to resignation.
Colin (30-50) Journalist – not very successful. Jealous of David’s success. Cynical, snide, cruel at times, his attacks are not overt, but subtle and often couched in witticisms and jibes. He takes drastic action at the end of Act one and this new direction gives him the power to call the shots and dictate the outcome.
Jane (30 – 40) Wife of David. Pragmatic, efficient, genuine – what you see is what you get. Is irritated by inaction, takes charge of situations. She has a good heart and her intentions are pure. There is an attraction to Colin that is very subtle and could turn into something, but doesn’t. She is the driving force in Act One.
Sheila (30 – 50) Wife of Colin. The “serial” damsel in distress. Naïve and self-destructive, she is the passive player in the game, but a player nonetheless. Whatever confidence she once had, has been systematically destroyed by Colin. On the surface, unsure and nervous, at a deeper level, able to manipulate people and situations to her advantage.
Calendar
14 – 22 Mar: Flat Spin by Derek S. Royle, directed by Wendy Goddard for Muizenberg Dramatic Society at the Masque. The combination of a mouse, an aspirant model, an incompetent electrician, an Italian film director who can’t speak English and a walk-in cupboard make for hilarious situations which will leave the audience gasping for breath.
16 March: 10am – 2pm. The Summer Masque Theatre Market returns to the Masque, with hand-made gifts, records, jewellery, skin creams, pewter work and candles, homemade preserves and jams, bric a brac, and more. And of course, don’t forget about the successful, and well-stocked White Elephant stall – all the proceeds of this stall go to the roof fund so please do consider donating some items. Contact Margi on 0836286295. There will once again be a raffle with exciting prizes!! All theatre lovers are urged to support this event, so tell your friends, and please come and enjoy the Summer Market
17 March CATA Awards Evening 19h00 for 19h30
21 – 29 Mar: Here Lies Jeremy Troy by Jack Sharkey, directed by Mari Mocke for Milnerton Players at their Playhouse. This farce revolves around the main character, Jeremy Troy, who has led his wife, his boss, and his friends, to believe that he is a qualified lawyer. He invites his boss, who has never met his wife, to dinner. More characters turn up unexpectedly at Jeremy’s home and there is a merry mix-up before the important dinner-date. Bookings and further info on 0822671061 or bookings@milnertonpalyers.com. Tickets R80 and R70.
22 March: 13h00 – 19h00 Calling all classical music lovers – Dynamite Music is hosting another classical CD/DVD expo at the Masque Theatre. Dynamite Music is the only importer that bring in classical product which they sell direct to the public.
23 March: 11h00 (PLEASE NOTE TIME) Quartet audition at the Hok
23 March: 14h30 Benefactors audition at the Rendezvous
3 – 12 Apr: Amadeus by Peter Shaffer, directed by Philippe Pringiers for Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society at The Playhouse in Lourensford Road, Somerset West. . This dramatisation by an award winning playwright tells the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s rise and fall at the Austrian court of emperor Josef II through the eyes of his ambitious and envious competitor, Antonio Salieri. Tickets R90 at Computicket, Pensioners R85, HHDS members R75. R5 of each ticket goes towards the ECHO Erinvale Organisation. Contact Bettina on 0829926007 for further info, show dates and times.
4 April: Let’s be Frank, a show of swing, sing and all that kinda thing, presented by the Masque Fund-raising Committee – one show only at 20h00. Popular Cape Town singing duo, Ricky Botsis and Kevin Abbott, return to the Masque Theatre in order to raise funds for the much-needed replacement of the theatre roof. It will be a Gala Night as Ricky and Kevin delight you with many of your swing favourites – Mack the Knife, Beyond the Sea, Well Did You Ever – and many more timeless songs, from Bobby Darin to Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Ratpack. Songs that will get your feet tapping in a show that is fun, energetic and highly entertaining. Tickets are R100 each which will include a glass of wine or juice on arrival and light snacks. So come and raise the roof with us – The Masque needs you! Tickets are limited so book early.
2 May 19h30 for 20h00. Members’ Evening – pub-style quiz. RSVP to Pamela before Tuesday 29 April on 021 657 5793 (o/h) or pamb@masterparts.com.
10 May 19h30 for 20h00. Masque theatre Fundraiser – Quiz Night
Full details about all Masque Theatre events here: http://www.masquetheatre.co.za
With such a wide variety of happenings, there’s bound to be something that appeals to you, so I’m sure it’s safe to say…
See you at the theatre!
Cheers,
Wendy
