Claremont Chat
Claremont Dramatic Society Newsletter
The Hok, Thicket Street, Claremont, 7708 email: claremontdramatic@gmail.com www.claremontdramatic.wordpress.com
June 2015 – Number 145
Hi everyone!
Chairman’s note
It was noted at the last members’ evening that we had slipped up in not publishing the results of the awards presentations for 2014 presented at the AGM. We apologise for that, but better late than never, so with no further ado the awards as adjudged by the CDS reviewing panel were as follows:
- Best Play: Quartet
- Best Director: Brenda Gray
- Best Set: David Davidson
- Best Actor: Brian de Kock
- Best Actress: Cindy Nixon
- Best Supporting Actor: Brandon Gregory
- Best Supporting Actress: Jana Botha
And for a bit of fun the Members Awards voted for by those members present at the AGM:
- Best Play: The Hollow
- Best Actor: Brian de Kock
- Best Actress: Faeron Wheeler
We are pleased to advise that the society accounts are currently with the auditor and when he has concluded the audit will be distributed to all members.
We are also pleased to announce that Mike Harris has accepted the CDS nomination as the CDS trustee appointed to the Masque and he will take over his duties in this respect from the end of August. For that Mike – thank you.
We take this opportunity to thank Yvonne Finch for her service and dedication to her service as trustee and, when the choice came, for putting her loyalty to CDS first. We wish her well and will support her in her ‘new’ role on the Masque Board.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Opening weekend was a resounding success, eliciting nothing but praise from three very appreciative audiences.
There was also a lovely review from Lieske Bester for the False Bay Echo:
Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
There’s magic at the Masque where one of the Bard’s best loved works is given a splendid new look which highlights the timelessness and universality of the writing.
A vaguely Victorian time space is spiced by a trace of Scheherazade’s bewitching story telling. The setting, sound track and marvelously eclectic costuming are enhanced by perfect lighting – creating a dream within a dream. The endearing antics of the simple and earnest Mechanicals – individually and together – enrich the presentation.
The Athenian court scenes are stylishly amusing, the lovers are truly romantic and real in their interaction, and the fairies defined figments of the imagination.
The success of a production of the Dream depends a great deal on the roles of the mischievous Puck and the stolid Nick Bottom. Jana Botha, quirkily dressed and lithe of limb delivers a fire cracker performance and Mokoena “MK” Ramollo imbues his character with style and a strong stage presence.
I loved the little changeling (Lucy Frater) – the source of the ensuing merriment – as it sat aside clearly sulking while Titania played with her unusual lover.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is indeed a play about love and dreams and fun, in this case great fun. Directed with a clear vision that is shared by a committed and talented cast and crew, there isn’t a false move anywhere. Shakespeare himself would have been proud of the originality of the presentation
If you know the text you will relish the interpretation of familiar moments and if this is your first acquaintance – you may well be intrigued to learn more about the greatest playwright of all time.
All’s well that ends well. Every player and many members of the audience remain in the dream until its glittering dust settles and fades in a beguiling finale.
Four more chances to catch this beautiful production: Thursday 18 June @ 20h00, Friday 19 June @ 20h00 and Saturday 20 June @ 14h30 and 18h30. Book now on 021 788 1898 or bookings@masquetheatre.co.za.
AUDITION: Shaken not Stirred (Pinelands Players)
You are invited to audition for the Pinelands Players production of Shaken, not Stirred
Director: Kyla Thorburn
Musical Director: Justin Wardle
Production dates: 2 October to 10 October 2015
Venue: New Space Theatre, Cape Town CBD
The company of 12 will consist of:
- 4 solo singers (2 female and 2 male)
- 4 support singers (2 female and 2 male)
- 4 singing dancers
Audition details:
- Venue: The New Space Theatre, Long Street
- Date: Sunday 28 June 2015
- Time: 13.30 to 16.00
Call back auditions:
- Venue: The New Space Theatre, Long Street
- Date: Wednesday 1 July 2015
- Time: 19.30 to 20.30
To enlist and for further information, please email pinelandplayers@gmail.com
On enlisting, you will be sent the music to prepare for the audition. A pianist will be available for accompaniment and you will be asked to sing with a microphone. Auditionees will either be told at their first audition or via email if they will be required to attend the callback auditions.
Masque FOH appeal
With Julia on leave, Nico is trying to compile a schedule of front-of-house and box office volunteers for upcoming shows at the Masque. If you are able to volunteer, please contact Nico on 021 788 6999 or nico@masquetheare.co.za.
Calendar
12–20 Jun – A Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by Sheldon Cross at The Masque
12–20 Jun – The Great Gatsby presented by Carnivals of the Heart at The Playhouse, Somerset West
14 Jun – Foyer sessions: Christopher Dry at The Masque
21 Jun – The Great American Songbook presented by Roland Perold at The Masque
25–27 Jun – Put Your Foot Down presented by The Dance Project at The Masque
28 Jun – AUDITION: Shaken Not Stirred to be presented by Pinelands Players 2–10 October at the New Space Theatre, Long Street
29 Jun–3 Jul – How Stories Began presented by Jungle Theatre at The Masque
2–4 Jul – The Star Spangled Burlesque Show presented by High Tease Burlesque Company at The Masque
10–12 Jul – BeeGees tribute show at The Masque
19 Jul – Foyer sessions: Liesl Jobson at The Masque
23 Jul–1 Aug – The Crucible presented by HHDS at The Playhouse, Somerset West
Claremont Dramatic Society Committee 2015:
Simon Dutton (Chair/Hok Manager) simon.d@mweb.co.za Home: 021 683 8630 Cell: 083 327 7350 Santie du Toit-White (Treasurer) santsbabe@gmail.com Cell: 074 608 2670 Jenny Brandt (Minutes Secretary and Member Relations Officer): jennybrandt74@gmail.com Cell:082 492 5984 Liz Roodt (Members Evenings): lizroodt@yahoo.co.uk Cell: 081 259 3607
Claremont Dramatic Society 