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Claremont Dramatic Society Newsletter
The Hok, Thicket Street, Claremont, 7708 PostNet Suite 345, Private Bag X1005, Claremont, 7735 email: claremontdramatic@gmail.com www.claremontdramatic.wordpress.com May 2017 – Number 168
Hi everyone!
I cannot believe it’s May already! That’s been a far-distant word I’ve used to describe the remote future when I have to move house. And now it’s here – eeeek!
Right, minor panic out of the way, let’s move on to what’s happening on the community theatre scene…
Prepaid tickets
Remember that CDS members can purchase discount prepaid tickets for the shows that CDS is staging at the Masque this year. These are Tom Stoppard’s Rozencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, directed by Jenny Brandt (21–29 July), and Agatha Christie’s The Unexpected Guest, directed by Lynn Moss (27 October–4 November).
The prepaid tickets are R70 for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances and R60 for matinees and Wednesdays. Please contact a committee member if you would like to purchase prepaid tickets.
Equus report back
Bernie Jacobs’s directorial debut, Peter Shaffer’s Equus, closed at the Masque Theatre on Saturday 6 May. The audience reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with much effusive praise being heaped not only on the two dazzling leads – Richard Higgs and newcomer Tian Landman – but also on the director, the set and the chorus, both human and horses. Congratulations to all!
Here are a couple of reactions from reviewers and audience members:
In this her debut as a director, Bernie Jacobs has shown she has as much talent in this art as she has as an actress. … With his height, good looks, intelligent depth of understanding of Alan’s character, and excellent diction, [Tian] Landman is a talent to watch. … A first rate production.
– Sheila Chisholm, Weekend Special
Claremont Dramatic Society is to be congratulated for producing this satisfying piece of theatre, as is the new director, Bernie Jacobs, together with her cast and crew. This is a quality production.
– Colleen van Staden, False Bay Echo
I had the opportunity to watch Equus last night at the Masque Theatre. Bernie Jacobs wow, wow, wow!!! That was absolutely fantastic! Well done. And congratulations to all cast and crew … you were all amazing.
– Erika Marais (via Facebook)
I thought it was exceptional. Everything from the stage set-up to the wardrobe to the brilliant acting. It was just world class. … It was a privilege for me.
– Joanne Halse (via WhatsApp)
Thank you to everyone who came to support the show!
Members evening: 21 April
Our last members evening was held at the Hok on 21 April with a small but earnest turnout. Richard Higgs and Su Cunningham performed some extracts from Equus, to whet everyone’s appetite for what turned out to be a fantastic production. Bernie Jacobs also explained a bit about her vision for the play and answered audience questions about her casting and directorial approach.
Santie du Toit and Matt Roy then ran an amusing quiz with a horsey theme, which was highly enjoyable. And my team totally would have won had they just believed me that Red Rum really was a famous racehorse and not words I randomly made up! Sigh.
Stay tuned for details of our next members evening – our traditional soup and rolls extravaganza.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead update
An update on R&G from director Jenny Brandt:
Rehearsals for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead are up and happening. There’s been some experimenting with how different coins bounce, juggling lessons and clowning about (literally). Hopefully you won’t be seeing much of Willie and Matt in the next little while, because they have reams and reams of lines to learn! So far – so good!
AUDITION: Art by Yasmina Reza
Translated by Christopher Hampton
Directed by Anton Schäfer
Date: Sunday 21 May
Time: 12h00
Venue: Milnerton Playhouse
Performance dates: 6–14 October
Please contact the director on 078 480 4521 or email antonschafer82@gmail.com to book an individual slot. Callbacks (group audition) will take place on Sunday 28 May at 14h00.
Auditionees are asked to prepare a short monologue of their choice; or a short monologue from the play for a character of their choice.
The story is set in Paris and revolves around three friends (Serge, Marc and Yvan) who find their friendship on shaky ground when Serge buys an expensive painting. The canvas is white, with a few white lines. Serge is very proud of his 200 000 franc acquisition fully expecting the approval of his friends. However, Marc scornfully describes it as a “piece of white shit”.
Marc then consults with Yvan, who is also burdened by problems of his own – an impending wedding and dissatisfaction at his job as a stationery salesman. Yvan’s attempts at peace-making between the two parties backfires. He gets pulled into the disagreement and fuels the tension between Serge and Marc. What starts off as an argument over a painting develops into a disastrous row of a personal nature. They border on destroying their friendship.
The script presents a wonderful opportunity to portray some fantastic yet complex characters. A definite must to any performer who has a good feel for text and thought.
Cast of characters
(All three are large parts. Characters are male and of similar age, at least above 40.)
- MARC: An aeronautical engineer who prides himself in fending off “modern culture”. He withholds no judgments and spares no feeling; yet still express the need for endorsement of his friends. He is rational, logical and (seemingly) mature.
- SERGE: A divorced dermatologist, is steeped in modernity, but cannot fully appreciate his cultured lifestyle unless it is validated by those around him. He is emotional, passionate and inquisitive.
- YVAN: He is the youngest of the trio, both chronologically and psychologically. A lifetime of yo-yoing between decisions and kowtowing to his friends and family is beginning to take an emotional toll on him. He is energetic, spontaneous, yet highly insecure. (A real gem of a part!)
Pinelands Players supper theatre
Imagine a Game Show … Imagine an MC, with a gorgeous assistant … Imagine a team of five women … Imagine a team of five men … Imagine a competition where these two teams have to sing songs with the names of men or women in the title …
Imagine that … and you have the beginning of an evening of entertainment, spanning 60 years of musical variety and styles, ruled by the spin of the Game Wheel.
The game is simple, entertaining and unpredictable.
For the lucky cast of 10 this show begins when and where the wheel stops! The nature of the game means that each of the 7 shows will be totally different!
SUPPER THEATRE – GAME SHOW (GAME OF NAMES)
PREVIEW 8 JUNE 20h00
9, 10, 15, 16, 17 JUNE AT 20h00
11 & 18 JUNE AT 14h00
PINELANDS TOWN HALL
TICKETS: R120 – including a light meal served an hour before the show
R60 on 8 JUNE – no meal
CASH BAR AVAILABLE
Book and pay in advance for a table of 10 to get a 10% discount!
Grab a group of friends or join a table
Watch the Mars team battle the Venus team each night as the wheel is spun to determine the next song. Always a surprise!
From solos to duets and group numbers, hear well-known pop songs from the ’60s through to the noughties
Guaranteed entertainment and loads of fun!
BOOKINGS: facebook.com/pinelandsplayers
Alternatively: pinelandsplayers@gmail.com OR 062 783 2370
The Full Monty character appeal
Pinelands Players is looking for a final cast member for their production of The Full Monty, which will be on at the Roxy Revue Bar, GrandWest, from 11 to 25 November. The character description is:
Georgie Bukatinsky (Dave’s wife) – Supporting role (age: 35–45). Range: High alto/broad mezzo belter. She loves her husband and worries about him. She is exuberant, warm and down-to-earth; an extrovert who is the leader of her group of girlfriends. Must be able to hold a North Country British accent and move well.
If you know of anyone who fits the profile or you would like to audition, please contact Laura Bosman on bosman.ld@gmail.com.
Director’s tickets
We need new directors for our CDS productions. If you are interested in directing, we’d love to have you! All you need to do is stage a short play or play extract at a members evening to get your director’s ticket. For more information or to propose a play, contact our members evening convenor Matt Roy (contact details at the end of this newsletter).
Digital archive
I am still working my way through the Hok’s collection of old programmes, photo albums, posters and DVDs and am constantly updating the list of CDS (and previously SoE) productions. Please have a nose through when you have a moment and let me know what you think: http://claremontdramatic.weebly.com.
See you at the theatre!
Calendar
| 18 Apr– | Funny Girl
presented by Eric Abraham |
Fugard Theatre |
| 25 Apr–20 May | Hemelruim
presented by Naskrif Produksies |
Fugard Studio Theatre |
| 3 May–17 Jun | The Play That Goes Wrong
directed by Alan Committie |
Theatre on the Bay |
| 14–20 May | A Man Like You
presented by The Theatre Company |
Theatre Arts Admin Collective |
| 15–20 May | Topdog/Underdog
presented by Alexander Upstairs |
Alexander Bar |
| 17 May | Members evening: Quiz
hosted by MADS |
Rendezvous |
| 17–18 May | Pop-up Improv
presented by ImproGuise |
Masque Theatre |
| 19–20 May | Swallowers of Time
hosted by Urshulah and Carl du Preez |
Milnerton Playhouse |
| 20 May | Piano recital
Wesley Wolhuter |
Masque Theatre |
| 21 May | AUDITION: Art
hosted by Milnerton Theatre Players |
Milnerton Playhouse |
| 22–25 May | The Lover
performed by Sjaka S Septembir and Caroline Midgley |
Alexander Bar |
| 23–27 May | Improv Comedy
presented by The Long Shots |
Alexander Bar |
| 24 May | FUNDRAISER: Bingo | Masque Theatre |
| 27 May | Directors forum
hosted by MADS |
Rendezvous |
| 29 May–3 Jun | Jersey Boy
presented by Schalk Bezuidenhout |
Baxter Theatre |
| 29 May–10 Jun | In bocca al lupo
presented by POPArt Productions |
Alexander Bar |
| 29 May–10 Jun | Renaissance
written and directed by Wessel Pretorius |
Alexander Bar |
| 30 May–17 Jun | Au Revoir
presented by Followspot Productions |
Kalk Bay Theatre |
| 31 May–3 Jun | Lear’s Fool
presented by Devilspeak Theatre Company |
Galloway Theatre |
| 2–10 Jun | Table Manners
presented by MADS |
Masque Theatre |
| 7 Jun–8 Jul | Suddenly the Storm a Market Theatre production |
Baxter Theatre |
| 8–18 June | Game of Names
hosted by Pinelands Players |
Pinelands Town Hall |
| 8–24 Jun | The Fall | Baxter Golden Arrow Studio |
| 10 June | A Song and Dance Through the Ages
presented by Phoenix Dance Productions |
Milnerton Playhouse |
| 13–15 Jun | Confessions
written and directed by Mandla Mpanjukelwa |
Alexander Bar |
| 15–18 June | Dance Chapters
presented by Twisted Movements Dance Studio |
Masque Theatre |
| 16–24 Jun | Master Class
presented by MADS |
Milnerton Playhouse |
| 23–24 Jun | The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
presented by F Creations |
The Drama Factory |
| 23–24 Jun | Sillage
written and directed by Penelope Youngleson |
Masque Theatre |
Claremont Dramatic Society Committee 2016:
Simon Dutton (Chair) simon.d@mweb.co.za Home: 021 683 8630 Cell: 083 327 7350
Santie du Toit (Treasurer) santsbabe@gmail.com Cell: 074 608 2670
Jenny Brandt (Minutes Secretary and Member Relations Officer): jennybrandt74@gmail.com Cell: 082 492 5984
Matt Roy (Members Evenings): hapunkey83@gmail.com Cell: 062 485 8001
Kim R2 (Communications): tzar42@gmail.com Home: 021 671 8687 Cell: 083 619 2441
Claremont Dramatic Society 