MADS Messenger
JULY /AUGUST 2014
I’m feeling a bit like an Oklahoma widow at the moment – I’m sure Marc Jacquest is too!
Both Ron and Lee are in the chorus of this production at Artscapes and, boy, do they do a lot of shows!
Almost makes one appreciate the Masque’s short runs!!
Well, on to business …
MEMBERS’ NEWS
A very warm welcome to Sixolisiwe Mdaka who recently joined our Society – hope to meet you at our members’ evening in August – details to follow in next newsletter!!
Lieske Bester shares details of a trip recently:
In June I had 8 wondrous days and nights on a circular tour visiting 4 national parks: Karoo, Mountain Zebra, Addo and Tsitsikamma. Great accommodation – luxurious food– vistas so beautiful that I now have fallen in love with the Karoo (as long as it is winter!). Eight passengers on a small bus – we got on well and the driver/guide was knowledgeable, kind, patient (plus youngish and good looking!) We were very lucky with the weather and therefore the sighting – I made rough notes and the elephants alone numbered some 180 – whole families crossed right in front of us and surrounded the bus – if a window was open we could have touched them. Multitudes of other beasts – large and small (loved the variety of buck and especially the meerkat looking like a pontificating preacher!) Could have done without the two lions and their tragic kill (a pregnant Buffalo). The last night was in Tsitsikamma where the log chalets are close to the ocean and the whales frolicked in and out of the water. Google www.landscapetours.co.za – there are many other tempting options – I did the Spring Break last year.
YOU KNOW YOU’VE WORKED IN AM-DRAM IF…
I’M SURE YOU’LL RECOGNIZE YOURSELF SOMEWHERE IN THESE …..
…your living room sofa spends more time on stage than you do.
…you have your own secret family recipe for stage blood.
…you’ve ever appeared on stage wearing your own clothes.
….you’ve ever driven around the back of stores looking for discards that can be used for set.
…you’ve ever taken time off your job to work on the show.
…you’ve worked your vacation time to coincide with tech week.
MORE ON THE LAST PAGE!!
OUR NEXT PRODUCTION….BENEFACTORS
OPENS THIS FRIDAY 25 JULY!!!
There was a mesmerising interview on Taxi Radio recently – this brilliant production deserves our support – here are some comments from people who have had a “sneak-peek”:
“…bowled over by the acting, directing and sheer commitment of all involved.”
“…one of the most thought provoking, captivating plays I have seen.”
“…so well cast and the characterization is superb…”
AND THE ONE AFTER THAT!!
Director Barbara Basel had a good turnout for The Importance of Being Earnest and has put together what she believes is a very good team. The cast is a mixture of both new and familiar faces:
Algernon Mike Dewar
Jack David Sharpe
Gwendolen Sara-Kate de Beer
Cecily Grace Brain
Lady B Miranda Lewis
Miss Prism Jane Cohen
Rev Chasuble Richard Higgs
Lane/Merriman Andy Rabagliati
THEATRICAL LOGIC
In is down, down is front Out is up, up is back Off is out, on is in And of course- Left is right and right is left A drop shouldn’t and a Block and fall does neither A prop doesn’t and A cove has no water |
Tripping is OK A running crew rarely gets anywhere A purchase line buys you nothing A trap will not catch anything A gridiron has nothing to do with football Strike is work (In fact a lot of work) And a green room, thank god, usually isn’t Now that you’re fully versed in Theatrical terms, Break a leg. But not really. |
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 (TCM R60).
Bookings: 021 7881898 or bookings@masquetheatre.co.za or at the theatre Mon-Fri, 09:30 to 16:00.
(During run of shows also 9:30 to 12:00 on Saturdays)
Keep up with Masque news on https://www.facebook.com/masquetheatre
19 Jul to 3 Aug Oklahoma! directed by Teddy Davies for G&S at the Arscape Opera House. Tickets through Computicket range from R100 to R235 and preferential tickets are available from cast members at a saving of between R10 and R30 each – phone Ronnie Carr on 0727847236.
24 Jul to 2 Aug Sleuth by Anthony Shaffer, directed by Bettina Horvath for Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society at the Playhouse in Somerset West Sleuth has all the ingredients of a top-class thriller. It has a plot with twists and turns with suspense and excitement galore. It is a brilliant parody of the Agatha Christie country-house thriller, mercilessly satirizing the genre at the same as using its technical devices to the full. Set in 1970 it takes us on a journey of deceit and exploration of the “noble mind”. Bookings through Computicket (08619158000).
25 Jul to 2 Aug Benefactors by Michael Frayn, directed by Coleen van Staden for Muizenberg Dramatic Society at the Masque. Take an idealistic architect whose mission it is to revitalize a city slum, add his loyal wife who wants to do good at every turn, mix it up with needy neighbours who are the unworthy recipients of kindness, and have award winning playwright, Michael Frayn deliver it in an elegant script and you end up with a play that is clever, funny, thought provoking, and highly entertaining. As you take a peek into the lives of David, Jane, Sheila and Colin you may even recognize your neighbours … or better yet, yourselves! Don’t miss this award winning play! Please note there is NO matinee on Saturday 26 July. We have added a Wednesday performance.
Wed 30 July Benefactors – a performance with a special “twist”!! As a fun activity and part of the 1000drawingsct.co.za World Design Capital Project, we are hosting a doodle session to help raise funds for the upgrading of the Thomas Wildschutt School in Retreat. Audience members are encouraged to take a sheet of the paper provided and draw something inspired by the show. All of the Doodles will be given to 1000 Drawings to sell off at their event on 28 August at the CTICC. All of the proceeds from that event will go to the school. There will be a free glass of gluhwein for the Doodlers’ efforts! Audience members are encouraged to come at 19h30 so that they can start their Doodles before curtain up at 20h00. If they don’t finish their Doodle before the show, they can complete them in interval, which will be lengthened to 30 minutes. For further info visit http://1000drawingsct.co.za/charity/ or http://1000drawingsct.co.za/ or drop Fae or Kim an email on faerie452@gmail.com or tzar42@gmail.com respectively.
8 – 10 Aug Experience the Divine Bette Midler, a tribute show by Jodine Clare-Talbot, accompanied by Karen Rossouw on piano, in the Foyer of the Masque. After two sold-out performances in March, Jodine and Karen are returning to the Masque Theatre to raise money for the roof fund. This tribute show journeys through the Bette Midler songs (cabaret style) featured in her movies, television appearances and extravagant live shows. This show will have you singing along, laughing out loud and even drying an eye. On this Women’s Day weekend Jodine and Karen will pay tribute to a truly original woman who is larger than life! Performances Friday and Saturday at 20h00, Sunday 19h00. Tickets cost R85 and all women will receive a complimentary glass of wine or juice.
15 – 23 Aug Califonia Suite by Neil Simon, directed by Jane Philbrick for Fish Hoek Dramatic Society at the Masque. A hotel suite is the setting for four individual plays. A couple from London has arrived for the Oscar Awards full of expectation. Two couples from Chicage, who are best buddies, find that you can be too close for comfort. From New York we have the divorced wife arriving to do battle with her ex-husban for custody of their teenage daughter and, from Philadelphia, a wife arrives at the hotel suite before her husband can get rid of a drunken hooker from his bed.
Sun 17 Aug Cliff & The Shadows, by Tribute, in the Masque Foyer at 18h30. A show to set your feet tapping to one of the greatest sounds of the sixties. Come along for a relaxing evening and enjoy a musical journey back to the days when the original group topped the charts with hits such as “Apache”, “Atlantis”, “Summer Holiday”. Tickets cost R95 (R85).
AUDITIONS
Constantiaberg Theatre Players is holding an audition for The Great Gatsbyby Simon Levy in the Masque Theatre Foyer at 13h00 on Sunday 27 July 2014. The production will be directed by Alastair Duff and is on in November 2014. American accents are requiredand the cast requires 4 men (age 25+), 4 women (age 22+), a few more mature actors and a singing/dancing “chorus”. For further information contact Alastair on 021 788 4984.
The audition for the Masque’s pantomime, Once Upon a Time Dot.Com, which runs at the theatre in December, will take place on Sunday, 17 August at 13h00. Full details to follow!!
MASQUE FRONT-OF-HOUSE TRAINING WORKSHOP
Anthony Storr Lister will be presenting a Front-of-House Training Workshop for all those interested in volunteering as FOH Managers and Box Office volunteers at the Masque on Sunday 27 July 2014, 16h00–18h00. All are welcome, whether you have already volunteered, wish to volunteer or are simply curious as to the functioning of our theatre. Please RSVP to Jane de Sousa at jane@dramaticsolutions.co.za or on 072 446 5420 to facilitate catering. He has PROMISED that it will be “non-threatening” AND it will be a bit of a social event as well.
BIRTHDAYS
Michelle Knights starts us off on the 3rd with John McConnell next on the 10th.
Phyllis Early celebrates on the 11th with Nico Dreyer on the 12th and Tobie Beele on the 15th.
New member Sixolisiwe Mdaka has a birthday of the 16th of August.
Sandy Gee and Ralph Lawson share the 20th.
And last but definitely not least is Joan Hitchcock on the 25th.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ALL
Or, as some anonymous wit put it:
“Another candle on your cake? Well that’s no cause to pout.
Be glad that you have strength enough to blow the damn thing out!”
YOU KNOW YOU’VE WORKED IN AM-DRAM IF…
…you’ve ever appeared in a show where the cast out-numbered the audience by 2 to 1.
…you’ve ever had to haul a sofa off stage wearing an evening gown and heels.
…you’ve ever gotten a part because you were the only one who showed up for auditions.
…you’ve ever gotten a part because you were the only male who showed up for auditions.
…you’ve ever had to threaten someone with a gun held together with hot glue and electrical tape.
…you’ve ever played the father of someone your father’s age.
…you’ve ever been in a show where an actor leaned out through a window without opening it first.
Well, my hubby’s just sent a message to say he’s on his way home – this is the first time I’ve ever done a whole newsletter in one sitting!!
Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Eve
Our Committee:
Chair: Barbara Basel 021 761 4289/082 651 1695; Vice Chair: Wendy Morling 021 715 0694/083 462 8242; Secretary: Eve Carr 021 797 7286/082 789 2281; Acting Treasurer: Raymond Rudolph 021 794 5229/082 312 2737; Members: Su Cunningham 021 762 3875/082 902 2938; Alastair Duff 021 788 4984; Richard Higgs 083 611 1419; Di Thom 021 794 7455/082 410 9900; President: Celia Musikanth 021 788 7911/083 358 8415 Vice President: John McConnell 021 782 2743; Masque Trustee: Nick Lee
Our Website: www.mvds.co.za
Our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Mads/1740873193086