Claremont Chat
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
April 2017 – Number 167
Hi everyone!
April, it would seem, is the month of auditions – no fewer than six audition notices in this month’s Chat! So lots of opportunities to get involved in community theatre!
CDS AGM
Simon will send out a comment on the AGM after the next committee meeting, which is happening on 18 April.
CDS Awards
The following awards were handed out at the AGM:
- Best Actress: Santie du Toit for Top Girls AND Silly Cow
- Best Supporting Actor: Matt Roy for Silly Cow
- Best Supporting Actress: Su Cunningham for Top Girls
- Best Newcomer: Candice Burgess for Top Girls
- Best Play and Best Director: Shared between Top Girls and Silly Cow
- Outstanding contribution to the society: Kim R2 and Santie du Toit Roy
- Certificate for an excellent portrayal in a cameo role: Justin Wyatt-Smith for Silly Cow
- Promising performance: Krystle Marrier d’Unienville for Top Girls
Members’ choice awards
- Best Actor: Matt Roy
- Best Actress: Santie du Toit
- Best Play: Silly Cow
Prepaid tickets
CDS members can purchase discount prepaid tickets for the three shows that CDS is staging at the Masque this year. These are Peter Shaffer’s Equus, directed by Bernie Jacobs (28 April–3 May), 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 update
Equus moves into the theatre this Sunday, 23 April, to prepare for opening night on 28 April!
Here’s a little about the play from the director:
I have always loved “Poor theatre”, with minimal sets symbolising place, and where odd pieces of costume evoke the rich complexity of character, and thus the responsibility lies with the actors to create very real and truthful dramatic situations. I have also always been drawn to psychology, and the rich, deep and complex dynamics that shape human behaviour.
In Peter Shaffer’s Equus, all of these elements coalesce, which is why I was drawn to it as the piece of theatre with which I wanted to make my directorial debut. The play digs deep into the human psyche, and the staging calls for Brechtian techniques where the audience sees both the actor and the character as the drama unfolds. Equus also calls upon elements of Greek drama, through the choral work, and indeed Greek symbolism is threaded through the play.
– Bernie Jacobs
Members evening: 21 April
Our next members evening will be on Friday 21 April at the Hok. We look forward to seeing you there!
Rozencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead cast list
Jenny Brandt will be directing this Tom Stoppard absurdist play at the Masque Theatre from 19–29 July.
Auditions were held on 19 March and the cast is as follows:
- Guildenstern – Willie Blignaut
- Rosenkrantz – Matt Roy
- The Player – Patrick Jordi
- The Actors:
- Santie du Toit
- Leigh Mather
- Michelle Witbooi
- Michael Anthony Jenkins
- Hamlet – David Wilke
- Claudius – Simon Dutton
- Ophelia – Lea Blerk
- Gertrude – Kim R2
- Polonius – Stephan Fourie
AUDITION: Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh
A Masque Theatre production directed by Lynn Moss.
Production dates: 12–15 July 2017 (5 performances)
Audition date: Sunday 23 April
Time: 14h00
Place: The Hok, Thicket Street, Claremont
Characters
- Beverly [female, 30–40] – She is the life and soul of the party, ex-beautician, married to Laurence. The main anchor of the play, ascorbic, cutting and tactless to her husband, and eventually to her party guests. A social climber, who is very image and status conscious.
- Laurence [male, 30–40] – The understated, overlooked and stressed estate agent husband to Beverly. Tries to be the peacemaker, and the man of the house, often failing in the eyes of his wife.
- Angie [female, 25–35] – Married for three years to Tony. She is a nurse and a blatant social climber, wanting to be liked in the new neighbourhood. Admires and aspires to be like her idol Beverly.
- Tony [male, 25–35] – Married to Angie. He is a computer operator working shifts, and one-time professional footballer. The quiet unassuming type, but with a sexy smouldering attraction.
- Sue [female, 40– 50] – Abigail’s mother. Nervous and quiet, but rather refined. A divorced mother bringing up her teenage children in one of the larger homes of the street.
For more information and to book your audition please contact Lynn Moss on 021 785 2466 or 084 701 8360 or email lynn@infomotion.co.za.
Rehearsals scheduled to commence weekend of 13 May. Rehearsal location TBC.
About this production
This Masque Theatre production is being produced and staged on behalf of the theatre for fund raising purposes. The production run maybe short, but the energy and commitment of the members of the Masque Board producing this adventure will be dynamic, fast paced and above all FUN!!
The intention is to stage a theatrical experience that starts for the audience the moment they step into the Masque Theatre. Patrons will be invited to dress in 70s theme and enjoy Abigail’s Party starting in the Masque Theatre foyer, with refreshment and snacks served before the show, and photos afterwards with the cast, when the party continues in the bar.
Abigail’s Party was fist staged in the UK in 1977, 40 years ago, yet its topic is still relevant today. The characters we can all identify with, and have no doubt experienced a party hosted by an overbearing Beverly. The play also holds the record of the highest ever viewed on televisions, with a staggering 16 million viewers tuning into watch.
The action takes place on Saturday night, in suburban North London. Abigail has convinced her mother Sue, to allow her to have a party. Neighbour Beverly insists on hosting a small intimate soiree, in order to give Sue something to do whilst the teenager’s party takes place. Laurence, Beverly’s uptight husband arrives home late, just in time to see the first guests arrive, new neighbours Angie and Tony. Beverly’s hosting skills consist of plenty of drink, nuts, maybe an olive or two and cheesy pineapple on sticks. The evening unfolds with some spectacular conversation, dancing and the ultimate unforgettable finale. The power of this play lies in the characterisations, which will be developed to the full. British accents or the ability to learn them are necessary for this production.
Backstage opportunities
- Stage manager
- Props master
- Sound and lighting technician
Production run characters
Abigail’s party guests (pre-show, foyer only).
Six young adults to act as teenagers. Mixture of male and female, dressed in 1970s outfits some punk era clothing and makeup. Will be required to mix with the theatre goers, handing out drinks and canapés, and assist with fund raising activities each evening and matinee.
AUDITION: After Ever After
A MADS production to be staged at the Masque Theatre in the September holidays.
Date: Sunday 23 April
Time: 14h00
Venue: The Rendezvous, Muizenberg
This family fun play provides everyone in the family with the opportunity to be on stage together. It is an original and magical play that tells us what happens after our fairy-tale friends lived happily ever after. A good mixture of singing, dancing and laughing so everyone can show off their talents.
Characters
- Pinocchio – He is a naughty boy
- Snow White – She is an intelligent, kind young lady
- Prince Hans – Treacherous young male
- Cruella – An evil woman, obsessed with material wealth
- Jafar – He is evil, but a bit pathetic
- Wicked witch – ‘Classic’ witch
- Kaa – A clever snake
- Wolf – Cunning and clever
- Shrek – Goofy but kind-hearted
- Rapunzel – Classic princess type
- Genie – He is kind but a trickster, depending on who is master is
- Puss in Boots – Full of him/herself
- Beauty – She is intelligent, strict but kind
- Donkey – Funny and caring
- Ana – Adolescent female
- Elsa – Young adult female
- Sven – Clumsy reindeer
- Merlin – Wise, kind, intelligent, composed, a senior adult male
- Merida – Brave female warrior
- Bambi – Possibly a part for a child
- Thumper – Possibly a part for a child
- King Arthur – Can be played by anybody: because it is ‘Olaf’ dressed-up as Arthur
Dancers of all ages and genders are most welcome.
AUDITION: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
A Milnerton Theatre Players production directed by Shiela McCormick (musical direction by Tersia Harley). Music and book by Joe DiPietro; music by Jimmy Roberts.
Production dates: 24 November–9 December
Audition date: Sunday 30 April
Time: 13h30 for 14h00
Venue: Milnerton Playhouse
The witty relationship musical comedy, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change explores everything you ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws but were afraid to admit.
This award-winning musical was the second longest running off-Broadway show.
This show requires strong singers and character actors and the original cast of four may be expanded.
Presented in a revue style series of vignettes, connected by the central theme of love and relationships, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change cleverly explores the hilarious, yet poignant view of the modern relationships, from the ups and downs of single life, first dates, marriage, children, divorce and even dating in the twilight years. In fact, everything you have secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit. The show is often described as “Seinfeld set to music.”
It was originally written for a cast of four actors (2m/2f) but may be extended to six or eight.
Because of the vignette scenes, there are not traditional character descriptions for the show. Actors will be chosen for their acting and vocal strengths and ideally should be able to read music. Age range is 25–45 years. There is some choreography involved but dance experience is not a necessity.
Vocal ranges
- Females: Soprano range (low A to top Bb) Alto range (low F# to Db)
- Males: Baritone/tenor ranges (Middle C to high G#)
- All should have a strong middle range.
Audition requirements
Prepare an up-beat musical theatre song from a Broadway show in your voice range (no pop songs). Please bring sheet music. No acapella auditions. There will also be short, cold readings to assess your ability to portray the range of characters who appear throughout the show.
For further information please email Sheila on macdram@afrihost.co.za or phone 079 877 2466.
AUDITION: Let’s Murder Marsha by Monk Ferris
A Milnerton Theatre Players production directed by Judith Herbig.
Performance dates: 28 July–12 August
Audition date: Saturday 6 May
Time: 14h00
Venue: Milnerton Playhouse
Rehearsal period: June–July
A happy housewife named Marsha, hopelessly addicted to reading murder mysteries overhears her loving husband discussing her upcoming birthday surprise with an interior decorator. To her ears, though, it sounds like they are planning to murder her! With the assistance of her next door neighbour she tries to turn the tables on them with a poisoned potion. When her own mother shows up for her birthday a day early, Marsha thinks she is in on the diabolical scheme. When her maid’s date, a policeman, shows up to take the maid out, Marsha think he is on to her poisoning attempt. Well, finally, just when you would think all this would be cleared up, Marsha’s intended victims discover what she has supposed, and decide to teach her a lesson by actually pretending to be murderers. This is a terrific show for family audiences who like their comedy broad and fast and nonstop.
Characters
Please note: The character’s ages are approximate – if you can look and act the part, it will be fine!
- Tobias Gilmore [male, 30–40] – A Wall Street broker
- Marsha Gilmore [female, 30–40] – His wife
- Virgil Baxter [male, 20–40] – A friend and neighbour
- Persis Devore [female, 30–50] – Interior decorator, a lady with a secret
- Bianca [female, 20s] – The Gilmores’ maid
- Lynette Thoren [female, 50–70] – Marsha’s mother
- Ben Quade [male, 20s] –Bianca’s boyfriend
For more information contact 084 27 99 557 or judekins@hotmail.com.
AUDITION: Nobody’s Perfect, a comedy by Simon Williams, directed by Sue Bolton
Date: Sunday 7 May
Time: 11h00
Venue: Masque Theatre, Main Road, Muizenberg
Performance dates: 11–19 August
What’s it about?
In the fast moving and witty comedy shy, staid, statistician Leonard, working from home, is suffering jibes from his teenage daughter, Dee Dee, and his rascally father Gus. He is anxious to break into print and sends book after book to Love Is All Around, a feminist publisher dedicated to printing “for woman by woman”. Editor Harriet rejects his masculine efforts until Leonard submits a noval, based on his experiences as a single parent, under the pseudonym Myrtle Banbury. Harriet takes notice and offers a deal. Leonard must carry on the pretence, creating Murtle as an enigmatic aunt, more often heard than seen, but eventually she must appear and Leonard has no choice but to assume her identity.
In doing so he falls in love with Harriet but finds he has more courage as the flamboyant Myrtle than the stammering Leonard. In the truly funny final sequence – involving entry phones, mobiles and landlines – everyone manages to sort themselves out, with not a little help from Dee Dee and Gus!
Characters
- LEONARD: a middle-aged statistician in his late 40s
- HARRIET: a publisher in her late 40s
- DEE DEE: Leonard’s daughter, 16–22 years old
- GUS: Leonard’s father, 70 years or over
AUDITION: HHDS summer musical
Were you born to be a superstar? Do you love to entertain, sing, act and dance? If so, the Playhouse Theatre Somerset West is looking for YOU!!
The director that brought you Annie, Grease, The Wizard of Oz and Blood Brothers, together with musical director Kathy Lin (Blood Brothers) and their team, is looking for the right cast for HHDS’s dynamic summer musical production – Shrek, Hairspray or Charlotte’s Web.
RSVP to auditionshhds@gmail.com for an audition slot. No previous experience required. See the full audition notice on the HHDS Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PlayhouseSW/) for more information.
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
| 30 Mar–22 Apr | Scenes From an Execution
featuring Jennifer Steyn |
Baxter Theatre |
| 4–29 April | Elton and friends
presented by FollowSpot |
Kalk Bay Theatre |
| 5 Apr–5 May | Theatre skills workshops
run by Milnerton Theatre Players |
Milnerton Playhouse |
| 13–29 Apr | Hamlet
presented by Pieter Toerien |
Theatre on the Bay |
| 18–29 Apr | Tartuffe
directed by Sylvaine Strike |
Baxter Theatre |
| 18–29 Apr | Cold Case: Revisiting Dulcie September
directed by Basil Appollis |
Alexander Bar |
| from 18 Apr | Funny Girl, the musical
presented by Eric Abraham |
Fugard Theatre |
| 20–22 Apr | Love Sex Fleas God
presented by Circle Productions |
Playhouse Theatre |
| 20–22 Apr | Tapera Baba
presented by Ubuntu Dance |
Galloway Theatre |
| 21 Apr | CDS members evening | The Hok |
| 21 Apr | Masque Theatre karaoke fundraiser | Masque Theatre |
| 23 Apr | AUDITION: After Ever After
hosted by MADS |
Rendezvous |
| 23 Apr | AUDITION: Abigail’s Party
hosted by Masque Theatre |
The Hok |
| 24–29 Apr | Love Sex Fleas God
presented by Circle Productions |
Alexander Bar |
| 25 Apr–20 May | Hemelruim
presented by Naskrif Produksies |
Fugard Studio Theatre |
| 27–30 Apr | Hello & Goodbye
presented by HHDS and Carnivals of the Heart |
Playhouse Theatre |
| 28 Apr–6 May | Equus
presented by CDS |
Masque Theatre |
| 30 Apr | AUDITION: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
hosted by Milnerton Theatre Players |
Milnerton Playhouse |
| 4–6 May | Defending the Caveman
presented by Plewman |
Playhouse Theatre |
| 6 May | AUDITION: Let’s Murder Marsha
hosted by Milnerton Theatre Players |
Milnerton Playhouse |
| 7 May | AUDITION: Nobody’s Perfect
hosted by Fish Hoek Dramatic Society |
Masque Theatre |
| 7 May | AUDITION: HHDS summer musical
hosted by HHDS |
Playhouse Theatre |
| 11–13 May | Hello & Goodbye
presented by HHDS and Carnivals of the Heart |
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
