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
January 2017 – Number 164
Hi everyone!
Happy New Year! Here’s hoping 2017 will be kinder to us than 2016 was.
AUDITION: Sipho and the Bright Morning Star (MADS)
Production dates: 21–25 March 2017, Masque Theatre foyer
Audition date: 21 January, 14:30
Venue: Rendezvous, 57 Promenade Road, Muizenberg
Characters:
- Sipho (a young boy). Played by a real boy. He is taciturn and clumsy. Sometimes he has to think very carefully about what he wants to say before he says it.
- Mama Wesizwa (his mother). A rod puppet, larger than life. She is matronly and gentle.
- Blommetjie and Palesa (twin sisters: one pale, the other dark). Two young girls who are completely inseparable: like conjoined twins, they are joined at the hip and shoulder, and can only move their right and left arms respectively. They complete each other’s sentences, interrupt each other and at all times move as a single entity.
- Zunga and Oagajaga (travellers from another place). Glove puppets with oversize heads and pointy hats, one with bells on it. They may be operated by the same puppeteer and voiced by the same actor. Like Punch and Judy characters, they are raucous and vulgar.
- Ceres (a nature spirit). A large rod puppet. She represents earthly nature in its abundance and its parsimony, its gentleness and its violence.
- Naledi (the Bright Morning Star). Ethereal, completely white and silver, with a glittering and gentle, but almost cold, presence
Synopsis:
Sipho is a strange young boy who lives alone with his mother in a remote village. His mother wishes he was not so strange, and wonders how she is going to handle him. She goes across the valley to visit someone, and Sipho, left alone, is approached by the two sisters who have been spying on him and giggling at his strange ways. The girls convince him that he is too strange and is a burden on his mother, so Sipho plans to run away to spare her the difficulty of raising him. He steals the money that his mother has been saving to send him to school or to buy him some new shoes and he sets off, accompanied by the sisters, teasing him all the way.
Suddenly the sisters disappear and two strangers arrive. They trick the naïve young boy out of his money and they disappear in turn, just as night is falling.
Not being able to find his way home, Sipho is met by a nature spirit who takes him under her wing for the night and watches over him while he sleeps, having struck a bargain with him that she will only keep the bad spirits away until just before dawn, otherwise she will be neglecting her work of keeping nature in balance.
On waking the next morning, Sipho finds that the nature spirit has indeed disappeared, and he is all alone, cold, scared and hungry.
As he is regretting stealing from his mother and running away, the Bright Morning Star appears and calls his name. She leads him back to his frantic mother and promises to get the stolen money back, if his mother does not punish him too harshly. As she fades away with the approaching sun, she leaves behind a trail of shiny coins for the reunited mother and son.
Inquiries: Sue Wilkes, 021 788 3963 or 078 878 6896
AUDITION: The Birdcage (CTP)
Production dates: 17–25 November 2017, Masque Theatre
Audition date: 22 January, 14:30
Venue: Bergvliet Guide Hall
Rehearsal dates to be confirmed, but two evening weeknights one weekend afternoon per week would be required.
Synopsis:
Armand and Albert have built the perfect life for themselves tending to their gaudy, camp Miami nightclub. But their pastel tranquility is shaken when Armand’s son announces that he’s getting married to the daughter of ultra-conservative Senator Keeley … and they’re all getting together for dinner! Can Armand and Albert transform themselves into Mr. and Mrs. Family Values in time? It’ll take the performance of their lives, but they’ll do anything – and everything – to pull the chiffon over Senator Keeley’s eyes!
Principal cast members:
- Armand Goldman (male, 45–50): owner of the Birdcage, a venue for drag shows in Miami
- Albert “Starina” (male, 35–45): main attraction at the club and Armand’s partner. Preferably slightly ‘rotund’ and exceptionally camp
- Val Goldman (male, 20–25): Armand’s son, strapping clean cut all American jock
- Senator Keeley (male, 50+): typical American straight laced macho conservative politician with a penchant for candy
- Louise Keeley (female, 40–45): the Senator’s sometimes dim-witted wife, but well turned out and caring
- Barbara Keeley (female, 18–20 max.): their daughter, very level headed for her tender years
- Agador (male, 20–30): this peach of a role, the maid/man servant/cook must have a Spanish accent, be well built and not feel shy in tight micro hot pants only
- Katharine (female, 40–45): Armand’s original wife and mother to Val. Gym owner so should have exceptional body
- The Goldman Girls (20s–30s): three top ‘drag artists’ who sing (or mime) dance in five-inch heels in costume
- Cyril (male, 20–40): stage manager of the Birdcage
There are several other bit parts that can be doubled up.
For more info and to book your audition slot please contact director Barrie Howard on 021 788 2877 or 082 7424 720 or email barriejinh@gmail.com.
AUDITION: The Full Monty (Pinelands Players)
Production dates: 11–25 November 2017, Roxy Revue Bar, GrandWest
Audition date: 29 January (callbacks 5 February)
Venue: Rendezvous, 57 Promenade Road, Muizenberg
Rehearsals will commence in July: twice a week and once on the weekend. This will increase as we get nearer to opening.
More information:
- The show will be directed and choreographed by Laura Bosman, musically directed by Barend van der Westhuizen and stage managed by Philippa van Ryneveld. The rest of the production team will be confirmed once the show has been cast.
- The show is set in Sheffield, England, and British accents will be a requirement. For the auditions, any British accent from any part of England will do. However, it is also not a train smash if you cannot do a British accent for the auditions, as long as you show potential to be able to learn one. Please note that the show contains some strong language and adult themes.
- The songs “Hot Stuff” and “Leave Your Hat On” will be included as part of the show.
- The cast requires 12 males, 8 females and 1 boy who can play 13–15 years old. Some of the ensemble members may play more than one role.
- This is a show for both men AND women. Although the movie neglects the women significantly, the stage show is quite different and there are some meaty, powerful and crucial roles for women of all ages with brilliant solo and group singing numbers.
- Age range and racial ethnicity of the characters are a guide only. If a certain character appeals to you and you believe that you have the ability to perform it well, please do not let either stop you from auditioning. Casting will very much depend on who auditions and who can best support the role vocally and physically.
- This is a musical which requires singing, dancing and acting. However, above all, excellent acting skills are essential. The Full Monty deals with very real and heartfelt emotional issues which require a genuine acting approach. Do not be put off if you’re not the best singer, but you can really carry the acting and dancing. Come to the auditions anyway. The same with the dancing and singing. Please also note that there are some non-singing, non-dancing roles.
- The final scene in The Full Monty contains full frontal nudity, backlit carefully so as to avoid any audience members seeing any “hot stuff”! Men auditioning for one of the sixmain roles do need to be comfortable enough with their bodies to strip down in this scene. Bear in mind that we are looking for men of all ages, shapes and sizes – preferably NOT Greek gods – in order to carry the roles successfully and realistically. With regard to all and any nudity in the show, please be assured that the rehearsing and staging of it will be handled sensitively and carefully. There will be no nudity required at the auditions.
Synopsis:
This musical stage version is based on the 1997 British film of the same name. Six unemployed, lower working class and out-of-shape men decide to do a one-time-only striptease to outdo a touring male strip show and make some desperately needed money. But The Full Monty is not about men taking off their pants; it’s about self-worth, dignity, honesty, authenticity and courage as these men confront their fears of inadequacy, their insecurities and their failure to provide for their families. And it’s about the women in their lives who love them and cheer them on.
To read more and to see a list of the songs, visit http://www.mtishows.com/the-full-monty
Audition details:
- Auditions will be held on Sunday, the 29th of January 2017 at The Roxy Revue Bar at GrandWest. Callbacks will be held on Sunday, the 5th of February.
- To book your audition slot, please email thefullmontypp2017@gmail.com. Please indicate which character/characters you are keen to audition for. Further details will be sent to you along with your time slot.
- Please prepare the song(s) indicated for each character. The sheet music for the song(s) will be sent to you along with copies of the dialogue for the auditions once you have confirmed your time slot.
Characters:
- The six “hot metal” men:
- Jerry Lukowski (35–45, Rock tenor, strong controlled falsetto, strong actor) – Unemployed mill worker. A regular guy, spontaneous, tough, cocky, with an excellent sense of humour. He is fighting to maintain his pride and the custody of his only son. Physical requirements: Not bad-looking and with a ‘nice rear’, as referenced in the script. What to prepare: “Man” and “Breeze Off The River”. Dialogue to follow.
- Dave Bukatinsky (35–50, Lyric tenor with strong falsetto) – Unemployed mill worker. Dave is Jerry’s best friend and has a big heart, but he is very self-conscious about his excess body weight and struggles with self-esteem issues. He is lovable and more a follower than a leader. Physical requirements: Rather overweight. What to prepare: “Man” and “You Rule my World”. Dialogue to follow.
- Harold Nichols (35–60, High baritone/tenor) – Unemployed mill worker. He is slightly older and more authorative than Jerry and Dave, a stuffed-shirt cynic. He dotes on his wife and hides from her the fact that he’s been unemployed for the last six months. His dancing skills make him the group’s choreographer. What to prepare: “You Rule my World”. Dialogue to follow.
- Ethan Girard (25–45, Baritone/tenor) – Unemployed mill worker. Ethan is a determined optimist regardless of his unemployment problems, loneliness and regular failed attempts to copy the wall-walking scene from Singin’ in the Rain. He is energetic and enthusiastic, but does not possess the strongest intellect. Physical requirements: Preferably slim, with an athletic build (but not essential). What to prepare: “You Walk With Me”. Dialogue to follow.
- Malcolm MacGregor (25–45, High tenor, smooth falsetto) – Unemployed mill worker. Sweet and sincere, Malcolm is a shy, gay man who is coddled by his mother and has few friends. He is rescued from a suicide attempt, and his self-esteem grows around his new companions. What to prepare: “Big Ass Rock” and “You Walk with Me”. Dialogue to follow.
- Noah “Horse” T. Simmons (35+, Baritone/tenor) – Unemployed mill worker. He was a good mover back in the day. Sings and dances the brilliant number, “Big Black Man”. Physical requirements: Black man. What to prepare: “Big Black Man”. Dialogue to follow.
- Supporting male roles:
- Nathan Lukowski (13–15) – Pam and Jerry’s son. Wise for his age. Stoic, sincere and charming; loves his dad but knows he sometimes has to play the father. In the show he sees and hears adult-themed content and says “f**k” once. What to prepare: Dialogue only (to follow).
- Teddy Slaughter (35–55) – Pam’s live-in boyfriend. Quite the opposite of Jerry, he is clean-cut and well-off. What to prepare: “Scrap”. Dialogue to follow.
- Buddy ‘Keno’ Walsh (21–35) – A male stripper. He opens the show with a striptease for the women. No full frontal nudity. Physical requirements: Good body and moves well. What to prepare: “Scrap”. Dialogue to follow.
- Reg Willoughby (30–55) – Union leader. What to prepare: “Scrap”. Dialogue to follow.
- Tony Giordano (20–50) – Club owner. What to prepare: “Scrap”. Dialogue to follow.
- Supporting female roles:
- Pam Lukowski (30–45, High alto/broad mezzo belter) – Jerry’s estranged wife. She wants Jerry to be an active father and wants him to succeed, but has strong reservations. A strong, firm woman with a very big heart. What to prepare: “The Goods”. Dialogue to follow.
- Georgie Bukatinsky (30–45, High alto/broad mezzo belter) – Dave’s wife. 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. What to prepare: “It’s a Woman’s World” and “You Rule My World (reprise)”. Dialogue to follow.
- Vicki Nichols (30–55, High alto/broad mezzo belter) – Harold’s wife. She is classy and energetic, and loves to dress up and travel but is still one of the girls. She adores and understands her husband. What to prepare: “Life with Harold” and “You Rule My World (reprise)”. Dialogue to follow.
- Jeannette Burmeister (“Of indeterminate years” but preferably with a been-around-the-block look, Low alto belter) – A piano player. A sassy, showbiz veteran with a smoky voice who has been there and done that, and has the scars and stories to tell. She’s so keen to get involved that she brings her own piano. An excellent actress required. What to prepare: “Jeanette’s Showbiz Number”. Dialogue to follow.
- Estelle Genovese (25–35, Alto) – Jerry’s occasional girlfriend. Bold, brassy, sexy, slightly insensitive. What to prepare: “It’s a Woman’s World”. Dialogue to follow.
- Susan Hershey (30–45, Alto) – A friend of Pam and Georgie’s. What to prepare: “It’s a Woman’s World”. Dialogue to follow.
- Joanie Lish (30–45, Alto) – A friend of Pam and Georgie’s. What to prepare: “It’s a Woman’s World”. Dialogue to follow.
- Molly MacGregor (60–70, Non-singing role) – Malcolm’s aged and ailing mother. Dialogue to follow.
CDS AGM
The CDS AGM for 2016 will be held at Barristers Bar and Grill, Newlands (our usual haunt) on Tuesday, 21 February 2017. If there is anything you would like included on the agenda, please contact a committee member. A more detailed notice will be issued closer to the time.
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
| 22 Nov–31 Jan |
District Six – Kanala
created by David Kramer |
Fugard Theatre |
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| 16 Jan–4 Feb |
Hashtag Lottering
with Marc Lottering |
Baxter Theatre |
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| 17–28 Jan |
Life
presented by Rob van Vuuren |
Kalk Bay Theatre |
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| 18–21 Jan |
Nice Coat
presented by Soli Philander |
Masque Theatre |
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| 18–28 Jan |
Sherlock Holmes and the Curse of the Queen’s Diamond |
Theatre on the Bay |
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| 19–21 Jan |
Two Parrots and a Sandcastle
presented by Megan Furniss |
Alexander Bar |
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| 19–29 Jan |
Michael Jackson History Tour
starring Dantanio |
Artscape |
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| 21 Jan |
AUDITION: Sipho and the Bright Morning Star
hosted by MADS |
Rendezvous |
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| 21 Jan–25 Feb |
Twelfth Night
presented by Artscape |
Maynardville |
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| 22 Jan |
Foyer Session: Mthwakazi
presented by Ulla Gosebrink |
Masque Theatre |
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| 22–28 Jan |
London Suite
presented by Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society |
The Playhouse |
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| 22 Jan–26 Feb |
Romeo and Juliet
presented by Cape Town City Ballet |
Artscape |
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| 23–28 Jan |
Picture Incomplete
presented by Schoeman Smit |
Alexander Bar |
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| 23 Jan–4 Feb |
Oh Baby, I’m a Wild One
written and directed by Louis Viljoen |
Alexander Bar |
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| 23 Jan–25 Feb |
Life Begins
with Riaad Moosa |
Baxter Theatre |
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| 25 Jan |
MADS AGM |
Rendezvous |
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| 25–28 Jan |
New Talent Week
hosted by the Masque Theatre |
Masque Theatre |
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| 30 Jan–11 Feb |
In bocca al lupo
produced by POPArt Productions and Jemma Kahn |
Alexander Bar |
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| 31 Jan–18 Feb |
Big Boys the 3rd
presented by FollowSpot Productions |
Kalk Bay Theatre |
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| 2–4 Feb |
Summer Classics
presented by Cape Town City Ballet |
Masque Theatre |
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| 3–11 Feb |
Blood Brothers
presented by Carnivals of the Heart |
Artscape |
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| 5 Feb |
Foyer Session: Maya Spector
presented by Ulla Gosebrink |
Masque Theatre |
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| 7–18 Feb |
Love, Sex, Fleas, God
directed by Celia Musikanth |
Masque Theatre |
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| 14 Feb |
Valentines Evening
hosted by the Masque Theatre |
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
