‘Splendour’ is a gripping play about decadence and dictatorship.  Kathryn, a photo- journalist arrives at a european dictator’s house to photograph him.  She is accompanied by her interpreter Gilma.  The dictator is not there as he is dealing with an uprising.  They are welcomed by Michelaine, the dictator’s wife and her friend Genevieve.  Trapped inside by the encroaching rebels it becomes obvious to them that the city is falling.  In the course of a day relationships and loyalties dissolve.  As past guilts emerge destructive emotions surface.

‘Splendour’s’ structure is non-linear as the claustrophobic scenario is shaken and re-arranged like a kaleidoscope.  It is not an easy play, but a rewarding one.

‘Puss In Boots’
14 – 17th January & 19 – 24th January 2010

BOOK ONLINE

This is a traditional family pantomime and an excellent introduction for small children to the world of theatre.  It tells the story of Jack, a poor miller’s son who inherits only a cat when his father dies.  Yet this cat can talk and is very smart.  Soon Puss comes up with a plan for Jack to become rich and marry the princess he has long loved.

Puss in Boots has a handsome hero and a lovely princess who has a mind of her own.  There is also a villain Sir Roger who charms the King and Queen into thinking he is the perfect suitor for their daughter, while his two servants Nosmo and Nopar King undermine all his efforts with their incompetence.

Our speaker in October was Colin Skeaping who brought his dog Sandy, who appeared in the Nomad’s production of Annie in January this year. Sandy was the star of our luncheon.

Colin explained that he had trained bearded collies since 1970 for work in film, television and theatre. He was invited by the Waltham Playhouse to train one of his dogs for their production of Annie and Finn performed in thirty-five productions of the show and Tully in seventeen. Finn was meant to be in Annie but died so Tully and Sandy performed in the show. Sandy was so hyperactive that he was taken off the show as neither of our ‘Annies’ could cope with him, so Tully completed the performances. Since Finn’s passing Sandy has calmed down and has been in Annie several times. Finn had worked for years with Colin and Tully benefited from working with Finn. Colin illustrated how Sandy followed his hand signals as it would not be possible to speak on stage. Sandy’s eyes never left Colin’s face and performed each task perfectly, even playing dead when Colin performed his hand into a gun and fired it at him. In the second part of Colin’s talk, he told how he started as a stunt man in 1967 as a stand-in for actors and actresses (wearing wigs of course), when he and fellow stuntmen and occasionally women took great risks, which would not be allowed today. Colin worked in Disney and the early Bond films In 1976 Colin was signed up for a “small film”, Star Wars, and he was body double for Luke Skywalker. Thirteen years ago Colin joined Midsomer Murders and. every time someone is to be killed, Colin is asked how to do it. His work involves motorcycle and car crashes and he has doubled for Joanna Lumley and Joan Simms. Our members asked many questions and of course, Sandy was very much admired.

Our speaker in November will be Leonard Beighton. Leonard is closely involved in Churches Together. Since his retirement he has travelled the world, involved in many international organisations, particularly with the local Church involvement in Uganda and Kosovo. Any member unable to attend the luncheon please contact me by Sunday, 15th November (01483-283507).

Our annual Christmas Luncheon is on Wednesday, 16th December

Mary Brooks.

This is a traditional family pantomime and an excellent introduction for small children to the world of theatre. It tells the story of Jack, a poor miller’s son who inherits only a cat when his father dies. Yet this cat can talk and is very smart. Soon Puss comes up with a plan for Jack to become rich and marry the princess he has long loved.

Puss in Boots has a handsome hero and a lovely princess who has a mind of her own. There is also a villain Sir Roger who charms the King and Queen into thinking he is the perfect suitor for their daughter, while his two servants Nosmo and Nopar King undermine all his efforts with their incompetence.

by ILC Creative

Directed by Jeff Wightwick

Musical Director James Marr

Choregrapher Wendy Denny

14th to 17th January & 19th 24th January 2009

*** BOOK ONLINE NOW ***

The virtually imperceptible changes of scene achieved by the very simple readjustment of two chairs, a few simple props but mainly by the clever changes of table covering were hugely successful and effective. Again, the content was the main focus and not the “things”.

There was some spectacular use of back projection; a simple but very effective way of changing our consciousness from inside to outside and from More’s home to his jail. The mullioned window slide was especially lovely. Lighting added to the interest and mood of the whole piece. There were nice moments of “secretive” lighting where one could only see the face of the narrator. The alternating blues of the Thames and the stained glass window effect of thered and green lighting stayed in the memory.

One could go on, but suffice it to say that the lighting and music together made a significant contribution to the performance. My personal thanks for the magenta washes. Magenta must surely be amongst the most royal of lighting colouring and effects. The costuming, of course, was a vital component. The autumnal shades seemed so very appropriate to the course of the life of the main protagonist and made it a pleasure to watch.

This leaves us with what should have been and undoubtedly was the central focus of the production; the actors and the words they spoke. One can only say that they treated the theme with great reverence, respect and clarity. Whilst we grew to love More, beautifully measured and sustained by Keith McDonald, Steve Rowland’s Cromwell attracted one’s loathing and anger, though this was relieved momentarily when he tried to persuade Thomas that there was still time. This was a confident, well articulated and carefully drawn performance. The interplay between these two characters carried the force of the play and sustained it to its tragic end.

Playing cameo roles is a very tough business but one which Colin Clyde managed with ease. One has little time to create a presence, especially difficult if they are very significant to the progress of the story line. Colin created a very believable Wolsey and a sober committed Cranmer. However, his more substantial and well thought out Signor Chapuys added a particular colour and at times, even humour to the piece. His flourishes and gestures were a delight.

Our first meeting, after the summer break, welcomed Andrew Churchill, Marketing Manager for the Watts Gallery in Compton. The Watts Gallery is home to the studio collection of 19th century painter and sculptor G.F. Watts and includes works by his wife, Mary. Opened in 1904, just two months before Watt’s death, it is one of the few purpose-built picture galleries in the UK housing a single professional artist’s collection and is an early example of an Arts and Crafts building, listed Grade II; built not only as a Gallery but also to serve as a hostel for apprentices working at the pottery founded by Mary Seton Watts. Andrew explained that the Gallery had come second in the bid to win the BBC TV series “Restoration Village”. If they had won, the money would have gone towards the “Hope peal” (named after Watts’ painting, Hope), set up in 2004 and which needed ? £10 million to save the site from ruin. However, only months after losing out on the TV prize, the gallery’s director Perdita Hunt and her team made a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, who gave the gallery a £?4.3 million grant which allowed the restoration to go ahead. The TV show raised the profile of the gallery which helped in fund raising and they now have 850 friends. Andrew showed us slides of the gallery before work commenced and the work now being carried out. He also showed us a collection of the paintings housed at the gallery. The problem of what to do with the pictures during restoration was solved by distributing them to the Guildhall Art Gallery and various other galleries. The work was delayed by snow and then the contractors went into administration. However, it is hoped that the gallery will open late next year. Andrew answered many questions from our members and handed out leaflets, inviting our members to become a friend to help support this unique gallery in the future.

Our October speaker will be Colin Skeaping. Colin’s dog Tully performed in the Nomad production of ‘Annie’ and Colin will talk to us about training animals on stage and screen and his work as a stunt coordinator. Members who are on the list and cannot attend this meeting, please contact Mary Brooks before Sunday 18th October (01483 283507)

In November we shall welcome Leonard Beighton who has had a very varied career in Government. In retirement, Leonard has travelled the world, particularly with his local Church involvement in Uganda and Kosovo.

Mary Brooks.

You can now book tickets for our next show The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 by John Bishop.

This a very funny farce which involves revolving bookcases, dead bodies appearing unexpectedly and a cast of cast of theatrical types clashing with New York cops and Nazi saboteurs.  The show runs from Tuesday 17th November to Saturday 21st at 8pm, tickets are 11.00 except Tuesday when they are 9.00.  Ring 01483 284747 to book.

“A play of poetic rhythms and searing sexual undercurrents”

Production dates: 9th – 13 March 2010

AUDITIONS:
Thursday 5 November 2009 – 7.30 pm
Sunday 8 November 2009 – 10.30 am

Please contact me on 01483 531508 or at km@creaction.co.uk to say what parts you are interested in and for time to attend.

PLOT:
Blanche comes to live in New Orleans with her younger sister Stella and Stella’s husband Stanley. Blanche angers Stanley by her airs and affectations, her reminiscences about her genteel past and her distaste for his coarse vitality. When he discovers that her refinement is a façade he destroys Blanche’s hope of salvation, which is to marry Stanley’s close friend Mitch.

MAIN CHARACTERS (aged 25 – 35):

Blanche:
“The lady of illusion and artifice, the fluttering Southern belle whose veneer of refinement masks emotional starvation and sexual rapacity.”

Stanley:
“A force of nature: primal, rough-hewn, brutish and sensual.”

Stella:
Mild in disposition, but love for and relationship with Stanley heavily based on powerful sexual chemistry

Mitch:
Clumsy, sweaty, unrefined, but gentle and kind Plus – more flexible in age

Eunice:
Neighbour and friend of Stella

Steve:
Husband of Eunice, poker buddy of Stanley

Pablo:
poker buddy of Stanley
YOUNG MAN: Blanche flirts with him

DOCTOR and MATRON

NEGRESS – STREET VENDOR –

SAILOR – MEXICAN WOMAN

Tickets can be purchased online from mid October.

The creative team responsible for a recent Broadway flop (in which three chorus girls were murdered by the mysterious “Stage Door Slasher”) assemble for a backer’s audition of their new show at the Westchester estate of a wealthy “angel.” The house is replete with sliding panels, secret passageways and a German maid who is apparently four different people—all of which figure diabolically in the comic mayhem which follows when the infamous “Slasher” makes his reappearance and strikes again—and again. As the composer, lyricist, actors and director prepare their performance, and a blizzard cuts off any possible retreat, Bodies start to drop in plain sight, knives spring out of nowhere, masked figures drag their victims behind swiveling bookcases, and accusing fingers point in all directions. However, and with no thanks to the bumbling police inspector who snowshoes in to investigate, the mystery is solved in the nick of time and the “Slasher” unmasked—but not before the audience has been treated to a sidesplitting good time and a generous serving of the author’s biting, satiric and refreshingly irreverent wit.

The show is to be performed at The Nomads 17 – 21 November 2009

Produced & choreographed by Amanda Warwick

Friday 16th October at 7.30pm
Saturday 17th October at 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Tickets: £10

BOOK ONLINE NOW

The Warwick School Of Dance Arts was established over twenty years ago by theatre artiste, choreographer and qualified teacher, Amanda Warwick. Her training was at the Arnould School, Chessington, Pamela de Waal, Paignton and the Marian Jepson College, Manchester.

Her first professional show was at Drury Lane Theatre with David Essex, followed by nationwide tours of The Fol de Rolls, Snow White and later Grease, playing ‘Frenchy.’

Some of Amanda’s former pupils have gone on to dance and teach professionally as far away as New York whilst others are successful in radio and television broadcasting both behind and in front of the camera. The school has now been established for over twenty years but always embraces new styles and ideas.

Several years ago Amanda moved from Feltonfleet School to take over dance tuition at Manor House School in Little Bookham. A full programme of dance is available there and the children may integrate for purposes of exams and shows.

For more information visit the Amanda Warwick Dance Arts website.