Archive for April 2016
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, from the novel by C S Lewis, adapted by Glyn Robbins, directed by Anthony Kemp
Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 December, evenings at 7.30, matinee at 2.30 on Saturday
Tickets: adults £16, children/students, adults £12 on 13th
Four children travel through a wardrobe to the land of Narnia where it is always winter but never Christmas.
Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny.
Most of the novel is set in Narnia, a land of talking animals and mythical creatures that one White Witch has ruled for 100 years of deep winter. In the frame story, four English children are staying in a large, old country house for a holiday. The youngest visits Narnia three times via the magic of a wardrobe in a spare room. All four children are together on her third visit, which verifies her fantastic claims and comprises the subsequent 12 of 17 chapters except for a brief conclusion. In Narnia, the siblings seem fit to fulfill an old prophecy and so are soon adventuring both to save Narnia and their lives. Lewis wrote the book for, and dedicated it to, his goddaughter Lucy Barfield. She was the daughter of Owen Barfield, Lewis’s friend, teacher, adviser, and trustee.
After going in twice the four children go in together for the last time. They battle wolves, meet talking animals, encounter a evil white witch and meet a magnificent lion named ‘Aslan’. Will this be the end of their journey to Narnia or will they stay?
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe is a timeless classic that children cherish and adults adore. This production is directed by Anthony Kemp.
Get a 10% discount on food at The Duke and also Goose (Bishopsmead Parade) by showing your tickets for that day’s performance.
Haunted! The blood-curdling musical
Haunted! The Blood-Curdling Musical
Presented by The Freewheelers
Wednesday 19 October 1.30 pm and 7.30 pm
Tickets: adults £10, disabled £5, under 16s £5, carers free
Relaxed performance / BSL interpreted / surtitled & audio described
The perfect play for Halloween, ‘Haunted – The Blood-Curdling Musical’, is a show full of song, dance, thrills and suspense, as it follows the journey of two people who meet under spooky circumstances and fall madly in love. Set in an old theatre filled with mysterious and peculiar characters, the tale tells the story of the two lovers and the obstacles they have to overcome to be together. Can true love find its way? Or will the ghosts of the past block their path? Book your tickets now to find out…if you dare!!
Get 10% off food at The Duke and also Goose (Bishopsmead Parade) by showing your tickets for that day’s performance.
Based in Leatherhead, Surrey, the group have toured our work across South East England. We have collaborated with English Touring Opera and the National Theatre. Our multimedia projects are viewed across the world.
We work with people of all abilities. We nurture individual talents and our members take on diverse responsibilities including choreography, lighting, mentoring and public speaking. All of our projects are underpinned by an ethos of teamwork which brings all our skills together. In addition to our touring theatre productions, we run weekly workshops in dance, drama, music and media and create performance opportunities for our members to share their work in public. All of our projects are professionally led and managed and our work is supported by a team of dedicated volunteers.
Artistic excellence goes hand in hand with learning and personal growth. Benefits for our members include:
* developing artistic skills, e.g. acting, dance, singing, film-making, theatre production
* improving physical fitness and co-ordination through dance and movement
* learning how to work as part of a team
* developing social skills and making friends
* gaining independence and confidence
Old Herbaceous, starring Giles Shenton
Old Herbaceous
Saturday 15th October at 7.30 Sunday 16th October at 2.30
Tickets: adults £14, children/students £10
Starring Giles Shenton, Directed by Simon Downing
Produced by Andrew D Brewis
Play by Alfred Shaughnessy from the novel by Reginald Arkell
“One very talented actor, Giles Shenton as Herbert Pinnegar (Old Herbaceous), keeps us engrossed, entertained, amused and emotionally engaged for an hour and a half as a gardener in a potting shed… who knew that would work? A wonderful production: funny, emotional, touching, instructive: as it’s been dubbed : ” Downton Abbey with gardening tips” ( and some cookery ones too!)…and an acute and sometimes hilarious observation of relationships between the classes in a gentler, simpler age. As the song goes, “ Sometimes life can taste so sweet, when you slow it down.”
“Old Herbaceous is a story of one man working at the the same gardening job for all his working life. He sees the world change from a Victorian age through Edwardian to a modern world in 1970 when the play is set. Although it is the story of one manʼs life, it encompasses many different stories and sub-plots. It has been a joy to discover this manʼs journey, which centres around a platonic, unrequited love story across social boundaries. It is basically UPSTAIRS, OUTSIDE, rather than UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS. Above all it is a look at a world that no longer exists and a nostalgic yearning to return to a way of life gone forever. What surprised me most was how moving the piece is. So bring your tissues,you may need them.”
Get a 10% discount on food at The Duke and Goose (Bishopsmead Parade) by showing your tickets for that day’s performance.
Play in a Week – inclusive theatre rehearsed over a week
Strictly Come Shakespeare directed by Brandon McGuire
Workshops every day Monday 25 July to Friday 29 July 2016
Performances 30 July at 7.30, 31 July at 2.30
Tickets ; £12
“Our specially commissioned play for 2016 is “Strictly Come Shakespeare” – where, in the year of the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death, a modern TV classic comes over all Shakespearian!
Play In A Week is an annual week-long fully inclusive project, now in its 18th year, which enables actors with learning and/or physical disabilities to enjoy the magic and benefits of participating in a theatre show and putting on public performances. “
Play In A Week 2016 production
Starting on a Monday morning each July, between 40 and 50 enthusiastic and talented participants and a raft of volunteer helpers, along with a team of specialist professionals start work at the Nomad Theatre in East Horsley.
The actors work hard everyday throughout the week to rehearse, learning lines, songs and dance routines from scratch. There are no “limitations” on who can be an actor at Play In A Week. Everyone is welcome regardless of disability. All we require is that people come along with enthusiasm, energy and team spirit, and are able to attend every day in order to learn their parts and be an equal part of the Company.
Easyfundraising
Please click (Easyfundraising) to find out more about how you can raise money for us while shopping online – and it won’t even cost you a penny!
Volunteering
There are lots of ways in which you can get involved to volunteer at Play In A Week and have some fun helping put on the show!
During the rehearsal week itself, and for the performances, we need helpers to support our participants in a range of ways: Assistance with script reading and learning lines, mobility, transport, having lunch and refreshments, learning dance routines, making quick costume changes, remembering cues and entrances.
Loserville by Elliott Davis and James Bourne
Loserville
In association with Showdown Theatre Arts
Saturday 16 July and Sunday 17 July at 3pm and 7.30
Tickets: adults £12, children/students £10
It’s 1971 and Michael and his sci-fi obsessed, social misfit friends are about to change the course of history, fashion and dating in no particular order.
Redeveloping the bar
March 2017
Work started on 27th February after a team of Nomads spent two weeks emptying the hut and finding space for props, paint, bar stock and kitchen equipment. Huge thanks to David Martin, Andrew and Jennie Hamel-Cooke, Tony and Dee Bowdery, Elaine Burns, Mary Brooks, Iain Macfarlane, Tracey Gillard, Paul Asher, Jackie Shearer, Rita Derriman.
Now the hut has been demolished and the builders are digging the foundations. They hope to finish in July. See the Gallery for photographs.
August 2016
If you hadn’t heard, our mission to replace the bar with a brand new building is progressing!
The Green Room Club at the Nomad Theatre
We received planning consent on 15 February 2016 and are now working with the architect on the detailed designs needed. We hope to be able to appoint a contractor by July with a view to starting work in August, after Play in a Week and the Nomes summer workshops.
Construction is likely to continue to the end of the year and will unfortunately mean some disruption to our activities, but the Greenroom Committee is working on plans to maintain a bar for shows and Prompt Corner lunches. The contractors will need to fence off most of the car park, too – so check out the parking map for other options! We will still have pedestrian access to the stage door.
We are lucky to have the funds, from Bob King’s legacy, to complete the building and its services, but we expect to need some fundraising for fitting out the bar and kitchen, as well as help to prepare for the building work.
Watch this space for how you can get involved!
Club Night in memory of Alan Wiseman Friday 1st July at 7.30
We are holding a Club Night in memory of Alan Wiseman who died suddenly on 15th February.
Alan joined the Nomads as an actor in 1997 to take part in a Young Nomad production Much Ado About Nothing. He became a regular director and actor, performed at club nights and was Editor of Nomad News.
The evening will also be a fundraiser for the new bar. You won’t need a ticket but there will be a retiring collection.
So far we have the cast of Pajama Game performing Steam Heat and the knife throwing scene, Graham Botterill and Richard Peachey performing one of the Pete and Dud sketches, Adrian Juste will sing The Elements from Tomfoolery, while James Marr will accompany many others.
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Arabian Nights
Nomes Youth Theatre Summer Show
Arabian Nights
Directed by Rachel Scott and Francesca Peplow
Friday 24 June at 7.30, Saturday 25th June at 2.30 and 7.30, Sunday 26th June 2.30
Tickets: adults £10, children under 16 £7
Join us on a trip to faraway lands filled with genies, flying carpets and magic lamps! This magical and creative production is devised by the Nomes’ four Youth Theatre groups who are all aged between 4 and 18.
Hayfever by Noel Coward
Hayfever by Noel Coward directed by Alan Wiseman
Alan Wiseman passed away unexpectedly on 15 February but Jeff Wightwick has stepped in as director. He and the cast are determined to make the play as good as Alan wanted.
22-26 March at 7.45
Tickets: adults £14, children/students £10, adults £12 on Tuesday
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Twelfth Night directed by Andrew Hamel-Cooke
Tuesday 27 September to Saturday 1st October at 7.45
Tickets: adults £14, children/students £10, £12 for all adults on 27th
Social disorder, role reversal and cross-dressing are the main elements in this sublime comedy.
Come to Illyria with us and enjoy a fun filled romantic comedy with one of William Shakespeare’s greatest plays that has stood the test of time. There are all the elements of confusion, shipwreck, disguise, and passion, with much humour. This very amusing play is all too often taken too seriously. Shakespeare was writing for the ordinary person in the street and they loved a good bawdy show. At the same time, we can learn much from his play about the frailties of human nature as well as the ‘tricks’ we play upon ourselves.
In Twelfth Night we have both a delightful and raucous frolic with improbable coincidences, making it almost farce, and love at first sight. There are love triangles with self-love, secret love and falling in love with love, truly the human condition.
The Bard writes ‘If music be the food of love ….’ Today we live in a time of music and love. None was more so than the 1960s from where we take our incidental music. They sang then ‘All you need is love’, we find that here in Twelfth Night he leads us through an interesting tale of social disorder, role reversal and cross dressing; then he allows ..‘time, thou must untangle this …’ so all will be well in our comedic play. This production is performed by a diverse and talented cast whose grasp of the Bard’s language will make the work accessible for all audience members both young and old.
This exciting production comes from Director, Andrew Hamel-Cooke…
Andrew has most recently directed The Pajama Game (musical), Cinderella (pantomime), Sisterly Feelings (play) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oct ‘14) which drew its inspiration from Seventies Glam Rock music and dance – a very interesting and entertaining take on the traditional Shakespeare, you can bet that Andrew will bring the same level of energy and innovation to Twelfth Night!
Andrew has been in theatre from a very early age, appearing in all genres from Shakespeare to Pantomime. He has performed and directed with Nomads for about twelve years. Originally trained at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts he worked as a professional dancer, singer and actor in the UK and abroad. Andrew has also been a drama teacher in secondary education.
NODA review – “Hayfever” 22nd March 2016
Review author – Jon Fox, Noda
In true showbiz style Nomads brilliantly overcame, at least in performance, the dreadful blow of losing their inspirational and much loved director, Alan Wiseman, rather suddenly and barely a month before the performance. Jeff Wightwick, himself an experienced director stepped in under these awful circumstances and, as this review will reveal, both directors served up a special fare for the audience.
Aided by Elaine Burns, Alan’s partner, as production manager with a dedicated team backing them, Nomads did full justice to one of Coward’s most sparkling plays. Having, shamefully, seen this play only once before and that over 40 years ago, I was as excited as a child at Christmas upon arrival at this special and charming theatre.
The setting is the Bliss family’s country house at a summer weekend, where all four family members, separately, and unknown to the others, each invite a guest for the weekend. As the plot unravels each guest comes to regret accepting their own invitation and eventually conspire to escape, as discretely as they can, leaving the family on their own to comment “how very rude” some guests are.
Judith Bliss, a retired actress, is married to David, a novelist, and mother to two children Simon and Sorel. Judith is a peach of a role for an accomplished actress and Philippa Galloway gave this most theatrical of characters full reign to show her fine range of theatrical emotions. It was a classy performance, though somewhat marred by a number of prompts. However, to be fair, it was on the first night when I attended. I particularly liked her ludicrous over-reaction to her young admirer’s chaste kiss. Coward was a wonderful observer and chronicler of the foibles of others.
Nathan Farrell as that young admirer, besotted by Judith, endowed Sandy Tyrell with a deliciously stiff, oh so English, gaucheness. The bewilderment and passion behind the stiff facade though, came through beautifully.
As bickering sister and brother Sorel and Simon, Sarah Mullins and Daniel Shepherd were pure middle class delight. So right on and sophisticated! Each more so than the other, or so they think. This sibling relationship was as real as real could possibly be in the Bliss madhouse. Admirably acted!
Carol McGlone as Clara, a world weary housekeeper and former dresser to Judith gave a highly amusing cameo. Her half opening only of the front door and hurried disappearance to leave the befuddled guests, unwelcomed and left behind was a comic joy. This world weariness was an excellent foil to the theatricality of the family members.
Paul Asher, cast as David Bliss, the husband and father, seemed at first almost normal whilst deeply intent on finishing his latest novel. Bit by bit we became aware that he, too, was in his own way playing games and using his young guest, a most discomfitted young flapper, Jackie Coryton, played skilfully by Ellie Sayer with near hysteria upon being forced to play charades with the family and other guests. Both Paul and Ellie in their very different ways “suffered” wonderfully well and just when I thought Jackie was in distinct danger of being relatively normal, but happily, not so!
Moyra Brookes as the vampish older woman guest of Simon, Myra Arundel and caught kissing David by Judith, gave an assured performance of this marvellous character. She had some of the best lines and was well cast in this role, playing the vamp for all she was worth.
Richard Greatham, played by Graham Botterill was a diplomat invited by Sorel. Graham played the dumbfounded Richard who, upon kissing Judith, finds himself the victim of Judith’s acting game. I really felt sorry for poor old Richard, so cruelly used by the – shall we say unconventional – Judith.
There was a great deal to like in all the acting and though several cast members dried a time or two, the essential pace of the bizarre play and the truth of the characters shone through.
The set was a realistic portrayal of a comfortably furnished and well heeled family home belonging to theatrical folk. Coward’s marvellous words are of course a great advantage for any actor or actors worth their salt to speak. The cast took full advantage and made the play the great success it undoubtably was.
Jenny Hasted’s costumes were detailed, well fitted and most appropriate. Lighting by Tony and Dee Bowdery was handled with their usual skill.
Despite the unfortunate and difficult circumstances of Alan’s untimely passing, the company did him and Jeff proud. No wonder Nomads have such a good reputation in Mid-Surrey.
Jon Fox – Noda
The Nomads are members of NODA, which has a membership of 2500 amateur theatre groups and 3000 individual enthusiasts throughout the UK, staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide variety of performing venues, ranging from the country’s leading professional theatres to tiny village halls.
Review – Just So, Lost For Words Theatre Company – October 2015
Review author – Ben
The writers of ‘Just So’, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, have created a unique niche in British Theatre for a series of successful and entertaining musicals appealing to a mainly young cast and audiences with a string of successful award winning productions ’Honk’, ‘Mary Poppins’ , ‘Moll Flanders’ behind them. Lost For Words, an amateur Company established for only six years, have quickly established an excellent reputation (I was greatly impressed by their production of ‘Avenue Queue’ last year); once again, an enthusiastic audience was not disappointed. This adaption of Rudyard Kipling’s famous ‘Just So’ story of the Elephant Child and his ultimate triumph over the mischief creating Crab, Pau Amma, is a natural source for a kaleidoscopic presentation with a predominantly young cast of skilled and well trained performers. While few of the songs are ever likely to become classic ‘show tunes’, the piece provided many opportunities for the performers to display their acting, singing and dancing talents, the result providing a colourful, stimulating if not exactly enthralling panoply.
Hannah Simpson as the Kalokola Bird
The cast of over 20, nearly all on the stage for most of the show, were quite superb either singing or dancing, solo or ensemble, with particular commendations to the experienced Tim Morley as the Eldest Magician, a true “Prospero”, master of all he surveyed, with special mention for the excellent voices of Hannah Simpson as the Kalokola Bird (complete with well manipulated puppet) and a newcomer to the Group, Adam Claydon in the pivotal role of the Elephant Child, and co-founder of the Group, Sean Lytle, with a cameo presentation as Parsee. Really, Lost for Words are brimming with talent. A special mention must be made of the impeccable, faultless band led by Harriet Oughton, well integrated choreography by Carla Fox and an ingenious collection of papier-mache props.
Director (and Co- Founder of ‘Lost for Words’), Katharine Williams, must be well satisfied with her production. If I have a criticism it was an excessive reliance on radio microphones which should not be needed in the compact but acoustically sound Nomad Theatre and some indistinct diction during spoken passages, not unnaturally when the Elephant Boy received his trunk. Nomads themselves played their parts in organisation of Front of House, Bar, Sound (Tim Williams and Clive Vinall) which, this time, was not allowed to overload us with a wall of sound, with Tony and Dee Bowdery’s impeccable lighting and the splendid costumes.
The programme, which could usefully have supplied a synopsis of the plot, stated “we hope you enjoy the ride”. We did! Come back again to the Nomad Theatre, Lost For Words—you will be welcome.
LFWTC Just So
Nomes Summer School – August 2016
Nomes Summer School 2016
August 1st -5th 10.30 to 3pm
Five days of drama, musical theatre and set design working towards a show at the end of the week!
1st-5th August from 10:30-3:00 each day, at Nomad Theatre. Cost £140.
Suitable for children entering Year 3 and up.
Email [email protected] for more details
Bugsy Malone (Showdown Theatre Arts)
Bugsy Malone in association with Showdown Theatre Arts
Alan Parker’s film noir spoof complete with splurge guns.
The Nomad Theatre, Surrey on Sunday 17 April 2016
Starts at 2:00PM
Ticket Price: £8.00 – £10.00*
*booking fee applies
Box Office: 01483 284747
The Pajama Game
This delightful 50s musical is presented at the Nomad Theatre, Bishopsmead Parade, East Horsley, KT24 6RT, in association with Bookham Light Operatic Society. Performances run from Wednesday 11th to Saturday 14th May at 7.30, matinee on Saturday at 2.30.
The Pajama Game’ was an instant hit when first staged on Broadway, winning the Tony Award for best musical in 1955 and further fame via the 1957 film starring Doris Day. One of the all time musical theatre classics.
At the Sleep-Tite pajama factory all is not well and the atmosphere is far from calm and snoozy. The workers are up in arms having been refused a seven-and-a-half cents per hour pay rise by the intransigent owner, Mr Hasler.
Into this cauldron of bubbling industrial unrest comes Sid Sorokin, the handsome new factory Supervisor. He quickly comes up against the Grievance Committee led by feisty, good looker Babe Williams and falls head over heels in love with her. But, as ever, the path of true love doesn’t run smooth as they clash over divided loyalties – a battle of the sexes plus management v labour. Will our lovers win through?
Intrigue, shenanigans, fun and frolic follow with sharp witty dialogue and songs and dance numbers that have become musical theatre standards including ‘Hey There!’, ‘I’m not at all in Love’, ‘Steam Heat’ and ‘Hernando’s Hideaway’.
Don’t miss this joyous, timeless, musical comedy performed by a superb cast and talented musicians. Come and join the fun.
Tickets are £16 adults, £12 children under 16. Call the box office on 01483 284747 and leave a message on the answerphone. You can call into the theatre on Saturday mornings between 10.00 and 12.30 or book online via Ticket Source. The theatre is easily accessible to wheelchair users.