Once Upon a Labrador

Friday 2 June at 7.30

Tickets: £10

“Once Upon a Labrador” is an evening of humour with Charles Garland and Alfie.  This is a fundraising event for the new Greenroom building.

Recorded cameo music by Rick Wakeman, with occasional extracts from the book “My Labrador Eats Poo”.

Directed by Sam Snape

Charles Garland is a writer and composer, television producer and director. His performing career began at Birmingham Repertory Theatre as a dancer in a musical, and ended at The Old Vic Theatre as actor / musician in a production of Dickens’ Great Expectations.once upon a labrador alfie charles garland

Soon after, Charles joined the BBC, as assistant to Sir Jonathan Miller for a new production of Cosi Fan Tutte. Following that, he worked on shows such as Blue Peter; three Royal Variety shows; sketch and variety shows, including The Paul Daniels Magic Show as well as dramas and a stint as director of Top Of The Pops.

Sitcom became a major part of his working life, with Terry and June; Joint Account; and Last Of The Summer Wine as assistant producer, and assisting David Croft OBE, on Hi-De-Hi!; ‘Allo ‘Allo! ;You Rang, M’Lord? and Oh, Dr Beeching! as producer.

Next, over a three year period, Charles re-edited most of the classic comedy archive for the BBC, including Dad’s Army; Are You Being Served?; Steptoe and Son; Porridge; The Good Life and more.

once upon a labrador alfieHaving left the BBC, Charles is now freelance, and going back to his roots with his book of ‘whimsical verse’ entitled ‘My Labrador Eats Poo’ (not quite as disgusting as it sounds) illustrated by Harry Venning, and this stage show, which features Charles, and his Labrador Alfie.once upon a labrador alfie nomad theatre june 2017 east horsley surrey

Follow Alfie on Facebook and Twitter!

Dick Whittington Auditions (pantomime)

Pantomime audition dates – all held at the theatre:

  • Sunday 11 June – 2pm / 7pm – please book a slot
  • Monday 12 June – 7:30pm – please book a slot
  • Sunday 18 June – 7pm – open auditions
  • Monday 19 June – 7:30pm – open auditions
Dick Whittington – By Peter Denyer

December 12 – 16 including a Saturday matinee

We need dancers / singers / actors – small parts and principals, as well as a Musical Director.
Get in touch with Artistic Director, Andrew Hamel-Cooke now to express your interest – [email protected] or sign up to the events on Facebook here.
Musical Director – in the past we’ve been lucky to have some great MD’s. Usually they also play keys and can direct a bass/rhythm and drummer… but if you’re a drummer who can work with a guitarist, or have other ideas about set-up, please let us know!
Cast list

Principals

  • King /Queen Rat – M/F – an imposing presence, requiring a strong actor, can be played “straight” baddie!
  • Dick Whittington – principal boy/girl – must have charm, talent and energy, starting sweetly and ending with hero status!
  • Idle Jack – the comedy part, age not important, this role employs crooked logic and story-telling capabilities as well as being comfortable engaging directly with the audience.
  • Sarah the Cook – Dame (ideally) – a great all-rounder who can act, sing, dance and be a comedian. A big, bright, bold character!
  • Alice Fitzwarren – principal girl – a good actress, this role is a quick-witted and street-wise London girl with a sense of adventure.
  • Fairy Bow Bells – a kind of fairy godmother, ideally a strong singing voice.
  • Tommy the cat – non speaking – this actor/actress should be able to be understood by the audience by only meowing! Central to the whole story, must have a strong friendship rapport with Dick.
  • Alderman Fitzwarren – a warm an generous man with Alice as his daughter, must be strong enough to weight the dramatic scenes well.
  • Captain Cuttle – should be a strong singer with a good sense of comic timing to ensure he can carry the show in certain moments.
  • The Sultan of Morocco – not a large part but nicely showy-offy, the performance should be big and bold and the actor shouldn’t be afraid of an outrageous accept. Subtlety not required here!

Smaller roles

  • Gnawbone – a rat lieutenant, & Gnashfang – another rat lieutenant – villains with two short scenes, could be male or female. Distinct rat movements and ensuring the audience hate them is important!
  • King Neptune – optional – to be played seriously, a mysterious character.
  • Sailor 1 & Sailor 2 – well, they are sailors, any age, male/female!

Rehearsals are usually 1 evening per week (to be determined by majority vote & availability) and Sunday afternoon/evenings. Likely to run from mid-September, with additional hours near to opening.

dick whittington auditions june 2017 nomad theatre surrey east horsley pantomime

 

The origins of the story of “Dick Whittington” will not be found in any book of fairy tales. The pantomime is the only one based on a true subject. There actually was a  Richard Whittington, and he did become (Lord) Mayor of London in the late 14th and early 15th centuries.

Dick Whittington is a poor boy who has travelled to London to seek his fame and fortune. He has been told that “The streets are paved with gold”. He arrives penniless, and without a friend in the world.

In the pantomime it is often the Fairy – Fairy Bowbells who introduces “Tommy” the cat to Master Whittington. He now has a true friend, but what he and Tommy want most is to earn an honest living.

Dick Whittington and Tommy the Cat steal on board the ship as stowaways, to seek their fame and hopefully their fortune. A great storm brews up. The ship is in danger and the characters are washed ashore-bedraggled, wet and lost. The Dame, Idle Jack, the Captain and the Mate, and finally Dick and Tommy arrive safe and sound.

Will Dick find any treasure on the island? How will they get back to London? And will Dick marry the princess or the girl-next-door?

Join us and you’ll find out… Oh, yes you will!

Take a look at what NODA thought of our last pantomime, Cinderella – http://www.nomadtheatre.com/noda-review-cinderella/

Charley’s Aunt Auditions

Directed by Andrew Hamel-Cooke

Wednesday 15 to Saturday 18 November at 7.45, matinee on Saturday at 2.30

Auditions for males, 20-30 playing age are still open!

Contact Andrew by email: [email protected] 

A comedy by Brandon Thomas set in Oxford in 1882, this English farce follows the hilarious events that arise when two students, Jack and Charles, use the excuse of the imminent visit of Charley’s aunt Donna Lucia to invite their young ladies to their rooms.

Director Andrew Hamel-Cooke‘s most recent productions include Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and The Pajama Game (in association with Bookham Light Operatic Society). See the Reviews page for more!