Lindisfarne Productions are looking for a man to play John in our production of Absent Friends by Alan Ayckbourn.
The play is set in the 1970's - a chance to become involved in a stage classic from one of Britain's foremost playwrights.
John 40's - he is married to Evelyn and they have a young baby he also works as a sales rep for his friend Paul's company. He is constantly on the move and won't sit down being quite anxious, he is also friends with Colin whose wife passed away and their friendship group are arranging a little tea party for him.
The production will take place at the Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea from November 7th - 11th with rehearsals to take place at Clarence Road Baptist Church Hall, Southend on Sea.
For more details contact Graham Smerdon gsmerdon1@aol.com
The Lomas Hall, Church Street, Stannington, Sheffield, S6 6DB
We started out in the late 1940s as a discussion group and decided to perform a play for the Festival of Britain celebrations in 1951. From the early days we began to perform plays and children's plays in the Methodist Church at Knowle Top up until 1955. We moved to the Lomas Hall in 1955 when it opened and have performed there ever since, extending our repertoire to include a Christmas pantomime which has become an integral part of the Christmas celebrations in Stannington. Our range of productions has stretched from Shakespearian dramas to Ray Cooney farces and recently performing one act plays and variety shows. Though we cannot claim to have produced a Laurence Olivier, some of our members have gone on to make their mark in the professional ranks and have taken their talents to all parts of the UK, America and Canada. By far the majority have enjoyed theatre for theatre's sake. For over 60 years many people, both young and old, have given their support to the Players either by treading the boards or in a backstage/front of house capacity so, although you may not think of yourself as an actor, we are always keen to welcome those who would like to help us paint a backcloth, make scenery or help us with our front of house. Our policy has always been to provide the people of the Stannington area with quality theatre at an affordable price. In these difficult times of high costs we are determined to continue to do this and to help local charities through our productions and donations. We use The Lomas Hall to produce two plays, one in April and one in September and a Pantomime play in December.
Venue: St George's Hall, Hambledon Road, Waterlooville PO7 7EH
Box Office: TicketSource or 07918 215947 Tickets £8 or £5 for under 16s
29, 30 June and 1 July at 7.30pm
Captain's Day at the Seven Lakes Golf Club gets off to a bad start when the men's Captain is indisposed. Club secretary, Simon, relishes the chance to take over but is soon thwarted by the arrival of Vice Captain, Nick and his girlfriend, Tiffany. Lady Captain, Fran, and enthusiastic but hopeless Barry add to the confusion as a series of disasters mount. With the unexpected arrival of Simon's wife, Laura, tensions build and things go from bad to worse. Set on the club house patio, the characters soon discover that personal relationships OFF the course are more dangerous than the hazards ON the course! Love or loathe golf, it will never seem quite the same again!
BMOS Puppet Season Audition Information Evening Join us at 8pm at The Curzon Centre, Maxwell Road, Beaconsfield to find out everything you need to know about our two upcoming productions, Avenue Q and Little Shop of Horrors! Meet our creative team and our committee, catch up with current members and learn all about our most exciting challenge yet: performing two different shows in the same week
UK Raleigh Road United Church, Raleigh Road, Richmond, TW9 2DX
Come and Sing: Semele and other Baroque Delights
Saturday, June 17th 10.00am to 16.30pm
We're thrilled to invite you to our Come and Sing day, in which we'll sing excerpts from our next fully-staged show: Handel's Semele! Led by our Music Director, Lindsay Bramley. Score hire included. Box Office: TicketSource
Production: Oklahoma! Author: Lynn Riggs, Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers, Agnes de Mille
Show Dates: 8th May 2024 to 11th May 2024
Applications are now open for Stage Director, Musical Director and Choreographer for the East Norfolk Operatic Society May 2024 musical production "Oklahoma".
This production will perform at the Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich, from Wednesday 8th May to Saturday 11th May 2024, with the production going into the theatre from Sunday 5th May 2024. The company rehearses on a Tuesday evening at the Church Hall, Wroxham, Norfolk, 7.30-9.30pm, from autumn 2023. Additional rehearsals are on Thursday evenings from February 2024 or as required
The deadline for applying is June 6th, with planning to follow over the summer and auditions towards the end of October 2023. Previous directing experience is helpful but not essential.
To apply, get in touch with enos.secretary@gmail.com, detailing whether you would like to be considered for Stage Director, Musical Director or Choreographer. East Norfolk Operatic Society welcome your ideas on how to bring this iconic show to life, whether staying close to tradition or adding a twist. Please also use this email if you have any queries regarding the company, remuneration or the production itself.
Artistic Director Tom Littler's first production The Circle is now performing at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond. The round Theatre layout offers challenges for a director and producer with setting the stage to allow an almost 360-degree visibility to the entire audience. However, after last night's press night, I felt this has been achieved perfectly.
Jane Asher stars in The Circle playing the disgraced Lady Catherine Champion-Cheney who's invited to stay in the Country estate owned by her estranged son of thirty years Armold Champion-Cheney (Pete Ashmore) and his wife Elizabeth Champion-Cheney (Olivia Vinall). Reunions after this many years are undoubtedly going to have conflict.
Lord Hughie Porteous (Nicholas le Prevost) dry quick witted humour is an absolute "hoot" and although he appeared grumpy at times I could see the spark of life which would have enticed Lady Catherine away from her former husband Clive Champion-Cheney (Clive Francis).
Somerset Maugham's story The Circle first arrived on the stage in 1921. Some of the outdated ideals and attitudes from that era no longer exist in modern-day England. However, reading the experiences and career path Muughm had taken the rich tapestry of characters would have undoubtedly crossed his path during his lifetime.
Quintessential Englishness and a reminder of colonial days are reawakened within this adaptation of The Circle. Littler has created a respectful and absorbing production which I have thoroughly enjoyed.
Watching the Bridge card game fascinated me. I discovered that after talking to Littler the entire game is timed to perfection, and each card is accurately played during the narration by the cast involved. The scene is perfectly delivered, and it was hard to believe that you weren't watching a real game of cards.
There's nothing to dislike or criticize about The Circle, and it certainly has an established, acclaimed cast who has a powerful onstage chemistry. For a taste of days gone by Englishness, I highly recommend putting this on your "to watch" list.
For further information on The Circle and future productions at the Orange Tree Theatre, please use the link below.
Off The Wall Plays is a publisher of stage and screenplays that are a little different from the norm. We have a great selection of scripts for all ages and of all genres from writers around the world.
Set roughly in the Victorian age.
Dame Hilda Owl has two sons Terry and Freddie. Terry is a schoolteacher and is engaged to Tabitha (Tabby) Kat. Freddie is a bad lot who ran away to escape gaol.
A Mr Fowl is the new Squire. It is none other than Freddie Owl who is now rich. He means to evict his mother from her cottage and marry Tabitha.
Terry and Tabby elope to Bong Island to get married where they meet the Pigg sisters. They discover that Periwinkle was recently married to Freddie Owl who stole her money and ran away. They confront Freddie, who is then arrested by the local village Constable. The Constable then asks Dame Hilda Owl to marry him. Cue celebration.
M/F 7, F 3, M 3, Chorus 6
Set roughly in the Victorian age.
Marmaduke Muffet, a rich man and the owner of a pickle factory, has a daughter, Molly who is in love with Peter Piper (Chief Pickle Blender). Widow Black and her son Jethro Black arrive in the village. The widow has a magical pendant necklace, which makes old men fall in love with her. She sets her sights on Marmaduke.
Darren and Davey Rotter are two market traders who fall in with Jet who cons them into getting Peter sacked. Dazzer and Davey discover Widow Black’s secret. With the help of Peter, Polly, Molly and Willy they expose her evil plan.
Peter and Molly marry. Marmaduke retires. Peter takes over as MD of the Pickle Factory. Widow Black is made to be the Cleaner and Tea Lady while Jethro becomes the Odd Job Man.
M/F 2, F 3, M 5 Chorus 4
What does a donkey, a Centurion and basket of bread all have in common? They are all found in a Passion Play and you might see them in your local town or city this coming Easter!
Free, live performances of the Easter story take place each year across the UK. Events from the last week of Jesus Christ’s life are retold by local actors working with professional theatre companies to create compelling live theatre that is free for everyone. For many people, they are the best way to experience the story at the heart of Easter. Whether you know the story very well, or know nothing at all, you can experience it in through drama and music as it unfolds on the streets around you.
Historically, the word ‘Passion’ was originally used to describe the intense anguish and suffering of Jesus on the cross and the word is used for the plays that focus on his death. Today, Passion Plays dramatize Jesus’ life, including his teachings and miracles, as well as his resurrection to show the context in which his death took place.
Passion Plays are examples of unique open-air theatre. People doing their shopping or taking a stroll in the local park have been surprised at the sight of people dressed in flowing robes and sandals or as Roman centurions with sword and spear. Or others have witnessed a scuffle on the high street that turned out to be actors in modern dress dramatizing a scene from the Easter story.
Whether you are familiar with the Easter story or not, watching a Passion Play is a way to experience the full story. You might be familiar with Pontius Pilate washing his hands like Lady Macbeth or Judas who betrayed his friend for 30 pieces of silver, but how do they fit into the full story? Seeing it enacted in familiar spaces is a unique and moving experience and many people come back year after year.
“It was so moving. It just brings everything to you. It blew me away!”
“I brought my brother who is usually quite critical of religious things but he said it was very impressive.”
“I’m not religious but what an amazing day…a wonderful project bringing a diverse community together.”
“It was the first time I thought of Jesus as my friend.”
“First Class! Thought provoking and challenging is the best way. I did not want it to end.”
Some people get so much out of the plays that they want to take part in them and being in the large community casts is a unique and rewarding experience. Whether they have had prior acting experience or always dreaded being on the stage, they work with professional actors and directors to learn new skills, meet new people and overcome any fear of speaking in public!
What is not commonly known is the fact that England once had a long and rich history of Passion Plays. Plays about the death and resurrection were performed within the medieval Mystery Play cycles that were performed in York, Coventry, Lincoln, Chester and other places around the country. Every Easter people who were often illiterate could see the story of Easter take place in elaborate productions that used expensive costumes and fake blood for the crucifixion as well as fireworks and a flaming hell mouth for the resurrection and the defeat of the devil.
There were also additional scenes, such as the ‘Harrowing of Hell’ which attempted to dramatize what happened on Easter Saturday between Jesus’ death and resurrection. Since the Bible hints that Jesus descended into hell and set free the devil’s captives, the imaginative creators of the ‘Harrowing of Hell’ scenes had great fun showing the devil getting his just deserts in the bowels of hell.
Unfortunately, the Mystery Plays came to an end during the religious upheavals of the Reformation when the plays were thought to be too Catholic because they were performed on a Catholic feast day. By royal proclamation, all dramatization of religion and politics was banned and the Mystery Plays were no longer performed in public.
Today, however, Passion Plays are enjoying a resurgence and can be found performed across the UK every Easter. The Medieval Mystery Plays began this resurgence when they were publicly performed during the Festival of Britain in 1951, and today they are performed regularly in York, Chester and Lincoln.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROVIDE MUSICAL DIRECTION FOR CRAZY FOR YOU?
We commence rehearsals for our October show, Crazy For You, in May. We are looking for a Musical Director to work with us. We are based in Witham, Essex. We are a multi award winning society, having recently celebrated our centennial, having performed in the impressive Witham Public Hall for 100 years. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming society, with fun being as important as producing a quality show.
If you are at all interested in providing MD services for Crazy For You, or any of our future productions, let's have a chat.
The Bristol One Act Drama Festival is a preliminary round of the All England Theatre Festival showcasing some of the finest amateur performances in and around the Bristol area.
Contact: via our website
Latest from our Advice Column Click here for the complete Advice Column
Post 69
Recent Post from one of our readers - 18/11/2021
Name: Sheila Spatcher
I am looking for.my cousin Janice Parfitt. I know she used to be a member of a amateur group and she was a lead in quite a few productions.
If anyone knows her please could you ask her to contact me. I would appreciate it.
Peter's response:
Hi Sheila,
I'm afraid I don't have any knowledge of your cousin.
I will post your query in the #Advice section of www.dramagroups.com asking anyone who is able to help to contact you directly via your email address.
I wish you luck in your search and would be interested to hear if you are successful in tracking your relative down.
I have a number of copies of well known plays, (in good condition) looking for a home. These include Noel Coward, ‘ Private Lives’ and Chekhov ‘ The Cherry Orchard’ and various others.
Do you know of any group that would like them? If so, please get in touch, my email is: elnorton49@gmail.com
Posted 03/05/2021
Recently Posted Theatrical Makeup
Make-Up Artist Work Experience Required
Hi.
I’m Amanda. I’m currently doing make up artistry at West College Scotland. I am in my first year level 6.
I am looking for any work experience I could do. Anything at all would be great. Any local groups who need makeup artists for their productions do please get in touch.
