EASTLEIGH CARNIVAL
For some time I had been pondering on the idea that a
gondola is a very evocative image and how brilliant it would
be if we could trundle one through the streets of Eastleigh in
the carnival procession to attract attention to the show and
perhaps raise the profile of the society in the town.
Then at the AGM on 21 July the message was very clear – all
members must be prepared to take on extra tasks as we are
such a small society. So I decided to have a go at organising
a carnival entry. I strolled over to Dave Freemantle and
asked him (knowing that I was asking for a very big favour) if
there was any chance he could make a gondola by 13
August. He hardly hesitated before suggesting how it could
be done ‘a couple of sheets of hardboard, some wood for the
frame, wheels ...’ Amazing. And so it happened. With a few
e-mails to muster the troops, help from Sue with costumes
from wardrobe, Barbara and I each made a banner to carry
and Jo choreographed a dance for us to do if we were
stationary for a spell. Dave and Christina also printed leaflets
to hand out.
On the ‘big day’ everyone turned up on time and the gondola
– centrepiece of our entry – was truly stunning. There were
12 of us in costume – all looking great – and Dave. We tried
to persuade him to don ‘the gear’ too, but ‘no’. Instead he
was our ‘4th emergency service’ all along the route. There
was quite a while to wait while the judges made their rounds
and conferred. We occupied ourselves looking at the other
entries, posing for the ‘Echo’ photographer, and then were
very pleased when Mr Whippy arrived! On the following
Monday there was a big picture of us in the ‘Echo’. We were
very happy when the judges awarded us third prize in our
class and were clearly impressed with our turn out.
The procession was great fun. Right from the start the
streets were lined with people, several deep in places.
Chairs had been brought out, drinks were in hands, Eastleigh
was ‘en fete’. It was lovely to see so many people, in rather
dubious weather, ready with their bags of loose change to
support the carnival and enjoying the spectacle. We smiled,
gave out our leaflets and rattled our collection tins. Esther
and Dean did sterling work towing the gondola, while others
took turns to sit in it looking glamorous.
I am so glad that we did it. We took part in a major
community event and collected for their charity, it was a good
teamwork exercise, and it was a lot of fun. Hopefully when
people see our posters around the town they will remember
the carnival and come to see the show. Well done to
everyone who was involved.
Vivien
BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT
Hi Folks,
First I am retiring from the post of Biz Man so if any of you would like to try your hand at this, now is the time to
take this opportunity. I will fully support whoever takes over and will be on hand to help out. As most of you know
(especially those involved in the scenery painting parties in our shed) my husband Dave and I do a lot of the
backstage stuff and we intend to carry on with that.
During my term I have extended our mailing list at EOMSfans@hotmail.co.uk to over 100 keen supporters. Set
up a Champagne Draw which had the main purpose of finding out who came to our shows and how they heard of
us, and revived the FaceBook presence started previously.
Also...
Last show I made a list of all the small jobs that fall under my jurisdiction and them asked the membership to see
if they could perhaps take on one or two of the jobs, whichever one they fancied.
Well the take up was amazing and I was so pleased that so many of you helped out. So a big thank you to the
extra helpers.
And just to mention a few.........thank yous to:
Roger - writing newspaper articles, Keith - collecting biographies for the programme (bet you didn't realise just
how logistically difficult that actually was!), Barbara - distribution of flyers to far flung towns trekking to the wilds
of Fareham and Gosport as well as Southampton, Wendy - flyer drops round Eastleigh, other Wendy - adverts
at M&S, Matt - personal emails to our fan base, the noble efforts of Paula, Wendy and Amanda who undertook to
drink in Hotel bars and distribute flyers at the same time, Jo - emails to school music departments, and thank you
to stalwarts such as Aunty Pat on the tickets, Richard on our website and Debbie with her magical helpers - front
of house. All of you who helped and I haven't mentioned - it's all very much appreciated. Oh, and please feel
free to do the same this coming show!
Some things worked well others not so but the main thing was these things were tried out and tested. All ideas
were gratefully received and the main thing is that everyone started to pitch in with practical help. Especially in
these difficult recessional times.
I was lucky enough to spend time with the Point's Director Sarah recently and she reports that professional
theatres are down 60% on audience figures but the running costs are still the same or higher. It would appear
everyone is having a lean time of it. Even SOS's recent excellent Hot Mikado, unfortunately, had low seat
numbers.
My marketing surveys reveal that the majority of seats are sold by the members and a close second is the result
of the The Point's magazine distribution. No one said they bought tickets because they heard the radio adverts
and only a few came because of the article in The Echo. My bids for sponsorship this year had the same
response as before - limited monies with children or disabled societies and causes coming first. So the message
is clear - it is the personal touch that works! That probably means that everyone needs to pitch in for our society
to succeed.
At a previous job there was a scheme whereby if you identified a problem, you could only present it if you had a
solution and you were willing to help out to make that solution work. It was surprisingly effective. It resulted in a
very positive atmosphere with some very well thought out solutions to nagging problems. WE should try that.
My new idea for the next show is 'Kids for a quid' so if you know of any kids under the age of 16 treat them to a
£1 ticket and who knows if they like what they see they may come again or even join our society as performers.
So to finish - I have enjoyed my experience as Business Manager and will continue to help out with publicity hopefully alongside every single member of this society - keep in mind, it's your personal touch that is the most
important. So, here's to our future success!
Chris Freemantle
Concentration, Clarity and Crispness
Whenever I go to watch a show I always watch the chorus because they have the potential to make the show a success,
or the opposite. After Kiss Me Kate, I went to St Albans and saw a show there, and it had the three C's. Concentration,
Clarity and Crispness. What are these? Close your hand to make a fist and spring it open - that's crispness. Close your
hand and reopen it slowly - this is mush and looks boring. Clarity is when someone important comes on stage and heads
turn to see him or her. If heads move one degree then this will not be seen six feet away, let alone sixty feet away over the
orchestra pit. So you need to plan ahead and be looking somewhere else, so when you move your head it is really clear
and the audience will be drawn to the person entering. Concentration - as well as preparing for the move described above,
you need to be aware of others on stage. Am I in a line? if so, then gently move out of the line. Listen to the dialog and
respond appropriately, so it can be seen; A nod of the head, a glance across the stage to someone else, a smile or a frown
shows you are focused and concentrating. It has to appear to the audience as if this is the first time you have heard the
lines, and seen the action on stage. When Lilli Vanessi made her first appearance on stage in Kiss me Kate, the audience
should be able to tell if you think she is a famous film star whom you adore, or just a prima donna who is just a waste of
space.
After the first night of Kiss me Kate, someone in the audience said that the chorus were timid! Some chorus members were
great; very crisp, had clarity and had concentration, but others stood out because they didnt - and it saps the energy of the
show. (One measure was the amount of sweat coming off people after Too Darn Hot!)
The Gondoliers is based in Italy. Think how the Italian people behave - they talk with their arms and use lots of gestures, so
come to rehearsal and be Italian for the whole rehearsal (even at the tea break). Men you are trying to get a woman, any
woman. Women you are either happily married and not interested in men, or your husband is chatting up the girls - so tell
him off and look for a bit on the side, there is a horrible man who keeps pestering you, or there is a gorgeous girl you fancy.
So by the end of the show the audience should know which it is. Someone made a comment about lack of chorus direction
in Kiss me Kate. Direction is move here, say a line this way - it is not how to act!
So as well as Tits and Teeth, lets have the 3 C's
Colin Paice
Society RIP
Home truths from Noda Summer school
The comments below were from a course tutor
who works professionally in television.
• Men’s trousers should be round their waist
not over or under the waist – so wear
braces.
• Women should wear a new bra and not one
which has been washed 100 times because
the elastic goes when it is washed, and a
new bra gives better support.
• When measuring a man’s inside leg,
women do not enjoy putting their hand into
the warm, smelly, sweaty swamp at the top
of your leg.
• The tape measure never lies
• If someone says they will lose weight by
the show to fit into the costume– don’t
believe them
• Check your knickers cannot be seen
through the trousers – e.g. don’t wear red
knickers when wearing thin white trousers.
• Bending over and exposing your knickers
is usually preferable to showing your
thong.
• A good deodorant works wonders
• If men must expose their backs – they
should have a back, crack and sack
treatment, though the sack is optional.
Colin
At NODA summer school a few years ago, as we were supping
the odd class of wine one evening, someone was telling us about
the bloody demise of one of the societies she was involved in....
It was a thriving society with lots of people wanting to perform
and usually the set was finished on time, the costumes fitted
pretty well and by the end of the week most of the cast knew all
their lines and some of their moves.
A couple, who were on the committee, left the area, and the
society soon found out how much this couple had done for the
society.
It came to a head during panto week, when the set was
incomplete (they were still building the set during the week of the
show- and at least one piece of set had wet paint during every
performance) and people’s costumes were not ready, or didn’t fit.
This was despite pleas for help in the weeks before the show.
After the show there was a meeting to discuss the fiasco with lots
of helpful suggestions from members of the society, along the
lines of ‘why didn’t the committee do...’.
The meeting became acrimonious, and someone got a bloody
nose (so I heard), and the committee resigned en-masse saying
‘we fully agree – the next committee can do all these things’.
A new committee was elected, and as you might suspect, things
fell apart and they had to cancel their next show, and the society
fell apart.
So when asked for help - please step forward - this can range
from helping the committee or going round putting posters up and
bullying your friends . If no one does anything - nothing gets
done.
Colin
Kiss Me Kate – NODA Review
Reviewed by: Margaret Fields on Thursday 5 May 2011
Venue: The Point, Eastleigh
Type of Production: Musical
Producer/Director: John Barlow
Musical Director: Rob Jones
Choreographer: Sarah Mepham
Show Report
This was a very entertaining production with some good singing and excellent dialogue.
The principal parts were all well played. Lois and Bill, (Lucy Baldwin and Tim Osmond) made a charming young
couple with some neat dancing, and the Gangsters (Mick Attwood and Tony Austin) were super, with some
brilliant lines. Lilli (Janet Green) and Fred (Keith Wiggins) were very convincing with their on/off romance and
Lilli's singing was impeccable.
The chorus sang and danced with style. I particularly enjoyed "We open in Venice" with some very slick
movement, performed with great confidence.
Good quality costumes and the simple and easily moved set added to the effect.
Overall it was a good production of this classic musical.
During the holidays, I went on a tour of these nurseries, set in an old walled garden in Weston Lane,
Southampton. The plants were cheaper than in most garden centres, and everything was good quality and
presented in a very neat & tidy way. They also have a café for light snacks and a lovely cuppa tea! Well worth a
visit! They are also on the lookout for volunteers. Please take a moment to check out the website.
Mayfield Nurseries is a subsidiary company of Solent Mind offering a supported working environment to people
living in the Southampton area who are experiencing severe and enduring mental health problems.
We are open to the public for the sale of plants, sundries and refreshments all year round. Every plant at the
nursery helps to keep the project running and enables us to develop the service to be responsive to the needs
of people experiencing mental distress.
Opening times: 8:30am - 4pm Mon to Fri and Saturdays April to June 10am - 4pm
http://www.mayfieldnurseries.org.uk/
In memory of a dear friend....
In July a dear friend and colleague - a wonderful man and an exceptionally talented and inspirational musician
and teacher - tragically took his own life.
In his memory I will run the Great South for the fourth time this year, and although my fitness level has fallen
this year, my
motivation
for available
running itfrom
is stronger
than
ever. I wonder if you could spare the time to check out
cost
£10 and are
02380 667
274.
my fundraising page. I appreciate people always seem to be asking for sponsorship but if you can make a
donation, no matter how small, it would be hugely appreciated.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/beccaweatherall
'Mind' is an invaluable charity which provides support for hundreds of thousands of people each year who
suffer from some form of mental illness. Not only have I battled with aspects of it myself over the past 13
years, I have witnessed friends/family members/colleagues/associates who have also suffered from various
mental health issues to varying degrees.
Unfortunately, there is still a distinct stigma surrounding mental illness which needs to be
dissolved. Furthermore, there is a a severe lack of time and funding available through the NHS to be able to
attend to the needs of all those who need it.
Please take the time to visit the Mind website and read more about what they do as a charity and about
mental illness itself. http://www.mind.org.uk/.
Your donations and support are greatly appreciated.
Becky Weatherall x
THE SORCERER
Monday November 21st - Thursday November 24th, 7.30pm
Pocket G&S are back at Hanger Farm again with one of Gilbert
and Sullivan's first works.
Set in the roaring twenties - come and enjoy an evening of
eggs, ham, strawberry jam, backfiring spells, songs about bells
and tea, lots of tea.
Cast includes Annie Tatnall as Aline, Shaun Dodimead as John
Wellington Wells and Katherine Evans as Constance.
Under the direction of David Tatnall (who also plays Sir
Marmaduke), and Natalie Thorn (choreographer). Tickets cost
£10 and are available from 02380 667 274.
More ‘Roving Reporter’
pictures…..these were taken in
Venice by Anne-Marie and Mick,
when they spent their 30th
Wedding Anniversay there.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Croatia and Bosnia in Ten Days!
Itinerary: Heathrow – Zagreb- (Rijeka) – Pula – (Rovinj) – (Plitvice) – Zadar – Split – (Brac Island) –
Sarajevo – (Mostar) – Dubrovnik.
2000 kilometres over ten days. Are we mad? Yes! Was it worth it? Definitely!
Ironically, despite the crazy Croatian drivers, the often dubious cliff-hanging roads, and the sheer volume
of miles we covered, our sparkling red Skoda Fabia (promptly named ‘Fabby’) remained completely
unscathed....that was, until the final kilometre of the entire trip. After sending Arron in the wrong direction
whilst searching for our hotel (yes, I do admit to contributing to the inherently terrible reputation bestowed
upon female navigators), he pulled into a car park and manoeuvred the fatal three-point-turn which
resulted in nasty war wounds across Fabby’s rear bumper and a juicy fine from the car rental company!
Croatia boasts something for everyone whether it is history and culture, cafes and markets, lush green
mountains, emerald lakes, or breath-taking coastlines and beaches. Due to the peculiar shape of the
country, the landscape changes distinctly as you work your way down the elongated coast.
We began in the north of the country, Zagreb, which as far as capitals go, was certainly the least chaotic
and most pleasant I have been to. From there, the drive to Pula was breath-taking, weaving in and out of
mountains and villages. Arriving at dusk, our guesthouse sat minutes from the sea so an evening swim
beckoned.
The following morning, a walk along the sparkling yacht-lined marina followed by breakfast in a quiet cafe
located in one of the many cobbled side-streets, and then onto the spectacular Roman amphitheatre
which left Rome’s Coliseum looking somewhat forlorn (see photo).
From Pula we made a detour to the Plitvice National Park, which is another world; a paradise on Earth
with waterfalls cascading into glistening turquoise lakes (see photo). This could have constituted a
holiday in itself but we only had 90 minutes.
Although I can’t discuss every place we visited, I must mention Sarajevo. A city like no other I have been
to. As we drove towards the city along roads scattered with landmine warning signs, the hot summer sun,
perhaps symbolically, disappeared, replaced by an ominous cloud that lingered for the length of our stay.
The aftermath of a merciless war still hung in the air. Bullet-ridden buildings and shell-torn pavements still
peppered the streets among those more fortunately repaired and rebuilt.
At night the city came into its own, gently buzzing with energy. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly,
and we had one of the best nights of the trip here enhanced by the endearing hospitality of the bar owner
and his wife (and Sarajevo’s unsurpassable Cherry Brandy)!
From Sarajevo we stopped in Mostar to see the infamous Old Bridge, brutally demolished during the
conflict, but reconstructed in 2004 (see photo).
A few paragraphs cannot do justice to such an incredible trip. As we continued to tour the country, each
city offered its own unique and equally special character. All I can say is that I encourage you to visit this
simply stunning, yet remarkably unspoiled part of the world, as I believe it would be impossible for
anyone not to fall for its raw beauty and charm.
Becky Weatherall
Moroccan meatballs with herb couscous
Ingredients - Meat Balls
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500g lean minced lamb
1 red onion, grated
2 garlic cloves, crushed
stock, boiling
2cm chunk root ginger, grated
coriander , chopped
a pinch dried chilli flakes
chopped
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Olive oil
2 x 400g tins plum tomatoes
200ml chicken stock
½ bunch coriander , chopped
Herb Couscous
200g Couscous
50g butter
350ml Chicken
½ bunch
½ bunch parsley,
Put the lamb, onion, half the garlic, half the ginger and half the spices in a bowl and season well. Mix (clean
hands are best) and form into little meatballs (you'll make around 30).
1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick pan and add the meatballs in batches, frying until browned all
over. Scoop out, then add the rest of the garlic, ginger and spices and cook for 2 minutes. Add the
tomatoes and stock and season. Simmer for 10 minutes, then add back the meatballs and cook for
another 20 minutes until sauce is thickened. Stir in the coriander.
2. To make the couscous put in a bowl with the butter and some seasoning. Pour over the chicken stock and
cover with clingfilm. Leave for 10 minutes. Stir the herbs through and serve with meatballs.
A ‘MISCELLANY’ MURDER MYSTERY!
On Friday 13th July a gruesome discovery was made at a country house in
darkest Hampshire………. the body of Colonel Rupert Wellow was found
near the pond in the garden of his house in Upper Wallop.
The famous detective Sherlock Holmes was called in to solve the case
and began the interrogation of witnesses and suspects.
Diners at Jermyn’s House special ‘Murder Mystery Dinner’ were invited to
ask questions and try to identify the murderer, the method used, and
motivation for the crime.
The usual suspects, the housekeeper, the itinerant gardener, the book
publisher, the heiress and her indomitable god-mother were duly crossquestioned, and more scandalous family secrets were let out of the
cupboard.
Were these red herrings, or vital clues to who ‘done him in’?
At length, a solution was found and the murderer was
revealed!
The meal was delicious, and the
company delightful.
Thank you to Lyn and Tony
for giving me the
opportunity to join in!
Barbara