boardtreader
November 2013
Shinfield Players’ Theatre’s mission is to provide a venue for creating and experiencing
theatre in all its forms. We aim to continue to train and develop our membership, so that
everyone may enjoy socialising, working together and participating in theatre.
We are extremely fortunate to have our own building to allow us to accomplish this. By
providing this public social and entertainment centre, we are able to fund Shinfield Players by
producing public dramatic performances.
From the Editor: We have had a good start to the season with “From Stage and Screen” and
a fun quiz night (many thanks to Jon and Annette for organizing that), but there is plenty
more to come to fill the dark autumn evenings between now and Christmas, so book your
tickets now for “Inspector Drake”, the Murder Mystery supper evening and the Carol Concert!
Panto has now been cast but there is still time to join the ensemble, or you may prefer to
audition for “Steel Magnolias” (ladies only) which is being produced in March. Gill Sharp
INSPECTOR DRAKE & THE PERFEKT CRIME
20th – 23rd November
7.45pm
A comedy by David Tristram
The legendary Inspector Drake faces his greatest challenge, as he
attempts to unravel a plot with more twists in it than a really twisty thing.
Who is the mysterious Dr Short, and why did he marry a warthog? Has he
murdered his fourth wife-or did she murder him first? Has he really got two daughters called
Sabrina, or is one of them telling porkies? Where is Frank the taxi driver? What was the
Pope doing in the woods?
This is a very funny spoof of popular detective stories, so if you are looking to have a good
laugh, it is time to book your tickets!
AMDRAM IS MURDER
A Murder Mystery Supper Evening
Saturday 30th Nov @ 7.45
Sunday 1st Dec @ 7.45
Tickets cost £12 and include a buffet supper.
This is your opportunity to help solve the mystery! Book your tickets now.
The Amazing Adventures of Sinbad
I was delighted with the interest shown in the Pantomime and the attendance at
the read throughs; thanks everyone for your support. After long deliberation I
have cast The Amazing Adventures of Sinbad as follows:
Verouka - Ashleigh Wells
Sinbad - George Randall
As If - Marcus Phillips
Wazir - Philippe Duquenoy
Sniff - Martyn Washbourne
Scratch - Geoff Green
Fatima - Melanie Sherwood
Mrs Khazi – Karen Bird
Yasmin - Caroline Betts
Delia - Dilys Corlett
Saffron - Steph Limb
Indianna Jones / Narrator / Confucious - Michael Fielding
Harem Girl - Alice Rogers
Harem Girl - Camilla Fillingham
Harem Girl - Lydia Shaw
Harem Girl - Jessica Masseron
Harem Girl - Amy Lockwood
Mummy - Martin Wheeler
Chinaman 1 - Jess Costello
Chinamen 2 - Jack Frewin, Joe Richardson
Stage Hand (From crew)
Padi Wak - Simon Brandt (Front end),Tanya Bird (Back end)
Yetti - Graham Smith
Mr Khazi (From ensemble)
Sultan (From ensemble)
Sultana (From ensemble)
Director: Carol Vockins, Choreographer: Sue Frisby, Dance Captain: Amy
Lockwood.
I am sorry if you didn't get the part that you wanted, but with such a lot of
members wanting to do Panto it was a difficult job to cast the show. I assure
everyone you are all an essential part of the team whether you are top of the list
or ensemble. I can still use a few more members in the ensemble if you missed
out on auditions. Minimum age 12 years. Carol V
The Most Wonderful Night of the Year! – The SPT Carol Concert
Saturday 14th December
Rehearsals started last week but there is still time to join in the
fun. We meet on Sundays between 5.00 – 7.00pm. Please try to
turn up this Sunday (3rd Nov) or let Lara or Cara know that you
are interested asap.
By Robert Harling
Audition Notice
This fabulous play is a tribute to a group of women that the playwright, Robert Harling,
much admired. The six women in this all female play visit Truvy’s hair salon, where the play
is set, and talk much, apply pink nail varnish and use large quantities of hairspray. However,
as we learn about how their lives are unfolding, we get to see that these are strong women
who know that humour and friendships are ultimately what will help them cope when
tragedy strikes. Written with a hefty dash of Southern humour, this is a warm and witty,
bittersweet drama. It was also made into a Hollywood film, starring Julia Roberts, Dolly
Parton and Sally Field.
Read-throughs – Tues 3rd Dec 7.45pm and Thurs 5th Dec 7.45pm
Auditions – Sun 8th Dec 3pm and Tues 10th Dec 7.45pm
Show Dates – Weds 5th to Sat 8th March
Roles
Truvy Jones – owner of the beauty/hair salon. Friendly and fun, with a supportive ear and
cynical advice when needed. Playing age: 40s
Annelle Dupuy-Desoto – salon assistant. Nervous, naïve and keen to please. Playing age:
20s
Clairee Belcher – widow of the former mayor. The well liked ‘grande-dame’ of the town,
slightly glamorous and ready to tease. Playing age: 60s
Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie – pretty and popular local girl, about to get married. Caring, but
ready to argue with her mother. Playing age: 20s
M’Lynn Eatenton – Shelby’s mother. Has her own career and positions on various
committees. She wears the trousers in her marriage. Playing age: later 40s
Ouiser (pronounced ‘Weezer’) Boudreaux – wealthy curmudgeon, acerbic but loveable.
Playing age: 60s
Please don’t be put off by the ages! Come along anyway – what is more important is that you fit the
part and the ages look right when put together. The play is set in Louisiana, so southern American
accents will be needed; however, I actually feel quite confident at helping people with that one, so
support will be given at the read-throughs and throughout rehearsals!
If you have any questions, just contact me – cara@shinfieldplayers.org.uk or 07765 645109
Director – Cara Broadhurst
REVIEW – FROM STAGE & SCREEN
It was a simple concept which turned into a great show: present a selection of
popular songs from musicals that had been both stage productions and films,
add a few hats and other simple props to create different effects for different songs, and
put in a few dances as a finishing touch! Cara Broadhurst skillfully guided us through the
evening, giving us interesting snippets of information along the way.
It really was a concert for everyone with a great mix of songs from musicals that were first
performed in the 1940s to shows that you can go and see in the West End today. There
were choral items like “That’s Entertainment” (from Band Wagon), “All That Jazz” (from
Chicago) and “Do You Hear the People Sing?” (from Les Miserables) but there were also
many solos/duets etc which gave great opportunities for both familiar singers and less wellknown performers to shine.
It is difficult to pick out individual performers as it was clearly very much a team effort, but
Chris Poon’s rendition of “Music of the Night” (from The Phantom of the Opera) had a
powerful effect upon the audience, and Sarah Lockwood’s leading of the songs from Oliver
towards the end of the show made a real impact as well. On the lighter side, “Lily Marlene”
(from Blue Angel) as presented by Carol, Lorraine, Jean and Geoff sticks in the mind for an
entirely different reason (!) as does the non-traditional version of “Favourite Things” (from
The Sound of Music) as sung by Carol, Lorraine, Jean and Pat.
It was great to see members of the Senior Youth Group singing and dancing alongside the
adult members of the theatre to produce a really entertaining concert. Hopefully, we shall
see more of this kind of show at Shinfield in the future. Gill Sharp
FOH/BAR ROTA
For the past few years, Cara has “encouraged” many of us to help out with Front of House
and Bar for performances. She is now handing over that role to Karen Bird. So thanks to
Cara for all her hard work – and expect to be contacted by Karen in the future. We really
need all members to be willing to help out occasionally, as that spreads the load, so if you
are a new member or have never helped out before, it would be great if you could contact
Karen (karen@shinfieldplayers.org.uk) to offer your services.
SPT T-SHIRTS and ZIP-UP FLEECES
Helping with FOH/Bar? Don't forget you can order your T-shirts and Zip-up fleeces to
support the SPT image on show nights. Alternatively, T-shirts will be available behind the bar
for loan which can be worn over another shirt.
Short sleeved T-shirts - £10
Long sleeved T-shirts - £12-14
Zip-ups - £20
Please place orders through Dily
AROUND THE THEATRE……..WITH ADAM AND EVE
Good Day to 'E all. Well, did you remember to put your clocks
back, or did you turn up an hour early for that important event last
Sunday? The changing of the clocks results in darker nights and we
must all take care and ensure our torch batteries are fully charged. The
plants will now begin to die back and we will have less colour in the
garden, although a few will continue until we have some hard frosts or
snow. Hardy types like the winter pansies, which are in the long bed at
the front of the theatre, will tide us over until the spring, and some additional spring bulbs are
also being planted.
A creature seen recently (the hedgehog) was stocking up on some of Mushnik's
supper so he/she will be putting on even more weight for the winter hibernation. We had
hoped to cut the grass at the front one last time before winter, but it has been too wet. The
“Big Wind” luckily didn't cause any damage apart from a couple of fence panels which are
now not as upright as before and will need some reinforcement to their bases.
Have you noticed how many acorns the oak tree has produced this year? It is what is
known as a mast year, when there is an abundance of seed and we are sure the local
squirrel and woodpecker populations will have been busy storing up for winter; we look
forward to finding many mini oak trees sprouting up in various parts of the garden next year.
chairman’s postscript
 I was very pleased with the end result of the “From Stage and Screen” production. It was a
great shame that Barrie Theobald was not well enough to come along and see what we did
with the show he created, but had to step down from due to ill health . I am sure I speak for
all members in wishing him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him and Jean in
the theatre again soon. I must also thank Cara for taking up the challenge and Lara for
arranging some of the harmonies for the show.
 I was also extremely pleased to see over thirty people read for the Pantomime. It is so great
to see the place buzzing and busy, with the casts of Inspector Drake, Carol Concert and the
Murder Mystery plus our Youth Groups busying themselves for Christmas presentations and
Prague. I have asked our Solicitor to chase up the Met. Office regarding our lease, because if
all this activity is maintained we shall be requiring a bigger building!!
DEADLINE FOR NEXT BT – 25/11/13. Please email items to:
shinfieldboardtreader@hotmail.co.uk