boardtreader
november 2014
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: This edition is packed with information about upcoming events. Do
not forget to book your tickets for Bouncers and the Murder Mystery Supper Evenings. There
are also audition notices and a review of our recent, very successful musical The Sound of
Music. Gill Sharp
BOUNCERS by John Godber
19th, 20th, 21st & 22nd November at 7.45
Box Office – 0118 975 8880 or book online via the theatre website
Murder Mystery Supper Evening:
Panto Perils: Cinderella
Sat 29th and Sun 30th Nov at 7.45
Adults £12, Concessions £11, Children £6
COMMUNITY CAROL SINGING 2014
Rehearsal - Tuesday 25th November at the theatre.
7.30pm – 9.30pm
Monday 1st December - Broad Street, Reading (Elderly and
Disabled Shopping Evening) 6pm – 8pm
Saturday 6th December - Woodley Shopping Centre around the Christmas tree
10.00am – 12 noon
Please come along and help spread the Christmas cheer and at the same time help
promote the Shinfield Players’ Theatre and Pantomime. We are also looking for
people at both events to dress up as pantomime characters and hand out flyers to
promote the theatre. Please contact Martin Butler.
DOBBIES GROVELANDS GARDEN CENTRE
We have also been invited to provide pantomime characters on 15th November
10.30-12.30 at Dobbies Grovelands Garden Centre. You will be mingling with the
crowd and promoting the pantomime. Please contact Martin Butler.
Dick Whittington
Show dates: 16th – 18th & 23rd – 25th January 2015
Rehearsals have begun for this season’s pantomime. This is the cast list
for the main characters:
Dick Whittington
Alice Fitzwarren
Simon
Alderman Fitzwarren
Cissy
King Rat
Little Rat
Fairy M
Fairy F
Al
Dee
Captain
Queen
Limpet
King
Chancellor
Tom
Eelvis
Georgina Randall
Susie Williamson
Mark Read
Keith Sullivan
Ashleigh Wells
Rebecca Whiticar
Maddie Miles
Gordon Bird
Lindsay Alexander
Katie Thrussell
Ellen Hunter
Nancy Msiska
Elizabeth Moorcroft
Rachel Monger
Jonathan Gowen
Alice Rogers
Jessica Masseron
Tom Naylor
FARNDALE SCI-FI ADVENTURE
AUDITION NOTICE
They came from Mars and landed outside the
Farndale Avenue Church Hall in time for the
Townswomen’s Guild coffee morning.
A comedy by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jnr
Show dates: 11th to 14th March 2015
Read through: Tues 25th November 7.45pm
Auditions: Thurs 27th November 7.45pm (and by appointment)
Director: Liz George
Assistant Director: Karen Bird
Cast:
Mrs Reece: elegant, bossy, enterprising, 50’s
Thelma: quick-tempered prima donna, late 40’s
Gordon: long-suffering stage manager, frozen-faced and monotonous when acting, age
immaterial
Felicity: nervous, well meaning but incompetent actress, late 20’s
Norah: cheerful, capable, latterly semi-conscious; not young
Please remember that the above are the ‘Farndale’ cast so each ‘character’ will play a
number of roles. Don’t be put off by ages as everyone can be made up or down! Karen and I
are happy to make ourselves available for auditions if you are unable to make the read
through or audition date. We intend to do one read through in early December and then
start rehearsals in the New Year. If you have borrowed a script please either bring it along to
the read through or place it behind the bar.
If you have any queries, please contact me liz@shinfieldplayers.org.uk or message me on
Facebook. Many thanks, Liz
The Sound of Music - Review
Set in locations near the Austrian/Swiss border at the time of
the 1938 anschluss, this popular show was an appropriate choice for
the Shinfield Players who (like many other local musical societies) finds
itself with more lady performers than men.
I noticed that the performance also included “I Have Confidence” and “Something
Good” written especially for the film soundtrack, meaning all the old favourites were there
for us to sing along to – albeit quietly I hope!
The roles of the von Trapp children, who regularly steal the show with their musical
numbers (‘Do-Re-Mi’ in particular having become a classic in the musical entertainment
genre), were shared between fifteen children over the six performances and it would be
invidious to comment on the performances of the seven I saw, apart from to say that the
remaining group certainly had a hard act to follow! Some of the adult roles were shared too,
so I will just say that I was very impressed by the high musical standard apparent throughout
the show and the characterisation portrayed. The Latin plainsong passages sung by the nuns
at Nonnberg Abbey were, for me, the highlights of the production, so well done Rachel,
Gordon and Patrick.
The simple staging enabled the show’s continuity to move smoothly whilst keeping
the crew on their toes with some of the scene changes – seeing the ‘Hunchback’ window
again brought back some happy memories!!
Thank you all for an excellent evening’s entertainment. Barrie
Would you consider becoming a chaperone?
You don’t really need any special skills – though liking children/young people helps!
Everyone under 16 who takes part in a show has to be supervised and we are currently very
short of people who are willing to volunteer for this. A DBS check is essential and you may
have to attend one evening of training. If you think you might be able to help, please email
me and I can give you more details. Gill gillianssharp@btinternet.com
IDEAS REQUIRED!!! DIRECTORS REQUIRED!!!
Do you have a favourite play/musical/pantomime?
Could we cast/crew/stage at the theatre?
Have you ever wanted to direct a show?
NOW IS YOUR CHANCE
After a brilliant start to the season with The Sound of Music and an excellent
programme ahead, we are now looking for submissions for 2015/16.
If you have an idea for next season, or if you require more information or help,
please contact myself or the committee ASAP.
Karen@shinfieldplayers.co.uk or committee@shinfieldplayers.co.uk
REMEMBER WE CAN ONLY PUT ON SHOWS THAT YOU HAVE
SUGGESTED!!!!!
AUDITION NOTICE
“LOVE BEGINS AT FIFTY!” - A Farcical Comedy by Raymond Hopkins
Anita and Clive Debanks have been married for 28 years and have led an uneventful life. But all that
is about to change. Although in a loveless marriage, Clive has never been unfaithful. However, as
preparations for his fiftieth birthday are underway, Clive feels that life is passing him by and has a
yearning for one last fling. To this end, he chooses three prospective partners from the ‘Lonely
Hearts’ column in the local paper. By a strange twist of fate, the same paper is offering a Caribbean
cruise as the first prize in a competition to find the perfect married couple. Anita enters the
competition but keeps it a secret from Clive. A photographer arrives to take pictures of the happy
couple the night Anita is away, and Clive is busy at home entertaining one of his new dates. From
that point onwards, things get a little complicated to say the least. The action is fast and furious in
this hilarious farce.
LOVE BEGINS AT FIFTY has been a great success. As well as a record-breaking season as a summer
show at Torquay, it has been performed by amateur companies throughout the UK, Australia and
Europe and is certainly a play that will have the audience rolling in the aisles. A recent production
performed for ten nights was sold out every night.
Director – Henry Hawes-Tel/no 901 1024 email henryhawes1@hotmail.co.uk
Producer – Barrie Theobald–Tel/no 926 7135 email barrietheobald@rdg12.wanadoo.co.uk
CAST M3 – F6
ANITA DEBANKS – Fiftyish. Well educated, feels that she has married beneath herself and subsequently treats
her husband with contempt. She has immaculate dress sense.
CLIVE DEBANKS – Late forties. A romantic who has been starved of love and affection by his wife. Happy to let
the world go by, very easy going. Not much dress sense.
JACK REYNOLDS – Late forties. Confirmed bachelor, who likes female company without any commitment.
Down to earth and lives for today. Full of charisma and a life-long friend of Clive Debank.
CLAIRE MURPHY – Early fifties, slightly overweight with poor dress sense. Has the habit of misinterpreting a
situation and will often say the wrong thing. A life-long friend of Anita Debanks.
TRACY BARTON – (Daughter of Clive and Anita) Early twenties, has a lot of her mother’s traits. Although she
does have a compassionate side to her nature. Likes keeping up with modern fashion and makes the best of
her appearance. Lives on an emotional roller-coaster.
ANNABEL WICKSON – Late twenties, slim and very good looking. Can be outspoken, searching for a fun life
after being torn apart by the break-up of her parents’ marriage.
MAVIS LEGGETT – In her sixties. Gives the appearance of being slightly doddery but is always able to hold her
own. She dresses in quirky clothes. An eccentric.
EMILY ROBERTS – In her forties. Very attractive with a good figure. Comes from a poor background. Has never
married. Kind and considerate. Painfully shy.
HENRY CLARKE – About forty. A Cockney with a lot of silly chatter. Has a happy-go-lucky attitude to life. A
flashy dresser.
SUZIE - A live Goldfish – No need to audition!!
AUDITIONS:-
Sunday 8th February 2015 – 2.00pm
Tuesday 10th February – 7.45pm
Thursday 12th February - 7.45pm
PERFORMANCE DATES – 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 13th June 2015
It is hoped that the first night (10th)will be a Gala Performance to raise funds for the MS Charity - a
condition which the author’s 20 year old daughter was diagnosed with.
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT COSTUMES
I read this article in the Noda magazine and thought I would share it with you (Carol):
Ewan Campbell from Utopia Costumes, NODA's recommended supplier for The Slipper
and the Rose, discusses some tips to make sure your costumes really steal the show.
We all know that the costume call is close to show week. Whether you have a busy
costume team who make bespoke costumes, or if you hire them from somebody else, the
excitement is just the same. Costumes add so much to productions that it's really important
to get them right.
In general, we refer to a costume as the clothes we put on to portray a character in a
show. Whether playing a leading character or someone in the ensemble, we should all take
the time and effort to look right.
In all aspects, a costume is what you make of it. As long as you go to your costume call
and apply a few simple rules, the experience can be a pleasant one.
Remember:
1. The costume doesn't take into account personal preferences. Just as we buy clothes that
suit ourselves, in the same way costumes cater for the preferences, style and design of the
character a performer is playing, so embrace this and go ahead with an open mind.
2. The costume is not meant to fit you exactly; it is meant to fit your character, who may not be
exactly your size .
3. The costume has been designed to be seen at a distance and as part of a bigger picture.
4. The costume is only fabric and doesn't have magical slimming properties.
5. The costume will not turn a performance into BAFTA standard; the performer has to do this
themselves.
6. The costume has only one real function: to turn a performer into someone else. So try to look
like the character and not yourself when onstage.
7. Most importantly, what is in the imagination very rarely exists in costume reality, and
knowing this avoids disappointment.
Once your costume is sorted, you have to make the best of it. In the wonderful world of
amateur theatre, performers should acquire a few basic costume skills.
Ironing and darning: You'll need to know how to press your costume, and learning
to put a few tacking stitches in the right places is not that difficult and can make you look
and feel like a million dollars.
Accessorising: Do you need shoes, gloves, shirts, bowties, hand bags, scarves,
jewellery and other accessory additions? Get items that complement your costume but
that aren't supplied with it. This makes it your costume for the run of the show and adds
individuality and interest.
Hair and makeup: This is as important as your costume, because hairstyles
differ just as much as clothes do. A modern hairstyle doesn't go with a period
costume, but you would be surprised at how many modern choppy bobs appear in
productions of Oliver! Likewise, stage makeup is for the stage and day makeup is for
going to Tesco. It is unlikely that we'd wear heavy stage makeup in Tesco, so don't
wear light daytime makeup on stage.
Get the idea: Try the whole thing on at home before you go to the theatre so
that you know you will look good, as this bolsters your own confidence and inspires
confidence from the audience. Don't say you can't or don't have time; this is just an
excuse. Think of it as a bit of 'me' time and have a go. If you're not sure what to do
there is always someone who looks fantastic on stage that you can ask for help from,
and whose costume you can look at to see what they did with theirs.
In the current climate, we are all trying to get bums on seats. The audience members are
the ones who pay for shows and it is you, the people on stage, that your audience come to
watch.
AROUND THE THEATRE...................WITH ADAM AND EVE
Good Day to 'e All. Well, did you put your clocks back the other
Sunday? It will mean that we have less daylight in the afternoons and the
gardening tasks will tail off. That will allow us to do a bit more inside the
theatre. You may have noticed that we have been changing the working
lights in the stage area and the light is much "whiter". This is because the
new light units are L.E.D. which have replaced the Halogen ones. The
reason for making the change is that the new ones’ running power
consumption is about one eighth of that of the old halogen. We will save about £40 on each
of the lights (and there are six of them) each year. Another benefit is that they do not get as
hot as the old lamps, a safety feature that we need to consider when we have a wooden
building. I think they give a much cleaner light but let me know what you think when we have
finished installing them. Thank you to Steve Townsend for donating some of the lights.
The Car Park is now tidy and the fence is secure so thanks for the help with these
items. We have rejuvenated the garden bench for the Sound of Music and it will soon be
back in the garden for you to sit on and look at the flowers when they re appear next year.
You will have to wait until spring to see the benefit of our bulb planting in the tubs at the
front.
Well, I must go and put the kettle on as it’s time for a cuppa.
SENIOR YOUTH GROUP NEEDS A LEADER!
We are looking for a new leader for the Senior Youth Group. There are currently 4 leaders
who are extremely committed and enthusiastic and would love an equally dedicated person
to join the team. We are looking for someone who has a passion for the theatre and working
with young people. We are looking for people with diverse theatre skills, both onstage and
backstage who can be totally committed to the role. An essential requirement of the role is a
DBS check and a chaperone licence.
The youth group is every Friday 7.00pm-10pm and the occasional Sunday leading up to the
summer show. Past shows include ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Grease’ and ‘Anything
Goes’.
If you are interested in this fantastic opportunity, please contact Gordon Bird
gordonbird.62@virgin.net by Fri 7th Nov.
chairman’s postscript
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I was very happy with the way Sound of Music turned out. Good Box Office returns
and a very good production and excellent NODA report. Well done all involved.
I am pleased that the "new team" Martyn and Stephanie are settling in well with Dick
Whittington, our pantomime this year. Keep up the good work. You are doing very
well.
We have had some excellent press coverage so far this year. Well done, Martin B,
for an impressive bit of publicity. We need to keep the profile of this wonderful asset
high in the community and what better way to do it than in the Post and Chronicle.
I am very grateful for the help given to the theatre by Martin Wheeler, Graham Smith,
Tim Howling, Steve Toon, Joe Richardson and Geoff Green and also to Vodaphone
and WSP for giving Steve and Martin the day to work for our charity. This enabled us
to complete the tarmac repairs and stone up the car park. Thanks to you all.
DEADLINE FOR NEXT BT – 25/11/14. Please email items to
shinfieldboardtreader@hotmail.co.uk