Venue: Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton, Derbyshire, NG10 1EF
Box Office: TicketSource Tickets are £15 (£13.50 concessions)
3-6th May 2023. Shows start at 7.30, with no interval.
Following Jon, a young theatre composer who's waiting tables at a New York City diner in 1990 while writing what he hopes will be the next great American musical. Days before he's due to showcase his work in a make-or-break performance, Jon is feeling the pressure from everywhere: from his girlfriend Susan, who dreams of an artistic life beyond New York City; from his friend Michael, who has moved on from his dream to a life of financial security; amidst an artistic community being ravaged by the AIDS epidemic. With the clock ticking, Jon is at a crossroads and faces the question everyone must reckon with: What are we meant to do with the time we have?
Posted 25/03/2023
Recently Posted on the NoticeBoard
Epping Community Group (Essex UK)
Epping Amateur Dramatics Club - for adults only!!! (#EppingAmDramClub) - we want to start one up at 'Theatre in the Barn' The Black Lion Pub Epping and really encourage adults of all ages - no upper age limits
Those interested we are having an initial meet up just to chat about it this Saturday, March 25th 1pm - 3pm!! Bar will be open so drinks can be purchased
New Members Welcome Our friendly, fun group provides a wonderful opportunity to find your voice and learn fantastic songs both new and old. No need to read music ,everyone’s welcome to join. With social events and live performances you’ll wonder why you didn’t join sooner! We would love to hear from you on our Facebook page or just click come and join us.
AUDITION DATES: Sunday 26th March from 10.30am Tuesday 28th March from 7.30pm PROPOSED PLAYING DATES – to be discussed with the cast June 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th
Adapted from the original novel by H.G. Wells and directed by Laura Ilinca Jack Griffin, a wannabe scientist who dreams to discover the secret to invisibility moved in with his friends Mr & Mrs Hall a year ago, after his long-time marriage fell apart. Mr & Mrs Hall manage The Cock & Bull Inn, a very unoccupied inn, especially off season, situated in a postcard beautiful but otherwise uneventful little English village. Having little to do with their time, and lacking other bright ideas, they spend their days helping Griffin plotting silly, and frankly a bit creepy revenges against his ex-wife and her new boyfriend. What could go wrong? Not much, as Griffin is known around the village for his idiosyncrasies. Until one day, when 2 unexpected guests arrive at the inn, bringing with them an unknown number of secret agencies that seem to be quite interested in the invisibility business as well. How could a Russian emigree, an insectologist, a wannabe scientist and two nearly broke inn owners outsmart several secret agents that are interested in invisibility as well? Well, staying at home and not coming to the theatre won't help you find out... In case you'd like to be part of this production, either on stage or off stage, here are some things you might want to know about the characters: CHARACTERS JACK GRIFFIN – THE INVISIBLE MAN, currently unemployed and unhoused, living at The Cock and Bull Inn after the split with his ex-wife, middle age MRS CORNELIA HALL – runs the Cock and Bull Inn with her husband, middle age MR NATHANIEL HALL – runs the Cock and Bull Inn with his wife, middle age VLADMIR IVANOVICH RUBLIOV, aka THOMAS MARVEL – a middle age homeless man, with a strange accent, sometimes a very heavy foreign accent, sometimes a posh English accent (think Downtown Abbey), who claims he’s a scientist followed by the SVR (former KGB), who had to go offline and off grid in order to save his life. He adopted the name Thomas Marvel in order to hide his identity in the UK. MILLIE HOLLAND – a young-ish insectologist, (or is she?), who comes to the inn for a one- week sojourn to study local dragonflies. NARRATOR’S VOICE – although the character doesn’t appear on stage, he’s an important part of the narrative. He starts with a bit of interest in the play, gets very bored towards the end The Invisible Men is a fast-paced comedy, inspired by the original novel by H.G. Wells, adapted and directed by Laura Ilinca, and will be presented as a world premiere at The Little Theatre. CREW We need help with everything that’s off stage, from stage manager, lighting, special effects (explosions, fires), sound design, props, costumes, prompting, ASM Please contact Laura for more information and a copy of the script at: laurailica@yahoo.com / 07459676933.
Film Workshop for Kids, Teenagers and Adults in Ottery St Mary, Devon
Sunday 2nd April 11am to 3pm
We are a Film Agency/Film Production Company based in London and Devon running monthly Drama Workshops and Weekly Drama Classes
Film Director David Creed Workshop on Sunday 2nd April 11am to 3pm in Ottery St Mary £25.00 per person. Age groups in different time slots. Working with a Film Director, Doing scenes from David’s next Movie. It will be taped and you get to keep your scene after the workshop. Run by MAA Agency and WMR Films Owner Miles Anthony & JW Dance Please register your interest on : Website: www.devondramaclasses.co.uk / Office@devondramaclasses.co.uk Whatsapp: 07497209371 / www.maa.uk.com
Adapted from the original book by Edgar Allan Poe The Tale Heart gothic horror novel is a sinister story with a deadly twist. Clarry Straven ( David Martin) stumbles upon the lodgings of Roderick Bounty (John Goodrum), a strange gentleman with a rather odd collection of belongings.
Haunted by the “Raven eye” of his host Bounty, Straven is unsettled and struggles to sleep at night, waking between 3-4 am each morning to check that his host and the eye are asleep. He fears his host and is unnerved by his presence. Yet there’s no obvious reason at first, just a slightly eccentric host who rents out his spare room.
Staged in front of a dark background with curtains drawn to keep out the light, which Bounty claims is to prevent robbers from looking in to see his treasure chests placed under the window. However, as the story unfolds, this turns out not to be the only reason.
The performance is strong through the first fifty minutes. The second half would benefit from editing during the conversation, which takes place between Straven and Inspector Morgan ( Gordon Johum), who calls around after a neighbour heard screams coming from the house. The tension built up after the events between Straven and Bounty became diluted with the quantity of dialogue from the Inspector, and at times, I lost track of where they were in the conversation.
I especially liked the rain and thunderstorm raging throughout the play. Adding an air of danger to the situation, claps of thunder were placed at points to make the audience jump and heightened the tension building up between the characters, waiting to explode.
Poe’s writing certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted Theatre goer. I enjoy being challenged and gripped by the tales such as The Tell-Tale Heart. Many twists in his work make for compelling viewing.
For more information on about this play and future productions at Theatre Royal Winchester, please use the link below.
Full set of #sisteractthemusical costumes. Great quality. Up to 21 nuns, plus different finale & nighties with hoods, mother superior, monseigneur, Dolores, backing singers & Eddies ’rip suit’!! £400 hire!!! Bargain!! Your show will look fabulous baby!!
Director needed at North Mcr AODS for Blithe Spirit
on stage 3rd - 6th June 2023
Due to unforseen circumstances North Manchester AODS now need a Director for Blithe Spirit. The play is almost cast (last auditions for Madame Arcati are tonight via Zoom!) and will be playing at the Simpson Memorial Hall M40 9NB 3rd - 6th June 2023 All rehearsals will aslo be at The Simpson Memorial Hall. Please contact Nick at NMAODS on nmaods@yahoo.com if you are interested in Directing Blithe Spirit or auditioning for Madame Arcati. Thank you
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.
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Recently Posted Sets & PropSwap
Tops On Stage
UK Grays, Essex
For Sale / Hire
Available from Monday 20th March
BETTY BLUE EYES - SET/PROPS
We have the following list of set & props available to purchase [see picture] We may also have some costumes & additional props [TBA] We are based in Essex [Grays RM17 - Near Dartford bridge] Set/props will be available for collection at the Theatre on morning of the 20th or at another location in close proximity if this date does not work. Varied costs. Just comment or message me if interested in any items and I’ll confirm prices. Pics will be available next week [Currently I. Storage] Just trying to gauge the interest for now. If you’re looking for any specific items that aren’t listed, below, please send a message as we may have them available for purchase, also. Contact https://www.facebook.com/MartyMcDoyle
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.
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
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.
Are you a writer? Please contact us via email at: scripts@stage-write.com.au or via our website or social media
Queensland, Australia
PLAY SCRIPTS FOR THE MODERN ERA
Online scripts & plays - Something for everyone!
Stage-Write Plays, an online publishing website based in Queensland, Australia, showcases original stage plays and musicals. You can look for a vast range of stage plays of different genres. They have a remarkable team of writers who have written exceptional plays to entertain the readers.
They offer you a standard performance packages that include the complete script, piano, vocal scores, and SFX soundbites to support your theatrical performance. SFX sounds are the special effects that enhance a play’s visual and dramatic effects.
The website also provides a hassle-free way to decide which play and music suits your requirement by offering a free ready-only sample of the play with two audio song sampes. The sample script is a generous 50% of the full version, which is helpful for the reader to choose a play. The script samples are encrypted and cannot be printed. The sample tracks are rehearsal tracks which serve as a reference for you to imagine how they could sound as a part of full production.
You can easily search for a play by title or by the name of the writer. The website also has an Easy-Choose search feature. You can select from the options according to your preference based on options like genre, age group, and duration number of cast. You can contact us via email or use our live chat option. We encourage and welcome your feedback regarding our website and plays.Please contact me at admin@stage-write.com.au or leave a review on 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.
