Frome Drama Club Newsletter

September/October 2005

MELLOW FRUITFULNESS

Gosh, it's that time already – a mist on the lawn this morning, an autumnal nip in the air, and a sense that the summer is drawing to a close. Time to start thinking about amateur theatre again.

It is three months since our last Newsletter and I confess I have got a bit out of the habit. However I went to watch a rehearsal of 'Allo 'Allo the other evening – oh, sorry, some of you may not know yet; yes, Bob Gooding has been able to cast it (lots of new members, as well as a good number of familiar faces) and they are well on their way towards what should be a hilarious, and very popular, Autumn Production. Anyway – it got all my theatrical juices flowing nicely, and for me the sloth induced by a long DIY summer has just fallen away.

So – on with the motley...

Incidentally, those of you who still get a hard-copy version of the FDC Newsletter will have noticed by now that this website version bears little resemblance to it. Alas, a two-sided piece of A4 isn't really adequate to give you the full flavour of what is going on in the Club nowadays, and in particular doesn't leave any room for photos. We are still producing a printed Newsletter every two months, for those without access to the Internet, but of necessity this time it has become a precis, and soon, I suspect, will be not much more than a summary.

Anyway, here's a round-up of what has been going on this summer:

BARN EMPTYING

This was set for Sunday 5th June and fingers were crossed for a fine day with June bursting out all over. Sadly, June couldn't make it and nor could the weather which decided to be not only cold but also very wet!

Nevertheless, a small but plucky band of us gathered together and got stuck in. Some of us emptied the barn, toted the odd barge and lifted a bale or two. Meanwhile, another gang formed a chain and sang spirituals while working at the farm out at Rodden making space and clearing out stuff that, rather like some of us, has seen better days.

So, thanks to all of those who helped and special thanks to Sheila Martin and her son, Tolky, who came over from Glastonbury, and to Caroline Hernu who is such a stalwart member of FDC.
MH

SUMMER PARTY

We had a good turnout for the FDC summer party in Heather and Philip's garden on Sunday 12th June, by which time the weather was at least kinder, though still a bit chilly. We managed to keep Gilly out of the leat, Michael did a fine job in his apron and BBQ tongs, and a great deal of food and alcohol was consumed, though there was still enough left to feed a small army. Many thanks to all who brought bottles and puds.

See anyone you know?

TRAILER SAGA

In April's Newsletter I reported our successful application for a grant of £750 from the Frome Community Lottery towards the purchase of a trailer for the transporting and storage of set and scenery.

I am very pleased to say that our trailer fund has increased by a further £200 courtesy of another grant, this time from the Rotarian Ron Button Fund.
Now we are actively looking to find a second-hand one – ideally a two axle (ie 4 wheels) box trailer, about 10' long and at least 5' high, preferably with integral braking system.

If anyone can help, please get in touch.
MH

BACKSTAGE TRAINING DAY

For some time the Committee have been looking for a way to involve those FDC members who don't necessarily want to strut their stuff onstage in every production but who are shy about offering to help on the production side because of lack of experience. We really do need to build up a backstage team. We have come up with the idea of running a training day to give anyone, and everyone, some hands-on experience with Lighting, Sound, Set Design and Stage Management, This is now booked for the afternoon of Sunday October 9th at the Merlin.

The idea is to limit numbers, to divide up into groups of 3-5 and to spend an hour with each of four experts, with a break for tea. Chris Samuels (Tech Manager at the Merlin) is already signed up to do Lighting, and Simon Bowman has kindly agreed to do Sound. Ally Maryon is going to do Stage Management, and we are hoping to engage a Set Designer.

Book yourself a place NOW by ringing 01373 472997. It will cost you up to £10* but will be well worth it. We need to confirm final numbers by Monday 3rd October.
* less if numbers allow

'ALLO 'ALLO - EES VELL UNTERWAY

… And "good moaning" from the harassed director trying to get all his cast in one place at the same time. I can't seem to get my hands on a Gruber (poorly phrased!) - you know, the German officer who has a thing for René. I thought I'd secured someone for the part but he has to go and work in Frankfurt! Lots of Grubers in Frankfurt but are there any in Frome? A vitally important character, gently camp. Please help me someone!

René, the sort of master of ceremonies of the piece, is really Kevin Daly (he of local newspaper fame) with Janet Tanner reprising her role as passionate wife and would-be singer Edith. Perdita Hatton-Brown and Kara Horler 'serve' the customers as Yvette and Mimi while Gina Buckland's Michelle says her lines "only once!" Cello-toting and fishnet stockings wearer Alan Burgess as Herr Flick exudes animal power over the besotted Helga of Keely Beresford. Peter Stone (Duncan in Macbeth… oops) plays the Italian Alberto. Newcomers Steve Ryder is the wigletted Colonel and Bryan Williamson is "it is I, Leclerc". Roger Whitewick is the 'Piloceman' and long serving FDC member Hilary Daniel is General Schmelling.

From left: Bryan Williamson, Kara Horler, Bob Gooding, Gina Buckland, Kevin Daley and Janet Tanner, rehearsing in the Drama Studio at Oakfield School

I have dared to introduce René's old mother-in-law who is not in the stage version and other characters of my own invention. Calum Grant and James Cox triple as Germans, Frenchmen and British airman, while Milly Mitchard is poor pregnant Issy with her mother (Heather Cox) and mother's friend and rival Mme Pamplemousse (Nicky Allen).

Bob Gooding directing Kevin Daley in the role of René

BUT, MEMBERS OF ZE CLUB, VE VANT MORE! (Is that French or German)? Props supremo Allyson Maryon (tel 01373 452489) wants anything that might give René's bar that 30's French café look. I want some of you in costume sitting in the café sipping wine. Programme sellers, ticket tearers etc also dressed in character...

So look out your old French ashtrays, your old onion seller costumes and join the fun.
Lots of backstage help wanted too…Please! I await your call on 01373 301088
Bob Gooding

FREE TICKETS!

Remember Death & The Maiden? FDC entered the first act of this enthralling play, directed by Michael Hoskinson, in the Merlin Festival earlier this year, and scooped most of the major awards. It was described afterwards as a 'stunning production' – 'utterly compelling'. Now TROUPERS are performing the full play, with the same cast – Heather and Philip de Glanville as Paulina and Gerardo Escobar, and Geoff Hunt as Dr Roberto Miranda – at the Merlin at the end of September. Ally Maryon is Stage Managing and Martin Coat and Claudia Pepler-Berry are crewing, with Simon Bowman providing SFX and Chris Samuels doing the Lighting Design.

Now we'd like to involve even more FDC members by offering a limited number of free tickets to watch the play – either Friday 30th September or Saturday 1st October. There is a catch though… those taking us up on our offer will have to dress up a bit and appear on the apron of the stage as concert-goers, milling about as though in a foyer, in the last scene. Glasses of wine provided too! There will be one very brief rehearsal, for everyone involved, on the evening of the Dress Rehearsal on Thursday 29th September.

Interested in helping with this? Do, please, get in touch with us on 01373 472997. It should be fun!

Whether you can help or not, do tell your friends about D&TM. It is an extraordinary piece of theatre, and deserves an audience

Heather de Glanville as Paulina wreaks revenge on Dr Miranda, played by Geoff Hunt, in rehearsal at Frome Health Centre.

TROUPERS don't have a regular following because we perform mainly at Festivals. We aren't an FDC splinter group – in fact we first formed as an off-shoot in the early days of Frome Pantomime Co. The name emerged when we took LucyK to the Edinburgh Fringe, and since then we have focussed mainly on emotionally demanding theatre – Pinter (A Slight Ache, The Lover), Ionesco, (The Lesson) as well as original scripts (The Little Prince, The Intruder). Our only previous full length effort was a touring production of Nasty Neighbours by Debbie Issit.

FORTHCOMING PLAYREADINGS

MAYHEM AND MURDER!

Following the summer lull there are some wonderful play readings to lead us into autumn. First up is Alan Ayckbourn's "Season's Greetings" with a cast of five men and four women.

Relatives and friends are celebrating Christmas with Neville and Belinda. Various children are also there; though unseen their presence is always felt, and indeed duplicated in the adults. Petty, and not so petty, squabbles break out, Christmas presents are rifled, mechanical toys are set off. A final climax, resulting from the arrival of the young writer, Clive, leads to what momentarily appears to be a tragedy as he is shot by trigger-happy Uncle Harvey. Hilarious highlights include an incompetent puppet show and a midnight love scene that ends by...

Well, find out by coming along to the Packhorse on Monday, 12th September at 8.00 p.m.

*************************
So, that was the mayhem, what about the murder?
In October we will be reading the wonderful melodrama that is "The Murder of Maria Marten" or "The Red Barn" by Brian Burton. A cast of 5 men and 9 women.

Despite the fact that this Victorian melodrama requires more ham than Sainsburys (!), the plot is based on a true story. Maria Marten was born in Suffolk in 1801. As a young woman she met William Corder by whom she had a child who died in infancy. In 1827 Corder murdered Maria and buried her body in the Red Barn.
Because of his wife's recurring dream, Thomas Marten searched the barn and discovered the body of his daughter.

To find out what happened to Corder, bring your best cape and twirling moustache to the Packhorse on Monday, 10th October at 8.00 p.m.
GH
Chairman

FDC Programme

Monday 12th September
Playreading:
Alan Aykbourn's
Season's Greetings
The Packhorse, 8pm
All welcome!

Friday 30th September / Saturday 1st October
TROUPERS:
Death & The Maiden
By Ariel Dorfman
Merlin Theatre 7.45pm

Sunday 9th October
Training:
BACKSTAGE TRAINING DAY
The Merlin, 1pm – 5.30pm

£10 a head, tea provided! Ring 01373 472997 by Mon 3rd Oct to confirm a place

Monday 10th October
Playreading:
Murder at The Red Barn
The Packhorse, 8pm
All welcome!

Thurs 10th – Sat 12th Nov
AUTUMN PRODUCTION:
'Allo 'Allo
Merlin Theatre 7.45pm
See next Newsletter for more details