Printable Version
Frome Drama Club Newsletter
September/October 2006
PIMMS ON THE LAWN
Gillie reports ...
On Sunday, 16th July the Club was invited by Heather and Philip to a great afternoon at their home. Philip's original idea had been for us all to meet during this - our Diamond Jubilee year - to have our photos taken so that we could put together a rogue's gallery of Drama Club members - and then the idea developed to include Pimms and strawberries on the lawn.
This certainly appealed to a number of us who sat in the sun eating the best of English fruit and drinking one of the country's most popular summertime cocktails. The venue and the weather were perfect, our host most generous, the fare delicious and the company was in excellent form. There was much reminiscing of past productions and it turns out that Lesley has actually been involved in over 47 plays. Michael and Philip came second with 14!
It was particularly pleasing as Diana Heaford was over from Australia and was able to add to our memories as she had been a very active club member until she left for Oz a short while ago.
Alongside this frivolity, Geoff had set up his photographic 'studio', hoping to capture our likenesses before we became a little the worse for wear. The Pimms certainly relaxed us and as a result even those of us who hate having our photos taken were able to brave the camera – and thanks especially to Geoff's photographic talent, some good portraits were achieved.
We had a raffle of a bottle of champagne which was won by Jade, and Martin won the second prize of a packet of crisps; I'm disappointed to report that he wasn't very good at sharing them.
It was a truly lovely afternoon and thanks must go to Philip and Heather for their generosity in hosting the event and Geoff for his hard work with the photos. The only sadness was that we had a disappointingly low turn out of members. I know many of you were away but it would have been worth returning from Florida for such a great party.
Gillie
PS. It might be possible for those of you who missed the event to come along and have your photos taken at one of the rehearsals for It Runs In The Family. Watch your emails for more info.
Remember that lovely warm weather in July?
JUBILEE PLANS
An email went out to all members on 24th July to see how many people were interested in the idea of a meal at the end of September in the Black Swan Gallery, as a way of celebrating our 60th anniversary. Sadly, it seems not many!
Gillie got less than a handful of replies, beyond the Committee, and so we have decided instead to make the first night of It Runs In The Family an opportunity for all Club members to come and socialise in the Merlin foyer afterwards. The bar will be open until late and there will be finger food, good company and displays of lots of FDC material from productions dating back as far as we can go.
Tickets for the production are likely to go quite quickly so please book early and join us on opening night – Thursday 9th November. See you there. Ed
IRITF
Philip reports
I should have known casting the play back in June might lead to problems! We've had to replace no fewer than four of the cast because people have had to withdraw for various reasons during the summer. We were very sorry indeed to lose them but we are delighted to welcome two new members (Tom Cant, who was Felix Byrne's neighbour in Chippenham and who has agreed to take over from him as Dr Connelly, and Ben McFadyen, who auditioned last week and won the part of Leslie to replace Steve Saul). I think/hope we are finally all set for rehearsals which are due to start on 3rd September.
The all-star cast list now reads:
Dr David Mortimore: David Holt
Dr Mike Connelly: Tom Cant
Dr Hubert Bonney: Alan Burgess
Matron: Lesley Swinburn
Sir Willoughby Drake: Philip de Glanville
Jane Tate: Heather de Glanville
Rosemary Mortimore: Debby Holt
Leslie: Ben McFadyen
Sister: Denise Hunt
Police Sgt: David Riley
Bill: Geoff Hunt
PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION MEETING
Alan Woolley will be needing quite a bit of help with set construction. If there are any Club Members who consider themselves handy with a hammer or proficient with papering or paintbrush and would like to offer their services, please come and meet us in The Packhorse for a drink and a look at the set plans on Thursday 7th September at 8pm or ring Alan on 01373 474006 or you can email him:
aawoolley@yahoo.co.uk
PLAYREADINGS
The open playreading of Habeas Corpus which we did as part of the Frome Festival in July was a remarkable success in the end. It looked a bit dicey at first with only four loyal Club members attending, but thankfully six members of the general public turned up, ostensibly to listen, and five of them had their arms twisted into reading. With a small amount of doubling and a large amount of goodwill we got through it in fine style and a very good time was had by all. Which is just as it should be.
We are hoping for a better turnout for our next playreading which will be Arthur Miller's The Crucible - a great piece of writing with a large cast and plenty of excellent parts for all ages.
It is on Monday 11th September at 8pm upstairs in The Packhorse as usual. There will be an interval for those who want to smoke downstairs and refill their glasses.
It seems very likely that FDC will be performing this wonderful play at the Merlin in the not-too-distant future , and this is just a toe in the water to see how much interest there would be, so do come if you can!
PdeG
STEPPING OUT
The happy band of tappers who gathered together in June, under Janice Alden's tutelage, have had a month off but will be starting in earnest again this Sunday (3rd September).
Undoubtedly there is the nucleus of a cast for Stepping Out amongst them, though we suspect quite a few are doing it for exercise and for fun rather than because they want a part in our Autumn Production next year! We shall see, when it comes to provisional casting at the end of this year, but meanwhile we could do with a few more, and in particular we need someone who might play Rose (mature Afro-Caribbean) and a man who might play Geoffrey. Ideally he would appear to be in his early 40's, shy manner and able to play the piano rather well... Not much to ask, really.
If you want to get involved just come along to the Dance Centre on Christchurch St W (diagonally opposite The Memorial Theatre) 1100 on Sundays – cost £3.00 a week and you can probably borrow tap shoes from Janice initially, but you will be asked to sign up for the term and you will need to get your own tap shoes if you are going to take it seriously.
FDC Programme
Thursday 7th September
Production Meeting IRITF
The Packhorse, 8pm
Handymen and women welcome!
Monday 11th September
Playreading:
The Crucible
by Arthur Miller
The Packhorse, 8pm
A likely choice for future
production at the Merlin.
All welcome to come and read.
Thursday 9th November
JUBILEE AFTER-SHOW PARTY
for IT RUNS in the FAMILY
in the Merlin Theatre Foyer
Come and see the show and celebrate the first 60 years of FDC's history with us afterwards!
Finger food.
Cash bar open until late.
Box Office 01373 465949
and a note for your diary...
Monday 11th December
FDC Christmas Party
Come and let your hair down again this year and win fabulous prizes!
The Packhorse, 8pm
