32 sept Spotlights.indd - Bromley Little Theatre

16 Pages·2011·5.95 MB·English

September 2011 No. 32 | Bimonthly www.bromleylittletheatre.org
FLEA IN HER EAR!
(Review: page 4 - Photos Back Cover)
INSIDE:
Review: Flea in Her Ear | Love On The Dole
S
P E Auditions: California Suite | Twelfth Night | Equus
R A Preview s: The Glass Men a gerie | The Weir | Brassed Off
E S
2 V O Howard Wilson Tribute • Events Diary • Noticeboard
I
0 N
1 E
2 W
What’s Inside
BLT Chair 2
Playgoers’ Noticeboard 3
Key Contacts 3
The D.R.A.M.A.s
Review of Flea in Her Ear 4
Howard Wilson:
6
a tribute 7
BLT’s 2012 Season 8
Audition Notices 12
Previews 14
Diary Dates 16
Flea in her Ear
Claire McRandal as Raymonde in
BLT Chair
will be looking at strategies to increase as many members are aware,
the number of set designers, set we cannot make the necessary
““II ssaaiidd aatt tthhee builders, lighting designers, lighting investment in the theatre until
bbeeggiinnnniinngg ooff operators etc. we are clear that we have a
mmyy pprreevviioouuss sufficiently long lease to make
ccoolluummnn iinn BLT, the company and charity held, its such investment worthwhile. Our
SSppoottlliigghhttss tthhaatt AGM on Monday 18 July. Key points current lease is up for renewal
II wwaass wwrriittiinngg aatt d• iscussed included: at the beginning of 2012 and
tthhee bbeeggiinnnniinngg securing a sufficiently long new
ooff tthhee ffiirrsstt Artistic values remain a key lease is the key priority for the
ssuunnnnyy ddaayy ooff strength at BLT. Moreover, with • Board for the remainder of this
tthhee ssuummmmeerr.. IItt special thanks to Pauline Armour, year.
ttuurrnnss oouutt II’’mm our aim is to increase further, Finally, having reported on the sad
aaffrraaiidd tthhaatt iitt wwaass oonnee ooff tthhee ffeeww ssuunnnnyy the quality and consistency of loss of Tom Pead in the previous
days of the summer and I should productions through an artistic edition of Spotlights, BLT lost
have stilled my pen because I clearly assurance scheme. The focus Howard Wilson on 28 June. Many
brought the dismal summer weather will be on making sure each are aware that Howard, with the
we have largely seen ever since. production has support available wonderful support of his wife
to iron out any difficulties Christine, fought a positive and
Life at BLT continues as always. We that may arise early on in the life affirming battle with motor
are in the middle of the August break, production process and will neurone disease. It was a mark of
preparations for the September see longstanding BLT Directors the man that even in this matter,
production of Whipping It Up proceed • supporting each other as well as Howard maintained his joyous
at hectic pace. Planning for both new Directors to BLT. and quietly persistent approach
the 2012 season and membership Our finances remain healthy to life. Later on in this edition
renewal are underway, the youth as previously reported, we have published the tribute to
group is up and running and dozens and we continue to run a Howard from Jane Buckland at
of children are preparing themselves surplus. Significant discussion the commemoration of his life
for an Autumn of weekends spent was had though on the need for on 12 July. That says more than I
rehearsing for the December significant expenditure on the ever can in this column. But BLT
production of Oliver. At the same time, theatre building, for example the has lost a great stage manager
we remain, as always, hand to mouth parlous state of the roof and the and actor and I will miss him as a
Samantha Barrass
in the back stage running of BLT and need for a new one. This is before person enormously.”
one occupation of the Board and we any long desired development
Playgoers as we go into the Autumn to improve the facilities. However,
www.bromleylittletheatre.org
Bromley Little Theatre - Registered Charity No. 1132561
Spotlights
Spotlights
is published by Bromley Little Theatre Ltd., North Street, Bromley,2 Kent BR1 1SB. Any views and/or opinions expressed by individuals in
are done so independently and are not necessarily the opinions of Bromley Little Theatre Ltd or its directors.
Playgoers’ NoticeBoard Key Contacts
Key Contact Areas:
board@bromleylitt letheatre.org
playgoers@bromleylitt letheatre.org
Hello everyone! My name is Dominic Howell
and I’m the new Chairman of the Playgoers’ Chairman:
chairman@bromleylitt letheatre.org
Committee. Some of you may have seen me on
Tel: [phone]
stage over the past few years - I played Jeffrey Key: Samantha Barrass
Fairbrother in May’s production of Hi de Hi -
and others may will have encountered me at Finance:
fi nance@bromleylitt letheatre.org
the coffee bar in recent months. If you don’t
Key: Howard Binysh
know me, I hope to meet you at the theatre at
some point in the coming months. I joined the
Artistic:
Flea in her Ear Playgoers’ Committee last year as I felt that having appeared on the BLT stage artistic@bromleylitt letheatre.org
Tel: [phone]
several times, I should try and make a contribution behind the scenes. I took the
Claire McRandal as Raymonde in
Keys: Pauline Armour,
view that it is all very well prancing around on stage and having a jolly time in Jane Buckland
costume, but it takes an awful lot of work to put on shows and keep the theatre
running on a day to day basis. In fact, the performances are the tip of the iceberg. Youth Group:
As a poacher turned gamekeeper as it were, I’d like to express my gratitude on youthgroup@bromleylitt letheatre.org
Key: Playgoers & Board
behalf of the actors to everyone who works to make the shows possible - be that
sound and lighting, box office, coffee and bar, theatre maintenance, accounts and
Membership:
finance, legal issues, anything and everything that stops the roof falling in and
membership@bromleylitt letheatre.org
means audiences can come and see our shows. Tel: [phone]
Key: Christina Jeremiah
It is customary at this stage to say thank you to my predecessor. Simon Peel has Box Offi ce:
boxoffi ce@bromleylitt letheatre.org
been a tireless servant of the theatre for many years and I am daunted to be
Tel: [phone]
following in his footsteps. I can say at the outset that I won’t be able to match Key: Sue Clarke
his all-around abilities and skills but I do hope I can help in a small way to
make the experience of playgoers to be an enjoyable one. Maybe appearing in Production:
production@bromleylitt letheatre.org
fewer shows is the right way to start! I would like to foster a spirit of common
Tel: [phone]
endeavour at the theatre and for everyone to bear in mind how many people Key: Chris Stewart
give up considerable time and energy to make it the best place to see theatre in
Bromley! If you would like to get involved in any way we are always looking for Spotlights:
Spotlights@bromleylitt letheatre.org
volunteers to help make our shows better and better.
Key: Playgoers & Board
Dominic Howell
Website:
webmaster@bromleylitt letheatre.org
Tel: [phone]
Key: Paul Johnson
Bar:
bar@bromleylitt letheatre.org
Tel: [phone]
Key: Pauline Pead
3
a
le a
F a in E r W
E
V I
A E
her R I won’t attempt to summarise

the plot as we’d be here all day,
if not several weeks. ‘Flea’ was
once memorably described
Adapted and directed by as like watching a tennis
• Stevie Hughes match with twelve players
all playing at once. I can
mazingly, like the rest There have been occasions at
confirm this, having attended
of his celebrated French BLT when directors haanvde also
the aforementioned Old Vic
farces, Feydeau’s ‘A acted in their own productions.
version which I found to be
Flea in Her Ear’ has never But directing, acting
bewilderingly frenetic and
previously been seen at BLT. writing? As Stevie Hughes
complex. So I’m glad to report
Mind you, I nearly didn’t see pointed out in his programme
that here, Feydeau’s maelstrom
this production either. By the notes, he had no alternative.
A of mistaken identity, marital
time I got around to booking When ‘Flea’ was first mooted
infidelity, illicit liasons and
it was all sold out. Thankfully, as a production by BLT’s
flying dental appliances was
I was able to pick up a spare Playgoers’ Pick competition
much simpler to follow and far
returned ticket, but it was a last year, Stevie agreed to
easier to enjoy.
close call. direct, little knowing that he
would not only have to take
In his pivotal dual role as
Has this ever happened to you? over the part of ‘Tournel’, but
Victor-Emmanuel Chandebise
If so, I suggest you sign up that the rights to the play itself
and hotel porter Poche,
for BLT’s new email bulletins. would be withheld, thanks
Tony Wright-Jones was both
Simply go to the website at to an impending production
exhausting and exhilarating
www.bromleylittletheatre.org at the Old Vic. Showing
to watch. Sustaining two
enter your email address in the commendable tenacity (and
such demanding roles must
box on the home page (you’ll taking advantage of the fact
have been difficult, yet he art
find it just under ‘Coming Soon that Feydeau’s works are now w
to BLT’) and you’ll be signed out of copyright) he bravely set coped with it not just ably, s Ste
but admirably. As his wife ri
up automatically. You’ll then about writing his own version, Ch
Raymonde, Claire McRandal hit y:
be emailed a gentle and timely retaining the story, characters h
p
just the right note and added a
reeamchi nsdheorw t.o book just before amnidd -d2e0vthi cCeesn btuutr yr ePsaertitsin agn idt rine- a certain coquettish glamour hotogr
to the proceedings, aided and P
jigging the dialogue to make it
abetted by the ever-reliable
OK commercial over, back to more relevant to modern ears.
Julie Binysh as her best friend
the review.
4
Lucienne. Newcomer Kyle However, this Flea in Her
Cluett wrestled manfully – and Ear was not without its Flies
successfully - with the mangled in the Ointment. Whilst
speech of Camille and it was acknowledging the difficulties
nice to see Dennis and Nikki imposed by the need to swiftly
Packham so obviously getting alternate between two sets
a kick out of portraying the on BLT’s ‘compact’ stage, did
couple running the notorious they have to be so under-
Hotel Oo-La-La. A literal kick dressed? The Chandebises’
in Dennis’ case! drawing room was made
unrelentingly drab by the use
Elsewhere, Felix Catto and of black drapes as the back
Martin Bunyan turned wall which, unfortunately,
in characteristically fine turned a rather grubby grey
performances as Dr. Finache sludge colour when lit from
and Etienne the butler. the front. Likewise, surely
Likewise, Bob Etherington the Hotel Oo-La-La would
had a ball as Hungrich, the have been enhanced by a few
shouty german guest, while pictures on the wall, say, or a
Patrick Brown added to his couple of potted plants? As it
gallery of skilfully-drawn BLT was, it resembled a particularly
characters as Baptiste, one unappealing government
of the seedy dedniviezretnisss oemf tehnet institution rather than a
hotel (I particularly enjoyed his decadent den of iniquity. And
between-acts the absence of a bedroom door
with Nikki Packihncaomg,n withoere to slam is definitely a major
I swear Hi De Hi’s Ted omission in a farce!
Bovis made an
art reappearance!). Samantha However, these criticisms
w
e
St Elgar and Holly Marsh lent aside, Stevie and his cast and
s
hri strong support as Anoinette crew are to be congratulated
C
y: the cook and Eugenie the on giving Feydeau such a fine
h
p
ra potty-mouthed chambermaid, and ambitious debut at BLT.
g
o
ot although I couldn’t help feeling Here’s hoping that it won’t be
h
P
that the latter’s frequent use another 60-odd years before he
of the word ‘Twat’ was more makes a further appearance!
st Paul Campion
21 century Poplar than mid-
th
20 Century Paris! Meanwhile,
Glenn Aylott enjoyed himself
tremendously as Don Carlos,
Lucienne’s hot-blooded pistol-
packing husband. Sadly, this
was Glenn’s final performance
at BLT but he went out with
a bang – in both senses of the
word. Costumes and wigs
(by Lorraine Spenceley) were
similarly well-judged and
suited the director’s intention
to evoke the glamour of the
period.
5
to get the group to make the
the D.R.A.M.A.s
decisions, and not rely on the
organisers.
Hi, I’m Kirsty! Next term we’re going to be
looking at the
And I’m Ed! whole schbang:
lighting, costumes,
And we are the Democratic
the works!
Republic of Absolutely Mad
Actors!... the D.R.A.M.A.s... get it? We have two shows
coming up, ‘The
Previously known as the BLT
Shakespeare Thingy’
Youth Group.
on the 2nd-4th
March, and our main
Do you like acting?
house production in
early August.
Do you like the theatre?
The
Do you like ALL aspects of the Both will be brilliant so other big change will
theatre? be sure to check them out! come next term when we start
looking at all aspects of the
In which case, join us every theatre, and to be honest Kirsty,
Sunday from 3-5pm at the I can’t wait!
So, Kirsty! You’ve just joined
Bromley Little Theatre for tons
youth group, what were your
of fun!
fi rst impressions?
You’ll meet loads of friendly So if you want to try some acting,
Well, Ed, at fi rst it was rather
people between the ages of 11-18!
intimidating, everyone being so No matter how much you’ve
It’s always a laugh, but we’re loud and energetic, but once I done before,
settled in, I felt at home. It’s so
constantly working hard
fun, and I’m always laughing! Or learn more about any aspect of
towards a performance.
There’s never a dull moment, the theatre,
Our next one is a showcase on and everyone gets involved (even
September 4th. Come along at 5pm if the shyer characters need a Or just have a good laugh,
and watch for free! little poking at fi rst!). It’s such
Come and join us!
a relaxed, happy atmosphere; I
We’ve put together a collection always leave in a far better mood
Th e Democratic Republic of
of sketches for the show and, than I was in when I went in.
Absolutely Mad Actors!
as always, it’s our decisions as
much as the organisers. You, however, Ed, have been at
You know the time,
youth group for a while. How has
it changed?
And you know the place,
Apart from the
But if you still have some
time change?
questions, just email us! At
Well it’s still the
[email protected]
same friendly
atmosphere it There’s always someone friendly
always has been, on the other end, so don’t
but everybody hesitate to ask us about anything.
gets more
involved now; See you soon!
there’s been
a real shift Ed Vander and Kirsty Dolan-
Murphy
6
Howard Wilson: a tribute
oward’s exemplary and rather sometimes solipsistic world of trouble over the smallest of tasks on
wonderful life at Bromley amateur theatre, Howard never fell Howard’s shows, not because he was a
Little Theatre began in 1994 out with anyone; I never heard a single martinet or tyrant but simply because
when, as Christine told me, he found person have an ill word to say of him you just didn’t ever want to let Howard
Macbeth
himself almost by chance, cast in the and if he found an individual trying down. Backstage props were placed
role of the Porter in . This or difficult to work with he kept his on tables squared off with masking
drunken, lascivious, foul mouthed, own counsel and quietly avoided tape with sections marked as “severed
H
old goat could not have been further their company. He never gossiped. leg one” or “second pistol.” A place for
from the courtly, kind and considerate (Perhaps only those of you here today everything in its place. And of course
Howard who was so loved at BLT but involved in the theatre will appreciate there was always cake, usually tiffin.
I know he would have performed the quite how admirable and unusual that
When he became ill and could no
role with relish. was!)
longer act or stage manage he and
I first met Howard in 2005 when Whilst impressive in serious roles it Christine came to every show they
Ghetto
we were both in a performance of was in comedy that Howard sparkled possibly could, in the latter months
Sobel’s , a grim and moving and I had the joyful task of directing in the space for his wheelchair at the
On the Razzle
story of resistance and sacrifice him on more than one occasion. As front of the auditorium from where
during the Holocaust. He played the Zangler in , resplendent his and Christine’s ready laughter
part of Kruk, one of the characters in Ruritanian red uniform and encouraged many a young actor in
who compromised least in the play ludicrous feathered helmet, he romped a comedy role to think themselves a
and who refused to cooperate with his way through puns and slapstick comic genius judging by the audience’s
the Nazis even to save his own life. enjoying every moment of rehearsal reaction.
See How they Run
This Character’s inner strength and and performance. As the Bishop of Lax
I know that many people at BLT feel as
integrity echoed one of my first in , he ran through
I do, that we were privileged to work
impressions of Howard, even before French windows leaping athletically
and have fun alongside this man. His
his sense of fun and kindness became over, comatose spinsters like a
Dad’s Army
quiet integrity, his kindness, his laugh,
also apparent. The production battled geriatric but still sprightly gazelle and
his gentlemanly demeanour, his wit
with various difficulties in rehearsals as Godfrey in he milked
and his patient encouragement of
until finally one night we were told every last drop of comedy from that
younger and less experienced actors
that the artistic director had decided character’s unfortunately unreliable
are all things we will miss terribly.
to pull the show, the first time such internal plumbing. He knew the
a decision had been taken in living devil was in the detail and I fondly
- JHane ew Baus cak mlaannd, take him for all in all, I
memory. The cast were in uproar, the remember his carefully rehearsing
On the Razzle shall not look upon his like again
director was in tears and as we stood over and over again a tricky trouser
in the bar, Howard and I, with people changing episode in as
milling around, he turned to me and though it was a piece of particularly
said quietly but firmly, “this can’t challenging brain surgery.
happen.” And it didn’t, changes were
Howard is remembered with such
organised, people made heroic efforts
affection and respect at BLT not
and the show did go on and was a
just for his acting but also for his
success, albeit a qualified one.
role as stage manager on so many
Howard had the ability to be the productions. He was one of the best
stillness at the heart of the storm, stage managers we had. He only liked
the moral centre of any group but to work on shows which presented
more remarkably he could be these a challenge, such as numerous and
things while at the same time being complicated props or set changes. He
holier than thou
enormous fun. There was nothing was a stickler for detail, impeccably
pious or about him organized and a quite brilliant
(unless, of course, he was playing manager of the backstage team. No
a comedy bishop.) In the crazy, one arrived late or 7failed to take
Planning the 2012 season has come around again very
quickly and many hours have been spent pouring over play
M
catalogues, web sites and reading a wide range of scripts BTG
including those suggested by our members. In addition we A Performances March 16 -24 Festival
have revisited the plays put forward by members last year T o Be Confirmed Entry
R
and some suggestions have again made it into the 2012
programme. C DIn iMraerccht ePdau blinye PAramuoluirn deire Actrs mouor 2u0r12 entry into the Bromley
Theatre Guild Festival. At the time of going to print several
H options are being explored as performing rights are negotiated
During 2012 we aim to expand our programme by
and secured. Watch the website for an announcement in the next
increasing the number of bar productions which have
few weeks and for audition details. Auditions 16 October at
proved to be very successful and have played to 100% 3-30;
capacity. In addition the Youth Theatre has been re-
launched and there will be opportunities throughout the
year to show case their achievements in both the main
house and the bar.
Performances April 20 -28
We are also pleased to announce that along with hundreds A J- eJerz uBusttaerlweomrth
of other companies up and down the country BLT is
P
participating in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s ‘Open
Stages’ programme. This means that we may be given R DIn iArpericl wtee dpr ebsye nDt tahev ese Ariorumslyo durarmatic and deeply moving
Equus by one of our greatest British playwrights – Peter Shaffer.
the opportunity to perform at regional venues during 2012
Tony Jenner who brought us Amadeus in 2010 directs this
show casing our particular tribute to either the actual works I challenging piece which explores the mind of a deeply disturbed
of Shakespeare, those of his contemporaries or writing young man following the mutilation of 6 horses. The play was
L
revived in the West End last year with Daniel Radcliffe making
adapted along a Shakespearian theme.
his stage debut following his success as Harry Potter. Recent
reviews comment on how well the play has stood the test of time
Again it has proved tricky to secure the performing rights and how its revival was richly deserved with its powerful mix of
for all of the shows we had in mind and a certain amount psychiatric casebook and detective story. Auditions 16 October
of wheeling and dealing has been required to put together at 5-30;
a programme which we hope refl ects the eclectic tastes of
our membership.
So here we go:
Performances May 18 -26
T- Aalabn lAeyc Mkboaurnnners
M
J
Performances January 20-28 A DIn iMraeyc wtee dw eblcyo mPea Ptartirciciiaa MMelelulilsuh,i aslhthough new as a director
A to BLT, her work is well known to many other companies in
C- Naeilli Sfiomronnia Suite the area. The mood is lightened by one of Alan Ayckbourn’s
Y
N comedies from the acclaimed Norman Conquests Trilogy –
Table Manners. You can expect the usual mix of fraught family
U DWeir oepcetne ind J banyu aNryi kwikthi NPikakci kPahcakhmam, hot from her successful relationships, absurd situations and laughter which arise from
best actress award in the Bromley Theatre Guild Festival, the hopes, dreams , fears and frustrations of ill matched couples
A directing her second production for BLT, the extremely funny and hopeless singletons. The play is still absolutely fresh two
California Suite by the ever popular Neil Simon which shows generations after it was fi rst produced packed with great wit but
R his writing at his most humane, compassionate and witty best. also real, compassionate insights into the mundanity of middle
Set in a hotel suite, four highly entertaining stories, unrelated class life in the 1970s and also, one fears, today. Auditions to
Y other than their location are guaranteed to start the year off on a be announced in 2012;
positive note with an effortlessly laughing audience. Auditions
18 September at 2-00;
Performances June 15 -23
F J E- Pqetueru Scsh affer
E U
DOuirr Jeucntee pdro bduyc tTioon nisy in Jtehen cnaeparble hands of Jane Buckland
B Performances February 17 -25 N who directs a hilarious romp of a play ‘London Assurance’ by
T- Wwilleialmf tShha kNesipgeahret the Victorian playwright Dion Boucicault which sold out during
R E the 2010 Summer season at The National with many accolades
for the performances of Simon Russell – Beale and Fiona Shaw.
U DOuirr ceocnttreibdu tibony toA tbhei TRSoCp Olepyen Stages Programme is our The plot follows the classic Restoration comedy genre (although
February production when Abbi Topley takes on Shakespeare’s written over 100 years later) where impecunious toffs spent their
A Twelfth Night renowned for its opening line ‘If music be the food lives frittering away money that they do not have and pursuing
of love – play on’ and of course the hapless Malvolio’s yellow romantic intrigues with inappropriate women. The combination of
R stockings. Abi and her team are assured to deliver a production ridiculous characters in an unlikely tale of mistaken identities is
that is engaging, fast moving and bridges the divide between the guaranteed to generate sustained laughter throughout the entire
Y 16th and 21st centuries. Auditions 18 September at 4-00; performance. Auditions to be announced in 2012;
8
BLT’s 2012 Main
BTG
Festival
Entry House Season
N
O
Performances July 13 -21 Performances November 9 -17
J H- Chuamrlotbtel Jeon Besoy V J- eJerz uBusttaerlweomrth
U E
DRoibreertc Dteilkds dbirye cRtso obure Jrutly D prioldkusction, the darkly amusing DBLiTr ehacst esedc ubreyd Danaonth eAr fir rmst fooru Nrovember when we again
L comedy ‘Humble Boy’ by Charlotte Jones which was M become one of the fi rst amateur companies to perform Jez
commissioned for the National Theatre and played to great Butterworth’s outstanding play Jerusalem which has won award
Y acclaim by a cast which included Diana Rigg and Simon Russell B after award both in the UK and America. Jerusalem premiered at
Beale. Billed as “a comedy about broken vows, failed hopes the Royal Court Theatre in 2009 and featured Mark Rylance in
and the joys of beekeeping” Humble Boy abounds with comic E an astonishing performance as Johnny Byron, a modern day pied
moments ranging from clever wordplay to low farce and black piper and a wanted man. Accolades for the play are endless: A
comedy. Following on from his excellent Abigails Party (2010) wonderful rollicking dark comedy about contemporary life in rural
R
and The Glass Menagerie (2011) Robert and his team will England (Financial Times); Unarguably one of the best dramas of
most certainly move the audience from laughter to tears with the 21st century (Guardian). Dan Armour takes on the directorial
some appropriately timed cringing and groaning along the way. challenge of this expansive play which in the words of The
Auditions to be announced in 2012; Observer ‘ keeps coming at its audience in unpredictable gusts,
rolling from comic to furious, from winsome to bawdy.’ Auditions
to be announced in 2012;
D
S
E
E
Performances September 14 -22 C
P D- Na. Jn. Cgriseprous Obsession
E
Performances December 7-15
T
DAftierre thcet eAdug ubsyt bTreBakC we start the Autumn Season with a taut M TDetoails bof oeur Dceocemnbefr iprrodmuctioen dwill. be announced later the
E psychological thriller Dangerous Obsession by NJ Crisp set in in the year. Be assured of an extravaganza in keeping with the
an opulent security conscious house in the home counties. When B Festive spirit. Auditions to be announced in 2012;
Man insignifi cant visitor unexpectedly calls late on a summer’s
E
afternoon the intrigue, mystery, tension, suspense and shocks
B begin. First performed in the West End with Dinsdale Landon in
the role of the visitor the play has enjoyed well received recent R
E National Tours. ‘So powerfully are the tricks of suspense applied
that the audience dared not cough for fear of missing the next
R turn of the screw’ Times. Don’t forget to lock your doors when
you get home and be careful who is watching! Auditions to be
announced in 2012;
O
C Performances October 12 -20
C- Aadalaptnedd bey Tri mG Fiirrtlhs
T
O DIn iOrcetocbteerd B LbTy b ePcaomuel sC oanme opf tihoen fi rst amateur companies
in Great Britain to perform the blockbuster Calendar Girls by
Tim Firth directed by Paul Campion. The play hardly needs
B
any introduction so popular and well know are the fi lm version
starring Julie Walters and the touring version with Linda
E
Bellingham. The true and genuinely heart warming story revolves
R around a group of WI ladies from a small branch in Yorkshire who
raised money for charity by posing in the nude for a calendar – all
done in the best possible taste of course. Under Paul Campion’s
direction we can be assured that the comic timing will be spot on
with lashings of gentle humour, some great visual gags, the odd
belly laugh and of course the inevitable tears. Auditions to be
announced in 2012;
9
BLT’s 2012
MAY NOVEMBER

Bar Season
Shakers Betrayal
- by John Godber - by Harold Pinter
In January 2011 we launched our John Godber’s companion For November we have applied
fi rst Bar Theatre programme with piece to Bouncers the action for the performing rights for
Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads packed, fun fi lled Shakers is Harold Pinter’s taut drama
which was very well received our May production directed by Betrayal which has very recently
and played to full houses. Wayne Sheridan – one of ‘the played to great acclaim in
Bouncers by John Godber also bouncers’ himself. Four feisty the West End starring Kristen
proved to be extremely popular cocktail waitresses show us the Scott Thomas. Considered to
and audience feedback about life of the cocktail bar in a strong be a Pinter masterpiece by
the bar events has been very ensemble in which they portray a many theatre critics Betrayal
positive. We anticipate that myriad of entertaining characters concerns itself with the devious
our October production of The as well as giving us a glimpse workings of the human heart,
Weir by Conor McPherson will of their own not so glitzy lives. with love and guilt and passion.
also be very successful and Auditions: To be announced in This production will be directed
on the strength of this pleasing 2012; Performances May 3 – 6 by Mike Weaver – a new
director to BLT – although well
picture the 2012 Bar Theatre
known as a director at the
programme will be expanded JULY
to include 6 productions all Geoffrey Whitworth Theatre.
carefully chosen to suit the Auditions: To be announced
Shirley Valentine
informal ambience of the bar in 2012; Performances 21
setting. There is a possibility that - by Willy Russell -25 November DEPENDING
some bar productions could play In July Dave Armour directs Willy ON AVAILABILITY OF
for an extra night. Russell’s ever popular Shirley PERFORMING RIGHTS.
Valentine which really requires
FEBRUARY no introduction at all. From chips
and egg in a Liverpool semi to
sun and sangria on a Greek
Bombshells
Island Shirley’s story captures
- by Joanna Murray the imagination of everyone who
yearns to break away and live
The 2012 Bar Theatre season a more fulfi lling life. Auditions:
opens with Bombshells by the To be announced in 2012;
very talented and award winning Performances July 26 – 30
Australian writer Joanna Murray-
Smith. Jane Lobb directs this SEPTEMBER
series of hilarious and moving
monologues which played to
Talking Heads
great acclaim at the Edinburgh
Fringe Festival in 2004. The - by Alan Bennett
witty, insightful writing provides At the beginning of September
a challenging opportunity for we are proud to present more
performers to bring to life 6 Talking Heads by Alan Bennett
very different women. Over the – the three we did not include
course of the night, the audience in the 2011 programme - Her
is introduced to a frazzled Big Chance, A Cream Cracker
mother and a bride to be; a under the Settee and Soldiering
cactus loving wife and a lonely On. Pauline Armour will oversee
widow; a teenage wannabe star a collaborative workshop type
and a fading singer. Auditions: production giving the opportunity
Sunday 18 September at 6 pm; for new directors to work on
Performances: February 2 -5 one or more of the monologues.
Auditions: To be announced in
2012; Performances August 30
–September 2
10