Drama Director's Report


Summer's here! Looking out at my garden now, the sun is shining in a blue sky, birds are singing and fish are jumping. (but the cotton is not particularly high!).

Nude with Violin
Whilst we always knew that Noel Coward pulls in the punters, I think that box office sales for this production took us all by surprise. Lovely to see the 'House Full' sign in use night after night. Also, if we are to believe local critics and audience feedback, the success was not merely commercial. Our congratulations must go to Judith, her cast and crew, for a splendid all round production.

Our Next Production
Our next production, for presentation from 19th to 28th July was to have been, 'Next Time I'll Sing to You', by James Saunders. However, since Richard has been unable to cast the two young male central characters we've been forced to postpone. In it's place we intend to present two one-act plays. One, directed by Barbara Morley-Jones, will be a repeat of what I'm told was a ROADS triumph of a year or two ago, 'Who's for Pudding'. The other, to be directed by Richard, will be selected by the time you read this. So if you are interested and available as cast or crew in either of these plays, phone 01989 563890 and I'll ensure that you're informed of auditions etc.

Ross International Festival
I have now completed my discussions with the Ross Festival people and we have a full programme of events at The Phoenix during the Festival period. Tony's lively and telling production of 'Teechers' by John Godber will be given another airing for four nights between the 20 and 23 August. The second of Peter Terson's journals 'Marcela Big Apple' will play from 16th to 18th, and a company calling themselves 'Ridiculousness' will perform from 24th to 26th We must all be ready to provide the required manning for our theatre for these events but I think it must always be a good thing to introduce new people to our Theatre.

Next Season
Maybe you'll think that it's a little early to be talking about next season's plays when we are not yet halfway through 2001. Well this is just a little prod to the group's Directors to be poised for a meeting in September when we'll hope to select material for our 2002 season. If you are considering putting forward a particular play for inclusion don't forget that nothing will be considered until it's been read and approved at a group play reading. So if you'd like a favoured play to be read before September just contact Wendy or me and we'll do our best to schedule it.

A Chorus of Disapproval
I have been approached by Goodrich about the possibility of one of our Directors helping them out with their autumn production. However, since we are likely to be 'homeless' at the end of the year whilst our building work is in progress, I have approached the good folk of GAS with a view to making our year-end production of 'Chorus of Disapproval', a joint effort at their hall. They are enthusiastic and will give a decision in a few days time. The new production dates would be 2lst to 24th November. Watch this space!

Play reading
There will be two readings in June and one prior to Newsletter publication in July. On Tuesday the 12th we shall read 'Ghost Train' by Arnold Ridley and on Tuesday 12th we'll read two one-acts, 'Collection' and 'Lover' by Harold Pinter. Then on 10th July we shall read "Bedroom Farce" by Alan Ayckbourn. Make a note in your diary and come along to be part of the group's play selection process.

Dave Baldwin
01981 540166
dave@froxfield.demon.co.uk

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Updated: Sunday, 25, March, 2001