R.O.A.D.S. Junior Section
"Ernie's Incredible Illucinations"
(a play for young people)
by
Alan Ayckbourn
This is a very bright comedy and a very enthusiastic group of 15 to 20 children of varying ages were involved in the production.
Barbara Isle, Ann-Marie Kirkham and Richard Mayo directed and it was lots of fun as well as playing to three full houses.
Last year they presented
"The Magician's Nephew"
by C S Lewis
adapted by Glyn Robbins from the first book in the Narnia Chronicles.
on February 2nd. to 6th. 1999
"All the humanity, magic and humour of the novel are captured in this masterful adaptation"
Junior members also appeared in the Christmas Panto - "Sleeping Beauty"
THE HISTORY OF JUNIOR R.O.A.D.S
In the summer of 1981, when the building of the Phoenix Theatre was in its final stages, a group of 20 children, ranging in age from 8 to 11, met at Meaders Hall for a week's Drama Workshop led by 2 members of R.O.A.D.S..
This was so successful that in the following 2 years Workshops were held at the Methodist Church Hall with a larger number of children, an extended age range and more members of R.O.A.D.S.becoming involved. Each Workshop ended with a Demonstration of the week's work for parents and friends. Saturday morning sessions were then requested so that children could develop skills, such as speech, poetry Speaking, Reading Aloud, Dramatic Movement and work on scripts.
So, in 1983, when the Phoenix Theatre was due to be opened in October, JUNIOR R.O.A.D.S. was born. By 1984 we had 30 members and the first CHILDREN'S DRAMA WORKSHOP was held in the PHOENIX THEATRE, with 28 children attending, and St. Mary’s Hall was used as an extra rehearsal area.
With numbers still growing we used Saturday morning sessions to rehearse THE ASTONISHING ADVENTURES OF PANG, which was our first JUNIOR R.O.A.D.S. PRODUCTION to be presented in the PHOENIX THEATRE for parents, friends and members of R.O.A.D.S. By this time the CHILDREN'S DRAMA WORKSHOP had become an annual event with many of the children returning each year.
In December of the following year, 1985, MASTER LUCK was presented on 2 nights for parents, friends and members of R.O.A.D.S.. With numbers still ever growing Workshops and Saturday sessions continued with informal presentations and recitals for parents and friends.
In 1993 we decided to try to extend the older age group, THE YOUTH GROUP and for 3 nights in AUGUST 1993 we presented public performances of Oscar Wilde's THE GHOST OF CANTERVILLE HALL, which was also included as part of ROSS Carnival programme.
The following year, JANUARY 1994, the younger Juniors presented for the public for 3 nights DONALD AND THE DRAGON, and in AUGUST of the same year the YOUTH GROUP presented for 3 nights THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER, which again was included in the Carnival Programme.
Groups of children from Junior R.O.A.D.S. have also participated in R.O.A.D.S. main productions - in 1995 - UNDER MILK WOOD, in 1996 - A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, in 1997 - FRANKENSTEIN'S PANTO.
Three new, young and very capable members of R.O.A.D.S. presented ERNIE'S INCREDIBLE ILLUCINATIONS on JANUARY l5th, l6th & l7th, 1998. It was a great success and they are now planning a series of Saturday morning sessions. I welcome their help and I am confident that with their enthusiasm, their love of the theatre and their skill in handling young people that Junior R.O.A.D.S. will go on into the future.
BRENDA SMITH
The Sessions include:
Reading Aloud, Play Reading, Movement
Improvisation, Play Rehearsal
Demand for membership of Junior ROADS is such that there is now a waiting list.
Further details from:
BRENDA SMITH
Telephone: 01989 763198
or
BARBARA ISLE
Telephone: 01989 563333
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