Affiliated to NODA & Gravesham Arts Council
Registered Charity No. 1112523
Rehearsals are going well for our Senior Youth production of Bugsy Malone at the Woodville Halls from 13th to 15th March tickets are now on sale from the Box Office: 01474 360315 and are selling fast.
Bugsy Malone will be the 'swan song' for Sandra & Kay who will be "retiring" after 10 years working with our talented young people. To continue their good work we will require some additional helpers and if you would like to be involved please have a chat with Sandra, Kay or Trevor West.
I must give a warm welcome to all our new members who will be appearing in Thank You for The Music which is our ‘songs from the shows’ extravaganza at the Guild Theatre from 10th to 12th April.
As many of you are aware 2008 is our Diamond Anniversary year, G&DTG was officially created on 16th March 1948 at 8.00 pm. We are holding an Anniversary Dinner on Saturday 14th June and details are being sent out to current and past members and affiliated societies. If you know someone who has previously been involved with the Guild who would like to attend please contact Julie West on 01474 833155.
Last but not least, I have to mention Nunsense our August 2008 production. This being my first attempt at directing a musical I am getting quite nervous, but I am sure my team of Laura, Nick and Julie will keep me under control! Sorry gentlemen, this is a women only cast, but I am sure you will enjoy coming to see this very funny show.
Cobham Amateur Dramatic society chose “In At The Deep End” by Derek Benfield for its winter production and could hardly have made a better choice. The play is what used to be called a “bedroom farce”, in this case set in a health farm, but does involve the usual collection of lustful trysts.
The production by Jan Martin, assisted by Peter Crundwell, ensured that the pace never slackened. The play could have been written with the CADS in mind. Roger Sibun played Gerald, the only member of the cast who goes to the farm for reasons of health. He is pursued there by his lustful secretary Sandra (Jean Smith). Another guest is his daughter Linda (Debbie Brand) who is hoping for a weekend of passion with Rodney (Jodi Garrett). Finally Gerald’s wife Marion (Sharon Ambrose) arrives. Supervising the resulting shenanigans is the health farm manager Potter, ably played by Roger Hodge.
The audience loved it and so did this reviewer!
Our next production will take place at the WI Hall, Ash Road, Hartley, from 12th
-
The action centres around a production of "The Beggar's Opera" by the Pendon Light
Opera Company and tells of how a shy young newcomer to the society progresses, almost
by accident and in just a few short weeks, from a one-
The play combines hilarious comedy, singing and acting as well as Ayckbourn's characteristic darker, more serious undertones and promises to be thoroughly entertaining.
The dedicated Box Office number remains the same -
After a sell out run at the Miskin Theatre with our production of Dinner in November, we have just started rehearsing our entry for the Kent Drama Festival. Being a group that has had no more than a dozen members or so for many years, surprisingly we have had a sudden influx of interest that has enabled us to look at performing a play that Danny has been itching to direct. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest adapted for the stage by Dale Wasserman from a book by Ken Kesey. Famously the book was turned into a film starring Jack Nicholson that won an unprecedented 5 Oscars in 1976, including best picture, director and actor for Nicholson.
Set in a psychiatric hospital in the 1960’s the cold, hard, institutional regime that is personified by Nurse Ratched, is turned on its head with the arrival of Randle P McMurphy who is feigning mental illness to avoid a spell on a prison work farm. McMurphy rises against the establishment asserting his individuality in the face of the repressive, conformist system and inspires rebellion in his fellow inmates.
We are pleased that the success of Dinner has meant that the Miskin Theatre have asked us to perform in the large theatre – although this does mean that Danny has matched the space with a huge stage design that has already given me sleepless nights!
Performance dates are from Wed 26th to Sat 29th March. Tickets and further details will be available soon online at www.masqueradetheatre.co.uk or though the normal box office number of 01634 843113.
On a miserable day in January “My Fair Lady” seems an aeon away. That happy week in November 2007 brought success to the society and much enjoyment to our audiences. Congratulations to all concerned!
Our Christmas concerts were well received and the audience attendance was very gratifying.
That golden oldie “Carousel” will be our November 2008 production, but before then there will be plenty going on with the GEMS Choir.
Firstly—don’t forget the AGM on 26th February at The Three Dawes.
Secondly— the GEMS Choir have a concert at St George’s Church as guest singers with the Medway Band. The occasion will be the Mayor’s Charity Evening and you may remember the enjoyable time we all had last year, the provisional date is 12th April, but look out for further details.
Last but decidedly not least -
Intensive rehearsals for the April and May concerts will be in progress on Tuesday evenings at the Three Dawes from 7.45pm.
“ Nothing succeeds like reputation” (John Huston)
Our next production from 24th to 26th April probably holds the record for the play with the longest title “The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery” by David McGillivray & Walter Zerlin Jnr.
Every group has experienced the horrors of what can go wrong on the night and the ladies of FAHETGDS are no exception. The scenery collapses, cues are missed and lines forgotten as they present their ambitious evening’s entertainment with the cunning whodunit Murder At Checkmate Manor.
Tickets from the Box Office : 01474 534517
The autumn term for the Middle Youth Theatre began with the preparation for a small number of the children to perform 'Those Were The Day's Of Our Lives' by Judy Stevenson, which addresses the topic of bullying, at the Gravesham Excellence Clusters Healthy Schools Conferences.
On November 14th the children also performed at the Riverside Centre to approx 100 children from local primary and secondary schools and then repeated the performance on Friday 16th November to Head Teachers, School Governors and other KCC staff.
This was a great opportunity for the children of our group and followed on nicely
from the filming of the new 'Go -
This performance was closely followed by the preparation of our January production of A Grimm Night for Hans Christian Anderson. We welcomed a new direction team with Pat Howard taking the reins assisted by James Stevens and John Ealden. Many thanks to all who helped with this very enjoyable production, and WELL DONE to all our talented youngsters who makes us feel proud to be youth directors.
Well it seemed like a good idea when six months ago we thought about promoting the younger members of the Guild for the March 2008 musical production at the Woodville Halls. Feeling fairly confident that it would be rejected 100% we put our cards on the table. Unfortunately, we were unable to attend a programme committee meeting, and in our absence it was agreed that our show would be performed. Well, to say our flabber was ghasted is an understatement and then the panic set in!
Preparations started, licences and the Woodville halls booked and scripts and scores
organised, that all seemed fine, we promoted auditions locally and sat back waiting
for the dreaded audition day. We were blown away by the talent and were able to
cast what we think will be a splendid and exciting show with the younger members
of the Gravesham community being represented. (Our aim is to prove that not all youngsters
are a problem!!!!)
Well castings were decided and we ended up with a 50 strong cast all very excited,
noisy and tall. Our production managers got busy with their jobs -
The adult section have been very supportive offering support both back stage and
front of house for the week of the show and that is just what we wanted, everyone
working together for one aim to pull together a great show for the Guild to perform
for the local community at the Woodville Halls.
Tickets are on sale NOW from 01474 360315— so book early to avoid disappointment
and become members of our great custard pie gang! (Check out our My Space or Face
Book pages if you are computer whizzes)Look forward to seeing you there.
Nunsense by Dan Goggin
Director -
Musical Director -
Choreographer—Laura Brown
Production Manager— Julie West
Workshops—Thursdays 24th April & 1st May
Auditions—Sunday 11th May 2-
Rehearsals—Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Performances—28th to 30th August
Nunsense is a very funny musical comedy which features tap and ballet dancing, an audience quiz and comic surprises. It has been translated into 21 languages, and has become an international phenomenon and a bit of a cult!
The cast is made up of 5 women, the Mother Superior being the oldest, the Novice the youngest and the others aged anywhere in between.
There are several ensemble song and dance numbers, and each character has a solo song and/or duet.
The whole of the theatre will be turned into Mount Saint Helen’s School and all front of house staff, bar staff and stage crew will be dressed as either nuns or priests.
Synopsis The Little Sisters of Hoboken operate Mount Saint Helen's School in Hoboken, New Jersey. Originally founded as a missionary order, they started out running a leper colony on an island south of France. Forced to leave the island when they lost control to a group of Protestant competitors, they returned to Hoboken. They went unnoticed until one day their cook, Sister Julia — Child of God, unwittingly served some tainted vichysoisse soup and 52 sisters died of botulism. Fortunately, a few of the sisters were off playing bingo at another convent and so were spared.
Upon discovering the disaster, Mother Superior had a vision — it was either Saint Catherine of loves the spotlight, knows how to get a laugh. Likes everyone to be aware that she is in charge, but they all know that her bark is worse than her bite.
Sister Mary Regina -
Sister Mary Hubert – Mistress of Novices (40s /50s) – teaches the novices the ground rules, second in command to Mother Superior and always competing with her. She tries to be dignified and set an example but with the slightest encouragement will break into a song and dance routine.
Sister Robert Anne (any age) – tough, streetwise character from Brooklyn. Kids adore her as she speaks their language and can play baseball. Very energetic, keen to be involved in everything and is desperate to perform a solo. She is a constant source of irritation to Mother Superior . This actress must have an American accent.
Sister Mary Amnesia (any age) – has lost her memory as a crucifix fell on her head, consequently she is the picture of innocence and looks on each new day with childlike joy.
This actress controls the audience participation quiz and must be able to interact with the audience
Sister Mary Leo -
If you would like a copy of the script or further details please contact -
Jane Fenlon—01474 567813 or Julie West— 01474 833155
“Nunsense is Habit Formimg”