May 2017 | No. 62 | Bimonthly www.bromleylittletheatre.org
THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF
PRESIDENT: MICHAEL YORK OBE
Reviews: The Heresy Of Love | Jumpy | Double Top Previews: People | The Breath Of Life | Of Mice And Men + Auditions + Events Diary + Noticeboard 1 BLT chair Key contacts Another farewell needs to be made to Emma Kerby-Evans and Maxine Edwards Stevie Hughes, who is stepping down from in BLT's February 2017 production of The Heresy Of Love the role of website, poster, and Spotlights Call: 020 3189 1690 designer. A record of a few of his wonderful for box office, membership and key contacts designs can be seen among the posters enquiries (but not for booking tickets). plastered to the walls of the stage door stairs. We shall certainly miss his intelli- Key contact areas: gent, creative designs. [email protected] The board have been discussing for [email protected] some time how we can better organise the management of the theatre. We have Chair: decided that while Playgoers will remain [email protected] as an entity for the receipt of funds from Key: Jane Buckland the bar, membership and the coffee bar, Artistic: the day-to-day running of these and other [email protected] ooking back over the last couple of aspects of the theatre is to be by existing Keys: Pauline Armour / Jane Buckland Lyears, most BLT members will see that it personnel, overseen by the assigned board has been a period of change and development members. The former members of the for the theatre, and one which is set to Youth group: Playgoers committee will now be able to continue. Last season saw a large end-of- [email protected] work more directly and we hope, more [email protected] Key: Jessica-Ann Jenner year profit; a high percentage attendance new actors turning up for auditions. avoiding what we now feel to be an for shows; record bar takings and more efficiently with the board members, We have an increasingly large pool of unnecessary extra layer of administration Membership: directors wanting to work at BLT and this and speeding up communication. [email protected] Key: Christina Jeremiah a training workshop for potential directors Finally, I hope most of you will have year, for the first time, we will be running managed to look at the new BLT website. in advance of the 2018 season. Some of the Box office:
such as introducing open ticket purchasing reviews, information about productions recent changes have been very significant, There you can find, among other things, Key: Paul Ackroyd and of course, securing our future with a and auditions, an archive section listing [email protected] long lease, but some of the smaller changes all our productions going back to the 1930s Spotlights magazine: are having an impact and are at last and regularly updated news. [email protected] chipping away at the idea that BLT is ‘the [email protected] best-kept secret in Bromley.’ The Churchill Finally, after much discussion and Key: Stevie Hughes Theatre is now advertising our productions consideration, we have decided that and we have successful and busy groups this current edition of Spotlights will Website: in charge of development, publicity and be the last. The printing and mailing of [email protected] marketing and fundraising. All of these it to our members has become increasingly Key: Stevie Hughes changes are making BLT a very exciting expensive and consumes a large chunk of organisation to be involved with at present! our publicity budget. Because of the long Publicity: There have also been some changes in lead-in time to publication, it often felt as [email protected] responsibilities. In April, I took over the though it was largely retrospective and Key: Pat Jones role of charity coordinator from Emma members were increasingly using the Kerby-Evans, and I’d like to take this website for information about the life Bar: opportunity to thank Emma for all her of the theatre. [email protected] hard work. If you are a local charity or Key: Peter Yolland an active branch of a national charity, and would like to discuss a fundraising, everything you want to know about the From now on we hope that you will find theatre on our website but we would like please get in touch with me. You really to hear from you about any improvements final dress rehearsal evening in 2018 BROMLEY LITTLE THEATRE need to have a supporter base large or additions you would like to see there. Registered Charity No. 1132561 enough to sell at least 80 tickets at www.BromleyLittleTheatre.org £10 each. All the ticket money goes – Jane Buckland, BLT chair to your charity. ([email protected]) • President: Michael York OBE Spotlights is published by Bromley Little Theatre Ltd., North Street, Bromley, Kent ‘Spotlights’ is designed and typeset by: COVER: BR1 1SB. Any views or opinions expressed by individuals in are done so Sophie Gissing and Megan McGery Spotlights Call: 07789 123719 independently and are not necessarily the graphic design • web design • sound design in BLT’s February 2017 production opinions of Bromley Little Theatre Ltd. or [email protected] www.triocreative.com of The Heresy Of Love its directors. 2 3 Previews & Diary Dates Noticeboard Fri 12-Sat 20 May 2017 at 7.45pm Wed 24-Sun 28 May 2017 at 7.45pm Fri 9-Sat 17 Jun 2017 at 7.45pm (not Sun 14) (not Sun 11) 2017 Latest News IN THE BAR Fri 12-Sat 20 May 2017 at 7.45pm A new liaison: booking Your Bromley BID BLT tickets at the People s part of our development appeal, by Alan Bennett Churchill Theatre BLT has been working with local Directed by Mike Darbon A n a great step towards community businesses and organisations to raise Sun 14 May 2017 Itheatre co-operation, the Churchill revenue by increasing the level of Theatre in Bromley have kindly agreed sponsorship and advertising we carry Auditions to include BLT tickets in their booking 12 noon: / 2pm: Jezebel Great Britain system, so from our July show – Nell Your Bromley BID is one of those in our publicity and publications; Wed 24- Sun 28 May 2017 at 7.45pm Gwynn – you will be able to book your organisations. tickets at the Churchill Theatre as well Please help us and our supporters by The Breath Of Life as through the usual BLT options. by David Hare mentioning their advertisements The Churchill will add a £1.50 booking when using their facilities. In The Bar In The Directed by Mike Weaver fee to each ticket, and they will only have Fri 9-Sat 17 Jun 2017 at 7.45pm a limited number of tickets, but you will Your Bromley Business be able to book for BLT in person during Improvement District Of Mice And Men the daytime, or when visiting the Churchill. Your Bromley is a Business Improvement by John Steinbeck District (BID) in Bromley Town Centre. Directed by Mike Savill BLT members will need to know their The BID promotes the town centre as a membership number in order to get whole to help support and grow businesses Sun 11 Jun 2017 their discount. Non-members may book within the area, and the local economy. Auditions from one month before the show opens. Our aim is to increase footfall, through a 12 noon: Hedda Gabler / 2pm: DNA / The Churchill will also publicise our shows number of events and initiatives, in our People The Breath Of Mice And Men fabulous and charming town centre full by Alan Bennett By John Steinbeck 4pm: Treasure Island (see page 11) and occasionally offer discounted tickets of independent, amazing restaurants and for their own productions to BLT members. • Directed by Mike Darbon Of Life Directed by Mike Savill shops that rival central London locations. by David Hare Fri 7-Sat 15 Jul 2017 at 7.45pm ne of Steinbeck’s most acclaimed What kind of organisation is irst performed at the National Theatre Directed by Mike Weaver works, voted Best Play by New York Nell Gwynn Your Bromley BID? Fin 2012, People is Alan Bennett at his O by Jessica Swale Drama Critics, and well known to many STOP PRESS: Your Bromley BID is a non-profit-making best: elegaic yet satiric, provocative yet rances Beale, a popular novelist, whose Directed by Jessica-Ann Jenner school leavers of a certain age, this Treasure Island organisation owned and led by businesses poignant – and wickedly funny. Fbarrister husband has recently left her for a much younger woman, has come to American classic has been a long term Fri 20-Sat 22 Jul 2017 at 7.45pm in Bromley Town Centre. auditions Like its owner, Lady Dorothy Stacpoole’s visit her husband’s former mistress, ambition of mine to direct. The best laid BLT YOUTH THEATRE presents Following a successful ballot of businesses late addition to the Latest News stately home has seen better days. Both are plans of Mike and men have, however, oft in the area in November 2015, the BID Madeleine Palmer, a British Museum Arabian Nights A column is the announcement of in an advanced state of decay. The house is curator. Over the course of one day and gone awry, with the rights being unavailable exists for five years before a further ballot cold, damp and neglected, while Dorothy – pretty much consistently for the last four by Dominic Cooke takes place. The BID is funded by a small once a successful fashion model – now years. All things come to those who wait Directed by Jessica-Ann Jenner, Richard of 2017, Bryony Lavery's take on Robert ‘levy’ on businesses within the area, lives and their relationship with the Stewart & Hazal Han Louisthe audition Stevenson's date for classic our final pirate production adventure, based on the rateable value of their sports a moth-eaten fur coat and plimsolls. central,one night, yet the offstage, two women male character. reflect on their though, and at the end of 2016, the chance Treasure Island. Featuring Jim Hawkins, Her younger sister, a bossy archdeacon, to put on this classic narrative became property. This raises over £575,000 per On the central theme of the play, the Fri 15-Sat 23 Sep 2017 at 7.45pm Blind Pugh and the most famous uni-ped year during the five-year term – money wants to hand the house over to the available. So now I hope to bring its playwright wrote: “You can no longer call it in literature, a cast of thousands is required that will be used to promote the town National Trust, but Dorothy has more powerful drama to the BLT stage. Four Nights In middle age, and you certainly can’t call it to buckle swashes of all shapes and sizes centre, to enhance the experience of radical ideas, such as selling it to a sinister old age. It’s something in between. I wanted The play chronicles four days in the lives Knaresborough (and genders). Auditions will be held at visiting the town centre for visitors, to commercial concern or renting it out as a of migrant workers, George and Lennie. by Paul Webb enable businesses to work together and to describe two women at exactly that the theatre on Sunday June 11 at 4pm Unlikely friends, they move from town to Directed by Tony Jenner to provide services to reduce business moment; a long past behind them, but the and performances start on Friday 8 town hoping to work and save enough to overheads. BID services are additional to location for porn films. expectation of a considerable future in front December 2017. own their own piece of land. But Lennie Wed 27-Sun 1 Oct 2017 at 7.45pm those provided by the council, police and production at BLT and follows his compelling of them.” For further information, please stirs up trouble, and George must choose other providers. productionThis is Mike of Darbon’s Doubt in first the mainbar in house 2015. Staged in London’s West End in 2002 with Jezebel contact the director, between his friend and his dream. by Mark Cantan Jane Buckland: If you have any questions or would like to Maggie Smith and Judi Dench, it received [email protected] CAST: This vivid picture of the Great Depression In The Bar In The Directed by Paul Ackroyd get in touch with the BID, please visit our great critical acclaim and is regarded as or visit the BLT website: conveys a tale of friendship, loneliness and website, www.yourbromey.com or email Lady Dorothy Stacpoole : Nikki Packham Fri 13-Sat 21 Oct 2017 at 7.45pm www.bromleylittletheatre.org • us at [email protected] • unfortunate circumstances for even “the Iris : Alison Driscoll best laid schemes of mice and men.”• Great Britain June Stacpoole : Karen O’Neill one of Hare’s finest pieces of writing. by Richard Bean Bevan : Richard Toynton CAST: Directed by Pauline Armour was overwhelmed by the wonderful tribute paid to my dear Lumsden : Stevie Hughes Frances : Wendy Jardine The Bishop : Paul Green Fri 10-Sat 18 Nov 2017 at 7.45pm “Ihusband, Dennis, at the Sarnies Awards night in February. Theodore : Patrick Neylan Madeleine : Ali Perotto • Hedda Gabler Thank you to Jane (Buckland) and the board and to all the very Bruce : James Williams-Ward Louise : Ann Morgan by Henrik Ibsen. Adapted by Brian Friel dear friends at Bromley Little Theatre, whose love and support Directed by Jane Lobb Nigel : Matt Sharp are helping me keep going and will always help me, I know, through Les : Peter Yolland Wed 22-Sun 26 Nov 2017 at 7.45pm Colin : Pete Ditchburn Booking for In The Bar shows open to life, without my best friend. Brit : Joanne Smith members only. DNA Man on cans : Nigel Borsberry • by Dennis Kelly Bless you all”.
In The Bar In The Directed by Jessica-Ann Jenner To BOOK: Except for In The Bar shows, – Nikki Packham Booking opens to non-members: Visit: www.BromleyLittleTheatre.org Booking opens to non-members: there are no performances on a Sunday. 12 April 2017 or Tel: 0333 666 3366 9 May 2017 4 Noticeboard 5 Review
Right: Heather Wain, Laura Ings Self, Below: Bruce Wallace, Helen Scott, Megan McGery and Sophie Gissing in Laura Ings Self and Matt Platt BLT's February 2017 production of in BLT's February 2017 production of The Heresy Of Love The Heresy Of Love
But Paul Ackroyd grew strongly into the part of Aguiar. His early perambulations settled down and his stern self-assurance February 2017 cast its shadow over the whole play even in the many scenes where he was absent, as debates ranged around his constipated s is often the case with serious plays, morality. His anachronistic Buddy Holly Athe interval talk was all about the set. glasses were a minor costume gripe in Jan Greenhough’s austere, stuccoed and what was otherwise a perfectly turned- sensitively lit setting, offset by a stained- out cast. glass window, was a perfect metaphor for Short scenes compensated for the the heroine: a tiny lantern of colour amid wordiness by keeping the action clipping the bleakness of religious zealotry and along, although the scene changes could political manoeuvring. have been quicker. Having leading cast I wasn’t fully convinced by the script. members spend so much time on stage On the page, Helen Edmundson’s story moving stools around detracted from their of Sister Juana, a playwright/poet nun performances. It worked much better when pitted against the church in 17th-century the minor characters were doing the work, Mexico, comes across as curiously stilted, with Emma Kerby-Evans keeping up a with the author deliberately adopting the constant campaign of wordless sniping classic Spanish style of lengthy explanatory speeches and grand-standing soliloquies, and later Maxine Edwards. These little and bickering, first with Jan Greenhough, often directly to the audience. Not a bad moments of humour were lovely and kept thing in itself – Shakespeare wasn’t averse the audience on side, and Maxine’s to the odd soliloquy – but I would have portrayal of the slave Juanita grew into preferred to keep the fourth wall intact. one of the more human characterisations. One is also left with shallow characters The other performers acquitted themselves who come across as archetypes rather well: Heather Wain as the insecure Mother than people. We accept their worldview as Superior and Sophie Gissing as the soppy, being of its time but, as with Edmundson’s naïve Angelica in the convent, with Jonathan Coram Boy, we don’t really understand Evans as Don Hernando, the Don Juan who them on a human level. is Angelica’s undoing. Helen Scott was a In particular, the transformation of Matt radiant Vicereine, gorgeously attired, Platt’s Santa Cruz from hero to villain is although Bruce Wallace in a second role abrupt and unsatisfying. Having been as the Viceroy seemed uncharacteristically Juana’s benefactor for many years, he happy to hide in the shadow of her brilliance vows to destroy her after a single comment The heresy of and his own hat. by Sebastiana: a jealous fellow nun who is "Paul Ackroyd grew strongly prone to ecstatic visions and is clearly bonkers. This is a criticism of the script, Love into the part of Aguiar. His stern self-assurance cast its his great versatility when compared with shadow over the whole play." hisnot half-wittedMatt’s fine performance, bumpkin in Thewhich Lieutenant showed of Inishmore. Sebastiana was played delightfully by Laura Ings Self, who said when the moral choices are so obvious: almost as much with her off-line acting oneIt’s difficult simply cannotto fully sympathise engage with with a play the as with her words. Archbishop Aguiar, even if his unyielding orthodoxy is historically accurate. There is director and actors get the most out of it? only one moment – in his interrogation of TheyWhatever largely the did. flaws Some of the uncertainty script, did over the Juana – where the audience can grudgingly lines and especially cues was only a brief admit, “He’s got a point.” Meanwhile, Megan distraction at the start, as was the habit McGery’s Juana is charming, beautiful and of the main performers to wander around intelligent. Megan plays the role perfectly: you know she can’t win, but in terms of the been more appropriate, given certain audience’s affections she can’t lose, taking characters’the stage when unshakable static firmness moral would certainty. have full advantage of the script to seduce us. The early discussion between Archbishop That makes it all the more poignant when Aguiar, Santa Cruz and Bruce Wallace’s Aguiar’s “God is not your friend!” hits her Father Antonio looked at times like a dance in the face with the force of a dungeon door in a Jane Austen costume drama: pause, slamming shut. walk and speak, pause. Photography: Phil Cairns – Patrick Neylan 6 7 Review
The sound design was excellent, not just Naomi Cunningham gave an assured debut Alison Green (Bea) and Robert O’Neill the choices of incidental music representing (Josh) also all gave great performances both parent and child, but the diegetic sound and their interference in her life cringingly and offered the audience lots of laughs, recognisableas Tilly; her teenage to us all. ennui I hope with to seeher her parents on with Lyndsey’s clueless rambling and appropriate track to accompany some the BLT stage again soon. Emma Berryman Cam’s slightly creepy Oedipus complex burlesqueeffects too dancing– from text – were alerts well to chosenfinding an was a delight as Hilary’s charismatic BFF, being among some of the funniest moments. and executed. Frances. From her self-deprecating humour, Overall, this was a wonderfully entertaining Julie Binysh gave a solid performance, to the burlesque dancing, to her tolerance piece of theatre that had us rolling in the creating some lovely and tender moments of her friend’s neuroses, every moment aisles, whilst still making some interesting between Hilary and the other characters, Berryman was on stage was well crafted points about choice and autonomy and how notably Frances and Tilly, although I would and hysterically funny. hard it can be to let our children go. liked to have seen a fraction more strength – Laura Ings Self and passion from this ex-protestor, feminist performance as Roland, an actor stuck in a mother. The mother-daughter dynamic was dissatisfyingPaul Campion marriage gave a beautifully and father flamboyant of Tilly’s played out beautifully between Hilary and boyfriend, again creating some wonderfully Tilly and was wholly relatable from both comedic moments. Richard Gissing (Mark), JUMPY points of view. Edie Nelson (Lyndsey), Gavin Dyer (Cam), March 2017
here seems to be a rather pleasing Whilst daughter Tilly is Ttheme running through BLT’s 2017 out having sex, neurotic Hilary season where strong women and the contemplates her satisfaction with her pursuit of feminism are at the forefront own relationship, often over a glass or two Tony Jenner’s set was of several narratives. April de Angelis’ of wine with best friend, Frances (Emma rather plain and utilitarian, which Jumpy is no exception – rather it is the Berryman). Through Tilly’s boyfriend Josh allowed us to move from various settings (Robert O’Neill) we meet his parents, Bea within the characters’ homes as well as a Director Colleen Batson’s take on the script (Alison Green) and Roland (Paul Campion), trip to Norfolk and a barbecue on the beach, ringleader, flying the feminist flag with zeal. draws out each of the different threads of the latter of whom expresses a real interest but the stark walls meant that scenes in the play’s feminist manifesto as we follow Hilary and Mark’s living room did feel central character Hilary (Julie Binysh) and deciding to engage with it. slightly minimalist rather than homely. in Hilary, which she dismisses at first before Gavin Dyer her somewhat tumultuous relationships. We watch as Hilary’s life goes through Whilst the set was simple, the lighting, Julie Binysh A wife and mother having just turned 50, many changes – including separating from designed by Emma Christmas, was used Richard Gissing Hilary was at Greenham Common – albeit her husband – and watch her experiment extremely effectively, and worked Naomi Cunningham with new relationships and burlesque intuitively with the sound effects to help Edie Nelson her feminist belief in women’s choices, with dancing, almost as though she were going create the world of the play. Some of the Robert O'Neill heronly 15-year-old briefly – and daughter’s struggles enactment to reconcile of through a second adolescence herself, scene changes were on the lengthy side, Emma Berryman Alison Green those choices, much to the chagrin of her before settling back in to the comforting presumably to allow for costume changes, and Paul Campion daughter (Naomi Cunningham) and the and familiar world of her marriage as she but some interesting lighting effects and in BLT's March 2017 gentle frustration of her rather more an excellent choice of soundtrack helped production of Jumpy lenient husband (Richard Gissing). off to uni. to make these pauses not seem too long. Photography: Mark-Hesketh Jennings 8 finally watches Tilly fly the nest and head 9 AUDITION NOTICE | 'In The Bar' AUDITION NOTICE THE POLICE: Gemma – (female ) playing age 30s. Bodger Brian Friel's translation premiered at the (male) – playing Foreign desk. Tries to introduce serious Co-worker in Spy Spy which engages in Gate Theatre, Dublin, in September 2008 Jezebel Great Britain Donald Doyle Davidson (male) playing age flexible. age mid-30s. Intelligent, well-educated, news and fails. illegal IT scams and gets heavily involved in and was produced most recently at the Old the phone hacking business at a price! Vic Theatre, starring Sheridan Smith. Friel by Mark Cantan by Richard Bean, attractive man in uniform, appears initially Maddy – (female) playing age 40s. Royal writes with a vitality, intelligence and Directed by Paul Ackroyd directed by Pauline Armour to abide by a moral code but turns out to Correspondent. Tries to introduce an Fernando be as unscrupulous as the rest. Has scenes element of decorum and fails. Waiter at ‘The Ivy’ passion, that brings Ibsen’s text alive for Performance dates: Performance dates: of a sexual nature with Paige. Large role. (male) playing age flexible. both the actor and the audience. Wed 27 Sep-Sun 1 Oct 2017 at 7.45 pm Thu 12-Sat 21 Oct 2017 at 7.45pm Virginia White – (female) playing age Prison Guard CHARACTERS: Sir Sulliman (Sully) Kassam – (male) 30s/40s. New York editor. Glamorous, crisp, Guard in interview room at Broadmoor. Audition date: (not Sun 15) playing age 40s. Of Asian origin. The (male) playing age flexible. Hedda Gabler - Newly married to Tesman. 14 May 2017 at 12 noon Audition date: Stella’s dad (male) playing age 50s/60s. extremely stupid Commissioner of the Becomes editor of Free Press but claims to Denies selling Stella’s eating disorder story Playing age 20s to 30s. Jezebel is a clever comedy about the dumb Sunday 14 May at 2pm. long flowing hair a la Rebekah Brookes. Metropolitan Police Force, no sense of be innocent of the phone hacking scandal. - An academic recently married to consequences of hot sex meeting cold Stella’s mum (female) playing age 50s/60s Tesman humour, probably has the funniest lines POLICE: Hedda. Playing age 20s to 40s. statistics. A light-hearted lesson in what satire about the press, the police and the and scenes in the show. Large role but – as above ‘Mac’ Macmanaman – (male) playing age not to do when your sex life needs saving. politicalThis is a establishment,fast and furious inspired play; an byanarchic the Juliana - Tesman’s aunt. 50s. Public Relations for the Met. Babs (female) playing age 20s/30s – as above phone hacking trial of 2014. Very strong Playing age 50s to 70s. Alan and Robin are a dynamic couple which can be rehearsed quite separately. Unscrupulous, totally amoral and will cover language throughout and scenes of a confined to a small number of scenes Civil Servant (male or female) playing age looking to spice up their sex life. Could a CIVILIANS: up anything at a price. Bertha - Juliana’s maid, now working for sexual nature – not for the faint hearted! threesome the answer to their problems? (female) playing age the Tesmans. 40s to 60s.. Wendy Klinkard DI Cram – (male) playing age 30s. Plain Tory Party. Unfortunately they choose Jezebel as the It is also very, very funny and very, very flexible, whistle blower who grasses up clothes to start with and then promoted. (male /female) Eilert Loevborg - Writer. Playing age 30s third corner of their triangle who, in spite and sometimes use a wheelchair. Will need Claudia, Henry, Dez Playing age 30s. Possibly the only honest to 40s. of her name, is about the most unlikely of the characters in the play, rehearsals to30s/40s. consider She how should we depict really ahave disability ‘dwarfism’ that character, but maybe gets the last laugh. Loud and feisty. - in love with Eilert, she has candidate for such an adventure. The technical. As there has to be film footage works with the script. She is a bright, feisty, Thea Elvsted playing ages flexible. Journalists. left her husband. Playing age 20s to 30s. consequences for all three of them are as tough solicitor from Lancashire. Medium Chief Inspector DaCosta – (female) Sergeant Ojo (male or female) probably unexpected as they are hilarious. inwill July start but very will earlybe worked to enable out thearound filming our sized role throughout. Depending on how playing age 40s/early 50s. Straight talking. 20s/30s. Taser gun operator. Brack - A judge. Likeable and harmless on Julyto take production place. Some to ensure filming that will there take areplace no Not always politically correct. The play is extremely fast paced, all three how the disability is depicted, it may be TV CHAT SHOW CHARACTERS: the surface, malevolent and corrupt actors will be onstage during the entire clashes. Intensive rehearsals will commence possible to double. Natalie -(female) playing age 30s. Crown underneath. Playing age 30s to 50s. on Tuesday 29 August. I will break the play Madonna, Putin, The Pope performance. It is a very theatrical piece Medium roles that could be doubled/tripled: Prosecution Lawyer. Firm. Straight. Not Please contact the director, Jane Lobb for into scenes so that time is not wasted and with direct talking to the audience, easily intimidated. VOICE OVERS AND VIDEO CHARACTERS: scripts and audition selections: the rehearsal schedule is not too demanding, THE PRESS: commentary on the action and much Andrew Neil, Archbishop, Janet • (male) playing age 60s. POLITICIANS: [email protected] talking on mobile phones. I hope to stage it though whoever is cast as Paige Britain will Paschal O’Leary Street-Porter, Bexy Anne, The Queen, The Irish Proprietor of The Free Press. Jonathan Whey (male) playing age 40s. completely in the round with the audience have a very challenging schedule. Prince Charles, News Reporter, Bryn AUDITION NOTICE | 'In The Bar' Totally unscrupulous, out to make as much Leader of Conservative Party and later PM. on all four sides of the bar area. The play There are at least 50 characters in the play Wong, BBC Anchor, TV Journalists, MC at money as possible by whatever means. Suave, sophisticated, probably ex-Eton, moves through numerous scenes very and plenty of opportunities for doubling Newspaper Awards, News Anchor, DNA Enjoys shooting sharks from his yacht. unscrupulous. Engages in sexual relation- rapidly and the cast will have to manage and tripling roles. Melanie Took (young model), Tory MP, by Dennis Kelly Very, very foul-mouthed and, like Wilson, ship with Paige. the scene changes themselves, although I American TV Host, My aim is to form a Great Britain Company envisage using the minimum of props and very, very funny. St John Flowers (male) playing age 30s. Directed by Jessica-Ann Jenner of about 20 actors (hopefully around 10 So who’s up for this media extravaganza – stage dressing. Garth (male) playing age 40s. A Free Press Jonanthan Wey’s press secretary, possibly Auditions: men and 10 women). Some of the parts it promises to be loads of fun?! Let the business executive. The money man. Hard, ex-Eton. Sun 11 June 2017 at 2pm In spite of the subject matter the play is in that were written for a man will easily director, Pauline Armour, know if you brash, direct. good taste with no nudity, sexual become a female role. The dialogue will be Diane Bendall – (female) playing age want a script and, if you can’t make the Performance dates: simulation or swearing … sorry! fast with lots of overlapping, so lines and Wallace (male) playing age 20s/30s. In 40s/50s. Tory MP. Member of Parliamenta- audition, you would need to be seen before, Tue 22-Sun 26 Nov 2017 CHARACTERS: cues will need to be very secure early on. charge of TV column – ‘How Big’s Your so please let her know ASAP: 07984 Deep in the woods, a group of teenagers do Telly?' His life is consumed by the inane and played back on video) 722308 or [email protected] • The ideal playing age for the three When auditioning, think BIG. This is satire ry Media Committee. (This scene is filmed something bad – really bad. Entangled and the ephemeral. He fancies Paige. CIVILIANS: together in a web of their own lies, will characters is late 20’s or 30' s but I can be and requires enormous amounts of attack AUDITION NOTICE and energy. It is not naturalistic. I will not Marcus (male) playing age 30s. Investiga- Dr. Boris Tudor (male) playing age 70s. they be drawn together or torn apart. tive reporter. Always in some weird Very posh Country Life type – hunting , Dennis Kelly’s dark and sinister play is a Robin : a determined career orientated audition all the characters – only the ones Hedda Gabler flexible as long as the relationships work . disguise and seeking expenses for elabo- great ensemble piece for a group of 11 young lady – very much the stronger who can only play one role throughout the By Henrick Ibsen. Adapted by Brian Friel. play and everyone else will be given several rate scams. possibilities of phone hacking. teenage actors. Names and genders of character in the Robin /Alan pairing. shooting, fishing. His discovery triggers the pieces of script from the show to demonstrate Clarissa Kingston Mills (female) playing Directed by Jane Lobb characters are suggestions only so those Alan : A statistician who brings his Dickie their understanding of the style and their age 60s. OBE for services to ‘kiss and tell’. Performance dates: auditioning are welcome to go for any role. knowledge to bear on the likelihood of the ability to change character with panache! (male) playing age flexible. General Can make or break careers and she does. Thu 9-Sat 18 Nov 2017 at 7.45pm CHARACTERS: ongoing events. Easy going, eager to please Legend (Billy Cain) (male) playing age I will ask for your preferences re: casting office dogsbody. Generally fed up. Over the top glamour. (not Sun 12) late 60s. Sports desk and old hand. Knows Leah (please note this is a large role with Stella Stone (female) playing age 20s. Audition date: a number of long monologues. Those Jezebel : A bit of a lost soul. Unlucky in that the casting works as a whole. If you all the scams and fully engages with them. and keen to avoid conflict. Celebrity and would-be Page 7 girl. Sun 11 June 2017 at 12 noon wishing to audition should prepare one of relationships and with an unerring knack reallybut will only need want artistic to be flexibility considered to forensure one Howard – (male or female – will change Develops an eating disorder. Leah’s monologues from the play – you do of making wrong choices. particular role please make this clear. name if female) playing age 50s. Senior Jasper Donald (male) playing age long honeymoon. Bored by her aspiring not need to memorise it.) Rehearsals will start in late July and step CHARACTERS (which will be the one role journalist, person of principle, been there 20s/30s. Lancashire cricketer. A bit dim. academicHedda Gabler husband, returns, she dissatisfied, foresees a life from of a Main roles: up in earnest in mid-August. throughout the play) forever, tries to be politically correct– but still engages in scams and dirty dealings. Kieron Mills (male) playing age 30s/40s. tedious convention. And so, she begins to Phil/Mark/Jan/Danny/Richard/Cathy/ For further information, digital versions of THE ‘PRESS’: Accused father of missing twins. manipulate the fates of those around her to Brian the proposed audition pieces, or to borrow EMPLOYEES OF THE FREE PRESS. Larry - (male or female – will change name devastating effect. Medium roles: a copy of the script please contact: Paul Paige Britain (female) - playing age late if female) playing age 50s. Crime desk. Smaller roles for doubling/tripling: John Tate/Boy Ackroyd at [email protected] or on 20’s/early 30s. Bold, brash unscrupulous, About to retire and set up kennels in the At a time when Freud’s revolutionary ideas For any information please contact the Jimmy the Bins (male or female – will were blazing a trail across Europe, Ibsen’s 07548 628 403. sexy, direct, will do ANYTHING for ‘the country about which colleagues are very director, Jessica-Ann Jenner: 1890 masterpiece is celebrated for the If you cannot make the audition date but story’ … and she does! Very large role. rude. [email protected] • Searches celebrity bins and sells to psychological realism of its characters - would still like to audition, please let Paul Jackie – (female) playing age 30s. Ex-page change name if female) playing age flexible. Wilson (male) - playing age mid-50s. Very newspapers. where each exists as a vital element in the know. • 3 girl. Picture editor. Like all of the press, is loud, extremely foul-mouthed, hilariously (male or female) playing age drama. This closely woven piece blisters in Please note: BLT’s auditions are open to all loud, in your face. Stevie funny, obsessed with circulation numbers. its intensity, as Hedda - bent on self-de- but if you are chosen for a part YOU MUST The ‘boss’. Becomes political spokesman Tina – (female) playing age 20s. Celebrity engages in many illegal IT scams and gets struction - tears down those around her. BECOME A MEMBER BEFORE YOUR FIRST for the PM later on. Large role throughout. desk. Bright, feisty, thrives in the environ- heavilyflexible. involved Co-worker in thein ‘Spy phone Spy’ hacking which This is a tour de force role, that has been REHEARSAL. The same goes for all backstage business at a price! coveted by numerous leading actors for crew and anybody who wishes to use the over a hundred years. theatre’s facilities. Membership may be ment of a buzzy press office. obtained via the BLT website: 10 www.bromleylittletheatre.org 11 Review Claire Darlington and Bethan Boxall in BLT's March 2017 'In The Bar' production of Double Top
February 2017
ouble Top was originally written Dfor the Hull Truck Theatre Company. However, this production amounted to a world premiere, as the author, Ron Rose, kindly agreed to revise certain scenes specially for BLT. Set in the north of England, the play revolves around Marie, a recent graduate who sets up a research project with her lecturer, Rob – with whom she has an extracurricular liaison – acting as her mentor. Marie’s project is to be based around a women’s self-awareness group, who decide to form a darts team and enter a local pub darts competition. To accompany her on this journey of self-discovery, Marie enlists Kath, who works behind the bar of the pub, The White Hart as well as Chris and Jackie, two friends who drink there. The ladies
from Marie, who is seen as the outsider andwin theirweak first link round by her match team-mates. with little help
"Claire Darlington portrayed Chris, the good-time girl, with spot-on comic timing, fully inhabiting the character’s Special plaudits also for the stylistic singing, dancing, full-of-life AsDOUBLE the motherly Kath, Jane Lobb cleverly transformation, with great use of facial AllTOP the male roles were convincingly To Be A Millionaire soundtrack, created played by the versatile Piers Newman, personality." showed the character’s growth, dealing expression, voice and costume to create great suspense in the darts sequences, with her drunken abusive ex-husband a totally different character. who managed to bring a distinctiveness even causing audience members to turn by Emma Christmas, which also worked slow-motion pub fight scene, created before transforming herself for her date to each character, from Brian, the rough their heads to watch the invisible ‘darts’ really well in such a small space. The play leads us through the team’s Claire Darlington portrayed Chris, the with her on-off businessman boyfriend. but lovelorn licensee, to the policeman land. Praise must here go to Holly Marsh, Would I allow those involved in this progression in the competition showing good-time girl, with spot-on comic timing, Her scene after her visit to the ‘passion who deals so sympathetically with Jackie who deftly handled the many music, sound production into my bar? Yes, as this how their involvement strengthens the fully inhabiting the character’s singing, wagon’, where she spoke about the role when delivering the news of her daughter’s and lighting effects that helped shift the was a truly (Double) Top production, group. Along the way, we also learn the dancing, full-of-life personality. of, and the expectations of women was death. His turn as the male stripper – scenes seamlessly from pub to pub. and the swear box would certainly characters’ back-stories: Jackie has a complete with actual strip – was brave boost BLT’s fundraising efforts! teenage daughter, who is trying to get particularly moving. Jess Jenner’s assured direction brought performance as Marie, drew us in with her, and well-appreciated by the audience(!). asThe she sensitivity went on ofa journey Bethan ofBoxall’s self-discovery, first-rate Ron Rose’s specially-revised version of – Peter Yolland sexual relationships, while Kath – the particularly in the moving scene concerning progressing from outsider to being ‘one of Tony Jenner’s set design, complete with the script wonderfully to life, making teamoff drugs; captain Chris – is has in alived long-term, a life of on-offcasual theJaimi death Keemer of her also daughter. excelled; Her as Jackiereturn – as the girls’, giving Bethan ample opportunity dartboard and regulation ‘oche’, was our compact bar performance area take relationship, with a serial philandering the larger-than-life “Kirstie (F***ing to once again display the quality we have on Tardis-like qualities by squeezing in a businessman. Gobsh*te) MacDonald” was an amazing come to expect from her. the dart sound, coupled with a Who Wants another bar, jukebox and dartboard area. Photography: Tony Jenner 12 terrific, and the use of speakers to mimic 13 The Sarnies 2016 awards RESULTS IN FULL CATEGORY / Winner / Runners-up / Production
FAVOURITE MAIN HOUSE PRODUCTION FAVOURITE ACTRESS IN A SMALLER ROLE FAVOURITE LIGHTING DESIGN • Into The Woods • Jan Greenhough for Grandmother/ • Emma Christmas for Into The Woods • Kindertransport Giant in Into The Woods • Jessica-Ann Jenner for • One Man, Two Guvnors • Heather Wain for Liddy Smallbury in Far From The Madding Crowd Far From The Madding Crowd • Jessica-Ann Jenner for Kindertransport FAVOURITE IN THE BAR PRODUCTION • Claire Darlington for Nellie, the Maid • The Believers / The Long Road in Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime FAVOURITE SET DESIGN (joint winners) • Tony Jenner for Into The Woods • Foxfinder FAVOURITE ACTOR/ACTRESS UNDER 18 • Dave Armour for • Edie Nelson for Eva in Far From The Madding Crowd FAVOURITE DIRECTOR OF A Kindertransport • Tony Jenner & Dave Howell for MAIN HOUSE PRODUCTION • Harrison North for Randolph Brown One Man, Two Guvnors • Pauline Armour & Kate Drakard in Cause Célèbre • Jan Greenhough for Other Desert Cities for Into The Woods • Barnie Tisdall for Christopher in • Jessica-Ann Jenner Cause Célèbre FAVOURITE SET DRESSING AND for Kindertransport • Joshua Williams Ward for Narrator in PROPERTIES • Pauline and Dave Armour for Into The Woods • Pat Jones & Michelle Ashton One Man, Two Guvnors for Into The Woods FAVOURITE ACTOR IN A BAR SHOW • Jessica-Ann Jenner for Kindertransport FAVOURITE DIRECTOR OF AN • Andrew Newbon for Joff in • Jan Greenhough for IN THE BAR PRODUCTION The Believers The Lieutenant Of Inishmore • Jessica-Ann Jenner for The Believers • Alex Scotchbrook for William Bloor in • Stevie Hughes for Foxfinder Foxfinder FAVOURITE TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN AN • Nikki Packham for The Long Road • Joe Dominic for Joe in The Long Road IN THE BAR PRODUCTION • The Believers FAVOURITE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE FAVOURITE ACTRESS IN A BAR SHOW • Foxfinder for Francis Henshall • • Joseph Spinks • Bethan Boxall for Emma in The Long Road IS BACK in One Man, Two Guvnors The Long Road • Howie Ripley for Wolf/Prince • Megan McGery for Judith Covey in UNSUNG HERO Charming in Into The Woods Foxfinder Dave Jones • Howie Ripley for Stanley Stubbers in • Jaimi Keemer for Maud in OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION One Man, Two Guvnors The Believers Emma Christmas FAVOURITE ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE FAVOURITE MALE NEWCOMER • Emma Sweeney for Alma Rattenbury LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT • Joseph Spinks for Francis Henshall in in Cause Célèbre Dennis Packham One Man, Two Guvnors • Jessica-Ann Jenner for Little Red • Alex Scotchbrook for William Bloor in Ridinghood in Into The Woods PLAYGOERS’ AWARD Foxfinder • Edie Nelson for Eva in Kindertransport Mary Bramwell • • Max Pritchett for Rapunzel’s Prince in Into The Woods FAVOURITE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE • Martin Bunyan One Man, FAVOURITE FEMALE NEWCOMER Two Guvnors • Kate Drakard for The Baker’s Wife in • Stevie Hughes for for Milky Alfie White/ in Into The Woods Cinderella’s father in Into The Woods • Heather Wain for Maddie Smallbury in • Bruce Wallace for Gabriel York in Far From The Madding Crowd When The Rain Stops Falling • Claire Kingshott for The Witch in Into The Woods FAVOURITE ACTOR IN A SMALLER ROLE • Martin Phillips for Gareth/The FAVOURITE SOUND DESIGN Grubbs' drummer in • Kate Drakard, Simon Tyrell-Lewis One Man, Two Guvnors and Dave Jones for Into The Woods • Michael Baker for Francis Rattenbury • Simon Tyrell-Lewis for in Cause Célèbre One Man, Two Guvnors • Simon Holland for Andrew Price in • Martin Phillips, Keith Jeremiah & Jane When The Rain Stops Falling Lobb for When The Rain Stops Falling
FAVOURITE ACTRESS FAVOURITE COSTUME DESIGN IN A SUPPORTING ROLE • Karen O’Neill and team • Hilary Cordery for Helga for Into The Woods in Kindertransport • • Megan McGery for Fanny Robbins in Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime Far From The Madding Crowd • Debbie Griffiths for • Freya Finnerty for Pauline Clench in Graves & Pauline Armour WWW.THEGLADES.CO.UK One Man, Two Guvnors forDebbie One Griffiths,Man, Two Roxana Guvnors 14 15
BW00996 The Glades Press Ads.indd 1 19/01/2017 10:35 Paul Ackroyd in BLT's February 2017 production of The Heresy of Love
Bethan Boxall and Piers Newman in BLT's February 2017 In The Bar production of Double Top
Gavin Dyer in BLT's March 2017 production of Jumpy
Jonathan Evans in BLT's February 2017 production of The Heresy of Love