WESTERHAM AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY Edition 14. May 2020

THE GREEN ROOM

Dear All, It was in early March that I last wrote to you, some 18 weeks ago and what a strange period for us all. I hope that you and your family have feared well during the lock down period, and we can all now see life returning to some semblance of normality, albeit with restrictions. As you will appreciate not a lot has happened on the WADS front in that period but I thought I would bring you up to date on the following. In case you missed it, the WADS entry into the Sevenoaks Drams Festival was a production of Kiss Me, a new play by Richard Bean (One Man and Two Governor’s) which was highly praised by the judges. Congratulation again to Ghislaine Bowden, cast and team. We were very lucky as lock-down started the next week. The WADS BIG FAT QUIZ, again, was a great success, with a packed hall, again squeezed in just before lock-down, adding a much needed £1,000 to our coffers; thanks to Nick and Amanda for organising the great evening’s entertainment. The AGM was held on the 11th March, and all existing Officers and Members were re-elected. Looking ahead. It is disappointing that the Corona Virus hijacked our Centenary year, BUT, in the theatrical tradition, the Show, or in this case The Centenary, will go on. As I mentioned in my note in March, with a bit of artistic licence, we will celebrate in full style next year, 2021. The Committee has decided that putting on a Christmas production is unwise and a little early, we are not sure how an audience would react and with the current Born out of one World War, and only Social Distancing requirements as they currently stand will make rehearsals very paused during the second, WADS has difficult and cleaning requirement nigh on impossible. been a constant in Westerham for one So on to our Centenary Year, 2021! hundred years - until now. 2020, our 100th birthday, is the first year WADS has not This year’s productions carry forward, in May 2021 we will stage The Ghost Train staged a show, with the exception of the directed by Sandra Barfield and hopefully the same cast and team; the Christmas last national emergency, WWII. Panto will be Aladdin, complete with Centenary Gala Night, and will be directed by Judy Duffield. Keith Neville has agreed to direct WADS in May 2022. So a full and All through the Great Depression we kept busy programme ahead. Westerham’s pecker up staging a variety of remarkably recent, at the time, farces and The Social events remain the same for next year, with The WADS 1920s Summer comedies. We swung into the sixties with Ball date yet to be set courtesy Ashton and Mark at Lewins. The Irregular Verb To Love; saw All of this is of course subject to the ongoing COVID pandemic. decimalisation in with our first Tom Stoppard play, and the Country’s entry into We have a few articles for this edition, the first, reviving a regular feature looking at Europe with The Noble Spaniard; and in individual members and their roles in WADS in the style of a question and answer typical contrary style, marked the Winter of session, in this one Julie Tushingham talks to Marc Fraser about stage Discontent, ignoring the refuse piled high management. on the streets and the constant strikes and There is a reflective piece by Judy Duffield on the Close Down and WADS power cuts, by staging our first open air production of a A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1999. production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in the fragrant surroundings of Squerryes Subject to some feats of great Technical ability it is hoped that we can follow in the Lodge. And there it was we returned foot steps of others and share on a private YouTube link some WADS previous twenty years later to stage Shakespeare’s performance’s. We will announce dates for this in due course. masterpiece once again, marking the end Finally, do you have any reflections on the last few months, or ideas for the future of the millenium. Even the blizzards of of WADS that you would like to share for inclusion in the next Green Room? Let 2010 did not stop us, as those involved me know. with the production of Flint Street Nativity will remember. Keep Safe Jeffrey Adams It’s been quite a ride over those years, we’ve had four homes, The Drill Hall, St.Mary’s Hall (twice), the WI Hall and, of course, Westerham Hall. Contacts We want to ask all our members for their Jeff Adams, Chair Judy Duffield, Membership memories of WADS and productions that [email protected] [email protected] featured in your lives. To aid you, there is a Bev Newbold, Secretary Mark Mountjoy, Treasurer full list printed here, starting on page 2. [email protected] [email protected] The Green Room Edition 14. Page 2

Q4: What has been your most and for some reason there was always 10 Questions with... challenging production to work on and loads of dry ice everywhere. As by Julie Tushingham why? opportunities to be involved in theatre Marc Fraser, WADS’ Stage Manager For me, most productions are challenging. productions came along, I volunteered and For this edition of the Green Room’s 10 It’s probably because we’re passionate gradually became more involved. Now I’m Questions with we’re focusing on the role about our audiences enjoying it and so we lucky enough to use that experience in of the Stage Manager. want to put on the best show we can. It’s working with WADS. The stage manager is vital to the tough sometimes if we’re up against short Q9: What do people not know about production team. The role requires good time frames or a tight budget. But working being a stage manager that they should? organizational skills, the ability to keep with a team of committed, dedicated and I think being a stage manager can be quite calm in a crisis and a keen eye for detail. hardworking volunteers – all of whom have stressful. You definitely need to know how We’re fortunate to be talking with Marc a keen eye for detail - we usually pull it off. to stay calm under pressure. It’s rather like Fraser, who recently successfully managed Q5: What are the top skills a Stage the swan analogy – you must appear calm the WADS/CHiPs panto A Dickens of a Manager must have? on the surface but underneath you are Christmas Carol and WADS 2019 Spring It’s essential to be confidently calm under paddling like mad to stay afloat. Staying production, The Cemetary Club. pressure because the unexpected can and calm helps everyone else to stay the same. Marc and his wife Cheryl had their own usually does happen. You need to be It also makes the Stage Manager’s job look production company back in the ‘80s and flexible and prepared to make decisions quite easy – and if you’re doing that then were responsible for producing some of quickly. Multi-tasking is also an asset as is you’re doing it right. the largest corporate sales conferences delegating because there’s always so Q10: If you could stage manage any and product launches of that era. much to do. I’ve also had to learn when to production what would it be and why? Companies such as Lotus Software, say ‘No’. That’s was a tough one for me as Oh, that’s easy! I would like to stage British Telecom, Sun Microsystems and frequently the ideas are brilliant. manage Jesus Christ Super Star. In my Memorex were all regular clients and Q6: What was the first production that books, it has everything. The visuals are benefitted from their dedication and Marc’s you stage managed and what did you great and the music is fabulous and expertise. During this time he also regularly learn from that experience? emotive. All of these elements working worked on TV commercials, exhibitions together make it a fantastic experience for and theatre productions. His first That was Aladdin in 2003. I’ll always remember because both my children the audience. Which is really, what it’s all production with WADS was Aladdin in about. 2003. performed in it. I loved watching them rehearse and develop their characters. Here’s Marc’s insights on what it takes to When it came to the performance, I WADS be a stage manager. realised the WADS standard was far above Q1: What is the role of the Stage any amateur drama group I had come 1920 - 2020 Manager? across. They were and are so professional. 2020 The Stage Manager can get involved in Q7: What has been one of your most Postponed - COVID-19 pandemic many different projects related to the unusual productions? 2019 production but the main responsibility is I think that would have to be the The Cemetery Club coordinating and overseeing all of the production we did for McVities back in the 2018 production departments and being the ‘80’s when we helped them with a Panto. The Last of The Haussmanns liaison between the actors and the The leadership team were focused on Cinderella technical team. motivating their sales force to increase Q2: Who does the Stage Manager work sales and also communicating some key 2017 with and how does the role impact the messages to their employees. They Unexpected Guest production? thought a panto would be a fun way for Come On, Jeeves! It’s important that the production be tight them to deliver their message and also 2016 so that everyone knows exactly where they engage their staff and we were hired to Beauty and the Beast are supposed to be at any given time and produce the panto. In itself that doesn’t 2015 the lighting and props are well rehearsed. sound too unusual. But, instead of Just the Three of Us I’ve always found that good bringing in professional actors they insisted Miss Terious communication is key. I work closely with we use their employees in the cast. Some Season’s Greetings were natural performers and had great all members of the crew and the 2014 performers to assess risks and respond to time learning lines, songs and dressing up. But I don’t think that any of them were The Cherry Orchard questions as quickly as I can. This Snow White approach allows us all to be on the same prepared to see their CEO as the dame. page and the production team and cast There were lots of photos taken that night 2013 feel more confident and comfortable and I wouldn’t be surprised if they never Trivial Pursuits working together. When we’re all working saw him quite the same way again. I’ve Little Red’s Revenge together everyone enjoys it – including the certainly never seen anything like it since. Wizard of Oz audience. Q8: What made you want to stage 2012 Q3: Which has been the most fun manage? Mrs. Brown’s Jubilee production and why? I love to build things and years ago, as a Jack and the Beanstalk WADS productions are always lots of fun, stage carpenter, I became interested in the 2011 especially when the show is essentially technical and production side. I was The Seagull ready and everyone is comfortable with intrigued by how it all worked together and Charmed Life what they’re doing. For me one of the I wanted to learn. I decided the best Wind in the Willows most fun shows was Mrs Browns Golden approach was to watch others and so I 2010 Jubilee. The characters were great. My paid attention, asked questions and The Flint Street Nativity wife, Cheryl played the fairy with the bent eventually worked my way into the Just Between Ourselves position. Initially, I was involved in lots of wand – which got me laughing every time. 2009 I enjoyed the production even though I was corporate sales launches. I learned how to master technical laser lighting, moving sets Alice in Wonderland on drums for most of it. Rumours The Green Room Edition 14. Page 3

Midsummer Nightmare!! by Judy Duffield We have all endured and some of us may Ashton Taylor–Smith created the amazing have enjoyed, lockdown. Covid has designs using the gardens and the lake as scuppered all plans for our society this a fabulous backdrop and it was ultimately year but the process was necessary and the collaboration of about 150 people who hopefully we have all come through it, made this happen. The lighting, sound and safely. Our hearts go out to all those who music were highly professional and the have suffered illness and bereavement at generators that supplied the power this grim time, but the sun is still shining, hummed away, with constant toping up of and we will get through this. fuel throughout the week-long run. I was thinking about last year’s freedoms, We were well supported by Sevenoaks which I took so much for granted, but one District Council as part of their Arts particular event I fondly remember, was a Development Programme that year, and trip to see The Bridge Theatre’s production were also able to raise a significant amount of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, last of money, £15,000 in all, for the Hospice in August. I have to say it was one of the the Weald with the Charity Gala Night. most amazing, joyous versions of this play The cast were WADS members as well as I have ever had the privilege to see. I was others from further afield such as The Stag sitting next to a lady I had never met before Theatre and Trinity Youth Theatre and and we turned to each other at the end other local drama groups. I recall the and said, “What have we just seen?”, both rehearsal schedule being very long and the lost for words, and for me that’s no mean commitment from everyone involved to Front cover of the programme for the 1999 production feat. So great joy when I learned that it was make this work was amazing. We were It is probable that theatres up and down being streamed via YouTube by NT Live. workshopped and tutors by professionals, the land will have to stay dark for a while I was a little anxious, as the atmosphere Louise Jameson to name one, had props until ‘Covid Safe’ environments can be created in the theatre was such an integral made by the NT workshop, original music created, and we need to support where and important part of this version of the played live to counterpoint Ashton’s we can. There are pleas from everywhere play, I wondered how it would translate to sumptuous choice of the Shostakovich for help. Theatre cannot survive for long the small screen, but it did not disappoint. Jazz Suite. Happy days indeed! without an income and unfortunately it is It was a different experience, as the Meanwhile, we deal with the current crisis likely that the big Christmas money production was immersive, but I still felt in theatre land and quite how this is going spinners, the pantomimes and festive immersed!! I was singing and dancing with to be resolved nobody is sure. A very shows on which all theatres depend so the audience and certainly enjoying the generous grant from the Government has much, are unlikely to happen this year. We weddings again! recently enabled many larger venues, as a society are doing all we can to ensure This fabulous interpretation of theatres, museums etc to breathe, but I our own future and we are all looking Shakespeare’s play took me back to 1999, expect there will be many smaller theatres forward to our postponed 100 year’s when WADS put together their own A still wondering how they are going to anniversary celebrations in 2021. We will Midsummer Night’s Dream production benefit and how much of this much be keeping you up to speed with all our which took place in the beautiful setting of needed funding will be coming their way. celebrations to come. Squerryes Lodge, by kind permission of But here is one thing that’s certain, theatre For the time being, continue to keep well Minnie Churchill who was living there with and the creative arts are such an important and we can’t wait to meet up as soon as her family at the time. This was an part of our life, and WADS will be back, we can safely do so. extraordinary production which we were all maybe not with something so adventurous Miss you all! proud to be part of. Mark Mountjoy was as our 1999 production just yet, but who the producer and Anna Merton directed, knows?

2008 2001 1995 Radio Active Cinderella Jack the Ripper Pack of Lies The Real Mrs. Danvers.. The Vackees 2007 2000 Flare Path Sleeping Beauty A Christmas Carol 1994 Oh! What a Lovely War Ten Times Table The Farndale Murder Mystery 2006 1999 Cautionary Tales That Was the 60s that Was Music Hall 1993 Snake in the Grass A Midsummer Nights Dream Trelawney of the Wells 2005 Lettice & Lovage Saloon Bar Peter Pan Little Prince Pied Piper Look! No Hans... 1998 1992 2004 Journey's End Music Hall Rosenkrantz & Guildenstern are Dead The Way of the World The Empire Strikes Back (D-Day Revue) Hobson's Choice Jack in the Ben Stalk 2003 1997 1991 Aladdin Dick Whittington Sacred Flame The Seven Deadly Sins Handful of Dreams From One Thing to Another Arsenic & Old Lace 1996 Three into One 2002 Gigi 1990 The Memory of Water Waiting in the Wings Pack of Lies Rebecca Daisy Pulls it Off Oliver Twist The Green Room Edition 14. Page 4

Semi-detached The Giaconda Smile Quiet Weekend 1989 The Noble Spaniard 1949 Sinbad the Sailor 1972 No Medals Blythe Spirit Albert's Bridge & Gosforth's Fete The Shop at Sly Corner The Ragged Child 1971 1948 1988 Good Night Mrs. Puffin The Wishing Well Pink String and Sealing Wax 1970 Wasn't it Odd? The Boyfriend The Edwardians 1940-47 Charley's Aunt 1969 Suspended - World War 2 1987 Pygmalion 1939 Intent to Murder Tovarich Barefoot in the Park 1968 Housemaster 1986 Miranda 1938 The Heiress The Chalk Garden Winter Sunshine The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Sing a Song of Sixpence 1967 1937 Autumn Manoeuvres The Holly and the Ivy The Mystery at Greenfingers Book of the Month The Ghost Train 1985 The Elder Miss Blossom Alphabetical Order 1966 Aladdin The Deep Blue Sea 1936 Hay Fever 1965 Yellow Sands Autumn Crocus 1984 A Letter from the General Waltz of the Toreadors The Irregular Verb To Love 1935 Under Milk Wood 1964 Fresh Fields The Wizard of Oz Suddenly Last Summer 1934 Whose Life is it Anyway? Save the Standard Outward Bound 1983 1963 Cock Robin The Aspern Papers Someone Waiting 1933 Goldilocks Waiting in the Wings Marigold The Lion in Winter 1962 Thark 1982 Duet for Two Hands 1932 Commercial Break & Dock Brief Two Dozen Red Roses The Thirteenth Chair The Reluctant Debutante 1961 The Middle Watch 1981 The Ring of Truth 1931 The Constant Wife The Heiress Tons of Money Noah 1960 Other People's Worries House by the Lake 1930 1980 Breath of Spring The Headmaster Voyage Round my Father 1959 Interference The Importance of Being Earnest Georgiana 1929 What Are You Doing Here A Question of Fact Five Birds in a Cage Move Over Mrs. Markham 1958 The Old Lady Shows Her Medals 1979 Blythe Spirit The Will Ladies in Retirement The Peaceful Inn Dear Brutus Music Hall 1957 1928 1978 My Three Angels The Cheerful Knave A Midsummer Night's Dream Anastasia The Sport of Kings Murder on Arrival 1927 Wanted One Body 1956 Madame Tic-Tac The Barton Mystery 1977 Waters of the Moon Tilly of Bloomsbury The Browning Version & Black Comedy 1926 Children's Day 1955 It's Never Too Late Nothing But The Truth 1976 The Orchard Walls Grumpy An Office of Profit & 1925 The Real Inspector Hound 1954 Lord Richard in the Pantry Lloyd George Knew My Father Murder at the Vicarage 1924 Ring Round the Moon This Undesirable Residence A Very Taking Lady 1975 1953 Waiting for the Bus It's Autumn Now, The Rose and Crown Queen Elizabeth Slept Here When Knights Were Bold & The Man in the Case Viceroy Sarah The Magistrate Man About the House 1952 1922 Alphabetical Order A Play for Ronnie Box and Cox Music Hall Bonaventure Me and My Diary Rebecca The Man from Blankley's 1974 1921 1951 Hands Across the Sea & A Resounding Beauty and the Barge The Paragon Tinkle 1920 The First Mrs. Fraser I'll Get My Man The Boatswain's Mate Hedda Gabler 1950 Freezing a Mother-in-law 1973 Ten Little Indians In the Cellar