Jun 2014 | No. 46 | Quarterly www.BromleyLittleTheatre.org • Reviews: The Thrill Of Love | The Importance Of Being Earnest Two | Clybourne Park • Previews: Julius Caesar | The Cripple Of Inishmaan Collected Grimm Tales • Auditions: Collaborators | Great Expectations THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF + Events Diary + Noticeboard MICHAEL YORK OBE PRESIDENT: Charis Anna Beyer and Sarah Hinchliffe in BLT’s March production of The Importance Of Being Earnest Photo: Tim Hinchliffe (www.timhinchliffe.com) Tim Hinchliffe Photo: Debbie Griffiths and Piers Newman in BLT’s March production of Two. In The Bar Photo: Phil Cairns (http://philcairns.zenfolio.com) Phil Cairns Photo: 2 BLT Chair Playgoers’ - W - Office Suite el Before any detailed architectural plans 6 June and theSpotlights KDA’s is on 7 June). May’s come were drawn up it gradually became obvi offering was (to be reviewed in- Spotlights!to the June ous that we needed to clarify who the September’s ) with Alan Bennett edition of people or organisations were who might giving us his usual poignantly-accurate ob be able to help us to address the landlord’s servations of ordinary people once more. As I write wish to see “bold plans” for the site. On The Playgoers’ Committee continues to this I am - Mark Foley’s advice, we engaged Stephen be active in the interests of the theatre immersed Browning, an arts management consultant and its playgoers: Christina Jeremiah, our in rehears to investigate: Membership Secretary, also acts as sound als for our • potential offers of funding or support;- designer from time to time; Pat Jones, our ambitious Julius Publicity Manager, stage manages and is production Caesar - • potential offers of extra space in prox on the Board of Directors; Paul Ackroyd, of imity to the theatre; and Box Office Manager, is a splendid actor; Jan which I have the privilege of direct The Cripple of Inishmaan. Greenhough, as well as being a talented ing, and am looking forward to the July • partners who may be able to share actor is compiling an up-to-date list of production of space in the theatre (if it was available), - members willing to help build sets (could- or provide daytime activity and rent. These last coupleA of Doll’s months House have seen BLT YOUR name be added to her list ? If so, call extend their productions out into the com He will report back in June and we will be 07946 414 233). Ruth Jarvis is our Secre mercial theatre: had such able to offer further information at the BLT tary - she manages to perform this job and a successful run recently at the Brockley Directors’ AGM on the 21st July at 8pm. occasionally act while bringing up a small - ClybourneJack Theatre Park. that we have been asked family; Rene Meissner is the committee’s back in September with our April show, All of us on the Board are aware of the treasurer; Ami Williamson, another accom A group of BLT actors put fine dramatic tradition of the theatre over plished actor, is on the Board of Directors; on another ‘Murder Mystery Evening’ at the past 75 years and wish to secure the and me – Pauline Pead – I wear three hats: Ferrari’s restaurant in aid of Bromley ‘Y’ theatre’s future in the long term. Please Playgoers’ Chairman, Board of Directors on 1st May, this time before six mayors contact me if you have any questions about and Bar Manager. from surrounding boroughs, including this exciting venture, developments that Would YOU like to join our committee? If the mayor of Bromley no less. As they you would like to see incorporated into our - so, please contact me on 01689 870 326. left, East Street looked like Beverley Hills plans, offers of help or expertise and most We would appreciate your input and assist with the six official cars and their drivers importantly suggestions how we might be Anne Boleyn ance in running your theatre. We are still in attendance! In July, our production of able to fund this development. in need of more volunteers for Bar, Coffee will be onstage at Hever Castle It is going to be very difficult to raise the Bar and Front of House so please come and and we hope many of you will buy tickets money we need and we are proceeding help. for what I’m sure will prove to be a run of cautiously, exploring what is possible some pretty magical performances at such step by step. We may find ultimately that AnneWe are Boleyn looking forward to a fine summer an appropriate venue.www.heverfestival-tickets. All enquiries should we cannot meet the landlord’s request and more great theatre – including taking co.ukbe made01732 directly 866 to 114the Festival Theatre - for “bold plans” but all of us involved are to Hever Castle (see page 5). - Jane Buckland at Hever Castle: determined to try. • ENJOY!- Pauline • Pead or . This is a commer ([email protected]) cial venture and as our actors all give their services for free, we hope to generate some good revenue for BLT. The artistic life of Bromley Little Theatre is thriving, and the theatre manages to put Playgoers’ on consistently high quality shows and draw appreciative audiences month after Committee month. Our beloved building, however, is gradually moving from quaint and quirky - to crumbling and problematic as the years How privileged we are! BLT’s Artistic roll on. This year our landlords, as a condi Directors and directors are churning out tion of the annual lease renewal, asked still more challenging productions for our us to explore “bold plans” for the theatre entertainment and doing us very proud in building and for the past six months the Themaintaining Importance such Of a Being high standard.Earnest March’s Board has been doing just that. We have modern day treatment of Oscar Wilde’s - had exploratory talks with three architects showed experienced in theatre work and selected just how flexibleTwo we can be while still suc Mark Foley from Burrell Foley Fischer to ceeding in pulling it off. Our ‘In The Bar’ begin the process of finding out how we production, , filled me with nothing can improve the facilities for actors and but admiration for the two actors and Kyle- audiences at BLT while retaining the spirit - Cluett’sClybourne debut asPark a director surpassed all Bromley Little Theatre and character of Bromley Little Theatre. expectations. April’s production, the excel Registered Charity No. 1132561 Some of the priorities identified are: ad lent and our entry into the www.BromleyLittleTheatre.org ditional rehearsal space, better facilities Bromley Theatre Guild and Kent Drama President: Michael York OBE and access for our audiences and actors, Association drama festivals, resulted in Spotlights improved technical facilities – oh, and a two very promising adjudications (watch roof that‘Spotlights’ doesn’t leak is designed in a downpour and typeset! by: this space: the BTG awards ceremony is on is published by Bromley Little Theatre COVER: SpotlightsLtd., North Street, Bromley, Kent BR1 1SB. Any Elizabeth Steele in BLT’s March production of 07789 123719 views or opinions expressed by individuals in The Importance Of Being Earnest are done so independently and are graphic design • web design • sound design Call: [email protected] www.triocreative.com Photo: Tim Hinchliffe (www.timhinchliffe.com) not necessarily the opinions of Bromley Little Theatre Ltd. or its directors. Diary Noticeboard & Dates Latest News Playgoers’ Club AGM A letter from Dame Eileen Atkins DBE 2014 Monday 28 Dame Eileen appeared on the BLT stage The annual general meeting of the BLT July 2014 at 8.00pm in 1961. Playgoers’ Club is to be held on “I think the play I did at the Bromley Little Theatre was called , by 1. Apologies for absence Marguerite Duras. I was in my mid-twen- there 2. Minutes of the AGM of 3 May 2013 ties and it was directed byThe Toby Square Robertson, are no shows on Sundays. 3. Matters arising from the minutes who became a great friend. Except for ‘In The Bar’ productions, Programme 4. Chairman’s report I have fond memories of the experience as subjectFri 6 - Sat to change.14 Jun 2014 at 7.45pm 5. Treasurer’s report I had no idea that Marguerite Duras was Julius Caesar highly regarded by intellectuals and that 6. Bar Treasurer’s report all sorts of important people would find Directed by Jane Buckland 7. Membership Secretary’s report their way to Bromley. by William Shakespeare Fri 4 - Sat 12 Jul 2014 at 7.45pm 8. Election of committee (nominations I just loved the play (which had been to reach the Secretary by Monday 21 adapted from the novel – it’s not possible The Cripple Of July 2014) to find a copy of the play- certainly not in Inishmaan 9.NOMINATIONS Any other business English anyway). It got reviewed in all the posh papers and I especially, (it’s a two Directed by Nikki Packham - hander) got wonderful reviews (at least I by Martin McDonagh Members may nominate themselves or think I did; as I don’t keep anything, I may Thu 24 - Sat 26 Jul 2014 other members for election to the Com be wrong). YOUTH THEATRE PRODUCTION mittee. Nominees must indicate their Collected Grimm Tales willingness to stand if nominated by others At that time, I had no agent and a grand and be supported by another member if literary agent was there and persuaded nominated by themselves. Nominations are his agency, London Management, to take DirectedAdapted by TundeCarol AnnEuba, Duffy Joel Trill invited from asRuth broad Jarvis a cross section of the me on, so I got my first agent, a wonderful &Dramatised Helen Dunlea by Tim Supple [email protected] as possible.