T THEA AS TR O E OAST NOTES TO E NBRIDG October 2015 2 Thursday, 1st October Youth Theatre Taster Workshop TUESDAY, 6TH OCTOBER LAST DAY FOR COPY FOR NOVEMBER OAST NOTES Tuesday, 6th October Youth Theatre "Fallout" at Woking Monday, 12th October & Auditions: Wednesday, 14th October "Blood Money" Thursday, 15th October Youth Theatre: "The Life of Someone Normal" at Woking Saturday, 17th October to Play of the Month Saturday, 24th October incl. "For Services Rendered" Tuesday, 20th October Defibrillator Course in Hildenborough Sunday, 25th October Audition: "All My Sons" Sunday, 22nd November & Auditions: Monday, 23rd November "Absurd Person Singular" Wednesday, 25th November Members' Evening: Funny Girls NEXT MONTH’S PLAY – “Seeing the Lights” by Brendan Murray. th st th 14 – 21 November. All Mum wants for her 80 birthday is a visit from her son who lives in Australia and a trip to Blackpool to see the lights. Will she get either? 3 PLAY OF THE MONTH “For Services Rendered” by W Somerset Maugham This is one of Somerset Maugham’s last plays before he retired to the south of France. It is also his most controversial, dealing as it does with the effects of the Great War on an ordinary middle class family. His anger about the plight of servicemen, returned from the trenches and left to their own devices, is obvious and didn’t go down too well with the audiences of 1932 when it was first performed. Critics, on the other hand, raved about it. In the prophetic words of the Ardsley’s son, Sydney, “the incompetent fools who ruled the nations....one of these days will muddle us all into another war”. It is late summer in that year of 1932 and the Ardsleys are entertaining their family and friends to some tennis and tea on the terrace of their house in Kent. But, within this seemingly peaceful and idyllic setting, desperate wives, bitter heroes and restless youth combine to create a heady cocktail in this darkly amusing and fascinating play. So, join us for an evening of humour, drama and maybe even some tears, as you watch the ultimate ‘well-made play’ with no bad language and, surprisingly for its period, no smoking either! Valerie Galbraith Director This really is an excellent play so, although you may not have heard of it, don’t let that put you off coming to see it. Book your tickets NOW to avoid disappointment. You can do this online at www.oasttheatre.com by telephone on 01732 363849 or by post using an Advance Booking form which can be found in the foyer at the theatre. 4 “Blood Money” by The Heather Brothers Auditions: Monday, 12th October Wednesday, 14th October both at 8.00pm in Ken’s Place Performance dates: 20th – 27th February, 2016 Director: Chris Howland – 07515 270301 [email protected] Womaniser Mike Mason, star of TV’s ‘Bargain Basement’ and his wife Liz were involved in a hit and run accident in which a young teenage girl Carol Mitchell was killed. They continue with their lives until seven years later they receive a call from someone claiming to be the dead girl. Returning home later that night from an award ceremony, the couple find their house trashed and the name ‘Carol Mitchell’ painted on the wall...in blood! And so the nightmare begins. After a roller-coaster ride of twists and turns the play finally reaches its dramatic conclusion as the full shocking truth of Carol Mitchell’s death is revealed...along with the identity of the protagonist. CAST: Mike Mason 35-55 Liz Mason 35-55 Sue Thompson 18-25 Dr Julie Campbell 40-60 Plus voice-overs Rehearsals will start in December. 5 NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS At this time of the year, the start of our new season, Associate Members as well as members can apply to renew their subscriptions. We are very pleased that all the following Associate Members have agreed to continue their support during the coming season. Castle Corporate Finance Limited CJC Consultancy Ltd Columbine Dry Cleaners & Shirt Laundry Comfyfood – Private Caterer EJP Fire Protection Ltd Heasmans the Jewellers Ltd. Hildenborough Farmers’ Market High Hilden Country House Living for the Elderly Osmond Davis Insurance Brokers Tonbridge Angels Football Club Rotary Club of Tonbridge Susan Adams Business Services Tonbridge Lions Club Willetts Farm Dairy Ice Cream Worldwide Travel Insurance Services Ltd We are so grateful to them all. Please remember to try to support them as they are supporting us. 6 “All My Sons” by Arthur Miller Audition: Sunday, 25th October – 11.30am –1.00pm Performance dates: 12th – 19th March, 2016 Director: Sandra Barfield – 07973 657311 or [email protected] Joe Keller, a successful businessman, lives comfortably with his wife, Kate, and son, Chris, in a suburban American neighbourhood. They have only one sadness in their lives – the loss of their other son, Larry, who went missing in World War II. After three years Kate still clings to the hope that her son is alive. Chris would like her to give up that hope because he wants to marry Ann, an old neighbour and Larry’s former fiancée. “All My Sons” is a compelling story of love, guilt and the corrupting power of greed. No ages of the characters have been stipulated apart from that of Chris and Lydia. As long as the ‘look’ is right of the other characters in relation to them, then their real age is not important. CAST Joe Keller A business man. Seems solid and reliable. Chris Keller (32 ish) Joe’s surviving son. A man capable of immense affection and loyalty. Kate Keller Mother. Her ‘motherliness’ is one of her defining characteristics. 7 “All My Sons”contd. Ann Deever Daughter of Steve Deever, former neighbour of the Kellers and former fiancée of the missing Larry Keller. George Deever Brother of Ann. He grew up as the Keller’s neighbour before his father was imprisoned. Dr Jim Bayliss A world-weary doctor living next door to the Kellers. Sue Bayliss Jim’s wife. Because she put her husband through medical school she still has a sort of power over him. Frank Lubey He is lucky. He avoided the draft in World War II, married Lydia and set up a nice house for him and their three children. Lydia Lubey (27ish) She used to have ‘a thing’ with serious old George but, when he enlisted in the army, she gave him up and married Frank. Bert He is a neighbourhood kid who comes around the Kellers. He only appears twice in the play. The first time seems unimportant but the second time he sparks a verbal attack from the mother when mentioning gaol. Scripts are available to read. Please contact the Director – details on the previous page. 8 “Absurd Person Singular” by Alan Ayckbourn Auditions: Sunday, 22nd November – 2.30pm Monday, 23rd November – 7.30pm both in Ken’s Place (The Barn) Performance dates: 22nd (Friday) – 30th April, 2016 Director: Phil Porter – 01732 835460 or [email protected] A three act comedy that begins light and fluffy but ends dark and manic. Alcoholism, numerous suicide attempts and accidental but non-fatal electrocutions are not the standard elements of farce. The play concerns three couples, each holding a party in their respective kitchens on three successive Christmas Eves. The Hopcrofts are the social inferiors of the others but are determined to make their mark. At the play’s end they are physically and emotionally triumphant, forcing the rest to take part in a series of rituals that are funny but deeply humiliating. Act 2 has considerable scope for physical theatre: full of movement that needs precision timing and some agility. THE CHARACTERS ARE: Sydney Hopcroft – 30ish, dapper, cheery, unflappable. A born organiser. Jane Hopcroft – 30ish, obsessed with housework and cleanliness. 9 “Absurd Person Singular”contd. Geoffrey Jackson – mid 30s, good looking, confident, easy going. Eva Jackson – mid 30s, makes no concessions in either manner or appearance. Ronald Brewster-Wright – mid 40s, impressive appearance. Marion Brewster-Wright – 40, well-groomed. Much better preserved than Ronald. As always the ages of the characters as shown are guidelines only. The play will be set in a ‘black box’. The three different kitchens will be represented by the appropriate furniture but there will be no back flats, doors or windows. As all Ayckbourn’s plays were originally performed in the round, these scenic devices are obviously unnecessary. The play will probably be costumed for the present day. 10 Make a note of the date! MEMBERS' EVENING Wednesday, 25th November – 7.30pm for 8.00pm FUNNY GIRLS: BRITISH COMEDIENNES FROM THE 1930s – 1960s We welcome Geoff Bowden to give us an entertaining talk that will cover many wonderful artistes including Beryl Reid, Hattie Jacques, June Whitfield, Elsie and Doris Waters and Joyce Grenfell. The talk will include some audio clips. Ever since he can remember Geoff has had a love of the theatre and performing. He formed his own musical revue company in 1989 which toured successfully. He is an active member of the British Music Hall Society’s main committee, and he gives talks regularly on various theatrical topics. There will be a charge of £2.00 for this evening, payable on the night. No need to book, just turn up! If you would like a tour of the theatre please come at 7.30pm if possible. The bar and coffee bar will be open. Look forward to seeing you! Jo Pierce 11 THE OAST YOUTH THEATRE ON TOUR! The Oast Youth Theatre are to Woking to perform in the drama festival at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre.