September 2011 No. 32 | Bimonthly www.bromleylittletheatre.org FLEA IN HER EAR! (Review: page 4 - Photos Back Cover) INSIDE: SEASON Review: Flea in Her Ear | Love On The Dole PREVIEW Auditions: California Suite | Twelfth Night | Equus Previews: The Glass Menagerie | The Weir | Brassed Off 2012 Howard Wilson Tribute • Events Diary • Noticeboard What’s Inside BLT Chair 2 Playgoers’ Noticeboard 3 Key Contacts 3 Review of Flea in Her Ear 4 The D.R.A.M.A.s 6 Howard Wilson: a tribute 7 BLT’s 2012 Season 8 Audition Notices 12 Previews 14 Diary Dates 16 Claire McRandal as Raymonde in Flea in her Ear will be looking at strategies to increase as many members are aware, BLT Chair the number of set designers, set we cannot make the necessary “I said at the builders, lighting designers, lighting investment in the theatre until beginning of operators etc. we are clear that we have a my previous column in BLT, the company and charity held, its such investment worthwhile. Our Spotlights that AGM on Monday 18 July. Key points currentsufficiently lease long is up lease for torenewal make I was writing at discussed included: at the beginning of 2012 and the beginning • Artistic values remain a key lease is the key priority for the sunny day of strength at BLT. Moreover, with Boardsecuring for a the sufficiently remainder long of newthis theof the summer. first It special thanks to Pauline Armour, year. turns out I’m our aim is to increase further, • Finally, having reported on the sad afraid that it was one of the few sunny the quality and consistency of loss of Tom Pead in the previous days of the summer and I should productions through an artistic edition of Spotlights, BLT lost have stilled my pen because I clearly assurance scheme. The focus Howard Wilson on 28 June. Many brought the dismal summer weather will be on making sure each are aware that Howard, with the we have largely seen ever since. production has support available wonderful support of his wife Christine, fought a positive and Life at BLT continues as always. We that may arise early on in the are in the middle of the August break, productionto iron out any process difficulties and will neurone disease. It was a mark of preparations for the September see longstanding BLT Directors thelife affirmingman that evenbattle in with this motormatter, production of Whipping It Up proceed supporting each other as well as Howard maintained his joyous at hectic pace. Planning for both new Directors to BLT. and quietly persistent approach the 2012 season and membership • to life. Later on in this edition renewal are underway, the youth as previously reported, we have published the tribute to group is up and running and dozens andOur wefinances continue remain to run healthy a Howard from Jane Buckland at of children are preparing themselves the commemoration of his life for an Autumn of weekends spent was had though on the need for on 12 July. That says more than I rehearsing for the December surplus. Significant discussion ever can in this column. But BLT production of Oliver. At the same time, theatre building, for example the has lost a great stage manager we remain, as always, hand to mouth parloussignificant state expenditure of the roof on and the the and actor and I will miss him as a in the back stage running of BLT and need for a new one. This is before person enormously.” one occupation of the Board and we any long desired development Samantha Barrass Playgoers as we go into the Autumn to improve the facilities. However, Bromley Little Theatre - Registered Charity No. 1132561 www.bromleylittletheatre.org Spotlights is published by Bromley Little Theatre Ltd., North Street, Bromley, Kent BR1 1SB. Any views and/or opinions expressed by individuals in Spotlights are done so independently and are not necessarily the opinions of Bromley Little Theatre Ltd or its directors. 2 Playgoers’ NoticeBoard Key Contacts Key Contact Areas: board@bromleylitt letheatre.org Hello everyone! My name is Dominic Howell playgoers@bromleylitt letheatre.org and I’m the new Chairman of the Playgoers’ Committee. Some of you may have seen me on Chairman: stage over the past few years - I played Jeffrey chairman@bromleylitt letheatre.org Tel: 07900 580841 Fairbrother in May’s production of Hi de Hi - Key: Samantha Barrass and others may will have encountered me at the coffee bar in recent months. If you don’t Finance: know me, I hope to meet you at the theatre at fi nance@bromleylitt letheatre.org Key: Howard Binysh some point in the coming months. I joined the Playgoers’ Committee last year as I felt that having appeared on the BLT stage several times, I should try and make a contribution behind the scenes. I took the Artistic: Claire McRandal as Raymonde in Flea in her Ear artistic@bromleylitt letheatre.org view that it is all very well prancing around on stage and having a jolly time in Tel: 07984 722308 costume, but it takes an awful lot of work to put on shows and keep the theatre Keys: Pauline Armour, Jane Buckland running on a day to day basis. In fact, the performances are the tip of the iceberg. As a poacher turned gamekeeper as it were, I’d like to express my gratitude on Youth Group: behalf of the actors to everyone who works to make the shows possible - be that youthgroup@bromleylitt letheatre.org Key: Playgoers & Board sound and lighting, box office, coffee and bar, theatre maintenance, accounts and means audiences can come and see our shows. Membership: finance, legal issues, anything and everything that stops the roof falling in and membership@bromleylitt letheatre.org Tel: 07871 155216 Key: Christina Jeremiah It is customary at this stage to say thank you to my predecessor. Simon Peel has been a tireless servant of the theatre for many years and I am daunted to be Box Offi ce: following in his footsteps. I can say at the outset that I won’t be able to match boxoffi ce@bromleylitt letheatre.org Tel: 07917 853621 his all-around abilities and skills but I do hope I can help in a small way to Key: Sue Clarke make the experience of playgoers to be an enjoyable one. Maybe appearing in fewer shows is the right way to start! I would like to foster a spirit of common Production: endeavour at the theatre and for everyone to bear in mind how many people production@bromleylitt letheatre.org Tel: 07890 724071 give up considerable time and energy to make it the best place to see theatre in Key: Chris Stewart Bromley! If you would like to get involved in any way we are always looking for volunteers to help make our shows better and better. Spotlights: Spotlights@bromleylitt letheatre.org Key: Playgoers & Board Dominic Howell Website: webmaster@bromleylitt letheatre.org Tel: 07939 034437 Key: Paul Johnson Bar: bar@bromleylitt letheatre.org Tel: 01689 870326 Key: Pauline Pead 3 a I won’t attempt to summarise in the plot as we’d be here all day, A her REVIEW if not several weeks. ‘Flea’ was le a once memorably described AdaptedF and directeda by E r as like watching a tennis Stevie Hughes match with twelve players all playing at once. I can • mazingly, like the rest There have been occasions at of his celebrated French BLT when directors have also the aforementioned Old Vic farces, Feydeau’s ‘A acted in their own productions. A versionconfirm whichthis, having I found attended to be Flea in Her Ear’ has never But directing, acting and bewilderingly frenetic and previously been seen at BLT. writing? As Stevie Hughes complex. So I’m glad to report Mind you, I nearly didn’t see pointed out in his programme that here, Feydeau’s maelstrom this production either. By the notes, he had no alternative. of mistaken identity, marital time I got around to booking it was all sold out. Thankfully, as a production by BLT’s I was able to pick up a spare Playgoers’When ‘Flea’ Pick was competition first mooted muchinfidelity, simpler illicit to liasons follow and and far returned ticket, but it was a last year, Stevie agreed to easierflying dentalto enjoy. appliances was close call. direct, little knowing that he would not only have to take In his pivotal dual role as Has this ever happened to you? over the part of ‘Tournel’, but Victor-Emmanuel Chandebise If so, I suggest you sign up that the rights to the play itself and hotel porter Poche, for BLT’s new email bulletins. would be withheld, thanks Tony Wright-Jones was both Simply go to the website at to an impending production exhausting and exhilarating www.bromleylittletheatre.org at the Old Vic. Showing to watch. Sustaining two enter your email address in the commendable tenacity (and such demanding roles must box on the home page (you’ll taking advantage of the fact that Feydeau’s works are now coped with it not just ably, to BLT’) and you’ll be signed out of copyright) he bravely set buthave admirably. been difficult, As his yet wife he upfind automatically. it just under ‘Coming You’ll then Soon about writing his own version, Raymonde, Claire McRandal hit be emailed a gentle and timely retaining the story, characters just the right note and added reminder to book just before and devices but resetting it in a certain coquettish glamour each show. mid-20th Century Paris and re- to the proceedings, aided and jigging the dialogue to make it abetted by the ever-reliable OK commercial over, back to more relevant to modern ears.