'As You Like It' by William Shakespeare, directed by Val Foskett.

One of his loveliest rom-coms complete with lovers, clowns, wrestling(!) and a masque; all given that modern touch by our resident Shakespeare guru to make it as accessible and entertaining today as yesteryear.

Critical Details:

• MONDAY 28th July - Val's workshop on 'As You Like It' - a brilliant introduction to what it's all about, how to do it and why it's not all "men in tights". *
• Monday 11th Aug & and Thursday 14th Aug - AUDITIONS; *
• *** CANCELLED *** + Thursday 31st July - extra audition day for anyone who can't make above dates *** CANCELLED ***
• TBC Monday 18th Aug - First Rehearsal (every Mon/Thurs evgs from this date until 23/11). *
• Sunday 23rd Nov - Saturday 29th Nov - Production Week at the Wimbledon Studio.

* At Wimbledon Community Centre, St Georges Road Wimbledon, Rooms C/D at 8.00 pm.

STOP PRESS: And if you fancy seeing what it's all about, a couple of bods are watching the Guildford Shakespeare Company performing 'As You Like It' tomorrow evening (Wednesday 23rd) at 7.30 pm beside the lake on the university campus. Tickets cost £14 and concessions are available. If you fancy joining them please Contact Us.

Then come along and see this sparkling Carlton Rehearsed Reading "Idiocracy" - you'll then see that someone else is suffering more!

In this play, Toby and Nicky are definitely bearing the brunt of an overly bureaucratic, privatised-in-all-but-name health and welfare system. But when an experimental drug provided by the Army Medical Corps turns Nicky's shell-shocked war veteran brother into a murderous automaton, all sorts of strange things start to happen.

FRIDAY 18th JULY at 7:45 pm - Main Hall, Wimbledon Community Centre, 28 St George's Street, SW19 - entrance programmes £5.

Written by fellow member Neil Kelly and directed by Kathie Arundell - don't miss it!

And the new committee is...

Chair - David Hall
Vice Chair - Kathie Arundell
Secretary - Alison Raffan
Treasurer - Andrew Candish
Membership Sec - Claire Hoult/Debbie Fowler
Newsletter Editor - Rob de la Poer (with web assistance from Jeremy Wray until further notice)
Publicity - Alun Goodman
Social/Fundraising - Joanne Crabtree
Stage Manager - Jeff Graves

"Is bureaucracy idiotic; do idiots love bureaucracy; is Idiocracy really Idiocy covered up!"

For the uninitiated, a Rehearsed Reading is just like a full production, only you have scripts!

Monday 30th June @ 8.00pm Rms C&D, Wimbledon Community Centre - Neil will give a summary of the play, followed by a 'taster' read-through and auditions!

There will be about 4 - 5 rehearsals, with first rehearsal on Thurs 3rd July.

VITAL STATS: Cast size - 12, even split men/women, all ages.

The play proved very popular at a recent Workshop read-through, so come along and take part in this winning production!

With direction by Kathie Arundell and help from the Committee team, we hope you will be there on Monday 30th!

This sparkling comedy "Idiocracy" written by the Carlton's very own Neil Kelly will be performed as a Rehearsed Reading in the Wimbledon Community Centre's Main Hall on Thurs 17th - Sat 19th July at 7:45 pm.

The following DVD's are now available:

1) The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui (unfortunately this is missing some of the end of Act 1 i.e. part of the courtroom scene)
2) Carlton 80th Anniversary party

At a cost of:

£5 for Arturo Ui
£8 for 80th

or £12 for both (i.e. £1 discount)

Plus 50p Post & Packing

To get hold of these gems of theatre, lovingly distilled down for the small screen, you'll need to do the following:

1. Write a cheque made out to "Carlton Dramatic Society" to the value of the DVD(s) you want (don't forget to add 50p P&P to the total).

2. Use the Contact Us form to email us, putting "DVD Offer" in the subject. In the email body put the address to which you want your DVD(s) sent to, plus a contact number. Then we'll email you the address of where to send your cheque to.

Please allow 28 days for delivery.

Here are the committee, as voted in by the membership at the Annual General Meeting, July 2008, with changes included since then.

	David Hall Chair "The Boss" Responsibilities To Chair meetings, making sure agenda/relevant topics are covered, that everyone has their say, keeping members on the point, summing up points made, instituting a vote when necessary. Tactfully defusing the situation when the discussion gets heated. Making sure that the interests of all the membership are considered: younger and older, male and female, well-off and hard-up etc. Not dominating, bullying or overpowering the rest of the Committee. Book theatre venues.
Kathie Arundell Vice-chair "The Wing Commander" Responsibilities Chairing members when Chairman is absent – as (1) and (2) above. Between them, the Chairman and Vice Chairman should try to be aware of the opinions, aspirations, interests of the membership, aided by the rest of the Committee. As (3) above. Taking responsibility for booking/cancelling space: rehearsals rooms, Annual General Meeting etc. To represent the Society on the Wimbledon Community Association Committee. (This is subject to confirmation)
	Alison Raffan Secretary "The Woman of Words" Responsibilities Keeping minutes of Committee meetings. Circulating copies to Committee members and others as appropriate. Initiating and dealing with correspondence as appropriate – (typing/wordprocessing skills an advantage!) In liaison with Treasurer/Newsletter Secretary, maintaining uptodate membership list. Making appropriate arrangements for Annual General Meeting ie distribution/collection of nomination forms etc.
Andrew Candish Treasurer "The Money Man" Responsibilities Keeping us solvent; keeping our accounts up to date (and arranging audit at year-end). Being on hand to collect new members’ subscriptions particularly around audition times. Spotting possible financial implications in plans for new productions and helping directors etc to make sensible estimates and keep within them. Dealing with banking, floats, etc. Dispatching cheques to cover rights, theatre bookings etc
	Debbie Fowler/Claire Hoult Membership Secretary "The Name Collectors" Responsibilities Maintain the email accounts (including answering emails from prospective members, maintaining and updating the email address lists / folders and dealing with other emails as appropriate. Develop and update the membership database Communicate regularly with current and prospective members and keep them informed of news, productions and other events Maintain an up to date membership address list and distribute it to the membership at regular intervals Liaise with other members of the committee eg Hon Treasurer, Social and Fundraising Representatives so as to be aware of matter which need to be raised with Carlton members.
Rob de la Poer Newsletter Editor "The Communicator" Responsibilities Noting down anything arising from Committee meetings which needs to be publicised to the membership. Encouraging other members to submit letters, articles, pictures etc. Continuing to produce and distribute, as required, an informative / attractive / entertaining Newsletter which the membership will really want to read. In liaison with information received from Treasurer, distribution of membership list with Newsletter.
	Alun Goodman Publicity Person "The Press Gang" Responsibilities Press, posters, programme printing. Liaison with local schools; maintaining contact lists with Heads of Drama/Modern Languages/English so as to be aware of the syllabus. Maintaining a Source List for programme printing/costume hire/props/furniture/equipment etc (with assistance from membership and Committee members).
Jo Crabtree Social and Fundraising Officer "The Party Animal" Responsibilities To arrange social events which attract/include as many of the membership as possible: older/younger, male/female, well-off/hard-up To keep members not currently involved in a production (in touch), and part of the family. To arrange theatre trips to broaden our joint knowledge of plays and acting styles. To arrange fundraising events which are fun as well as profitable Arrangement of Raffle at productions; Christmas Party arrangements
	Jeff Graves Stage Management Officer "Smoke and Mirrors" Responsibilities Spotting the technical implications of suggested new productions; knowing the technical capabilities of the venues we use, what is possible and what will cost extra. Arranging for Director(s) to meet with Committee, as appropriate, to monitor and progress generally and specifically updating on lighting/sound/costume/props etc. Gives Committee opportunity to ensure timetables are being met relative to the original schedule that was presented. Ensuring that people are available and trained to undertake duties such as lighting and sound.

All Committee Members

1. To take a long view of the Carlton: where it is going; forward planning etc.
2. Maintaining good relations within the Society and with outside organisations: Theatres, Community Centres etc
3. Keeping in touch with the rest of the membership – eg by attending rehearsals etc
4. Arranging sufficient productions, workshops, readings etc to maintain the interest and participation of our current (large and enthusiastic) membership.

The official website for 'Fred and Madge' has now been updated with a huge gallery of photos from Simon Harris, and all the background information and blurb from the programme.

The Carlton's fame is spreading far and wide, and news of 'Fred and Madge' has hit Broadway (and I don't mean Wimbledon Broadway!)!. Click here or on the New York Times logo to read their listing for of Fred and Madge.

Like comedy? Like surreal comedy? Like surreal black humour comedy?

If the answer's 'yes' to any of the above, then you MUST see Carlton's new production of Joe Orton's 'Fred and Madge' - it'll make 'Green Wing' look boring. Like previous Carlton productions it's bound to be a sell-out, so book NOW to ensure you don't miss out. Why not get a group along to help support your fellow thesps? Here's the important stuff:

• When: Tues 5th June - Sat 9th June, 7.45pm (3.00pm Sat matinee)
• Where: New Wimbledon Studio Theatre, The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1QG
• How much: £8.50 - £12.00
• To buy tickets: ring Box Office 0870 060 6646, or online here.

With a sparkling cast, masterly directed by Carlton veteran Val Foskett, it's going to be a production to remember - so ring that Box Office.

We are urgently looking for a volunteer to help Simon Harris with the lights during the Fred and Madge production. This involves:

• Being available for dress and technical rehearsals on Sunday 3 June and Monday 4 June
• Being available for performances from Tues 5 June to Saturday 9 June (including the Saturday matinee)
• Talking through what's involved with Simon between now and then - if you've never done lighting before don't worry

Advantages: An automatic invitation to the aftershow celebrations and (if you're new) a chance to get to know other people in the group.

If you're able to help, or want to know more info, please e-mail the committee!