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Alfie - 2-7 August 2004, the backside view by Kate Mitchell
August was a hot, wet and wild month, filled with short term love affairs, unexpected pregnancy and betrayal, lust and sin...
Carlton summer holiday's aside, it was also the month in which we brought Alfie to 'The Colour House', opened him up, and allowed the paying public to take a good long look. The trial which followed took five performances to complete, and went as follows...
Step forward, the witnesses for the prosecution...
Siddie, who wanted fun and frolics, and who was not put off when Alfie refused to pay for her gin, but had second thoughts when he stood her up for real (rather than up against a wall). A part played both on and off stage by Nettie Piper with great gusto, and not a little life experience. Backstage Nettie was usually to be found, long legs akimbo, 'rehearsing' the younger male actors with ruthless efficiency.
Gilda, who loved Alfie truly, bore him a child, and would have stayed forever had Alfie just asked. Playing against type, the luscious Ruth Brooks meekly accepted Alfie's cruel treatment, until rescued by the lovely Humphrey. Backstage Ruth's star status would be left behind her as she would slip into a little black number in order to become one of the backstage crew - what a little gem.
Lily, who when visiting her husband Harry lured the hapless Alfie with promises of home made marmalade and wanton orange-sucking, got a little more than she bargained for during her three minutes of forbidden passion by the river bank. Played by Kate Mitchell clad in outfits she cut up, burned immediately afterwards and buried in an unmarked grave.
Annie, who wanted to go home with the lovely Lofty, but got 'lapped up' by Alfie instead, only to live a life of drudgery, cold custard and Lancashire Hotpot. Poor Annie, she was a wide eyed innocent, mourning a lost love - whilst her alter ego could be found most nights shifting articles of set one handed, joining the boys for a pint, and telling filthy jokes.
The doctor, who stripped Alfie to his underpants, felt his chest and made him breathe deeply, whilst still managing to view him without passion or interest, was played with style by Belinda Thomas. The envy of the entire female cast for her elegant little black dress, Belinda managed never to lose her cool despite extreme provocation from the summer storms, British transport system, and sauna-like backstage area.
Now we come to the male witnesses for the prosecution, who are currently petitioning for the highly unusual punishment for Alfie of 'death by castration'.
Lofty, the lusty lorry driver, who missed out on Annie, but who took the best revenge of all, was played by a Carlton newcomer, Jethro Crabb. Jethro earned the undying gratitude of his director, Val, by not only being a talented actor, but also being skilled with latex and Plaster of Paris. (For more details, please send a cheque and plain brown stamped addressed envelope to the usual address)
Humphrey, who wanted Gilda to wear his ring, and to be a proper dad to baby Malcolm, was played by Andrew Candish with intensity and charm. Backstage Andrew revealed his true nature, backed Sarah into a corner, and in a menacing tone demanded that she let him help her - the beast.
Taxi-driving Joe, who enjoyed Alfie's company, later changed his tune when he realised that Alfie had not only eaten all his apples,but that he had also run off with his daughter. James Grayston enjoyed playing Joe right up until the moment when he had to don a thick wool coat, cat and scarf and enter the 90 degree sauna that we called 'the stage'.
Mr Smith, the man who 'helped' Lily and Alfie, was as far from the normally kind and sociable Mike Norman-Smith as it was possible to be. However, he has declined to join the case for the prosecution due to being currently detained at Her Majesty's pleasure due to what he assures us is 'a misunderstanding'.
Sharky, a former friend of the accused, was played by another Carlton new comer, Gavin Gibbons. Gavin's accomplished leer and trouser adjustment had them fainting both on and off stage, and he made his family very proud. His sense of fun was appreciated backstage too, as was his ability to move a bed 200 metres over rough ground whilst remaining in cheery 'cockernee' character throughout!
And of course, Harry, a simple family man, who was happy until 'Uncle Tom' began giving his children presents, and his wife afternoon delight (all three minutes of it...) whilst he lay in the TB ward worrying about his guttering. Rory Murnagh put up with mangy oranges, calves foot jelly and lumpy marmalade with fortitude and good humour, and admitted to enjoying entertaining the members of the audience whilst wearing his pyjamas.
Witnesses for the defence are few and far between.
The sexy french nurse who 'helped' Alfie behind the screens declined to be interviewed. Her spokeswoman, Cecile Pippnall issued a a legal injunction against further comment, although the video evidence is currently doing well on the internet thanks to video-meister Mike Tierney.
Ruby, who loved not too wisely, but, according to Alfie, very, very well, is too busy honeymooning with her third husband to comment. Carol-Anne Hodgson merely said that she and Lofty were very happy, and that if Alfie ever felt like coming over for dinner, she would let him know when the coast was clear...
Which leaves the split personality of Vi and Flo, played by the talented Kate Rogers. Both the landlady and the café owner called Alfie "a loveable rogue who is welcome to come over for hot buns anytime he likes".
Alfie himself, played by Dave O'Sullivan (who asked for several other offences to be taken into consideration) pleaded guilty and asked for judgement to be carried out fully. "Please lock me up", he was heard to mutter, "all male jail, solitary confinement, keep me away from temptation." However, it was noted that the accused perked up considerably when told that due to overcrowding, he was to spend a portion of his sentence at Holloway ladies jail.
And so it goes on...
With thanks to Val Foskett, director extraordinare, Sound man 'Slim' Simon Harris, Mike 'multi-talented' Tierney and the lovely, long lamented Stage Manager Sarah Hewitt. Special hugs to Kathy Arundell, who selflessly gave up night after night to ensure that Alfie was in tip-top condition - the show, that is!
Oh, and GET WELL KATE RODGERS - we are all thinking of you.
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THE 2005 WORKSHOPSThose of you not involved may want to start thinking about the 2005 Workshops, and all that entails. Very importantly, we need someone to step forward and become the coordinator for decisions about the show. You'll need time, patience and a telephone. Everything else will be provided. In the past, the coordinator has been chosen by default, or someone has recognised the need for a single point of contact. For example, in the past couple of years, Jeff Graves and Carl Whiteside have done wonderful jobs. This time we want to make it official. Contact the committee (what there is of us) for details. COMMITTEE VACANCIESSadly, despite lots of shameless begging, there are still three positions vacant in the Carlton Committee. The Committee is vital for running the group, and if we don't have enough people to take part, decisions can't be made and the group will grind to a halt. Please, please, if you can, step forward and have a go. The current committee is as follows:
As you can see, there are three vacancies. And while the committee as it stands will be able to struggle through, we can't go on forever. We need people to come forward and join the committee and help keep the Society going. The outgoing Social and Fundraising team have done a fantastic job over the last year, raising a fantastic total of over £2600! Kate and Ruth did a wonderful job together but the committee is in a bit of a bind now, because no-one has stepped forward to fill the illustrious boots of Kate and Ruth. The Carlton depends greatly on fundraising to survive, and while last years total was great, it won't last forever! We need your help! You won't necessarily be expected to match K and R's wad, but every little helps! The Publicity post is also vacant. Lucie and Kirsty made great strides in forging links with the local press, and if you could help us out, they would provide contacts, phone numbers, names and addresses, so all you would have to do is make the calls when the time came. Finally, the position of Membership Sectretary has been created, based on the newly updated constitution, and we need someone to fill it. The position would involve maintaining the membership list, and making sure that all the member details are up to date. This can be done by anyone with a PC. All committee members get to decide which shows are performed, so it would be great for someone wishing to get more involved with the Society. The committee works as a team, with monthly meetings round each others homes (wine provided!). We help each other out as well, writing press releases, phoning theatres, ensuring the Society is run smoothly. Please help if you can. Please. Please. Contact the Committee for further details. Join the committee!Imagine the power!Your Society needs you! |
2005 SHOWS - DIRECTORS NEEDEDYes, we're coming to the time when the committee needs you to come forward with your submissions for the 2005 season. The shows will be as follows: Workshops - Late February 2005, WCC (TBC) Spring Show - May 2005, New Wimbledon Studio Theatre (TBC) Summer Show - Early August 2005, Colourhouse Theatre (TBC) Winter Show - November 2005, New Wimbledon Studio Theatre (TBC) So get your thinking caps on, and come up with a proposal for a show you would like to direct. The whole season will be decided in November, so be aware you may be asked to direct the November 2005 show! Ask the committee for details - I think we're going to provide a form for you to fill in. CHRONICLE PRIZE FOR CHRONIC JOURNALISMEach issue, the editor awards a contributor a prize for talent, wit, integrity or just plain neck. This time around the prize goes to Kate Mitchell for "Most Nonchalant Use Of The Phrase 'Hot Buns' In A Front-Page Article" Congratulations Kate, that will be £10. If you would like a chance at winning this illustrious prize, write something for the Chronicle! Get your name in print, if not lights! Previous Winners: Toby Hardwood - "Best Eyesight" MARKET RESEARCHAs part of the ongoing attempt to make the CC the foremost Carlton-based newsletter available in this fine metropolis, we would like to get people's feedback on the writing. Would ALL (seriously - ALL) members please send an email with answers to the following questions:
If you don't have email, please phone the editor and let him know. Please, please respond, it's very important to know what people think of what people spend time putting together. GENTLE REMINDERPAY YOUR SUBSnot paid yet?NO?WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU THINK YOU'RE PLAYING AT?DO THE RIGHT THING -COUGH UP, THERE'S A LOVESomething to share? Send all your news items to the editor. PLEASE. |
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Two - Our Next ShowThe next Carlton show is Two, by Jim Cartwright. Here's all the information about our next major production... TWObyJim CartwrightDirected byDebbie FowlerProduced byJeff GravesTuesday 23 - Saturday 27 November at the New Wimbledon Studio.About the Play"Two" - Jim Cartwright's character study of a 'local' pub, its eccentric customers and its warring landlord and wife won the Manchester Evening News Best New Play award in 1989. Cartwright, writer of "The Rise and Fall of Little Voice" (starring Jane Horrocks), is one of the mavericks of the British theatre. "Two", a bittersweet comedy, is set in present day and the action takes place during one evening. The pub regulars arrive and depart: the old man and his very real memories; the jack-the lad ever on the cadge, the domineering wife and hen-pecked husband; the 'other' woman come to see her man; the lad who's dad forgot him, and many more. Serving them all is the behind-the-bar couple whose cheeky humour thinly covers a tragic secret that threatens to tear them apart. "A sharp, salty, quickfire evocation of the surface gaiety and underlying melancholia of English pub life. Engages the beauty of the human condition where laughter, tears, love and anger simultaneously combust". The Guardian "This extraordinarily gifted and original voice … populates the space with broad humour, dry wit and often shudderingly moving poetry". Time Out |
Diary Dates: (normal rehearsals not included)
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Our thrilling serial continues...
Annie Matthews was breathless. She'd been running for several minutes now, a dogged determinism kept her at the heels of the lumbering Timothy Weston. Lumbering was an apt but somewhat unkind description of Timothy's gait, but at that moment Annie wasn't feeling inclined to be charitable.
She was annoyed - angry in fact. Angry at the irrational events that had interrupted the society's New Year production, angry at the unjust and insensitive behaviour of Sergeant Smythe, angry at the waste of such a nice young man's life and annoyed that Timothy Weston had broken a potentially wonderful moment without so much as a word of explanation. She was also somewhat annoyed that he not only lumbered when he ran, but did so at such a pace with seemingly little effort, even though she was forced to sprint breathlessly behind him in order to keep up. Lucky for her she was a sensible shoes girl.
She had guessed he was making a beeline for the old Church hall, but she hadn't anticipated he would suddenly stop on the High Street. She bang in to him with such force that she practically bounced backwards on the pavement. Indeed she would have fallen had he not reacted quickly enough to grab her hand and steady her. "Oh I'm so sorry Annie," Timothy said with genuine concern. "Are you all right?"
Annie glared at him while she steadied herself, making show of her annoyance more as a ploy to catch her breath than from any sense of malice. "That's the third time you've surprised me this evening Mr Weston, and all in a space of five minutes," she breathed heavily. He looked down at her with a mixture of pleasure and sorrow. "I'm sorry, I had an idea...which kind of over took me, and then at the corner I cross checked my thoughts and then I had to stop. I'm sorry Annie, I might well be barking up the wrong tree."
She maintained her glare while she composed herself and reset her clothes, but the stern expression melted as the moments passed. "Well Mr Weston, there is only one way to find out," she said and a rye smile suddenly lit the corners of her mouth. "I doubt either of us will sleep tonight as it is, so I guess it's lay on MacDuff." Timothy smiled gratefully. "You are an extraordinary woman Mrs Matthews," he said gently. Annie laughed. "Dare I say it Mr Weston? These are extraordinary times." They both laughed and once again enjoyed the moment.
Then Timothy turned, and still holding Annie's hand, started the familiar walk back to the old Church hall, be it at a more dignified pace than before. They walked in silence too, both lost in a swirl of individual thoughts. The old Church hall had been the site of many a great production. Comedic master pieces such as Habeas Corpus, risqué social commentary's along the lines of What the Butler Saw, and of course the bread and butter of any amateur society, Shakespeare, be it the tragedy of the 'Scottish Play' or the frivolity of Much Ado. The hall had been a backdrop to much fun, excitement and laughter over the years, not to mention a number of memorable if not legendary parties. Now it was also the site of immense tragedy, a tragedy that would remain forever, even if only in Annie and Timothy's hearts.
They left the High Street still very much absorbed in their respective thoughts. Priory Lane, like Annie's road was considerably darker than the main street. What little traffic was left at this hour was making a beeline for home and sticking to the main thoroughfares and not bothering with this narrow, ivy lined back alley. Only the wind disturbed the otherwise peaceful night. Annie looked up as the old Church hall's familiar façade loomed out of the darkness. They were still a little way away, but even so she felt her heart sink as she could make out the flutter of white tape that criss-crossed all the doors and windows, and barred the way through the privy gate. She knew well enough what the blue stencil on it said. It only compounded her sadness and emphasised her compassion for the hapless Stephano and poor Mr Tollington.
Timothy abruptly halted and squeezed her hand. "Sssh!" he hissed softly yet sharply. Annie stopped and peered up at him with concern. He was frozen, but staring alertly forward, as one might expect of a champion hunting dog or a cat pursuing its prey. He took two paces sideways careful to keep his arms by his side and thereby in affect dragging Annie along with him. He lent against a lamppost, edging slightly to one side to keep a clear view of the hall. Annie peered through the gloom searching for the object of his attention. Nothing. The old Church hall was still. She knew she should keep quiet but the tension and her frustration at not being able to see what he was so keenly focused on got the better of her. "What is it?" she whispered. Timothy gave her hand another squeeze and looked down at her, his face a study of seriousness. "We are not the first ones here!"
Uh-oh! Tune in next time as the mystery unfolds!
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Thanks very much Val! More probing next prog...send in
your nominations now! No, really! HAVE YOUR SAY!
*descriptions charged at the following rates: Honest=free; Tactful=£5;
Glowing=£10
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Thanks to all of you! Send in your contributions!
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We meet twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, at the Wimbledon Community Centre, St. George's Road in Wimbledon at 8.00pm. After rehearsals (10.30pm until we get thrown out), you'll usually find us in the Hogshead pub at the bottom of Wimbledon Hill. All are welcome to pop in to a rehearsal, or catch us in the pub - see you there! We've been running for over 75 years, and new members are always welcome! VHS tapes and DVDs of some of our past productions are available - contact the committee for details. |
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If you want to contact the whole membership, please go through the committee! |
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These fees are subject to change at any time. To pay any fees,
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Another month, another format. If there is anything missing from the calendar I do apologise - my clairvoyance is affected by paint fumes and sawdust. You'll have to help me out by emailing me any items you would like to see included.
Readthrough - Thursday 12 August, 20:00, WCC
Auditions - Monday 16 and Thursday 19 August, 19:45, WCC
Get-in and Technical Rehearsal- Sunday 21 November, 10:00 AM, New Wimbledon Studio Theatre
Dress Rehearsal- Monday 22 November, New Wimbledon Studio Theatre
Performances - Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 November, be there by 18:30, The New Wimbledon Studio Theatre
Saturday 11 December 2004, 19:00, Wimbledon Community Centre
Workshops - Late February 2005, WCC (TBC)
Spring Show - May 2005, New Wimbledon Studio Theatre (TBC)
Summer Show - Early August 2005, Colourhouse Theatre (TBC)
Winter Show - November 2005, New Wimbledon Studio Theatre (TBC)
Thanks for reading! Be sure to visit the Carlton website for up-to-the-minute news! Click here to open it in a new browser window