official newsletter of the Carlton Dramatic Society
'Informing the mob'
November 2006
Free where sold
'Informing the mob'
November 2006
Free where sold
carlton chronicle
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official newsletter of the Carlton Dramatic Society
'Informing the mob' November 2006 Free where sold |
carlton chronicle |
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BUY YOUR TICKETS: 'Teechers' by John Godber, Directed by Ian Ward, 7-11 November 2006, New Wimbledon Studio
F ast moving, inventive and highly entertaining, Teechers vigorously evokes life at a modern Comprehensive, using the format of an end-of-term play to sketch a drama teacher's progress through two terms of recalcitrant classes, cynical colleagues and unhelpful caretakers. The play runs the gamut of emotions, climaxing with the final scene which gives a poignant edge to the comedy.
The cast (despite being set in a school) will comprise all adults, ages ranging from awkward schoolkids to ambitious teachers to obstructive caretakers.
After the sell-out success of their last two plays Carlton Dramatic Society return with their adaptation of this fast-moving and entertaining comedy that brings to the stage all the vigour of life at a Comprehensive school.
A drama teacher struggles to put on an end of term play and has to push against disruptive classes, cynical colleagues and unhelpful caretakers. This loud, cheery comedy has a poignant end, which underlines its pointed political thrust.
Book now! Tickets are limited!REVIEW: 'Outside Edge' by Richard Harris, Directed by Debbie Fowler. Review by Neil Kelly
A ugust saw the very successful Carlton production of ‘Outside Edge’, Richard Harris’s perfect summer evening comedy. Directed by Debbie Fowler, the play is set in the poisonous world of amateur cricket, where your deadliest enemies are your own team-mates. Brought to the stage in Merton Abbey Mills after what seemed like an incredibly short rehearsal schedule, this correspondent struggled to find a seat as it played to a packed house.
Mike Norman-Smith starred as Roger, a cricketing fanatic desperately trying to pull together a team to play against Network Rail Yeading East; a formidable opposition which can boast “two genuine West Indians” on the team. Mike was perfect as the Captain; one minute the bombastic, domineering martinet, bellowing “Chop-chop!” at long suffering wife Miriam, then switching to fawning, guilt-tripping flatterer – “We’re all depending on you,” – in the next breath. Cricket is everything to this man. Later, as the fabric of the team unravels, Roger is even prepared to blurt out the details of a one-night stand in Dorking if only to get his wife to return to her post at the scoring book. To the surprise of nobody but Roger, it doesn’t work.
Has the role done anything for Mike’s enthusiasm for the game of cricket? “I only played it at school and that was enough,” he says. “It’s very nerve-racking if you’re scoring .” I press him as to whether he has any real-life mysteries relating to Dorking. “I’ve only been there once or twice and we don’t talk about that. Or did you say ‘dogging’?”
Kate Rogers was a study in nervous energy as Roger’s wife Miriam. Fluttering birdlike around the set with an apparently endless list of chores, she tries to cajole everyone in sight to lend a hand, only to back off with an embarrassed, “It’s not compulsory,” when assistance is actually offered. Miriam’s pride is in the teas she serves, renowned throughout the South West. It is only to be expected then that Roger’s underestimate (by fifteen minutes) as to how long play was likely to continue before tea is nothing short of a catastrophe. Downtrodden though she is, Miriam is determined to uncover the mystery of what might have happened one night in Dorking.
“I enjoyed the performance immensely,” says Kate, “although it was very exhausting”. Miriam was always on the move, constantly running on and off set, all the time maintaining that very quick-fire delivery so essential to a successful comedy. “I hope I’m not too much like Miriam in real life,” Kate adds. “She’s a very irritating character.”
Andrew Candish was perfectly cast as Kevin, the spin-bowling homunculus with a penchant for haute cuisine, violence against women and a tendency towards hysteria. Disaster inevitably strikes when his handling of the roller raises a blister on his spinning finger. Unfortunately Mr. Candish was not available for interview.
Ruth Brooks excelled as Maggie, the master brickie’s daughter who can turn her hand to any trade and who relentlessly mothers the wimpish Kevin. Ruth displayed a certain media savvy by saying anything she might (or might not) have to say about getting her “norks out” before the tape was running; such remarks therefore cannot be attributed to her. Put somewhat on the back foot by this opening salvo, and my head swimming with all manner of lurid images, this correspondent’s first question was banal, verging on the imbecilic. “Ms. Brooks, was it hot in that fur coat?” I asked, and got more than I bargained for in return. “It was very damp,” she replied, “especially for Andrew. We got to know each other very well.” Nobody else got under the coat with her, although James apparently had a good try (presumably “in character”?). She doesn’t feel that Outside Edge has really done much to increase her enthusiasm for the great game of cricket and is cagey as to how enthusiastic she was in the first place.
Jason Rodericks returned to the stage and put in a fine performance as Alex, the self-obsessed solicitor who pitches up in his BMW with his latest bit of tottie in tow and nothing on his mind but personal glory. “I might actually take up the game now,” says Jason. “The role has given me a taste for being hit by people.”
James Grayston was unnervingly natural as Dennis, the aging Lothario, ever ready with a suggestive non sequitur and a creepy handshake that always lingers just that little bit too long. James glares suspiciously at the Dictaphone in my hand and I sense a certain danger in asking him anything about getting under Ruth’s coat. The game of cricket evidently involves a lot of smoking - “Have you got a cigarette? I’ve given up.” At one point the performers almost became invisible in the eye-watering haze -so I decide to ask him about that instead. “I didn’t smoke,” he replies, maintaining unblinking eye-to-eye contact. Feeling my eyelid beginning to twitch nervously, I make my apologies and back away.
Louisa Court put in a wonderfully hysterical performance as Sharon, the overdressed stripper brought along by Alex as eye candy. “What are you doing with that tape recorder?” Louisa demands to know. I find I have no words to justify myself, but she is willing to talk anyway. “I enjoyed the play immensely. It was great for my stomach. I also adored the dress, which belongs to Ruth. I’m not used to wearing dresses like that and I’m sorry I put a hole through it with one of my high heels, but I’m not used to wearing them either.” At this point the conversation took a slightly surreal turn and at Ms. Court’s request the details of it are not reproduced here.
Jeff Graves was superb as Bob, a player whose guilt drives him to try to back out of the match in order to render services to his ex-wife. Naturally, his sneaky behaviour is seen as evidence of renewed philandering to the despair especially of Miriam who doesn’t see why they should “all be dragged into his sordid affairs”. I tell him he looked good in white with a fag in his mouth. Jeff says, “I’ve never played (cricket) before, and in fact I don’t want to, but I quite like the idea of just standing around in pads. As luck would have it, Ian Ward (a keen cricketer himself) was within earshot and confirmed that that is actually what most players do anyway. Jeff is also credited as being the producer.
And last, but by no means least, Annette Piper put in a wonderfully intimidating performance as Ginnie, Bob’s wife who turns up unexpectedly with the bag that he had forgotten, having had no intention of playing in the first place (would-be philanderers take note). “I’m glad it had a happy ending though,” says Nettie, “ and I’m feeling very happy to be reconciled with my husband. He put me through the mill. Underneath it all Bob always had the upper hand, but as a wife I couldn’t let him know it.” Nettie also has an important safety announcement to make. “At one point half my toe came off after whacking it on the fire exit – not the toe of my shoe, but my actual toe – and it bled profusely.” Happily, the limp is hardly noticeable now.
Congratulations once more to Debbie Fowler for a splendid production, which of course would not have been possible without producer Jeff Graves, stage manager Cindy Graves, lighting and sound techie Simon Harris, photographer Kristen McGorry, not to mention Ian Ward and all the cast and crew who pitched in with the props. Another triumph!
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Teechers is fast approaching and now we are looking for our next batch of talent. Yes now is the time for prospective directors to come forward with your suggestions for plays you want to direct next year...
The slots to fill are...
If you do have a play you would like to direct, please fill in the form attached and email it back. (It's pretty self-explanatory, but if you have any queries feel free to email or phone us)
The deadline for these submissions is WEDNESDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2006.
The Committee will meet on the afternoon of SUNDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2006 to consider all proposals and each prospective director will be invited to make a presentation on that date. (You will need to bring along a copy of the script or if you are planning on writing something a detailed synopsis - to leave with the Committee for their consideration - a photocopy is fine)
We look forward to hearing from you. Please note: Submissions must include a completed form. Good luck!
Battersea Arts Centre After Hours - Theatre Workshops for adults
Take part in BAC's theatre and interdisciplinary workshops led by some of the UK's most exciting artists.
All workshops are suitable for adults of any age or artistic experience.
Tuesday 26 September - Tuesday 28 November, 7.30 - 10pm, £6.75 / £4.50 concs
This term you have the opportunity to...
Also this term: David Harradine, Fevered Sleep, Oily Cart, Jonathan Kay, Matthew Dunster, Artists' Surgery, Stella Duffy, David Berstein and much more...
To book tickets call BAC's Box Office on 020 7223 2223. For full details visit the Participate page at www.bac.org.uk, or email Liz on lizm@bac.org.uk
Hi Everybody - Is reality getting you down?
Fancy escaping it all, to run away to the magic kingdom of celluloid. Where everyone is fabulous and light sabres are free!
What about softening up those overtaxed brain cells with some intoxicating fluid of your choosing? And then reinvigorating them with the witty banter of your fellow actors old and new and the lively stimulation of a good old curry. Then...
Come to:
CARLTON MOVIE NIGHTS
Every Month
Inaugural Night: 17th November 2006
Wimbledon Odeon
The Plan:
It would be great to see you there, even if you want to opt for just a portion of the night. Free ticket raffle if we have a party of more than ten.
Contact: Dave O'Sullivan Carlton Social Secretary On 020 83959372 or 07910146418. See you there.I'm the one that looks like Johnny Depp's Dad.
Congratulations to Katy Wey and her husband Steve - they are now proud parents! It was a bit early, but from what I hear, Mummy and Baba are doing fine. The Carlton sends its love!
The Magna Carta is all very well, but the Carlton needs a Constitution to function. Luckily it has always had one, and now it's available for all to see on the website.
Each issue, the editor awards a contributor a prize for talent, wit, integrity or just plain neck. This time around the prize goes to Kathie Arundell for "Best Mix of Poultry and Fruit".
Congratulations Kathie, 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!
Something to share? Send all your news items to the editor. PLEASE.
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Teechers is well underway now and news from the front line is that it's going to be a brilliant show (tickets are going fast so get on to the studio now if you want to support the Carlton). So we are looking forward to the next entertaining endeavour which is the Carlton Showcase on 22nd and 23rd February 2006.
The Showcase is performed over two nights and is a evening of short plays and sketches in some cases we have even had songs. It usually lasts about two and a half hours including the interval.
This is your chance to do something daring and innovative. We are looking for short plays, scenes, sketches that you want to perform/direct. They can be serious, funny or in-between and you can even write your own material. Just to give you some idea of the scope, previous hits have been an adaptation of The Graduate, scenes from Taming of the Shrew, Victoria Wood sketches and The Lord of the Rings in 20 minutes. You can do duologues, monologues, or full scale epic productions. The only limit is that plays should be about 15-20 mins max or 5-10 mins max in the case of monologues.
The first meeting to discuss the showcase will be Thursday 16th November where you can meet directors looking for cast and actors looking for directors and generally find out what's going on. But in the meantime if you already have an idea of what you want to do, want some more information or want to express a vague interest please contact the committee in the usual way.
Be THERE to Celebrate! Put it in your Diary NOW!
That's right folks, plans are moving fast and furiously towards the 21st April 2007 at Drake Hall, Wimbledon when we will all don our Roaring 20s/evening dress gear and celebrate the Carlton's 80th Birthday!
Without giving all the exciting plans away you will be assured of a wonderful night's cabaret with superb comperes and grand dining in a lavish environment - think sexy Cruise Line baby and you are there! Step up to that 20s mike and we will jazz the night away! VIPs promised! And all this for a paltry £15 per person - BYOB. Invites to follow in the New Year!
There will be roving BAFTA reporters ready to get your take on the Carlton and thus make a contribution towards the compilation of its history - 80 years and we have lots to tell! So dig in your cupboards and check your memory banks for memorabilia, old programmes, photographs, snippets and snappets from shows gone by!
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 28th November at Kathie's house - 7:30 pm. If you want to make a contribution to this momentous event come along and give us your ideas!
Do you see yourself as a key player in the redefininition of cross-media markets? Are you passionate about envisioneering innovative infomediaries? Do brand-efficient methodologies get you hot?
Well if not, we've got a job for you!! For the Carlton's 80th birthday celebrations next April 21st, we need three roving reporters who can get in amongst the crowd on the night with some kind of recording device to glean a contemporaneous snapshot of our members' reminiscences. The commitment is a small one; all we ask is that you take your turn to go from table to table for about twenty minutes to winkle those old skeletons out of those old closets. Guidance will be provided!
And that's all you have to do! Someone else, someone whose skills in transitioning impactful bandwidth mean he has plenty of time on his hands will do the transcription for you. With the result that the Carlton's illustrious history will be compiled and YOU will be a part of it!
Be as imaginitive as you like with your cross-examinations, because this is your chance to really probe. (Do bear in mind though that, although subjects such as members' favourite love-making positions and what kind of underwear they are wearing on the night are always of great interest to the membership, we do expect a fair amount of the take to be about actual on-stage activity.)
Applications about this PR opportunity with style should be made before 15th December to Neil Kelly on 07713 148615(mobile) or via email at neilkelly591@hotmail.com. Come on - you know you want to!
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Eat your heart out Nigella! No, not literally! Ew....
And for dessert - Jaffa cakes with spray cream! Move over Heston Needlebaum or whatever your name is. Expect, nay, DEMAND more from Kath next time!
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W e 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 Hand & Racquet 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 nearly 80 years, and new members are always welcome! VHS tapes and DVDs of some of our past productions are available - contact the committee for details, or visit the members area on the website. |
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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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If there is anything missing from the calendar I do apologise - my clairvoyance is affected by fireworks and local childred dressed like the monsters they are. You'll have to help me out by emailing me any items you would like to see included. Can you manage that?
Thanks for reading! Be sure to visit the Carlton website for up-to-the-minute news!
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