NEWS LETTER for Patrons and

Members of DOS & DOSYTCo www.dosoc.co.uk

Issue 05 December 2010

A Message from the Chairman.

Looking out of the window when the snow is on the

ground makes me think, its Panto time – Oh yes it is.

The Panto is Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood and

having spent a very enjoyable Sunday watching you all

audition I am pleased to say that it is cast and a good

strong cast it is. Heather (producer), Catherine (assistant

producer), Ian (MD) and Amy (choreographer) all agreed

that it was not easy to decide who was to do what.

For all the Patrons and friends of the Society don’t

forget the change of date and venue.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Matchgirls has been over for a month or so now and on

reflection I feel that this was an artistic success. We knew

from the outset that this was going to be a difficult show

to sell and, unfortunately, so it proved. It seems that

people are not prepared to watch things that they are not

familiar with. It was their loss. The enthusiasm and hard

work put in by everybody was shown all too clearly on the

stage– what a show that was. I have spoken to many

people who have said how refreshing it was to see

something that is rarely done, done so well. Much of this

praise must go to the hard working production crew.

Tony, Andy and Jean so ably assisted by Helen and Greg

achieved an exceptional end product. Overcoming many

problems and although opening night was not as we

planned the rest of the performances went extremely well.

The Studio is finished and habitable again and it will be

nice to rehearse in our familiar space – special thanks,

while the Chairman was off sunning himself, to

everybody that helped get the Studio cleaned and painted

especially the Likely Lads Dave, Kev, John and Peter.

Thanks to you all.

It was great to see Nick King at auditions for the Panto we

all wish him a continued speedy recovery.

Have a great Christmas and a healthy New Year.

See you soon

Martyn – Chairman

DOSYTCo Chairperson’s report

Workshops have been very successful this year with a

good turn out from members. We have had an opportunity

to try out some different topics including a drumming

workshop and a chance to record the group singing in a

recording studio.

By the time this newsletter goes to press we will also have

had a Stage Combat Workshop which will be teaching the

group some of the skills required for setting fight

scenes on stage. We have opted to use a mixture of

professional facilitators as well as friends of the society

but I must express a huge thanks to all the friends of the

society who have helped us this year -it would be

impossible to manage the workshops without your

support.

After much debate we have chosen our main show for

next year and are very pleased to be performing Oliver.

Auditions will have been held on the 12th Dec and

rehearsals will commence in the New Year. We have been

very fortunate to secure the services of a Professional

producer Anna Lawrence and look forward to

working with her on this production. Oliver will be

performed at Northgate High School 20-23rd April, 2011.

Wishing everyone a very Happy and Healthy Christmas

and New Year from all at DOSYTCo.

Emma

Thank you once again for your positive comments and

contributions. But I sometimes have to edit them to fit.

If you have anything to contribute for future issues,

Please do send it to me for consideration.

May I wish you all a Happy and Peaceful Christmas. (Ed)

peter.havis@btinternet.com

Treasurers Report

The Matchgirls production was very well received by our audiences and the cast certainly enjoyed performing in the

production. However, we needed more paying customers to make it financially viable. Although final bills have not

yet been received I know that the figures do not look good. We do really need to attract bigger audiences so please

support our February Pantomime “Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood” We have kept ticket prices as last year but

the run will be shorter than normal as we can only hire Northgate High School for a limited period. We look forward

to seeing you all. Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Without sounding too gloomy we are spending more money this year outside of productions. Although the Town

Council have paid for the revamp of our Studio there are expenses for decorating etc. A fantastic job is being done and

all labour is free. This must be worth some brownie points. We have also taken the opportunity of having tabs and legs

cleaned and fire proofed, a job that needed doing, but at a cost of over £3,000.

On a brighter note our membership is holding firm we will have around 80 acting and non-acting members this year,

and DOSYTCo has a very healthy 70 members. As agreed at this year‟s AGM, membership fees will increase in April

2011, £25 acting, £15 non acting and £15 youth. This will help enormously with the ever increasing studio

maintenance costs.

Margaret White

Social Events

First of all I‟d like to extend a big thank you to those people who helped to provide an excellent tea for the cast and

support teams of The Matchgirls. I hope those who were there will agree that it was a really good spread under difficult

circumstances. A special thanks to Anne Watts and Jill Everett for their support in providing teas and coffees for the

intervals. I couldn‟t have done it without them!

If anyone would like to offer their help during the Panto, please contact me.

Christmas Party –Saturday 4th December.

Kings Head Hotel

I‟m absolutely certain everyone who came to the Christmas

Party had a good time.

Elaine provided us with a really tasty buffet and there was

plenty of it. Thank you Elaine.

The disco was Street Level Entertainment Ltd

(Ian Bennett) and it was brilliant.

Not too loud to stop folks chatting but loud enough to

encourage us to have a bit of a boogie, not that we actually

needed any encouragement! (That’s the girl’s mostly.Ed.)

The number attending was disappointing, especially since the date had been advertised for several months. I do feel

there should have been support from more members of the society. You missed a really good night!

Just remains to wish you all a „Cosy Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year‟.

Julia

MATCHGIRLS SET STAGE ALIGHT IN DEREHAM

The cast of The Matchgirls

What a success it was. Dereham Operatic society proves yet again what a special society it is. Despite the obstacles created by not being able to use the Studio for rehearsals. Because of the current Renovation of the Memorial Hall, a number of different locations had to be used, not all of them suitable. However a great cast of established DOS members, strengthened by returning members and a terrific influx of new members, produced a magic combination of characters and personalities perfectly suited for The Matchgirls. With the dedicated guidance from Director Tony Wilds assisted by Greg Finch and the enthusiastic and talented commitment of Musical Director Andy Lofthouse assisted by Helen Cowie , all coupled with the superb Choreography of Jean Cator made a memorable production for the company and those who did come to see it. Sadly audience numbers were nowhere near the capacity of the Hall. Perhaps the chosen production which would be unfamiliar to the public despite its success in the West End in the mid 60‟s‟, or that the story line based on the facts of the poor social and working conditions that the girls endured in the late nineteenth century, did not appeal to some people. But the audiences who did attended were treated to a brilliant lively production, full of song and dancing to equal more familiar shows, capturing the “cockney spirit”, portraying the emotions and heartbreaks of the period, dealing with, but not dwelling on the sensitive problems of the effects of the Phosphorous on the health of the girls working in the Match Factory. It would be unfair to single out any individuals as everyone on stage were committed to their roles and gave very believable performances, bringing out the anger and frustrations with strong emotional performances this was balanced by the enthusiastic commitment to the lively songs and dancing. Well done to everybody involved with the production.

A Message to our Patrons

On behalf of the society, may I send the “Very Best of Festive Wishes “ to our patrons and their families.

Your valued support throughout 2010 has been much appreciated.

We hope you will continue your support through a challenging 2011.

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.

Tony Wilds Patrons Secretary

Full Steam ahead with Ian

When Ian Futers retired as head teacher at Swaffham First and Nursery School in August, 2004, it gave

him the chance to devote more time to his passion for model railways.

He now travels thousands of miles a year from his Foulden home, visiting exhibitions and shows across

the country, displaying his compact layouts. Ian said "These are great meeting places for like-minded

souls and I probably do 5,000 miles a year going to them.”.He is also busy writing books and magazine articles on the subject,

particularly his special interest, Scottish railways. His latest layout is based on Fort William's station as it looked in 1953. Earlier

this year he was invited to give lectures by the Australian, British Model Railway.

Ian has been writing articles for the Railway Modeller magazine for more than 40 years. Writing books takes a lot of his time,

particularly because of the painstaking research he puts into them. He likes to take photographs of structures and buildings at the

locations to ensure accuracy of detail.

The foreword for his first book, Modelling Scotland's Railways, was written by music impresario Pete Waterman, a lifelong

railway enthusiast and keen modeller, he remember seeing Ian's layouts from the very early '80s. Ian has a second book on

Scottish railways coming out soon and two more, on Border Railways of Northumberland and the West Highland Railway in the

pipeline.

Musical directing is another of Ian‟s great pleasures which he has been doing since the 1970s. Since moving to this area from his

native Northumberland in1993 he has been involved in Swaffham Players' productions. For the last five years, he has been with

Dereham Operatic Society, including its youth section. He also plays the organ at services in churches throughout Breckland. We

are pleased that he has once again agreed to be Musical Director for our Pantomime joined this year by his wife Amy who will

be our Choreographer.

What’s in a show programme? When The Society puts on a show, many of you may consider the programme to be an interesting “by product” of the whole

enterprise in which your name, has been spelled incorrectly or, if you‟re lucky, correctly!

The process of producing the programme begins many months in advance as dates of publication have to be agreed with the

designer and printer and advertising has to be sought, with time being allowed to sort out problems! Material has to be collected,

under the headings: Cover design, Cast list, Title page, Scenes, Production team, Acknowledgements, Synopsis of show,

Orchestra, Producer‟s notes, Chairman‟s message, NODA details, DOS officers, Forthcoming productions and Past productions.

Some of these items take much time and patience. Cast are often somewhat bemused when asked for their biographies in August

for a show in October, allowing for holidays, deadlines and checking process this can be a lengthy process.

The advertising process can be a long sequence, advertisers are sought, copy received, checked, payments collected and

complimentary programmes distributed before the first night. This is an important part of the process as The Society relies on

this income to keep the cost of the programme at a reasonable price. I am indebted to Jill Everett and previously Marjorie Dingle

for the enormous help in contacting the advertisers.

The various show details have their own different challenges with specific wording being required for such things as

permissions, authors, composers, licences, publishers and sponsors

Acknowledgements to be checked to ensure that anyone who has helped in any significant way is thanked. The latter can be a

minefield when difficult to obtain props etc are borrowed from lenders at the last minute.

I have much admiration for those who did this job before the advent of The Internet and E-mails, which makes the exchange of

information so easy and fast.

John Gray Programme Co-ordinator

Our Pantomime for 2011

This is being Performed in February 2011 to suit availability at Northgate School

“Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood”

Wednesday 23rd

February to Saturday 26th

February 2011

Evening Performances start at 7.30pm on 23rd

, 24th

and 25th.

There are two performances on Saturday the 26th starting at 2.00 pm. and 6.00pm

Box Office: HALLMARK 12 Nelson Place Dereham. Tel: 01362 694222

DOSYTCo

Oliver Wednesday 20

th April to Saturday 23

th April 2011

Evening Performances start at 7.30pm on 20th

, 21st

, 22nd

& 23th

There will be only one matinee performance which is on Saturday 23rd

starting at 2.30pm.

Box Office: HALLMARK 12 Nelson Place Dereham. Tel: 01362 694222

Spring 2011 Production

Depending on venue, probably in May

WATCH THIS SPACE

For the 2011 October show our Musical to celebrate the opening of the

newly refurbished Memorial Hall will be:-

“ME AND MY GIRL”

GALA Opening Night Saturday 15th

October.

Then each evening at 7.30pm from Monday 17th

through to Saturday 22nd

.

With one Matinee on Saturday 22nd

at 2.30pm

(NOTE: This is subject to completion of the Memorial Hall.)

Refurbishment of Memorial Hall project Report to Date (1

st December) by Dave Filer & John White

Memorial Hall inside WIP

Studio redecorating

Good progress on the Memorial Hall rebuild, there

has been lots of activity, much of the inside has been

ripped out, things are certainly happening. The

predicted completion is third week in September

2011. However, this very much depends on the kind

of weather we get this winter.

The date could be put back if we have too much

snow.

We have now returned in our Studio, still one or two

things outstanding by the builders but we are in

negotiation with the Council to remedy these things.

Our main electrical cable will be rerouted through the

workshop /toilets to the distribution board later in the

project. This should not disrupt our use of the studio.

Kevin Jude and Dave Filer are leading a dedicated

team of members in a decorating project, many

thanks to members who turned up on Sunday 7th

November to kick start this project.

Special mention must go to Peter Havis and John

Hannent who have put in many hours wielding a

paint brush.

The studio was well in need of a “spruce-up” and it is

certainly getting it. We hope that by the end of the

year all work will be complete. We will have a smart

and clean Studio for 2011.

Workshop entrance studio entrance & Fire Escape Back of Memorial Hall WIP

Brewers put colour into Panto. The Dereham Branch of C.Brewer & Sons Ltd

(Decorators Merchant), have very kindly donated a

number of cans of Paint & Emulsion for use on

scenery and props. Dereham Operatic Society

wishes to thank Brewers for their generosity and

support.

Christmas Cracker

Q: What do you call a Penguin in the Sahara Desert?

Answer ---Lost

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

John Grimble Holly Graham John Derekson

John Derekson

Is the Stage name of John Grimble

John was born in Norwich. During the late „80s he

joined DOS and appeared in Pirates of Penzance

and played Buttons in Cinderella. He went on to

train professionally at London Studio Centre before

his West End debut in Barry Manilow‟s

“Copacabana”. “Sunset Boulevard” came next,

followed by four years of Cabaret shows in

Portugal. John performed with the Stadium

Theatre Company on board P&O Cruise Ships for

a further three years. Nearer home John is

currently appearing in the Thursford “Christmas

Spectactacular” which he has done for the

previous 3 years. He is then off on another

engagement on a cruise ship.

Earlier this year John was pleased to be able to fit

time in his busy schedule to come to watch our

Pantomime Aladdin.

For more information about John go to his web site

www.johnderekson.com

Holly Graham

Holly started performing at the age of 12 in the role of

Dorothy in Dereham Operatic Society Youth Theatre‟s

production of the Wizard of Oz”. Following this with

DOS productions of “Anything Goes” , Me & my Girl,”

Hot Mikado” and “Anne Get your Gun” Holly moved

to London in 2000to train at the London School of

Musical Theatre and has enjoyed performing in many

roles on both the Professional and the Amature stage

before moving back to Norwich in 2006. performing

with N&N Operatic Society as Anita in “West Side

Story” and Ulla Inga etc etc---. In “The Producers” She

sings with the Jazz Band Cyan Traces and QE2 big

band. In 2007 she joined Threshold and played Lucy in

“Jekyll and Hyde”. She was Assistant MD for the “Full

Monty” and this year made her debut as MD for the

Threshold production of “Footloose”.

Holly came back to Dereham in October to see our

production of “The Matchgirls”.

Dereham Operatic Society “The Magnificent Seven” success in Norwich. No less than Seven members of DOS & DOYTCo are appearing in and taking leading roles in Norfolk & Norwich Operatic

Society‟s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Theatre Royal Norwich at the end of January 2011.

John McInnes (Tevye), Linda Campbell (Golde), Nick Bird (Lazar Wolfe), Emilia Campbell (Shpiritze), Lavinia Pirret

(Grandma Tzeitel), Colin Harris (Rabbi) Danielle Warne (daughter)

Also taking part are past members of DOS, Peter Mottram, Greg Finch & David Chapman.

DOS sends them and NNOS “Best Wishes” for a successful show.

Congratulations: Lucy Marie was born on the 15th

November to happy parents, Joanne and Ian Doughty

Lucy weighed in at 8lb 1oz (to you modern people 4.5 Kg)

The Society extends their congratulations to the happy

family.

DOS Committee for 2010 /2011

Chairman: Martyn Rolfe Tel: 01603 408017 e-mail: martyn.rolfe@ntlworld.com

Vice Chairman: Marilyn Cara Tel: 01362 696900 e-male: Yellow.tulip@cara2494.fsnet.co.uk

Treasurer Margaret White Tel: 01603 412874 e-mail: whitemags5@aol.com

Secretary. Julia Havis Tel: 01362 820936 e-mail: julia.havis@btinternet.com

Patron Secretary Tony Wilds Tel: 07894 919088. e-mail Anthony.wilds@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

Committee Members : Jackie Buckingham, Julie Hewitt, Dave Filer, Kevin Jude

In Remembrance.

Eileen Moseley

The church was full for her funeral, obviously a very well

loved lady in Wicklewood. Kathy Grey read a very nice

address, Eileen who had a very interesting life. She was a

lovely lady and helped several times with F O H mostly on

sweets. A pity that she was not better known by other

members of the Society.

Pamela Wiles. A patron for a number of years who took

great pleasure in coming to see DOS productions. Her wish

and that of her daughter Caroline Flynn was to donate half of

the collection at her funeral service to Dereham Operatic

Society.

The committee wish to express their condolences and thanks

to the Family.

The Society‟s was represented by Julia & Peter Havis at her

Remembrance Service at North Elmham Church on Thursday

26th

November.

Forgotten Victims “The World Day of Remembrance Service for Road Traffic Victims”

Liz Voysey our Properties Mistress is a member of the RoadPeace charity and together with Bridget Wall is deeply involved with

organising the Remembrance Service held at Norwich Cathedrals on the third Sunday of November each year.

The World Health Organisation has adopted the Service and day which is now a globally recognised event.

Bereaved Families who have lost loved ones in car crashes come together at the service of around 500 people, to share their

unique grief. It is a great comfort to many families who have lost loved ones in this devastating way.

Liz‟s 19 year old daughter Amy, was killed by a speeding motorist on the A47 in 2004.

Dates FOR your Dairy 2011

Monday 100h

January Priority Bookings for „Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood‟

Wednesday 23rd

February to Saturday 26th February. Panto – „Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood‟

Monday 8th March Priority Bookings for the Youth Groups „Oliver‟

Wednesday 20th February to Saturday 23

rd February. The Youth Groups „Oliver‟

Food Glorious Food This month I am sure you will not have time for special

recipes as you will all be busy with festive decorations and making your own Jelly‟s, Mince Pies , and Sausage Rolls for

Christmas.

So I thought I would share my special Christmas recipe with you, which saves all the messing about with flour and water and

messy pots and pans, which a really best reserved for Pantomime slapstick scenes.

Now for this you do need to travel a bit and join the throngs of happy shoppers because I have noticed over the last

few years that the Supermarkets do produce some excellent Christmas food, including mince pies.

Now you do need to shop around and try different ones as they do cater for different tastes,

I couldn‟t possible say which of these is better than the others. (Ed)

Winter Thoughts

Winter is the season in which people try to keep the

house as warm as it was in the summer, when they

complained about the heat

Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories.

Snowflakes are one of nature‟s

most fragile things, but just look what they do when

they stick together.

If you like the Photos and want to see them in Colour the Newsletter will be on the DOS website in Glorious Colour . Ed