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TRANSCRIPT
OAST NOTESOAST THEATRE
TONBRIDGE October 2015
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Thursday, 1st October Youth Theatre Taster Workshop
TUESDAY, 6TH OCTOBER LAST DAY FOR COPY FOR
NOVEMBER OAST NOTES
Tuesday, 6th
October
Youth Theatre "Fallout" at Woking
Monday, 12th
October &
Wednesday, 14th
October
Auditions:
"Blood Money"
Thursday, 15th
October
Youth Theatre:
"The Life of Someone Normal"
at Woking
Saturday, 17th
October to
Saturday, 24th
October incl.
Play of the Month
"For Services Rendered"
Tuesday, 20th
October
Defibrillator Course in
Hildenborough
Sunday, 25th
October
Audition:
"All My Sons"
Sunday, 22nd
November &
Monday, 23rd
November
Auditions:
"Absurd Person Singular"
Wednesday, 25th
November Members' Evening: Funny Girls
NEXT MONTH’S PLAY – “Seeing the Lights” by Brendan Murray.
14th
– 21st November. All Mum wants for her 80
th birthday is a visit
from her son who lives in Australia and a trip to Blackpool to see the
lights. Will she get either?
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PLAY OF THE MONTH
“For Services Rendered” by W Somerset Maugham
This is one of Somerset Maugham’s last plays before he retired to the
south of France. It is also his most controversial, dealing as it does with
the effects of the Great War on an ordinary middle class family. His
anger about the plight of servicemen, returned from the trenches and left
to their own devices, is obvious and didn’t go down too well with the
audiences of 1932 when it was first performed. Critics, on the other
hand, raved about it. In the prophetic words of the Ardsley’s son,
Sydney, “the incompetent fools who ruled the nations....one of these
days will muddle us all into another war”.
It is late summer in that year of 1932 and the Ardsleys are entertaining
their family and friends to some tennis and tea on the terrace of their
house in Kent. But, within this seemingly peaceful and idyllic setting,
desperate wives, bitter heroes and restless youth combine to create a
heady cocktail in this darkly amusing and fascinating play.
So, join us for an evening of humour, drama and maybe even some
tears, as you watch the ultimate ‘well-made play’ with no bad language
and, surprisingly for its period, no smoking either!
Valerie Galbraith
Director
This really is an excellent play so, although you may not have heard of
it, don’t let that put you off coming to see it. Book your tickets NOW to
avoid disappointment. You can do this online at www.oasttheatre.com
by telephone on 01732 363849 or by post using an Advance
Booking form which can be found in the foyer at the theatre.
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“Blood Money” by The Heather Brothers
Auditions: Monday, 12th
October
Wednesday, 14th
October
both at 8.00pm in Ken’s Place
Performance dates: 20th
– 27th
February, 2016
Director: Chris Howland – 07515 270301
Womaniser Mike Mason, star of TV’s ‘Bargain Basement’ and his wife
Liz were involved in a hit and run accident in which a young teenage
girl Carol Mitchell was killed. They continue with their lives until
seven years later they receive a call from someone claiming to be the
dead girl.
Returning home later that night from an award ceremony, the couple
find their house trashed and the name ‘Carol Mitchell’ painted on the
wall...in blood! And so the nightmare begins. After a roller-coaster ride
of twists and turns the play finally reaches its dramatic conclusion as the
full shocking truth of Carol Mitchell’s death is revealed...along with the
identity of the protagonist.
CAST:
Mike Mason 35-55
Liz Mason 35-55
Sue Thompson 18-25
Dr Julie Campbell 40-60
Plus voice-overs
Rehearsals will start in December.
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NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
At this time of the year, the start of our new season, Associate
Members as well as members can apply to renew their
subscriptions.
We are very pleased that all the following Associate Members
have agreed to continue their support during the coming season.
Castle Corporate Finance Limited
CJC Consultancy Ltd
Columbine Dry Cleaners & Shirt Laundry
Comfyfood – Private Caterer
EJP Fire Protection Ltd
Heasmans the Jewellers Ltd.
Hildenborough Farmers’ Market
High Hilden Country House Living for the Elderly
Osmond Davis Insurance Brokers
Tonbridge Angels Football Club
Rotary Club of Tonbridge
Susan Adams Business Services
Tonbridge Lions Club
Willetts Farm Dairy Ice Cream
Worldwide Travel Insurance Services Ltd
We are so grateful to them all. Please remember to try to
support them as they are supporting us.
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“All My Sons” by Arthur Miller
Audition: Sunday, 25th
October – 11.30am –1.00pm
Performance dates: 12th
– 19th
March, 2016
Director: Sandra Barfield – 07973 657311 or
Joe Keller, a successful businessman, lives comfortably with his wife,
Kate, and son, Chris, in a suburban American neighbourhood. They
have only one sadness in their lives – the loss of their other son, Larry,
who went missing in World War II. After three years Kate still clings to
the hope that her son is alive. Chris would like her to give up that hope
because he wants to marry Ann, an old neighbour and Larry’s former
fiancée.
“All My Sons” is a compelling story of love, guilt and the corrupting
power of greed.
No ages of the characters have been stipulated apart from that of Chris
and Lydia. As long as the ‘look’ is right of the other characters in
relation to them, then their real age is not important.
CAST
Joe Keller
A business man. Seems solid and reliable.
Chris Keller (32 ish)
Joe’s surviving son. A man capable of immense affection and loyalty.
Kate Keller
Mother. Her ‘motherliness’ is one of her defining characteristics.
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“All My Sons”contd.
Ann Deever
Daughter of Steve Deever, former neighbour of the Kellers and former
fiancée of the missing Larry Keller.
George Deever
Brother of Ann. He grew up as the Keller’s neighbour before his father
was imprisoned.
Dr Jim Bayliss
A world-weary doctor living next door to the Kellers.
Sue Bayliss
Jim’s wife. Because she put her husband through medical school she
still has a sort of power over him.
Frank Lubey
He is lucky. He avoided the draft in World War II, married Lydia and
set up a nice house for him and their three children.
Lydia Lubey
(27ish) She used to have ‘a thing’ with serious old George but, when he
enlisted in the army, she gave him up and married Frank.
Bert
He is a neighbourhood kid who comes around the Kellers. He only
appears twice in the play. The first time seems unimportant but the
second time he sparks a verbal attack from the mother when mentioning
gaol.
Scripts are available to read.
Please contact the Director – details on the previous page.
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“Absurd Person Singular” by Alan Ayckbourn
Auditions: Sunday, 22nd
November – 2.30pm
Monday, 23rd
November – 7.30pm
both in Ken’s Place (The Barn)
Performance dates: 22nd
(Friday) – 30th
April, 2016
Director: Phil Porter – 01732 835460 or
A three act comedy that begins light and fluffy but ends dark and manic.
Alcoholism, numerous suicide attempts and accidental but non-fatal
electrocutions are not the standard elements of farce.
The play concerns three couples, each holding a party in their respective
kitchens on three successive Christmas Eves. The Hopcrofts are the
social inferiors of the others but are determined to make their mark. At
the play’s end they are physically and emotionally triumphant, forcing
the rest to take part in a series of rituals that are funny but deeply
humiliating.
Act 2 has considerable scope for physical theatre: full of movement that
needs precision timing and some agility.
THE CHARACTERS ARE:
Sydney Hopcroft – 30ish, dapper, cheery, unflappable. A born
organiser.
Jane Hopcroft – 30ish, obsessed with housework and cleanliness.
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“Absurd Person Singular”contd.
Geoffrey Jackson – mid 30s, good looking, confident,
easy going.
Eva Jackson – mid 30s, makes no concessions in either manner or
appearance.
Ronald Brewster-Wright – mid 40s, impressive appearance.
Marion Brewster-Wright – 40, well-groomed. Much better
preserved than Ronald.
As always the ages of the characters as shown are guidelines only.
The play will be set in a ‘black box’.
The three different kitchens will be represented by the appropriate
furniture but there will be no back flats, doors or windows.
As all Ayckbourn’s plays were originally performed in the round,
these scenic devices are obviously unnecessary.
The play will probably be costumed for the present day.
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Make a note of the date!
MEMBERS' EVENING
Wednesday, 25th November – 7.30pm for 8.00pm
FUNNY GIRLS: BRITISH COMEDIENNES FROM
THE 1930s – 1960s
We welcome Geoff Bowden to give us an entertaining talk that will
cover many wonderful artistes including Beryl Reid, Hattie Jacques,
June Whitfield, Elsie and Doris Waters and Joyce Grenfell. The
talk will include some audio clips.
Ever since he can remember Geoff has had a love of the theatre and
performing. He formed his own musical revue company in 1989
which toured successfully. He is an active member of the British
Music Hall Society’s main committee, and he gives talks regularly
on various theatrical topics.
There will be a charge of £2.00 for this evening, payable on the
night. No need to book, just turn up!
If you would like a tour of the theatre please come at 7.30pm if
possible.
The bar and coffee bar will be open.
Look forward to seeing you!
Jo Pierce
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THE OAST YOUTH THEATRE
ON TOUR!
The Oast Youth Theatre are to Woking to perform in the
drama festival at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre. It would be
great if there were some familiar faces in the audiences, so why not come and
see one or both of the plays. It is a competitive festival so we can do with all
the support we can get.
Tuesday, 6th October – “Fallout” (written by local author Scott Kingsnorth,
directed by youth members Robbie Rickard and Toby Robbins). First
performed as an Oast rehearsed reading earlier this year.
Thursday, 15th October – “The Life of Someone Normal” (written by former
youth member Charlotte Souter, directed by Robyn Bannister). First
performed by the Oast at the International Youth Arts Festival in Kingston
earlier this year.
Both received excellent comments from audience members.
If you have any questions about either, please let me know on
[email protected] or 07812061753.
YOUTH THEATRE TASTER WORKSHOP FOR
HOPPERS AND NEW BOYS! We are having a ‘taster’ workshop on the 1
st October for those who might be
interested in joining the Youth Theatre. Workshops usually run from 7.30pm
– 10.00pm, but for this one only we will have a cut-off at 9.00pm for anyone
who wants to come along but doesn’t want to commit for the whole evening.
Youth workshops are a mixture of games, devising and script work and are
held three times a month. We also stage three full length shows a year and
one-act plays at festivals (participation in either of these is not compulsory).
Current and former Hoppers over the age of 13 are welcome, as are any boys
of this age. Unfortunately, due to quite a big imbalance at the moment, any
new girls will have to go on a waiting list.
Contact me to book a place on [email protected] or
07812061753.
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100 CLUB – AUGUST RESULTS
£25.00 Mrs A Evans
£10.00 Mr & Mrs Smalman-Smith
£10.00 Mrs J Blessley
£10.00 Mrs S Grimes
£10.00 Mrs S Veryard
You can join at any time. It only costs £13.00 a year. Just ring Rita
Carpenter on 01732 358282. Numbers available at present are:
52: 99: 110: 114: 130: 134: 138: 150 and 165
DEFIBRILLATOR COURSE
This follows hard on our own First Aid Course and
has local importance.
Although these wonderful machines actually talk you through the
process, these courses are held to give people the confidence to take
them off the wall in the first place!
The course will be held in Hildenborough Church Hall (as distinct
from the village hall) on Tuesday, 20th October at 7.00pm.
To book your FREE place contact Janet Richardson on 01732
838903.
Phil Porter
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NEW MEMBERS
We continue to attract new members of all ages which is very
nice as, of course, from time to time we do lose some.
Three new Youth Theatre members this month:
Bradley Chalklin
Ollie Ginno
and
Jack Hudson
With one exception all the following adults have joined as
Audience members –
Marie Best Joan Billett
Steven Scrivener Susan Trehearne
Ann Welch Mary Whelan
The exception being Oliver Tourle who joins us as an actor.
We welcome you all. Do make the most of your membership.
Like most organisations you will get out of Tonbridge Theatre
and Arts Club only as much as you put in.
There are always plenty of activities on offer and lots
opportunities to help.
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“MORT”
Well done to everyone involved in “Mort” – it was a truly team
production and you all did yourselves, the theatre and me proud.
IMPORTANT DATES
1st October 7.30pm – 10.00pm – workshop
6th
October “Fallout” in Woking – book tickets and
come and see it!
8th
October 7.30pm – 10.00pm – workshop
15th
October “The Life of Someone Normal” in Woking
book tickets and come and see it!
29th
October 7.00pm – 10.00pm – OASTLYMPICS 2015!
“THE LIFE OF SOMEONE NORMAL”
and “FALLOUT” at WOKING
The Oast Youth Theatre is going on the road! To Woking! We will be
taking “The Life of Someone Normal” (written by our own Charlotte
Souter and directed by Robyn Bannister) and “Fallout” (written by Scott
Kingsnorth and directed by Robbie Rickard and Toby Robbins). This is
a competitive festival so we will need all the support we can get.
“Fallout” is on 6th
October and “The Life of Someone Normal” on 15th
Why not arrange a car share to get as many people along as possible?
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“CONNECTIONS” and “PRONOUN”
Auditions will be held in November. Hopefully, by the time you read
this, we will know which “Connections” play we are doing. Ask me if
you want to borrow a script for either that or “Pronoun”. (I am unsure,
but I think one of you might have met the author of that).
OASTLYMPICS 2015!
Bring costumes (points for the best ones).
Bring energy.
Bring a competitive spirit.
Bring £1.00 (if possible) to help me cover costs.
Who will seize the crown from Cam, Ebony, Hayden, Molly, Phoebe
and Toby? An undefined number of people enter, some of them win and
the previously defined number of people leave (I’m not a monster).
Jason
07812061753
Tonbridge Theatre & Arts Club Registered Charity No. 227035
www.oasttheatre.com
Officers
Chairman LAURA COLLINS 01892 750131 [email protected]
Honorary Treasurer DAVID KEITH 01732 458876 [email protected] Honorary Secretary ELIZABETH PORTLOCK 01732 300551 [email protected] Membership Secretary ANDY WHEELER 01732 832314 Cherry Trees, 38 Stocks Green Road, Hildenborough TN11 9AD Youth Theatre JASON LOWER 07812061753 [email protected] Premises Manager PHIL PORTER 01732 835460 Hirings and Rehearsal Bookings LYN PORTER 01732 835460 Publicity MAGGIE HOILES 01622 813573 Editor ANNIE YOUNG 01732 352084 [email protected]
Copy to 18 Hildenfields, London Road, Tonbridge TN10 3DQ or by email to above address.
Box Office: (01732) 363849
LONDON ROAD TONBRIDGE KENT TN10 3AN TEL: (01732) 350261
OAST THEATRE
TONBRIDGE
THE OAST THEATRETonbridge Theatre & Arts Club