Information for Members
Newsletter May 09
Last Update 06-Oct-2009
The Last Play
To my surprise April in Paris worked well in the main house. Congratulations to Pam for creating an excellent rendition of the play. A two hander with so few props and scenery concentrates the view onto the actors who made every laugh count while giving us a fine range of emotions.
In the past we have talked about using a video projector in several of our plays but never found the final justification. Our thanks to Derek Taylor for arranging a demonstration of some equipment that gave us confidence that it would work with the stage lighting. More thanks to Derek for setting up the images, rigging and operating the projector.
Part of my surprise was the audience figures, 88%. That is good. The production costs of the play were not high so once again we will have made a significant profit.
A good, popular and financially successful play, what more can anybody ask for?
Next Season
A selection of plays has been chosen, and although they have been proposed to the committee they are not yet fixed. A working group will now read the plays to assess if there are any technical constraints that need to be solved before final approval.
The initial reaction from the committee was good, I wonder what you will think. Come along on the 7th June to find out.
Auditions
Casting of plays has sometimes been difficult! This season Do has had more difficulty than usual finding people of the correct age and gender that are available for the rehearsal and play weeks.
It has been agreed that we will hold Auditions for all characters in our plays. The first audition on 7th June will be for members only.
On 21st June we will hold an Open Audition, by that we mean that the audition will be open to members of the society and anybody else that wishes to attend.
We plan to make an announcement of the open audition in the local papers to encourage interest from as many people as possible.
If you feel that you have been type cast, why not come along and show what else you can do.
Announcement
The new season will be formally announced at an
Extra-Ordinary General Meeting
Sunday 7th June 7:30pm
A flyer will be ready for the beginning of Arsenic and Old Lace to announce the season to our patrons.
Visiting Companies
Our plans for visiting companies for the first half of next year is nearly complete. We will have a full programme with at least one surprise (I hope).
Evacuation Procedures
During April In Paris we started to try out the new evacuation procedures. The new procedures are actually not new but variations to, and restatements of those that have existed for some time.
The procedures are currently going through their third revision, and will need more changes as we see them in operation. Please do not be put off from offering to help, and please if you have any comment do let us know either on the night or by dropping a note into the Chairman tray in the box office.
"Missing Dan Nolan"
This item was missed from the last newsletter.
On the Sat 21st February the Rose Theatre Youth Group performed the above play to a record breaking audience! We had our biggest audience ever (110!!!) and received fantastically good feedback.
‘Missing Dan Nolan’ is a true story about a teenage boy who disappeared on New Year's Day 2002 after going fishing with friends, this unusual and deeply affecting play uses the actual words of Daniel’s family, friends and the detective in charge to portray its important story. The play explores the mystery of Dan’s disappearance and the tragic events that occurred that night; raising issues concerning personal safety and the importance of looking out for your mates.
"Although we’ve lost our Dan, I feel very proud. All the issues about Dan’s disappearance and the safety issues surrounding teenagers are in the play and it must continue to raise awareness."
Pauline Nolan (Dan’s mum)
When we requested the performance rights to ‘MDN’ we were sent the most delightful e-mail from Mark Wheeller’s office, it stated how pleased he was that we were performing the play that was “most close to his heart”. The Theatre Company thought this was a fantastic boost and would very much like to consider one of his many award winning plays for the future. EM
Thanks to Emma for all of her hard work and dedication to the success of our youth theatre. PC
Youth Theatre
The Youth Group are currently looking at a ‘two hander’ and a collection of monologues to perform at our next show (Sat. 6th June 2009). Please put the date in your diaries!!! It will be fantastic to see you there!!!
Chaperones
Recently I was discussing some new requirements for chaperones for our youth theatre performances. The full details as they apply to our theatre and the youth theatre performances have not yet been clarified. One thing that appears quite clear is that we will need a number of people certified as chaperones.
A chaperone will require an enhanced CRB check and several other checks and references. If there are any members that would like to offer themselves as chaperones please let either Emma or myself know.
Finances
Here we are nearly at the end of another season, and what a roller coaster it has been. One may have thought that the theatre would be an optional extra that people would miss when finances get tight.
We have not found our audiences diminished by the economic climate, in fact we ponder that we may have benefited. We offer good theatre at a reasonable price, with a friendly atmosphere and decently priced beverages.
The current projections show that the profit for this year will be similar to last. That is good because we have some more costs on maintenance. This summer we plan to replace the boiler and cooker in the kitchen.
Painting Holiday
Nicola Blakemore has been in touch to announce that she is arranging painting holidays in France. The courses are arranged with one of Nicola's students at some gites not far from where Nicola now lives. Have a look at:
Then click on the scrolling banner.
Moving On
I am sorry to announce that Ted and Denise Churchett will be leaving us soon. They are moving to the South. I would like to wish them all the best, and thank them for all of their help over the years.
Subs
The Treasurer has written to a number of you reminding you that your subs are due (they were due in July 2008). Please can you send in your subs as quickly as possible.
If you would like to set up payment of your subs by standing order please ask the office for the details.
Comments to your Chairman
Paul Cutland
0797 004 8159
vicechairman@rosetheatre.co.uk