Newsletters

page last updated 07/08/2010

RTG Newsletter – August 2010

OUTSTANDING

It would be extremely difficult for anyone who witnessed the Youth Group production for this year of ‘Panel Games’ and ‘Slug Wars’ to not be impressed by the exuberance and professionalism shown by all concerned. The standard of acting was excellent and although it would be unfair to single out individual performances there were some that were simply exquisite. Two very different themes, powerful drama and comedic joy entertained those present.

Congratulations to Anne-Marie and John for directing such different but entertaining productions.

RTG2

The Committee recently discussed the role of RTG2. It is very important that RTG2 carries on it’s active involvement in reading new scripts for possible future performance, but it was also recognised that sometimes it is difficult to hold readings in the Village Hall kitchen.

It has been suggested that RTG members may kindly volunteer their homes for meetings (which has happened in the past). It was also thought that more variation to what RTG2 undertake could be introduced. This may include improvisation sessions as well as readings. Please let the committee know what you think.

GHOSTLY GOINGS ON AT THE VILLAGE HALL

The September production of “Laying the Ghost” has now been cast and rehearsals are well under way. Performance dates are 23^rd, 24^th and 25^th September at 7.30pm, tickets are £7.

THE BIG CLEAR OUT!!

If you can spare a little time on Saturday 21^st August it will be greatly appreciated.

A big clear out of the RTG garage is planned. Vehicles will be needed to ferry rubbish to the nearest tip in an effort to reorganise the garage and to clear out anything that is not now required.

We may discover some interesting things like previous members of the group who have not been seen for a while, props that were thought lost and the car that was originally in the garage when RTG took it over. When we put everything back Ken will treat us all to a lesson in spatial awareness or how to get something that measures 6 x 4 into a space that measures 2 x 3.

Seriously though we need all the help we can get so even if you can spare an hour or less it would be appreciated.

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN

You may have already seen the note sent out by Hazel about this year’s Christmas Dinner. I know it seems quite early but like last year we need to be one of the first in the queue to be able to organise one long table like last year at the Little John. I’m sure that all those who attended would agree that it was a memorable night

PLAY DATABASE

RTG keep a play database currently updated by Julie. The original database was compiled by John and is a record of plays he has read or been involved in reading.

The play is identified by title, author, genre, and has the number of cast members, male and female. It is an excellent way to keep a running record of plays and a good reference for RTG to return to if looking for a suitable play.

If you wish to add to the RTG Database just send Julie an Email on jules.cox@ntlworld.com including the details of the play required for the database and it can be added to the list.

Gruesome Theatre Fact

In ancient Roman plays, if a character had to die, actors were replaced by convicted rapists, and murderers who were then killed on stage!!!!

Finally RTG would like to welcome new member Shaza Mark to the group.

RTG Newsletter – June 2010

Annual General Meeting

RTG held its annual general meeting on Wednesday 16^th at the Ravenshead Village Hall. It was Carole Justice’s last AGM as Chairman and she gave an impassioned speech thanking all concerned for their efforts and support over the last year.

Carole covered aspects of the last three productions and what she envisaged for the future of the group. Carole has done a sterling job as chairman and the group readily showed their appreciation.

Terry Cox asked to be considered for the role of chairman and was nominated and seconded into the role. The other elected officers and committee members are as follows: Jo Thomas and Chris Breach are to share the role of treasurer and Julie Cox and Hazel O’Connell are to share secretary duties. The other members of the committee are: Mark Breach, Ken Cumberpatch, Jose Kinnaird, Richard Kinnaird and John Birch.

Betty Kirk Award

The winner of this year’s Betty Kirk award for best performance was Richard Kinnaird for his truly memorable performance as King Oedipus.

Chris Breach was a deserving winner of The Founder Members Trophy (presented by Shelia Cross) for her contribution towards RTG over the years.

Laying the ghost

Graham Smith is to direct the September play for 2010. ‘Laying the Ghost’ is a comedy written by Simon Williams.

The play revolves around the residents of Yew Tree House retirement home. Margot Buchanan is not looking forward to her 70^th birthday, particularly as her ex-husband - renowned actor Leo Buchanan – is in the papers again, all for the wrong reasons. Her friend Frieda’s psychic ramblings and the unexpected appearance of Leo’s current wife Judy confound issues. The appearance of an aspiring young actress who has a dubious connection to Leo also adds to the mayhem.

The main parts of Margot and Leo have been cast but Graham still needs actors for the part of Frieda (Elderly lady) and Lady Buchanan (Between 40 to 50 years of age). If you are interested in either part please contact Graham Smith as soon as possible

A Change for January 2011

As you may be aware the January 2011 production is to be ‘family friendly play’ and not the usual Pantomime. The decision was taken after a vote among the members. It was generally thought that a change was needed, as the usual pantomime was getting a little stale and predictable.

John Birch has put himself forward to direct January’s production and would welcome ideas on possible scripts.

Youth Group

RYTG are set to perform two plays at the Village Hall on July 9th and 10th, Panel Games directed by Ann-Marie Butler and Slug Wars written and directed by John Birch. Tickets are on sale now!

RTG Newsletter – April 2010

RTG Youth Group

We have some important news about this year’s Youth Group production, due to NANDA canceling this year’s Youth Theatre Festival due to a poor response from local theatre groups. It has been decided to hold the Youth Group’s planned productions on Friday 9^th and Saturday 10^th July 7.30pm at the Village Hall Ravenshead instead. This will replace their normal November production.

John, Ann Marie and Mandy did not want to waste all the time spent rehearsing and the obvious enthusiasm of those involved. RYTG will be performing two, one act plays “Panel Games’ by Eileen Brandon, a serious thought provoking piece about Euthanasia (directed by Ann Marie) and "Slug Wars – a cabbage too far", written and directed by John Birch, a fast moving zany piece about you’ve guessed it Slugs and Cabbages!

Tickets go on sale from 24^th May. John and Ann Marie are looking for help backstage, interested please ring John on 01623 793827.

Make way for the King!

Rehearsals are well underway for the RTG June production of Oedipus the King, directed by Mark Breach.

This is a challenging piece for both cast and perhaps audience but the cast is already finding it very rewarding. Care has been taken to use the original Greek pronunciations of character names and the places mentioned in the play. This has proved to be a bit of a tongue twister at times but the cast are coping admirably. The performance will also be set ‘in the round’ with the actors performing on the stage and floor area with the audience seated around them.

The box office is now open for ticket sales (ticket price £7)

Where in the World?

Mark has supplied some interesting information about the RTG website, which recently recorded its 25,000th page click since it was set up. Most visits are from the UK, as you would expect but there have been at least one visit from almost every country in the world outside of much of Africa, Greenland, Bolivia, Mongolia or Papua New Guinea. Outside of the UK we seem most popular in the cities of Melbourne, Sydney and New York.

RTG now has a small presence on Wikipedeia; just enter Ravenshead Theatre Group into the search.

Pantomime or Play?

Thank you to everyone who returned the questionnaire sheets or sent their views on an E mail or letter saying whether RTG should continue with the Pantomime format for its January production or switch to a ‘Family – Friendly’ type play instead.

The results are quite interesting and will be discussed at this year’s Annual General Meeting which is to be on Wednesday 16^th June 8.00pm in the Brammer Room.

Voting forms for this year’s Betty Kirk Award will be sent out by E mail and hardcopy mid-May. Voting forms will be required back before the AGM, further details on whom to return them to will follow.

The performances to be considered are from, ‘Gym and Tonic’, ‘Bluebeard’ and ‘Oedipus the King’

To keep with the Greek Theme here’s a question. (Send me back the answer or let me know and you will go into a prize draw to be drawn at the AGM)

Where did the epic battle take place between 300 Spartans and a Persian force of over a million?

A) Thermoplae

B) Carthage

C) Athens

D) Troy

E) Bridlington

RTG Newsletter – February 2010

Bluebeard the Magnificent!

The weeks leading up to Bluebeard where not particularly encouraging. The weather, snow and ice, brought with it cancelled rehearsals and a delay in the group receiving marketing information.

It has to be acknowledged that these factors did have an effect on overall tickets sales; markedly down on last year's figures. However the same cannot be said of the enthusiasm the group members on and off stage put into the final production.

As with any RTG production the overall effort of all those involved, should be applauded.

Bluebeard was fast, snappy, very funny and full of excellent individual performances. The set build and design warrant special mention. The back set for the Black Tower scene was just superb and reminded me of all the painted backdrops you used to see of the Carpathian Mountains surrounding Dracula’s Castle in the Hammer Horror films of the 1970’s.

Ken once again did a wonderful job of making the set scenery, being able to transform market stalls into a double bed (and he does all this on a budget of £3.50 with the loan of someone else’s hammer).

There were some special moments in Bluebeard, too many in fact to mention them all but I will remember Chris’s unflappable professionalism when the stage crew had hard boiled the eggs to be used in the comic cookery scene, also the bed scene and the chase back and forth across stage that followed. Finally Richard and his devotion to keep gluing his beard back on and putting up with the blue dye that kept coming off it turning him into a version of Papa Smurf.

Bluebeard despite its initial problems was a true success and everyone concerned worked very hard to make it so. What then next year? We shall see.

Well Done!

Congratulations must go to Fiona Hill who organised a collection from the audience after each Pantomime to go towards the Haiti Earthquake Appeal. People dug deep and a generous £180 was raised.

Greek Classic

As you may be aware the RTG June production is to be ‘King Oedipus’ by Sophocles.

The play was first performed in 429BC (not at the Ravenshead Village Hall) and was the first of the cycle (although written second) of the Theban plays, which included ‘Antigone’ and ‘Oedipus at Colonus’. The play involves themes of Patricide and Incest, which can be seen, echoed in many modern day soap operas and is widely regarded by many as the definitive example of Greek tragedy.

The play is to be directed by Mark Breach who’s past productions include ‘Great Expectations’ and ‘Under Milk Wood’ and will be performed on the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th of June 2010.

Initial readings have already taken place and auditions are to be on Wednesday 17th February in the lounge area at St Peters Church Hall commencing at 8.00pm.

NANDA One Act Plays

The Youth Group will soon start rehearsing for the NANDA One Act play competition. Two plays have been chosen but their titles remain a mystery to the youth group members, only a chosen few know the truth at present. Watch this space and all will be revealed later.

Abigail’s Party

Our very own Jo Thomas is joining Bonnington Theatre Group to take the lead in ‘Abigail’s Party’, which is to be performed at the Bonnington Theatre Arnold on April 22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th. Tickets are £6.00 (no concessions) we would like to get a group together to go and offer her our support. If interested contact Julie either at RTG rehearsals or telephone 01623 643517

Finally a warm welcome from RTG to new member Stuart Wells.

RTG Newsletter – December 2009

Wonderful, Wyrd and Wacky

Once again the Youth Group showed its professionalism and versatility with an excellent performance of Terry Pratchett’s ‘Wryd Sisters’. The play is set in the Discworld Kingdom of Linacre and follows the adventures of a very odd and determined coven of witches, the Wyrd Sisters comprising of Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick. The production was extremely well received and audience reaction was most encouraging.

Christmas Dinner

RTG held its annual Christmas Dinner on the 17^th December at the Little John Public House Ravenshead and a very pleasant night it turned out to be. Braving inclement weather conditions and a road surface leading down to the Little John that was more suited to the Winter Olympics, 24 intrepid diners savoured the Christmas Fayre on offer and indulged in good conversation, good company and a good time. Congratulations must go to Julie who organised the event and to Hazel and Kev for producing an excellent Christmas quiz and for generating more than a few chuckles with Kev’s inspired Christmas Gifts for everyone.

Bluebeard

Rehearsals are well under way for the next RTG Pantomime ‘Bluebeard’ The cast is all focusing on their characters and some interesting interpretations can be seen. Richard is still perfecting his evil laugh as ‘Bluebeard’ and along with his trusty, if often abused henchman, ‘Lurkin’ (Played in true Quasimodo style by Jo) are developing into a formidable double act. Bluebeard includes all the usual pantomime traits such as audience rapport, thigh slapping, songs, corny jokes, comic set pieces and a Black Tower (Da! Da! Dahhh!). Mandy has also come up with an inventive and very modern soundtrack (MC Chris Breach is in da house) to add to the proceedings. The box office is now open for ticket sales.

Looking forward to next year

It can be a challenge to carry on finding new and exciting productions for each year. For next year we also have the added problem of a general election to contend with. This could be anytime from May to June with the Village Hall being used as a Polling Station. The RTG Committee has taken this into account and several possibilities have been discussed. The work that RTG2 do each year reading new scripts is also a great help. If any members are aware of possible plays that could be considered for a future production then please bring it to the attention of the group.

RTG Newsletter – October 2009

Just the Tonic

A strong cast, excellent backstage and front of house support made this production a highly enjoyable and memorable experience. Audience reaction too was extremely positive over the three performance nights.

John Godber’s Gym and Tonic had all the right ingredients for a successful play, the right balance between comedy, pathos, and some might say, an element of tragedy (particularly the final scene). It also had some excellent choreographed scenes (thanks to Mandy) and a soundtrack to rival the best (courtesy of John). The cast all gave excellent performances and some even displayed otherwise unknown talents; Julie for being a natural masseuse and chiropractor (my neck has never moved as it does now) and Jo for Cornish Pastie throwing. Never has a pastie been thrown with such force and accuracy (ask Katie who caught one in the stomach).

John who directed the production was more than happy with the final results. He acknowledged the hard work put into the production by all involved. He is now thinking of applying to the BBC to become the new head of Drama, perhaps.

See the pictures at Gym & Tonic.

Bluebeard

As you may already be aware the next RTG production is to be ‘Bluebeard’ by Paul Reakes. Initial readings have taken place and already some interesting characters and equally interesting interpretations have been seen and heard. A second reading is scheduled for Wednesday 7th with auditions following a week later on the 14th.

Fancy a night out?

The Lace Market Theatre at Nottingham are performing ‘Festen’ by David Eldridge on the 9^th – 14^th November at 7.30.p.m. See Mark Breach for tickets and more information.

The play witnesses the coming together of a daughter and two sons to their widely respected father’s 60^th birthday. The eldest son's speech rocks the family, which can never be the same again. The play contains some strong language and deals with issues that some might find disturbing.

Christmas Dinner

This year’s RTG Christmas Dinner is to be on Thursday 17^th December 7.30p.m. At the Little John Public House Main Road Ravenshead.

Something Wryd this way comes

RTG Youth Group Present Terry Pratchetts

“The Wryd Sisters”

November 20^th and 21st 2009