A Mouthful of Theatre, 3rd to 9th of August 2008, Timisoara, Romania

TEATRUpePAINE
aMOUTHFULofTHEATRE
teatrupepaine.thespis.ro

A Mouthful of Theatre
3-9 August 2008
Timisoara, Romania

Call for applications

Hungry for theatre?

With us, you get “A Mouth Full of Theatre”!

GLAS and CCS Timisoara are delighted to announce the second edition of “A Mouthful of Theatre” Festival – workshops and improvisation. “A Mouthful of Theatre” is an excellent opportunity for participants to improve their acting skills and their overall stage performances. Young people from E.U., acting in an amateur theatre group or having previous theatre experience, are invited to apply.

“A Mouthful of Theatre” Festival is taking place in Timisoara between the 3rd and the 9th of August, having its main focus on two workshops: “Dance and Stage Movement in Acting”, and “Improvisation in Acting”. The purpose of the manifestation is creating an environment for the amateur actors from E.U. to be able to meet and work together, in the spirit of multiculturalism, as Theatre is known to be the universal language, going far beyond all linguistic, cultural and social bounds.

The public is also invited to join the participants for a series of workshops in a special day of the event – Open Day. In addition, every evening of the festival will have its own moments dedicated to cultural interacting. We are glad to offer you various theatre performances, discussion workshops, projections, thematic parties, etc. All these in order to fill your mouth with theatre.

To apply, please fill in the attached form and send it to the e-mail address teatru_pe_paine@yahoo.com before the 15th of July 2008. Selected participants will be officially announced until the 17th of July 2008 and will have to confirm their participation by e-mail. For further details, please visit http://teatrupepaine.thespis.ro.

“A Mouthful of Theatre” is an event organized by GLAS (The Group For Free Social Assertion), supported and hosted by The Thespis Theatre and Casa de Cultura a Studentilor Timisoara. Partners: The “Politehnica” University of Timisoara, The French Cultural Centre, The German Cultural Centre, The Intercultural Institute of Timisoara, Creion Concept. Financiers: ANSIT, Timisoara City Hall and Local Council, Timis County Council.

50th Woking Drama Festival - LAST CALL FOR ENTRIES

Amateur drama groups have until the end of July to register their entry for the 50th Woking Drama Festival.

This festival of one-act plays, one of the country's largest and most successful, is taking place from 30th Sept to 11th October, 2008, at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking. Entry forms need to be returned by the end of the month to guarantee a place in this exciting event which will be adjudicated by Rex Walford, GODA.

Woking Drama Association, the festival organizers, are planning to celebrate the landmark anniversary with a special exhibition, gala opening, 9 competitive nights of one-act plays and a final-night recall show and drinks reception. All of which will showcase some of the best amateur theatre groups in the area.

Groups from any part of the country are welcome to register. Full details are available from the festival website at http://www.wokingdramafestival.org.uk/ or contact Shirley Cumming (shirley@cumming.org) on 01483 722909.

Ayrshire Theatre Company Crowned Drama Champions of Britain

At the Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea on Saturday 05 July, Stewarton Drama Group from Ayrshire were crowned British Drama Champions 2008.

The Group are the overall winners of the 2008 British Final Festival of One Act Plays - from a total of over 800 productions which were entered in the competition across the United Kingdom this year.

The British Final Festival is the annual national amateur event, when theatre companies and enthusiasts from all over the UK come together to learn and celebrate.

Stewarton Drama Group won their place at the 2008 British Final when they were placed first at the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness on 24 May 2008 at the Scottish Final of the Scottish Community Drama Association One-Act Play Festival.

In the hands of Stewarton’s award-winning director Nancy McPherson, their production of “One Good Beating” by Glasgow playwright Linda McLean wowed judges and finished top out of the 170 plays entered in the Scottish national competition this year.

At the British Final held on 4 & 5 July in Wales, the Stewarton team finished the job by seeing off tough competition from the other 3 national winners from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and were awarded the prestigious Howard de Walden Trophy as the new British Champions.

The Group were given a much appreciated helping hand on their 800 mile round trip to Wales, thanks to their sponsors Arnold Clark.

Sir Arnold Clark, Chairman and Chief Executive of Arnold Clark Automobiles Ltd said:

“Arnold Clark was delighted to sponsor Stewarton Drama Group for their exciting trip to the British Final. We send them our warmest congratulations on their magnificent achievement in bringing the title of British Drama Champions home to Ayrshire.”

Pint-sized Plays Writing Competition

How much drama or comedy can you pack into a five or ten minute play? Pint-sized Plays is your opportunity to show just how imaginative and original you can be. It can be funny, it can be sad... if it can be performed in a pub, with two or three characters, you could be a winner of Pint-sized Plays.

The winning six plays will all be performed in pubs in Pembrokeshire starting this Autumn, during the Tenby Arts Festival and then in other pubs around the county.

Entries will be judged by Phil Clark, who was Artistic Director of the Sherman Theatre Company in Cardiff from 1990 to 2006 where he prioritised new writing, commissioning and directing over 100 new plays.

Entries must be received by August 8th – for full details, go to our website.

Programme for the 2008 British All Winners Festival

National Drama Festivals Association & Manx Amateur Drama Federation
present
35th British All Winners Festival
The Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, Isle of Man
Saturday 19th to Friday 25th July 2008
Adjudicator: Colin Dolley GODA

Saturday 19th July – 7:30 pm (Full Length Play)
Bejou Productions, Essex “The Caretaker” by Harold Pinter

Sunday 20th July – 7:00pm (Youth One Act Plays)
1 Thorpe Hall School, Essex “The Glint of Gold” by Vivienne Cunningham
2 Kick Youth Theatre, Liverpool “Our Little Secret” by Donna Lesley Price
3 Wessex Youth Theatre, Hants “Warrior Square” by Nick Wood
Presentation by Natasha Torin, Young Actor of Mann 2008 followed by
The adjudications and presentation of the NDFA Trophy to the winner of the Youth Section

Monday 21st July – 7:30pm (3 One Act Plays)
1 St.Pauls Drama Group, Surrey “Happy Jack” by John Godber
2 Sodbury Players, Bristol “A Life Sentence” by Mark Seaman
3 Karvid Productions, Herts “Two” by Jim Cartwright
Tuesday 22nd July – 7:30pm (Full Length Play)
Wakefield Little Theatre, Yorks “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller

Wednesday 23rd July - 7:30pm (3 One Act Plays)
1 Ballaly Players, Dublin “One for the Road” by Harold Pinter
2 Guernsey ADOC “The Extraordinary Revelations of Orca the Goldfish” by David Tristram
3 Send ADS, Surrey “The Island” by Athol Fugard

Thursday 24th July – 7:30pm (Full Length Play)
Everyman Productions, Co. Sligo “Juno and the Paycock” by Sean O’Casey

Friday 25th July – 7:30pm
Gala Evening with Sir Derek Jacobi followed by
Presentation of Awards for Full Length and One Act Plays

On Monday 21st July at 14:00hrs, there will be a rehearsed reading
of OSWIECIM by Emma Roskilly, Winner of the 2007 George Taylor Memorial Award
The reading by members of MADF will take place at the Empress Hotel, Douglas

On Wednesday 23rd July at 13:00hrs, there will be a Showcase Production
by the Gateway Drama Club in the Studio Theatre, Ballakermeen School in Douglas

The Annual General Meeting of the National Drama Festivals Association (NDFA)
will be held at the Empress Hotel, Douglas, Isle of Man
on Thursday 24th July starting at 10:30 a.m.
Tickets are available from the Gaiety Theatre Box Office 01624 694555

Results of DAW's 2008 One Act Playwriting Competition

On Friday 6th June, the result of the Drama Association of Wales' One Act Playwriting Competition was announced at Blackwood Miners’ Institute, Blackwood, Gwent.

This year the Drama Association of Wales received 240 entries, not only from Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland, but also from Malta, France, Spain, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, the USA and Canada. Thanks to everyone at 'Amdram.co.uk' for your assistance in helping to distribute our information yet again.

The results are as follows:

Winner Of Best Play For A Youth Cast 16-25 Years:
'Cloud Hopping' by Jonathan Whiteside
from Edinburgh

Winner Of Best Play in the Open Section:
'Bananas and Rainbows' by Audrey Ringrose
from London

Winner Of Best Play in the Welsh Language:
'Mab i Fam' by Gwynedd Huws Jones
from Bala, Gwynedd

Winner Of Best Play by a Wales Based Playwright:
'Where There’s a Will' by Alison Neil
from Blackmill, Bridgend

All playwrights have been sent a result letter with the adjudication of the plays that reached the final stages in their section. The winner of the top three sections will now be considered for publication.

Congratulations to the winners and those who made the short list, but our thanks go to all playwrights who sent their work to us.

If you would like an application form for the 2009 Playwriting Competition and a chance to see your work published; or further information on the Drama Association of Wales, please contact Teresa on (T) +44 (0) 29 20452200 (F) +44 (0) 29 2045 2277, or email ‘FAO Teresa’.

Costumes for Period Plays

Eco-friendly Vintage Fashion Fair at the Oxford Union, St. Michael's Street (Off Corn Market Street) Oxford, OX1 3JB. Saturday April 19th, 10am to 5pm. The next Oxford Vintage Fashion, Textile and Accessories Fair falls on Saturday April 19th.

Vintage fashion is the acceptable face of shopping - each and every item is pre-owned, recycled or constructed from vintage materials. Vintage Fashion's carbon footprint leaves the lightest touch... Joining our exhibitors from the Oxford area, London, the South West, the North and beyond will be traders from France and America bringing with them a romantic touch of lavender and lace, a touch of Forties and Fifties glamour - perfect for that May Ball Extravaganza! Oxford Vintage presents high quality vintage in all its many facets – unrivalled in the Oxford area. Each piece lovingly chosen – 40’s Italian shoes, Victorian gowns, Prom dresses, Teddyboy drapes, cottons and indigo, West of England cloth and Thai silk, exquisite costume jewellery and buttons and bows.

For more information, please contact the fair organiser, David Ireland , on 07944 809808 or you can visit the website at http://www.oxfordvintage.com

Turkish Delight - The Opera

Following two successful London runs and a concert in Stockholm, Giles Howe and Katy Lipson’s exciting new musical ‘Turkish Delight the Opera’ returns! Another London run is being staged in August 2008 at the Rosemary Branch Theatre, 2 Shepperton Road, Islington. This production stars Magoria Edler, Anthony Flaum, Silje Lervik Aarflot, and Aaron Bolton (understudies: Ilan Shefer, Lottie Williams-Burrell).

The tragicomedy, which has been further developed since the previous productions, tells the story of the final chapters in the life of Betsy Cohen. She is a stir-crazy Turkish Jewish woman, whose husband’s extramarital affair drives her over the edge into a dangerous insanity. Through her rage and vengeance, she finds her long-misplaced strength of character, which ultimately eats her alive.

The box-office is now open, tickets can be booked by calling 020 7704 6665.

British One Act Final Update

Every year in the villages, towns and cities of the United Kingdom, over 600 amateur theatre companies prepare plays for the local, regional and national festivals that form part of the National UK Festival of Community Theatre. The culmination of this is the British Final Festival of One Act Plays, where the best drama groups of the four nations come together to celebrate their work.

Key personalities of the four amateur theatre associations which share governance of the ‘British Final’ met in Edinburgh recently February to look at the future development of the event.

The Edinburgh meeting was Chaired by Keith Robinson the new Chair of the Scottish Community Drama Association with Mike Linham and Roger and Jean Cunnington representing the All England Theatre Festival, Alan Marshall from the Association of Ulster Drama Festivals, Aled Rhys-Jones from the Drama Association of Wales and Gordon Hibbert and Fiona Rogan from the Scottish Community Drama Association.

The committee are committed to keeping the ‘British Final’ fresh, vibrant and relevant and will be preparing proposals for the development of the festival which will lead it forward in to the care of the next generation of amateur theatre enthusiasts.

2008 will see the 75th ‘British Final’ hosted by the Drama Association of Wales at the Taliesin Arts Centre in Swansea on the 4th and 5th July. Plans are already underway for the 2009 event which will be hosted by the Association of Ulster Drama Festivals at the Ardhowen Theatre in Enniskillen and the Scottish Community Drama Association hope to take the event to Glasgow in 2010.

Whilst delegates were in Edinburgh they took the opportunity to attend the final evening’s performances of the 2008 Edinburgh and Lothian Festival at St Serf’s Church where a capacity audience enjoyed a hugely varied programme from local amateur theatre companies. These included a dramatisation of work by Charles Dickens, an emotional and multi-faceted journey through one woman’s mental illness, a brand new play set on a corporate team-building exercise and a tale from Kerala in Southern India performed by the newly formed Holy Cow Performing Arts Group. A melange of theatre, representative of hundreds of similar local festivals throughout the land that all take part in the National UK Festival of Community Theatre.

For further information on the ‘British Final’ 2008 or on one act festivals in your area contact:
All England Theatre Festival - 0121 707 6684
Association of Ulster Drama Festivals - 0289 086 1234
Drama Association of Wales - 029 2045 2200
Scottish Community Drama Association - 0131 557 5552

WalkForCrohns Singing Competition

WalkForCrohns is holding a singing competition at a top London theatre with a capacity of 400 (Royal College of Musicians) on Sat 1st November. There will be an expert panel of judges including those from record labels.

Auditions will be held the weekend of 20th and 21st of September, one in North and one in South London.

If you are interested in auditioning please email info@walkforcrohns.org.uk with the name of your act, and the type of music. Pianos and Guitars can be used, but no full band equipment. All participants must be aged 16+ . Please forward this to anyone you think might be interested in auditioning.

There is no committment by emailing us at this stage, but it will be helpful for us to gauge levels of interest.

More information can be obtained from the website.

Chimaera Productions presents "The Showcase"

The Showcase is a regular event held at The Nicol Edwards' Pub, Niddry Street, Edinburgh. But what is it?

Well, It's about performance. Theatre, drama, Stand-up comedy, performance poetry, film, mime... basically anything that could be described as performance.

There are several 20 minute slots available at each event (but if your piece is only 5 minutes long - that's fine, and longer pieces will always be considered). You don't need any experience, you don't need a performance history, you don't need to show us proof of your award winning theatrical debut. Just ask for an application and if there's a slot available, it's yours!

We offer the chance to get new work seen in a city that is ever so competative.
Meet like minded people, relax in the late licence bar afterwards, perform in an intimate venue in the centre of Edinburgh's Old Town. Aimed primarily at 'artistes' (What a wonderfully bourgois title!) who are just starting out on their career,
people who may still be at college or University and those just graduating. Although we won't turn down a seasoned pro either. And amateur performers are always welcome.

We do not charge any performer or company a single penny to get involved. It's free. It's fun. It's a chance to network and perform with the new generation of performance artists!

More details on the website.

Musical Choir For Fundraising Needed

YOUR CHANCE TO RECORD WITH MAGGIE MOONE

Ever fancied singing? An exciting opportunity has arisen for the people of the Midlands to take part in the latest collaboration between singing sensation Maggie Moone and Matthew Jones Music…

Young musician and entrepreneur Matthew Jones has recently signed with the 80’s star of light-entertainment (best known as the resident singer on ITV’s ‘Name That Tune‘) to record an album of songs by the legendary lyricist Don Black in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Don Black, who will be celebrating his 70th Birthday this year, discovered Birmingham-born Maggie Moone some 30 years ago and is renowned globally for songs such as ‘Ben’, ‘Born Free’, ‘Sam’, ‘To Sir, With Love’ and the musicals ‘Aspects Of Love’, ‘Bombay Dreams’, ‘Starlight Express’, ‘Sunset Boulevard’ not to mention his ‘James Bond’ success.

Matthew Jones Music are looking for people of all ages, with and without singing experience to form a choir - a real ‘must’ for those who enjoy a challenge and have a passion for fund-raising.

Matthew Jones has had much experience in training ‘non-singers’ to a high, professional standard - most notably in his productions of ‘Mozart’s Coronation Mass’, ‘Faure’s Requiem’ and ‘Vivaldi’s Gloria’ staged at some of the UK’s finest venues.

Rehearsals for this large-scale, full-orchestral recording commence on Wednesday 5th March (in the Birmingham area, Venue TBC) and kick-starts a 12-week schedule prior to the recording sessions at the prestigious Ingestre Hall, Staffordshire from 23rd to 25th May.

For further information contact Matthew Jones Music on 07999 917 001 / 07969 569 576.

Voluntary Arts Survey 2008

As you may have already heard Friday 1st February 2008 marked the launch of the Department for Culture Media and Sport's first ever national survey of amateur arts groups in England. Covering music, drama, dance, literature, visual arts and crafts the aim is to get a clearer picture of amateur arts in England. The research has the potential to be very useful as a point of reference when applying for funding and for looking at how amateur arts groups could be better supported.

The survey will run from 1st-29th February 2008 and can be completed by going to http://www.artsurvey.org.uk. As a thank you for completing the survey, groups will be entered into a free prize draw. Three respondents will be selected at random and receive £150 for their group.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Voluntary Arts on 0191 281 9955 or by email.

Linking Paths of European Citizens

Dear colleagues,

We would like to invite you to take part in a meeting (Partnership Building Activity) that will take place next May/June in Birmingham (UK) regarding the possibility to create a partnerships to develop a long term relationship on Theatre projects (Training Courses, Performances and Festivals).

This two year project is an initiative that promotes awareness of global sustainable development through the use of theater and social theater.

Our objective is to encourage local actions on topics such as, sustainable community development, social theater and theater education, by linking local community organizations and NGOs at an international level. Our focus is on providing an opportunity for networking and sharing of information between organizations at International level.

Supporting community initiatives

Our Aim is to help people to ‘Think global, act local’ by supporting local community initiatives and NGOs, in Europe and beyond. We feel that projects run by local people for their own community are the best way to initiate sustainable community development worldwide.

Linking – Up

Many local community initiatives worldwide are working towards similar aims and on similar topics. We aim to provide the opportunity for sharing valuable information, experience, knowledge and skills to provide a global framework for local action on sustainability issues.

Our organization will cover your accommodation costs (food and Hotel) and 70% of your travel costs (please let us know your total travel costs to Birmingham)

Technical info

Name: Linking Paths of European Citizens
Dates: 30 May to 4 June 2008
Place: Birmingham, UK
Number of countries: 15
Number of Participants: 30
We are looking for partners from: EU, Youth in Action program countries, Neighbouring Partner Countries

If you, or your organization, are interested in participating in this Meeting, please contact us as soon as possible because the deadline for partners will be the 22 of January 2008.

We are available to answer any questions you might have...

Thanks

We look forward to hearing from you

Sincerely

Emanuele Nargi
Rodrigo Vilarinho
Email: inca.training@gmail.com

Steyning Festival 2008

After last years successful Theatre Trails, the Steyning Festival and The Company are looking for 4 – 6 unperformed short plays (maximum length 1 hour), from writers local to Sussex, Hampshire, Kent and Surrey. They will be performed as rehearsed readings at different venues in Steyning, as part of the Steyning Festival 2008 on 24th May and 8th June. All plays need to be submitted by 20th January 2008.
Please send plays to:


The Company
FAO Stephen Israel
Whitehouse Farm
Novington Lane
East Chiltington
East Sussex
BN7 3AU

Patrons
Hamish Black, Raymond Briggs and Teresa Wells

Arts Council Funded Website

A new Arts Council funded website has been launched aimed at 14 to 25 year olds who want to get into theatre. The new website can be found here.

Of course, a link to amdram.co.uk would have been nice ;)

LONDON’S CALLING!

If the smell of greasepaint and the roar of the crowds sounds like your idea of heaven then this could be just the job for you…

The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) is asking for members of the public to take part in the judging panels for next year’s Laurence Olivier Awards. The positions are open for any member of the public who would like to take part in this year-long opportunity to see the best of London’s theatre, opera or dance for free.

Previous year’s panellists included a poisons expert, psychologists, therapists, business analysts, vicars and teachers of all ages, all inspired by their passion for the theatre.

The Laurence Olivier Awards judging panels are unique in that they are comprised of both professional and public panellists who come together to judge theatre’s most prestigious awards.

Applicants must have a proven enthusiasm for the theatre, opera or dance as they will be required to dedicate themselves to attending a vast array of productions staged throughout the year in London. They will be required to consider each of these performances with perception and clarity.

In order to enter, each applicant must be over 18 and live within easy access of London. Each entrant must write a detailed 150 word review of a production they have seen recently and they must also list all the productions they have seen in the last 12 months. There are separate panels judging theatre, opera, dance and the SOLT’s affiliate members.

Anyone who wants to apply can pick up a leaflet from any West End theatre, apply online, or they can request a form from SOLT, via: email or 020 7557 6777 or send an SAE to: Awards Office (P), 32 Rose Street, London WC2E 9ET.

Closing dates for applications is 30th November, with interviews taking place in early December. The Awards year runs from 1st January to 31st December.

Wicked Day

SUNDAY 28 OCTOBER 2007 - CARDINAL PLACE, VICTORIA STREET, SW1

The record breaking West End musical WICKED, will be holding its second Halloween ‘WICKED DAY’ on Sunday 28 October between 11am – 4pm at London’s newest shopping venue, Cardinal Place, right in the heart of Victoria.

‘WICKED DAY’ is a free annual event that coincides with Halloween and features Wicked-themed activities* for all the family including Cast appearances, an exclusive exhibition of costumes and props from the show, face-painting, fancy dress contests, quizzes and games. Local students from Pimlico Specialist Music at Pimlico School and also the marching band ‘Distant Thunder Drum and Bugle Corps’ will join in the fun by performing their renditions of some of the songs from the show.

WICKED, the smash hit musical that tells the untold story of the legendary witches from L. Frank Baum’s classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, has just entered its second spellbinding year at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre and has already been seen by over 850,000 people since it opened.

WICKED is proud to support the local SW1 community and, together with the South Westminster Renewal Partnership, will offer those who attend on the day the chance to help support the fundraising efforts of the local community centre, the Abbey Centre’s, ‘Green Appeal’ to create a community garden.

For further details, visit: http://www.WickedDay.co.uk

Facebook

Having heard so much about Facebook I decided to join. I now understand how people can spend hours on here!!!

Why not join me?
Jane Dickerson

The Wireless Theatre Company

A brand new online audio theatre company is giving a new lease of life to audio drama.

Download brand new plays, comedy, sketches, poems, stories and more from the website wirelesstheatrecompany for FREE to your computer desktops, iPods, MP3 players or mobile phones. No payment, no registering – just click and listen. Whether you’re embarking on a long journey, a relaxing afternoon or a session at the gym add a download from The Wireless Theatre Company to your playlist.

GoDA Drama Festivals Conference 2007

22 September 2007, Swan Theatre, Worcester

10am – 4.30 pm £40 including lunch and refreshments

Raising money for your drama group or festival through sponsorship is to be the morning headline session for the 2007 Drama Festivals Conference, while the afternoon will be devoted to play selection and writing for drama festivals.

The bi-annual conference, organised by the Guild of Drama Adjudicators, moves to a new venue this year and will be held at the Swan Theatre Worcester, on Saturday September 22.

And in a move aimed at maximising participation, the cost of involvement in the event has been reduced to £40 per delegate - £9 cheaper than the last conference, held in Birmingham in 2005.

Bridget Moore, currently Marketing Manager of the Swan Theatre, will lead the session on raising sponsorship funds, which will include practical advice on such topics as: the business/arts partnership; how much should you ask; what the sponsor will expect in return; and where to start looking for a funding partner or sponsor.

Bridget has a wealth of experience in arts marketing and worked at a leading Midlands PR and sponsorship agency before joining the thriving Swan Theatre – a venue that combines professional touring shows with a healthy programme of community drama.

The morning session of the conference will also include workshop forums and a plenary session looking at the current state and future of the drama festival movement.

The aim is to identify the biggest issues affecting the future of the festival movement and to perhaps settle upon one big key issue that the main bodies involved in the drama festivals movement can take away and work on, in an effort to produce some positive and long lasting improvements before the next conference in 2009.

Two of Britain’s leading one act playwrights will be the focus of the afternoon session.

David Tristram whose hilarious chronicles of amdram life in Little Grimley have helped make him the amateur theatre’s most performed playwright, will be joined by Nick Warburton whose many and varied one act plays are drama festival staples, will take centre stage in a writer’s forum that forms the centrepiece of the event, at the Swan Theatre, Worcester on Saturday September 22.

The forum will be preceded by a play selection workshop to be chaired by experienced adjudicator Colin Dolley, co author with Rex Walford of the One Act Play Companion.

The Swan Theatre is a splendid venue and there’s plenty of hotel and B and B accommodation in the historic city of Worcester as well as ample parking in the public pay and display car park adjacent to the theatre.

If you would like to be part of conference please contact Paul Fowler GODA, 15 The Grove, Kettering, Northants, NN15 &QQ for an application form.

I look forward to seeing you there at what looks set to be an exciting and thought-provoking day.

AND ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO THE NEXT DAY

Ever sat in the audience at a drama festival, listened to the adjudication and thought: “I would love a go at that” .. or even “I could do better”?

Well now’s your chance!

The Guild of Drama Adjudicators is holding a one-day course on the art and craft of adjudication at The Swan Theatre in Worcester on Sunday September 23.

Prospective adjudicators can attend sessions on preparing for a festival, how to structure notes, and the techniques of delivering constructive criticism. The intricacies of the marking system and the differing needs of teams, festival organisers and audiences will be covered, and there will be information on the Guild and the process of becoming a member.

There will be an opportunity to see some live theatre and try your hand at public adjudication in a fun, friendly and supportive atmosphere.

The course, staffed by experienced GODA adjudicators will be invaluable should you decide you wish to pursue adjudicating more seriously and eventually attend a GODA selection weekend, and it will provide an entertaining and informative insight into the work of the adjudicator should you simply be curious about the occupation.

The fee for the day is just £35 and further information can be obtained from GODA secretary Jo Crossley, 25 The Drive, Bengeo, Hertford, Herts, SG14 3DE. Tel: 01993 – 581993. Email: crossley@bengeo25.freeserve.co.uk

New Wicked Company Began Performances 16th July

From Monday 16 July 2007 the record-breaking musical WICKED at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre will star: Kerry Ellis (Elphaba), Dianne Pilkington (Glinda), Oliver Tompsett (Fiyero), Susie Blake (Madame Morrible), Nigel Planer (The Wizard), James Gillan (Boq), Andy Mace (Doctor Dillamond) and Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose).

The company will be: Gary Amers, Nicola Brazil, Nadine Cox, Aileen Donohoe, Mark Evans, Ashleigh Gray, Aimee Hall, John Hicks, Dougal Irvine, Kady Jo Jackson, Caroline Keiff, Latoya Leijan, Mitchell Mahony, Christopher Mitchell, Adam Murray, Haydn Oakley, Sean Parkins, Michael Pickering, David Stoller, Lindsay Taylor, Hannah Toy, Kerry Washington, Lucie Waugh and Gary Wood. Cassidy Janson will be the Elphaba Standby and Sarah Earnshaw will be the Glinda Standby.


WICKED has now been seen by over 650,000 theatregoers since its first public performance at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre on 7 September 2006, grossing over £23 million at the Box Office and twice setting new West End Box Office records for the highest ever weekly gross. WICKED has grossed over $500,000,000 (half a billion dollars) worldwide.

Based on Gregory Maguire’s best-selling novel, the spellbinding WICKED tells the incredible untold story of an extraordinary friendship between two girls: the blond and popular Glinda and the misunderstood green girl, Elphaba, whose destiny is to become the Wicked Witch of the West.

WICKED is presented in London by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone. Executive Producer: Michael McCabe; General Management: Nick Salmon and Nia Janis / Act Productions.

TinTin The Show

The first UK stage adaptation of Hergé's legendary cartoon hero Tintin, which originally played a London season at the Barbican over Christmas 2005 to full houses and great acclaim, will open at WATFORD PALACE THEATRE on SATURDAY 28 JULY, prior to a full national tour and a planned West End season (subject to confirmation).

Based on the book Tintin in Tibet, HERGÉ’S ADVENTURES OF TINTIN follow the eponymous hero, his loyal dog Snowy and the curmudgeonly Captain Haddock as they battle to rescue their friend Chang lost in a plane crash in the high Himalayas. With time running out, and rumours of the Abominable Snowman prowling the peaks, this will be the most testing adventure yet for our fearless young reporter and his friends.

Following the huge success of Vernon God Little, Cabaret and Festen, Rufus Norris leads an award-winning creative team bringing Tintin to life on the stage. Adapted by David Greig & Rufus Norris, Hergé’s Adventures of Tintin is directed by Rufus Norris, set is designed by Ian MacNeil (Billy Elliot, An Inspector Calls), costumes by Joan Wadge (Festen), lighting by Rick Fisher (Billy Elliot, Swan Lake), sound by Paul Arditti (Billy Elliot, Sleeping Beauty), music by Orlando Gough (Festen, Blood Wedding), choreography by Toby Sedgwick (Marat/Sade) and casting by Julia Horan.

The forthcoming tour comes as Tintin is on the threshold of superstardom as a 3D, digitally enhanced movie star. Steven Spielberg and The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson have announced a three-film deal, with the first instalment due in 2009.

Hergé’s Adventures of Tintin was created by Belgian artist Hergé, the pen name of Georges Remi, and has sold over 200 million copies of the books worldwide. The series first appeared in french in a children's supplement to the Belgian newspaper Le Vingtième Siècle on January 10, 1929. The comic strip series has since been admired for its clean, expressive drawings in Hergé's signature ligne claire style. Engaging and charming plots straddle a variety of genres: swashbuckling adventures with elements of fantasy, mysteries, political thrillers and science fiction. The stories within the Tintin series always feature great humour, presenting a number of characters in distinctive settings, offset in later albums by sophisticated satire and political and cultural commentary.

Accompanying this tour of Hergé’s Adventures of Tintin will be a range of family orientated and educational activities. For further information, free downloadable Background Notes and Education opportunities, visit www.tintintheshow.co.uk. Casting for Hergé’s Adventures of Tintin will be announced shortly.

The producers gratefully acknowledge the support of the Arts Council of England in order to make this tour possible.

For further information, please contact David Bloom at Target Live on 020 7907 1114, e-mail or visit www.tintintheshow.co.uk

Opportunity To Gain Stage Experience

STAGE EXPERIENCE

LAST FEW PLACES REMAINING!

TAMESIDE HIPPODROME – ASHTON UNDER LYNE

Monday 30 July – Saturday 11 August
10am – 5pm Mon - Fri

AN EXCITING TWO WEEK LIVE NATION STAGE EXPERIENCE AT

TAMESIDE HIPPODROME FOR

ALL YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 8 – 21 YEARS OF AGE

Do you or someone you know fancy treading the boards at Tameside Hippodrome? Being part of a professional show, with a fantastic set and making new friends? Then come along to Tameside Hippodrome this summer holidays and we promise you will have a fun and exciting 2 weeks, culminating in 3 performances of Annie.

From 30 July to 11 August, The Live Nation Stage Experience (formally the Summer Youth Project) at Tameside Hippodrome will bring together 140, 8 - 21 year olds from all over Manchester. Working with a professional production team over 2 weeks, you will put together an entire show resulting in 3 amazing performances of ‘ANNIE’ at the end of it all!

Cost for 11 day workshop £95.

LIMITED PLACES – FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS

ANNIE STAGE EXPERIENCE promises to be an exciting, energetic, fun 2 weeks, culminating in 3 fabulous performances on Friday 10 at 7.30pm & Saturday 11 at 2.30pm & 7.30pm for all your friends and family to watch in awe at what you will achieve.

‘ANNIE’ one of the most popular musicals is full of songs, music and dance. No experience is necessary, all we ask is that you have the energy, enthusiasm and dedication to make ‘ANNIE’ a brilliant and fun-packed experience for all involved.

We promise you will leave thinking about ‘Tomorrow’ with a ‘Smile’

For further details or to book your place call 0161 331 7331

Budding Actor Needs Support

I am a young aspiring actor called Adam Pergande and during the last 6 years, I have worked with 3 amateur groups; Spotlight Productions, Whizz Kids and the Huntingdon Youth Theatre. I have taken part in 12 amateur theatre productions and 6 plays/shows at school and college and this experience proved invaluable with my Drama School auditions this year. I am thrilled to have been offered a place at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, one of the UK's leading drama schools. ALRA is one of just 18 schools accredited by the National Council for Drama Training and competition for places on their courses is fierce. It is estimated that each of the accredited schools receives between 3000 – 5000 applicants every year and on average they only accept around 35. ALRA has just 24 students starting in September 2007 and if I can raise enough money, I will be one of them.

Unfortunately, I don’t qualify for the student loan scheme or for a DaDa (Dance & Drama award), which means I’m going to have to fund the course myself. This amounts to £11400.00 per year in fees, plus estimated living expenses in London of £8000.00 per year!

Raising this much money is a daunting prospect, but I plan to work hard teaching piano and earn money by performing as a keyboardist wherever I can and my parents will support me financially as much as possible with my living expenses. However this will still leave me with a significant shortfall and nothing like enough to pay my fees.

So I have set up a number of fund raising activities including producing a CD of my music to sell, and developing the Adam 4 ALRA Patrons Scheme.

I decided that, rather than ask a few people for a lot of money, it would be much better to find lot’s of people who would be prepared to sponsor me for a very small amount over the next 3 years. For example 2400 people donating just £5.00 a year would cover my fees and I’m hoping that I can persuade enough people to support me and help me fulfil my dream.

So I would be exceptionally grateful if you would visit my web site where you can find more information about me and details of how to become a patron. I have also produced a leaflet explaining everything, which can be viewed and printed from the web site or I can provide a printed copy on request.

Lastly, the success of my patrons scheme depends on reaching as many people as possible and so it would be fantastic if you could pass this information along to anyone else you think may be prepared to help support me and then if they forward it to their contacts as well, I have a good chance of gaining support from the number of people I need.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Adam

Production Arts Course For Backstage

As recently reported in ‘The Stage’, a weekly newspaper for the entertainment industry, the performing arts industry face an alarming shortage of backstage staff due to a huge growth market; “for every one person on stage there is an average of three behind the scenes”. Previously these roles have not been high profile, if indeed people knew they existed and the only training available was at university level or a crash course of work experience.

This needs to be changed at ground level; we need to train, educate and nurture young people before or as they leave school, rather than targeting them at degree level; which is where most of the production and technical courses begin. Aiming to create awareness in schools and with careers advisors is a start, but at Park Lane College we aim to do more.

Park Lane College run an extremely popular and oversubscribed BTEC National Diploma and National Certificate in both Performing Arts and Dance, we also offer First Diplomas and Foundation Degrees in Drama and Theatre Studies; and are now expanding into Production Arts.

The course will cover core units of: production for theatre, production workshop and production planning. It will then branch off into specialist units such as designing and making costume, special effects make-up, set design and photography or lighting design, sound design and stage management. A course like this may be of interest to anyone who enjoys theatre, people who are artistic and people looking for a different option from the 9 to 5 approach. The entry requirements are a minimum of four GCSEs at grade C or above, of which one should be English; or you should have equivalent industry experience.

Our lofty reputation within the industry and universities will ensure good job prospects or a pathway into Higher Education, where I’m sure they will be pleased to receive people with a good grounding in the skills shortage areas. It will also give young people the opportunity to try out a diverse number of skills before choosing whether or what to specialise in; it will also provide people with a great number of transferable skills.

Our course is unique, there is not one like it in the area and we feel sure it will be a popular choice with both young people, who are looking for more unusual career opportunities, and their parents who will be pleased to know the prospects are looking excellent. The universities will thanks us for training and thus encouraging students into their courses and the industry will be happy to know that the young people they employ have a good knowledge of all aspects of behind the scenes production.

Events From Brighton Museum

The following events are being held at the Brighton Museum and might be of interest.

Saturday 23 June
From Stage to Stagestruck!
Brighton Museum
2– 3.30pm £3 (£2 concessions)
A tour and discussion exploring how the history of a theatre is brought to the galleries of a museum.
Frank Gray University of Brighton and Mary Goody Exhibition Officer, curators of Stagestruck!
To book telephone 01273 292797

Thursday 12 July
Gallery talk with Julien Boast
12pm Free
Join Julien Boast, Chief Executive of the Theatre Royal, for a gallery tour of the exhibition Stagestruck! 200 Years of Theatre Royal, Brighton.
To book telephone 01273 292797

Friday 27 July
Secrets of the Backstage
The Old Courtroom
7.30–9pm £6 (£5 concessions)
Discover the insider secrets, the history behind the tricks of the trade and technical wizardry that put the shows on the road. A panel of specialists, including Theatre Royal crews past and present, reveal all and answer your questions.
To book telephone 01273 292797

Tuesday 14 August
Behind the Curtain: Famous Theatrical Ghosts
The Old Courtroom
7–8.30pm £6 (£5 concessions)
Every theatre has its resident ghost, spooky tales and superstitions. Investigations including tales from actors, backstage and front of house staff are revealed in a spine-chilling and entertaining evening.
Ghost-hunting experts Ian Shillito from LIVINGtv’s ‘Most Haunted!’ and LBC Radio’s Becky Walsh
To book telephone 01273 292797

Saturday 18 August
Burning Theatres & Terrified Patrons
The Old Courtroom
2.30-3.30pm £5 (£4.50 concessions)
Before the 1890s it was taken for granted that a theatre would be lucky to survive for more than 20 years before being destroyed by fire. This talk illustrates some of the most spectacular cases of the fatal rush for the exits and shows how theatres were eventually made safe.
John Earl Theatre Historian
To book telephone 01273 292797

THEATRE WORKSHOPS
Saturday 30 June
The Importance of Going Wilde
Education Pavilion, Brighton Museum
2– 5pm £10
A play reading workshop looking at Victorian theatre with the focus on Oscar Wilde. The session ends with a play reading in the exhibition gallery of Stagestruck!
Sarah Tobias actress & director
To book telephone 01273 292797

Tuesday 17 July
Drama Workshop
The Old Courtroom
7.30 – 9.30pm £15
Have you ever wanted to have a go at performing but don’t know where to begin? Find out what it would be like to be an actor in this workshop that teaches you basic techniques including how to calm your nerves!
Trevor Nicholls actor & director
To book telephone 01273 292797

Evening BA in Theatre Studies Launched

On Thursday 21 June 6-8.00pm staff in the School of English and Humanities have invited our students to hear about some of our current research and activities. We thought you might like to join them and find out more about the BAs in English, Humanities and Theatre.

There will be short talks from staff in the School of English and Humanities, drinks, and plenty of opportunities to speak with members of staff and students. We will be meeting in 30 Russell Square, WC1.

In order to reserve a place please contact c.catrix@bbk.ac.uk.

Making Music History

Making Music History is a Guinness World Record attempt to record the most versions of one song. We are donating all download profit to Children In Need and we are offering all who take part the chance to win prizes and even world fame (top ten downloaded versions will be released on single to the Media and profits again to Children In need). What's the catch? .... no catch, it's absolutely free, all you have to do is sign up and record your version...have fun and join in the excitement it's as simple as that.... good luck from Making Music History.

The Great British Shakespeare Event 2012

The idea originated with the West and South West London Branch of the performers' union Equity. It then went to their annual conference and was passed as a firm resolution with a handsome majority. The resolution called for an exuberant celebration of the works of William Shakespeare, right across the UK, and in parallel with the Olympic Games in 2012.

The idea had already been discussed with the Olympic Committee (before the bid was won) and was received with encouragement. Since then Prince Charles, several professional directors and members of parliament have been generally supportive, as has the General Secretary and Council of Equity. The hope is to unite all the performers of the country, professional and amateur, actors, designers, directors, musicians, dancers, of all ages and all cultures in the first ever celebration of Britain's foremost artist.

Amateur companies in particular are encouraged to plan at least two Shakespeare productions that year. For further information please contact The Great British Shakespeare Event 2012 by email or write to The GB Shakespeare Event, 5 Orchard Court, Rose Hill, Oxford OX4 4HJ. You can also telephone 01865 715870.

The Talented Ely Society

The Ely Amateur Dramatic Society has done it again. Edgy, bitter and wickedly wise, their latest production was a connoisseur’s delight.

Phyllis Nagy’s stage adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel 'The Talented Mr Ripley' is as neatly tailored as an Italian suit, its language simple and stylish, the scenes fluid but well-formed. Stepping into this elegant framework, Nagy’s anti-hero resembles the smooth-talking Ripley of Alain Delon in ‘60s French cult movie 'Plein Soleil'. It would have been easy, therefore, to produce something cute and one-dimensional on stage, a comic-book murderer - however director Michael Holland has worked with newcomer Matt Deacon in the title role to achieve a far more visceral evolution of the Ripley character.

This was Matt’s first stage appearance of any kind, a fact rather difficult to digest given the precision and depth of the result. Described by the society’s co-ordinator, Annabel Reddick, as ‘a real find’, the group’s latest addition established an immediate rapport with the audience. Winsome and malicious, he made us tacit partners in Ripley’s blithe lies and psychological games. Just when we were starting to feel cosy, his mood would turn on a dime to create a growing sense of unease. And when Tom turned his back on the crowd to bludgeon Dickie to death in a magnificent piece of simple and effective staging, it was truly shocking to see that the games were over.

In his last outing as director for this group, Mike Holland steered a superbly excruciating 'Abigail’s Party'. Tonight, there was a real tension in the air whenever the raw nerve of humiliation was touched to trigger Ripley’s violence. Nagy’s script exposes themes which are subliminal in the novel - Ripley’s misogynistic loathing of Marge, for example, is far more overt, and provides some of the best moments of black comedy. In the role, Emma Newman was deeply touching as the quintessential ‘50s woman - yielding yet suspicious, sharp yet wildly overgenerous. She is finally spared by Ripley, despite their enmity, only because her respect flatters him. And Tom’s jealous homosexuality, previously simmering beneath the surface, is here the poignant and present motive for his manipulation of good-natured rich boy Dickie Greenleaf - played with a perfect confused dignity by Darren Smith.

Last seen as Sky Masterson in the Campaign Amateur Theatre Group’s production of 'Guys and Dolls', Darren is remarkably prolific on the local amateur stage. He can turn his hand to musicals, comedy and drama, it seems, with equal success, whether as Mike Leigh’s sleazy ‘Tone’, a militant schoolteacher in Campaign’s 'Fiddler on the Roof', or Ayckbourn’s frustrated, bedridden cuckold in the ADS’s recent staging of 'Bedroom Farce'.

Another familiar face from the Ely amateur scene was the wonderful Jake Featherstone, who gave the audience terrific fun in three different roles, as conman Fausto, the silky ‘valet’ Silvio, and good ol’ boy Freddie Miles. Mention must also be given to Lisa Bushell’s gloriously Bette Davis portrayal of the dying Emily Greenleaf - a woman of many talents, Lisa is currently working on the choreography for the Campaign Amateur Theatre Group’s upcoming production of 'South Pacific' (which Mike Holland directs).

On this opening night, 'My Funny Valentine' played us softly into Italy. The ocean was an ever-present metaphor for femininity and loss at the edges of the stage, thanks to picture-postcard lighting in Mongibello and a sense of dank gloom in Venice. (“It’s a pity to be afraid of the water,” says Tony Ransome’s shrewd detective to Tom, “Without it, one cannot exist”.) A live butterfly trapped in the stage curtains fluttered obligingly around lovers Dickie and Marge, while the excluded Ripley raged against ‘revolting romantic excess’.

Hard work and devotion produced this performance, sadly for three nights only, but it’s easy to think this group has a bit of magic about it too.

Look out for the society’s annual outdoor Shakespeare production in Ely’s Sue Ryder Gardens. This year we are promised that most of the Ripley cast will be returning in 'Julius Caesar' from July 18th to 21st, directed by Fiona Gilbert.

Suzanne Nield

Actors And Improvisers Meeting

There is a new Meetup group in London for Actors and Improvisers.

Meeting on Thursday, Mar 29, 2007, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Rag Factory, London E1 5LJ

This first ever meetup will be for members to shape this group. Should it be about socialising? Should it be a support network? Should we pool our skills and resources to learn and grow together? How will we cover costs? Should we have a dress code? A secret handshake? Do we allow chewing gum? Use the message board on the Meetupe website to discuss your ideas and we will all decide on the night.

Joining is free and open to all for the time being.

http://acting.meetup.com/272/

This Is HardChoral

Are you the Master of an alternative choir? Are your kids in the coolest school choir around? Do they prefer singing Maximo Park to Mozart? Is your child more ‘punk’ than ‘choirboy’?

BBC6 Music’s Weekend Breakfast Show are scouring the UK, looking for the best choral version, by a kids choir, of a 6 music song. Natasha Desborough, presenter of the Weekend Breakfast show, says; ‘it can be from the current crop of bands we’re playing on the show; The Kaisers, Razorlight, Snow Patrol, The Arcade Fire, or it could be a classic, Hendrix track, or something from the Stones, Led Zep, Radiohead or Oasis’.

Alternative choirmaster, Natasha says; ‘We want parents to encourage their kids, we want music teachers to jump on board – it’s a great way of making music accessible to kids who are probably more interested in singing Maximo Park than Mozart.’ The competition is open to Kids across the UK, Natasha says; ‘ if you’re at school and you want to have a crack at this - get a load of mates together and get rehearsing.’

The idea for the competition was sparked by a spine tingling choral version of The Kaiser Chief’s ‘I predict a riot’, which has been given a new treatment by a Warrington choir: ‘The Cheshire Chord Company’. The song was taken to the choir meet by the mother of one of the Kaiser Chief’s roadies.

Entries so far include a spookily good rendition of ‘(Don’t fear) The Reaper’ (The Blue Oyster Cult) sung by a Cambridge junior school.

Entries via CD or MP3 will be accepted up until the closing date of 11th April. For details on how to enter visit Natasha’s page on the 6 music website.

All of the entries will go on the 6 music website, then over the weekend of the 14th April the 6 music listeners will vote for their favourite, the three with the most votes will come in the following weekend and sing live in front of a panel of judges with the winners getting what thousands of bands in the UK would love to have: two weeks of airplay on BBC 6 music.

Newcastle Players Story Published

In 2007 Stoke-on-Trent’s Mitchell Memorial Theatre is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and The Newcastle Players, the group that has used the theatre longer than any other, has published its own story.

“Founded 1934 – The Story of the Newcastle Players” traces the history of the group right up to the present day from its beginnings over seventy years ago, performing first in church halls and later in the Municipal Hall in Newcastle-under-Lyme before moving to the Mitchell Memorial Theatre, Hanley in 1958.

There are two versions, both containing a wealth of information about productions, people and places that have played an important part in the story of the Newcastle Players through eight decades:

- A 180-page illustrated book written by Geoff Price, who also took many of the photographs

- A 4-CD audio version, mainly read by the author but also containing the recorded voices of other members.

Author Geoff Price says: “I have only been a member of the society since the mid-sixties, but I have had access to the reminiscences of members, who were there at the beginning or at least from the very early years, and also our archives which contain a great deal of valuable information.”

Both versions of “Founded 1934 – The Story of the Newcastle Players” by Geoff Price are available direct from the author at 103 Paris Avenue, Newcastle, Staffs. ST5 2QP at £9.95 – plus £1.25 (book) or £1.60 (CDs) to cover second class postage and packing. Cheques should be payable to G. H. Price.

The proceeds from the sale of the book and CDs are going to the fund which the Newcastle Players have set up to pay for urgent repairs to the society’s Theatre Workshop, a Grade II Listed Building in Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent where it builds and stores scenery for its productions.

Costume Theft In North West London

In the middle of last week a garage/store that Garden Suburb Theatre maintain in Finchley was broken into and a huge number of valuable costumes were stolen. They are asking all societies to keep an eye open in case anyone tries to off load these for sale.

Tony Newton from the Society released the following information:

Well over 300 costumes were stolen, many of which are irreplaceable. They include the Munchkin Mayor's costume needed for our production of Wizard of Oz in 2 weeks' time.

The costumes included some mediaeval ones used in "The Lion in Winter," some Tudor used in "The Prince and the Pauper" many Victorian and Edwardian such as those used in "Pygmalion" and "The Importance of Being Earnest".

Some costumes date back to the earliest days of the society in 1910.

The society is unusual in making nearly all its own costumes and the Costume Team are proud of the fact they have won many awards for the accuracy and brilliance of their work. For many years we have hired out costumes to other societies.

Frances Musker who has been a leading light in making costumes for 40 years used to lecture in costume design at the V and A. She made the following comment: "To lose nearly all our costumes two weeks before our next show is devastating. I cannot imagine how we are going to replace them. The amount of detail and the range of costumes makes them a unique collection. I cannot even begin to think about how much they are all worth."

We would like all drama societies and costume hire shops to be on the look out if they are offered costumes and report it directly to the police.

Contact Tony on 020 8888 1851 or the Chairman Terry Rogers on 020 8449 5565 if you have any information, or of course call the police direct.

New Logo Decided

I have just spent the last week torn between two excellent entries for the Amdram.co.uk Logo Competition. I liked both for different reasons. In the end Stage Presence agreed to supply a second prize so that both entries could win. The winning logo was designed by Julian Cound and his logo will shortly be appearing on the site. The other winning logo was designed by Adrian Baker and that logo will be used on different parts of the site as appropriate. Congratulations to both. Kathy from Stage Presence will be contacting them shortly to arrange delivery of their prizes. Thanks also to everyone else who submitted an entry. All were of a very high standard.

Should Pantomimes Be Updated?

NoDA certainly think so - well according to a Telegraph article, NoDA want to see Big Brother - The Panto. Personally I hate "reality TV" and the thought of it coming to a stage near me makes me shudder! A discussion has started in the forum - so have your say.

The 2007 "Yellow Stages" Fairytale Classified Calendar

What better way to plan your theatrical activities this year than with TLC Creative FREE Downloadable 2007 Calendar?

The calendar features spoof adverts for fairytale and pantomime products and services (such as Three Pigs Construction, Panto Direct Injury Claims specialists and Heroes ‘R Us).

- Supplied as a .PDF file (approx 3mb).
- A full colour page for each month of the year.
- A4 and USA4 (for those transatlantic thesps) versions available.
- Contains an editable field to allow you to customise the calendar with your own group's name before printing
- FREE to download (not to be resold!).

Download yours at http://www.tlc-creative.co.uk/

Teams Wanted For The Wakefield Drama Festival

Two more teams required for the full length drama festival at Wakefield Theatre Royal, a 500 seater Matcham Theatre. The festival runs from Sunday 27 May to Saturday 2 June. 50% of net income is shared between the competing teams. For details e-mail Paul.Haley@Leeds.Gov.UK. The closing date is Friday 5th January 2007.

Looking For A Play?

You don't have to buy plays and playsets direct from the Publishers, you can always borrow from a library. But how do you know where a play is? Well, Worldcat is the world's largest network of library content and services, and it enables you to search the collections of libraries in your community and thousands more around the world. It's a very useful site.

amdram.co.uk Logo Competition

It seems that something amdram.co.uk has always lacked is an efficient logo. Finally that is going to change, but I need your help to do this! The current logo measures 100 x 100, but I would consider a longer banner type logo with about the same height. Other than that it’s up to you. I am launching a competition inviting you to design a new logo for the site. As well as having the pleasure of seeing your work on every page of the site, you will also receive a goodie bag worth £50 from Stage Presence (http://www.stagepresence.co.uk). The competition will close on the 31st of December, but you can always submit your design earlier if you like. The success design will be chosen in January and the prize awarded appropriately. So get designing now!