Centre Stage Theatre Company

To all Members and Friends – Welcome to this the first Newsletter of our New Season

STOP PRESS We are going to have a Treasure hunt on Sunday 16th August. This will start at High Street car park around 2:00pm. Where you will leave your cars and then the treasure hunt will be a walk around the town (something different). We then get in the car and finish a last few questions before arriving at “the White Lion” next to Bridge End Garage, where food may be ordered. In order to go ahead with this I need to know how many would be willing to take part £1 per head. So please let me know on 01538 383233 as soon as possible.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

For those who did not attend this took place on the 27^th May. Major points that came up were lack of members to do jobs other than acting, especially the clearing up after the play etc. Lack of ticket sales (How do we sell ourselves) The excellent Drama workshop etc. Mike stated how difficult it was collecting membership and show fees from members. In future it was decided that people must be paid up members before being cast in a production and that the show fee must be paid within the first two rehearsals and that scripts are not given until it is paid (I don’t think people realise how expensive it is to put on a production these days. For instance, each play script now costs between £8 and £8. Each rehearsal costs between £15 and £35. That is without any costume (if hired) which cost around £20 each costume etc.)

Our membership is only £5 and we can’t even collect this at times. Can somebody please tell me what you can get for £5. Some societies membership start at anything from £20 - £50 plus a show fee. So we are very cheap. Other societies also insist that each member has to sell a minimum of 20 tickets. I know sometimes it isn’t easy to sell but we must try and make more effort. We don’t tell other people how good we are and how well rehearsals are going. It is normally the reverse like “ Oh, it’ll never be alright” “Will we ever get it on”. We need to have positive thoughts not negative thoughts.

The new committee are – Chairman Sue McKee, Vice- Chair Nita Heath, Secretary Christine Birch, Treasurer Jeanette Norcup, Social Secretary Ian Wilson, Membership Secretary Mike Egan, Publicity Morag Jones. Committee members - Rob Walthall, Jane Hurst, Mary Shatwell. Youth members - Jack Bloor, Emily Rhead.

Subscriptions are now due (if not already paid) £5.00

Following the AGM an open discussion took place to decide on the future and what type of production to perform (Drama, Comedy, Pantomime etc) Job vacancies were mentioned as a priority, lack of directors, costume mistress and scenery designers/ builders etc.

NSDA GALA NIGHT

Beginning of June was Gala night. Congratulations to Gordon for winning Best Supporting Role trophy for Arthur in Billy Liar, and all the front of house team for Best Front of House Award.

We also had numerous nominations:-

Best Actress – Michelle Bate as Thelma in Farndale Macbeth

Best Actor - Gordon Wainwright as Henry in Farndale Macbeth

Ben Grocott as Billy in Billy Liar

Best Supporting Role - Beth Birch / Sue Cummins / Jane Hurst as the three witches in Farndale Macbeth.

Out of 100 marks the Farndale Macbeth gained 81 marks and Billy Liar gained 80 so Well Done to everyone concerned with both productions.

The next NSDA meeting is on the 19 August and their AGM is on the 23 September.

NEXT PRODUCTION

We shall not be putting on a production this October as we do not have a director so our next production will be 17th - 20th February 2010. Mike is direction and is currently looking at scripts.

We are however holding an Open Evening on Thursday 12th November 7:30 – 9:30. There will be a play reading, various displays, lighting and sound demonstrations etc. If you have any further ideas can you please let Christine know.

YOUR SOCIETY NEEDS YOU URGENTLY

All society members are asked to please con along to reading of plays for the future and help choose plays for future productions

Dates of Readings are as follows from 7:45pm

Thursday 20th August at St Johns ( New members welcome at all readings)

Tuesday 25th August

Thursday 3rd September

Tuesday 8th September Westwood First School in the back Community room

Thursday 17th September

Tuesday 22nd September

Thursday 1st October

There will be a full reading on Tuesday 10th November of the chosen February production with the Open Evening on the 12th November, on Tuesday 17th November there will be a costing reading for the February production.

Committee meetings will be held at the Swan from 7:45pm on Mondays 7th September. 5th October and 2nd November

WHATS ON

GODSPELL Ian is directing this production and Steve Williams is musical director for Stoke Youth. Following the success of ‘Les Miserables’ which recently won the NODA Best Musical Award for Region 3. The production will be performed at Stoke Minster on Tuesday 20th October to Saturday 24th October at 7:30pm.

Newcastle Players are performing the Michel Frayn award winning comedy ‘Noises Off’ at Shelton Rep form Tuesday 10th November to Saturday 14th November at 7:30pm. If you have never seen this, it is an excellent comedy, due to the difficulty of a turning sent it is not very often performed.

Ian can get tickets for both of these productions so please let him know if you require any.

North Staffs Operatic Society are performing ‘The Producers’ Ian has arranged tickets for Tuesday 3rd November price £15.00. Numbers so far Beth B, Essie B, Nita H, Dawn B, Mary S, Penny H, Morag J, Gill E, Jen and Lou. Please let Ian know if you require tickets as soon as possible as tickets have to be bought fairly soon. Also if there is difficulty in getting tickets for the Tuesday would the Thursday be alright.

SOCIAL NEWS

Monday 28th September proposed Ten Pin Bowling at Macclesfield, if anyone is interested.

Saturday 17th October proposed Beetle Drive – this will be the same as last time at St Johns. Bring something to put on a buffet table and your own drinks. A small charge will be asked to cover costs.

All social events can only take place if (a) you support (b) let me know well in advance if you are coming to things. If you have any ideas for future social events please let me know.

Hope you have found the Newsletter informative. Hopefully there will be another one out around Christmas. If you have anything to put in please let me have it. Play crits, Jokes and anecdotes, Recipes - in fact anything you think people might like to hear about.

Useful phone numbers

Sue McKee 01538 360384 or 0777355418

Christine Birch 01538 384347

Jeanette Norcup 01782 658456

Mike Egan 01782 658456

Ian Wilson 01538 383233

Nita Heath 07852100370

Website address centrestage-leek.org.uk