STOURPORT THREE ARTS GUILD

NEWSLETTER – December 2006

The Christmas season is almost upon us, all that shopping and all of those mince pies and office parties will be taking their toll – so here’s your chance to have a break, put your feet up with a nice cuppa and read the latest Guild newsletter.

There’s lots of news to impart for the near and no-so-near future as far as the Guild is concerned so sit back, relax and enjoy!


	THE CANTERVILLE GHOST


	First off I must say a big well done to everyone involved in our production of “The Canterville Ghost”. Three first-class performances were undertaken to a combined audience total of just under 200 people and each show was very well received. Congratulations to the cast and crew for all of their effort – it is really appreciated and everyone should be very proud of the production. Early indications are that we should have made a profit on the production and, once again, we have raised the bar of our proficiency. One of the best comments I have received about the show is that “it was better than the new James Bond film” – and that came from a Bond aficionado who has videos of all of the previous Bond films. Unfortunately we managed to lose two of the scores that we hired for this production. Can I please ask all of the cast (again!) to have another look in any and every bag or box that they brought to rehearsals and every nook & cranny at home just in case one of them is gathering dust someone dark and meaningless.


	2007 IS ON IT’S WAY…


	Life in the Guild rarely stops and we’re already planning the next twelve months for you… We have Areley Kings Village Hall booked for Saturday March 24^th for a night of one-act plays; it is hoped that we will be presenting one-act plays featuring older and younger members of the Guild…ie: anyone we can get out hands on (as usual) There will be a meeting at the hut on Friday January 12^th (7-30pm – 9-30pm) for anyone interested in being involved in the one-acts And… We are holding a script-reading night at the hut on Saturday January 13^th (7-30pm) to read through the proposed play for our June production The play is called “There Goes The Bride” – it is a brilliantly comical farce by Ray Cooney Cast requirements are 4M and 4F (ages ranges 20(ish) to 70’s)


	CHRISTMAS PARTY SATURDAY DECEMBER 16^TH AT THE DAY CENTRE - 7PM


	It’s not too late to book for our Christmas Party Please contact Brenda Banner (asap) if you would like to come along The party will include a finger buffet, a Naffle (a naff raffle with some awful prizes, tickets just 5p each) and a visit from some bloke called Father Christmas. Cost: £6 for adults and £4 for under-18’s


	GUILD SHIRTS


	Neil has received some orders for Guild-branded shirts. He is planning to put together an order with our suppliers very soon – therefore if you would like to order a shirt, please contact Neil. They are excellent quality and very good value for money. Polo style t-shirts are £16 and sweatshirts are £17 (all sizes are available).

DIARY DATES

Saturday December 16^th

Christmas Party; Day Centre; 7 pm

Friday January 12^th

One-Act Play Night Script Reading at the Hut; 7-30pm

Saturday January 13^th

June Production Script Reading at the Hut; 7-30pm

Tuesday January 23^rd

Committee Meeting; the Hut; 7-30pm

Saturday March 24^th

One-Act Play Night; Areley Kings Village Hall

Tuesday April 10^th

Guild AGM; 8 pm


	YOU KNOW YOU WORK IN AMATEUR THEATRE IF...


	· your furniture spends more time on stage than you do · you've ever appeared on stage wearing your own clothes · you've ever driven around the back of stores looking for discards that can be used for set pieces · you've ever taken time off your job to work on the show. · you've timed your holidays from work to coincide with a show’s run · you've ever cleaned a tuxedo with a magic marker · your family is more than 50% of the front-of-house staff · you've ever appeared in a show where the cast out-numbered the audience 2 to 1 · you've ever got a part because you were the only one who showed up for auditions · you've ever got a part because you were the only male who showed up for auditions · the audience recognizes you the minute you walk on stage because they saw you selling programmes before the show · you've ever menaced/threatened anyone with a gun held together with electrical tape · you've ever had to haul a sofa off stage between scenes wearing an evening gown and heels · you've ever had to haul a sofa off stage between scenes wearing an evening gown and heels - and you're male · you've ever played the father of someone your father's age · you've ever appeared in a show where an actor leaned out through a window without opening it first · you've ever had to play a drunk scene opposite someone who was really drunk · you've ever had to play a sober scene opposite someone who was drunk · you've ever heard a director say "Try not to bump into the furniture" and mean it · you've ever appeared on stage with people you're related to · you've ever heard the head of the set construction crew say "Just paint it black - no one will ever see it" · the set designer has ever told you not to walk on the left half of the stage because the floor is still wet – five minutes before curtain up. With thanks to Fru Morgan

That’s it for the final Guild newsletter of 2006.

On behalf of the committee I would like to thank everyone and anyone who has made a contribution to the Three Arts over the past year. 2006 has been a very successful year for us with two excellent major productions and a varied mix of social events.

We have welcomed some new faces to the Guild in the past twelve months so a big “Hello” to you – and it would be great if we can welcome even more new faces in the next twelve months.

We have great plans for 2007: dates for productions in March, June and November are already booked at Areley Kings Village Hall ~ hopefully we can live up to the excellent standards we set ourselves in 2006!

Finally….seasons greetings and all that rubbish!! See you at the Christmas Party!

Alan

Dingbat answer: “a round of applause”

NEW MEMBERS?

The 2007 AGM will be held on Tuesday April 10^th – at the hut, starting at 8pm.

If you want to change the world – well the Guild world at least – come along and volunteer to be on the committee; it is a rewarding and exciting challenge!

We are always on the look-out for new members to join our happy group.

If you have a friend at work or school who might be interested in joining us, why not drag them along to one of the meetings in the new year.