STOURPORT THREE ARTS GUILD

NEWSLETTER – May/June 2006


	INTRODUCTION


	Hello and welcome to the Guild’s new-look newsletter. The newsletter is your newsletter and I would like to start including as many interesting and varied articles as possible: · if you have seen a show or a film or read a good book – why not write a review and I will include it in a future edition of the newsletter · you may have some news that you think would be of interest to other members, let me know and I’ll try to squeeze it in · if you have some photos of Guild shows, send them in and I’ll try and include them – if they are very old photos, some info about the show concerned would help · you may even have something you want to sell or advertise on behalf of your school etc. Whatever you want to say…let me know. This is the Guild’s “mouthpiece” and is an important means of communication, so please let me know what you want to see in the newsletter. See all contact details below.


	TONS OF MONEY


	Congratulations to all involved in our recent production of “Tons Of Money” – the play was a resounding success and we provided tons of laughs for our (almost) full house audiences on all three nights. On behalf of the committee, a big “thank you” to everyone involved…no matter how large or small the job, it’s all very, very important. Special congratulations must go to Chris Phillips on his directorial debut ~ directing is not an easy thing to undertake and Chris did an excellent job on his first ‘stint’. We have received a huge amount of praise for the show; some of the comments we have received about the show are: “funniest play the Guild have ever produced”; “very professional” and “best play I’ve seen the Guild do”. Early estimates suggest that we should have made a healthy profit on this production – so now we turn our minds to the next one (see overleaf).


	OUR NEXT PRODUCTION: NOVEMBER 2006


	We have not yet decided what the November production will be…though we will be making that decision very soon. We are hoping to undertake a large-scale show, much like our recent productions of “Amazing Maurice” and Winnie-The-Pooh”. Our scheduled production dates are November 23^rd – 25^th (at Areley Kings Village Hall) and we would envisage commencing rehearsals at the end of August or early-September. We are planning a two-stage play & cast ‘selection system’: · a play-reading afternoon on Sunday June 4^th (2pm to 5pm at the hut) o we have a number of scripts in mind and intend to choose a play that will be fun to do and will also be appealing to prospective audiences o anyone is welcome to attend and help to decide what our next production will be o the play we choose will hopefully be one that will have a large-ish cast with a mix of adult and youth characters and a good mix of large and small roles. · open auditions on Sunday July 2^nd (2pm to 5pm at Areley Kings Village Hall) o please note that the date and time for auditions is subject to confirmation, depending on the availability of the village hall on July 2^nd; the date will be confirmed in the next newsletter. *Please pass the message around to anyone who may be interested in getting involved in this show; to quote a well-used phrase: the more the merrier!* We would love to see lots of prospective new members turning up for the auditions for this show and for us to end up with a cast of thousands cramming on-stage at the village hall!


	SOCIAL EVENTS


	Forthcoming social events – make a note in your diary now… Tuesday June 27^th – “Uncle Vanya” by Anton Chekov at the Swan Theatre, Worcester Tickets: £7 – if interested contact Brenda before June 2^nd Saturday August 5^th – an outdoor performance of “A Midsummer Nights Dream” at Waddesdon Manor, nr Oxford Tickets £16-50 – if interested contact Neil before June 2^nd NB: you will need to take your own seat for this show…and possibly a waterproof coat! Shared transport can possibly be arranged for both of the above trips if necessary. Please note that if you book a ticket for either of the above shows, you will be liable for the full cost of the ticket if you do not attend the show. The committee are always struggling to find new ideas for social events; therefore if you have a stunningly brilliant idea that would make a spot-on day or evening activity which would appeal to members of the Guild, please let me know. Our social events are always planned to be a bit of fun and are open to all members and friends. It’s a great way of meeting everyone else in the Guild, letting your hair down, having a laugh and is far better than sitting at home on a Saturday evening watching “Casualty”! In the near future we are hoping to organise a Bar-B-Q and a tenpin bowling evening. If you have any other ideas…please let me know.


	MY TOP FIVE


	As a means of making the newsletter more interesting, I thought a “my top five” feature might be interesting. It could be a “top five” of just about anything; from the typical ‘films’, ‘books’, ‘TV shows’ (etc) to the more obscure…such as my list below. Alan’s Top Five Footy Matches 5 November 7^th 1987 – Manchester City 10-1 Huddersfield Town I only saw the highlights of this game on “Match Of the Day” but it will live in my memory forever! Ten goals in one game…City struggle to score ten goals in a season these days! 4 June 18^th 1996 – England 4-1 Holland England’s best moment of Euro ’96. The Guild were on-stage the night that this game was played – so I taped it, went home without knowing the score and watched it ‘as live’ – at 2am in the morning I was dancing around the living-room! 3 September 1^st 2001 – Germany 1-5 England Probably England’s best moment since 1966. What a game…I can say no more than that! 2 November 9^th 2002 – Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United I watched this game on TV in a pub full of United supporters…and got out alive! The last ever derby game at City’s old ground and Shaun (the Goat) Goater scored a brace! A happy day…one of the happiest of my life! 1 May 30^th 1999 – Gillingham 2-2 Manchester City The darkest period in City’s history was ended on the day they won the Second Division play-off final at Wembley. Two-nil down after ten minutes the mighty blues battled back and scored twice in the last two minutes to force the game into extra-time and penalties. A nail-biting penalty shoot-out saw City triumph 3-1 and they were heading back towards the big time! And…I admit that I cried that day! If my “top five” bored you silly then there’s only one thing to do: submit your own! It can be on any subject and you don’t have to admit that you cried after watching a footy match!


	GARDEN CLEARANCE


	We are still endeavouring to clear Neil’s back garden in order to erect our new storage shed in anticipation of our expected eviction from our rehearsal hut on the Walshes. The next working party for willing volunteers is Sunday June 11^th – starting around 10am. Bacon butties and coffee will be on tap. Bring your own spade!

Sadly we have to report the death earlier this year of two respected and loved friends: Jeanie Hall and Keith Rush.

Keith was no longer a member of the Guild but we remember with pleasure the time when he was an active and valued member, appearing on-stage in a number of productions; his cheerful and friendly attitude helped to inspire us all. Keith’s daughter, Jo, remains a supporter of the Guild and has assisted with the more complex make-up of some of our recent shows.

Jeanie, and her husband Gerry, could always be relied on to support us in all of our productions and Jeanie’s presence will be greatly missed. Her memorial service was a moving occasion in a packed Stourport Methodist Church and was an indication of the love and affection so many people had for her.

The family and friends of Jeanie and Keith have our sincere sympathy.

DIARY DATES

Sunday June 4^th

Play-Reading Afternoon; the hut; 2pm – 5pm

Sunday June 11^th

Garden Clearance Work Party; Truro Drive, Kidd’minster; 10am

Monday June 26^th

Committee Meeting; Doddington Heights; 7-30pm

Tuesday June 27^th

“Uncle Vanya” at the Swan Theatre, Worcester; 7-30pm

Sunday July 2^nd

November Production Auditions; A/K Village Hall; 2pm – 5pm

NB: this is a provisional date and will be confirmed asap.

Saturday August 5^th

“A Midsummer Nights Dream”; Oxford; 7pm

The newsletter is available by post or via email – if you receive a posted copy and would prefer an email version (or vice versa), please let me know and I’ll make the necessary arrangements.

That’s all for this month – I hope you enjoyed reading the new-look newsletter and I look forward to receiving all of your ideas and inputs for the next one!

Alan

Puzzle Corner answer … “once upon a time”

CONTACT DETAILS

GUILD T-SHIRTS

Several members are now sporting our new branded sweatshirts and t-shirts.

They are excellent quality and very good value for money: polo style t-shirts are £16 and sweatshirts are £17 (all sizes are available).

For more details or if you would like to place an order, please contact Neil.