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The View from the Stage
by
Mike Couzins
December
There are only a few days to go before the first night of “Musical Memories and Mayhem”. Although tickets are going quite well bookings are a bit light for Saturday 10th December so there is still time to book.
It has been suggested that the reason for the slow take-up for the Saturday is due to “Strictly”. I can’t for the life of me think why this should be! There is nothing quite like live entertainment and, in the case of this production, the chance to join in with some of the Christmassy songs and carols. Oh, I know we haven’t got Bruce Forsyth, but at least some of us are as old as him! Apart from that the show will include some dancing, so we are part way there.
We are already thinking about our production for next spring and I know that Maggie Williams’ fertile imagination is actively toying with the idea of doing something on the lines of a “pantical” type show based around a cruise ship, with lots of interesting characters and using songs from around the world. I may be jumping the gun in saying this as a production meeting has not yet been held. So, watch this space!
September
After some considerable discussion the programme for our December offering has, more or less, been decided on and the title that I mentioned last time, ”Musical Memories and Mayhem”, is confirmed. The idea behind it was to reprise some numbers from previous performances which we all like doing and, at the same time, give everybody the opportunity to sing solos or duets which they would have loved to have done if the part of the character singing the number in question had not gone to someone else.It will come as no surprise that the list includes several G & S numbers, both spoof and original, plus songs from “The Merry Widow”, “Die Fledermaus”, “Phantom etc.,” and several other Broadway shows. Needless to say the joint producers, Maggie & Mavis, will try and work as much dance into the numbers as the music (and our legs!) will allow. Add in some well known standards, some bits and pieces of comedy ( a la The Two Ronnies); and winding up with some seasonal songs and carols. I am sure there will be something for everyone. When it comes to the seasonal items we sincerely hope that those who can will be willing to exercise their vocal cords and join in the singing. The whole idea for this show was so that we could all have a relaxed and stress free time after the last show with no real learning of new numbers; just a refresher of things we have done before to provide a fun, enjoyable evening. Just recycling really!
Also, to ensure that the audience are equally relaxed, seating will be around tables so that drinks can be brought into the hall. You never know; there might even be something to nibble on! All in all December 8th, 9th and 10th will prove to be great fun so make a note in your diary now. Ticket information and booking details next month.
July
Well we managed it! In spite of all the worries and concerns (not least my being ill the week before the show)”Good Companions” was, in the end, a great success. What is more, by a determined effort on the part of everyone, we managed to sell enough tickets to not only cover our cost but to actually make a small profit.
Saturdays’ performance turned out to be a real drama when one of the main characters fainted part way through the first act and, although he courageously carried on after a brief pause and did his next scene, he was not able to continue. Cue our producer Maggie Williams! Once she had changed into the correct costume, and with script in hand, she manfully (ouch!) played the role to the end. At least when someone is taken ill in our company we have the comfort of knowing that we have a GP, at least 2 nurses and a VET in the cast. I’m happy to report that the chap in question was fine when I ‘phoned him the next day.
Anyway, as I said, the show was a great success. In previous reports I had mentioned the difficulty of the myriad scene changes, but with the skill and experience of Jerome Way (ably assisted by Tony Williams, David Cope and other members of the cast) it all went without a hitch. Everyone who saw it loved the little car. In case you didn’t guess it was built around a mobility scooter. The report from the NODA representative was full of praise for all concerned.
Apart from a couple of social gatherings we have not met in July – after a week's run we were all in need of some rest and recuperation. We return on the second week of August to prepare for our December production. The provisional title is “Musical Memories and Mayhem” which will be made up of some of our favourites from previous shows plus a few surprises. This will be staged on the 8th, 9th and 10th of December so make a note in your diary. More details will follow later.
June
At the time of writing our production of "THE GOOD COMPANIONS” is only a few weeks away and it is usually about this time that the nerves, both collective and individual, kick in. Can I remember all my lines? Have I forgotten any of the dance moves? You know the sort of thing!
With this show the big question is - How is all going to work? There seemed to be a lot of scene changes in "Anything Goes" but it was nothing compared to this! The main difficulty with the C,A. stage is the lack of space in the wings to store props; particularly when trying to get a large number of people on and off quickly. I guess when the hall was built no-one envisaged the style of production both ourselves and the Winterbourne Players manage to achieve.
Since musicals invariably require a much larger cast then most straight plays, the lack of dressing rooms also causes difficulties; especially when there are a number of costume changes. Anyway, to return to the original point, somehow Jerome Way (our Stage Manager) has to create at least the impression of; a couple of different provincial theatres, the outside of a football stadium, a school staff room, a couple of hotel dining rooms, the end of the pier, the living room of an ordinary home and two different railway stations! Even then I think I have missed some. Still this is theatre so, as Shakespeare put it, "On your imaginary forces work - Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts - Think when we talk of horses that you see them printing their proud hoofs i' the receiving earth."
Actually we don't talk of horses but I think you get the idea.
April
As I mentioned the last time I wrote we had a couple of Valentines Concerts to perform and both proved to be a great success - at least financially! The one at Holy Trinity, Stapleton, raised £400; whilst at St. Michaels Rooms, with the inclusion of a raffle, the total was £550. Well worth doing. These events are something I personally enjoy a lot and it is a pity that pressure on rehearsal time for our bi-annual shows means we often have to turn down requests to perform at other venues. When you look at the TV listings it is hardly surprising that "live" entertainment is still very popular. As a wedding anniversary treat (before you ask it’s 54 years) Mary & I went to see Elaine Paige at the Millennium Centre, Cardiff. A very large venue; the tickets were not cheap; and yet it was almost full! So, as I say live entertainment is still popular.
So to our next live production - "The Good Companions". I don't expect many of you will be familiar with the show (we certainly weren't)and, unless you have read J.B. Priestleys' book, you won't have a clue as to what it is all about. So, without giving away too much, here is a brief synopsis.
The Dinky-Doos are a third rate touring concert party made up of all the usual types to be found in an "end of the pier" type show - the aspiring young female hoping for a break into the big time, the somewhat "precious" juvenile lead, the tired old comedian who hasn't had a new joke in 30 years ( my offspring weren't surprised I've got that part), the husband and wife team who have been around since "the good old days". Part way through a week in a small regional theatre disaster strikes when their manager runs off with both the pianist and the weeks takings, leaving them in debt to the theatre manager who seizes their scenery. But help is at hand when another very experienced player arrives bringing with him 3 disparate characters who he has met on the road; all of whom, for various reasons, are in search of change and adventure. Many trials and tribulations follow before our heroes, now re-named "The Good Companions" battle their way to success and happiness. Full of lively and catchy music by Andre Previn and plenty of odd characters it is a fun show not to be missed.
February
How does one judge the success of a production? Did it do well financially? Was it up to scratch artistically? Was I satisfied with my own performance?
Unfortunately, in the first case, the answer is a definite NO as “Iolanthe” lost in excess of £400; probably due to two main factors. Firstly, the bitterly cold weather at the time must have persuaded some not to brave it, and secondly perhaps because “Iolanthe” is not so well known as some other G & S works. Artistically, apart from one or two purists, it was received with great enthusiasm and much enjoyment. As for judging ones own performance it is only later, after viewing the DVD, that you see the things you would have done differently and hopefully better. I know that I used to have the habit of wiggling my fingers when stationary (naturally pointed out by my wife); something I hope I have now corrected. Although everyone always gives of their best there is always room for improvement
Now for our production in June. We have had a taster of a couple of the numbers and I can tell you it will be a lively and tuneful entertainment. A touring variety troupe, the "Dinky Doos" are in financial trouble. An encounter with three strangers - Inigo Jollifant (a romantic, song-writing ex-schoolmaster), Miss Trant (a philanthropic spinster in search of adventure), and Jess Oakroyd (a down to earth, practical man recently made redundant from his job) leads to a change of fortune. Re-launched with Miss Trant's money, they tour England, at first with little success. Inigo falls in love with the troupe's talented and pretty young girl singer, Susie Dean. The troupe is threatened with disharmony, but, due to Inigo's intervention, and the marriage of the principal dancer (Jerry Jerningham) to Lady Parlitt (whose family "own a chain of theatres"), all turns out well for Susie by the end, when she triumphs in a lavish London revue, with the other members of "The Good Companions" in the audience, cheering her triumph. Based on the novel by J.B.Priestley with music by Andre Previn and lyrics by Johnnie Mercer the show is full of lively characters and catchy songs.
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