CHRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

How often do we hear this, and do we take notice? Sadly, not always.

I have never understood why Christmas takes people by surprise. After all, it comes about the same time every year!

Nevertheless, I find myself juggling with performance dates from September onwards.

“Sorry it’s so late, but any chance of a show for the kids on the last day of term?”

Believe it or not, that happens every year; usually about mid-December.

Of course, I try to accommodate, or get as close as possible. Maybe the afternoon if the morning is taken, and we are not having to travel the length of the country.

I love the schools that start the enquiry with “any day that week will do”. Except, of course, whilst that is sincerely meant, it is not the case. “Oh, sorry, I forgot swimming on >>>>> and music practice on >>>>>”

Notwithstanding the hassle, every school that asks gets served, and the kids get to enjoy the play.

BUT PLEASE, DO TRY TO REMEMBER TO BOOK EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS.

Some more pictures, Albert….

IT DOESN’T JUST HAPPEN

How often do you hear that said?

Over the years I have served on many committees-bridge clubs-residents associations-property management and, latterly, bowls clubs.

They all have one thing in common. You don’t get paid and you don’t get thanked. What you do get are complaints, criticism and unheralded advice. 

That said, I have enjoyed them all, and now I have found my true niche-helping others enjoy live theatre.

Going back to my heading, there is much that happens behind the scenes that goes unnoticed.Apart from creating plays and drama workshops, we offer advice and assistance to those wishing to present their own productions.

We help with directing, choreography, music, stage management and more.

We recognize we are not dealing with professional actors, but school children keen to impress their teachers and parents on the day

Making sure the presentation is colourful , visual and contains lots of movement is essential when the performers are amateurs.

If you are considering a “home-made” production, remember we are here to help.

Until next time, some more pictures, Albert…..

 

GOING PLACES

 
I have written a great deal about our plays and workshops, how and where we perform them, the part the weather plays, the timings etc. etc.

Perhaps now is the time to tell you how we get there.

We have two diesel estate cars, fully serviced and regularly polished. They serve us well, with a pod on the roof for when we are performing more than one play in a day.

Of course, if the Government had their way, they would be consigned to the rubbish dump, and we would be struggling to get to you with “all electric”.

Just try to imagine leaving Woking in Surrey and arriving in say, Leeds or Liverpool for a 9.30 a.m. performance on “a tank full of electricity”. Stretch the imagination a little further to add freezing cold or boiling hot weather, Heater or Air Con at full blast, perhaps also the windscreen wipers. Also, the Sat. Nav. Let’s now add the invariably present motorway traffic congestion. So, at what time should we leave? Assuming we have enough electricity to arrive, and that is no certainty, how do we cope with the return journey???

Enough of that. Rest assured we will keep dieseling for as long as we can.

Look at some more pictures, NO, not of cars, Albert….

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I THINK IT’S SUMMER!

A rather tentative start with moderate temperatures, plenty of wind but, thankfully, little rain. Sorry gardeners. I know you need it, but we prefer to A rather tentative start with moderate temperatures, plenty of wind but, perform in the dry outdoors.

Yes, we often forgo the school hall and act out our plays in the playground or, ideally, the playing field.

Workshops, in particular, lend themselves to the great outdoors, especially if they are related to climate change or ecology and the environment.

With an ever-increasing demand for “healthy lifestyles”, we are again looking to create the atmosphere by being outdoors when conducting these related workshops.

We are ever mindful that our summers are short-lived and we must make the most of them whenever we can.

Whether it be a play or a workshop, please be mindful that the great outdoors is there to welcome us, and mention it when booking.

Hopefully, the weather will be on our side.

Until next time with some non-obliging pictures, Albert….

HELPING CREATE A SMOOTH CHANGE

The move from a Junior to a Senior School has long been recognised as an exciting, but often scary time for eleven-year-olds. They will be leaving the comfort of a more homely, perhaps even  "family-orientated" learning zone, and entering the realms of "the unknown"!

We have devised Drama Workshops in which the four main elements are actively involved: the children, the primary school, the senior school and the parents.

Fully participatory, and with the guidance and assistance of professional actors well versed in Theatre in Education, the children will be encouraged to play out scenes focusing on the major issues.

We will concentrate on the areas of most concern to the children - fear of getting lost - afraid of being bullied - losing friends - making new friends - pastoral care - new teachers - adjusting to a different and more intense place of learning. All these and more as the children themselves elucidate and open up throughout the Workshop. 

Through role play and drama the children will gain in confidence and self-esteem.

This is just a brief insight of what we cover. Often the children will tell us more so we are able to allay their concerns.

If you wish to make a booking, please give me some possible dates, and let me know the number of classes involved.

Until next time, Albert…..

Bursting into Summer

By the time you read this, Easter will be behind us, together with the “wonderful” weather that usually accompanies it?

That said, come rain or shine, we are here to entertain the kids with shows that meet the curriculum standard and offer a wide range of entertainment.

The 80^th celebration of V.E. Day was widely successful with many schools enjoying our play and the workshops.

We were fortunate enough to have some true veterans in some of the audiences, and I noticed the odd tear when our actors brought back memories from the past. I would just mention that as a war baby, I recall the incendiary bomb through my bedroom. Thankfully, our family was sheltering at the time, and the fire brigade quickly extinguished the fire.

I guess the memory lingered for several years while my determined mother fought the War Damage Commission to eventually obtain compensation.

I am intrigued that the subject World War II is taught to children who have absolutely no concept of what was happening by teachers who equally had never suffered the experience. I guess that is why our performance is so successful. It really brings it to life, particularly the Anne Frank scene at the end.

Until next time, take a look at some of the pictures.

Albert……..

CRACKING ON

By the time you read this it should be around mid-March with the worst of the weather behind us.

Not that the weather plays any real part in my working day, stuck in an office dreaming up new ideas.

Very different for our band of actors though. As their performances are very physical, they welcome the cold days and, in the Summer, hope for fine weather when they can perform outdoors.

Of course, that can be quite demanding when the wind gets up and our backdrop becomes a sail!

Many is the time I have been behind hanging on to the set, battling the elements with just me, a tripod supporting a “T” bar and back-drop, and a couple of stage weights.

I recall an instance when we were performing on a sea front strapped to the sea wall with our backs to the ocean. Not sure the kids were aware of what we were suffering, nor if they could hear us over the wind and waves. Nevertheless, it was quite an experience, dare I say never to be repeated!

The most fun can be had when putting on a show at a child’s birthday party, particularly when the non-forecast rain arrives. Is it a brief shower soon to pass? Or, has it set in for the duration? These options call for split-second decisions, and you’d better guess right! Of course, we always insist on a fall-back arrangement which usually means a quick up the set and retreat indoors. Now the one- hour performance has become nearer two hours, and will we make it to the next venue in time?

We rarely have two parties booked for the same day. However, you can be sure when we do that will be when it rains. 

I will tell you about more of our fun and games later but, for now, some more pictures.

Albert….