September round up

Lighting workshop
Norman Jones had his work cut out keeping an enthusiastic group in order at Starlight Theatre Services' workshop on theatre lighting on Saturday, as they hurled questions thick and fast. As a complete beginner I learned loads - about lanterns (Fresnel with soft edges, floods with reflectors to wall-wash backgrounds and sharp edge spots), current loadings, positioning lights to illuminate actors without blinding them, colour effects, not to mention using the control desk and programming sequences. Even the experienced techis learned something.
"Witness For The Prosecution"
Eight of us went to The Rose Theatre and had to wait till the final few seconds of this clever play to discover who did what and why. I do like Agatha Christie plays. The lead role, a hapless young man accused of killing a wealthy, older, woman, was a little too naive for my liking and the woman who brings damning evidence against his disloyal wife a little OTT, but it was well done and the scenes in chambers between his solicitor and barrister were delightfully convincing.
I am becoming rather a fan of the Nonentities.
"She Stoops To Conquer"
It was a good opportunity to visit the new Theatre Severn and I found myself a bit ambivalent about the design of the theatre. I can't agree with my pal up the road, who thinks it looks like an MFI flat-pack assembly from the outside, though I question the wisdom of large areas of timber, however sustainable a material it is, being used as cladding at high level externally. Think long term maintenance! Inside, the foyer is spacious and pleasant enough, though lacks drama or a sense of quality. The most interesting aspect is the incorporation of older riverside building into the structure to provide a first floor bar.
The play was "She Stoops To Conquer" by the 18th century playwright Oliver Goldsmith and was, I guess, the Brian Rix farce of its day. Wealthy Mr Hardcastle invites eligible young Mr Marlow to meet his daughter Kate, so the young man jouneys to the gent's country house accompanied by his friend. Unfortunately they get lost as night falls and are mischeviously directed to the house, but told it is an inn. Mr Marlow gets tongue-tied in polite company, but has no problems with chatting up serving wenches and he woos his intended in the belief that she is a servant. She chooses not to disillusion him till the appropriate moment. A good wheeze. The prominent use of bright red on set was distracting and seemed to serve little purpose, but that aside, it was an enjoyable production and worth a visit to Shrewsbury.
September meeting
Everyone read one or more parts in J B Priestley's "When We Are Married" and there was a lot of laughter. Further chuckles ensued as we read Geoffrey Speechly's "Sabrina". Geoffrey and several of the ladies will be entertaining St Mary's Street Residents to a performance in early December at their Christmas social (they may even get fed too).
Richard Aston has put his hand up for organising future theatre visits, so look out for a varied programme.