March meeting

An entertaining evening hearing from participants at the recent Royal Shakespeare Company's workshop for actors. Many thanks to Richard, Liz H and Linda for bringing it to life for us. Next month, 4th April, will be the turn of those attending workshops for directors, stage managers and technicians - lots to hear about and tips to pick up.

Liz H is in charge of the rehearsed play reading on Saturday 31st March at the former WI Hall in Oldbury, with the final part of the "Norman Trilogy". Supper will be nibbles, fish and chips and a selection of puddings and cheeses with coffee to follow. BYO drinks for the meal though. Bring a friend or two and have a pleasant, relaxed and humourous evening.

The title for our June Shakespeare production was chosen by a voting system which the government could learn from! "Behind Every Successful Man....." pipped "Her Infinite Variety" to the post on the chairman's casting vote, but there is scope to slip in an alternative title, as Shakespeare did: .... or "The Bard's Birds" methinks?

Theatre visit in the offing for March and April were discussed, but several clash. BROADS "The Hollow" by Agatha Christie on Friday 30th March is a cert, as is Goldthorn's "Natural Causes" 18th to 21st April. The Belfry at Wellington's drama festival and Albrighton's "Time of my Life" sound good, if we can squeeze them in. Details will be circulated to members shortly.

Shakespeare skills exchange

Liz Fisher and Liz Herdson at The Swan Theatre

If there is one thing I learned about directing a play, yesterday, it is that my own one and only attempt at a 10 minute playlet was woefully inadequate.

Seeing a professional director at work, working with professional actors, reminds me of the day I spent assisting at the local primary school when my kids first started at school in Bridgnorth. The experienced teacher (now long since retired) would persuade a recalcitrant child by going to them, getting to their level, gently encouraging them to rejoin the group. She never stood and shouted across the room. I learned something from her and that same respect and individual concern was evident in the approach that our visiting director had to the actors. He explained that his job was to support and encourage, not to instruct.

It set the standard for the skills exchange day at Stratford and although the subsequent two sessions were very different they were both delivered with that same professionalism and courtesy.

February open meeting

Pub grub and brain strain

For the third year running we held an “everyone welcome” evening and a change from the usual format by having a light-hearted quiz. The winning team generously shared the prize around and the Broseley crowd forgave me for having a good few Bridgnorth orientated questions. Linda Povey brought a short one act play written by a friend; a good yarn with a satisfactory conclusion. Quite a big group came early to try out the Shakespeare Inn's supper menu before the meeting and that was good too.

Shakespeare Open Stages project

Tempest in a Tea Cup or The Bard's Birds

Dates for the production are planned for 8^th and 9^th, 15^th and 16^th and 22^nd and 23^rd June, subject to venues being available.

The final audition is tonight and with what I have seen, this Shakespeare lark is much livelier than one might imagine. When the director of the Cleopatra excerpt says “Think Absolutely Fabulous, with Cleopatra as wealthy Edina and her ladies in waiting characters like Patsy” it gives one a completely new perspective!

Skills exchange at the RSC

Four lucky members are attending the performers' skills exchange in a week or so and three more the workshop for directors, stage managers and technical support. How good is that? We shall return bursting with ideas, so the March meeting will be an opportunity for participants to introduce other members to what they have learned; the April meeting too if time runs out.

January meeting

All Fur Coat and no Knickers by Mike Harding

Set in the 1970's the stereotypes seem a bit dated, but our read through produced plenty of chortles. The working class Deidre Ollerenshaw is to marry the son of a wealthy businessman and councillor, but friction between and within the families and a drunken stag night puts the wedding in doubt. “All fur coat and no knickers” is the taunt of Deidre's mother at the fiancée's mother.

Social Whorl

Gales may be blowing outside, but Bridgnorth Players generated their own mini storm last evening. Throughout the evening members bowled up to my front door bringing a warm front with them. Food and drink poured onto the kitchen table. Afterwards we were regaled with tales and poems, odes and ditties, jokes and variations on a theme of our Noel Coward production. The Kellys were cheered in their absence for "Relative Valet" and should Sally's brow look clouded anytime just remind her of the Dudley Zoo gorilla. As for serious stuff, we had the bard, or someone claiming to be our Will, to thank for "A Visit to Stratford" and what happened next in Hamlet when Denmarks' ambassador returned after a 3 year absence. All good stuff.

All good wishes for Christmas, folks and see you at The Shakespeare on January 4th. I am reliably informed we'll be reading "Fur Coat No Knickers". Don't ask.

Playing to packed houses

Well done all Bridgnorth Players.

Relative Values by Noel Coward kicked off at the weekend with Bridgnorth Community Hall packed the first night and nearly as full the second. There were a few first night splutterings, but it went well and the audiences were appreciative.

On the Saturday we had the pleasure of entertaining the NODA rep, Jean Beard, accompanied by her husband. She has an eagle eye for detail and is always supportive in her comments.

The set was convincing as the former library, now used as a sitting room in Marshwood House. Well done Sally and the set painters.

Thanks too to Sally for sorting the seating platforms and thanks to BROADS for the loan. It is a mammoth task hefting the blocks to and from Broseley, but worth it to ensure that the audience has a good view.

Director Geoffrey Speechly sent a well deserved message of congratulations to cast and crew. The sound effects were convincing, thanks Richard, and I did spot the authentic telephone ring. A group of four came from Montford Parish Hall to look at our lighting gear and were impressed.

The bar did brisk business – thanks Graeme.

Thanks to all who erected the kit and who loaded it and unloaded it back at base and especial thanks to Denise, without whom none of this would have been possible.

Finally, well done Liz H who pulled it all together.

Two down, four to go. Alice as prompt will be at Alveley and Highley in the role of security blanket, but expects to be able to suck sweets all evening!