HIGHBURY PLAYERS NEWSLETTER

SPRING 2001

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Firstly a big thank you to my predecessor, Steve Bowyer (whatever happened to him!!) for all his hard work over the last seven years and congratulations on being appointed an honorary life member of the Highbury Players.

Steve and I will, of course, be working closely to ensure the Theatre as a whole goes from strength to strength and the interests of the members are always treated as a priority. There will inevitably be a few gripes and moans and as our operating membership increases "pleasing all the people all of the time" becomes difficult to say the least. However if anyone has any concerns I would urge them to speak to one of your Players reps; Jane Aston or Christina English who will raise any issues at one of our bi-monthly Management Committee meetings (next one Friday 8th June). In future minutes of all meetings will be posted in the Club Room with a further copy behind the bar. Please feel free to take a look.

All those who have attended recent auditions will testify we’re currently on "a bit of a roll" and competition for main parts is fierce. I think I can speak on behalf of Hazel Tolley and the Arts Committee in stating that we are aware of the need to provide as many acting opportunities as possible for members whilst maintaining the high standards we have set ourselves in recent years. Next season we will be announcing a varied, exciting programme which will include, for the first time four published studio productions in addition to our standard seven main house plays.

WATCH THE NOTICE BOARDS FOR DETAILS.

OTHER NEWS

• MONDAY WORK PARTIES – We currently have vacancies for members for set building and theatre maintenance. Anyone interested please contact Steve, he is at the theatre every Monday evening 7.30 – 10.00 p.m.
• WARDROBE GROUP- This dedicated group of members meet each Wednesday Morning 9.00 a.m. till 1.00 p.m plus at other times as and when necessary, any one interested in joining them contact Beryl Young or Margaret Smith.
• FRONT OF HOUSE – I have promised Ann Morgan that I will encourage the membership to help whenever they can (take it from me it’s great for the ego when people recognise you from previous shows!! – it can also be great fun – contact Ann or myself for details.
• WEDNESDAY CLUB NIGHTS – Bill would love to hear from anyone with theme ideas.
• WEDNESDAY COFFEE MORNING: Open to anyone, 10.00 – 12.00 noon. Pop in for a coffee and a chat, or even join one of the working groups.
• BOX OFFICE/ADMIN – A busy and essential department that always needs your help, if you are interested in working in this department give Eric a call on a Monday evening.
• ADDITION TO THE PROGRAMME – Would all members please note that the one act play, "Rose Madder" scheduled for performances over the Little Theatre Guild weekend will also be performed in the Studio Theatre commencing Monday 18th June for 6 nights. The play will start at 8 p.m. and tickets are only £2.00. PHONE BOX OFFICE AND RESERVE YOUR SEATS

Finally I am sure you would all like to join with me in wishing Graham Aveling a speedy recovery following his recent operation and wish Tracey and Brian all the best for the birth of their first child.

That’s all from me now over to Steve for details of the forthcoming LTG WEEKEND.

ROB PHILLIPS

THE LITTLE THEATRE GUILD NATIONAL CONFERENCE

HIGHBURY THEATRE FRIDAY June 15th TO SUNDAY JUNE 17th

What is the LTG:

The LTG is a guild of member theatres that like us are Amateur Dramatic groups with their own theatre building. The Guild grew out of a common idea that independently controlled amateur theatre might benefit from regular meetings to discuss problems, experiences and standards. The idea was first mooted in the 1930s as more and more companies began to open their won theatres and on 16th May 1946, nine theatres came together to establish the Guild. Over the years, the Guild has expanded and now comprises member theatre throughout the United Kingdom. There are some ninety members of the guild and I am happy that many of their reps will be joining us over the weekend. Highbury along with three other theatres were present at the inaugural meeting of the guild, Molly was present at that meeting!

The conference draft programme:

HIGHBURY LITTLE THEATRE

The Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain National Conference and AGM 15 – 17 June 2001.

DRAFT PROGRAMME

Friday 15th June 2001	7.00 p.m. onwards	Registration (Tent)
	8.00 p.m.	Supper
	9.30 p.m.	Performance of Rose Madder (Studio)
	10.30 p.m.	Musical Entertainment (Main Auditorium)
Saturday 15th June 2001	10.00 a.m. onwards	Registration
	10.00 a.m.	Coach departs for Birmingham Symphony Hall
	11.00 a.m.	LTG National AGM (Main Auditorium)
	10.30 a.m.	Performance of Rose Madder (Studio)
	12.00 noon approx	Lunch (Tent)
	1.00 p.m. – 2.45 p.m.	Welcome/Talkshop (Auditorium)
	WORKSHOPS
	THREE PERIODS, FOUR TOPICS
	2.00 – 2.45 p.m.	Workshop Session
	2.45 – 3.15 p.m.	Tea Break (Tent)
	3.15 – 4.00 p.m.	Workshop Session
	4.15 – 5.00 p.m.	Workshop Session
	7.30 p.m.   10.30 p.m.	Performances of The Orchestra and Black Comedy. Supper (Tent)
Sunday 17th June	10.00 – 10.30 a.m.	Let there be light: from candles to computers, theatre lighting through the ages. (Upper Foyer)
	10.00 a.m. – 11.00 a.m.	Who Wants to be a Thespionaire entertaining theatrical questions (Auditorium)
Sunday Continued	10.35 – 11.25	Performance of Rose Madder (Studio)
	11.00 a.m. – 11.25 a.m.	Coffee (Delegates watching Rose Madder to grab a coffee and take into the Keynote address).
	11.30 p.m. – 12.30 p.m.	Keynote address (Tony Garnett, Television and Film Producer)
	12.30p.m. 1.00 p.m.	Depart for Penns Hall LUNCH

Workshop Topics and Locations:

1) Aspects of Community Drama         (Dudley College)    Auditorium

2) Singing for Non Singers                   (Chris, Crescent)   Studio

3) Dancing for Non Dancers                (John, Crescent)    Upper Foyer

4) Who Wants To Be An Adjudicator  (G.O.D.A.)           Lower Foyer

Following Lunch at Penns Hall on Sunday (see below), John Slim on "Who Wants To Be A Newspaper Drama Critic"

3.00p.m. Approx End of Conference

As you can see it is going to be a very full programme. If you are able to help in any way over the weekend let, either myself or Hazel know when you are available and we will find you something varied and interesting to do. (Rob’s washing up and clearing litter).

There may be a limited number of spaces for members to join the workshops and certainly the Keynote address on Sunday morning by Tony Garnett, an ex Highbury Player who went on to Produce shows like Kathy Come Home, Kes, The Bill etc. If you are interested talk to Hazel Tolley who is keeping a list of availability.

We would like to invite all the Highbury Players to the Lunch at Penns Hall on Sunday 17th June at approximately 1.00 p.m. We have got the Lakeside room for the afternoon and lunch will be followed by an after dinner speech on "Who Wants to be a Newspaper Theatre Critic" by our own John Slim from the Birmingham Evening Mail. The cost of the lunch is £12 per person, which I am sure those of you that know Penns Hall, is a very reasonable price. I hope as many of you as possible will join us for Lunch on that Sunday. If you are interested could you fill in the tear off slip making you cheques payable to Highbury Theatre and return to Hazel or Steve.

Contacts:

Hazel Tolley 0121 240 4130

Steve Bowyer 01922 453710 (you will probably have to leave a message as I am never there!

Name……………………………………………………………….

I would like. …………….. Places reserved for me for Lunch at Penns Hall on Sunday 17th June 2001 at

1. p.m. I enclose a cheque made payable to Highbury Theatre to cover the cost. (multiples of £12)