Amateur Stage Magazine

In 2011 a reviewer described Edinburgh Theatre Arts’ production of Moll Flanders as “unashamedly amateur”.  Far from being offended, the cast identified with this, as I think many other theatre groups in Edinburgh would.  We are amateur, but we do it exceptionally well, and we are proud of what we achieve.  The amateur theatre scene in Edinburgh is incredibly exciting.  There are many great groups who produce fantastic shows.  Over the coming weeks and months I will introduce you to these groups and their upcoming productions, but to start off these blogs, I want to talk about the World Shakespeare Festival and how Edinburgh fits in. 

 

Open Stages

Last year, the RSC announced a new programme – Open Stages – which was open to any amateur theatre group in the UK.  The aim was to “embrace, develop and celebrate amateur theatre, re-forging the bond with the world of professional theatre”.   Over 260 amateur companies signed up across the UK, with 4 companies in Edinburgh participating – Edinburgh Theatre Arts (ETA), Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group (The Grads), Edinburgh University Theatre Group and Arkle Theatre Company.   The Grads and Edinburgh University Theatre Group performed their shows late in 2011, with performances to come in April and May for Arkle Theatre Company and ETA respectively.    Personally, this has been an incredibly rewarding experience, not only in terms of challenging ourselves but also as a learning experience. Some of us were lucky enough to attend a skills exchange day at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow (formerly RSAMD), run by NTS and RSC.  This was a fantastic day which allowed us to meet the other groups taking part, and take part in workshops run by some of the best people in the industry. 

Dates for your diary!  The upcoming performances for Open Stages in Edinburgh are:

Arkle Theatre Company – We Happy Few, April 2012 (Dates TBC) (Edinburgh & Melrose)

Edinburgh Theatre Arts – MacBeth in Scots (translated by Robin Lorimer), 1^st – 5^th May 2012 & August 2012 (St Ninian’s Church Hall, Comely Bank Road, Edinburgh).

There will also be extracts from some of the plays at Traquair Shakespeare Festival on 27 May 2012. 

SCDA One-Act Playwriting Competition

 

However, before any play can be brought to life by a great cast of actors, we need good scripts.  Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) has launched their ‘Play on Words’ One-Act Playwriting Competition for 2012-13.  Entries are invited from any aspiring playwrights, with the deadline being 30 June 2012.  Entry forms and full rules are available from www.scda.org.uk or by email from headquarters@scda.org.uk.  
 

THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY SEEKS AMATUER AND SEMI-PROFESSIONAL THEATRE GROUPS FOR OPEN AIR PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT SUMMER 2012

The Dell
Stratford-upon-Avon
Saturdays from 9 June to 25 August 2012
www.rsc.org.uk

The Royal Shakespeare Company is offering amateur and semi-professional theatre groups the opportunity to put on a play at The Dell, the Company’s open air performance space in Stratford-upon-Avon, on Saturdays throughout summer 2012.

Now in its seventh year, The Dell provides a great platform for these groups to work with the RSC and to present their work to a large audience. Last summer’s season of open air theatre at The Dell saw record breaking attendances. Over 6,000 people watched 36 performances by 20 theatre companies, schools, universities and community groups with more than 1,100 people attending over one weekend alone.

With the World Shakespeare Festival taking place in 2012 this year’s season at The Dell offers a fantastic opportunity for amateur and semi-professional artists to perform to an even wider audience.

In keeping with the spirit of the World Shakespeare Festival, where thousands of artists from around the world will perform in the UK, the RSC is keen to see a broad mixture of performers from different nationalities and backgrounds playing at The Dell this year.

The Dell Co-ordinator Nicola Salmon said:

‘The Dell offers amateur and semi-professional theatre companies the chance to perform at and work with the RSC.

‘In addition to providing a stage we also hope to offer different opportunities for companies to promote their performances and to supply skills training with our professional artists.

‘We’re also expecting large numbers again this year, especially with the World Shakespeare Festival taking place.

‘The World Shakespeare Festival is a truly international, culturally diverse event with companies from across the globe taking part and l would really like to see this broad cultural mix reflected at The Dell.’

Performance times at The Dell are available on Saturdays from 9 June to 25 August 2012. There are two performance slots a day, although the exact time of each performance may vary.

Anyone interested in performing at The Dell will need to submit an application from which can be downloaded from the RSC’s website.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday 19 March 2012.

For further information and to download an application form please visit www.worldshakespearefestival.org.uk/stratford-upon-avon/the-dell.aspx  or contact Nicola Salmon via email: thedell@rsc.org.uk.

FEBRUARY ISSUE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER
The February issue of Amateur Stage is out in a few days time.
This issue features an update on the RSC Open Stages Programme, our annual Panto feature, playscript reviews, news from around the country and the NODA national news.
You can pre-order your copy now by clicking HERE

MATILDA THE MUSICAL

CAMBRIDGE THEATRE

5 Stars - An Absolute Must See

Every so often you get the honour of watching sheer brilliance on stage in the West End.

Such is the case with the RSC’s musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda which has just opened in the West End. I attended a matinee where children and adults alike sat squealing with delight with tears in their eyes as this magical tale unfolded on stage.

Matthew Warchus has once again shown himself to be a director of vision, taking the incredibly difficult task of developing and staging a musical and making it all look so effortless.

There are so many things to like about Matilda but it’s necessary to sing the praises of a few key elements. Bertie Carvels wonderous Trunchbull – pure venom and disdain is sure to be an award winner. Likewise the fabulous quartet of young actors playing Matilda (Cleo Demetriou at our matinee performance). So good are these young actors and indeed all of the 8 other young actors playing the children in the show, that you have to wonder how the producers will be able to sustain the incredible talent required.

The staging of Matilda is so polished and incredibly inventive.  The shows creators Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin have perfectly captured Dahl’s ability to see the world through a child’s eyes with all of its distortions and honesty. The score is quirky, emotive and incredibly funny.  Adults sitting around me had tears in their eyes watching children on swings singing an anthemic balled called When I Grow Up! 

Matilda deserves to stay in the West End for a long time where it can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.  It’s one of those shows which will demand multiple viewings. Indeed some of the audience seated around us were on their second and third viewings having seen the show in Startford.

If there is one downside to Matilda it lies in the sound design which often results in the incredible lyrics of Tim Minchin being drowned out by the enthusiastic musicians.

Grab a ticket for Matilda as soon as you can. Be prepared to marvel, laugh, cry and reveal in the joys of childhood as this incredible musical weaves its magical spell.

Get your tickets HERE

Photos Manuel Harlan

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES An award-winning Wirral based theatre company seeks the following for new project under RSC OPENSTAGES. PLEASE EMAIL. handinhandtheatre@googlemail.com or call 07949 457698 or 0151 639 8765. PRODUCTION MANAGER To handle all the logistics of transport and setting up of set for an open air tour to take place next June. Ideally the candidate will have experience in working backstage in a theatre or in events logistics. Must be able to drive. Initially a few hours a week for planning and budgeting meetings and some research work. Next year, to manage a crew for tour of exciting new production. MARKETING & PUBLICITY ASSISTANT Someone with experience or a keen interest to learn is needed immediately. A few hours a week –hours to suit. Could work from home. Ideally a car owner. Communicating with sponsors, funders and designers for publicity. Assisting with programme material. Available for planning meetings every few weeks. Later will be needed to deliver publicity material around the Wirral. ( petrol costs paid) Other admin duties. Must have IT skills. Also archive keeping this involves keeping files and scrapbook, photo albums up to date. IT ASSISTANT. Wanted immediately for a few hours a week. Updating our website with news and photos. Maintaining our FACEBOOK and setting up other social network sites for advertising new production. Uploading on to youtube and generally dealing with all IT matters. Giving advice to production team about how to get best out of using the internet. Can work from home- attend a few meetings only. DESIGN STUDENTS Students required to assist with costume, set and publicity designs. This is an opportunity for young people ( over 18) to get involved and help in these areas. Must be willing to commit a few hours every few weeks now and more hours from next April. ACCOUNTS PERSON Wanted immediately. Must be used to writing budgets and dealing with general accounts preferably in an arts organisation. Invoices, petty cash and income and expenditure accounts. Would ideally know a little about funding as well. One day per month by arrangement and attending meetings. ALSO WANTED – Storage space. Clean dry garage or room anywhere on Wirral for small rent. Can you help? Do you have an unused garage or outhouse or lock up that is standing empty? We are looking for storage for props, costumes set and our archives.

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited down by the RSC to view the magnificent new building they have recently completed.  It's truly remarkable with key features of the old building retained alongside the new structure.

The new auditorium itself is intimate and comfortable. The thrust brings everything right into the audiences laps. We attended Rupert Goold's new production of Romeo & Juliet which was full of energy and passion and well worth a look if you can get down to see it.

I can highly recommend the new restaurant which is offering several pre-show deals. The food is sublime and the view over the river on a gorgeous day just can't be beaten. Make a point of travelling up the tower whilst you are there to take in the breath-taking views.

More information can be found at www.rsc.org.uk





Adding a new turn to the phrase "Treading the boards", selected section of the foyer floor is comprised of timbers from the old mainstage.





A view from the restaurant balcony



The original art deco box office is suspeded in the main entrance.

The February issue of Amateur Stage is now available for pre-order online. Published on Tuesday 1st February, this issue features the RSC Open Stages Programme, A review of Panto Script writers, news from across the UK and our regular production listings.

You can pre-order your copy HERE