I've been asked on several occasions about why Eric Chappell, who wrote the show we are working on, is such a familiar name.
Eric Chappell has been responsible for a wide range of television comedies including Only when I laugh and Rising Damp - the latter adapted from his stage play The Banana Box. As such, for me and many others, it is his works we have become familiar with, and a name that has appeared on the screen many times over the years.
For more information on his works, his website is an impressive list of achievements.
Back to rehearsals...
Update on Summer's End
Since I have the pleasure of directing Eric Chappell's Summer's End, I thought that I'd use this website as a chance to keep people informed as to how the preparations and rehearsals for this show are going.
Well, after the casting, and one minor change through unavailability, I now have a cast - and its a cracking cast, for which I am grateful to all of those who attended the auditions and expressed an interest, you gave this director the nice problem of having options! So, the cast:
Emily - Biddy Jackson,
May - Jane Horton,
Mrs Lang - Emma Dawson,
Sally - Ella Murdoch,
Alan - Andrew.
the last three on the list are all new members, and having seen them read, I am delighted to have them with us. A particular thank-you must also go to Jane and Biddy for taking on the roles of the two old dears - hopefully people will agree with me in how well they work together, and these are very major roles for them to have taken on.
So, that is the cast. Backstage we have Gemma as Stage Manager, Penny as Producer, and Mike heading up the building of the set, all of whom will be looking for help with the production. I'll write more on the Production issues next time.
Rehearsals restart on Monday when I finally get back from Seattle...
Simon.
Well, after the casting, and one minor change through unavailability, I now have a cast - and its a cracking cast, for which I am grateful to all of those who attended the auditions and expressed an interest, you gave this director the nice problem of having options! So, the cast:
Emily - Biddy Jackson,
May - Jane Horton,
Mrs Lang - Emma Dawson,
Sally - Ella Murdoch,
Alan - Andrew.
the last three on the list are all new members, and having seen them read, I am delighted to have them with us. A particular thank-you must also go to Jane and Biddy for taking on the roles of the two old dears - hopefully people will agree with me in how well they work together, and these are very major roles for them to have taken on.
So, that is the cast. Backstage we have Gemma as Stage Manager, Penny as Producer, and Mike heading up the building of the set, all of whom will be looking for help with the production. I'll write more on the Production issues next time.
Rehearsals restart on Monday when I finally get back from Seattle...
Simon.
Reading and Auditions
Firstly, and most importantly, Happy New Year!
So, for all those with New Year Resolutions to get out more and do something different we have just the chance. Our next production will be Summer's End by Eric Chappell - a comedy set in a care home, where there are suspicions of murder and missing rings. If of course people can remember what happened.
We will be reading the play through on Monday, 4th January at Parkside Hall, Ampthill, starting at 8pm. The intention is to give people a feel for the play ready for...
Auditions
8pm, Monday 11th January, again at Parkside Hall.
All are welcome, whether or not you have acted before, or whether you only want to be involved in backstage work, or even if all you want is a little more active social night.
All roles are up for grabs, the only decided one is that Simon (me) will be directing, mainly as Janice is taking a backseat in this one due to family committments (congratulations James!), but also since I rather liked the play...
If you want to know more, then either just turn up on the 4th or 11th, or email us at membership@afds.co.uk.
btw: since you are all thinking what we thought: Eric Chappell wrote The Banana Box, which became better known as Rising Damp.
So, for all those with New Year Resolutions to get out more and do something different we have just the chance. Our next production will be Summer's End by Eric Chappell - a comedy set in a care home, where there are suspicions of murder and missing rings. If of course people can remember what happened.
We will be reading the play through on Monday, 4th January at Parkside Hall, Ampthill, starting at 8pm. The intention is to give people a feel for the play ready for...
Auditions
8pm, Monday 11th January, again at Parkside Hall.
All are welcome, whether or not you have acted before, or whether you only want to be involved in backstage work, or even if all you want is a little more active social night.
All roles are up for grabs, the only decided one is that Simon (me) will be directing, mainly as Janice is taking a backseat in this one due to family committments (congratulations James!), but also since I rather liked the play...
If you want to know more, then either just turn up on the 4th or 11th, or email us at membership@afds.co.uk.
btw: since you are all thinking what we thought: Eric Chappell wrote The Banana Box, which became better known as Rising Damp.
Christmas Dinner
The AFDS Christmas Dinner will be on the 12th December at 8pm at the Rose and Crown in Ridgemont.
The menu choice this year is:
Cost is £21 per person, this includes the tip and all the other costs (you pay for your own drinks though!). Bookings to simon.n.barton@gmail.com or 07533-707367 with the money and the menu choice please.
By the 7th December please
There will, as usual, be the awarding of Gnomes. Gnominations are now open - and I've received a few good worth causes already.
The menu choice this year is:
Starters
Broccoli & Stilton Soup
Chef’s Paté
Deep Fried Camembert
Main Course
Roast Turkeywith all the trimmings
Boneless Breast of Duckin berry sauce
Fillet of Salmonpoached in orange and dill sauce
Vegetarian Nut Roast
Dessert
Traditional Christmas Pudding
Cheese Cake
Cheeseboard
Coffee and Mince Pies
Broccoli & Stilton Soup
Chef’s Paté
Deep Fried Camembert
Main Course
Roast Turkeywith all the trimmings
Boneless Breast of Duckin berry sauce
Fillet of Salmonpoached in orange and dill sauce
Vegetarian Nut Roast
Dessert
Traditional Christmas Pudding
Cheese Cake
Cheeseboard
Coffee and Mince Pies
Cost is £21 per person, this includes the tip and all the other costs (you pay for your own drinks though!). Bookings to simon.n.barton@gmail.com or 07533-707367 with the money and the menu choice please.
By the 7th December please
There will, as usual, be the awarding of Gnomes. Gnominations are now open - and I've received a few good worth causes already.
Our Next Production...
Ampthill and Flitwick Dramatic Society
Presents a Double Bill
Bang, You're Dead!
Bang, You're Dead!by Paul Reakes
and
Last Tango in Little Grimley
by David Tristram
7:45pm, November 19th, 20th and 21st
at Parkside Hall, Woburn Street, Ampthill
Tickets:
Thursday and Saturday: £7, concessions £6.
Friday, including a Fish & Chip Supper: £10, concessions £9.
Box Office: 01234-767014
or from Country Properties, Ampthill.
Crash Investigations
Cranfield University has asked AFDS if we can help with their Crash Investigations Training.
They want actors to play roles from a scrip for their students, to help them learn to ask the right questions as part of a crash investigation. We would be needed for three sessions during the day.
There is an exercise planned for about two weeks from now, then additional ones in November and December.
If any members are interested then can they contact Mike Green, who will pass your contact details onto the organisers at Cranfield.
They want actors to play roles from a scrip for their students, to help them learn to ask the right questions as part of a crash investigation. We would be needed for three sessions during the day.
There is an exercise planned for about two weeks from now, then additional ones in November and December.
If any members are interested then can they contact Mike Green, who will pass your contact details onto the organisers at Cranfield.
Auditions
Just a quick reminder - AFDS are holding open auditions for our next production on the 24th August (That's next Monday) at 8pm at Parkside Hall.
The play(s) being proposed are Last Tango in Little Grimley and (if we can cast it) Bang! You're Dead. Both are one Act Comedies.
Both are 2M 2F, and playable with quite a wide age range.
The Auditions will also be open at the next play reading on the 7th September, again at 8pm at Parkside.
If you want any additional information then let me know through membership@afds.co.uk
The play(s) being proposed are Last Tango in Little Grimley and (if we can cast it) Bang! You're Dead. Both are one Act Comedies.
Both are 2M 2F, and playable with quite a wide age range.
The Auditions will also be open at the next play reading on the 7th September, again at 8pm at Parkside.
If you want any additional information then let me know through membership@afds.co.uk
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