Tickets on sale now!
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/abbotslangleyplayers
Thurs 11th – Sat 13th July at 8pm, Sat 13th at 3pm
NEWSLETTER MAY 2019
OUR NEXT PRODUCTION
Our July production will be ‘The Children’ by Lucy Kirkwood, directed by Simon Ash. The cast is as follows:
Hazel Wendy Ash
Rose Valerie Gale
Robin Dave Barron
The production dates will be Thursday 11th July to Saturday 13th July.
Simon is looking for volunteers for these backstage jobs:
Stage Manager
Lighting Operator
Sound Operator
Prompt
Props
FOH Manager
A hair/wig dresser is also needed.
If you are interested, please contact Simon.
PLAY READINGS
Annette will be holding play readings on Tuesday 14th May and Wednesday 22nd May. The first reading will be of ‘Bazaar and Rummage’, in which a group of agoraphobics help at a jumble sale.
The second reading will be ‘Sleep No More’, a supernatural thriller set in an old theatre.
LIGHTING AND SOUND WORKSHOP
Another workshop is planned but as yet there is no date for it. Details will be sent to you when it has been arranged.
Newsletter : March 2019
“THE ACTRESS”: A REVIEW: The feedback from our audiences was that they had really
enjoyed this play. It was fun to do, and working with flowers was lovely! Many thanks to
everyone who was involved, particularly the unseen backstage people, and also thank you
to Annette, the director, who kept urging people to be nastier and sharper (as we are all
naturally so nice!)
Annette writes:
I should like to thank everyone who helped in any way in “The Actress”, which was
very much enjoyed by our audiences. It is just a pity that there weren’t a few more
people for some performances.
It was a very happy production and I enjoyed the rehearsals with all the cast
working hard. Thanks to everyone for my plant and the robin, and I look forward to
our next production.
Thank you again, Annette
As Annette mentions, though we had almost a full house on Friday, Saturday evening was
very thin. We are not the only local drama group to be experiencing this. Maybe we should
not do a Saturday evening performance at all? Or maybe we should cut the Wednesday
performance instead?
You’ll notice that there is an item (not a proposal) on this subject for discussion on the
AGM agenda.
Which neatly leads me to. . . . .
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Don’t forget, this is on Tuesday 16 th April at 8 pm in the
Barn. Anyone can attend the meeting, but only fully paid up members can vote. You’ll find
the Agenda attached. And if you haven’t yet paid your subs, now is the time.
JULY PRODUCTION: On Thursday 28 th March (this Thursday) there will be a reading of
“The Children” by Lucy Kirkwood, to be directed by Simon. The play has three characters
and is set in a post-apocalyptic age. Hazel and Robin, a married couple who are both
nuclear scientists, live in the wake of a nuclear disaster at a local power station (the
inspiration for the play was the Fukushima nuclear explosion in Japan in 2011.)
Rose, a fellow nuclear physicist who Hazel and Robin have not seen for thirty years,
comes to visit. Has she come to re-ignite an old affair with Robin, or is there a darker
purpose?
Auditions will be on Thursdays 11 th and 18 th April; if you can’t make any of these dates but
would like to be involved, please contact Simon ( simon@flatpacktheatre.co.uk , 01923
444619 )
FUTURE PRODUCTIONS On Tuesday 2 nd April there will be a reading of “Ladies in
Lavender”, our November play, to be directed by Roger, with auditions at a later date.
And in the summer there will be readings of two more plays, “Entertaining Angels” by
Rupert Everett, and “Sleep No More” by David Gillespie and Colin Wakefield. Both are
possible contenders for future productions. Keep watching this space – we test whether
you’re watching by swopping things about and then asking people what they remember!!
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Thur 28 Mar Reading of “The Children”
Tues 2 April Reading of “Ladies in Lavender”
Thur 11 April Auditions “The Children”
Tues 16 April Annual General Meeting, 8 pm, Barn
Thur 18 April Auditions “The Children”
Tues 23 April Trustee Meeting
6 – 13 July Play week for “The Children
10 – 16 Nov Play week for “Ladies in Lavender”
LIGHTING & SOUND WORKSHOP: REVIEW: This was a very interesting look at how
plays are lit and provided with sound FX (well, obviously!) Simon made it seem less
difficult that I had previously felt it was, and I think several of us thought “Maybe I could do
that. . . . .”
Many thanks to Simon for showing us how to work the equipment, and what it does.
SAD NEWS Some of you may remember (or recall the name of) John Sutton, who used to
organise ALF when it was ALFA. (Yes, that does sound a bit cryptic!) Sadly he has died,
and ALP would like to extend our sympathy and best wishes to his family.
AND FINALLY – A FREEBIE For the last few years ALP has been offering free tea or
coffee to anyone in our audience who bought a programme. Deciding who qualifies has
been quite difficult to administer, so the Trustees have now decided that tea or coffee
should be free to any audience member, whether they have a programme or not. It’s a
small cost, and hopefully makes people feel happy that they have received a freebie!
AND FINALLY FINALLY I am standing down as Secretary after 29 years. Will I get a
gold watch for long service? Possibly not. . .
Newsletter : February 2019
“THE ACTRESS”: Tickets are now on sale and we have publicity on Facebook (and
possibly Twitter as well – I don’t know as I don’t tweet!) Posters and flyers will be available
from the Barn on rehearsal nights, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from Tuesday 26 th February.
This is a lovely play with no rude words and only a few naughty bits (not even very
naughty). It also has some very funny moments, and some drama-related displays of bad
behaviour, the sort of thing that I’m sure never happens with ALP. . . .
The get-in weekend is Saturday 9 th and Sunday 10th March. Colin, our Stage Manager, will
need help, from everything from shifting flats (muscle) to papering and painting flats (DIY
skills) and making tea (indispensable). Flat-shifting from 10 am on Saturday morning, and
the rest from 12 pm. Please come along if you have the time – it’s more fun than hovering
or doing the weekly shop!
There will be a street promotion on Saturday 9 th , where we take it in turns to stand outside
the Hub and hand out flyers to members of the public. No more details on this yet but keep
an eye on your inbox.
LIGHTING AND SOUND WORKSHOP: This will be on Wednesday 6 th March in the Hub
at 8 pm. It’s being run by Simon, mainly for the benefit of ALP members, so come along if
you’re in any way interested. There’s a poster with more details attached to this newsletter.
Having more members with skills in this area would be a huge help to us.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Don’t forget, it’s on Tuesday 16th April in the Barn at 8
pm. With this newsletter are nomination forms for all Trustee posts. Please think whether
you’d like to nominate someone for any of these posts (or indeed, stand yourself), making
sure that you get their consent first, of course.
All nominations, also including the names of the proposer and seconder, should be
returned to me, Jean J., by Tuesday 26th March, three weeks before the AGM.
Any proposals for discussion or voting that you wish to submit, also including the proposer
and seconder, should be returned to me by the same date.
This leads me neatly on to SUBS, which must be paid before you can nominate anyone or
submit any proposal. Beverley is still waiting for quite a few; please make her happy and
pay! It’s £22 for a Full member and £11 for an Associate member. You can give cash or
cheque to any Trustee, to be passed on, or you can pay online into ALP’s account, no.
FUTURE PRODUCTIONS 1) Our July production will be “The Children”, a new play by
Lucy Kirkwood, to be directed by Simon. More details about a reading and auditions to
follow.
2) There will be a reading of “Ladies in Lavender”, our November production, on Thursday
28 th March at 8pm in the Barn.
3) Our play for March 2020 will be “My Mother Said I Never Should” by Charlotte Keating,
to be directed by Simon. Again, more details to follow.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Wed 6 Mar Lighting & Sound workshop, 8pm, The Hub
9 – 16 Mar Play week for “The Actress”
Wed 20 Mar Trustee meeting
Tues 26 Mar Last day for AGM nominations & proposals
Thur 28 Mar Reading of “Ladies in Lavender”
Tues 16 April Annual General Meeting, 8 pm, Barn
6 – 13 July Play week for “The Children
10 – 16 Nov Play week for “Ladies in Lavender”
AND FINALLY that’s it, folks.
The Actress – Ticket Announcement
Tickets are now on sale for our next production, running from the 13th to 16th March see link below:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/abbotslangleyplayers
Box Office 0844 804 5354
The Actress dramatises the events backstage as a colourful, complicated actress makes her emotional farewell performance. Various people from her life invade her dressing room to say their goodbyes, declare their love, roar with laughter, spit insults, grab a final embrace, and renew old battles.
January Newsletter
“THE ACTRESS”: Rehearsals for this have started in the Barn. The actors are developing
their characters with enthusiasm, but people are still needed for backstage jobs:
Production Manager, prompt and Front of House manager.
The most important of these is the Production Manager, whose job is to hold all the reins
in his/her hands, so to speak, and check that everything is going to plan. If you’re
interested in any of these jobs, or if you’d like more details, please contact the director,
Annette (nettetoms@gmail.com ) or me (jean.james@ntlworld.com).
Welcome to two new members, John and Beth Bolitho-Pearn, who both have parts in this
play. We don’t hang about, you know!
If anyone would like to come up to watch a rehearsal, they would be very welcome, though
I have to say that the Barn is a little chilly at the moment, so wear your thick coat!
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS are now due (as from 1 st January). Beverley F., our
Treasurer, has noticed a distinct lack of people paying subs…. The cost is £22 (Full
member) or £11 (Associate member), and all activities of the Society are open to all
members, apart from acting, which only Full members can do.
You can send a cheque to Beverley or you can give cash or cheque to any Trustee
to be passed on (yes you do know who they are, they’re John G., Jean, Beverley C.,
Sandy, Pat and Valerie) or you can pay online into ALP’s account.
Payment of subs ensures that you’re covered by insurance in case of accidents – not a
cheerful subject, but it can happen.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING It’s once more time for this much-loved jolly festival
necessary meeting! It will be on Tuesday 16th April at 8 pm in the Barn. Anyone can attend
but only fully [aid up members can nominate someone or cast a vote.
Which neatly leads me on to nominations. Have a think about whether you would like to be
on the board of Trustees (sounds very official). It would be nice to have nominations for all
posts. There will be a nomination form with the February newsletter.
Any proposals that you would like discussed and/or voted on have to be in to the
Secretary (i.e.me, jean.james@ntlworld.com ) by Tuesday 26th March, three weeks before
the meeting.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Wed 13 Feb Trustee meeting
9 – 16 Mar Play week for “The Actress”
Tues 16 April Annual General Meeting, 8 pm, Barn
6 – 13 July Summer play week
10 – 16 Nov Play week for “Ladies in Lavender”
FUTURE PRODUCTIONS Roger will be directing “Ladies in Lavender” for November, and
hopes to have a reading of the play, probably when the current play has finished.
Unfortunately we have no play or director for our July slot – can anyone help? Please
contact any Trustee if you can.
LEARN A NEW SKILL Simon has traditionally done Lighting and Sound for ALP for many
productions, but in July this year he and Wendy will be away. So he is planning to run a
Lighting and Sound workshop when “The Actress” is over, to give anyone who is
interested an insight into how these jobs are done. It would be great if in future we could
rely on our own members for this, and give Simon some time off!!
If anyone is interested in this, please contact me or John
(jon.gordon50@virginmedia.com )
So far five people have expressed an interest.
Newletter – December Additions
Our March play “The Actress” has been cast as follows:
Lydia Martin – Anita Lucas
Katherine – Barbara Johnson
Charles – Brian Hibberd
Harriet – Ann Bolitho-Jones
Nicole – Beth Bolitho-Pearn
Paul – Stuart Martin
Margaret – Jean James
“Chekhov” part
Lopakhin – John Bolitho-Pearn
Gaev – Craig Elliot
The first rehearsal is on Tuesday 8 th January at 8 pm in the Barn, and the director is
Annette Toms.
Newsletter : December 2018
Lettice and Lovage was an interesting one to do, though hard work for the two main characters. I’m pleased to note that we have gained five new members, who were all Tourists in the play: Delta O’Connor, Craig Elliott, Ray Knowles, Anita Lucas, and Nikki Williams. We also have one Associate member who has made her acting debut: Beverley Chamberlain. Welcome to all of you. After the afternoon performance, most of the cast had an enjoyable fish and chip supper in Elvira’s – I think the only downside was that the smell of chips might still be around on Monday morning! Thank you to everyone involved, and to Sylvia for directing.
“THE ACTRESS”: There is a reading for this TONIGHT (Tuesday 27th ), with auditions on Tuesday 4th and Thursday 6th December. If you would like to be involved but can’t make any of these dates, please contact Annette. Audition pieces will be available at the reading, or emailed to everyone who would like them (Or both).
PLAYREADINGS There will be a ‘reading for pleasure’ of “Deadly Nightshade” by Francis Durbridge on Thursday 13th December. This is an unusual story with a twist, so come along and enjoy the read.
The will also be a reading of “Ladies in Lavender”, our play for November 2019, on
Wednesday 9th January. Both readings are in the Barn at 8pm.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Tues 27 Nov Reading of “The Actress”
Tues 4 Dec } Auditions of “The Actress
Thur 6 Dec }
Thur 13 Dec Reading of “Deadly Nightcap”
Wed 9 Jan Reading of “Ladies in Lavender”
Thur 10 – Sat 12 Jan Village Moonlighters panto “The Wizard of Oz”
Wed 16 Jan Trustee meeting
9 – 16 Mar 2019 Play week for “The Actress”
6 – 13 July 2019 Summer play week
10 – 16 Nov 2019 Play week for “Ladies in Lavender”
THE MYSTERY OF THE DISAPPEARING TEATOWELS Part II Yes, they have vanished
again. Some were discovered hiding in a member’s house after being washed at the end of the last production; but quite a few are still missing.
Did you do Front of House for “Middle Aged Spread”? Might you have ‘extra’ teatowels that you don’t recognise? They are all labelled “Abbots Langley Players” so should be easy to spot. It would be useful to have them back!
AND FINALLY There won’t be another newsletter before Christmas, so Happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year to everyone.
Newsletter : November 2018
“LETTICE AND LOVAGE”: Performance week is nearly upon us. Tickets are selling fast, so if anyone you know needs a ticket, don’t leave it too long.
If you took flyers to distribute locally, please can you return any unused ones to the Barn by Thursday 8 th November, as they will be needed for the street promotion on Saturday 10th.
Lots of help is needed for set construction, set dressing, flat painting, tea making…. We shall be in the Barn on Saturday 10 th November from 10 am papering and painting flats for use, and then on Sunday 11 th assembling them in the Hub from 10 am. If it sounds like hard work, you will get a couple of minutes off at 11 am… If you’d like to help in any capacity, or just be part of it, please come along. I always reckon it beats cleaning the bathroom any day!
FUTURE PRODUCTIONS: March 2019: Annette is directing “The Actress” by Peter
Quilter. There will be a reading of this in the Barn on Tuesday 27 th November, with
auditions on Tuesday 4 th and Thursday 6 th December. As usual, if you’d like to be involved but can’t make any of these dates, please contact Annette.
November 2019: Roger Gotts will be directing “Ladies in Lavender” for us. More details later.
Summer 2019: We still have no offers of a play or director for this slot. Does anyone have a desire to do something, or any ideas?
OTHER PRODUCTIONS The Village Moonlighters panto is on January 10th – 12th , and includes a few past and present members of ALP, and also a REAL LIVE DOG (who will undoubtedly steal the show). Tickets aren’t on sale yet but don’t forget the date.
AND FINALLY It would be nice to have some playreadings in the New Year. Does anyone have a play that they think might be possible for production? Or just one that they would like to read for fun? If you do, or if you have any ideas, please contact me (Jean J).
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sat 10 Nov Painting flats in Barn
Sun 11 Nov Set assembly in Hub, also rehearsal 2.30 pm
Mon 12 Nov Technical Rehearsal
Tues 13 Nov Dress Rehearsal
Wed 14 – Sat 17 Nov Performances
Wed 21 Nov Trustee meeting
Tues 27 Nov Reading of “The Actress”
Tues 4 Dec } Auditions of “The Actress
Thur 6 Dec }
Wed 16 Jan Trustee meeting
9 – 16 Mar 2019 Play week for “The Actress”
6 – 13 July 2019 Summer play week
10 – 16 Nov 2019 Play week for “Ladies in Lavender”
Lettice and Lovage – Ticket Announcement
Tickets are now on sale for our next production, running from the 14th to 17th November see link below:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/abbotslangleyplayers
Box Office 0844 804 5354
Lettice is the daughter of an actress who toured with an all-female company playing Shakespeare’s plays. She has inherited both theatricality and eccentricity, and is now employed as a tourist guide in a shabby stately home, where she enlivens its dull history with her own over-imaginative fantasies. She is caught in the act and promptly sacked, but is later visited by the starchy Preservation Trust official who fired her, and an unlikely friendship develops between the two.
Abbots Langley Players 