Newsletter of the Knutsford Little Theatre – February 2007
NEWS.. NEWS.. NEWS..
Page 1 of 1 www.KnutsfordLittleTheatre.Com 18/02/2007
The panto is over and I’m sure that your feelings are a mixture of relief that it’s over but mostly sadness that it is no more. Me? Loved it. It was my first turn as stage manager for the little theatre and I would like to thank all the non-actors for their help and in particular my stage crew who did a cracking job. Confusions is our next production in early March. Then it’s all hands to the pumps to create special effects for Blithe Spirit. If you’re feeling creative then why not come along to the crew nights from the 15th March onwards. MB
White Magic
From an inauspicious beginning due to the gale - first time that a performance has had to be cancelled that anyone can remember - to a triumphant ending! Not only do the stats speak for themselves - best attendance in at least seven years - but also our feedback from our audiences was up and uniformly good. To quote a few:
“The best panto I have ever seen” - audience member connected with amateur panto for 20 years
“A wonderful family show. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Felt most welcome and the cast and staff were superb. We will certainly be coming again.” - two audience members
“Thank you for all the effort theteam put into the panto”- parent whose daughter cried when it was all over
“We really enjoyed the Panto on Saturday night - we enjoyed it much more than the Snow White we saw on Boxing Day in Manchester.”- parent
“This is a how a real panto should be” - audience member
Hear! Hear! What more can be said, except congratulations and a big thank you to all concerned. What a blast! MF
Peg Dyson
Some of our long-term members will remember Peg who died recently.
She was a life member who with her husband Ken had a long association both with KLT and KAOS.
Peg acted regularly with KLT from before the war years when the Knutsford Amateur Dramatic Society was a bit of a touring company performing in local WIs and army camps as well as the YMCA, Civic and Town Halls. She was a member when KLT began renting the present building from the local church and when the group became the owners of this property. No doubt she acted on the stage built from the packing cases that the military left behind when they left.
Later she turned her hand to directing and was well known for her exacting set requirements, which I am told would often change when supposedly completed! Peggy’s photo appears in the brochure celebrating 50 years of KLT, where she was mentioned for her performance as the Grand Duchess in “Anastasia” at the Civic Hall.
Our condolences go to Peg’s family and friends. MF
Outside Lets
Both “From here to Absurdity” and “Fake Thackray” were virtually sold out and each was a great success.
There was a review of “From here to Absurdity” in the Guardian by Simon Carter at the end of which he wrote:
“Finally I would add that to my shame it was my first visit to KLT and I found the whole experience a delight – wonderful customer service, great seats, and a neat, tidy and well presented space in which the players could reveal their many other sides.”
Paul Thompson’s Oxfam charity event raised over £600 and Heather at the Oxfam shop was delighted.
Thank you to all who helped.
Watch out for another let in May – a one man Tony Hancock show, which should also be very enjoyable.
VCR Request.
Has anyone a spare VHS video recorder that they no longer require and would donate to the theatre? This is to be used as a part of a permanent video link around the theatre to provide visibility of the show to more areas including the bar, dressing rooms and backstage. SD
Panto Video.
Sean will soon be making copies of the panto video on DVD. If you have requested a copy please ensure that you pay Sean as soon as possible (by popping the money in at the theatre with your name and contact details) and for those who missed boat and still want to order one leave your name, address and contact tel no/email along with money. MB
Stencilled Stairs
Around 1968 a production of ‘Gigi’ was put on at KLT however most of the stage crew were poorly so 3 enthusiastic teenagers took up the challenge. Claire Bennett became the designer and together they built and painted the sets. One scene was set in a boudoir and Claire, deciding it should have roses around the walls, made a stencil & experimented the technique on the staircase in the wings on SL. Recently that staircase was painted white and Lillian, Chris, Sandra and Jen carefully avoided obliterating a little bit of theatre history. AF
Lighting Desk
We now have two fully working stage lighting control desks both having been away to JT Services in Rochdale for repairs. One of these, a Strand MX48, is now available for hire most of the time except when it will be required as a backup for our own productions. MB
On-line Calendar
The Google Calendar (linked to from our website) is still in use and kept up to date with show dates, rehearsals, work nights, etc. MB
Juniors
The junior members have restarted rehearsing for their production of ‘Shake, Ripple & Role’ in July. A rehearsal schedule is on the notice board at the back of the theatre.
A reminder that subs are due, so if anyone has not paid for 2006/7, please let Margaret or Heather have your £15 ASAP. You will then receive a membership card. We would like to send you Prompt Copy by email, so please email your address to Margaret - see below – if you are agreeable to this. Emailing helps us save money and makes it easier to send out extra bits of information quickly when necessary. Of course we do not pass your address on to anyone else.
Work Night
The regular Thursday work night has not been too popular over the winter months. Many members have been involved with the panto in one way or another and lets face it – it’s been a bit chilly!
All your help is still required though and appreciated – your enthusiasm & skills in areas such decorating, cleaning, refreshments, plastering, carpet laying, electrics & plumbing are always needed.
The list posted on the notice board in the rear corridor is getting longer; please, please volunteer to lead or join a team to get one these jobs completed.
Prior to Blithe Spirit one of the lighting bars is to be rewired, as are a few more of the lanterns. Willing & capable volunteers please contact Miles.
Don’t let the word ‘work’ put you off though - the bar will usually be open so why not just come and socialise - the more the merrier.
Most Thursday’s unless there’s a show on. MB
Crew Night
Currently crew night is on a Thursday, when the stage is not being used for rehearsing. This is where all the show-related work gets done such as set building & painting, setting the backcloths up, lighting, sound, etc. It’s not all hard work or technical and it’s a good place to learn the ropes (!).
NOTE: Crew- and rehearsal nights are decided on a show-by-show basis to fit in with cast and crew availability. MB
Page 1 of 1 www.KnutsfordLittleTheatre.Com 18/02/2007
Contacts
Chairman:
Margaret Farmer ()
Secretary:
Sean Duvall ()
Treasurer:
Ali Hulford
Committee:
Miles Buckley ()
Geoff Crook
Bob Jennings
Mike Wilding ()
Theatre:
01565 633000
18 Queen St, Knutsford.
Theatre Tech?
We’re still in need of volunteers to get involved in the non-acting side of productions. Directing for the next few shows is sewn up but each production still needs lights or sound, stage-manage or crew, etc. A stage crew is required for ‘Confusions’ and for ‘Blithe Spirit’ that also needs a lot of construction to get the set ready.
A table is on the notice board in the dressing room corridor. If you’re interested in filling one of the roles or assisting in any way please do let the committee know or pencil yourself in on the form. Don’t forget you will not be expected to do it on your own - loads of help will be provided. MB
Page 1 of 1 www.KnutsfordLittleTheatre.Com 18/02/2007