Cranbrook
Operatic and Dramatic Society
Newsletter April 2002
The Annual General Meeting took place on 27th March when proceedings were somewhat subdued following the sad news about Nick Clarke.
The
following were elected as Officers and Committee for the coming year:
President: Doreen Beardsmore
Chairman:
Lesley Whitwood
Vice
Chairman: Sue Wightman
Secretary:
Dennis Russell
Treasurer: Alison Parsons
Show
Selection Chairman: Robin Harrison
Business
Manager: Maurice Wilkins
Social
Secretary: Marian Cumberland
Committee
Members:
Sheila
Kent
Bill
Marshall
Chris
Welfare
Nicola
Wookey
The
Current Director of a show would be co-opted.
Thanks
to Gerald Mann and Barbara Gray who decided not to stand for committee again
this year.
Contributions for the next newsletter to the editor Tina Gallagher
by 1 June 2002 (01580 211989), 3 Beech Drive Bedgebury Park, Goudhurst, Kent,
TN17 2SJ; e-mail tina.gallagher@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
BONAVENTURE
A
thrilling play by Charlotte Hastings
11-13 April
-7.30pm
Queens Hall
Theatre
Directed by Peggy Latter
Sponsored by Peter Jones & ABC Consultants
HAVE YOU GOT YOUR TICKETS YET?
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR SOCIETY!
Some Enchanted
Evening
This
proved to be a most successful charity concert and although not all the bills
have yet been received it is hoped that we will be able to donate a sum in the
region of £800 to Demelza House, the Children’s Hospice. It may prove possible to present a cheque to
their representative during the interval of one performance of Bonaventure.
Dennis Russell, the Director, agreed to take
up the challenge very late in the year and had only five weeks from first
rehearsal to first performance and he wishes to use this Newsletter to thank
the cast for a near 100% attendance record at rehearsals and for the
concentration displayed to enable the curtain to go up on schedule.
Priscilla
Titford (NODA representative) attended a performance and her crit for the NODA
magazine follows:
“I
was delighted to accept the invitation to attend this charity concert of
Rodgers and Hammerstein songs and wondered if there would be any I didn’t know…
and there were! Some Enchanted Evening
is a ‘ready made’ compilation which I understand is written for 5 principals,
whereas CODS adapted it to include a chorus and to share a number of songs
around the company.
With
about 50 songs from at least 7 shows, I can’t possibly mention everyone who
took part. The 5 ‘Principals’ were
Robin Harrison, Keith Hedley, Rhiannon Johnson, Alison Withey -Harrison and Sue
Wightman. The opening sequence must
have been particularly difficult to learn, with snippets of so many familiar
tunes strung together; it was tackled with confidence. Early on we had an opportunity to hear the
first unknown song ‘The Gentleman is a Dope’, very effectively sung by
Alison. The Company then joined in with
‘Some Enchanted Evening’ and Rhiannon sang ‘ A Wonderful Guy’ making the most
of her lyric soprano voice. Then we saw
some new faces with Lesley Whitwood singing ‘Something Wonderful’, a lovely
comedy interpretation of ‘I Can’s Say No’by Joan Eade, ‘I Enjoy being a Girl’
performed by Stephanie Beeken and Jo Levett and a lovely unfamiliar song ‘In My
Own Little Corner’ beautifully sung by Isla Campbell.
Act
2 saw the ‘Don’t Marry Me’ sequence particularly well portrayed by Sue and
Keith. Roger Marchant and Alan Hodge
made ‘A Puzzlement’ a very effective duet, Laura Carey gave us a sweet ‘Sixteen
Going on Seventeen’ and Mark Whitwood sang ‘Younger than Springtime’ extremely
well. Robin Harrison had a huge amount
o do but the highlight for me was the Soliloquy from Carousel; not only was it sung with consummate ease – out of
character and costume- but jumping through many cuts from the original must
have been very testing. The final
arrangement of ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ was very effective and worked
brilliantly with the company giving their all!
Stephen
Pusey as MD and pianist, very ably assisted by Bethan Jones, certainly worked
tirelessly throughout the evening. The
prescribed arrangements did not exactly support the singers on a number of
occasions. And I wondered if input from
some drums might have helped give many items a bit more ‘umph’?
I
did feel a little more co-ordination of ‘costumes – even for a concert – would
have benefitted the overall effect. It
would have been nice to know where some of the less well-known songs
originated, perhaps by the occasional introduction?
CODS
have a number of very good singers who obviously enjoyed themselves giving us
such an entertaining evening. What was
particularly encouraging was the number of young voices who, with a little
coaching have great potential. Nurture
the next generation CODS!”
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
We welcome the following to the Society:
Patron: Mr Robin Inches; Member: Mrs Sally Gook; Junior Members: Miss Annell Jackson, Miss Katy Kember and wish them many happy years with the Society.
Many congratulations to Mr and Mrs Wightman (Sue’s parents) on their Golden Wedding anniversary in February (apologies for omitting these greetings from the last newsletter – ed.)
We were sad to hear of the death of Betty Swann who was a patron for many years and was a faithful supporter of all our shows until ill health prevented her from coming. We send our condolences to Brian and all the family.
Congratulations to our own Quiz Team who finished 9th out of 50 in the Mayor’s quiz evening in Tunbridge Wells.
We would like to record our thanks to Ian Wookey for the donation of a long, strong work bench complete with vice which has been installed at Flishinghurst.
19th May
CODS are staging 3 half hour slots at this event – set in the Edwardian Period. Cast and rehearsals are organised but if you would like to be involved contact Lesley Whitwood (01580 892005).
If you have ever dreamt of performing on a West End Stage, then the Creative Masterclass Company can offer you the ultimate, unforgettable experience. There are Masterclass courses available for Cats and Les Miserables. They are three and a half day non residential courses and the cost is £264.37 for Cats or £252.62 for Les Miserables. Interested?? Dennis Russell has application forms please contact him on 01580 712283.
OTHER SOCIETIES PRODUCTIONS IN THE NEAR FUTURE
3-6 April
OLIVER - Rye Players Tel. 01797 222453
4-6 April
SHOWCASE –Yew
Tree Theatre School Te. 01622 873358
18-20 April
LOVE BEGINS AT
FIFTY -Frant Panto
& Dramatic Soc. Tel. 01892 515253
23-27 April
GUYS & DOLLS TWAODS – Assembly Halls -
Tunbridge Wells- (Robin Harrison is playing Sky- please support him!)
25-27 April
STEEL MAGNOLIAS –TODS
– Tenterden Town Hall - tickets from Travelux (Tina Gallagher is
playing Clairee – please support her!)
27 April – 4 May
THE DRESSER - Tonbridge Oast – Tel. 01892 723459
4 May
MR DICKENS IS COMING! – The great great grandson of Charles Dickens takes
an entertaining and sometimes irreverent look at his life and times. –
Goudhurst Village Hall - Tickets £10 –
Including Supper – Tel. 01580 212179 or 211295.
9 – 11 May
MOVE OVER MRS MARKHAM – Staplecross A T Soc. – Tel 01580 830562
16 – 18 May
‘FARNDALE MURDER MYSTERY’ – Ashford Dream Dragons – Tel. 01233 629921
18 May
18 – 25 May
RELATIVELY SPEAKING – Tonbridge Oast – Tel. 01892 723459
22 – 25 May
ME AND MY GIRL
- Kentainers – Tel. 01435 873650
23-25th May
THE ODD COUPLE (FEMALE
VERSION)- Wadhurst Drama Club – Tel: 01892
782057 – Directed by none other
than our own Bill Marshall
31 May and 1 June
TWO AND TWO MAKE SIX ( a farce)- Stonegate A D C – the first production of this newly formed
club!
CELEBRATION REVUE - Egerton Players – Tel. 01233 840607
16 June
CONCERT BY INVICTA SINGERS – Teston Church – Tel. 01233 633157
27 –29 June
‘FARNDALE’ CHRISTMAS CAROL – Horsmonden Players – Tel. 01892 722626
LONDON ASSURANCE - Tonbridge Oast – Tel. 01892 723459
20 – 27 July
DEAD GUILTY – Tonbridge Oast – Tel. 01892 723459
NICKY CLARKE
It
is with the deepest sorrow that I have to write of the sudden and unexpected
death of a very dear friend. Nicky
Clarke was taken to hospital on Monday 25th March. He had suffered a brain haemorrhage, lapsed
into a coma on Wednesday and died without regaining consciousness on Saturday
March 30th.
I
first knew Nicky as a Cranbrook School teenager when the Clarke family moved
here in the 1950’s. The whole family,
keen amateur actors, became actively involved with the C.O.D.S as soon as they
arrived. On leaving school Nicky went
on to the Rose Bruford Drama School, later becoming a professional actor with
the Library Theatre Manchester. On his
return to this area he joined again with all the C.O.D.S activities.
To
say that the C.O.D.S will miss him greatly is a gross understatement. Nicky with his artistic “professional” approach
covered so many aspects of the drama scene.
He was an excellent actor as well as a talented director, he designed
sets, made intricate model sets, turning his hand, when working at
Flishinghurst, to set building and scenery painting.
Some
of you may remember the C.O.D.S exhibition in the Cranbrook Library a few years
ago called ‘Faces in the Wings’, all Nicky’s work and ideas. As our archivist he arranged and mounted
displays of C.O.D.S past activities on various occasions to the delight and
interest of many members and friends.
He supported every show as a front of house usher, as well as turning up
every time to the ‘Scrubbers’ Barbecues to do his bit in scrubbing flats for
the next show.
I
know he was delighted to be made Vice President last year.
Since
his retirement a few years ago he was just beginning to enjoy his leisure time,
catching up with reading, making regular visits to the theatre, art galleries
and historic houses, all activities in which he was greatly interested. How sad that he had such a short time in
which to enjoy them.
Nicky’s
wit, humour, bonhomie will be missed by so many people who came to know
him. Speaking personally I shall always
be glad I knew him and enjoyed his company over so many years.
Our
sympathies go to his brother Tim, sister Jenny and all his family at this very
sad time.
Doreen Beardsmore
NICKY’S FUNERAL WILL TAKE
PLACE AT TUNBRIDGE WELLS CREMATORIUM ON WEDNESDAY 10th APRIL AT
11 AM.
C.O.D.S AUTUMN PRODUCTION
30th October – 2nd November 2002
Assistant
Director – Peggy Latter
Musical
Director – Bryan Gipps
Choreographer
– Rachel Elliott
A show for the WHOLE FAMILY and we need the WHOLE FAMILY
We are looking for
singers, dancers and actors from BABIES to
GRANDPARENTS to create real families on stage!
Sing Through Monday 20 May at Queens Hall 7.30 pm
Help Night
Thursday 23 May at Angley
AUDITIONS SUNDAY 26 MAY AT ANGLEY
For further information please contact:
Sue (01580) 715483
Or Peggy (01622) 871636
FUN AT FLISHINGHURST
Saturday
11th May 9.30 am
BARBECUE TO SORT
OUT THE WARDROBE AND PROPS HUT
Everybody
welcome!
Many hands make
light (and enjoyable) work
The after show dinner for ‘Bonaventure’ will be on Sunday 21st April The
Chequers Tree in Goudhurst 7.00 for 7.30 pm - £11 (including tip!). To book
contact Marian on 01580 715580 but hurry there are only a limited number of
places!!
Marian has organised a trip to see this acclaimed show in the West End on Saturday 11th May leaving Cranbrook at 5pm SHARP.
Cost for ticket and transport £34 – contact Marian (715580).
The Kent Drama
Association (KDA)
This has been re-formed and a completely new committee voted into office. The CODS committee has agreed that we should become members of the new Association.
The KDA wish to organise 2 workshops before the end of July in areas of Kent suitable to the take up.
1. The first is on PUBLICITY
2. The second is on PRODUCTION OR ACTING OR VOICE & SPEECH
Each will be conducted by qualified professionals in their particular skills.
CODS MEMBERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN EITHER WORKSHOP SHOULD CONTACT DENNIS (712283) PROMPTLY
The new KDA will be re-starting the full length play festival in 2003 under a new format: