Well, here we are!

Rehearsals have started for the final production of the year. It seems like just yesterday we were holding the auditions for ‘Table Manners’, and yet here we are, cast picked, scripts being learned, ready for ‘A Sting In The Tale’:

Two once successful crime writing playwrights are writing a blockbuster to pay off their mounting debts or are they fulfilling their full potential by plotting the perfect murder? The nagging wife is the ideal victim, especially as she is heavily insured.

It all seems plausible until their secretary is mistakenly killed and a stagestruck detective appears on the scene.

Of course, there is more to do than just rehearse! The backstage crew have already started their preparations, working out the props, costumes and scenery that we will need, and things are starting to take shape!

Then of course, there is the little matter of picking the plays for next year! All the plays that have been submitted are being read by the committee, ready for the play selection meeting next month, so watch this space – the announcement will be made here first!

Hello Everyone,

We are currently rehearsing our latest production, Ladies down Under,

"the" Ladies

A short synopsis and the cast:

After hitting the jackpot in Ladies Day, the fish-filleting foursome are celebrating in style with a trip to Australia. As they travel from Hull to the Gold Coast, Uluru and the bright lights of Sydney, they embark on a journey of self-discovery. While Shelley sees there’s more to Oz than sun-kissed beaches, Pearl finds herself with a mountain to climb.

Cast :

Jan – Paula Smith

Pearl – Barbara Buxton

Shelley – Zoe Rose

Linda – Rachael Hay

Joe/Charlie/ Bondi bitch- Vic Roberts

Fire Fighter/Shane -Tom Pearson

Ben/ Danny -Iain Strickland

Bill/ Koala bare – Bill Todd

Director Graham Errington.

The production is on from 15 February - 18 February 2012.

Rehearsals are coming on very well , everyone is learning their words and we have such a laugh, especially practising our accents, and the play is very funny but also has its poignant moments and even a drag queen or 2! It is great fun and if you haven’t booked your tickets, they can be booked by phone or in person at the theatre! Bonnington Theatre, Arnold tel : 01159560733. DO IT NOW!

Till Next Time ….

We are in Love!

Finally after all the hard work, the play finally came together, the first night for me was hell, I forgot my lines (not all of them), felt all hot and clammy, but after the first scene, I started to relax and enjoy it so much more. It was hard work and by the time Saturday night came round I was exhausted!

It was worth all the hard work, we had a great time and enjoyed it. The audience that came seemed to enjoy it as well, we had almost full houses on Thursday and Friday, and Wednesday and Saturday were not badly attended either!

Now we are moving on to the next production, Ladies down under, although I thought I would just go back to being a prompt, I think I may audition for one of the several male parts in our next play, Ladies down Under. a short synopsis:

Amanda Whittington’s four female fish-filleting factory-workers began life at home in Hull where they took advantage of Ascot moving to York to have a day at the races in Ladies’ Day.

The fortune they won there has now sent them to Australia. Jan has an appointment with back-packing Joe, not quite her partner; the other three just want a holiday.

Whittington takes them from pure comedy in Manchester and Sydney airports plus the Australian tourist scene, towards more serious terrain, including Australia’s most iconic mountain and the perils of pitching tent in the outback.

The play is on from 15-18 February 2012, make a note in your diary now!

And if you are reading this blog and think you would liek to join us, please come along to

Arts Wing
Pondhills Community Centre
Pondhills Lane
Arnold
NG5 8DY

We would love to see you any Tuesday or Friday from 7.30pm.

Till the next time…

The set designer, wondering where all the workers are?

On Sunday at 0830am we started loading a van with all the flats , wood, paint and all the tools required to build the set for the production, it is always amazing to me how fast it all goes together, and we have  such a great team ,it works like a well oiled machine, with thanks to all those people who built the set, Graham B,and Eric , Mark , Avril ,Zoe and Graham E supervising, all the cast were there and Eileen, Vicky, Paula and Allan,Barbara  and of course our van driver Vic! What would we do without you all! On arrival at the theatre, the remains of a party from the night before was still evident, so after a 20 minute delay and feeling slightly frustrated  that the theatre was not all ready for us, we started the construction.Furniture was collected from peoples homes to dress the set, props have to be put together, tea has to be made, we have to keep the troops going!

many hands make light work

French windows being assembled

Tra la!!

As you can see, a lot of hard work goes into the construction, once the set is up, it all needs painting.

"Having a rest!"

Everyone getting involved!

You missed a bit!

A true artist at work!!

Do I have to paint every surface?

Just the finishing touches to do!

And after a hard day, of construction and painting we could stand back and look at the fruits of our labour, and tonight is our first rehearsal on the stage! It suddenly feels very real, and we now have 2 rehearsals on the stage before the production opens on Wednesday! I am off to the theatre this afternoon to help put some final touches to the set before rehearsal tonight, there is some excitement and also a few nerves!

But the play is good, we are well rehearsed, and all of us are enthusiastic and are looking forward to opening night , there are still some tickets available , so call the box office  on  01159670114 to book!

Till next time ..

This is absolutely typical- fur rug!

And the last few rehearsals are upon us!, all the hours of hard work and laughter will soon come to fruition, our play opens on Wednesday 07 November at 7.30pm at the Bonington theatre in Arnold  and I think we are all looking forward to it,there are a few nerves, but that is to be expected, but the fun and pleasure it has brought to me will remain with me for a long time. Some rehearsal nights I have thought “what am I doing here?” and yet now it all seems worthwhile.  But it would never have been possible had it not been for the help of one wonderful Lady, our director Liz, who is patient, encouraging, full of praise , and yet she also knows how to get the best out of us all, without shouting. So thanks Liz you made it all possible

Hallo Sarah, Keeping fit?

Of course there are many people who help to bring a production together, the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes, to put on a play, the very clever Eileen who does the props, now when you come to see the play, (I hope you have bought the tickets !) look closely at the props and see how much attention is paid to them, the cereal on the table is the brand that is mentioned in the play! It maybe only a small detail but Eileen gets it right every time, so thanks Eileen , we definitely could not do it without all the hours you put in!

Zoe , our very patient prompt, and I know it is a thankless job, because no one likes to take a prompt, but again she is there every time, correcting us and making sure we don’t make up the words, which I can tend to do!

Reg, just squelched through a couple! (biscuits)

There are of course many more people who help to bring the play to the stage, and to EVERYONE who has helped or will be helping a great big thank you to you all we really can’t do it with out you.

Oh Norman!

We move in to the Theatre Tomorrow, and that is when all the really hard work takes place, building the set, painting, making tea, but also having a great time.

I warn you I'll .....

Annie .....

Just pray we are still alive tomorrow ....

I want us to have a quiet meal....

I used to do Boxing...

You can come home and mow the lawn....

mmhh...well I think its all coming together...

Well that’s all for now, I am having a quick glance through my script before a rehearsal this afternoon!

If you haven’t booked your tickets yet, its not too late, call the box office on 01159670114!

Till next time..

Well the scripts are finally down, and now is the time we all start getting into character and try to remember our words…. luckily we now have Zoe our wonderful prompt!

She prefers sitting on the floor! Tuesdays rehearsal seemed to go quite well, but Friday was a little more stilted, I think we were all a bit tired, Liz our director was getting a little frustrated, who can blame her, we had another word rehearsal on Saturday which seemed to go quite well, but with only 8 rehearsals to go to curtain up , its time to get those words in our head!

Although it is getting very close to the start of the production, we still have lots of fun and laugh a lot!

The tickets are on sale! get yours today from the Bonington theatre, its a great play and starts on 09 November till 12 November, Dont miss it!

Its back to my script, Tuesday will be here before we know it….

Till next time .

Well the time is almost here for us to put down our scripts and start the proper rehearsals! I have spent the last hour going through my words in act one, and I have even surprised myself that I almost am word perfect! you note I say almost! but that is what rehearsals are for, We really are having a great time, we laugh a lot, but we also take the play very seriously as I know we all want it to be successful.

Norman creeping in!!

Tom getting angry!

As we get to know the play more, we start getting into character, as I am sure you can see from the facial expressions . next Tuesday is D day, or I suppose I should say BD day, for books down day, our prompt, Zoe will have her work cut out , well I am only speaking for myself , you understand, as quite a few of the cast already know their words very well!

Getting chairs the same size can be a problem

We are also now starting to use props a bit more , we have to get used to eating and drinking etc. etc., and just getting the feel for them.

Domestic Bliss

The tickets are now on sale and are great value at £6.50 and £6 for concessions, the play runs from the 09 November 2011 till 12 November 2011 and the performance starts each evening at 7.30pm, call the following number and book over the phone:

Bonington Theatre box office: 0115 956 0733

It really is very simple!

Norman trying to get close to Sarah!

We now only have 12 rehearsals left before opening night! and believe me I am getting a little nervous, but I think once we have got the books down and we start to get more and more in to  character , we will start to enjoy it even more.

Reg and Annie

Liz, giving us direction! she is brilliant!

Ruth being her unpleasant self!

Sarah organising the table seating arrangements

Till Next Time …….

We are now well into rehearsals , and I am starting to feel a little anxious, as the books down rehearsal is fast approaching!, two weeks to go, scary stuff!

"Ruth" knows her words!

But you know its great fun and we have such a laugh, usually its me that starts laughing and it becomes infectious .

We are getting to know all the moves that Liz has set for us, its just the words, why won’t they stay in my head! Perhaps I am starting to panic unnecessarily . Deep breaths !

The play is taking shape, and  as I have been on holiday, I have photo’s from “Norman”  who you can see is a lot more artistic when taking photo’s!

Well I must get back to at least looking at the words, I can’t spend all day on this computer! Life for an amateur actor never runs smoothly , but its a great way to meet people and have a lot of fun, that’s what I keep telling myself anyway! Right where did I put that script…..

"Tom" hard at work!

" I am not easily shocked"

Till Next time!

Iain.

Welcome to the first ever Blog for Prospect Players!

We have now started rehearsals for Table Manners! Our November Production.

I haven’t been on the stage for a number of years and I am really enjoying myself, there are a great bunch of people in this playand we are having lots of laughs, of course I never instigate any of them…. I am sure someone will disagree!

As I said ,not being on the stage for a while as I have been helping  backstage and the  prompt for several productions and I never thought I would set foot on the stage again, but here I am with a part.

Details of the cast and a short synopsis :

Cast

Sarah – Beverley Graham

Annie – Rachael Hay

Ruth – Betsan Rowbotham

Reg – Iain Strickland

Norman – Liam Wiltshire

Tom – Tom Pearson

Director- Liz Hagan

The events of one weekend as seen from the dining room. In which Reg finds food rather scarce despite having it thrown at him by Sarah… Sarah is scandalised by Annie… Annie is disappointed by men in general and Tom in particular… Tom knocks down Norman… Norman’s romantic proposals are ruined thanks to Ruth… Ruth loses her patience, her temper and her glasses… and in which everyone has trouble deciding where to sit…

Reg and Tom

I just keep thinking about the words I need to learn, we have recorded our words and keep listening to them over and over!, but will it will be enough? I am sure it will .

I am sure the more we rehearse the better we will get. We have a few members of the cast who haven’t been in a play with prospect before and they all seem so confident and so enthusiastic which makes it so much more fun.

Tom,Sarah,Annie and Director Liz

Well that’s all for now, I will keep you all posted on the progress of rehearsals !

Till next time…

Iain