One Act Play Festival in the News!

The Hole in One Act Play Festival at the Dolman Theatre from 12 - 16 October continues to gain support, which will hopefully lead to big audiences this week.

Today an item about the many celebrities who have sent messages of support appeared in the local newspaper, The Argus.

Then, the morning post, which arrived as usual at 2pm, included a message of support from Simon Bird, one of the brightest rising young TV stars who is fast making a name for himself in series such as 'The Inbetweeners' and 'The King Is Dead'.

Simon joins such luminaries as writers Alan Ayckbourn, Tom Stoppard and Alan Bennett and actors Sir Ian McKellan, Dame Judi Dench, Michael Sheen and Helena Bonham Carter, who have all written to wish Newport Playgoers good luck with the festival.

Good luck message from TV star Simon Bird

Video of famous faces

An amazing array of prominent writers and actors have sent good luck messages to Newport Playgoers as they prepare to tee off with their Hole in one Act Play Festival at the Dolman Theatre from 12 - 16 October. This video features a few famous famous faces:

Famous Names Support Premiere of New Plays at Dolman Theatre

Michael Sheen, Alan Ayckbourn, Helena Bonham Carter and Dame Judi Dench are just a few of the famous names who have sent messages of support for a festival of one act plays taking place at the Dolman Theatre next week (12th – 16th October). 

Phil Mansell with some of the signed photos
of support from writers and stars.

 The Hole in One Act Play Festival, inspired by the Ryder Cup being held in Newport, features four brand new plays chosen by Wales’s top playwright Frank Vickery from over 40 entered in a competition to find new writing talent.

Taking an innovative and quirky look at golf, the plays include a couch potato who is given a free virtual reality golf session, the tale of how a down-at-heel crazy golf course attempts to revive its flagging fortunes, and a Pinteresque look at life, golf and everything.

“As the plays were the winners of a competition designed to encourage new writing for the theatre, I decided to contact prominent people in the arts to lend their support to the festival,” explained Phil Mansell, whose play ‘Bunkered’ is one of the plays featured.

“To my delight we’ve had a great response, including a message from Sir Alan Ayckbourn, signed greetings from Sir Ian McKellan, Sir Ben Kingsley, Prunella Scales and James Bolam - and a postcard from Alan Bennett apologising that he has no photos but sending his best wishes and hoping everyone has a grand time.

”West End star Connie Fisher wrote to say she might even pop in to see the plays as she lives in the area and her husband loves golf.”

Phil’s play is about the owner of a crazy golf course which is in dire straits because it’s at the downmarket end of a recently revamped seafront and unable to compete with the exciting and glitzy new attractions at the other end of the bay.

“I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember,” said Phil, who as a student at the London Film School, wrote and directed movies and has since worked in a variety of creative roles in advertising and PR. “Seeing my play brought to life by some of the best local acting talent has been amazing. I’m now determined to have more of my plays staged at the Dolman, and am currently writing a novel and working on ideas for a TV sitcom.”

Playgoers President, Bruce Campbell, said, “The standard of entries for the competition, which was organised to tie in with the Ryder Cup coming to Newport, was extremely high, and selecting four for this festival of one act plays was no easy task. Luckily we were able to call upon the considerable skills of playwright Frank Vickery as a judge, and the result is a fascinating mixture of plays which promises to provide a real theatrical treat.

“Having good luck messages from such prominent actors and writers is the icing on the cake,” he added.

The Hole in One Act Play Festival is at the Dolman Theatre from 12 – 16 October. For more information and to book tickets, phone (01633) 263670. More information is available online at www.dolman-theatre.co.uk and www.newportplaygoers.wordpress.com.

Festival of Golf Plays Set to Tee Off

The Hole in One Act Play Festival starts next week at the Dolman Theatre. Here's a short video providing a glimpse of the delights to come.

Forget the Ryder Cup –Newport’s Other Golf Competition is Packed with Sex and Drama!

The Ryder Cup is not the only competition centred around golf that’s being held in Newport in October. A festival of four new one act plays on the subject – featuring sex on a crazy golf course and a virtual reality driving range - is currently in rehearsal preparing to tee off at their premiere at the 400-seat Dolman Theatre from 12 – 16 October.

Taking an innovative and quirky look at golf, the plays feature the tale of how sexual blackmail is used to revive the fortunes of a down-at-heel crazy golf course, a couch potato who is given a free virtual reality golf session, and a Pinteresque look at life, golf and everything.

The plays are the winners of a competition organised by Newport Playgoers Society to find new writers for the theatre and were judged by Wales’s leading playwright Frank Vickery to be the best of over 40 entered for the competition.

“The standard of entries for the competition, which was organised to tie in with the Ryder Cup coming to Newport, was extremely high, and selecting four for this festival of one act plays was no easy task,” said Playgoers President, Bruce Campbell. “Luckily we were able to call upon the considerable skills of playwright Frank Vickery as a judge, and the result is a fascinating mixture of plays which promises to provide a real theatrical treat.

“We’ve had lots of support and congratulations from prominent playwrights such as Alan Ayckbourn and Alan Bennett, as well as messages from noted actors including Sir Ian McKellan, Dame Judi Dench, Michael Sheen, Richard Wilson and Prunella Scales. The letters are still pouring in and we’re hoping to hear from some of the Ryder Cup competitors including Tiger Woods,” he added.

The Hole in One Act Play Festival is at the Dolman Theatre from 12 – 16 October. For more information and to book tickets, phone (01633) 263670. More information is available online at http://www.dolman-theatre.co.uk/ and http://www.newportplaygoers.wordpress.com/.

Never mind the Ryder Cup – See Newport’s Other Golf Competition for Real Drama!

The Ryder Cup is not the only competition centred around golf that’s being held in Newport in October. A festival of four new one act plays on the subject is currently in rehearsal preparing to tee off at their premiere at the 400-seat Dolman Theatre from 12 – 16 October.

Taking an innovative and quirky look at golf, the plays feature a couch potato who is given a free virtual reality golf session, the tale of how a down-at-heel crazy golf course attempts to revive its flagging fortunes, and a Pinteresque look at life, golf and everything.

The plays are the winners of a competition organised by Newport Playgoers Society to find new writers for the theatre and were judged by Wales’s leading playwright Frank Vickery to be the best of over 40 entered for the competition.

“The standard of entries for the competition, which was organised to tie in with the Ryder Cup coming to Newport, was extremely high, and selecting four for this festival of one act plays was no easy task,” said Playgoers President, Bruce Campbell. “Luckily we were able to call upon the considerable skills of playwright Frank Vickery as a judge, and the result is a fascinating mixture of plays which promises to provide a real theatrical treat.

“We’ve had lots of support and congratulations from prominent playwrights such as Alan Ayckbourn and Alan Bennett, as well as messages from noted actors including Sir Ian McKellan, Dame Judi Dench, Michael Sheen, Richard Wilson and Prunella Scales. The letters are still pouring in and we’re hoping to hear from some of the Ryder Cup competitors including Tiger Woods,” he added.

The Hole in One Act Play Festival is at the Dolman Theatre from 12 – 16 October. For more information and to book tickets, phone (01633) 263670. More information is available online at http://www.dolman-theatre.co.uk/ and http://www.newportplaygoers.wordpress.com/

Phil's crazy golf play's a hole in one!

A writer from Newport has had his play selected by Wales’s top playwright Frank Vickery to feature in a festival of one act plays on the theme of golf.

Phil Mansell (above) entered his play ‘Bunkered’ in a competition run by Newport Playgoers Society to tie in with the Ryder Cup coming to the city. He was delighted when his play was judged by Frank Vickery to be one of the best four out of over 40 entries which will be staged as part of the Hole in One Act Play Festival at the Dolman Theatre from 12th - 16th October.

“It was great to hear one my plays had been selected for this innovative festival of new dramatic writing talent. The fact that it was chosen by Frank Vickery who is acknowledged to be one of today’s leading playwrights is the icing on the cake,” said 59-year-old Phil who writes for a living as a press officer at Newport’s University.

“My play is about the owner of a crazy golf course which is in dire straits because it’s at the downmarket end of a recently revamped seafront and unable to compete with the exciting and glitzy new attractions at the other end of the bay. Luckily his friends, an ageing hippy sandwich board man and a waitress from an ice cream parlour, come to his rescue.”

Phil has been writing for as long as he can remember. As a student at the London Film School, he wrote and directed movies and since then has had a variety of creative roles in advertising, marketing and PR. He has had five books published in the Netherlands and Denmark, three for teenagers and two picture books, which he also illustrated, for younger children.

Recently, he won the best drama award at the annual Writing Competition organised by the English department at the University of Wales, Newport, where he studied for a Masters degree in Multimedia. He has written several other plays which he hopes to stage at the Dolman Studio Theatre, and is currently writing a novel and developing ideas for a TV sitcom.

LEFT: In Phil’s play ‘Bunkered’, Tom (Graeme Johnson), the owner of crazy golf course, has to rely on ageing hippy Dylan (Bruno Cook) and Kath (Clare Drewett) from the Igloo Ice Cream Parlour to beat the recession and save his business from ending up in the rough.

The other three plays selected for the festival include the tale of a couch potato’s adventures on a futuristic virtual reality golf course, how disaster looms amid the bunting as a golf club prepares to celebrate its centenary, and a Pinteresque look at life and golf.

“The standard of entries for the play-writing competition was extremely high, and selecting four for this festival of one act plays was no easy task,” said Playgoers President, Bruce Campbell. “Luckily we were able to call upon the considerable skills of playwright Frank Vickery as a judge, and the result is a fascinating mixture of plays which promises to provide a real theatrical treat for everyone.

”There are prizes of £100, £50 and £25 and trophies for the three best plays – and the results will be revealed after the Saturday night performance,” he added.

The Hole in One Act Play Festival is at the Dolman Theatre from 12 – 16 October. For more information and to book tickets, phone (01633) 263670. More information is available online at:
http://www.dolman-theatre.co.uk/ and http://www.newportplaygoers.wordpress.com/
.

Newport Premiere for Pontypridd Writers’ Play

Two aspiring writers from Church Village, Pontypridd have had their play selected to feature in a festival of one act plays on the theme of golf.

Mark Hardwidge and David D Thomas entered their play ‘Futagolf’ for a competition run by Newport Playgoers Society to tie in with the Ryder Cup coming to the city. They were both delighted when their play was judged by Frank Vickery to be one of the best four out of over 40 entries which will be staged as part of the Hole in One Act Play Festival at the Dolman Theatre from 12th - 16th October.

“We were really pleased our play was judged to be one of the best,” said 43-year-old Mark, an IT consultant who is married with two children.

“Our play is a futuristic story about what happens when a dedicated couch potato is given a free golfing session on a virtual reality golf course. Things start to go wrong when his coach, a computer-generated golf pro starts to run low on processing power and patience and a frenetic disco dancer turns up.”

Both Mark and David have enjoyed considerable writing success over the last few years. Mark had a short story called ‘Nirvana Inc.’ published in an American anthology, and a play called ‘Wild Merthyr Skies’ performed at the Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff as well as two plays in the Dolman Studio Theatre.

David has been involved with amateur dramatics since childhood and has appeared in many Shakespeare productions. His play ‘Buzz’ won a prize in the Drama Association of Wales annual one-act scriptwriting contest, and his short story ‘The Ow Shop’ was published in an American Science Fiction/Fantasy anthology. He his currently working on a full length stage adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘The Snow Queen’ to be performed by the Dolman Solo Theatre Company this December.

“I’ve always wanted to try my hand at writing something funny,” said 43-year-old David who is an IT Analyst Developer. “I think with ‘Futagolf’ we have achieved that, and can’t wait to see it performed on the stage.”

PHOTO: In ‘Futagolf’, couch potato Len (Peter Routley) engages in a duel with computer generated golf pro (Gareth Spreadbury) when he is given a free session on a virtual reality golf course. Then frenetic disco dancer Shaz (Alex Phillips) turns up to complicate things.

The other three plays selected for the festival include the story of how a down-at-heel crazy golf course attempts to revive its flagging fortunes to beat the recession, how disaster looms amid the bunting as a golf club prepares to celebrate its centenary and a Pinteresque look at life, golf and everything.

“The standard of entries for the play-writing competition was extremely high, and selecting four for this festival of one act plays was no easy task,” said Playgoers President, Bruce Campbell. “Luckily we were able to call upon the considerable skills of playwright Frank Vickery as a judge, and the result is a fascinating mixture of plays which promises to provide a real theatrical treat for everyone.

”There are prizes of £100, £50 and £25 and trophies for the three best plays – and the results will be revealed after the Saturday night performance,” he added.

The Hole in One Act Play Festival is at the Dolman Theatre from 12 – 16 October. For more information and to book tickets, phone (01633) 263670. More information is available online at http://www.dolman-theatre.co.uk/ and http://www.newportplaygoers.wordpress.com/

Newport Writer's Crazy Golf Play Set to Tee Off



 A writer from Newport has had his play selected by Wales’s top playwright Frank Vickery to feature in a festival of one act plays on the theme of golf. Phil Mansell (pictured above) entered his play ‘Bunkered’ in a competition run by Newport Playgoers Society to tie in with the Ryder Cup coming to the city. He was delighted when his play was judged by Frank Vickery to be one of the best four out of over 40 entries which will be staged as part of the Hole in One Act Play Festival at the Dolman Theatre from 12th - 16th October.

“It was great to hear one my plays had been selected for this innovative festival of new dramatic writing talent. The fact that it was chosen by Frank Vickery who is acknowledged to be one of today’s leading playwrights is the icing on the cake,” said 59-year-old Phil who writes for a living as a press officer at Newport’s University.

“My play is about the owner of a crazy golf course which is in dire straits because it’s at the downmarket end of a recently revamped seafront and unable to compete with the exciting and glitzy new attractions at the other end of the bay. Luckily his friends, an ageing hippy sandwich board man and a waitress from an ice cream parlour, come to his rescue.”

Phil has been writing for as long as he can remember. As a student at the London Film School, he wrote and directed movies and since then has had a variety of creative roles in advertising, marketing and PR. He has had five books published in the Netherlands and Denmark, three for teenagers and two picture books, which he also illustrated, for younger children. Recently, he won the best drama award at the annual Writing Competition organised by the English department at the University of Wales, Newport, where he studied for a Masters degree in Multimedia. He has written several other plays which he hopes to stage at the Dolman Studio Theatre, and is currently writing a novel and developing ideas for a TV sitcom.


PHOTO: In Phil’s play ‘Bunkered’, Tom (Graeme Johnson), the owner of a crazy golf course, has to rely on ageing hippy Dylan (Bruno Cook) and Kath (Clare Drewett) from the Igloo Ice Cream Parlour to beat the recession and save his business from ending up in the rough.

The other three plays selected for the festival include the tale of a couch potato’s adventures on a futuristic virtual reality golf course, how disaster looms amid the bunting as a golf club prepares to celebrate its centenary, and a Pinteresque look at life and golf.

“The standard of entries for the play-writing competition was extremely high, and selecting four for this festival of one act plays was no easy task,” said Playgoers President, Bruce Campbell. “Luckily we were able to call upon the considerable skills of playwright Frank Vickery as a judge, and the result is a fascinating mixture of plays which promises to provide a real theatrical treat for everyone.

”There are prizes of £100, £50 and £25 and trophies for the three best plays – and the results will be revealed after the Saturday night performance,” he added.

The Hole in One Act Play Festival is at the Dolman Theatre from 12 – 16 October. For more information and to book tickets, phone (01633) 263670. More information is available online at:
http://www.dolman-theatre.co.uk/ and http://www.newportplaygoers.wordpress.com/
.

Neil's Play is Write on Target!

Neil Chapman

An aspiring writer from Chepstow has had his first play selected by Wales’s top playwright Frank Vickery to feature in a festival of one act plays on the theme of golf.

Neil Chapman (pictured, left) entered his play ‘Out of Bounds’ for a competition run by Newport Playgoers Society to tie in with the Ryder Cup coming to the city. He was delighted when his play was judged by Frank Vickery to be one of the best four out of over 40 entries which will be staged as part of the Hole in One Act Play Festival at the Dolman Theatre from 12th - 16th October.

“This is my first attempt at writing a play so I was particularly pleased it was judged to be one of the best,” said 45-year-old Neil who will also be acting in his play.

“My play is a Pinteresque look at life, golf and items dumped. In it, two friends, Frank and Louie share their thoughts on getting old and feeling valued, as they dodge golf balls. It’s an absurd comedy set where play is not permitted, but will hopefully make audiences think about that forgotten land that’s strictly considered out of bounds.”

Neil, who has been acting since school and has performed in everything from Ayckbourn to Zola, says that a major influence on his writing has been Anton Chekhov. Neil has previously directed two productions at the Dolman Theatre, 'I Take Your Hand In Mine' a biographical piece about Chekhov and his wife Olga Knipper and 'Afterplay' by Brian Friel which explored the imaginary later life of Sonya from 'Uncle Vanya' and Andrey from 'Three Sisters'.

The other three plays selected for the festival include the tale of a couch potato’s adventures on a futuristic virtual reality golf course, the story of how a down-at-heel crazy golf course attempts to revive its flagging fortunes and beat the recession, and how disaster looms amid the bunting as a golf club prepares to celebrate its centenary.

“The standard of entries for the play-writing competition was extremely high, and selecting four for this festival of one act plays was no easy task,” said Playgoers President, Bruce Campbell. “Luckily we were able to call upon the considerable skills of playwright Frank Vickery as a judge, and the result is a fascinating mixture of plays which promises to provide a real theatrical treat for everyone.


 Neil’s play ‘Out Of Bounds’ is a Pinteresque look at life, golf and items dumped. Neil plays Louie who chats to his old friend Frank (John Sheen) about getting old - whilst dodging flying golf balls.


”There are prizes of £100, £50 and £25 and trophies for the three best plays – and the results will be revealed after the Saturday night performance,” he added.

The Hole in One Act Play Festival is at the Dolman Theatre from 12 – 16 October. For more information and to book tickets, phone (01633) 263670. More information is available online at www.dolman-theatre.co.uk and www.newportplaygoers.wordpress.com.

Newport Writer’s Play Selected for Golf Drama Festival

A writer from Newport has had his play selected by Wales’s top playwright Frank Vickery to feature in a festival of one act plays on the theme of golf.

Phil Mansell entered his play ‘Bunkered’ in a competition run by Newport Playgoers Society to tie in with the Ryder Cup coming to the city. He was delighted when his play was judged by Frank Vickery to be one of the best four out of over 40 entries which will be staged as part of the Hole in One Act Play Festival at the Dolman Theatre from 12th - 16th October.

“It was great to hear one my plays had been selected for this innovative festival of new dramatic writing talent. The fact that it was chosen by Frank Vickery who is acknowledged to be one of today’s leading playwrights is the icing on the cake,” said 59-year-old Phil who writes for a living as a press officer at Newport’s University.

“My play is about the owner of a crazy golf course which is in dire straits because it’s at the downmarket end of a recently revamped seafront and unable to compete with the exciting and glitzy new attractions at the other end of the bay. Luckily his friends, an ageing hippy sandwich board man and a waitress from an ice cream parlour, come to his rescue.”

Phil has been writing for as long as he can remember. As a student at the London Film School, he wrote and directed movies and since then has had a variety of creative roles in advertising, marketing and PR. He has had five books published in the Netherlands and Denmark, three for teenagers and two picture books, which he also illustrated, for younger children. Recently, he won the best drama award at the annual Writing Competition organised by the English department at the University of Wales, Newport, where he studied for a Masters degree in Multimedia. He has written several other plays which he hopes to stage at the Dolman Studio Theatre, and is currently writing a novel and developing ideas for a TV sitcom.

LEFT: In Phil’s play ‘Bunkered’, Tom (Graeme Johnson), the owner of crazy golf course, has to rely on ageing hippy Dylan (Bruno Cook) and Kath (Clare Drewett) from the Igloo Ice Cream Parlour to beat the recession and save his business from ending up in the rough.

The other three plays selected for the festival include the tale of a couch potato’s adventures on a futuristic virtual reality golf course, how disaster looms amid the bunting as a golf club prepares to celebrate its centenary, and a Pinteresque look at life and golf.

“The standard of entries for the play-writing competition was extremely high, and selecting four for this festival of one act plays was no easy task,” said Playgoers President, Bruce Campbell. “Luckily we were able to call upon the considerable skills of playwright Frank Vickery as a judge, and the result is a fascinating mixture of plays which promises to provide a real theatrical treat for everyone.

”There are prizes of £100, £50 and £25 and trophies for the three best plays – and the results will be revealed after the Saturday night performance,” he added.

The Hole in One Act Play Festival is at the Dolman Theatre from 12 – 16 October. For more information and to book tickets, phone (01633) 263670. More information is available online at:
www.dolman-theatre.co.uk
and http://www.newportplaygoers.wordpress.com/
.

Crazy about Golf Course Turning up for Photoshoot!

When Newport Playgoers needed to take photos on a crazy golf course for a new play they are staging they were amazed to find one turn up, as if by magic, on their doorstep.

LEFT:  Crazy golf course creator Dave Lovatt (centre) with Playgoers Bruno Cook and Lauren Brown.

“It was unbelievably good luck,” said the play’s director, Caroline Drewett-Mansell. “A brilliant crazy golf course was built on the riverbank for the Big Splash weekend. It was the perfect setting for the photoshoot to promote the new play ‘Bunkered’ which is part of The Hole in One Act Play Festival we are staging in October. We spoke to the owner of the course and discovered he also works in the theatre in Bristol. He was very helpful and let us use his course for our photos.”

“I was only too pleased to be of assistance,” said the course’s creator and owner Dave Lovatt. “This is the first time we’ve used our new crazy golf course and we’ve been amazed at how friendly, fun-loving and welcoming the people of Newport are. When I’m not building crazy golf courses I’m working in the theatre – and my production of ‘Carny Village’ is at the Riverfront on Saturday 4th September,” he added.

The crazy golf course is the setting for ‘Bunkered’ by Phil Mansell, one of four new one-act plays which will be premiered at the Dolman Theatre in October. The plays were the winners of a golf-themed play-writing competition organised by Playgoers and judged to be the best by Wales’s top playwright Frank Vickery.

The other new plays, which to tie in with the Ryder Cup coming to Newport, all take an innovative and unusual look at golf, are 'Out of Bounds' by Neil Chapman, a Pinter-esque look at the absurdities of life, ‘Surviving the Century’, by Kevin Myers, which focuses on the planning of a golf club’s centenary celebrations, and ‘Futagolf’, by Mark Hardwidge and David D. Thomas, about a couch potato who is given a free session on a virtual reality golf course.

The Hole In One Act Play Festival is at the Dolman Theatre from 12 – 16 October. For more information and to book tickets, phone (01633) 263670. More information is available online at http://www.dolman-theatre.co.uk/ and http://www.newportplaygoers.wordpress.com/

One Act Play Festival ready to tee off

The lengthy process of judging the 40+ entries for Newport Playgoers Society's play-writing competition is at last over, and Frank Vickery, Wales’s leading playwright, has chosen the top three.

A fourth highly commended play has been added to the programme to create what promises to be an exciting week of innovative new drama and comedy at the Dolman Theatre.

The plays for the Hole in One Act Play Festival 2010 are:

‘Out of Bounds’ by Neil Chapman (directed by Alex Wilson)

‘Bunkered’ by Phil Mansell (directed by Caroline Drewett-Mansell)

‘Surviving the Century’ by Kevin Myers (directed by Russell Walker)

‘Futagolf’ by David D Thomas and Mark Hardwidge (directed by Lynn Phillips)

The casting and rehearsal process has now begun!
More information:  http://wp.me/P1057I-J

Golden Pond Performance Wins Steve Best Actor Award

ABOVE: Steve Saunders is congratulated on winning the Webley Award by Caroline Drewett-Mansell who directed him in the play ‘On Golden Pond’.

Steve Saunders was named Newport’s best actor when he was presented with the prestigious Webley Award at Newport Playgoers Society’s AGM.

Steve won the coveted award for his portrayal of the grumpy old retired professor, Norman Thayer, in the moving family drama ‘On Golden Pond’.

“I was really pleased and proud to be voted the winner of this award, especially as I was up against some very tough competition from some of South Wales’s finest amateur acting talent,” said 50-year-old Steve.

“It was a marvellous production despite all the problems we faced such as having to battle our way to rehearsals in heavy snow.”

Steve had a particularly gruelling rehearsal schedule. As one of the key people responsible for overseeing the electrics for the 2012 Olympics, he left home at four each morning to travel to east London, did a full day’s work and then went straight to rehearsals at the Dolman Theatre in the evening.

ABOVE: Steve as elderly curmudgeon Norman Thayer in a scene from ‘On Golden Pond’ with Pam Elliott who played his wife, Ethel.

The Webley Award is given by Playgoers each year in honour of Thomas Webley, the Society’s first President, who was Principal of Caerleon College, which is now the University of Wales, Newport.

Playgoers are currently rehearsing their new season of eight productions which starts in September with Frank Vickery’s comedy ‘Family Planning’ and also includes the famous comedy ‘The Titfield Thunderbolt’, Terence Rattigan’s drama ‘Separate Tables’ and Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy ‘Role Play’.

Top photographer Rankin to snap Newport student's fashion designs

Lisa Marie Jones, a student at Newport's University has been selected from thousands of fashion design students in the UK to have her innovative designs photographed by top photographer Rankin  - who has created portraits of everyone from Madonna to the Queen.

PICTURED: My photo of Lisa with one her designs modelled by fellow student Bethan Seymour

The top ten students were chosen following Graduate Fashion Week in London when all the participating universities and colleges were invited to submit three garments that best display the breadth and talent of their designers’ collections.

Lisa's collection., which was inspired by Welsh goldmines, will be one of the highlights at the University’s annual Fashion Show on May 19th - 21st, at the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre. For more info, visit:
http://www3.newport.ac.uk/news/displayStory.aspx?story_id=469

Melanie Stephenson - beating diabetes in quest for Olympic gold

As someone who has type 2 diabetes I was inspired when interviewing fashion student and athlete Melanie Stephenson (pictured, left) about how she coped when she was laid low by becoming insulin intolerant  - she was on 10 insulin injections a day!

Thanks to medical science, Melanie, a student at Newport's University, is beating the condition after becoming one of the first athletes in the UK to be fitted with a special insulin pump to help her fulfil her ambition of winning Olympic gold – and she has already sprinted to silver medal success.
Diabetes is one of the biggest health risks in the UK, affecting 2.6 million people - a figure that looks set to rise alarmingly.
To read Melanie's story go to:  http://www3.newport.ac.uk/news/displayStory.aspx?story_id=464

Ryder Cup Rap!

A great coming-together this week of very different musical styles in Newport when top rappers Goldie Lookin Chain joined forces with a Welsh male voice choir to record an anthem to celebrate the Ryder Cup coming to the city in October.

The unique collaboration was the brainchild of three documentary film students at the University of Wales, Newport. To create a truly Welsh sound, it was decided to ask City of Newport Male Choir to sing on the chorus of the song and record it in the hi-tech sound studios used by the Creative Sound and Music students at the University.
Full story here: http://www3.newport.ac.uk/news/displayStory.aspx?story_id=459

These great photos of the recording session were taken by ace photographer Betina Skovbro. Check out her website: http://www.skovbro.com/

Going back to the basics with photography

Went along to see one of the workshops in which youngsters from Newport are working with professional photographers from Brazil to discover the joys of making their own pinhole cameras and taking and developing photos. Ironic that when I came to snap them with their very basic cameras my fancy digital SLR died on me and refused to work! I had to borrow someone else's camera to take these photos.

The workshops were part of A Brush with Light, an innovative series of film and photographic works produced in collaboration between Newport's University and partner institutions in Brazil. Professional photographer Miguel Chikaoka (seen below looking at the photos produced by Clara Mitchell and Muz Abbas Hussain) has travelled to Newport to run workshops in traditional photographic techniques such as basic pin-hole cameras at the city’s Riverfront Arts Centre. Full story on: http://ow.ly/1yfQR

Newport Lecturer Nominated for 2 Bafta Cymru awards

Peter Watkins-Hughes, who lectures at the International Film School Wales at Newport's University, has received two nominations for the forthcoming Bafta Cymru awards. One is for his film 'A Bit Of Tom Jones?' which was filmed in Tredegar and stars Gavin & Stacey’s Margaret John, Loose Woman Denise Welch, soul singer Geno Washington and The Mighty Boosh’s Matt Berry. It received a London premiere after it proved to be so popular when it was screened in local venues - even outperforming some Hollywood blockbusters.

Peter is also nominated for a Bafta Cymru award for Best Short Film for 'Cow', his hard-hitting piece on the dangers of texting and driving which caused a sensation when it received millions of hits on YouTube.

Check out 'A Brush With Light'

This looks very interesting for anyone interested in the creative arts - particularly photography and film. A Brush with Light will showcase collaborative work between the University of Wales, Newport and partner institutions in Brazil. This will include collaborative films - many screened for the first time  - as well as community based photographic projects from Newport and South America.

As part of A Brush with Light, there will be a programme of artist’s talks and presentations. These aim to set the exhibited works in context, and provide an invaluable opportunity to hear artists and other practitioners from both Wales and Brazil explaining their creative responses to the environments and communities around them. To find out more, visit: http://www.abrushwithlight.com/

Audiences will love Opal!

THIS month, Newport Playgoers presents the quirky comedy, ‘Everybody Loves Opal’ by John Patrick. The plot revolves around Opal Kronkie, a middle-aged recluse who lives in a tumbledown mansion. Into her rather strange world come three con artists on the run from the police.

Hiding out in Opal’s house, they decide to bump her off to claim on the insurance. But their plotting never goes according to plan...

Pictured is Julian Powell as crooked Sol Bozo trying in vain to kill ever optimistic Opal Kronkie (Ann Harrison). (Photo by Phil Mansell)

For more details check out http://www.dolmantheatre.co.uk/ or phone 01633 263670 to book tickets.

Newport Playgoer in Death of a Salesman

One of the leading lights of Newport Playgoers Society, Alex Wilson, is taking the lead role in Arthur Miller's classic 'Death of a Salesman' at the Chapter Arts Theatre in Cardiff this week. Alex, who is a salesman in real life, will soon be seen in Playgoers' production of Moliere's 'The Prodigious Snob' at the Dolman Theatre in June.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/showbiz/2010/03/22/salesman-alex-takes-on-lead-role-in-a-classic-tale-91466-26080228/

Newport Film Graduate Scoops Award

Congratulations to International Film School Wales graduate, Emma Pratt, whose short film ‘Brennan’s Sacrament’ was voted Best Student Film at the British Independent Film Awards.

Emma’s success comes as Kathryn Bigelow scooped the best director Oscar for The Hurt Locker - becoming the first woman to receive an Academy Award in the category - and Emma said, “Hopefully this means other women in the industry will be getting recognised for their achievements as well.”
Click here for full story: http://www.penarthtimes.co.uk/news/latestnews/5066408.Award_winning_film_director_thinks_big/

Budding Playwrights can take Centre Stage!

To celebrate Newport hosting the Ryder Cup 2010, Newport Playgoers Society, which owns and runs the city’s 400-seater Dolman Theatre, is holding a competition aimed at encouraging the writing of plays for amateur theatre.

To enter the competition, budding playwrights are invited to submit one act plays on the theme of ‘golf’. Plays should be between 20 - 30 minutes in length using a cast of 2 - 5 actors. In addition to a cash prize, the three best plays will be performed in the Dolman Studio Theatre for three nights culminating in a gala evening when prizes will be officially presented.

An Adjudication Panel appointed by Newport Playgoers Society will read and consider the plays entered in the competition and, in addition to arranging production of the plays at the Dolman Studio Theatre, will award the following prizes:
1st Prize - £100 plus trophy; 2nd Prize - £50; 3rd Prize - £25.

To download an application form, go to www.dolmantheatre.co.uk.