Messages from Helen Mirren and Lynda Bellingham

When I heard that Newport Playgoers would be staging 'Calendar Girls' I thought, as leader of the publicity team, that it would be a good idea to write to the stars of both the film and stage versions asking them to send good luck messages.

First to reply was Helen Mirren which was a promising start. Next came an autographed photo from one of my favourite actresses, Lynda Bellingham, who also wrote a personal message - which was even better.

Personal messages also came from Annette Crosbie, Penelope Wilton, John Alderton, Anita Dobson and Charlie Dimmock.

Tim Firth, who wrote both the film and stage versions, sent a lovely card with a special message. It's good to know that such, famous - and busy - people take the time to reply to those who write to them.

Tregaer Man Treads the Boards in Feel Good Comedy

David Leigh from Tregaer is bringing out his naughty side when he plays a rascally grandfather in the play ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ at the Dolman Theatre in Newport next week.

David Leigh as rascally grandfather Gus fails to 

impress Dee Dee (Catherine Morgan) with his singing.

(PHOTO: PHIL MANSELL)

“This is the first time I’ve done any amateur dramatics since I was at Durham University in the 1960s and I’m enjoying it immensely,” says 69-year-old David who plays the part of Gus in the comedy which is being presented by Newport Playgoers.

“Gus is fiercely resisting his son’s efforts to put him in a retirement home and prefers learning the latest dance moves from his grand-daughter Dee Dee. Being a grandfather myself, I have sympathy with the character – but I deny sharing his wackier and naughtier tendencies! It’s a very funny play so the challenge in rehearsals has been not to laugh.”

David (second from left) with the cast of ‘Nobody’s Perfect’:

 Catherine Morgan (Dee Dee), Lyndon House (Leonard) 

and Nicky Davies (Harriet). (PHOTO: PHIL MANSELL)

The play, written by Simon Williams, has a plotline reminiscent of the Dustin Hoffman film ‘Tootsie’. Gus’s son, Leonard, is frustrated writer who has all his books rejected by a feminist publishing house because he is a man. However, when he submits a novel based on his experiences as a single parent under the pseudonym Myrtle Banbury, the editor, Harriet, loves it. The snag is she insists on meeting Myrtle so she can hand over the prize money and sign her up. In order to collect the money, Leonard is forced to dress up as a woman. 

“As Gus, I go along with deception – for a price,” says David. “The play is a marvellous comedy in the tradition of ‘Charley’s Aunt and ‘Some Like It Hot’’. It’s been acclaimed as a classic feel-good romantic comedy and offers belly laughs galore – with four irresistibly loveable characters locked into a hilarious plot. The final scene has been described as a comic masterpiece.”

David has been keen to get back into acting in amateur productions since he retired from his career in the conservation of cultural heritage a few years ago.

“Joining Newport Playgoers attracted me because of the scale and the thoroughness of their approach.  A company which runs its own 400-seat theatre and mounts eight full-length plays a year has to be taken seriously. I was chuffed that they let me through the auditions!”

You can see David in Newport Playgoers’ production of ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ by Simon Williams at the Dolman Theatre from 14th – 17th November at 7.15 pm, with an extra matinee performance on the Saturday at 2.30 pm. To book tickets call 01633 263670 or visit www.dolmantheatre.co.uk.  New members are always welcome to become involved both onstage and behind the scenes.

Sherlock Holmes is on the Case in Newport

Something wicked this way comes - and it’s a case for the world’s greatest detective when an ancient curse returns to terrify the Baskerville family in the shape of a terrifying, gigantic hound. 

Sherlock Holmes (Steve Drowley) and Dr Watson (Chris Bissex-Williams) set out to track down the truth about a gigantic hound. (PHOTO: PHIL MANSELL)

Sherlock Holmes, ably assisted by Dr Watson, sets out to solve the mystery of ‘The Hound of The Baskervilles’ at the Dolman Theatre later this month. When Sir Charles Baskerville dies in mysterious circumstances, his last remaining relative, Sir Henry Baskerville, travels home from America to claim his inheritance, Baskerville Hall. Is Sir Henry doomed to suffer the same gruesome fate as his ancestors or can Holmes save him? Only time will tell in this fast paced adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic story, revised for the stage by Simon Williams.

Newport Playgoers’ atmospheric production features James Symonds as Sir Henry Baskerville, Chris Bissex-Williams as Dr Watson and Steve Drowley as Sherlock Holmes. (PHOTO: PHIL MANSELL)

Almost as soon as it was written, the most famous case for Britain’s most famous detective was adapted from the original novel for other media. The challenge for a theatre production is to recreate the sinister atmosphere so easily achieved in film. 

Audiences will be on the edge of their seat as the chilling plot unfolds when Newport Playgoers present ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ at the Dolman Theatre from 17th – 20th October at 7.15 pm, with an extra matinee performance on Saturday at 2.30 pm. To book tickets call 01633 263670 or visit www.dolmantheatre.co.uk.  New members are always welcome to become involved both onstage and behind the scenes.

For more information visit www.newportplaygoers.wordpress.com.

Theatre’s Ghosts at Rehearsals for Play’s Seance Scene!

Ghosts in the Dolman Theatre are playing a spooky role in rehearsals for ‘Blithe Spirit’ in which a medium holds a séance. Actors from Newport Playgoers preparing for Noel Coward’s witty comedy are concerned that their onstage séance may disturb the two ghosts that are said to haunt the theatre.

In the play, a writer accidentally summons up the
 spirit  of his first wife, Elvira (Eloise Rossiter) 

The main ghost, nick-named Aggie, is a woman who lived in a house on the site where the theatre was built and wasn’t keen to leave. She has made her presence felt in the theatre ever since.

Clare Drewett as medium Madame Arcati 

holds a séance during rehearsals for ‘Blithe Spirit’.

Dan Aston, the theatre’s deputy manager, has had some eerie experiences. He said, “When I lock up at night I’ve checked the building to make sure it’s empty, but I still hear footsteps. 

"When I investigate there’s no-one there. A Playgoers member turned as white as a sheet after she heard someone whisper in her ears when she was alone in one of the rooms.”

To check out the ghosts for yourself – both real and onstage –  book to see ‘Blithe Spirit’ which is at the Dolman Theatre from 12^th – 15^th September at 7.15 pm, with an extra matinee performance on the Saturday at 2.30 pm. To book tickets call 01633 263670 or visit www.dolmantheatre.co.uk. 

Blithe_Spirit_54

Blithe_Spirit_54, a photo by Phil Mansell on Flickr.

Cheers from some of the cast of 'Blithe Spirit' - at the Dolman Theatre 12 - 15 September 2012. Not to be missed!

John puts a Sheen on French farce at Minack

Director John Sheen

Newport Playgoers are off to the famous outdoor Minack Theatre in Cornwall where audiences will discover why the name Sheen is synonymous with theatre at its very best.

John Sheen, father of musical theatre star Caroline Sheen and uncle of award-winning actor Michael Sheen, is the director of the classic Molière farce ‘The Hypochondriac’, which has been updated by legendary Liverpool poet Roger McGough. 

Argan (Richard Dymond) looks for 

another ailment to suffer from. 

“This modern take on Molière’s very funny comedy is a lavish costume romp packed with fakes – a wealthy hypochondriac who pretends to be dead, a wife who pretends to love her husband and doctors who pretend to understand medicine,” said John. “I think we’ve concocted the perfect remedy for all the doom and gloom that’s around these days.” 

Hypochondriac Argan (Richard Dymond) is

 outwitted by his wily maid Toinette (Claudia Barnes)

The play, which was a great success during its run at the Dolman Theatre earlier this month, features several members of Playgoers who have proved a hit with Minack audiences in previous years. Richard Dymond is perfect as Argan who delights in collecting ailments, while Claudia Barnes excels as the canny, scheming maid Toinette. Others stepping into the spotlight include Caroline Drewett-Mansell as Beline, Argan’s gold-digging wife, Rachel Fenwick as his daughter Angelique who is pursued by Ryan Salter as foppish suitor Thomas, and the man she loves, Cleante, played by Kevin Myers. 

Beline (Caroline Drewett-Mansell) is overjoyed 

when Toinette (Claudia Barnes) announces
 her husband is dead

Two years ago, Newport Playgoers enjoyed enormous success at Minack with another Molière play, ‘Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme’, and they are hoping for a repeat performance – and good weather. 

‘The Hypochondriac’ by Roger McGough is at the Minack Theatre from 9th – 13th July. For more information phone 01633 263670 or visit www.dolmantheatre.co.uk or www.newportplaygoers.wordpress.com.

Newport Actors All Set for Gwent Drama Festival

Stand-up comedy, spooks and suspicion are all part of the madcap mix when three of Newport’s leading amateur theatre groups take part in the Gwent Festival of One Act Plays at Blackwood Little Theatre on Friday 27^th  and Saturday 28^th  April.

Will Smith-Haddon as Yorick in 'Poor Yorick'
by Phil Mansell (PHOTO: PHIL MANSELL)

First on the bill is ‘Poor Yorick’ by local writer Phil Mansell. One of the plays featured in the recent highly successful No Holds Bard festival, this innovative comedy tells how Hamlet’s jester attempts to pioneer stand-up comedy but instead becomes embroiled in plans for revenge.

“It’s really great being able to take my play to another theatre and to compete in this prestigious drama competition,” said Phil. “My play opens the festival on the Friday night and we’re hoping for as good a response as when we performed it at the Dolman Theatre last month. The festival features six great plays, and with tickets priced at two for just £7 it offers a great night out for anyone who loves fresh and exciting new theatre.” 

PNG’s three witches: Charlotte Webb, Sian Elizabeth Pope and Clare Davies in 

‘In The Spirit of Things’ (PHOTO: PHIL MANSELL)

Following Phil’s play is another Newport drama group, Playgoers New Generation (PNG) who present ‘In the Spirit of Things’ by Steven Quantick. This is another comedy about “business unusual” at Incorporeal Incorporated, where the witches from Macbeth provide supernatural guidance to the mortal realm.

Dolman Youth Theatre members James Thomas, 

Emma Radmilovic, Ellie Tappin and Dana Symonds 

in ‘Bottom’s Dream’ (PHOTO: PHIL MANSELL)

On Saturday Dolman Youth Theatre present ‘Bottom’s Dream’ by Alan Poole, which asks who really dreamt the Midsummer Night’s Dream – and what were the reactions of the mechanicals’ wives and mothers to their play-acting?

Other plays are being presented by Ad Hoc Theatre from Cwmbran and  Blackwood Little Theatre. All the plays will be adjudicated with the chance of going through to the Welsh finals in June. The Gwent Festival of One Act Plays is at Blackwood Little Theatre from 27^th – 28th^th April.  To book tickets – which are just £7 with a special buy one get one free offer - phone  07930 599317  or online at  http://www.blackwoodlt.org.uk/