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www.bristololdvictheatreclub.org.uk July 2014

Past, Present & Future
Unusually, we begin with internal news
about the Theatre Club itself.
Ray Price, who has served as Chairman of
Bristol Old Vic Theatre Club for many
years, has recently resigned from the
committee. Rays immense contribution to
the life of the Club will be greatly missed.
Rays is stepping down after 50 years of
service to the Theatre Club as a committee
member and many years as its chairman.
We wish Ray well and look forward to
him continuing as an active member of the
Theatre Club.
The committee has asked Fran Havard,
currently Vice Chair, to be Acting Chair
until the AGM. Details of the AGM will
be published our next newsletter, in
September.
We are committed to continuing the
Theatre Clubs current level of activity and
valued relationships with our close
colleagues such as Bristol Old Vic
Theatre, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School,
Tobacco Factory Theatres and other
theatre-related organisations and
individuals throughout Bristol and beyond.
This news comes at a time when we
have an exceptionally rich programme
of activities to bring to you, many of
which Ray has personally helped to
conceive, promote and bring to fruition.
We hope you will enjoy the following
pages. They offer a heady mix of
looking back over an especially busy
and enjoyable early summer season,
during which our links to Bristol Old Vic
Theatre School have been very much
to the fore in many cultural, social and
sheer good fun occasions. And we
look to the future with our range of
interesting opportunities to enjoy many
activities that will enrich your theatre-
going experience.
The Theatre Club recently purchased
a plaque pledging our support for the
Tobacco Factory Theatres. We were
pleased to hear from Director of
Operations, David Dewhurst:
Many many thanks for your generous
gift. We have been overwhelmed by
the support towards this campaign but
it means even more to us when our
close friends show their support to our
theatre, and we are delighted the
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Theatre Club will have its own plaque
in our theatre bar for the next 10 years.
It has been great getting to know you
all over the years I look forward to the
relationship we have continuing.
Please do pass on our thanks to your
members and I hope they enjoy
looking out for their plaque in our
theatre bar on future visits!
Classic theatre, a lively musical
and exciting devised work await
Theatre Club members in the new
autumn season at BOV. Juno and
the Paycock, Sean OCaseys classic
work and Kneehighs reworking of
The Beggars Opera, intriguingly
titled Dead Dog in a Suitcase kick
off the autumn season.
When Chair of the Bristol Old Vic Board
Liz Forgan gave us an In Conversation in
November 2013, we wrote in the account
in the Newsletter:
The issue of programming was raised
while acknowledging the need to seek new
audiences, it is also important to retain
audiences, to ensure economic
sustainability and to build loyalty. It was
suggested that this may best be achieved
by ensuring that particularly on the main
stage, there is a mixed menu of high
quality work, stimulating and offering a
wide range of productions that cater for
different tastes. Classics, new writing of
high quality, a mix of adaptations as well
as plays from different eras presented in a
way that is relevant to today. A mix of
genres and styles is likely to keep audience
as well as encouraging new people to get
the habit of theatre.
This autumn sees at least some of our
wishes granted with the first two
productions which open in the Theatre.
Both are co-productions with Liverpool
Playhouse and will go on to tour the UK
Juno and the Paycock by Sean O'Casey is
one of the most highly regarded and often
performed plays in Ireland. First staged at
the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in 1924, it is
set in the working class tenements of
Dublin in the early 1920s, during the Irish
Civil War period. It will be fascinating to
see how Director Gemma Bodinetz makes
the connections between then and now, 90
years after the play was written. Universal
themes of family dynamics against a
backdrop of poverty and civil conflict as
comedy, pathos and domestic strife are
portrayed by unforgettable characters and
the show promises classic, thought-
provoking theatre. The production runs
from 5th to 27th September.
We are delighted to have secured Gemma
Bodinetz to give us an In Conversation to
give us insight into the play, its relevance
and perhaps tell us a bit about how she has
managed to put the Liverpool Everyman
and Playhouse on the track to artistic and
financial success. We are grateful to Alan
Wright for agreeing to host this session.
Alan worked in TV production in Ireland
for many years and will be an excellent
foil for Gemma in teasing out the themes
and messages of this classic play.
Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love
songs) opened in Liverpool to massive
critical acclaim. Given the high regard for
Kneehigh in Bristol, tickets are already
selling fast. It runs from 8
th
to 25
th

October, so book now to avoid
disappointment.
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Gypsy Trip
Isabel Cortan, our Trips Organiser has
arranged another must-go trip this autumn
to the newly refurbished Chichester
Festival Theatre.
Imelda Staunton returns to Chichester to
play Mama Rose in a stunning production
of Gypsy based on the memoirs of Gypsy
Rose Lee and considered by many to be
the greatest of the Broadway musicals.
She teams up with Jonathan Kent who
directed her as Mrs Lovett in the
wonderful Sweeny Todd, for which she
won the 2013 Olivier prize for the best
actress in a musical.
The story: Rose Hovick (Mama Rose) has
big plans for her little daughters. Baby
June is the innocent star of her show which
tours the shabby stages of far-flung
American towns but June is growing up.
As vaudeville dies out, June leaves the
show and Rose turns her fierce attention to
daughter Louise. But Louise has spent her
life in the shadow of her sister and doesnt
fit into her mothers ambitious plans.
Vaudeville has been replaced by the riskier
attractions of burlesque and audiences
want to see more of their stars!
Jonathan Kents most recent production of
Private Lives has recently been broadcast
in cinemas across the UK, Lara Pulver
returns to Chichester following her
performance in Uncle Vanya! (2012) and
Kevin Whateley (Lewis on ITV) makes his
Chichester debut as Herbie.
Book early to ensure your place!

Saturday 6
th
September
Please note times
from 12:45pm
Coffee at Bristol Old Vic
and at 1.30pm
In Conversation
with

Gemma Bodinetz
Artistic Director of Liverpool
Everyman and Playhouse who
will be in Bristol as Director of
Sean OCaseys Juno and the
Paycock. The event is free to
members and under 18s,
guests 5
Photo: Dan Kenyon
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War Game
We can now announce that our In
Conversation guest on Saturday 15
November is the award-winning writer
and childrens books illustrator Michael
Foreman (author of War Game) talking
about his work and answering
questions.
Theatre Club members with an
InHouse Day ticket will then be able to
have a buffet lunch, attend the matinee
performance and take part in a
fascinating joint event with some of
BOVs Young Company.
We particularly invite you to bring
along a young person to this event.
In Conversation: free to BOVTC
members and under-18s, 5 to guests.
InHouse day tickets, including lunch,
performance and after show event are
17 for BOVTC members, 22 for
guests, and 15 for under-18s.










Saturday 8 November
Gypsy with Imelda Staunton,
Lara Pulver, Kevin Whateley.
Directed by Jonathan Kent,
music by Jule Styne, lyrics by
Stephen Sondheim.
The trip to see Gypsy at to the
Festival Theatre, Chichester will
depart at 9 a.m. The price, which
includes tickets, coach travel and
drivers remuneration is:
BOVTC Members: 36.00
Guests: 41.00
Send a cheque, payable to BOV
Theatre Club, with stamped addressed
envelope and phone number to:
Trips Organiser, Bristol Old Vic Theatre
Club, Theatre Royal, King Street ,
Bristol BS1 4ED .

Saturday 15 November

War Game
InHouse Day
In Conversation with Michael
Foreman, buffet lunch, matinee
performance of War Game and
joint event with BOVs Young
Company
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Theatre School Support

Millie Corser, graduating student with Andrew Stocker (BOVTS Box Office Manager) and Perry
Moore, one of the BOVTS graduating acting students. with Anna Travers (BOVTS Marketing
Manager) contemplating her annual tree climb. Photo: Barry Moore
Our support of the BOV Theatre
School takes many forms. We hold a
Directors and Designers Preview every
term on forthcoming productions, a
seasonal Quiz and we have helped
towards the cost of taking student
performances to the Edinburgh
Festival.
June this year was an exceptionally
busy month with our Graduating
Students Party for all three productions
held at the Tobacco Factory on 12
June, a post show discussion of
London Road on 19 June, closely
followed by our annual Picnic on the
Downs on 22 June and then a talk and
tour of the graduating Design students
showcase at the RWA on 28 June. So
those of us who managed to get to all
three graduating shows - Blue
Stockings, London Road, A Winters
Tale - the prize-giving (see Paul
Rummers News from Downside Road
for details of the Theatre Club awards)
and celebrated the 60
th
anniversary of
Salad Days (the show which funded
the purchase of the Schools premises)
can hardly complain of not having
feasted well and exhaustively!
For the past couple of years we have
taken the International Course
students under our wing by holding a
much appreciated welcome party just
after the students arrive - the first time
they get together socially with each
other and their tutors. The one year
post-graduate course takes around a
dozen students, many of them already
with substantial acting experience,
from all over world. It represents a
substantial investment by students in
their acting careers, not only in time
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away from family, friends and being in
a foreign country.
UK grants and student loans are not
available to them and while home
student fees are 9000 a year, non EU
students from overseas have to pay
the unsubsidized fee which is currently
18,800 for the Schools Master of Arts
in Professional Acting course.

BOVTS students enjoying the Picnic on the
Downs. Photo: Barry Moore
There is another hurdle. Having
struggled to be accepted by the
School, found the course fees and
money for maintenance, overseas
students then have to obtain a Visa
and satisfy UK immigration authorities
that they are genuine students a
process which is increasingly
challenging. The School holds funds
specifically for UK and EU students
who may find themselves in financial
difficulties, but the International
Students, being expected to support
themselves as a condition of obtaining
a Visa, are in a different position. A
new fund specifically aimed at the
International Students will be
dedicated to helping those students
who find themselves in unexpected
financial hardship over and above their
standard maintenance.
The Theatre Club was asked if we
could kick-start the fund-raising. Many
of our members already contribute
personally to the Schools hardship
fund for UK and EU students. The
Committee agreed a donation by the
Theatre Club to the International Fund
would help the School in its efforts to
set up the fund and directly help
students and so it was pleased to
contribute 2000. Such a significant
contribution was made possible
through a bequest by a former
member and the Committee felt this
was an appropriate use of that legacy.
So now those graduating students are
embarking on their professional
careers as actors, directors,
technicians, designers and we wish
them all well. A group of second years
are off to the Edinburgh Festival with
The Comedy of Errors. We were
unable to host a fund-raising show as
we did last year the building works at
the School and time factors foiled our
plans. However, a donation of 250
from the Theatre Club has helped
them almost reach their target.
We are looking forward to our events
in the Autumn with a welcome party for
International Students on 23


September and the Directors and
Designers Preview of the autumn
shows on Tuesday 14 October. Both of
these events are free to members but
tickets are required. Please contact
Andrew Stocker via the BOVTS Box
Office (0117 973 3955).if you would
like to attend.
PL
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News from
BOVs YC

Lisa Gregan at a recent In Conversation
Photo: Fran Havard

Pauline Peck, our Young Company
Liaison writes: It is the 20th anniversary of
BOVs Young Company and they have
chosen to perform a dramatisation of Ted
Hughes' poem Wodwo. It sounds as if it
will be a very ambitious, clever and
innovative production.
Miranda talks further about Wodwo in her
article. Wodwo will be performed in the
Studio 13th - 16th August 7.30pm,
2.30pm(Sat mat). Tickets 12/8

The Young Company and youth theatre
Travelling Light are running a summer
school at M Shed in August. They will be
concentrating on research and
development on a show to be directed by
Lisa Gregan and written by Mike Akers to
be performed in 2015. The show is based
on historical events at Wapping Wharf.

In an exciting development, Bristol Old
Vic will be running a summer school at the
prestigious, newly opened, Hauser and
Wirth Art Gallery in Bruton, Somerset.
They aim to create a brand new piece of
work inspired by the sculptures on display
at the gallery. The participants will learn to
develop skills necessary to create and
perform theatre using their own ideas.
There will be a public performance on 21st
August. For more information please visit
www.bristololdvic.org.uk/bovyc.html
Wodwo
Miranda Cromwell talks about the
exciting upcoming production
and bids a fond farewell

This summer BOVs Young Company
celebrates its 20th anniversary. In
order to mark this occasion we invited
Young Company members past and
present, to submit a proposal for the
summer production - putting the
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creative control firmly in their hands!
These ideas were then put to our
Young Company council (formed in
September 2013, featuring 12 elected
Young Company representatives) who
shortlisted the ideas. This honed down
list was then investigated during a
week of research and development
with 25 young company members.
They explored each of the ideas,
balanced the pros and cons and at the
end of the week a Summer show was
chosen! That show is Wodwo, directed
by Young Company and Made in
Bristol graduate Alistair Debling. The
production is a devised response to
the poem of the same name by Ted
Hughes.
Alistair Debling speaks below about
the production and the opportunity;
"In the 8 years since I came to my first
Young Company session at Bristol Old
Vic there have been countless
unforgettable experiences (from
national theatre festivals to the Made
in Bristol programme) and I feel
extremely grateful to be part of such a
vibrant community. This summer, I am
lucky enough to have the opportunity
to direct a group of 18 young people
aged 11 to 24 in Wodwo. The show
takes place in a forest where we
explore the ways in which we learn to
see, hear and speak about the world
around us and in doing so, what we
learn about ourselves. In many ways
this reflects what we do at Bristol Old
Vic as theatre-makers - translating and
articulating our own world view into
new languages to share it with an
audience. You can expect plenty of
immersive music, ensemble movement
and enchanting text - I hope to see you
there in August!
This production and its progression is
a wonderful example of the
autonomous community of theatre
makers the Young Company inspires.
In order for this growth to occur,
natural endings must take place and it
is on that note that I announce that I
will be leaving my post as Young
Company Director in September 2014.
In September I will have been here for
seven glorious years. During that time
I have directed over 20 productions,
toured work to festivals, won awards
and led countless workshops across
the city of Bristol. It has been an
honour to oversee and nurture
outstanding artists through the Made in
Bristol project. I have witnessed an
increase of diversity within the Young
Company that has led to some
wonderful productions and lively
discussions. The amazing journeys I
have gone on with young people as
they have grown and discovered their
voice, has served to strengthen my
resolve to always fight for high quality
theatrical experiences for all. I have
grown as an artist through these
experiences and I would like to take
this opportunity to say thank you.
Thank you to all those I have had the
pleasure of working with and those
who continue to be such fantastic
supporters of the Young Company.
I will be moving on to explore the new
challenge of being a freelance
Director, working in both Bristol and
London. I will also be back before you
know it in fact this Christmas to direct
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the under 7s studio production, The
Magic Elves.
The Magic Elves is an adaptation of
The Elves and the Shoemaker, written
by Mike Akers and featuring Kid
Carpet. It promises to be joyous,
magical and very funny. Oh - and youll
need to dust off your disco dancing
shoes!
The Magic Elves is on sale now and
performs in the Studio 26
th
November
to the January 3
rd
. I hope to see many
of you there and at Wodwo



Notes from Downside Road
News
from
the
Principal

This year has simply flown by; I cant
believe Im writing the final newsletter of
the year. June proved to be very
successful with near sell out runs at Bristol
Old Vic and the Tobacco Factory. The
graduating students from all acting and
technical courses proved how oven-
ready they are to start their professional
careers, such was the quality of Blue
Stockings, The Winters Tale and London
Road and not to forget the outstanding
exhibition at the RWA. We wish them all
every success knowing they remain part of
the Theatre School community
throughout their working lives.
We rarely have events allowing full
attendance of students and staff, however
our annual prize giving, this year at the
Tobacco Factory, was one such very
enjoyable occasion. Of the many prizes it
was, as ever, a pleasure to see students
receiving prizes through the Theatre Club,
in particular the Mike and Jan Gale Dance
Prize awarded to Corey Montague-Sholay,
the Dennis Cartledge award to Molly
Hanson, and the Theatre Club Music
Award to Jonathan Charles. Our President,
Ryan Densham, was master of
ceremonies, and past student Nicola
Sloane (recently in London Road at the
National Theatre) our guest speaker.
Again we very much enjoyed the Picnic on
the Downs at the end of June fine
weather but fewer students attending
than wed hope. It has been such a packed
month that we must reconsider for the
future how best we hold this event as it
immediately followed the get-outs of the
main shows. It was of course hard on the
heels of our 60th anniversary concert of
Salad Days at the Redgrave Theatre. This
sold-out celebration was an enormous
success, our thanks to those who
attended. Adrian Slade and Samantha
Bond were on fine form as were the cast
under Pam Rudges excellent musical
direction. It certainly demonstrated how
popular the songs from Salad Days still are
Bristol Old Vic
Theatre School
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and how much enjoyment the show
brings.
Up at Downside Rd we are in the thick of
the demolition phase of the Link building;
work started mid-June and we already
appreciate quite how much space is revealed
to house the new studios and central
entrance. Our fundraising has enabled us to
construct the building and we will continue to
raise further funds for the technical fit-out to
ensure that our students continue to work
with up to date equipment. Many thanks to
all of you who continue to support us; we
hope to be able to celebrate the opening
early in 2015.

Work begins at Downside Road
Photo: Barry Moore

We have just heard of the further support
the Theatre Club is offering our students
through the generous donation to The
Comedy of Errors performances at
Edinburgh Fringe this August. This run
follows the successful tour in early
February to junior schools in Bristol;
previous Edinburgh shows have been
Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night which
have gone down a storm. We wish them
every success and will report back to the
Theatre Club in due course.
Looking to the coming season, we will be
performing at Circomedia with a
promenade production of Jim Cartwrights
Road; on tour with a new production for
of The Nativity written by Neville Boundy
and John Hartoch (who also directs) - you
may know that John Hartoch will be
leaving the Theatre School as Head of
Acting Courses but we will continue to
benefit from his talents as a director and
writer; and at Christmas of course our
annual family show at the Redgrave with
Alice in Wonderland, and what she found
there Alice bookings are already going
well.
Finally I would like to offer Ray Price very
best wishes from all his friends at the
Theatre School. After fifty years as a
member of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre
Club committee, man and boy, it is no
doubt time for other adventures; his
contribution to the well-being of the
Theatre School has been immense; we will
miss him.
And so, I look forward to seeing many of
you at the start of our new academic year
at the end of September and at events
and shows thereafter. I hope you all enjoy
a very good summer.








Tuesday 23 September
7.30pm at 2 Downside Road
Welcome party
Come and greet the new intake
of BOVTS international students
This event is open and free to all
BOVTC members but tickets are
required. For tickets contact Andrew
Stocker on 0117 973 3955
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Alan Wright, BOVs Director
of Development, talks about the
challenges of seeking funding

In his own Wright
On Tuesday July 1 at 9am, I was
beginning to wonder how I could bring
order to a house full of cardboard boxes,
having set aside the week to move.
However, back at Bristol Old Vic the focus
of attention was very much on Arts
Council Englands announcement of its
funding awards for 2015 through to 2018.
Like many regional arts organisations, we
hoped there might be a significant
redistribution of funding away from
London, with the result Bristol Old Vic
might receive a welcome increase in
subsidy. After all, of the eleven major
subsidised theatres in England, we receive
the next to lowest grant, although
producing a disproportionate amount of
our own work and developing a rapidly
growing educational outreach network that
is the envy of most other theatres. No one
could argue that Bristol Old Vic doesnt
use the full potential of its subsidy.
However, as you probably already know,
our grant remained at the same level as it
has been for the past three years. Of
course, given the Arts Council had less
money to distribute this time around, a
standstill of funding could be seen as a
positive result. However, with an
imminent hike in interest rates that will
inevitably increase inflationary pressures,
especially in terms of wages, it means we
will be faced with continuing challenges
over the next few years. Unlike many
other arts organisations, we do have the
consolation of a capital project to
redevelop the front of house, creating new
income streams to supplement the running
costs of the theatre. It now becomes even
more important to get the Anniversary
Works completed as soon as possible, and
there will be an even greater emphasis on
our fundraising campaign.
Of course, in a climate of declining
subsidies, the major trusts and foundations
that traditionally support the arts are being
inundated with requests for assistance,
making our task even more challenging.
To date, we have raised just about
7million of the requisite 12million. We
have already made applications to the vast
majority of the major trusts and
foundations, and as their boards meet
throughout the year, we wait with baited
breath for their decisions. Encouragingly,
the day the Arts Council announced its
funding decision, the Garfield Weston
Foundation made a donation of 350,000
towards the Anniversary Works, bringing
their total support for the theatre to almost
1million over the last few years. Such an
early pledge from such a prominent
foundation tends to encourage other
foundations to follow suit.
Meanwhile, our telephone campaign is
well under way, with the average single
gift creeping up towards 50. Every one of
these small drops into the bucket makes a
significant contribution, not least to the
morale of the fundraising team.
Finally, I would like to say what a pleasure
it has been for me to work with Ray Price
over the past three years in his capacity of
Chairman of the Theatre Club. He has
fought staunchly to place the Theatre Club
at the heart of Bristol Old Vic and, along
with all his colleagues on the Committee,
made a determined and enthusiastic effort
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to help raise money, especially for our
extraordinary Young Company. I have
relied on Ray and the Committee as my
sounding board, giving insight into a large
and important constituency of supporters. I
know the Theatre Club will go on from
strength to strength with a new person at
the helm, but that is in large part down to
all Ray has achieved over so many years.
Dont worry, Ill still be bending your ear,
Ray!

In Conversation
with Paul Rummer
Photo: Fran Havard
John Luckes writes: On Saturday, 14
th

June 2014 the Theatre Club had an In
Conversation with Paul Rummer,
Principal of BOVTS. Paul was
introduced, seven years after his first
appearance in front of a BOVTC
audience. So what's happened at the
School in that time?
Pauls modest reply emphasized that
its continuing success has been a
team effort..... talented students and
the staff working their magic on the
students, through from reception staff
to the acting, music, singing, voice,
movement/dance, production and
directing, including external tutors from
institutions such as the NT and RSC.
Succeeding Chris Denys, Principal of
the School for 27 years was a
challenge. However, some changes
needed to be made to ensure the
future success of the Theatre School.
Restructuring was key, most
importantly the appointment of an
Artistic Director, a new Senior
Management post plus the
appointment of Heads of Courses,
Acting, Stage Management and
Technical Course, Costume, Design
and Scenic Art.
This year there has been a 20%
increase in the number of applications
(2000 approximately)', of which only 28
students will be accepted. All day
filmed auditions involving all the
relevant staff take place over 30 days.
Students are expected to have "A"
levels but the School is really looking
for the best talent; for actors "who can
stand up and do it".
Applicants are invited to Bristol,
warmly welcomed and encouraged to
consider, if accepted, whether they
would like to spend 2/3 years in the
City and engage with the local
community. This, in turn, leads to
Bristol and its wider community being
more aware of the School and what a
special place it is. Bristol is the only
theatre school that tours its
productions to schools and spends 24
nights at venues in the South West.
Preparing the students for the world of
work is a priority. The school strives to
encourage versatility. Placements can
sometimes be arranged to give the
students more experience, they are
involved in professional standard
productions and finally, they take part
in the annual Showcase in London,
enabling them to display their talents
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to 300 plus potential employers,
agents and casting directors. Last year
all but one student had acquired an
agent, and now all of them are signed.
All Students need to understand that
technology is affecting their careers. It
can be used to help in finding work as
well as opportunities for work, such as
filming, voice-overs, and animation
work. Increasingly, prospective
employers ask for a video/film of an
actor before offering work.
Paul told us that work starts on The
Link, connecting Nos 2 and 3
Downside, on 16 June and they plan
for all the work to be completed by
January 2015.
This was a very interesting talk from a
highly experienced, inspirational and
modest man, dedicated to the success
of both the students and staff of the
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Paul,
with a big smile, shared his biggest
wish: that all those at the Theatre
School share in a sense of fun.
Were always pleased to have
newsletter contributions from
Theatre Club members. Here
Robert Hole shares his day spent
with the student actors from
BOVTS
Thursday 12 June was quite a day for the
BOV Theatre School students at the
Tobacco Factory. In the morning they
gathered for the excitement of the annual
Prize-giving followed by first a matine,
then an evening performance of Blue
Stockings and still their day wasnt over.
It was rounded off by a splendid party
hosted by BOV Theatre Club for all the
Theatre School students, which went on
until midnight.
The actors were delighted to talk to
Theatre Club members about their work.
They explained how they developed their
characters in rehearsal and we got a real
insight into the creative process. The
opportunity to speak to a number of
students individually revealed some
fascinatingly different approaches to their
roles, but also a common purpose and real
unity in the group. Our conversations
helped us understand how the superb
ensemble playing we had seen on stage
came about. Each member of the cast
trusted and worked for each other and
proved that only generous actors create the
best theatre.
Time and again students said it was their
shared experiences on the West Country
Tour that gave them that unity, so it was
excellent that as well as the graduate cast
many of the second year students, on a
short pause in their tour of Sauce for the
Goose, were also at the party. They will be
taking centre stage next year and talked
with such intelligence and perception
about what they had seen that evening and
about their own work that Im confident
we can look forward to some equally high
quality performances in the next twelve
months.
For me it was like the good old days.
Although I am a relative newcomer to the
Theatre Club, I was one of the original
founder-members of the Friends of BOV
Theatre School, and in the early days we
regularly met cast members for drinks and
nibbles after a performance on a Friends
Night to discuss the play. We got to know
them as artists and they valued the
feedback and support. But in time (for
completely understandable reasons) these
post-show meetings became less frequent
and then ceased. Now that the BOVTS
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Friends has merged into the BOV Theatre
Club, its splendid that occasions like this
party once again give us a chance to talk to
student actors about their work and to
celebrate their success with them. Thank
you Theatre Club.
**Please note**: In our June edition we
mentioned a part 2 to the Slade article
and more to come on the Chris Harris
piece. Unfortunately, we are unable to
bring you those two items in this edition.
Get Involved
Your club needs you! Here are some
practical ways you can help to
support the Theatre Club
Look out for the new membership
application form. Wed like to encourage
members to show the new leaflet to
friends, family or anyone else you know
with a passion for theatre. Were keen to
spread the word about the many benefits
there are in becoming part of the Theatre
Club, including a host of exciting and
often free events. So go forth with the new
form and recruit a friend!
Here are three other ideas for how you can
get involved this month:
Would you like to help run our Theatre
Club stall at Doors Open (at BOV
Theatre on Saturday 13th September)? All
you need do is turn up and talk to people
about why you enjoy your Theatre Club
membership and what they might get out
of it too. Well organise publicity material
and membership leaflets even an hour of
your time would be a help to keep the stall
active with enthusiastic members. Are you
looking for a practical way to help run the
club that doesnt involve attending
committee meetings? We are looking for
club members who would be willing to
plan and co-ordinate the catering for
occasional club events, and also people
who would be willing to help with the
food preparation. As you know, we do
like to party and offer hospitality and we
need someone who could help us plan the
food and drink requirements, and oversee
the setting up and clearing up on the
evening, knowing that there are always
lots of helpers to do the washing up. You
dont have to commit to looking after lots
of events, if we have a few people we can
call on, it would just be an occasional task.
Marion and Fran will be pleased to talk to
you about how you might get involved.
Our next social occasion will be the Party
to welcome International students on
Tuesday 23rd September.
Committee members: as the AGM
approaches we are looking for new people
to join the committee. Have you
considered whether you could help to plan
and organise club events. Enthusiasm,
willingness to take some responsibility and
turn ideas into action is all that is needed.
Do please think about this, and if you
would like an informal, no obligation chat,
get in touch with Marion Breen or Fran
Havard