The Compton Players' NEWSLETTER CHRISTMAS 2000

Here we are at the end of another year and on the verge of the next one. We have seen two productions this year, both of comedies - Klondike Kalamity and Dead Funny and the performance of Star by our suddenly enlarged youth wing known as Under the Spotlight and whom we are very glad to see. All three productions were well received and we have the Newbury Weekly News' review of Dead Funny on another page and a cartoon on the same subject from Dave.

Next year is still uncertain. It always is, of course. At the time of writing, however, a producer is still sought for the Spring production although there are various murmurings which leave one with the hope that someone, or even a duo, might emerge fairly soon. A little more of this below.

An appeal from the committee in this newsletter stresses the need for more producers. At the present time we have only three people who are prepared to undertake the task fairly regularly and it is unreasonable, and perhaps unwise, to depend so much on the same three people. It is daunting to take on the task of producing (or directing - I'm never clear what the distinction is) and perhaps part of the problem is that the three whom we rely on so much, Enid, Eric and Mike, and H on occasion, are all so good. Others perhaps wonder if they can hope to match up to them. Anyone who is new to producing does need to be assured that they will get guidance if they need it and also that they can rely on the total support of everyone else involved. It's necessary to keep a sense of proportion as well: although we always strive to put on a very good show it is Compton village hall we're talking about and not Drury Lane or the RSC. In other words, the eyes of the world are not focussed on Compton and someone's first attempt at directing. At least, I don't think so.

It may also be time to think of the dreaded P-word again: not Producing but Pantomime. Not this year, I hasten to add - there's not nearly enough time - but perhaps in the future. Part of the problem there is that, as a small company, it's a tall order to expect people to start on a pantomime immediately after the autumn production. We haven't enough members to produce two productions simultaneously but perhaps some preparation could be made while the autumn production is in rehearsal by those who are not too heavily involved in it. It may be a way of attracting more support, or even more members, from people in Compton. Jasmine in Klondike Kalamity and the members of Under the Spotlight have shown us that both talent and interest exist locally. Perhaps more than we realised.

There is more about the performance of Star below, and you can see what the Newbury Weekly News said about it here.

There is another episode, albeit brief, in 'The Adventures of Paul' at Kick FM.

Finally, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers and we look forward to seeing you one side of the footlights or the other, so to speak, in 2001.

Good plays are alive, if only we have the wit to see it.

- Simon Callow

The Spring Production

Following a committee meeting on 12th December the following information has become available. The proposed dates for performances are the 26th, 27th and 28th of April. Two plays are being considered. They are 'Allo, 'Allo and Miranda. The latter has been put forward by Brenda. There are two play-readings planned, on 4th and 11th January in the Welsted Room at the Village Hall, at 7:30. All are welcome.

You will see form the above that although we have definite dates for performances we do not as yet have either a definite choice of play or a definite producer. Perhaps we should draw lots.

If anyone has any further ideas about plays, or producing them, please let Tracey, the Secretary, know as soon as possible so that she can inform the committee. Tracey's phone number is 01635 866498.

The end of Compton Players?

We've just had a successful production, with large audiences, we've got -some new young members, there's money in the bank, so what's the problem? We haven't got people who want to produce plays! There's a secondary problem, that we haven't got many people in the 20-35 age range, but without producers there are no productions. What are the committee doing about it? Well, we're buying the latest French's guide to all its plays, which any potential producer will be able to browse, and Brenda and Caroline are tentatively thinking about doing the spring production (they need encouragement!). So please, if you think you might even think about producing a play, go and find one and come to the committee with it. If you haven't done it before, don't be scared - there are lots of experienced actors and producers in Compton Players who will back you up, and everyone will want you to succeed. The future of our group depends on it.

The Committee

STAR and Under the Spotlight

A fascinating performance was enjoyed on November 23rd, 24th and 25th when Under the Spotlight produced STAR, described as 'a mini-musical embodying all the elements of a traditional West End show' with glamour, romance and the striving for success. The cast contained Suzie the Actress, Peter the Musician, Craig the Singer and Sally the Choreographer, and was the brainchild of Sam Hall who combined her talents as writer and director to create the show. They are all to be congratulated, as is Sam Hall's mother who also found herself in the cast.

The performance raised £150 for the BBC's Children in Need Appeal and the production was also filmed in rehearsal for TV.

Compton Players were able to help in providing and selling tickets and were able to provide some help in other areas as well. We hope that this will be the start of a wider co-operation and Under the Spotlight have indicated their wish to be more fully integrated with the Compton Players. Our Chairman reflects the feelings of all of us in expressing his delight at this development and believes that it is a direct result of the decision taken at the AGM to intensify our efforts to attract more people, particularly younger ones, from the local community. After all, one has to think of the succession and some of us are now nearly pensioners.

We're all very pleased by this development and extend a warm welcome to our new members.

Dead Funny

You can see the review from the Newbury Weekly News here.

Here's Dave's cartoon - click on it to see it full size.

Congratulations

... to David and Tracey Pearce, née Brett, a son: Cameron James, on 15th November 2000. 7lb 4oz, mother and baby doing well.

... to Rebecca 'Becky' Warrington, who achieved an 'A' in Drama at A-Level and a 'B' in Media Studies and is now studying for a B.A. in Drama from Surrey University at St. Mary's, Twickenham. While with the Compton Players Rebecca appeared in The Nerd, The Crimson Cocoanut, and pantomime. She has already begun to make her mark at college and we wish her every success.

Ralph Richardson, writing to the Scottish-born author, William Douglas-Home, while rehearsing for the play John Gabriel Borkman:
'I am working for a rival author of yours - comes even NORTH of you - had a beard - name of IBSEN. Awful fellow.'

Richardson had trouble learning his lines for the play and confided to a friend, 'I've got the John, I've got the Borkman, I'm still looking for the Gabriel.'

Hubris rules OK

hubris: an excess of ambition, pride, etc., ultimately causing the transgressor's ruin. [C19: from Gk]

In the last newsletter, I recounted my burgeoning radio career at Kick FM. The next time I went in, Ian Downs said to me, "Er... I'm afraid this is going to be the last weekly slot. The Newbury Corn Exchange have paid us to sponsor the slot, and they are going to use their own presenter." What I've got instead is a monthly news and reviews slot. Commercial pressures, and all that. It's not so bad, though, because it's longer than the two minutes I was getting before. The problem is that it doesn't have a fixed time slot, and gets fitted in as and when. Some time soon it may settle down into a fixed 3-weekly slot, alternating with consumer advice and DIY tips, I think.

Paul Shave

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