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Members' Newsletter  - January 2017
Quote of the Month

“When a show ends, for a few days, my body sizzles with leftover energy, like a tree in the wake of a lightning strike.” 
 ― S.M. Stevens   
The thought of Chairman Mo ...

It’s never too late, is it, to wish someone well for the coming months? So I do hope that you are all on the road to recovery from the festive season, with all it's thrills, spills, enjoyment and regret.

Does anyone recognise the sentiment expressed in this month’s quote – pretty sure the Panto peeps will be nodding!

Jack, his beanstalk, his mum, his cow (not the same thing!) and all people in his magical world, gave to the good people of Maidenhead and beyond our annual confirmation that we ARE the performers and the entertainers that we say we are! Ours IS the real and only Maidenhead Panto and I can’t wait for the next one – not just for the show but for the mobilisation of the huge numbers of people that come, as they always do, to be part of the tradition, in some way or another. We owe a debt particularly to those who aren’t actually our members but who still come to show the solidarity of the local creative community – no man is an island and no group can truly stand alone.

One of our (many) major targets this year has to be to actively attract and increase our membership, particularly young men, as apparent when you read on... We have so much to offer and we need to grow our own a bit more. Committee will be looking at ways to do this and we hope that you will play your part too – by being active yourself and encouraging your friends and acquaintances to get involved too.

So off we go for another year, stretching and challenging ourselves to climb, like Jack, onwards and upwards, onwards and upwards! There will be huge variety, huge opportunity, huge amounts of work – but all rewarded by huge fun and satisfaction. 

I hope that we will have a great year together, doing the things that we all love to do and reaping the rewards.
 
M

Skills Development

We have been slow to get our offer on the go – now we are preparing to do something about it!
There is no point in arranging random workshops/sessions for members unless you want to take part, so this is a bit of a chicken and egg situation.

We have posted a form on the website with some ideas that can only be developed if we get some feedback from you. They include Performance skills such as "Essential Stagecraft" and "Creating a Character"; Production skills such as "Basic Lighting Design" and "Character Make-up"  to name just a few.

Please take a few minutes and visit the Skills Development Page, fill in the form and email it back to  skills.development@maidenhead-drama.org.uk to let us know what you are interested in and would support, if a session were scheduled.

Over to you...
Simon Kelly reflects on ...

Well another year passes and more importantly another Panto comes and goes.

Those who know me, know I absolutely live for Panto. I miss it immensely if I am not involved in some way shape or form (I think this has happened twice in 20 years).

So what to reflect on this year? I think the main thing that always amazes me is the sheer scale of Panto and I firmly believe that this year it got bigger then ever before.
We had seriously experienced people in all areas. The group invested more in areas that we perhaps hadn’t done before and I believe that these elements all contributed to arguably making this year’s Panto the most professional looking we have ever done.

When I talk about scale, I also think about the sheer numbers of people involved. If you look at all the areas of putting on a Panto from start to finish, you can probably count in excess of 50 people touching the show in some shape or form. Every single person had significant impact on the show - set build, sound, lighting, costumes, props, hair and make-up, FOH, Music, Choreo, get in, publicity and I haven’t even got to cast and chorus yet. It is an immense effort from a relatively small group. I am amazed that so many people give up their time to help make sure the show is successful and I thank them sincerely for everything they did and I hope the show made everyone feel it was worthwhile.

This was my first Panto under the new management team of the Guild. I have to say what a great job they all did. It is slightly unnerving  when feeling concerned about some of the elements of the show to be told not to worry about it and that the committee will sort it, but they did and I will always be amazed by the commitment and support of the committee especially Maureen, Claire and Sam through the rehearsal period.

One final area I wanted to briefly talk about. The new members who were doing Panto with us for the first time were amazing! The effort and commitment from these people to really do a great job, even though they may have been well out of their comfort zone, was amazing.
The result in my opinion was a great show and I sincerely hope all those involved thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it and are proud of what we all produced and delivered.

Will be putting my form in to audition next year and already can’t wait for it!

MDG "Christmas Dinner"

Yes, is IS long past Christmas but we just haven’t been able to fit it in til now!! So let’s just call it the Guild Dinner and be done with it!

Bianco Nero, Friday 10th February, 7.30pm, £19.50 for 2 pre-selected courses of good Italian food, in a very nice little restaurant. 15-20 places available.

COME ON AND JOIN US FOR FOOD, WINE AND SPARKLING COMPANY!

Just need names and contact numbers for now – maureenbukht@sky.com
Spring Production

Where are six nice young men when you need ‘em??? In this case – not all together, all at the same time, I’m afraid.

We assembled a fab team of Hens, but oh deer (see what I did there?) couldn’t match them with enough Stags – doe!! Thanks to guys who DID step up, but we just couldn’t complete the line up in time for sufficient rehearsal.

BUT – ever resourceful and determined, we turned on a sixpence and are forging ahead with an alternative piece that features – guess what - six women! “The Regina Monologues” is not unknown to MDG, having been directed very successful by Carol a few years ago.
Beth and her “wives” are now in rehearsal – and really looking forward to the challenge.

If you are interested in supporting this production by working in a backstage role, please contact production@maidenhead-drama.org.uk. There are several roles that we need to fill and this could be your opportunity to step up. I refer you to Louise Punter who “called” the Panto from a standing start, did a fantastic job and can now add that to her skill set! Go Louise!

If you are unable to assist backstage, please support us by buying  tickets as the Box Office will shortly open! Dates remain the same 22nd-25th March at 8pm in The Studio at Norden Farm. Last year our Spring production sold out - don't miss out this year!
Maidenhead Festival 2017

Our entry to this year’s Festival will be The Red Balloon, directed by Zoe Roberts.
 
Auditions will take place at Babbage House on Thursday 26th January at 8.00pm
 
There are roles for 3 actors – 2 Female (1 younger, 1 older), 1 Male
 
Zoe says:
 
Described as a short play that pokes fun at the modernist genre, this piece will be fun, challenging and exciting for all those involved.
 
So let's get started!
 
If you would like see a copy of the script e-mail me Zoepenny@aol.com or you can call me on 07912 864190
 
If you really can't make this Thursday but want to audition then please call me.
Monday Morning Club
 
Have you got a couple of hours to spare on a Monday morning? We could get together in Babbage House/Waldeck House and if nothing else put the world to rights over a cuppa. My hope is that there are many things we can do to help MDG. There are plenty of little jobs we can help with:
  • The library needs to be set up following our removal from Foundation Park
  • We need to begin setting up the History Archive, especially as it is thought that the Guild will be 70 this year
  • Assisting our department heads by continuing the logging of all our assets onto the Guild laptop and repairing items such as props and costumes
  • Have occasional lessons in set painting and the like, and
  • Generally, keep our buildings neat and tidy
Do you fancy joining this merry little band? If so send me an email jimyates1@outlook.com and subject to the numbers involved I will arrange our first session as soon as possible.
Jim Yates

We want to hear from you!

If you have anything you would like to be included in next month's newsletter; photos from an event or rehearsal, a newspaper article, a review, or anything you think would be of interest to the MDG community then please email me HERE

If you would like to get in contact with another MDG committee member, you will find all their email contacts HERE
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