Is it really like that?  You might well ask.  To attempt twenty-six scenes of "plays within plays", involving numerous costume and set changes from backstage theatre areas to performances of bits of plays to a "dummy" audience might suggest that the mad March hare has struck early at The Mill.  But no. A LIFE IN THE THEATRE by David Mamet is well underway in rehearsal.

The play is directed by Betty Bradstreet ably assisted by Stage Manager Rob Roy.  With set makers, Barbara Barrett on props and live music from Lesley Jackson this is one of those plays where there are far more people backstage (and occasionally on) than there are performing.  Wardrobe (Dot and Chris) have been asked to produce and organise costumes to fit Elizabethan drama, Confederate Army, French revolution and Emergency Ward 10 amongst others.  Ken Murphy and Iain MacDonald are the hard-worked pair of actors whose changing relationship we follow throughout their many two-handed performances.

Much of the amusement (and pathos) arises from their backstage antics and we witness a few slick strips between their over-the-top repertory scenes.  It has been said that this is a play for players, and indeed there are many identifiable moments we recognise.  It will be worth coming to see how the team cope.

A LIFE IN THE THEATRE is on in The Mill on the 16th, 17th and 18th of March and bookings made through Judy and Mike Gordon on 894929.

Barbara Smith (Producer)

Mother Goose – for just under 4 months September to December there was everything from praise and joy to wailing and gnashing of teeth. Who, I hear you ask was that? Well the answer was probably every member of the pantomime participants. Whether they were on stage or backstage, everyone had their highs and lows. Fortunately for both the audiences and I not one person threw a big enough wobbly to walk away. What did we get…….? I can only say that we got a wonderful set of performances that had audiences happy and singing your praises.

I must admit that being on my second pantomime in a row, I felt a little more certain that I thought I knew what I was doing. Again, fortunately, those Super Heroes of the Stage , Super Stage Manager, Technical Boffin Boy, Wardrobe Wifie, and the Marvellous Musicians, accompanied by the Phantom Propper, kept me right.

To them and those of you Front of House a big thank you for taking a lot of the stress off of my shoulders. To the cast, thank you for making the rehearsals run smoothly, and for getting onstage with great flair when the time came. So lets look forward to a busy year and lots of hard work before someone not too far away steps up and begins the difficult task of Panto 2005.

The recordings of this year’s performances have been edited, Neil MacDonald  arranged to come along and show the resulting DVD on Friday 18^th February. Those who attended enjoyed reliving their performances and copies of the production are now available for sale. If you are interested contact Neil for details. John Glen

Click Picture to see other Panto Photos

Starlight Express

Our older Junior members ( those of High School age) have been asking for a while if we could organise a trip to a large theatre to see a production. We have investigated this and are suggesting the following as the compromise best suited to providing the trip at the most sensible price. The reopening of the new touring production of ‘Starlight Express’ is in Edinburgh over Easter. We are suggesting that a coach load of members of High school age and above might go and see the show on Saturday 9^th April if tickets are still available. The rough plan for travel is as follows:

• Depart Mill Theatre 06.00hrs
• Arrive Edinburgh 12:00hrs approx
• Lunch 12:00 to 13:30hrs
• Matinee Show 14:00hrs to 16:30

• Depart Edinburgh 17:00 hrs with a meal break en route north.
• Arrive Thurso midnight approx

The cost would be approximately £55 each depending on final bus quote. All adult members of the Players are also welcome to attend. The bus holds 48 and we will need names back by 12^th March if this is to go ahead. Parents of interested juniors or adult members please contact John Glen on 01847 851490 to reserve your place. John Glen

TP Professional Programme

Suspect Culture will be presenting "A Different Language" on Thursday 24th March at 8pm.   The play is set in a world of internet chatrooms, life-coaches and easyJet.  We follow two solitary people, one Italian, one British, as they search for that one perfect person who will be their soul mate.  The play is performed in English and Italian. "The most adventurous, most in-tune-with-the-times theatre company in Britain" - review from The Times.

UK Foundation for Dance presents the dancer David Hughes in a one-man show with music ranging from Debussy and flamenco to modern jazz, and four pieces choreographed by Siobhan Davies, Javier de Frutos, Cesc Gelabert and Pit Fong Loh. "With just his body, a few music tapes and an empty stage, David Hughes creates dance pictures so vivid they populate your mind long after ........ four pieces that any dancer would die for" - review from The Independent.

Sometime in the first week of June (date yet to be confirmed) Rapture Theatre will present the Scottish premiere of the award-winning Blue Orange by Joe Penhall.  This play opened at The National in 2000 and won The London Evening Standard, Critics Circle and Olivier awards for Best New Play.  Joe Penhall's first play for the National is an incendiary tale about race, madness and a Darwinian power struggle at the heart of a dying NHS. "Just in terms of its brilliant range and control of dynamics, Blue/Orange is superb drama. You are sustained by the energy and skill of the actors and Penhall's dialogue from first to last, and you attend with your heart in your mouth."  - review from The Financial Times. Rowland Brooks

Professional Programme Manager

Unfortunately Rowland Brooks, in the process of taking over the post from Jacqui Robertson, has found that he is unable to continue and we are looking for someone to take it on. The job involves booking companies, raising funding, arranging publicity, bookings and front of house.  Assistance is always available.  Any volunteers?  If you are interested and/or would like more information, please phone Jacqui on 896901 or Betty on 892019.

Telephone Trouble T’Mill

We’ve got a problem with the landline to The Mill.  At present the only point working is on the lighting box stairs, so, if you hear a distant ringing, try there!

There is a lot of scope in this play for interesting special effects and staging, so people interested in both helping and advising on the technical side will be very welcome indeed. The first technical meeting will be in the Mill on Tuesday at 8 pm. Please come along if you would like to help. There is a good mix of large and small character roles for all ages from 16 up, and no reason why the actors cannot also play a part in the production team. Casting will be in the Mill on Thursday, March 10th at 7.30 with rehearsals starting as soon as possible.

If you are interested or want to make a contribution at the planning stage, contact director Eunice Cruickshank on 894109.  Eunice Cruickshank

A Whale of a time, or will I get the Bird? In a rush of adrenaline after The Little Shop of Horrors I rashly undertook to direct another drama with music and the Players committee, perhaps even more rashly, agreed a slot for September 2005. I’m still swithering between two scripts. First is “Listen To The Wind” by Angela Ainsley Jeans with music and verse from Vivian Ellis. It was rewritten slightly in the 1970’s for a successful revival version. With a cast of 8 adults and 3 children it’s a pretty little story about a well off Edwardian family with no mother and father who have hit upon hard times. There’s an evil lawyer telling them that they have no family fortune left and so they must leave their comfortable existence. I can hear the “aah’s”” already! The children fall asleep and are transported to a magical land to find that all the adults are transformed into other characters such as a sea witch and the four winds along with a gale bird before waking up and returning home to …..  we’ll leave that bit as a surprise. The story line is strong, even if a little sugary and the music’s super.
	The alternative is “Moby Dick – The Musical” by Robert Longden and Hereward Kaye. Another successful, if somewhat of a cult musical, this is fast paced, madcap story of a private girls school in decline. There’s a serious shortage of funds and is the barbed wire and security to keep students in or trespassers out? One young girl writes a version of the Herman Melville story and the headmistress/master (even the script’s not sure!) which is put on as a fund raising event. The storyline is reasonably true to the original and meant to be serious. The girls turn it into something quite different! The set would be (very) difficult to sort out whilst the music is strong, very varied in style (pop to Gilbert & Sullivan via gospel and sea shanty) and similar to “Little Shop” in that much of the script is sung rather than a song being obviously cued. Think along the lines of a musical St.Trinian’s Scores and libretto (plural = libretti?) are available for amateur production but there is a bit of a problem with “The Gale Bird” in that some of the revisions are handwritten and there’s at least one song missing! Both have opportunities for adults and younger people but it will be restricted to secondary school age. Auditions for both script and music will take place and a strict “three strikes and you’re out” will apply to miscreants. Might only be two if caught on a particularly bad day. Glyn and Lesley have been involved and are confident that musically both are possible even to writing music for the missing song for “The Gale Bird” and in the next few weeks we’ll have a production meeting – always assuming anyone’s mad enough to volunteer – and agree what is to be done and exact dates for it.
Time scales are provisionally to start rehearsing straight after Whoops and anyone wanting to audition will need to think about holidays and perhaps start times for university. I’d be really pleased to hear from anyone interested in helping out with the production. It’ll be hard work for all - but will be fun! Mike Gordon

Junior News

Christmas is over and were on our way, 2005 and were hear ‘till May

Ideas are like fireworks exploding all around

With Glynn and Lesley’s workshop came a musical sound

Ian on movement the Big Ones to act, With the Teeniez’ to start there play that’s a fact

Which of the stories were not sure yet, But well know quite soon do not fret

Tops Catalogue to the reps is in the post, The new times on a Friday well make the most

6.30 – 8.00 the Teeniez reach for the sky, 8.00 – 9.30 the Juniors fly on but why?

As warm ups and cool downs are part of each night,Going home after relaxation they’re a calmer sight

Don’t forget to read the article we’ve got our show, Uncle Johns talk on Starlight to Edinburgh we go

A trip of fun and a chance to see, A professional show with you and me

Bullets Below explain the finer bits, The inners and outers of the Juniors Glitz

Our HOLLYWOOD – The Mill our fun and smiles, Each Friday with learning so worth its while

See you all soon and keep up the fun, Mhairi And Carlys report is finally done!!!

• Tops and Merchandise catalogue is on its way to the mill and should arrive soon!
• Any adults wishing to hold a workshop on Friday for at the moment the older age group please contact Mhairi or Carly with details, All Theatre Arts more than welcome. 
• Little Ones will start their Play after the Panto Showing.
• A note to all parents that when your child brings a friend they have three weeks trial then must complete membership and contact form
• Any other Comments, Suggestions or Queries please feel free to pop in on a Friday and just ask.

Mhairi & Carly (Junior Reps.)

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