Hi Ho Hi Ho ~ this is about Panto

Yesterday I thought I had had one of those days, trying to sort out Brad and Janet's relationship when the Queen almost fell in the room. Slurring her words was not part of the image one associates with those sorts of people. She was rambling on about some vermin called Snowy when a strange bunch of Dwarfs stood in the doorway. 'Surprise' they shouted in unison. 'Go' I shouted, 'everyone just leave me alone'. Today I decided to visit my psychiatrist! Entering the room shaking hands I thought what a lovely shade of green the walls are, I don't know why I said that, he hadn't decorated since my last visit! I was telling him what is written here, when these 2 shady characters walked in mouthing off. Looking for a job mate Liam said, needs to pay his dentist Noel continued… 'Don't I know you' I said with matching face configuration. 'I like inflatable' one said. My face reconfigured, as my mind decided, this is another one of those days. The other one asked as here turned, 'looks like you have got a job mate', 'Only if I get there on time' the passing Huntsman replied. It wasn't long before I was in front of my own bathroom mirror. Let's hope tomorrow will be a calm and peaceful day. Tomorrow wasn't, as the mirror replied to Fairy in a tutu staring at me. 'This isn't real, is it!' I asked the mirror. 'Only if you want it to be' the psychiatrist replied. These soft walls are great, I murmured as I crumpled to the floor. 'Can't help you up Stephen, my straps are too tight'. Snow White - 'Not yer average panto'   Stephen Reade (Writer and Director) P.S. Will my tomorrows be like my past?

A message for TP Juniors & from TP Juniors to all members

2004 - 2005 has seen a large, noisy, but wonderfully enthusiastic group of Primary School Age Juniors turning up on Friday nights. We have been rehearsing a short show ("The Paper Bag Princess") which we intend to present to interested parents and Club Members on Friday 7^th October 2005 during the normal workshop times 6.30 - 8.00 p.m.. An invitation is extended to Parents and Members to come along. There will be an opportunity to buy refreshments before and after the performance.Friday night workshops for Juniors will resume on the 16^th September 2005. Sessions are 6.30 - 8.00 p.m. and 8.00 - 9.30p.m.. We look forward to a dramatic year. Tina Doake

Planning Meeting

Each year we try to arrange a planning meeting where members can come along and provide the committee with information about the types of production they would like to see us put together, or sometimes with ideas for productions that they may wish to try producing or directing themselves. This is invaluable because it lets us keep in touch with the members likes and provides us with a way of ensuring that we try to develop different genres of theatre for our increasingly wide audience base. This last year has been so incredibly busy I think it is amazing that some members have survived the workload.

You can all help! We need you the members to give us your ideas. This year we will start the process on Wednesday 5^th October at 7:30 pm in the Mill Theatre. We will pass information back to the committee to allow them to try and produce working plan for 2006. As things can change quite rapidly, we realise that these plans may have to be flexible in the coming year or so with the planned Mill extension work, we will have a second Planning Meeting to review our needs early in 2006  - at present we plan this for Wednesday 1^st February 2006 at 7:30pm in the Mill.

Come along  or forward your ideas to any committee member, or phone the Chairman / Secretary and let us know what you want  if you cannot attend. We will make sure your views are heard. Looking forward to a lot of high quality ideas again and a productive year. John Glen

The final comments on the drawings have now been returned to the architect and he has applied for the building warrant.  We have received funding of £5,000 from the Lottery ‘Awards For All’, and £4,200 from other sources.  Adding the club’s own contribution to that gives a total of over £16,000.  Other funding applications are in the pipeline.  Once detailed costs have been ascertained, we can apply to CASE for any shortfall.  Work should start later this year.  Alan Gerrard & Derek Bradstreet

This year the Whoops event ran for the ninth time. Every year the make up of the group changes as younger members grow up and move on. This year was no exception. Regrettably we had to resort to pulling names out of the hat after the closing date for applications and one or two members were disappointed, but, we hope they will not be put off and try again next time

Over the two weeks the juniors and their ‘aged’ helpers/organisers put in a massive amount of work and had a lot of fun. The end product was complex to say the least. Some of the feedback was that it may have been too complex and a new system of planning will be put in place for next year to help reduce workoads, increase workshop time and hopefully raise the performance levels and production levels for our ever multitalented and super enthusiastic junior members. I am told by all involved that they enjoyed themselves and the reports from older members of the players involved praised the juniors for their manners and conduct. So well done everyone! See you next year for our Tenth Anniversary Whoops!!! John Glen

Annual General Meeting

Thurso Players' AGM was held in The Mill Theatre on Thursday 26th May 2005.  A poor tournout - our membership is either (good scenario) happy with the way the committee is running the club, or, (bad scenario) apathetic! The committee for the 2005/6 season was elected as below:-

Honorary President                                Margaret, Lady Thurso

Hon. Vice Presidents                              Joan & Tom Meyrick

Chairman                                                  John Glen (01847 851490)

Vice Chairman                                        Eunice Cruickshank  (01847 894109)

Secretary                                                  Betty Bradstreet (01847 892019)

Treasurer                                                 Peter Jackson (01955 621254)

Committee Members                              Lesley Jackson     Mike Gordon

                                                                    Barbara Smith           Neil MacDonald

Holders of the following voluntary posts were co-opted to the committee, if not already elected.

Professional Programme Manager     Neil MacDonald

Child Protection Officer                        Mike Gordon

Mill Managers                                         John Firth & Alan Gerrard

Subscriptions secretary                        Lesley Jackson

SCDA Representative                            Deirdre Lawes

Wardrobe Manager                                Dot Murphy * 

*Eunice Cruickshank to act as interim wardrobe manager with a team of helpers during Dot’s maternity leave.

Subscriptions will remain at the present rate :-

Mort written by Terry Pratchett and adapted for the stage by Stephen Biggs, went on stage at the Mill in May. Terry Pratchett being so popular, we were anxious about disappointing fans with strong preconceptions about the characters, but this ws immediately subsumed by the exigencies of the cast topology – viz – how to cast around thirty different roles (not counting sundry wizards, courtiers & guards) with thirteen people. Dressing this confusing ensemble was thankfully allocated to Dot & Betty. Finally, confidence was entirely restored with the decision to install Derek in the lighting box, acting as the voice of Death – but not, of course, the body, this later insubstantial role going to the directors husband, Alistair.

Tight control of the production seemed assured – until encountering lighting and props. With over fifty lighting changes – so many that in the small space of our theatre, some cancelled one another out, Kevin at the desk and Jonathon Bligh, manning the follow spot and cueing multitudinous improbable sound effects, were turning grey. Barbara Barrett’s organisation of the props turned her into a player’s legend. Meanwhile the set building, engineered to cover a score of different scenes, was an oasis of order and serenity.

None of it would have succeeded without a good cast. Such a flexibe, good natured, supportive and talented group thoroughly deserved the excellent audience numbers – a very good audience on the first night and by two sell outs.Neil has captured the performance in a very professional DVD/video – shown at a very enjoyable club night in June. Contact Neil if you need a copy (but note that these are limited by copyright to those involved in the production). Eunice Cruickshank

click here for pictures of  Mort

Of Mice & Men

The desperate days of the American Economic Depression of the 1930’s were  brought to the stage  by Thurso Players  in June.  This  John  Steinbeck classic, directed by Iain MacDonald, told the story of Lennie and George, two migrant workers drifting from farm to farm while trying to raise a stake to buy their own little place. Despite the very short time available for rehearsal due to the re-scheduling of Mort, the cast worked very hard and everything came together beautifully.  The set, constructed by Stephen Reade, was outstanding and it really set the atmosphere for some of the best individual performances I have ever seen at the Mill.  The show played to near capacity audiences each night and was very well received.  Very few were unmoved by Lennie’s demise in the final scene and quite a number were seen to leave the auditorium handkerchief in hand.  The cast and crew really deserve credit for tackling this Steinbeck classic and making such a fine job of it. Neil Macdonald

click here for pictures of  Of Mice & Men

Professional Programme

The professional programme continues in September with the return of Fiona Knowles in ‘The Good, the Bad & the Botoxed’. From the pen of Rona Munro, three women held hostage in a Beauty Salon are forced to bargain for their lives, with unexpected results, in yet another funny & poignant comedy drama. The show will be at 8.00pm on Friday 9^th September and seats can be booked by calling Neil on 01847-896956.

On Saturday 1^st October there will be an evening of music presented by guitarist Martin Stevenson supported by father and son duo Johnny and Isaac Sutherland. Based on the response of their last performance at the Mill, demand for seats is sure to be high so remember to book early to avoid disappointment. Again seats can be booked by calling Neil on 01847-896956.

Following this performance, there will be a break in the programme to allow for the Pantomime and other festive activities but it will resume in the new year with a visit from guitar virtuoso Martin Taylor. Details of this performance will follow at a later date. Neil Macdonald

SCDA Festival 2006

Its about this time of year, before the Players go pell mell into panto mode, that we need to think beyond that time and consider another side of our performances.

Who is interested in competing in the SCDA One Act Play Festival in 2006? Last year, for the first time, our club did not compete in the adult festival, although our juniors supported their event. It is a fascinating experience to feel the adrenalin rush whilst either waiting to perform, support our team, on or off stage, or even anticipating the adjudicator’s comments.

So, if you are keen and willing to fulfil the commitment needed to direct a play for either the adult or junior festival, in February and March respectively, please notipfy the committee by 17^th of September with, if possible, your choice of play, so that consideration can be given to inclusion when planning next year’s programme.

Barbara Smith

A Chance At Our Dreams

This summer we jetted off (well jumped in a car to Glasgow), for Scottish Youth Theatres Summer Festival 2005! This year was to celebrate The 100_th year of Hans Christian Andersons birth, with The Snow Queen, Into The Light (an interpretation of the Matchstick Girl) and The Ugly Duckling! Arriving to find out we were both in the same show, The Snow Queen game us a great boost especially since our director was Carter Ferguson (River City’s Pc Harry Black).After a long first week of intense BOOT CAMP, well morning workouts!, and gruelling auditions among some of Scotland’s best actors along with participants from Austria, Portugal, Italy and Dubai we soon settle in. Then the day came for the parts being announced. Carly was granted the main part in the show Gerda and Mhairi the robber girl Niko and a solo singing part. We were both delighted as well as pleased for each other. During the next three weeks we had intense rehursals, the play was beging to come to take shape. Well 9 to 9 every day it ought to be! The Hard hard paid off when we presented an amazingly professional show to hundreds over 5 nights on the Citizens’ main stage. We both like to thank Thurso Players so much for there Funding they gave us both. For two country bumpkins in the big city this was an amazing learning curve. On life, friendship and overall the career we both wish to pursue Drama. Our love of this art has grown and our respect for it is so much stronger. Thank you again for all the support The Players have shown us be it with SYT or The Players itself it is very much appreciated. We had an hard working but very enjoyable Scottish Youth Theatre 2005 we recommend it to YOU ALL (ages 12-21!!!)

Mhairi Mackinnon & Carly Simpson

KEN MACLEOD

It was with deep regret that the Players noted the sudden death of Ken MacLeod on 10th August 2005.  Ken was a stalwart supporter of the club as treasurer for many years and later as auditor. Betty

STEAM HEAT

The Players have a high quality steam cleaner and attachments (as new) which is surplus to requirements. Cost around £200 new. Any offers?  telephone Betty on 892019 if interested or would like to view.

 

Thurso Players’ ~ Diary
The MsFits ~ The Good, the Bad and the Botoxed	Friday 9th September	The Mill	8.00pm
Martin Stevenson, Johnny & Isaac Sutherland	Saturday 1st October	The Mill	TBA
Planning Meeting	Wednesday 5th October	The Mill	7.30pm
TP Juniors ~The Paper Bag Princess	Friday 7th October	The Mill	6.30pm
TP Pantomime ~ Snowhite		Thurso HS	7.30pm