Arts
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Henley
Performing Arts: News 2003
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CABARET!
The Henley College Theatre Group's production of 'Cabaret' took place
in December 2003. The open auditions in September drew a large number
of students from across the college. The standard was high and the successful
thirty-two strong cast had been in rehearsal since the start of term.
Including technical support, front of house and band the company comprised
of over sixty students. The musical is an important event in the college
calendar and gives students the opportunity to experience what it is like
working on a show to professional standards. As the new Director of Drama,
this was Liz Yates's first year directing the musical, but she is no stranger
to the company having worked as choreographer on previous productions
including 'Hair' at this year's Fringe.
Liz said "it is a challenge to inject old favourites with new life
but hopefully this production will do just that. It is an energetic and
lively musical but there is a sting in the tale." 'Cabaret' follows
the story of Clifford Bradshaw, played by Ameer Choudrie, as he journeys
to Berlin to write his novel and becomes intoxicated by the Kit Kat Club
and Sally Bowles, played by Ali Prosser. But whilst the club provides
a means of escape from the realities of life, events in the city forebode
a more sinister turn of events.
TIE PROJECT NOW IN ITS 5TH YEAR: NOVEMBER 2003
In what has now become an annual event on the first year of the National
Diploma course, the students mounted their Theatre In Education in tour
this week.
The aim of the project is to create and tour a complete TIE experience
to local primary schools. The students are responsible for taking an idea
and transforming it into a performance piece and accompanying educational
workshop. This year the topic chosen by the schools was 'The Ancient Greeks'.
Naturally, the students chose to focus on the theatre of the Greeks. The
finished pieces merged influences as diverse as Harry Potter, the Spice
Girls and the legendary 118 Man.
The TIE tour is one of the highlights of the First Year's calendar and it is exciting to see college students out in the community with their work within weeks of joining the course.
HAIR AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL: WE NOW HAVE THE DETAILS!
The "Hair" machine has been working steadily and we are now able to confirm some really exciting details. The venue is now confirmed as The Studio of Augustine's Theatre.
The show dates are 12 - 25 August, meaning we are running for the two
peak weeks of the festival. Ticket prices are expected to be £5
and £3.50 (concs).
Really exciting news is the confirmation that the band will be joined
by a sitar player, Pauli Atzei. Pauli is a well established musician,
who has played with many bands incuding Cornershop.
Full information and tickets are available NOW from www.edfringe.com !
ONCE A CATHOLIC BY MARY O'MALLEY 17 - 21 JUNE 2003
"Once a Catholic, Always a Catholic. That's the rule."
The BND in Drama Graduation Show
This satirical comedy is a story of sexual awakening set against the backdrop of the rise of the teenager in the 1950's. In the Lady of Fatima Convent where everyone's called Mary, the girls fight for an individual voice against the dictatorial institutions of the school and church.
There is no room for questions and Mary Mooney soon finds herself compromised by naïve innocence and enforced ignorance.
Tickets on available from Deanfield reception in person or on 01491 579988
priced £6/£5 (concs).
THE CROSSING PATH: MAY 2003
Second year students on the BND in Drama were highly praised for their production of a new play 'The Crossing Path' by Maya Chowdhry as part NT Shell Connections when they premiered the production at the college in March. David McFeteridge from the National Theatre commented on the production as "a very good ensemble executed by a talented company". In May The Theatre Royal Bath hosted a festival of work in the region as part of the NT Shell Connections project and the company were invited to perform at The Ustinov Studio.
'The Crossing Path' company outside the Ustinov Studio with the NT Shell Connections promotional car!
THE CROSSING PATH 26 - 29 MARCH 2003
A new play by Maya Chowdhry
Take a journey with Rhiannon into another world
When you've lived in a community all your life and rely on tarot cards to make your decisions, a new adventure is daunting.
But what is her destiny and who will cross her path?
A youthful journey. Stepping onto the path with no fear of the future.
The Completely Cuckoo Theatre Company presents this new play as part
of NT Shell Connections, a celebration of youth theatre, organised by
the National Theatre
This production has been sponsored by Merril Commercial Consultants Ltd
NEW PRODUCTION OF LORD OF THE FLIES: MARCH 2003
Next week (Tuesday 11 - Saturday 15) sees the new production from the Completely Cuckoo Theatre Company, "Lord Of The Flies" by William Golding, adapted by Nigel Williams.
Golding's first novel is a modern classic. The story centres around a group of children who become isolated from the outside world when their plane crashes. Their survival on the island becomes a journey of self discovery as each child has to decide whether to cling onto the last vestiges of the world they left behind or descend into their "hearts of darkness" and become the savage that lurks within us all. The play adaptation loses none of the power of the novel as the cast reccreate this dark and chilling story.
Director Nic Saunders says "It's been a harrowing piece to work on. The situation could so easily be real and the questions the piece asks are very uncomfortable ones. The term 'powerful' is overused in theatre, but this piece really is and has had a profound effect on the cast and crew."
Kieran Hance takes the role of Ralph, Cheryl Grey is Piggy and Amy Roberts plays Jack in this innovative new adaptation.
STUDENTS GET CONNECTED: FEBRUARY 2003
The department is taking part in a genuinely exciting project this month as it joins forces with both The National Theatre and Shell in its celebration of youth theatre, NT Shell Connections.
The scheme allows student groups to tackle original work with the eventual hope of performing them on the South Bank. Under the direction of Liz Yates, the College is tackling "The Crossing Path" by Maya Chowdhry.
Further details will appear on this site, but information can also be found now at the NT Shell Connections website.
HAIR-RAISING: FEBRUARY 2003
As the dust settles on the christmas production of HAIR and before the Edinburgh bandwagon begins to roll, director Nic Saunders is pleased to announce that HAIR gave £100 to the college Amnesty International society.
"The show was all about promoting the message of Peace and, as people have said, very anti-war, so it just felt right to make a contribution to an organisation, such as Amnesty, that is committed to promoting that goal all over the world" commented Nic.
HAIR@THE FRINGE: JANAURY 2003
After the success of "Hair" in December - the big news is that the show is going to be revamped in July and entered in the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.
At the moment details are sketchy and all venue news, ticket availabilty, etc will be announced here on the site as soon as they're known, but it promises to be a really exciting venture. The proposed dates for the Edinburgh show are 12 - 17 August.
The show will be reworked into a "darker, grungier feel" and, director Nic Saunders says "It will still have the same anti-war vibe as the original run, but gain more of an edge. We're going to try and create a more authentic look and sound this time round - more original 60's clothes, Hammond organs, and the like."
More details will appear soon - don't forget to check out the "HAIR" pictures and stuff in the Productions section. Keep watching the skies.
