Angles Theatre 2016 Spring Brochure

The Wisbech Angles Theatre is the 8th oldest working theatre in the country and we will provide you with the best in professional and amateur entertainment.

telephone: 01945 47 44 47 email: office@anglestheatre.co.uk bookings & information: www.anglestheatre.co.uk follow us on: logos f The Wisbech Angles Theatre Council • Charity number 278240

The Wisbech

ANGLES THEATRE

Spring/Summer 2016

Bookings

Welcome

BOOKINGS ONLINE: All tickets may be booked

ACCESS: The Angles Theatre is pleased to welcome

online with a booking fee of £0.75 per ticket.

disabled visitors who use manual wheelchairs. Patrons are required to book a wheelchair space when booking their tickets. A row of seats, able to accommodate a wheelchair and a companion, are provided on Row X. We can accommodate up to four wheelchairs per performance. Please try to arrive at least 20 minutes before the start. There are disabled toilet facilities.

Health and Safety regulations prevent access for users of electric wheelchairs or multifunction disabled chairs.

There are also two short flights of stairs from the bar to the auditorium to be aware of, as well as steps leading up the rows of seats.

BOOKINGS IN PERSON: The Angles Theatre box

office is open: • Monday to Friday from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm • Saturdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon • For one hour before performances.

BOOKING & QUERIES BY TELEPHONE: Outside

the times above there is a voicemail service. Calls will be returned as soon as possible but we cannot guarantee to respond on the same day.

BOOKINGS BY POST : Please give full details

DATA PROTECTION ACT 1998: The Angles

of the time and date of the performance required.

Enclose a cheque or postal order made payable to the Angles Theatre with a stamped addressed envelope.

Theatre will use your information to provide you with tickets for events, together with information about other events that may be of interest to you. You have the right to ask for your personal details to be removed from the database at any time; to not be sent publicity; to see a copy of the information held about you; to have any inaccuracies corrected.

BANK CARDS: A £1 handling charge is added to

credit card transactions in person or by telephone.

GROUP BOOKINGS: Buy 10 tickets and get 1 free

- available for most shows.

Restricted views

REFUNDS: Tickets cannot be exchanged or money

refunded. Returned tickets will be offered for re-sale ONLY when that same event is sold out. We have a handling charge of £1 per ticket for this service.

Find us BOX OFFICE: 01945 474 447

reserves the right to make any changes to the information contained in this brochure or on its website if an event is cancelled.

for most performances. Concession prices are available to senior citizens, students up to 19 (with Student Cards), children 16 years and under and the registered disabled. not enjoy certain performances and could possibly disrupt the enjoyment of others. We therefore reserve the right to restrict admission at our discretion.

Look no further because this is a perfect season of events to cover all your theatre tastes.

OTHER INFORMATION: The Angles Theatre

CONCESSIONS: Reduced price tickets are available

PLEASE NOTE: Children under the age of four may

The Angles Theatre has an exciting and varied range of events to entertain you from now to August. From the epic musical “Les Misérables School Edition” by RATz Youth, professional events such as the Tommy Cooper Tribute and an afternoon with Frank Williams, Dad‘s army‘s vicar, in “More Tea Vicar?”, musical events like Tommy Loose in “EARogenous Zones” and regular quality bands and musicians on Thursdays, events by local partners The Wisbech Players, W.A.O.D.S. and Katy Lilley‘s School of Dance to holiday activities such as the drama workshops for children and in particular the Angles Theatre‘s Open Day.

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STAGE

ADMINISTRATION 01945 585 587 EMAIL ENQUIRIES: office@anglestheatre.co.uk POSTAL ADDRESS: Angles Theatre, Alexandra Road, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire PE13 1HQ

Our Sponsors

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Wisbech Town Council

Support your local theatre . . .

Support your local theatre . . .

. . . we survive on donations from the general public and local organisations.

Here are some ideas for donations . . .

. . . become a volunteer Technical volunteers

Learn and practice designing, to rigging and to operating lighting and sound.

£10

£50

£100

£250

Buy-a-brick to increase our air conditioning fund

Buy black paint to repaint the stage after each event

To replace a moving light lamp in the theatre

To replace an auditorium seat with your name on it

Support building and painting sets, making or managing props, working backstage during a performance and helping to make and organise costumes.

£500

£1,000

£5,000

£15,000

Pay for a professional act to perform at the Theatre

Support the production costs of a RATz event

Support the refurbishment of the gent‘s toilets

Support the refurbishment of the dance studio

. . . become a member

Programme Sponsorship

£150 + VAT

£250 + VAT

£500 + VAT

£200 + VAT

Buy a 1/4 page advert in an event programme

Buy a 1/2 page advert in an event programme

Buy a full page advert in an event programme

Buy a centre page banner in an event programme

Performance Sponsorship

£2000 + VAT Support the production and running costs of a RATz event

Customer facing volunteers

Help with front of house staff, box office and working behind the bar.

Backstage support volunteers

£10 a year

£20 a year

£12 a year

Voice your opinions on the Angles Youth Council.

Get 10% off tickets for selected events.

Join at the box office.

Note: All RATz events require actors to be a Youth Angler or an Adult Angler.

You get voting rights at the Angles’ AGM and a 10% discount on tickets for selected events per annum.

Join at the box office.

Win cash prizes at regular monthly draws. Membership runs from the 1st November to the 31st October annually.

Join at the box office or set up a standing order.

Note: Fortune Club membership is open to adults only

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Season‘s Events in date order

Half Term Workshops A Play in a Day Mon 15 to Wed 17 Feb - p26

Thursday Whatever!

Jenson Duo Thu 18 Feb - p18

Anette Mutton in A Date with Doris Day Tribute Fri 19 Feb - p12

Angles Theatre Open Day Sat 20 Feb - p27

W.A.O.D.S Annie Wed 9 to Sat 12 March - p22

Ratzcool Connections 500 The Musicians Fri 18 & Sat 19 March - p19

Thursday Whatever!

Scurll & Garford Thu 24 March - p18

RATz Youth Les Misérables School Edition Fri 1 to Sat 9 April - p8/9

Thursday Whatever!

Phil Hare Thu 14 April - p18

Dad‘s Army‘s Frank Williams in More Tea Vicar Sat 16 April - p13

The Wisbech Players All My Sons Tue 19 to Sat 23 April - p23

Calling For Help!

“Man v mother-in-law” Wed 27 April - p14

Radio 4‘s The Archers Sunny Ormande Fri 29 April - p15

EARogenous Zones Tommy Loose Sat 30 April - p17

16 to 29 May - p20/21

RATz One Man Two Guvnors Thu 12 to Sat 14 May - p10

Just Like That!

The Tommy Cooper Show Fri 20 May - p16

Half Term Workshops A Play in a Day Tue 31 May to Wed 2 June - p28

RATz Return to Broadway Thu 9 to Sat 11 June - p11

Ratzcool Showcase Earth, Wind and Fire Fri 17 & Sat 18 June - p24

Katy Lilley‘s School of Dance in Carry on Dancing Mon 4 to Sat 9 July - p25

Junior Summer Workshop Disney‘s Aladdin Kids Mon 25 to Fri 29 July - p29

Senior Workshop Return to the Forbidden Planet Mon 8 to Fri 19 August - p30

More Thursday Whatever! on the following dates: Thursday 26th May Thursday 16th June Thursday 21st July Thursday 11th August

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

A RATz production

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RATztion

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A musical by ALAIN BOUBLIL and CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG • Based on the novel by VICTOR HUGO Music by CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG • Lyrics by HERBERT KRETZMER Original French text by ALAIN BOUBLIL and JEAN-MARC NATEL • Additional Material by JAMES FENTON Orchestrations by JOHN CAMERON Original London production directed and adapted by TREVOR NUNN and JOHN CAIRD Original London production by CAMERON MACKINTOSH and THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY School Edition specially adapted and licensed by JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL and CAMERON MACKINTOSH (OVERSEAS) LIMITED

Les Misérables is the longest running musical in the world!

In October 2015 Les Misérables celebrated its 30th anniversary.

In that time the musical has been translated into 22 different languages, played in 44 countries and 347 cities to over 70 million audiences.

It has won 125 major theatrical awards and is London‘s longest running musical ever.

Les Misérables School Edition was launched in America in 2001.

Since then there have been over 4,000 productions in the US, Australia and the UK, making the most successful and popular musical to be performed by youth groups.

Friday 1st April 7:30pm Saturday 2nd April 2:30pm Saturday 2nd April 7:30pm Tuesday 5th April 7:30pm Wednesday 6th April 7:30pm Friday 8th April 7:30pm Saturday 9th April 2:30pm Saturday 9th April 7:30pm Tickets £11 (£9 concessions) Suitable for 8+ years

Performed entirely by students 9

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

t produc

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

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RATzion

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RATcztion

produ

An adaptation of Carlo Goldoni’s classic comedy “Servant of Two Masters” written in 1746, bang in the middle of the Georgian era which was when the Wisbech Theatre was built.

In 1960s Brighton a young man is employed by two thugs - a gangster and an upper class criminal.

Neither know they employ the same man. And neither must ever know.

However the two thugs’ lives are already intertwined!!

Audience participation will help resolve the dilemmas which will undoubtedly arise.

Thursday 12th May 7:30pm Friday 13th May 7:30pm Saturday 14th May 7:30pm Tickets £11 (£9 concessions) 10 Suitable for 14+ years

Thursday 9th June 7:30pm Friday 10th June 7:30pm Saturday 11th June 7:30pm Tickets £11 (£9 concessions) Suitable for 12+ years

A journey through Broadway and beyond that will leave you screaming for more!!

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An exhilarating and enjoyable musical voyage covering a wide range of classic and some not so classic, songs from Broadway musicals through the years.

A RATz production

A RATz production

by Richard Bean

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

Tribute

, DAD S ARMY

A hilarious audience with . .

VICAR FRANK WILLIAMS

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

A Date with D oris D ay

Following the success of her one woman show in 2014 “An Evening with Marlene Dietrich”, writer and performer Anette Mutton has created “A Date with Doris Day”.

Was Doris Day really “Miss Chastity Belt” as portrayed in her films?

Find out about her life off screen and enjoy hearing her best known numbers from “Sentimental Journey” to “Que Sera Sera”.

Written and performed by Anette Mutton Accompanied on the piano by Paul Stewart Supported using public funding by Arts Council England

Friday 19th February 7:30pm Tickets £11 (£9 concessions) 12 Suitable for 14+ years

Everyone loved Dad‘s Army.

Even after 50 years it still pulls huge viewing figures plus a West End success, a Royal Variety Performance and a successful national tour.

Frank will relay a unique glimpse behind the scenes and stories of the celebrated TV and film casts.

Saturday 16th April 3:00pm Tickets £12 (£10 concessions) Suitable for 14+ years 13

Frank Williams will also sign copies of his best-selling autobiography, “Vicar to Dad‘s Army”.

“He tells of his craft with an infectious geniality.”

Daily Telegraph

Professional event

Professional event

Join Frank Williams for a hilarious afternoon of TV nostalgia.

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk Sean wants to fight fires and save lives - so why is he working in a call centre with his mother-in-law Rachel? When his ambitions take a bizarre turn, Rachel starts to panic - he has put her family, home and job at risk!

Meanwhile Sean is having fun . . . until he notices some strange goings-on.

Why is Rachel so concerned Wednesday 27th April 7:30pm about his marriage? Why is she turning everyone against him?

Tickets £12 (£10 concessions) And is his newborn baby really 14 Suitable for 14+ years talking to him?

“Sunny dances in and out of Lilians character with ease, but also with Drama . . . Shirley Valentine . . . Under Milk Wood . . . stories and anecdotes galore . . . . an evening to remember!”

Friday 29th April 7:30pm Tickets £11 (£9 concessions) Suitable for 16+ years

PLUS a question and answer session with the audience about the making of the Archers.

And last but not least –A prize for the most original Archers question!!!

You don’t have to be an Archers listener to enjoy this highly entertaining evening!

There is something for everyone!

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Professional event

Professional event

Sunny has been playing the “outrageous and raunchy Lilian Bellamy” in Radio 4’s The Archers for the past 15 years and has become one of the listeners most favorite characters! Her antics have kept the nation gripped and entertained, whether it be riding round Ambridge on a Harley Davidson or absconding to Costa Rica with her beloved and recently departed Tiger or even the knitting, the collagen and Calendar Girls!

In tonight‘s show Sunny will cover behind the scenes stories about the World‘s longest running soap opera - an evening of anecdotes, banter and favorite pieces from Sunny‘s long and distinguished acting career.

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

Radio 4 The Archers Sunny Ormande

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

The laugh, the hand gestures and Cooper‘s whole persona are encapsulated perfectly. His timing and delivery will keep you in fits of laughter throughout the evening and more!!

This show had a successful run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and a 12 week run in a brand new West End theatre.

Friday 20th May 7:30pm Tickets £12 (£10 concessions) Suitable for 14+ years

Saturday 30th April 7:30pm Tickets £7 17

Music event

Professional event

John Hewer is superb at playing Tommy Cooper.

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

Thursdays at 8:00pm £4 on the door

Ratzcool present

JENSON DUO

18th February

Singer/actress Vicki Mason and songwriter/pianist Jenny Gould combine to deliver a diverse mix of songs from show tunes through jazz standards to original songs penned by Jenny.

As well as an actress/singer, Vicki runs a musical theatre school and teaches singing. Jenny performs regularly in and around London and has recently released her first EP (mini album).

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

Thursday Whatever!

Music in the Bar

DEREK SCURLL & IVAN GARFORD 24th March

Derek, an in-demand percussionist, who studied the vibraphone with the legendary Roger Beaujoulais, and Ivan an in-demand pianist present a spontaneous evening of improvisation in jazz themes and “out there” sound textures.

PHIL HARE 14th April

More quality musicians also appearing on

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Thursday 26th May Thursday 16th June Thursday 21st July Thursday 11th August

An intriguing, funny and moving play specially written by one of Britain’s 19 leading playwrights.

Ratzcool event

Music events

A folk singer and virtuoso acoustic guitarist who is highly regarded as one of the finest and most distinctive guitarists in the UK.

A school orchestra, on a tour to The challenge for Ratzcool is to present Moscow, encounter last minute this play to a National Theatre director chaos when all their instruments are as part of Connections 500 - the confiscated before they are due to play Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony in a Biggest Youth Festival on the Planet.

Moscow concert room.

Friday 18th and Needless to say, the show must go on! Help is on hand from a young Saturday 19th March Russian cleaner, a devoted fan of The 7:30pm • £5 Who and Pinball Wizard.

For For full full details details and and to to book book tickets tickets visit: visit:

BRINKS

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS The Brinks Festival’

May 2016 - it’s back!

showcasing the arts

With a diverse and exciting programme, the Brinks is back with two weeks of unmissable talent. This season’s festival will see a wide range of high quality artists, in music, dance, art, performance and spoken word events - from film screenings to a puppet opera!

16-29

MAY

27TH MAY

BlIND SUmmIT REINVENTING PUPPETRY for modern adult audiences Blind Summit are renowned for the contemporary reworking of the ancient art-form of Bunraku in their own productions and collaborations.

Currently led by Artistic Director Mark Down, their mission is to present new puppets in new places, and in new ways to new audiences. At a time when theatre is so under threat from the proliferation of new media, puppetry is one of the areas which offers a unique, live experience for audiences. Blind Summit present an hour long session introducing puppets and art to delivering their unique productions.

JamES RHoDES

MEET THE AUTHOR Channel 4 Presenter, writer, and award-winning journalist.

Emma is a best selling author, TV presenter on Channel 4’s Supersize vs Superskinny and the great-niece of Virginia Woolf. Her new book is a manifesto for a more humanfriendly, earth-friendly existence – without rules or deprivation. Join Emma on a journey to reclaim the peace that nature provides, find fulfilment in the everyday, rejoice in humanity and live a positively primal life.

Wisbech Town Council

17TH

MAY

MAY

Emma Woolf

Thank you to our Sponsors and Patrons

date to be confirmed

Here are just some of our highlights - so pick up a programme or go online to see full details and to book your tickets.

25TH

2016 The Brinks Festival is brought to you by: Octavia Hill Birthplace Museum Trust 7 South Brink, Wisbech. Reg Charity 2797996

www.thebrinksfestival.org

INSTRUMENTAL: an evening with James Rhodes Maverick concert pianist James Rhodes discusses his controversial memoir INSTRUMENTAL live on stage – a brutally honest, moving and compelling story that was almost banned. Music has been the one thread that has held him together through the ups and downs of his extraordinary life.

Presented with James’ trademark mix of humour, searing honesty and inspiring piano performances, INSTRUMENTAL is an impassioned tribute to the power of music and its potential to transform all of our lives.

Thank you to

Elizabeth Wright Charity

Angles Theatre

FESTIVAL

PROGRAMME 21

The full festival programme can be found on our website, with dates, times, venues and ticket prices.

Ticket sales open 21 March 2016.

Book by Thomas Meehan • Music by Charles Strouse • Lyrics by Martin Charnin • Original production directed by Martin Charnin and produced by Irwin Meyer, Stephen Friedman, Lewis Allen, Alvin Nederlander Assoc. Inc. at the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Icarus Productions • Based on ‘Little Orphan Annie ® by permission of the Tribune Media Services Inc. This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD. On behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of NEW YORK.

www.waods.org.uk affiliated to NODA

Wednesday 9th March 7:30pm Thursday 10th March 7:30pm Friday 11th March 7:30pm Saturday 12th March 2:30pm Saturday 12th March 7:30pm Tickets £11 (£9 concessions) 22 Suitable for 6+ years

The Wisbech Players’ Spring 2016 production is “All My Sons” by Arthur Miller. This was Miller‘s first commercially successful stage play, written at the end of the Second World War. This powerful drama, based on a true story, is set in 1946 and concerns issues of betrayal, guilt, denial and retribution. It contains elements of a Greek tragedy.

Joe Keller has made his fortune from the manufacture of aircraft parts.

Under pressure from the authorities he knowingly allowed defective parts to be shipped out from his factory, with disastrous consequences, and subsequently stood by while his partner and neighbour, Steve, took the rap. The whole family has dealt with their suspicions in various ways, and Joe is still idolised by his sole surviving son, Chris. But everything comes to a head when George, Steve‘s son, pays a visit.

Tuesday 19th April 7:30pm Wednesday 20th April 7:30pm Thursday 21st April 7:30pm Friday 22nd April 7:30pm Saturday 23rd April 7:30pm Tickets £11 (£9 concessions) Suitable for 16+ years

Some of the issues raised by the play caused Miller to be summoned before the House Unamerican Activities Committee, an experience which led him to write what was perhaps his greatest play, ”The Crucible”.

2015 marked the centenary of Arthur Miller‘s birth.

Local partners

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

Local partners

Annie is a spunky orphan determined to find her parents who abandoned her on the steps of the New York City Orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan.

Annie foils Miss Hannigan‘s machinations, befriends President Roosvelt and finds a new family with billionaire Oliver Warbucks.

This musical will appeal to young and old alike with foot-tapping songs and dance and as with all good stories a happy ending

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

Wisbech Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

Ratzcool event

Friday 17th June 7:30pm Saturday 18th June 7:30pm Tickets £5 24

Monday 4th July 7:30pm Tuesday 5th July 7:30pm Wednesday 6th July 7:30pm Friday 8th July 7:30pm Saturday 9th July 2:30pm Saturday 9th July 7:30pm £11 (£9 concessions)

Showcasing new skills to some of the greatest movie scores of all time.

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Local partners

After a successful “Around the World in a 1000 years” in the autumn, Ratzcool will be showcasing their spring and summer term‘s lessons in acting, singing, dance and drama.

Lessons have been loosely based on the elements “EARTH, WIND and FIRE”.

kat y lille y‘s school of dance en d o f year e xtravagan z a

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

Ratzcool Summer Showcase

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

Angles Theatre OPEN DAY

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

February Half Term Workshops

Three days of different workshops.

Each day you will create a new play.

Two age groups - 5 to 8 and 9 to 12 years

Monday 15th February Tuesday 16th February Wednesday 17th February £10 a day • from 10:00am to 3:00pm 26

Saturday 20th February 10:00am to 4:00pm 27 Admission FREE

Entry and workshops are FREE There is no need to book.

Come along and join in the fun

Holiday activities

Holiday activities

A great way to be entertained during half term, to be inventive, learn acting techniques, become more confident, make new friends and most of all have loads of fun.

Every day there will a free short performance to show family and friends what was achieved during the day.

A great way to be entertained during half term, to be inventive, learn acting techniques, become more confident, make new friends and most of all have loads of fun.

Every day there will a free short performance to show family and friends what was achieved during the day.

Tuesday 31st May Wednesday 1st June Thursday 2nd June £10 a day • from 10:00 am to 3:00pm 28

Welcome to Agrabah and the Academy Award-winning adventure of the street rat that became a prince!

Based on the iconic animated film, with an Academy Award-winning score by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice, Disney’s Aladdin KIDS is sure to send children and grown ups soaring on a flying carpet ride filled with romance and adventure.

Workshop for 5 to 9 years Monday 25th to Friday 29th July £50 • 10:00 am to 3:00pm Performance Friday 29th July 3:00pm Tickets £5 29

Holiday activities

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

Holiday activities

Three days of different workshops.

Two age groups - 5 to 8 and 9 to 12 years

Junior Summer Workshop

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

May/June Half Term Workshops

01945 47 44 47 • www.anglestheatre.co.uk

Musical Challenge Workshop Katy Lilley’s School of Dance Based at the Angles Theatre, Wisbech.

Students learn: I.D.T.A. Ballet and Tap, Jazz and Contemporary, Zumba and Zumbatomics.

For 10 to 18 years £80 for 10 days

Ages from 2 years to adult.

For more information contact Katy Lilley on:

Holiday activities

07891 107104

Workshop Monday 8th to Friday 19th August • £80 10:00 am to 4:00pm

Performances Friday 19th 7:30 Saturday 20th 2:30 Saturday 20th 7:30 Tickets £8.50 (£6 concessions)

Two weeks of hard work and FUN with an amazing achievement at the end.

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Ratzcool guarantees that you will have fun while you learn musical theatre & drama classes for 5 to 16 year olds Learn a range of acting skills, many different dance styles and a variety of singing techniques on Saturdays between 2:00pm and 4:00pm.

There are also acting only sessions on Wednesdays from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.

Come along to a FREE taster session before you decide to join.

• Make new friends • Grow your self confidence • • Learn to work in a team • Succeed in auditions • • Take LAMDA exams in Acting & MusicalTheatre • For more information phone 01945 47 44 47 or go to our website www.ratzcool.co.uk

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1793

The Wisbech theatre The end of the 18th century saw the rise of small provincial theatres. Actor-managers of the more popular touring companies constructed theatres in towns within their touring circuits. Mr Robertson, manager of the Lincoln touring circuit, funded the building of the Wisbech Theatre in 1793.

The Wisbech Theatre would For 53 years, until 1846, the Robertson family put have looked similar to the on several successful productions in Wisbech. The picture above when it was Wisbech Museum has a number of playbills from this first built in 1793.

(Photo: Cloud Nine Photography) period to illustrate the range of events the Robertsons introduced to the Wisbech Theatre.

Currently the auditorium has been turned around 180° because the original Anglers, in 1978, felt that it was more practical and cost effective to have the auditorium as it is now. The original ‘Main Entrance’ has long since lost any of its ‘entrance foyer’ attributes. It is currently used as the stage door to the building.

William Macready, a celebrated London actor was encouraged to perform in the Wisbech Theatre to support flagging sales. This picture show him in the role of Virginius (one of the playbills on the other page).

Macready was born in 1793 - the year the Wisbech Theatre was built.

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Some playbills advertising the Wisbech Theatre events in the early 1800s.

1978

The Angles Theatre company created a new arts centre for Wisbech

In 1977, a newly formed acting group were looking for a base to rehearse in.

They had formed a theatre company to tour Shakespeare’s plays and they called themselves the Angles Theatre Company.

Without any notion of the vast history behind the building the group negotiated a deal with the Christian Spiritualist Church, who owned the theatre building, to lease it for a rehearsal space. When the Angles Theatre Company realised what they had leased they enthusiastically set about returning the building to its former glory and more. They also, with Town Council support, purchased the front building.

Wisbech‘s little gem would not be here today had it not been for the Angles Theatre Company in 1978.

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