Stage Write March 2017

THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FROM THE FRIENDS OF SHANKLIN THEATRE MARCH 2017

2017 STAGE-WRITE

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Welcome to your March Edition of Stage Write

volunteers put in to keep this lovely old Theatre of ours going.

Contents:

Last year in my first ever foreword for this magazine, I highlighted a number of the areas that I was beginning to discover, but was subsequently rightly chastised for missing some others out!

So can I just take this opportunity of thanking ALL our FOST Members and Departments for their help and support throughout the last year.

3 IW Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2016

4 Emergency First Aid Training 6 The Osmonds 9-12 ‘She Will Go To the Ball’ 13-14 Volunteers Fair 16-18 Map Room Update 19-20 ‘I Used to be a Secretary if that Helps?’

21 Bucket Fund Update Chairman’s Foreword

Welcome to another bumper issue of Stage Write. Our editor, Mike Beston tells me that he has been inundated with articles for this issue, so it is great that so many of you have taken the time to put pen to paper and send something in.

As current Chair of FOST, my rapid learning curve throughout the last year has been to understand the many different functions that the Friends carry out for the theatre. Alongside the excellent work by the small team of Shanklin Theatre employees, I remain constantly amazed at all the hard work, hours and expertise, our many 2|Page

Whether you are an active Volunteer, or a Member who is just happy to support our theatre, we really do appreciate all of your help and support and we really couldn’t run things without you!

This will be the last issue of Stage Write before we have our FOST AGM on Monday 24 April, so as I approach the end of a year as its Chair, I would also like to pass my thanks to all my fellow Committee Members for their hard work and support throughout the year.

Papers for the AGM will be distributed in good time and all of us hope as many of you as possible will be able to attend, to hear about developments over the last year and of course plans for the future.

Our Theatre continues to successfully flourish on all fronts, so to echo my earlier comments regarding this issue of Stage Write, here’s also to a bumper year ahead for all of us!

With best regards, David Kast.

The Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2016

The best in Isle of Wight Business was celebrated on Friday 2nd December at the annual Isle of Wight Chamber Of Commerce Business Awards for Excellence.

The prestigious event at Cowes Yacht Haven was hosted by ITV’s veteran TV personality Fred Dinage and copresented by the Chamber’s President Geoff Underwood.

Representing Shanklin Theatre on the night was theatre chairman Chris Quirk, and volunteers Vivien Howell & Michael Beston representing the Friends of the theatre. The theatre was nominated in the Business Investment & the Customer and Team Service Award category sponsored by Lucas Fettes and the Isle of Wight County Press respectively.

We are pleased to announce that Shanklin Theatre won the ‘Highly Commended Award’ in the Business Investment category, as sponsored by the IW County Press. This is a wonderful achievement for the theatre, and puts us right up there with leading businesses on the Island.

Our thanks go to Chris Quirk for all his hard work in successfully achieving two nominations in the awards categories.

Michael Beston.

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Emergency First Aid at Work

When people come to Shanklin Theatre, the Trust and the Friends of the Theatre do their utmost to ensure their safety. With this in mind, Shanklin Theatre prides itself on having one of the best trained group of volunteers on the Island.

Towards the end of 2016, a day was set aside for professional tutor Alison Loake from Wight First Aid to visit the theatre and run our annual First Aid Course. As well as those receiving a refresher, six additional volunteers were added to our list which now numbers thirty-five fully trained First Aiders qualified in Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (QCF).

A new idea is that all those qualified in First Aid are now entitled to wear the new green theatre lanyard with ‘First Aider’ inscribed upon it, so that patrons and other staff members know who to go to if someone is taken ill whilst attending a show. The first group to receive the recognition are pictured below. New lanyards were presented to all the successful candidates at the conclusion of the course. Peter Coleman.

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A Message from the IW AT&CRS

Dear friends, you may have read

reported to the Police who are already investigating the current incidents'.

about the theft of a defibrillator on the Island. Here is an important message from our colleagues at the IW Ambulance Training & Community Response Services.

'Dear Colleagues, AED guardians and Community AED owners, It is with great sadness that we are writing to tell you about mindless vandals who are attempting and in one case have already succeeded to steal life saving devices in our community.

You may have already seen/heard coverage in the local press regarding these incidents; please can everyone be extra vigilant.

AED guardians/ Community AED sites please ensure you make regular checks on your defibrillators. Any suspected or known vandalism should be

Thank you all for your continued support.

Read more about our defibrillator here: www.shanklintheatreandco mmunitytrust.co.uk

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Following on from all the donations made during & after the funeral service of the late Ivan Needham, a special commemorative Blue Plaque has been commissioned, and is planned to be affixed to the theatre’s wall near to the latest newly restored window, which is situated above the side auditorium doors leading in from the car park.

Please read the very latest on our window restoration story in the June edition of Stage Write.

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The Osmonds Cooking up a Storm at Shanklin Theatre

On the 14th December, the one and only Osmonds took to our humble stage to perform their world famous show, ‘The Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza Variety Show’. Shanklin Theatre would be the start of a 13-date UK tour, which was back by popular demand for the second year running.

There were also special guests performing on the night; ventriloquist Steve Hewlett, singer Charlie Green plus The Moon River Singers and dancers.

Jimmy Osmond said, “It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year and my brothers Jay, Merrill and I are looking forward to once again bringing back some of that Christmas cheer”. Jimmy went onto say, “The Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza is an American tradition that started in the 1960s and is beloved around the world. It was Andy’s wishes and now my great honour and privilege to continue his amazing legacy of family-friendly, action-packed variety at its best”.

Our dedicated catering team, led by Dorothy Coleman, prepared and cooked a wonderful preshow dinner for our visiting American stars in the theatre’s Green Room.

Speaking after the show, Jay Osmond said, “I absolutely love Shanklin & the Old Village, I think it’s cute. I would love to return in the summer months to explore more of your wonderful Island.”

Above, Jimmy, Dorothy Coleman and Merrill, giving Dorothy a helping hand with the cooking!

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Jeffrey Daniel of Shalamar: Who Invented the Moonwalk?

It wasn’t Michael Jackson!

If we can celebrate anniversaries of man's first landing on the moon, why not also commemorate the first time Michael Jackson landed on his signature move, ‘The Moonwalk’? It was 33 years ago, on March 25, 1983, that Jackson shimmied backward across the stage at the ‘Motown 25’ taping; a few scant seconds of showmanship that may have marked the critical turning point from his being a superstar to being the superstar of his era.

Trying to determine the exact creator of the moonwalk dance is like trying to pin the invention of rock 'n' roll on one artist.

It is, as writer Shanna Freeman has said, “The product of more than 70 years of dance evolution”. The earliest footage that portrays someone doing something nearly identical to Jackson's fancy footwork in 1983 belongs to dancer Bill Bailey.

But if you want to know where Jackson got it from, the historical guesswork can come to an end and the answer can be summed up in one word: Shalamar. It was the group's designated dancer, Mr Jeffrey Daniel, a former ‘Solid Gold’ hoofer who was renowned in the R&B/Dance community, who attracted attention what was then referred to as ‘The Backslide’ before he taught it to Michael. And apparently Jackson held the move in his back pocket for months, or years before he decided the Motown special was the place to bust it out.

Naturally, there are some variations that go into the myth-making around what happened at that March 25, 1983 taping. “Everything that you saw him do, he made it up on the spot”, Jermaine Jackson has said, a contention that gives Michael far more credit for spontaneous genius than he gave himself. LaToya Jackson’s version gives credit where credit is due.

“The moonwalk was a dance that the kids were doing on the streets”, she7|Page

said, “and Michael came along later. And he had a guy by the name of Jeffrey Daniel to teach him to do the moonwalk, and when he did it, everybody saw it and just thought this was the most wonderful thing they had ever seen, not really knowing it was a dance that was already out there”. “I had been practicing the Moonwalk for some time”, he wrote in his 1988 memoir, which tellingly was titled ‘Moonwalker’, “and it dawned on me in our kitchen (on the night before the taping) that I would finally do the Moonwalk in public on ‘Motown 25’. Now the Moonwalk was already out on the street by this time, but I enhanced it a little when I did it. It was born as a Break-Dance step, a ‘popping’ type of thing that black kids had created dancing on the street corners in the ghetto. So I said, ‘This is my chance to do it’, and I did it. These three kids taught it to me. They gave me the basics, and I had been doing it a lot in private. I had practiced it together with certain other steps. All I was really sure of was that on the bridge to ‘Billie Jean’ I was going to walk backward and forward at the same time, like walking on the moon”.

The ‘three kids’ to whom Jackson alluded were apparently Jeffrey Daniel and his compatriots Geron ‘Casper’ Candidate and Derek ‘Cooly’ Jackson.

Jeffrey was a seasoned professional who was actually three years older than Michael; he had been a fan of Daniel's.

“He used to watch me dance on Soul Train”, Daniel recalled in a TV interview.

“I had no idea back then when I was watching the Jackson Five that they were watching me”.

In 1980, “Shalamar were doing a run at Disneyland and people were making a fuss about my dancing, so Michael brought little Janet”, Daniel recalled in a TV interview. Backstage, they met for the first time, and that began a friendship that led to not only the Moonwalk lessons, but co-choreography credit for Daniel on the ‘Bad’ and ‘Smooth Criminal’ music videos.

Above right: Jeffrey Daniel of American R&B soul music & vocal group Shalamar, who performed at Shanklin Theatre on the 23rd November 2016.

Image of Jeffrey courtesy of Vic Farrow.

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‘She Will Go to the Ball’ – Shanklin Theatre & Spotlight IOW Presenting ‘Cinderella’ - Bringing our Community Together

‘Once upon a time there was a tale of heroes, villains, dancing, and magic’.

The story of ‘Cinderella’ was presented at Shanklin Theatre by our resident theatre company, Spotlight IOW over the festive season.

'Cinderella' is a fun-packed traditional family pantomime, and is a mustsee for everyone over the Christmas and New Year period. The talented cast of thirty ‘Spotlight’ performers kept children, families & adults alike entertained with lots of laughs, and plenty of ‘Oh no it isn't!’ and ‘It's behind you!’ to join in with!

‘Cinderella’ was full of live music, featuring songs old and new from artists such as; ‘Bruno Mars’, ‘Kool and the Gang’, ‘One Direction’ and ‘Whitney Houston’. Spectacular costumes were worn in abundance, along with magic, large splashes of slapstick and some furry friends! Fantastic9|Page

entertainment performed to full & packed houses was had by the whole family!

A message from the IW Donkey Sanctuary team: “Thank you to everyone at Spotlight IOW, and Shanklin Theatre for the wonderful care, and consideration given to our mini Shetland ponies during their appearance in ‘Cinderella’.

‘Estelle’, ‘Secret’, ‘Whisper’, ‘Angus’, ‘Ant’ and ‘Dec’ have loved the stimulus and enrichment that this has given them (and the polo mints afterwards)”.

“Their trust and confidence have grown immensely throughout this process. Our thanks also go to all of our brilliant staff and volunteers, who have worked with the ponies over the last two months to ensure they enjoyed their little cameo performances on stage”.

Images left: Spotlight IOW performing ‘Cinderella’.

Top: Jayne Derbyshire as ‘Dandini’ and the IW Donkey Sanctuary staff & ponies.

Above right: Dom Pope as ‘Baron Hardup’ & Rachael Stratton as ‘Cinderella’.

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‘She Will Go to the Ball’ – Shanklin Theatre & Spotlight IOW Presenting ‘Cinderella’ - Bringing our Community Together A message from the Freer family: “A couple of weeks ago I won four tickets to see Cinderella at Shanklin Theatre. Well today we used them, and as I'm sure you can tell by my children's faces we had a fabulous time!!

Watching my children jumping out of their seats because they simply can't control their laughter! My children were up dancing to all the songs, they were joining in on all the ‘Oh yes you cans!!’

Upon arrival the doormen noticed my daughter in her princess dress and treated her like a princess, escorting her up the stairs and holding the door open.

Today has been an experience I know my children will never forget. I would like to thank all of the actors, dancers, doormen and everyone else who works so hard, because to watch my children have this much fun has been so amazing xx”.

Image above: Brad Barnley as ‘Prince Charming’, James Derbyshire as ‘Buttons’, Rachael Stratton as ‘Cinderella’ Rowan Lathey as the ‘Fairy Godmother’ and the Freer children meeting the cast after the show.

The Theatre Friends helped to join in with the Christmas spirit during Pantomime time. Fifty five foster children and parents from the Five Rivers Group enjoyed Cinderella, and were delighted to meet all the Spotlight stars personally immediately after the afternoon show.

Whilst tucking into refreshments prepared by the catering team, many of the children had their photographs taken with Cinders and her two Ugly11 | P a g e

Sisters. The newly refurbished Map Room was provided by the Theatre, and rang to the merry shrills of the children eating and laughing, following a truly magical introduction to live theatre. Hopefully, a happy occasion to remember for years to come.

Left: ‘The Ugly Sisters’, ‘Ivana’ & ‘Melania’ performed by Charles Johnson & James Pellow.

Spotlight IOW Ltd is a professional theatre company based on the Isle of Wight, and for over 13 years a traditional family pantomime has been performed by ‘Spotlight’, and remains a highlight of the Christmas season for many families. Past performances include; Rapunzel', 'Aladdin' and 'Jack & the Beanstalk' to name a few that have proved very popular.

‘Spotlight’ has successfully adapted one special and ‘relaxed performance’ of their pantomimes for several years with an outstanding response. This performance is designed to be accessible to people with additional needs, including autistic spectrum condition, sensory andcommunication disorders.

This adapted performance has all the flashing lights and pyrotechnics removed, the sound is reduced to a more gentle level and the house lights will remain on in order to create a safe & secure atmosphere.

In addition to these changes, a BSL signer is appointed to incorporate sign language interpretation of the lyrics, and live subtitles for those with sensory impairments. The aim is to create a fun filled, and relaxed environment theatre experience for everyone.

Images courtesy of Spotlight IOW Ltd, text by Peter Coleman & Michael Beston.

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Huge Interest in Volunteers Fair

could help place them in suitable volunteering roles. Participating groups said they gained strong interest from people keen to add their names to the voluntary ranks.

The Friends attended the fifth annual Volunteers Fair held at the Ventnor Botanical Gardens on the 14th January. Over 200 people aiming, to make a difference by giving up spare time to help others, went along to take up volunteering opportunities.

The event was staged by the IW Volunteer Centre and attracted thirty two organisation & charity stalls on the day. Volunteers & representatives were on hand to provide advice & guidance for anyone interested in volunteering who was unsure where to start.

Regardless of age, background, experience or ability, visitors were able to chat with people who shared their interests and who 13 | P a g e

Amanda Coyle, (pictured below) support officer for the IW Volunteer Centre said; “The event was a chance for people to meet organisations face to face; an excellent mix, which reflected the wide scope of volunteering opportunities out there. “More than 200 people with an interest in becoming a volunteer attended, this is a significant increase on last year’s event. This included people-

nearing retirement, those new to living on the Island and, most encouragingly, a number of young people�.

The range of volunteering roles at Shanklin Theatre is wide and varied, for example, you may have experience on brochure distribution, prize draw ticket selling, housekeeping and hospitality, or bar work.

If you feel you have what it takes to join our multi award winning team of volunteers, please contact our membership secretary Jacqui Robertson: membership@thefost.uk Forms are available from the Box Office, or on line: www.friendsofshanklintheatr e.co.uk/volfre.php Our thanks go to all that helped out on the day: Jacqui Robertson, Vivien Howell, Gwyn & Terry Dawson, Janet Wardle and Lesley & David Kast.

www.communityactionisleofwight.org.uk/what-wedo/volunteer-centre/

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Help the Theatre Without Leaving your Armchair!

FOST membership numbers are growing and are a very important source of support for the theatre. Existing FOST members can enhance their financial support for the theatre simply by changing their membership subscription to Direct Debit.

Direct Debit saves FOST both time and money, leaving more to help with supporting the theatre we all love. With Direct Debit your membership will always be up-to-date when booking for a show and perhaps taking advantage of the FOST discounts. No more renewal notifications, letters, cheques or trips to the Box Office.

If you have not done so already and are able to change your membership to online Direct Debit, please consider doing so. Online Direct Debit requires an email address for setup and receipt of FOST communications such as Stage Write. Even if your membership is not due for renewal for some time, you can apply now and the first debit will only be made when your membership renewal is due. Many subscriptions are due soon – renew by Direct Debit now if you can and enhance your support for Shanklin Theatre! www.friendsofshanklintheatre.co.uk/dd.php For more information, or if you have any questions - please email Jacqui Robertson, FOST Membership Secretary: membership@thefost.uk Don’t miss the opportunity to see shows with FOST discounts: FOST discounted show tickets for March & April 2017: The BBC Big Band - The Music of the Great Swing Bands: Sunday 5th March 6pm: Tickets £25.00 / FOST £23.00 John Suchet - A Tale of Two Composers Mozart and Strauss: Saturday 1st April 7.30pm: Tickets £15.50 / FOST £13.50 Strictly Murder – Starring Brian Capron & Jenny Funnell: Wednesday 19th – Saturday 22nd April 7.30pm. Matinee Saturday 22nd April 2.30pm: Tickets £21.00 / FOST £18.00 FOST members can book by phone or in person at our Box Office: 01983868000, please quote your current membership number when booking.

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Map Room – As Days Gone By

In the basement of Shanklin Theatre, very near to the Bar, is a curious room – currently called the ‘Map Room’ due to it displaying in recent times a local map on the wall. The Map Room is certainly unusual; it is fortified with immense steel beams (strong enough to hold up the theatre!), and has a strong corrugated ceiling to help catch falling debris.

Very likely you have already detected a link with the Second World War – and you would be correct!

Above: London - Home Security Region 5 War Room.

During WW2 the Map Room functioned as a local control centre – presumably its central location underneath the theatre was seen as being relatively safe from bombing. Nevertheless, the massive steel beams surrounding the room were designed to ensure the safety of the room and its 16 | P a g e

occupants should the worst happen. Thankfully Shanklin Theatre missed the inevitable bombs that were dropped – some very close, demolishing the nearby Royal Spa Hotel on the seafront.

Above: Royal Spa Hotel, Shanklin c1896.

More recently, it has been difficult to make use of the Map Room due to door obstruction by one of the supporting steel beams.

To accommodate the desire of allowing visitors to see the Map Room, and make use of it for functions, it was decided to undertake a revision to the room entrance and also re-decorate the room. Below: Revamped Map Room.

A previously closed entry to the room was opened up by removing a radiator and boarding blocking the entrance – providing a wide entrance that meets modern fire regulations (with the necessary addition of a new fire door).

Above: Sash window restored to reflect the original WW2 style.

Old sash windows were removed and repaired – they now slide up and down! Note – the windows were an opening to the outside world before the building was enlarged following the1925 fire and eventual reopening in 1934.

Now they look onto pretty pictures of the IOW! In addition, walls have been replastered, old lighting removed 17 | P a g e

and replaced, rotted floor panels replaced and general repairs made. In accordance with the aim of making the room decor appropriate to the time around WW2, when it functioned as a local command/control centre, the colour scheme, lighting and decor now reflect this era. FOST members have made kind donations of memorabilia, now on display in the room, in keeping with the room function at the time of WW2.

Above: Period style desk, lighting & telephone. Below: The finished Map Room, note the huge steel beams.

FOST volunteer, Tom Fitzpatrick, assisted by Peter Tuppen, has been occupied for many hours in bringing the Map Room back to life in order that theatre visitors can make use of the room and enjoy it. The room also provides a useful function as a Bar overflow – so pop down for a drink and visit the Map Room next time you see a show at the Theatre!

Below: Period style decoration and furniture.

A brief history of the theatre.

During WW2, Shanklin Theatre was used for dances and many other kinds of entertainment. The theatre seated more than 700 people at that time, but when it was used for dancing, the staff 18 | P a g e

would push all the seats to the side or under the stage to leave a large expanse of dance floor.

In the basement of the theatre is the lower Town Hall room, which was used for meetings and as a bar up until around 2005. The Bar has now been re-installed and is currently open an hour before shows and during the interval.

Behind the Bar, is the old Wartime Control Room (Map Room) which is strengthened by large steel girders to safeguard users in case of bombing. These rooms continued to be used by the Civil Defence during the early part of the Cold War with the Eastern Block.

Above, authentic ww2 gas mask & ancillary equipment.

For more information on the history of Shanklin Theatre, visit the link below: www.shanklintheatreandcommunity trust.co.uk/history/theatre-history Images & text courtesy of Rob Robertson.

“I used to be a Secretary, if that helps?”

Nine words which started my involvement with Shanklin Theatre.

This was back in February 2008. I had attended the regular Shanklin Town Council meeting, where one item on the agenda was the future of Shanklin Theatre. To my surprise, it was apparent that the IW Council were considering the Theatre’s closure.

The then mayor suggested that some of us could consider forming a group to try to prevent this happening. Other people stepped forward and it was a week later that six of us found ourselves sitting around a kitchen table and forming ‘Friends of Shanklin Theatre’, my role being that of secretary, which I undertook for a couple of years, then bowed out until last year, when I rejoined the Committee.

The Friends of Shanklin Theatre have been the driving force behind the rejuvenation of the building.

The early days were very uncertain, as it became clear that the IW Council were 19 | P a g e

veering towards the Theatre’s closure in order to build a block of flats, although this was not stated overtly. We had several meetings with them and, whilst they seemed very concerned, we were not convinced that we would be able to save the Theatre.

Handing over the keys to Shanklin Theatre. From left: Former IW Cllr’s David Williams & David Pugh, Trust Secretary Anthony Wood and Trust Chairman Chris Quirk.

Our first breakthrough came when we were able to get advice from The Theatres Trust, who advised us to apply for listing. When this was approved, we were reassured that the Council, even if they decided to close the Theatre after all, would not be able to demolish it. We had a knock-back in January 2010 when the IW Council voted to close the Theatre. However, we were very lucky that the new mayor of Shanklin Town Council was now on the Committee and was able to push the matter forward.

In April 2010 the Town Council was given ‘licence to occupy’ the Theatre and the keys were handed over. Now, was the time to galvanise extra support and so a meeting of potential ‘Friends’ was organised in the Theatre, where we signed up new members and garnered-

some volunteers. Shortly after that, I found myself in the Box Office undergoing training.

I think there were about ten or so of us at that time, some of whom stayed on and others who went on to do other tasks in the theatre. Much to our disappointment, the IW Council had removed all the equipment in the Box Office, so we had to start from scratch.

The first few weeks in the Box Office, before we were able to purchasecomputers, saw us writing tickets out by hand!

who sticks out in the red jumper, as it was felt at the time that the Box Office personnel did not need to be in black and white. We all look calm, but I can assure you that we were inwardly shaking.

The history of the genesis of Friends can be found on: www.friendsofshanklintheatre.co.uk and I urge you to look at it. In the early days, I felt very proud, and still do, at how far we had come from not knowing how to run a theatre to now providing a professional service.

Our first fundraising venture was a show in which local groups and individuals gave their services for free. The next production would be a test of whether we could run a theatre or not. The Best of the West End had already been booked, so it was with some trepidation that we turned up for duty.

Coffee, Cake ‘n’ Chat held in our Green Room.

Above: The Friends gather for their first evening of volunteering duties.

You may have seen a picture in the bar of a group of people and wondered what it represents. Well, we are the ones who were there on the first evening, two of whom were former professional usherettes, who took us through the ropes in the auditorium. I am the one 20 | P a g e

We couldn’t do it however without the support of the volunteers and financially from Friends’ subscriptions. We are always looking for new volunteers, so if you feel you could help out, please come along to our lovely Coffee, Cake ‘n’ Chat, held the first Saturday of every month from 10am-12.00.

I did not envision that I would still be involved in the theatre nine years down the line, but now wild horses wouldn’t drag me away.

Gwyn Dawson, Secretary, FOST Membership No: 6.

More News About the Bucket Fund: Our Grand Total £106,793.69!!

During November, we had eight performances of the Agatha Christie’s ‘Mousetrap’, which brought in £1101.83 to the fund, then followed a fiveshow run of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ by the Island Savoyards, this collection exceeded more than £550.

The sell-out ‘Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza’ starring the ‘Osmonds’ on the 14th December gained fifth place on the Bucket List with £396.17, knocking ‘Al Murray’ off the bottom (10th) position.

Once again, our fabulous Spotlight Pantomime, ‘Cinderella’ - with real ponies - raised £2291.26! January saw a break, during which theatre maintenance and cleaning work is carried out.

Now we are gearing up for a new Spring Season; ushers are back to their usual black-and-white uniforms, and will be there with their buckets at the ready to collect at the end of all the new fantastic shows lined up at our wonderful theatre. Alana Bird. ***************************************************************************************

Volunteer Brochure Distribution

I have just taken on the job of Brochure Distribution Co-ordinator, and would like to thank the FOST members who kindly volunteer to deliver theatre brochures to the roads around Shanklin, Lake and Sandown.

However, we would always welcome more volunteers to deliver to roads as yet not covered. Do you get a brochure? If not maybe you could deliver to your road? The only requirement is that you are a FOST member.

I am also looking for volunteers to take over from those wishing to take a rest! If you would be willing to take on a road or two please contact me: Liz Hinkes.

E-mail: lizhinkes@aol.com 21 | P a g e

Friends of Shanklin Theatre Volunteer Structure

THEATRE SUPERVISORS Box Office – Doreen Armstrong.

Ushering / Front of House – Peter Frankling.

Bar – Brian Platt / Dave Pointer.

Maintenance – John Steege. Deputy – Rob Robertson.

Catering – Dorothy Coleman / Catering Team.

Housekeeping – Shirley Hughes.

THEATRE CO-ORDINATORS Confectionery Kiosk – Christine Reed / Lesley Kast.

Bucket Collections - Alana Bird.

Social Media & FOST Publicity – Michael Beston. friends@shanklintheatre.com Theatre Archivist – Derek Stephens. delboyds@talktalk.net Theatre Hospitality – Margaret Ashfield.

Prize Draw Sales – Margaret Platt / Sylvia Lay-Flurrie.

FOST CO-ORDINATORS Webmaster – Tim Marshall / Tim Leal. tim.leal@tldesignworks.co.uk Coffee, Cake & Chat – Pam Phillips.

Welfare – Cilla Morris.

Training – Peter Coleman.

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FOST Committee Structure

Chair – David Kast. david.kast2@gmail.com Secretary – Gwyn Dawson.

Vice Chair – Michael Beston. friends@shanklintheatre.com Treasurer – Terry Dawson / Janet Wardle.

Membership – Jacqui Robertson. membership@thefost.uk Merchandise – Vivien Howell.

Training – Peter Coleman.

Bucket Collections – Alana Bird.

Theatre Tours – Roy Coleman.

Ushering – Peter Frankling.

House Keeping – Shirley Hughes.

********************************************************************** Stage-Write magazine, published by the Friends of Shanklin Theatre.

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of Stage-Write magazine, the publishers do not accept any liability or provide any guarantee that the information is accurate, complete or up to date.

The publisher and its contributors have used their best efforts in preparing these pages and this publication, but make no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, with regard to the information supplied.

Editor: Michael Beston, March 2017.

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FOST CORPORATE MEMBERS AND PATRONS Since 2010, many dedicated people have rallied to save and continue to support Shanklin Theatre.

Corporate Members and Patrons of Friends of Shanklin Theatre choose to donate more than a standard subscription. The FOST committee recognises the value of their support and would like to express gratitude for their generosity.

The current list (dated 09/02/17) of FOST Corporate Members and Patrons are:

FOST CORPORATE MEMBERS

(Carol Laidler) Ash Benson Bird Bird Bird Blezzard Carstairs Coleman Coueslant Dana Darby Darby Ellis Ellis Green Hedges Holland Honey Marshall Mattocks Michael Moorman Murray Newman

John Graham Ron Alana Amy Bob Susan Roy Paul Pamela Lynda Larry Michael Isobel Rose Neil Jim Sandra Tim Nick Sayers Angela Penny Margaret

(Sally & Michael Beston) FOST PATRONS Nichols Nichols Pacitti Palin Palin Peck Riggott Robertson Rogers Sandys Sheath Sheridan-Wallis Skinner Stockman Stratford Turk Walmsley Ward Watson Whitchurch White Williams Williams Wilson

Bill Lizzy Nigel Guy Janice Shirley Julie Robert Lesley Janet Doreen Graeme Nick Peter Andy Jeremy Rodney Ian Anne Heather Maxine John Helen Kevin

If you wish to upgrade your membership to Patron (£25/year) or Corporate (£100/year), just contact Jacqui Robertson, FOST Membership Secretary, email: membership@thefost.uk 24 | P a g e