Stage Write September 2023

STAGE-WRITE

The Quarterly Newsletter from the Friends of Shanklin Theatre

Chairman’s Foreword

As you may be aware, for the immediate future I have taken over the role of Chairman of The Friends of Shanklin Theatre.

I am very fortunate that in taking this on, I have a very experienced and able committee. I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to them in continuing their various roles. As you are aware, they are all volunteers and their assistance at this time is important.

On the subject of volunteers there are some areas of the theatre that require additional pairs of hands. In this respect and, in the hope of attracting additional personnel we are holding a Volunteer fair on Saturday 9th September between 10.30am and 3.30pm at the theatre. Please spread the word about this event which is open to all. If you know of anyone unable to attend but still interested please ask them to contact the Box Office in the first instance.

Despite the recent weather the shows have continued to be well supported and we remain optimistic for a busy Autumn. The new Autumn brochure is now available and copies will be distributed in the normal way and extra copies are available from the theatre.

Among the many shows we continue with Beyond The West End until the 12th of October and many regular favourites are returning in this period. However if you wanted to see Sarah Millican it’s a question of Returns Only !! Making a welcome first appearance here is Paul Young, Symphonix Orchestra featuring Platinum Queen, Phil Wang, Shrek the Musical and Sir Bradley Wiggins.

Looking beyond this active period the Pantomime is now on sale and this year Spotlight are presenting Rapunzel.

I look forward to meeting up with many of you when you visit the theatre during the coming months

Best Wishes to you all Vic.

A Message From The Editor

Thank you for reading our September 2023 edition of the ‘Stage-Write’ magazine. May I also thank all of our contributors to the magazine, without which, it would certainly make the magazine a whole lot less enjoyable to read. For anyone interested in the theatre’s history, the front cover image was taken around 1924, just before the building suffered a great fire that almost totally destroyed the ‘Town Hall’ as it was named back then. If you have any historic images or stories of the theatre, we would be delighted to view them. Thank you.

You would have read Vic’s first Foreword as our incoming Chairman of FOST. I would like to personally thank Vic for stepping up to the plate and taking over the helm of the FOST ship, so to speak. I know he has the full support from all the FOST Committee members.

In this edition, we have another excellent Crossword from Matt Day, this time the crossword has a ‘French Theme’ to it. Gwyn Dawson’s ‘A Quick (Autumn) theatre Quiz’ incorporating all the ‘B’ words. Billie’s Blog featuring Pam Ayres and a great article from Tony Needham entitled ‘Memories of Pantomime’ among some other great stories and items.

We also have some sad news to report: one of our gardening volunteers, Norman Green passed away recently. Norman was part of the small team that tends to the weeding, shrubs, flowers and planters around the entrances of the theatre. Last year, the team picked up first place in their category of the ‘Shanklin in Bloom’ competition and has done so again this year. This is a fitting testament to Norman and of course to our dedicated gardening team. Our thoughts are with Norman’s family and friends at this time. May I wish you a peaceful Autumn, I look forward to presenting the December Stage Write to you in the winter. Best regards, Michael.

Michael Beston – Shanklin Theatre and Community Trustee. Stage-Write magazine was originally founded in October 2010 by Ron Bird. I would like to personally thank Ron for his continued help & attention to detail in producing the September 2023 Stage Write magazine. This magazine was printed by the NHS Printing Services. Newport - Isle of Wight.

FOST

FUNDRAISING - 7 WONDERS WALKS 13th – 21st May 2023

We all enjoyed the Walking Festival very much and had a rewarding experience. It was great to enable walkers, including island residents, to discover different areas of the Isle of Wight. Some even asked for the details of the walks so that their friends and family could also enjoy these areas. Many walkers had booked 2 or 3 walks with us, and we were happy to see familiar faces in the morning at the start of walks.

Jacqui Robertson & Heather Whitchurch

Heather and Jacqui accompanied by Doreen Sheath guided 12 walkers around the town of Ryde on their 1st walk of their Challenge 70: Wandering around the 7 Wonders of the Isle of Wight covering 70 miles in 7 Days aiming to raise £700 for Shanklin Theatre.

The walkers have been very supportive of our Challenge 70. They really like the novel idea and the diversity of the walks. Of course, the excellent weather and spectacular countryside was the icing on the cake!

Also, many discovered Shanklin Theatre and some went to book a couple of shows.

A great many thanks go to all our generous sponsors: walkers, FOST members, Jane Robert, Matt Day, Chris Turner, Gwyn Dawson, Sarah Bucher-Jones, family and friends, patrons of the Chine Inn and The 50+ Club.

The total raised was £1,587, well above our original target of £700! This will go towards creating additional downstairs ladies’ toilet facilities at Shanklin Theatre. THANK YOU! Heather and Jacqui.

The Seven Wonders of the Isle of Wight are:

1. Cowes you cannot milk

2. Freshwater you cannot drink

3. Needles you cannot thread

4. Ryde, where you walk

5. Newtown, which is very old

6. Newport you cannot bottle

7. Lake you can walk through without wetting your feet

A Message from Suzie Thurgood – FOST Volunteer Liaison Officer

‘I am very excited to let you know that on Saturday 9th of September between 10.30am and 3.30pm, Shanklin Theatre will be holding its first ever Volunteer Fair at the theatre.

‘I know you all give your time already, but I am sending this to you firstly, to let you know what we are doing and secondly you may have friends or family interested in volunteering but are unable to make the usual Coffee, Cake, and Chat events.

The Theatre is mostly staffed by volunteers Chat to team members from all departments and find out what's involved

You will be surprised at how many roles there are to choose from:

• Bar staff

• Catering team

• Box Office

• Housekeeping team

• IT

• Maintenance

• Ushering

• Gardening

• Brochure Distribution + more

Free tea and coffee plus a chance to win:

£10 Theatre voucher

Free Theatre tour ticket

One year's membership to Friends of Shanklin

Gwyn Dawson’s – ‘A Quick (Autumn) Theatre Quiz’

All the answers start with the letter B. If the answer is a person, it could be either the first or second name or both. Good luck, Gwyn. Answers are on page 35.

1. What are the first names of the ABBA men? (Congrats if you know their surnames too) 2. Who composed the opera Carmen? (Grab your ticket for next February’s performance at Shanklin Theatre). 3. Which American choreographer was famous in Hollywood for his elaborate musical productions? 4. In which 1971-1976 Sitcom did Sid James and Diana Coupland appear as a married couple? 5. Who played Fancy Smith in Z Cars? 6. Who painted The Birth of Venus? 7. Who wrote the songs Alfie and Walk on By, amongst others? 8. In which film, starring Steve McQueen as a policeman, did a car chase take place through the streets of San Francisco? 9. Which comedian, who created an alter ego called Lee Nelson, is appearing at the Theatre in October under his own name (tickets are already on sale)? 10. Which playwright wrote The Lady in the Van, based on a true story ?

Paul Young – Behind The Lens

Paul is performing for us here at Shanklin Theatre on the 13th of September. He’s been a major star for four decades. Paul Young broke into the big time 40 years ago when No Parlez went to number one and spawned iconic hits like Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home). More success followed with the number one album The Secret Of Association and the worldwide hit Everytime You Go Away, not forgetting an appearance at Live Aid and more. Paul sustained that success – while having fun in his tex-mex band, Los Pacaminos. Now, on the 40th anniversary of No Parlez, he’s releasing a remarkable new record and publishing his extraordinary memoir; both called Behind The Lens. He’s touring the UK, too, where he’ll meet fans, sing hits and tell stories about his incredible career. It’s time to revel in the classic hits and learn the stories behind them as Paul steps out from Behind The Lens.

Paul Antony Young was born on the 17th of January 1956. Formerly the frontman of the short-lived bands Kat Kool & the Kool Cats, Streetband and Q-Tips, he became a teen idol with his solo success in the 1980s. His smooth yet soulful voice belonged to a genre known as "blueeyed soul". At the 1985 Brit Awards, he received the award for Best British Male. In July 1985, he appeared at Live Aid held at Wembley Stadium, performing the Band Aid hit "Do They Know It's Christmas?".

In 1992, Paul formed a new group - Los Pacaminos based on the sounds of Ry Cooder's "Chicken Skin Music” era and the Tex-Mex group the Texas Tornados, and they first performed low-key events in bars and clubs before progressing to theatres. In 1993, Paul was dropped from his contract with the CBS/Sony Records label, and afterward, released fewer solo albums. He reformed with the Q-Tips for a short series of concerts that year. He contributed to the Vangelis album Voices in 1995. Paul sang the British national anthem, "God Save the Queen", at Wembley Stadium before England's Euro '96 semi-final match against Germany.

In 1996, he was again performing solo and preparing for his next album, Paul Young, which was released the following year on East West Records. In November 2001, when Paul was on the final night of the Here and Now tour, Michael Aspel awarded him his This is Your Life book. The show went out on BBC One on 5th December that year. 2006 saw the release of Rock Swings – On the Wild Side of Swing. In September 2006, he appeared in the BBC1 cooking show Celebrity MasterChef, and won his show, allowing him a place in the semi-finals. A year later, he was a contestant on another cooking show, ITV's Hell's Kitchen.

Although his musical career had begun to decline, Paul began to make more appearances in the media. He appeared as a guest on shows including The Wright Stuff, This Morning, and The One Show. In 2010, he recorded and released a new track "Come Back", a duet he did with electronic dance music act Chicane. The single was a sample of his 1983 hit "Come Back and Stay” and charted at 151 on the UK Singles Chart. The single was recorded onto Chicane's 2010 album Giants. After a lengthy absence of recorded material, Paul released an album of vintage soul songs in 2016 called Good Thing produced by Arthur Baker and began a lengthy period of tours and festival appearances. He still is touring around the world with his band.

Tickets to see and hear Paul Young are available from the Theatre’s Box Office or online. £31 - All Prices include £1 Booking Fee. VIP £46, VIP Meet and Greet £81 (NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE).

www.shanklintheatre.com/events.aspx

Phone 01983 868000

DON’T MISS OUT ON SHOWS WITH FOST DISCOUNTS!

One FOST member can book up to four tickets at FOST price

FOST tickets can only be purchased by phoning the Box Office or in person

FOST Membership can be renewed or bought on day of purchase by phoning the Box Office (01983 868000)

All shows performed at the Theatre can be found on the What’s On Page of the Theatre Website

Beyond The West End Performances are at 8.15pm every Thursday from 4th May until 12th October except 1st June

Tickets: £19.50 FOST & Blue Light: £16.50

Concession: £17.50

Under 16: £16.50

Sh!t Faced Shakespeare present Much Ado About Nothing

Wednesday 11th October 2023 at 7.30pm

Adult: £25

Concession: £22 FOST: £22

Included £1 booking fee

Classical Ballet and Opera House Presents Swan Lake Tuesday 31st October at 7.30pm

Tickets: £37.00 FOST: £35.00

Ticket prices includes £1 booking fee

Spotlight IOW Ltd presents Rapunzel Standard tickets: £22.50 Senior: £20.50 FOST: £21.50

Ukrainian National Opera Presents Carmen Thursday 1st February 2024 at 7.30pm

Tickets: £40.00 FOST £37.00

Ticket prices include £1 booking fee

Vic’s TALK and 80th BIRTHDAY CAKE

On Saturday 1st of July, at the Coffee Cake and Chat morning, our guest speaker, Vic Farrow, an avid collector of autographs, entertained us with funny anecdotes on how he acquired some of them from very famous actors. He was then surprised by the presentation of a birthday cake made by Cherry Scudder, a member of our FOST Catering team to celebrate his 80th birthday! Happy 80th birthday Vic.

Our thanks go to the Catering team – Dot Coleman, Cherry Scudder, Doreen Sheath, Barb Bronwin, Chris Harris, Lesley Kast, Fiona Klein, Tricia McMurray, Anne Reader, Heather Whitchurch & Pam Phillips.

Billie’s Blog – Pam Ayres

Many of us were thrilled to have seen Pam Ayres earlier this year performing to a full house at Shanklin Theatre on her solo tour.

Unlike The Mahabharata, a poem with more than 220,000 verses and about 1.8million words, Pam’s poems are relatively short, witty, and humorously relevant to life and which many of us can relate to.

Pamela Ayres was born in March 1947 in a semidetached council house in Stanford in the Vale, which was then in Berkshire. The house had no hot water, no bathroom and the toilet was no more than a bucket with a wooden seat.

Pam is the youngest of six children and although there was little money in the family, her dad worked tirelessly to ensure there was always a dinner on the table and her mum ran the house like clockwork. There were constant household chores, washing, cleaning, making pastry, ensuring all had packed lunches and cycling to the village shop for the next bulk of shopping for the household of eight.

There were very few books at home but at Primary school, Pam enjoyed reading and visiting the new school library. After taking the eleven-plus, Pam failed to get a place at the Grammar School but instead attended a secondary modern school at Faringdon.

Whilst Pam used to enjoy her lessons, this new school was a challenge and Pam fell behind in English and Mathematics, she didn’t understand the theory of music and was hopeless at sport.

In 1961, the family was offered a new council house with proper sanitation, a boiler and a lovely lawned garden. A new teacher at the school helped Pam to regain her confidence and her work improved. She started to write articles for the school newspaper and enjoyed reading poetry. She was encouraged to write songs which although may not have been performed, Pam enjoyed the challenge. Pam was cast as the third witch in the school production of Macbeth, and she thoroughly enjoyed this. At the age of fifteen, it was time to start thinking about leaving school and getting a job.

Pam was first offered a job cleaning and cooking for a local family along with light domestic duties, but she turned this down. She wanted more from life – excitement, travel. She had seen three of her brothers return from National Service with stories of adventure, having experienced different countries and cultures and she wanted to find what ventures were waiting for her outside of village life.

Image right - Pam in a school photograph in the early Fifties

Pam’s mum encouraged her to sit a Civil Service Exam and having passed this, Pam attained a job as a clerical assistant at the Central Ordnance Depot in Didcot. This was a great opportunity and although it seemed that the job became boring for her, Pam was offered further education through the Civil Service and attended a day release course. So, at the age of sixteen, Pam passed GCE O-levels in English Language and English Literature.

Pam saw an advertisement to join the WRAF and remembering her brothers’ thrilling tales, she decided at eighteen to join the WRAF.

Initially there was a lot of PE, marching, cleaning of uniform and equipment, classroom studies, but at the end of six weeks at the passingout parade she became Aircraftwoman Ayres and sent to Brampton Park. There she trained as a Plotter of Aerial Photography and at the age of nineteen Pam was excited to be posted to work in Singapore.

It was at RAF Seletar that Pam started performing at folk clubs. She helped out with a few sketches, but her country dialect limited her roles. There was little in the way of published material that suited her accent, so she decided to try to write her own humorous poems. Her first poem, ‘Foolish Brother Luke’ was well received. Alas after a fun-fueled and action-packed fourteen

months in Singapore, due to cost-cutting, a decision was made to send the two WRAF Plotters back to England.

Image below - Pam being presented with a ribboned blank at RAF Brampton

Pam worked for four years with the WRAF and tried a couple of other clerical jobs. She enjoyed going to the theatre and saw a variety of performances and comedians. Her life struggled through. In 1971 she attended the Norwich Folk Festival, Lacock and Bromyard and thoroughly enjoyed all three. The music, songs, lyrics were all fun and Pam was desperate to know how she could be a successful performer. The solution was to start in folk clubs.

Pam joined in variety evenings, firstly singing along with her guitar, and then interspersing with a couple of short humorous poems. When audiences showed their appreciation of the poems in their laughter and reactions, Pam was encouraged to write more – in fact, she would write new material every evening after work.

At one of the clubs, Pam was approached and asked to book her for another club as a guest performer. She was delighted! This was the first of several bookings. People were asking for copies of her poems so eventually she managed to get eight printed in a book and would sell them after her show and subsequently in bookshops.

A performance at a fundraising show in the town hall at Bampton had the audience in hysterics and Pam was asked if she would like to read a poem on BBC Radio Oxford! Life was beginning to turn a good corner for Pam –she loved performing, she was earning money through those pop-up performances and from selling her books. Now she had the chance to broadcast on BBC radio. Pam chose to read ‘The Battery Hen’ which was so well received that it won ‘Pick of the Week’ and sacks of fan mail.

It wasn’t long until the BBC asked Pam for more of her poems and her books were selling fast.

In 1975 a suggestion was put to Pam that she should apply for ‘Opportunity Knocks’. This well-established television talent show had spring-boarded the likes of Russ Abbott, Tom O’Connor, Les Dawson, and Mary Hopkin but Pam pondered, would it help her or just humiliate her? Her audition choice was her poem ‘Oh I Wish I’d Looked After Me Teeth’ to which the judges laughed and enjoyed so much that they confirmed she had a place on the show.

Two days of rehearsals followed and then finally the filming went ahead with Pam opting for her poem ‘Pam Ayres and the Embarrassing Experience with the Parrot.’ The ‘Clapometer’ was a device that measured the studio audience’s applause, and this put Pam in second place. That was nothing to be ashamed about! But there were still the postal votes to consider which would take a few days after being shown on television. Pam was thrilled to receive a phone call from the producers confirming that she had won!

Two more appearances followed on Opportunity Knocks and then Pam found an agent who took over all the bookings, published her book on a much larger scale and handled all the negotiations. However, to start with things didn’t go quite as hoped and the poems weren’t going down that well with audiences at clubs. A breakthrough happened when she was booked for a television commercial. Pam enjoyed the experience and how well she

was looked after and also the fee! Other TV possibilities were looming, so Pam handed in her notice at work and began a new career.

Pam has since published six books of poems, toured in a one-woman stage show, hosted her own TV show, and performed for the Queen. She performs regularly on cruise ships, radio, numerous TV appearances and has even performed at The Glastonbury Festival! Pam was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 2004.

Pam’s autobiography ‘The Necessary Aptitude’ refers to the number of times in her life that she was told that she “did not have the necessary aptitude.”

I believe that Pam Ayres has finally shown them all that she certainly has!

OH, I WISH I'D LOOKED AFTER ME TEETH

By Pam Ayres

Oh, I wish I'd looked after me teeth, And spotted the perils beneath, All the toffees I chewed, And the sweet sticky food, Oh, I wish I'd looked after me teeth.

I wish I'd been that much more willin' When I had more tooth there than fillin' To pass up gobstoppers, From respect to me choppers And to buy something else with me shillin'.

When I think of the lollies I licked, And the liquorice allsorts I picked, Sherbet dabs, big and little, All that hard peanut brittle, My conscience gets horribly pricked.

My Mother, she told me no end, "If you got a tooth, you got a friend"

I was young then, and careless, My toothbrush was hairless, I never had much time to spend.

Oh I showed them the toothpaste all right, I flashed it about late at night, But up-and-down brushin' And pokin' and fussin' Didn't seem worth the time... I could bite!

If I'd known I was paving the way, To cavities, caps and decay, The murder of fillin's Injections and drillin's I'd have thrown all me sherbet away.

So I lay in the old dentist's chair, And I gaze up his nose in despair, And his drill it do whine, In these molars of mine, "Two amalgum," he'll say, "for in there."

How I laughed at my Mother's false teeth, As they foamed in the waters beneath, But now comes the reckonin' It's me they are beckonin' Oh, I wish I'd looked after me teeth.

Researched and written by Billie Thornton.

September Stage Write – Autumn Crossword by Matt Day

Bonjour! Yes, it’s another French crossword. All answers are words common to French and English (except 17 and 27 down). The shaded letters spell the name of the cake in Picture C and its translation.

Good luck! Matt.

The answers are on page 35.

Autumn 2023 Stage Write Crossword Clues

Across

1. and 4 across. Thin, vanilla sauce similar to custard (5, 8)

9. Elevatin’ dried fruit? (6)

10. French Christmas (4)

11. French, yellow plum with a name meaning ‘’look beautiful’’ (9)

12. Light pastry used to make profiteroles and cake in Picture C (5)

13. and 14 across. Network of culinary schools teaching haute cuisine (6, 4)

15. Consumed hot or cold starters - a sweet treat shortened (4)

16. Open pastry case with a sweet or savoury filling (4)

17. Long, thin cake similar to one in Picture C (6)

18. A quick, light bite to eat (5)

19. French garlic found in snails… but not escargot? (3)

22. Thin pancake (5)

26. Type of brandy made in western France (6)

27. Surname of French fashionista Gabrielle Bonheur a.k.a Coco (6)

28. See Picture Clue D (8)

29. Small round piece of meat, usually lamb; French for hazelnut (8)

31. A rich gravy sauce made from reduced meat juices (3)

32. Creamy custard dessert with a ‘’burnt’’ sugar topping (5, 6)

2. Trust arena converted into food venue (10)

3. Mutton served up with sage and these green vegetables (10)

4. and 14 down. Bite size appetiser usually given free and chosen by chef (5, 6)

5. Sauce made by pouring simmering cream on to chocolate (7)

6. Pre-dinner drink swallowed in escape room (5)

7. and 16 down. Soured cream thickened with buttermilk (5, 7)

8. Picture Clue A (5, 7)

14. See 4 down

15. General name for a brown fizzy drink (4)

16. See 7 down

17. Strong, colourless fruit brandy: ___ de vie (3)

20. Food group that includes lentils, chickpeas; French for vegetables (7)

21. Bundle of herbs put in stock etc to add flavour – bouquet _____ (5)

23. Picture B – a cheese - its name comes from this French verb meaning ‘to roll’ (6)

24. Baguette indigestion? (4)

25. A luxurious cake (6)

27. Get higher costs initially, an arm or a leg? (5) (English)

30. French hot beverage made from a selection of potherbs? (3)

Shanklin In Bloom 2023

For the 3rd year running, Shanklin Theatre has won 1st place in the Shanklin in Bloom competition.

Our dedicated volunteers, which include members of the Green Towns group have successfully secured the top spot in the ‘Schools, Churches, Youth Clubs & Community Gardens’ category in this year’s competition.

An awards ceremony will take place later in the Summer. This is a rather fitting tribute to one of our gardening volunteers – Norman Green who sadly passed away recently. We are extremely grateful to all that work and volunteer their time for the theatre, it’s very much appreciated.

Congratulations also to Shanklin Age UK, Shanklin Green Towns group and all participants for winning their respective categories.

Our thanks go to the Shanklin in Bloom team for facilitating the judging and the awards ceremony this year.

Image left – David Williams presenting Norman & Grant with their 2022 Shanklin in Bloom award.

FOST Garden Party

The FOST annual Garden Party took place on the 11th of June at the Clifton Hotel in Shanklin. Bertie Everson entertained the 61 attendees with an array of well-known songs. Gwyn’s picture quiz got everyone involved. The cream tea provided by the hotel was delicious and copious. The raffle run by Vroni had many prizes and raised £181. Many thanks to David Beeson once again for hosting the event in the Clifton Gardens, thanks also to Suzie Thurgood for the organisation of the Party and liaising with The Clifton, Lionel Whitehead for greeting the guests, Bertie Everson for the entertainment, Gwyn Dawson for the quiz, Lesley Kast for the quiz prizes, Vroni Bingham for the raffle and to all the helpers involved. We look forward to seeing you all again at our next event. Regards, Jacqui Robertson.

2023

FOST Summer Promotional Events – Havenstreet, Sandown Carnival, Chale Show & Sandown Autofest

Above - FOST stall was attended by the Theatre Volunteers - Vroni, Carol, Linda, Jill and new to the events' team Billie, Alan, and Judy (the guide dog).

Heather, Doreen, Jane & Jacqui were part of the Isle of Wight Volunteer Centre and had a great time at Sandown Carnival.

Above - although the first day of the Chale show was cancelled, our volunteers did a sterling job on day two in spite of the mud. Many thanks to Viv, Linda, Carol, Heather, and Gwyn.

Right - our events teamSarah, Jacqui, Viv, Cilla and Linda, attended the Autofest at Sandown Airport. They even had first-hand experience of meeting with ‘Big Bear’ of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. Thanks to all our volunteers involved with the events.

Memories of Pantomime – ‘Running in the Family’ by Tony Needham

During the 1970’s, my Mum and Dad (Doreen & Ivan Needham) were involved in amateur dramatics in Shanklin. Dad managed backstage and Mum was acting on the stage. They performed with the Palmerston Players, Island Theatre Productions and a few others, the names I can’t remember.

This meant I got to spend a lot of time at Shanklin Theatre for many dress rehearsals and set building sessions. This was when my love for Shanklin Theatre started, I would be left to my own devices a lot, which meant I would explore the theatre as I wanted. Mum and Dad would often spend ages trying to find me when it was time to go home. Nowhere was really out of bounds apart from the dressing rooms when the ladies/girls were getting changed.

As a kid I was a fidget, always tapping and drumming on things. To channel this I was sent to tap dancing classes, I wanted to learn the drums! (no chance, LOL). I went to The Gloria Roberts Stage School of Dance every Saturday morning, Gloria’s son Richard Fleming was there too so I wasn't alone, within no time there was five boys, so we got our own class. We became quite a novelty as no other dance schools had a troupe of boys.

The Christmas pantomime held at Shanklin Theatre included the dancers from the school each year, I remember Dorothy Newnhan coming to watch us one Saturday morning and saying they had to find a space for us in the coming years pantomime. We spent months learning a routine. It was only at the last minute the music was added and we found out we would have to sing.

In 1975, the family Christmas pantomime was Dick Whittington, and the boys’ troupe and I were going to be part of the production appearing as the Barrow Boys with Mark Rogers, Richard Fleming, James Hilbert and Jamie Norris. Mum was also in the pantomime appearing as Princess Ulul, Dad was the stage manager and also involved with organising the stage scenery.

The boys and I were housed in the stables under the stage and kept being told to walk quietly in our tap shoes. The horror when we found out that we had to wear make up! To make it worse, when there was a matinee we had to leave it on ready for the evening performance. I got some looks walking home through the town. I also have vivid memories of the nerves before walking out on stage and the amazing feeling when the audience clapped when we finished our routine. It was a very special feeling walking in the stage door as a performer.

Black & white image above circled – Tony as one of the five Barrow Boys, and colour image of Tony and Doreen as Princess Ulul

We left the Island as a family in 1980 when I was 16. When Mum and Dad retired back to Shanklin they were in the right place when FOST was formed to help save the Theatre. They both loved being involved. It’s nice that since moving back to the Island I am involved with the Theatre keeping the family involvement going.

Shanklin Theatre is in my blood, I enjoy everything I do there. I particularly enjoy being a tour guide sharing our wonderful theatre with others. Everyone that volunteers are amazing and its very special to be part of the team. Tony Needham.

1975 Dick Whittington programme supplied by FOST archivist – Derek Stephens.

Editor - Both Doreen and Ivan became volunteers for the theatre in 2008 when the theatre was saved from closure, and at the same time the Friends of Shanklin Theatre (FOST) was formed.

Above – order of appearance, credit and synopsis taken from the original 1975 programme

Doreen enjoyed her time as an usherette as part of the front of house team and later became part of the catering team. Doreen was sometimes a force to be reckoned with! Ivan was a FOST committee member taking care of the FOST finances.

Sadly, Ivan passed away in March 2016.

Doreen had thought to return to the mainland after Ivan’s death, but decided to stay on the Island where she kept up with her theatre friends and spent time at Age Concern.

Sadly, Doreen passed away in March 2020 only a few years after Ivan.

Image left – behind the scenes credits

Peter Coleman, who was Chairman of the Friends at the time went on to pay tribute to Ivan.

“Ivan leaves a legacy which we can all applaud. His diligence to ensure that the Friends of Shanklin Theatre accounts were immaculately kept and that the financial priorities were strictly adhered to will never be bettered.

Softly spoken and always easily approachable as the Treasurer of the ‘Friends’, Ivan was the team member you could always count upon.

The many hours he spent with the finances, were only part of his contribution to the theatre, he worked with the Box Office team helping with the expanding numbers attending shows, and was often in one of his preferred seats in the theatre watching another favourite show.

We pay tribute to Ivan and Doreen, who was his pillar of support. He will be greatly missed by us all”.

Right - Louise Bond, Ivan, and Doreen at the 2011 Shanklin Christmas Fun Day

Welcome to our new FOST Corporate Sponsor

SHANKLIN JEWELLERS - Independent local jewellers

Gold, silver & diamond jewellery, watches, clocks & gifts. Watch, clock & jewellery repairs. Watch batteries & straps fitted to all watches. Great selection of pre-owned jewellery.

Free estimates & advice. Agents for Seiko, Bulova & Accurist watches. FOST members can receive a 10% discount on all purchases over £10 excluding items that have been reduced and not on repairs.

In addition to all the FOST benefits, Corporate Sponsors can advertise on the FOST website and the quarterly newsletter. Corporate membership is £100/year.

Interested? Visit our FOST Website: www.friendsofshanklintheatre.co.uk or contact Christine at: FOSTmembership@shanklintheatre.com

Grand Prize Draw Winners – 1st July 2023

The Draw took place in the theatre in the presence of FOST committee members.

1st Mrs G Petter £500 Surrey 4500

2nd Mrs Shirley Hill £200 Cowes 1019

3rd Keira Powell £100 Lake 0430

4th Mr P Osterbery £75 Surrey 3472

5th Joan Gordon £75 Leicestershire 3637

6th Paul Robinson £50 Wootton 0696

7th Julian Burke £50 Alverston G V 4320

Autumn Walking Festival

Our volunteers will be leading two walks on Monday 9th October.

While enjoying the views of Shanklin and Sandown Bay, the walkers will be re-enacting a small piece of theatre history. Intrigued? Find out more by visiting the links below:

www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk/walks/sandown-shanklin-exchange

www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk/walks/shanklin-sandown-exchange

If you wish to join a walk, you must register on the Walking Festival website: www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk

Shanklin Theatre Volunteer Fair 2023

Date for your diaries!

Shanklin Theatre is run almost entirely by volunteers. Have you got what it takes to help keep this wonderful Theatre going? You will be surprised at how many roles there are to choose from:

• Bar staff

• Catering team

• Box Office

• Housekeeping team

• Maintenance

• Ushering/Front Of House team

• Gardening

• IT

• Brochure Distribution

Our first volunteer fair will be held on Saturday 9th September between 10.30am and 3.30pm. To find out more about working here, why not come along and meet volunteers from all departments. Have a chat about what's involved and see if it is for you.

Free tea and coffee plus a chance to win: £10 Theatre voucher - Theatre tour ticket - One year's membership to Friends of Shanklin Theatre.

FOST PATRONS

The FOST committee recognises the value of the support of our FOST Patrons and would like to express their gratitude by offering them additional benefits.

Printed FOST ‘Stage-Write’ Newsletter - Patrons who normally receive ‘Stage-Write’ via email may choose to have a printed copy delivered to them.

Patrons Social Evening - A biennial event for FOST Patrons will be organised at the Theatre in recognition of their contribution. The next ‘Patrons Thank You’ evening will be on Mon 25th September 2023.

Invitations to the Patrons’ evening have been sent. If you haven’t replied yet, please do so by sending an email to Jacqui at: FOSTpromotion@shanklintheatre.com

Due to the success of the Patrons’ scheme, it has become increasingly difficult to fit all the Patrons’ names in one page. So only new patrons will be featured.

Welcome to our new FOST Patrons who have joined since the last edition of the newsletter!

If you wish to upgrade your membership to Patron (£25/year or more), just email: FOSTmembership@shanklintheatre.com

Caroline Gibson

Peter Gibson Jason Monk

Roy Trevatt

Autumn 2023 Crossword Answers

ACROSS

1. Crème 4. Anglaise 9. Raisin 10. Noel 11. Mirabelle 12. Choux

13. Cordon 14. Bleu 15. Choc 16. Flan 17. Éclair 18. Snack 19. Ail

22. Crepe 26. Cognac 27. Chanel 28. Emmental 29. Noisette 31. Jus 32. Crème brulee

DOWN

2. Restaurant 3. Mangetouts 4. Amuse 5. Ganache 6. Apero 7. Crème 8. Crème caramel 14. Bouche 15. Cola 16. Fraiche 17. Eau

20. Legumes 21. Garni 23. Rouler 24. Pain 25. Gateau 27. Climb

30. The

Answers to Gwyn’s Autumn Quick Quiz

1. Björn (Ulvaeus) and Benny (Andersson) 2. Georges Bizet 3. Busby Berkeley 4. Bless This House 5. Brian Blessed 6. Sandro Botticelli 7. Burt Bacharach 8. Bullitt 9. Simon Brodkin 10. Alan Bennett

FOST CORPORATE SPONSORS

Welcome to our new FOST Corporate Sponsor

SHANKLIN JEWELLERS 11-13 Regent Street, Shanklin, PO37 7AF

Independent local jewellers

FOST Members can receive a 10% discount on all purchases over £10 excluding items that have been reduced and not on repair.

FOST Corporate sponsors are businesses passionate about the theatre who support it with their Corporate membership. In return, their company is advertised in our FOST website which is open to anyone, and our FOST newsletter circulated to over 750 members from the Isle of Wight and beyond. Corporate membership is £100 a year.

Clive Thorogood provides Building Surveying services for residential and commercial clients in the following areas: West London, Surrey, Berkshire, West Sussex, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight.

Clive Throrogood Building Surveying Ltd

Delysia Farmshop

Products at Delysia Farm are arguably as fresh as you can get with owner John Day catching, growing, smoking, and preparing the vast majority of it himself. On display you will find freshly laid duck, goose and chicken eggs including rare Araucana eggs, handpicked fruit and vegetables mostly home grown; seasonal meats and game; plus, John’s own freshly caught crab and lobster.

The Village Inn

Independent family run free house Church Road, Shanklin PO37 6NU Traditional thatched pub in the centre of Shanklin old village, serving real ales, good homemade food and locally caught crab and lobster in a warm and cosy atmosphere. Pretty enclosed courtyard garden to the rear. Live easy listening music from local talent

The Snowdon House

A Visit England –Silver Award 4-star guest house situated just some 100 metres away from the spectacular cliff walk and views of Sandown Bay.

Sally & Michael Beston – Resident proprietors since 2001. http://www.thesnowdonhotel.co.uk/

Ron Bird & Son offer a high quality and affordable piano tuning service across the Isle of Wight and Southern England.

https://www.ronbirdandson.com/

tldesignworks is an Isle of Wight based web design & development company with a mixed portfolio of Island centric websites and mainland websites.

https://www.tldesignworks.co.uk/

Jane Oliver, Educational Consultant, can assist schools with all aspects of behaviour management, based on sound practical experience and theoretical knowledge. Contact details and services can be found on this website: http://www.janecoliver.co.uk/

The Clifton: Brimming with coastal charm, this oasis of calm is perched perfectly on Shanklin's clifftop; it's the home from home where you can make yourself comfortable in one of 15 individually designed bedrooms.

https://www.thecliftonshanklin.co.uk/

Shanklin Theatre provides a great home for First Act Theatre Group (a theatre group for people with learning disabilities).

https://www.facebook.com/FirstAct2011/

Island Webservices is an Isle of Wight based web design and hosting company. We make search engine friendly, quick to load web sites that are accessible and easy to use on all devices.

https://www.islandwebservices.co.uk/

May 2023 - £828.18 - 12 shows

June 2023 - £1146.05 - 11 shows

July 2023 - £997.20 - 15 shows

Beyond the West End opened our Summer Season in May and runs every Thursday until October.

In June, four performances of Calendar Girls - the Musical - collected over £158.

Theatre Train’s young performers appeared in Grease in July, with four first-class shows, where over £100 was raised.

A great selection of tribute bands raised over £400 and included a new show - All Or Nothing Experience - featuring the music of the Small Faces.

On 4th May we had an entertaining evening of Tunes and Chat with Francis Rossi.

We had two full houses for Sixty Years of Jazz and Blues from Paul Jones and the Manfreds, and The Showaddywaddy 50th Anniversary Concertand we knew all the words! These gathered over £150.

Comedy featured Chris McCausland, star of the Royal Variety Performance, and Tim Vine’s fast-paced one-liners show Breeeep, together made over £100.

Still more to look forward to and don’t forget some cash for our Bucket Fund, which goes towards the support and upkeep of our great Theatre.

Alana Bird

Friends of Shanklin Theatre - FOST - Organisational Structure

FOST Executive Committee:

Chairman – Vic Farrow

Fund Raising Officer – Veronica Bingham

Health and Safety/Training – Phil Kelly

Membership Secretary – Christine McCarthy

Policy & Support – Michael Beston

Promotional Officer – Jacqui Robertson

Secretary – Liz Hinkes

Treasurer – Peter Frankling

Volunteer Liaison Officer – Suzie Thurgood

Contact: FOSTpromotion@shanklintheatre.com

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, September 2023.