The Roses Review Spring 2018

In association with

The Roses Review Spring 2018

Welcome... and Goodbye Spring is a time for fresh ideas and new beginnings. In addition to some fresh new shows on the stage we also have some changes going on behind the scenes.

As you’ll see as you read through this newsletter we have both welcomed and said goodbye to several key members of staff in recent weeks. I’m sad to anounce that I am also leaving The Roses. I have loved being part of the team and I will certainly miss everyone as well as the madness of panto season. I will be staying in Tewkesbury and have been offered a Business Development Manager post at Tewkesbury Dental Practice – so I may well still see many of you there.

Thank you for all of your support during my time here.

Cat Reese

Head of Development

Welcome to Geoffrey

Congratulations To Hazel

We are delighted to announce that Geoffrey Rowe has stepped in as Interim Director until a permanent appointment can be made later this year.

If Geoffrey’s name looks familiar, it is most likely because he ran Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre for 12 years until last year, when he left to pursue a freelance career as an independent arts consultant.

Geoffrey already knows The Roses very well and was the perfect choice to step in and take the reins for a few months.

This year’s Christmas Raffle, generously sponsored

by Alexander Burn Funeral Directors, has been won

by Hazel Lewis. Hazel had previously given a lot of her time to help us organise our Christmas Market, so we were delighted to see her name pulled out of the hat!

We’d like to thank all of the businesses that supported our raffle, as well as everyone who bought tickets, for helping us raise £3,008 for The Roses.

Backstage Pass

Profile: Caroline Lawrence

Caroline is The Roses’ Head of Marketing and has worked at the theatre for over a decade. Here she is questioned by her colleagues...

Where would you like to see The Roses in 5 years time?

Financially independent and thriving, with a happy team successfully running it.

What keeps you motivated?

I do - and some days that’s easier than others!

How do you switch off from work?

I’m fortunate in that I absolutely love what I do and have never tired of it. However, as with most jobs, it can easily become all-consuming if you let it, so I’ve always tried my best to find a balance. In no particular order, you can find me on my allotment, cheering on Gloucester Rugby, on a plane to avail myself of a far-flung friend’s hospitality somewhere, creating delicious food in my kitchen or, more recently, in the gym getting those endorphins going!

I’m also a governor at a local primary school.

How would you improve The Roses if money was no object?

I have always loved the idea of a roof terrace above the bar. As a sun worshipper I could just see myself relocating onto the roof with a laptop during the summer months! If funds were really unlimited I would buy the precinct opposite, knock it down and pedestrianise Sun Street (relocating all businesses, of course) and create a big community space with The Roses at the heart of it.

What’s the weirdest thing that someone has put on their rider?

I have never seen anything really outrageous, but we often get asked for very particular items that do border on the pretentious.

Does one person really need 12 litres of a particular brand of water at room temperature? No. What’s the best and worst bit of your job?

The best bit is easily the people here, no question. It’s probably why I’m still here after 11 years - and I’m still a “newbie” compared to some.

And the worst? Collating each brochure takes a lot of time, and changes take place right up until I send it to the printers - that never gets any less stressful and I’m always very glad when each one is finished.

What’s the best show you’ve ever seen at The Roses?

This is a hard one! I have seen so many over the years it’s almost impossible to choose. I think that the most memorable shows I’ve seen are by a company called Vamos Theatre. I’ve seen all of their work, and I’m always blown away - they are a full mask company and the way in which they tell stories through mime is simply spine-tingling.

This is going to sound like a shameless plug (and it is) but I really do recommend their next show A Brave Face (see page 12 of your brochure).

Board Recruitment

Get Involved

The Roses’ Board of Trustees are on the lookout for two or three new members, ideally from the worlds of accountancy, business, education and community.

Our board needs to reflect the population of Tewkesbury and the surrounding area so applications from younger candidates, disabled candidates and ethnic minority candidates would be especially welcome.

To arrange an informal chat about the role and commitment, please contact current Chairman Keith Norton at chair@rosestheatre.org.

We are looking to create a Friends committee, which would meet once a season in the afternoon to share thoughts and suggestions on how to grow the Friends, act as ambassadors for the scheme, promote the theatre and all it offers and plan more and varied social events.

If this is something you’d like to be involved with, please contact shirley.grant@rosestheatre.org.

Welcome We welcome two new recruits onto the Board; Alan Frame and Maurice Gran.

Alan is a native Glaswegian with a distinguished career in the civil service, whilst Maurice is from a theatrical background, best known for being one half of scriptwriting duo Marks & Gran (Birds Of A Feather, Goodnight Sweetheart).

Farewell Kerry

As well as the departure of Cat Reese, we are also enormously sad to be saying goodbye to Kerry Hughes, who has been a stalwart of Box Office for 11 years.

For some time now Kerry has balanced her part time role on Box Office with work in the education sector and she leaves so that she can pursue this vocation.

Everyone at The Roses will miss Kerry enormously and we all wish her nothing but the best for her future.

Good luck Kerry!

Community Corner in assocation with Barnwood Trust Tewkesbury’s Big Weekend (TBW) is organised by a group of local people who are very keen to bring a community event into Tewkesbury town. This year the dates are 18th/19th/20th May, and as in previous years, the weekend long festival will take place in and around the town and alongside the river.

Details of the programme of events are being finalised, but will consist of a foot parade on Saturday, plus events on the river, and a river parade on Sunday. In addition there will be entertainers, stalls, music and much more.

All profits raised stay local to Tewkesbury, being split between local Macmillan projects, the Avon Navigation Trust, the Town Mayor’s charities, and this year’s guest charity, Tewkesbury Sea Cadets.

We want to reach out to all businesses in and outside Tewkesbury, all local Schools, clubs and associations e.g. sports clubs, rowing clubs, guides, cadets, music, dance groups, bands, crafters etc... in fact, anybody who is connected with Tewkesbury.

If you are in a musical group, a marching band, a dance group, are an entertainer or have any kind of talent or know those who do, or if you would just like to lend a hand on the day then please get in touch via the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TewkesburysBigWeekend/

Children In Need In February 2017 we received £100,446 from BBC Children In Need to fund a specialist project for 3 years, which is identified for disadvantaged children who have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse and therefore have further suffered mental and wellbeing difficulties.

This project will offer these participants weekly sessions within a creative process led by experienced art professionals. They will also benefit from a support worker/ trained mentor. The young people will have the opportunity to participate in weekly creative arts activities in a safe environment that will have a therapeutic benefit. These sessions will be held either at The Roses or at other local community spaces in Gloucestershire.

We advertised the role of project manager for this project a couple of weeks ago and are now in the process of shortlisting the applicants with a view to starting the project in April 2018.

Staff Picks Gail (Finance Manager) “I’m a big fan of live cinema as it’s nice to be able to see London theatre in Tewkesbury, so I’m most looking forward to seeing An American In Paris” An American In Paris

Hayley (Administrator) “I’m looking forward to Vamos Theatre’s A Brave Face, which sensitively looks at PTSD. I love physical theatre and have enjoyed Vamos’ previous productions at the Roses”

A Brave Face

Geoffrey (Interim Director) “I’m looking forward to seeing plenty at The Roses as I continue to get to know the venue, but I’m possibly most intrigued by Tubular Brass and how they put a modern twist on brass music”

Are You Making Use Of Your Patron Points?

Last year we introduced Patron Points and asked for your support and feedback whilst we trialled it for the spring season. Patron Points, like all quality loyalty schemes enables you to earn points whilst you spend with us.

Unless you have opted out, you have automatically been opted in so that when you purchase film tickets with us you will earn points which can then be redeemed against selected events at The Roses.

We thought we’d recap, just in case you have not yet started to make use of the Patron Points scheme...

Your questions answered How do I earn points?

Purchasing films will automatically assign points to your record on our database.

Can I earn more points?

From time to time we may offer incentives where you can earn double or maybe even triple points on purchases.

How do I know how many points I have earned?

Our lovely Box Office staff will be able to tell you and it will also be on your receipt of purchase. Please ask Box Office to print you a receipt for your records.

What can I spend my points on?

Your points will be redeemable on all films.

Will I still be able to use my film card?

No. Film cards have been replaced by Patron Points but we will ensure that any partly filled film cards will be updated to Patron Points when you bring them in.

How many points do I need to get a free film?

400 points Can I use points as a part payment?

No, points can only be used to exchange for a full ticket.

What if I don’t want to earn Patron Points?

Just let our Box office staff know and we will opt you out.

Is this going to take longer at Box Office?

Definitely not. This is about simplifying your experience and reducing waiting time at The Box office. You will be given a Friends Reward Card and this can be scanned at the Box office if you wish; but whether you have your card scanned or simply purchase in the normal way the points will automatically be attached to your purchase. It really couldn’t be simpler.

We would really value your feedback and support on Patron Points. Please contact Shirley at shirley.grant@rosestheatre.org or 01684 853071 with your feedback.