VOUME 2
G UIL D
G O SS I P
MAY 2008
BY YOU FOR YOU
What would you like your magazine to be called ?
Please vote by sending your choice to Carolyn Craven
TRIBUTE TO TONY HOYLAND When I sat down to write this tribute I found I did not know what to say, then I could hear at the back of my head Tony saying “That will be a first!!” and of course that spurred me on. The loss of Tony was a great professional and personal tragedy to the Guild and to his family and friends. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Shirley his wife, and his daughters Debra and Claire as well as his extended family that are in our thoughts. After Shirley, Debra and Claire one of Tony’s great loves was the theatre and specifically the Civic and lately the Carriageworks where Tony spent a great deal of his spare time. He could always be found in rehearsal with one of the many groups he worked with, in the workshop, set building, Stage Managing for LIDOS, G&S or Children’s Theatre, working on behalf of the Guild or sat in the bar nursing his pint - it was always his ambition to get draft beer in the bar. Tony has been a member of the Guild for many years and for a large part of that time he was Chair of the Guild Executive, I remember when he stood down from this role and the presentation of his leaving present. But then when the threat of losing the Civic Theatre hit us and I had not been Chair of the Guild for very long we managed to persuade him to return as Vice Chair. His knowledge and experience were invaluable to what was a long and difficult phase of negotiations to get the Carriageworks. Tony was without a shadow of a doubt a great driving force behind what we have today and I believe one of the great legacies he leaves all members is a home for Leeds Civics Arts Guild at the Carriageworks. Tony had a bottomless pit of knowledge about the theatre, the Guild and both the Civic and Carriageworks and as one tribute said he always shared this knowledge and experience we were able to learn from him and rely on his judgement and good advice. I know I always relied on Tony for his good guidance and it is was not just me but others that worked with him in any capacity who regularly used the phrase “Lets ask Tony” when there was a problem that needed solving. We all have our own memories of Tony and many tributes have been paid to him over the last few months in my opinion the most moving one being Shirley’s at the service held for Tony which was attended by so many people that knew and loved Tony. I think in her words we all recognised something about the way that Tony touched all our lives. Tony and I worked closely over the years on the Guild Executive and I believe we made a great team – I will always remember the first Guild Awards we did together, I was petrified of going on stage, but Tony helped me through it. He must have done a good job, as over the years he started to complain that I talked more than him on stage – not like the earlier years. The Guild and the Carriageworks will never be quite to same without Tony, he was quite simply a lovely man who enriched the lives of all those who knew and worked with him and he will be missed. Shirley said in her tribute that the Carraigeworks now has its own theatre ghost – one whose words of advice and encouragement we will always remember and that we all loved and admired – Tony.
Jan Morrell
Tony hard at work During Peter Pan the last show at The Civic
TONY
The Guild Awards Night
Tony inspects the building work at The Carriageworks shortly before it opens.
The winning team
GUILD GOSSIP
MAGGIE RHODES Maggie's relationship with the Leeds Arts Centre and the then Civic Theatre started in 1950 - in the days before the Guild. Early stage appearances included the pantomime "Mother Goose" with a certain Mr. Peter O'Toole. After "treading the boards" for many years, Maggie moved on to directing and building up an extensive wardrobe collection of period costumes. She had an incredible enthusiasm and loved getting as may people involved in her shows as possible, usually "throwing them in at the deep end". Her ballroom scenes were legendary! Heart surgery in 1998 curtailed Maggie's activities somewhat but she still masterminded costumes for a Leeds Arts Centre production from her hospital bed. Maggie met her husband Philip at the Centre in 1959 and she was a devoted Mother and Grandmother. Maggie's years of devotion not only to the Leeds Arts Centre but to the Guild will be remembered with great affection, she was an inspiration to all she took under her wing and she will be greatly missed both at Leeds Arts Centre and other Guild members.
Joyce King
MAKE UP A TEAM OR JOIN ONE ON THE NIGHT !
Limelight present a Quiz Night at The Carriageworks at 7.30 on
We d n e s d a y
28th May Even if you are not a big fan of Quiz nights still come along to The Guild Quiz Night on Wednesday May 28th and meet up for a social chat. We will be pleased to see you. Let’s put names to faces !
VG OU U IMLED 2G O S S I P
GUILD CHAIR
LEEDS CIVIC ARTS GUILD Leeds Civic Arts Guild is an association of various amateur drama, music, operatic and fine art groups who meet and perform regularly at The Carriageworks .
Jan Morrell Chairman JAN MORRELL
HERE IT IS AT LONG LAST THE
0113 2298170
20 Bagley Lane Farsley Pudsey NEXT EDITION Leeds LS28 5LJ
OF THE MAGAZINE
morrellstevejan@ntlworld.com
BY THE GUILD
VICE CHAIR Bryan Craven
FOR THE GUILD
0113 2522514
Sorry for the long delay.
20 Churchgate
been a very tough few months for the GUILD but we are now starting to look forward again. We plan to keep developing relationships between our various groups and continue to strive to work together to promote Amateur Theatre at its BEST!!! I hope you
Gildersome Leeds LS27 7HA bryan.craven@ntlworld.com SECRETARY EILEEN POSTILL 0113 2531469 3 Hill Top Court West Ardsley
agree!
Carolyn Craven
Wakefield WFD 13Y MAGAZINE EDITOR
It’s
CAROLYN CRAVEN
cagec20@ntlworld.com
01132522514 Mobile 07806 556255
VOUME 2
LEEDS CIVIC ARTS
Leeds Youth Opera
S.T.A.R.S
GUILD MEMBERS
Leeds Writer’s Circle
St Mary’s Youth
Cosmopolitan Players
Limelight Drama Group
Theatre
Leeds Amateur Operatic Society
Morley Amateur Operatic
West Riding Opera
Leeds Art Centre
Society
Leeds Arts Theatre in partnership with Spotlight Theatre Company
Pandemonium Drama
Leeds Children’s Theatre
Shatterproof Theatre
Leeds Gilbert & Sullivan Society
Company
Company
LIDOS
COMMUNICATION
Details correct at the time of going to press.
ALL GROUPS ARE INVITED TO CONTACT THE GUILD TO ARRANGE FOR THE CHAIR & VICE CHAIR TO MEET WITH THEIR COMMITTEE FOR A SHARING OF INFORMATION. Do you have anything which you would like included in the magazine ? Please send any articles to the editor .
Why not make THURSDAY night Guild Show Night !
Do you have any questions or appeals for help ? If so contact us now . Would you like to share anything with other groups ? If so
This is the night to come along to the Carriageworks and support your fellow groups, see each others shows or just meet up for a friendly chat with fellow Guild members. Why not come along ?
contact us now .
Do you have any information which you would like to share ? If so contact us now .
VOUME 2
YES YOUR MAJEST Y
Back in December Jan Morrell, Bryan Craven and Colin Martin represented The Guild at a Civic Hall reception where they met the Princess Royal, Princess Anne. Also representing the Arts in Leeds were The Leeds Jewish International Performing Arts Festival, South Asian Arts and The Northern Film & Drama Company. Following a speech by The Lord Mayor and a reply by Princess Anne the Princess Royal then spent a few minutes talking to everybody in turn . Jan talked briefly about the work of The Guild and Bryan and Colin spoke in more detail about some of the recent productions which have been presented at The Carriageworks. In addition to our intrepid trio the Princess Royal met with members of the city’s war veterans association, carers and young people from Leeds Youth Council and older members from care homes with members of the Leeds Civic Trust and Victorian Society. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Brian Cleasby said “The Princess Royal’s visit marked one of the city’s most historical events— it’s 800th birthday and 800 years since Leeds was first given it’s charter as a city.”
VOUME 2
LEEDS CIVIC ARTS GUILD AWARD NIGHTS
LOOKING BACK
2006
GUILD GOSSIP
Coming soon!!!!!!!!!! Who dun it? Race Night Play Your Cards Right Magic & Mystery Fun N Games Bowling Theme Nights Music Night Comedy Night
GUILD GOSSIP
IDEAS WELCOME
Do you have any ideas for social events or would you be interested in hosting something? All events will take place in the Carriageworks . Contact us now .
.
GUILD GOSSIP
THE SHOW MUST GO ON ! You rehearse and rehearse, you sweat blood and tears and just as you get to production something goes wrong! The show was under way and LIDOS were enjoying a successful run of their first musical at The Carriageworks, Fiddler On The Roof.
All was well until
the Friday night, NODA dignitaries and VIP guests were all on their
Some LIDOS members and
way, the cast had arrived and the
audience lingered around for
show couldn’t go on! Everyone
a while then met up with
gasped in total disbelief as they
theatre staff and manage-
were told that a sewer pipe had
ment for a social drink and
burst under one of the restau-
chat in nearby pubs whilst
rants and the whole complex was
they watched the fight to
having to close until the Fire Bri-
clear everything up for the
gade brought it all under control.
next day. There was a great
There was nothing for it but to go
atmosphere at the Saturday
home for an early night.
matinee as everyone appreciated just a little bit more the work and commitment of everybody
and the fact
that they had premises to perform in!
VOUME 2
GUILD GOSSIP
THE SHOW MUST GO ON ! Cosmopolitan Players hit a stumbling block for their Upstairs @The Carriageworks February production. On submission of the theatre booking form they discovered that another group, Tiny House, was already booked in to present John Godber’s ”Bouncers“ in April. A quick rethink and several phone calls to the rights holders later, a plan was hatched and it was to prove a tremendous success. Cos switched to John Godber’s “Shakers” and then approached Tiny House productions and worked together to produce joint publicity materials. Further negotiations resulted in an agreement to offer discount to people purchasing tickets for both shows. It was a race to get the artwork and booking details ready for the Carriageworks brochure but with help and support from Nadine Renton everything was changed in time . Both productions were a great success and were sold out weeks before opening, resulting in extra performances being added. Then having received highest acclaims from both public and critics alike the two groups could sit back and enjoy the profits. Co-operation and teamwork were key! Cos could have stuck to their plans and gone up against the other company, after all COS were on first, but instead they opened lines of communication and, instead of competing, joined forces and the results speak for themselves.
Have you had a full house for any of your productions
or
cooperated
to
save
the
show ? If so we would like to hear from you and celebrate your achievement.
VOUME 2
GUILD GOSSIP
CIVIC ARTS GUILD AWARDS
2007
VOUME 2
THE SHOW MUST GO ON !
Imagine the despair as you are about to take your production after months of rehearsals, onto the stage. The play is “A Month Of Sundays� and the leading man is on stage throughout the play. Disaster on opening night as the actor playing the role is unable to carry on - the role is huge and demands a roller coaster of emotion. In steps the Director Ian Vellins and he takes on the role himself and he does it so well that the audience are practically unaware of the script in the actors hand. The audience watch in amazement as the actor has to change clothes and manipulate props whilst continuing with difficult and sometimes emotional dialogue, whilst turning the pages of a script. People could only sit back and admire the action before them. Congratulations on not only saving the day but delivering a fine outstanding performance.
GUILD GOSSIP
Dates for your diary. The ANNUAL AWARDS Evening will take place on Saturday 6th September 2008 at The Carriageworks. Put this date in your diary now for the 2008 glittering awards evening which opens our new season at the Carriageworks 2008-2009 . More details will be given about this event when Jan & Bryan visit your Society .
THE GUILD TREASURE HUNT DON’T MISS THE TRAIN PUT THIS DATE IN YOUR DIARIES NOW -
Thursday 17th JULY 2008 Meet in Millennium Square between 5.30& 6.30
All Guild Society Members & Carriageworks Staff are most welcome. Compete for the newest trophy around. Lots of FUN in the SUN—we hope !!
VOUME 2
Sadly we have to inform you that The Leeds Painting & Sketching Club have had to disband . We will still be running the annual FINE ART competition which, of course, is open to all Guild members. So get ARTY NOW ! USEFUL INFORMATION FOR REFERENCE
The Leeds International Jewish Festival is taking place at The Carriageworks from the 13th to the 17th JULY Please be aware that during the festivals at the Carriageworks rehearsal booking arrangements will be affected. so please consult Mary Martin, check the notice board or look at the Guild website.
27th JUNE –29th JUNE 2008 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL
GUILD GOSSIP
Have we missed your story ? If so please let us know !
Maybe you have a story or event to share! Send it to us now!
STILL TO COME IN THE NEXT MAGAZINE GERRY – A BOYHOOD MEMORY STANSFELD CHAMBERS REMEMBERED NODA - ARE YOU IN OR OUT ? GUILD AWARDS — WHO WON WHAT? NAMING OF THE MAGAZINE RESULTS IT’S A FARCE PANTO TIME - OH YES IT IS !!!!!
VOUME 2
How many Guild shows have you been to see this season ?
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR SOCIETY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS MAGAZINE.
PUBLICITY MEETINGS ARE ABOUT TO START UP AGAIN WATCH THIS SPACE ! PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR THE CARRIAGEWORKS BROCHURE IS MAY 29 TH DON’T MISS IT OR YOU WONT BE IN IT !
We are on the web • www.lcag.org.uk
BRAND NEW 360 VIEWS OF THE CARRIAGEWORKS Lay down on your back and gaze at the stars –well the lights really. If you zoom really quickly the world www.carriageworks@leeds.gov.uk will start to spin www. WHAT CAN YOU SEND IN TO THANKS TO ALL OUR CONTRIBUTORS
INCLUDE IN YOUR MAGAZINE ? WRITE NOW contact CAROLYN CRAVEN
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE ON THE NAME OF YOUR MAGAZINE