VOLUME 1, ISSUE
G UIL D
G O SS I P
AUGUST 2007
BY YOU FOR YOU INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR
2
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
3
USEFUL
4
INFORMATION THE NEW
5
MUSEUM 30 YEARS OF LIMELIGHT
6
THE WRITE STUFF
8
CHILDREN’S
9
THEATRE
Welcome to the very first edition of your Guild Magazine. This magazine has been created to open up communication channels between all groups which are members of The Leeds Civic Arts Guild. It is intended that a full magazine will be issued in the Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer with SHORTER letters coming out every month. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The content is up to YOU the members!
COMMUNICATION LINES ARE NOW OPEN
WHY ? The groups which make up the membership of The Leeds Civic Arts Guild can be a strong force when we act together. We fought to maintain a home within The Carriageworks and now we have a home.
WHAT ? POINTS OF INTEREST
• SEE PAGE 7 FOR DETAILS •
??
• NAME THE MAGAZINE
Here is your chance to share news, advertise events, ask questions, offer ideas, seek and offer help, find that last inevitably elusive prop or just have fun together .
WHERE ? Send your articles, ads, pics, jokes & notes etc to the Editor Carolyn Craven 20 Churchgate Gildersome Leeds LS27 7HA Email cagec20@ntlworld.com Home 0113 2522514 mobile 07806 556255
WHEN ? The last Friday of the month for the monthly news bulletin ,asap for articles for the quarterly
GUILD GOSSIP
Page 2
LEEDS CIVIC ARTS GUILD
MEMBERS
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 .
Cosmopolitan Players Leeds Amateur Operatic Society
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Leeds Art Centre Leeds Art Theatre in partnership with Spotlight Theatre Company Leeds Children’s Theatre Leeds Gilbert & Sullivan Society Leeds Painting &Sketching Club LIDOS Leeds Youth Opera
Welcome everyone to the first of the Leeds Civic Arts Guild Magazine and many thanks to Carolyn Craven for all the hard work she has put into producing this excellent and informative magazine. As we have now settled into the Carriageworks it is important that we ensure that the Guild communicates effectively and this is an ideal way of ensuring that aimso please make sure that all your members see a copy of this publication. Since we moved from the Civic Theatre it is wonderful to see that we have continued the tradition of putting high quality performances on in the Carriageworks and I am sure this will continue into the future. We have established a good working relationship with Theatre Management and I believe we work together with them we can ensure the smooth running of the Guild within the theatre.
Leeds Writer’s Circle Limelight Drama Group Morley Amateur Operatic Society Pandemonium Drama Company Shatterproof Theatre Company S.T.A.R.S St Mary’s Youth Theatre
But as a Guild we can not stand still and we have to continue moving forward and working together. It is important that we all work together and improve our communication and this magazine is a good method of doing this. We have a lot of exciting performances planned for the new season and also many different social events including a Treasure Hunt and of course the Guild Awards in September.
Jan Morrell THE GUILDS AWARDS EVENING
ENTERTAINMENT
West Riding Opera
IF your Society, or you personally, would like to offer an entertainment item please get in touch with either Jan or Tony.
The Awards Evening will take place on Saturday 8th September 2007 at The Carriageworks commencing at 7.30 . Secure your ticket now for the 2007 glittering awards evening which opens our new season at the Carriageworks 2007-2008. Tickets @ £3 each are available from your Society or contact the Guild secretary Eileen Postill 0113 2531469
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
Page 3
A W A R D N O M I N A T I O N S 2 0 0 6 / 2 0 0 7 We would like any nominations which you would like to make for either the YOUTH AWARD or COMMITMENT IN A NON PERFORMING CAPACITY as soon as possible please to Jan Morrell or Tony Hoyland.
GUILD TREASURE HUNT Wednesday 8th August 2007 Meet @ 5.30 - 6.15pm in Millennium Square, outside the Carriageworks. All Guild Society Members & Carriageworks Staff are most welcome. Compete for the newest trophy around. The hunt takes place around Scarcroft and finishes at The Bracken Fox where food is served until 9.30 . Hope to see you there !!!!!!!!! Carolyn Craven Guild Exec
SHOW SUPPORT Why not make Friday night Guild Show Night ! This is the night to come along to the Carriageworks and support your fellow groups , view each other’s show or just meet up for a friendly chat with fellow Guild members. Why not come along ?
?????? Once again there will be Guild Quiz at the beginning of the new season. It is hoped to hold this in the bar at the Carrriageworks. Watch out for further details ! Last years winning team are busy preparing for this popular event .Don’t miss it !!
GUILD QUIZ
GUILD GOSSIP
Page 4
THE FINE ARTS AWARD
PAINTING & SKETCHING Interested in art ? The Leeds Painting & Sketching Club are looking for new members .
The fine arts award is open to all Guild
Meetings are held every Thursday Night @ 7.30 @TheCarriageworks Level 2 Room 4 .
members .So how about digging out your hidden paintings or picking up your brush and creating a brand new masterpiece.
On offer is a varied programme including demonstrations, criticism and practical evenings For more information contact Barry Claughton 0113 2667062
Your work will be displayed on the evening for all to admire or ponder .
or Sylvia Liversidge 01132602706
GUILD AGM This year the Guild AGM will be held on Monday 3rd September 2007 @ 7.30 in THE LEEDS TOWN HALL. (Please note the LOCATION is the TOWN HALL due to the Jewish Festival taking place at The Carriageworks.)
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
GUILD AWARDS EVENING 8TH SEPTEMBER 2007
Full details have already reached your Society and the Committee nomination sheet is on the Guild Notice Board in the corridor on the way to the Workshop on Level 2.
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR REFERENCE The Leeds International Jewish Festival is taking place at the Carriagewoks from the 2nd to the 6th September 2007.
JEWISH FESTIVAL
Please be aware that during the festivals at the Carriageworks rehearsal booking arrangements will be affected so please consult Mary Martin or Jan Morrell or look at the notice board to check.. Jewish Festival Sept 2nd to 6th 2007
Film Festival November 7th to 17th 2007
Film Festival November 7th to 17th 2007
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Page 5
THE NEW MUSEUM The new Leeds Museum,for it’ opening ceremony ,is proposing to hold a splendid exhibition about the building’s former life as THE LEEDS CIVIC THEATRE. They have launched an appeal for information, posters, programmes, pictures etc .If you or your Society have any contributions you would like to make to be considered for possible inclusion in this display then please take them to Vivien Simpson Assistant Theatre Manager at the Carriageworks as she has offered to collect them on behalf of the Museum.
HAVE YOU FOUND IT YET?
? ? YES YES YES It’s The LEEDS CIVIC ARTS GUILD NOTICE BOARD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you know where it is ? How many of you have displayed anything? How many of you have read it ? Clue ———it’s in the Carriageworks …………………………………...
GUILD GOSSIP
Page 6
30 YEARS OF THE LIMELIGHT DRAMA GROUP
2007 marks 30 years since the inception of The Limelight Drama Group. It has been quite a journey from meagre beginnings in a synagogue hall to the fine facilities of The Carriageworks. It all started in the springtime of 1977 when twelve enthusiastic stage-struck members of the Street Lane Gardens Synagogue formed a drama group to be known as S.L.O.G.A.D.S. (Street Lane Gardens Amateur Dramatic Society). However, religion and drama didn’t seem to fit too comfortably so after the first production at the synagogue, the group changed the name to Limelight (a competition was held to find a suitable name) and the second production (Alfie) was held at a local hall and after which we became travelling players! Productions over the first few years were held at various venues, including Park Lane College Theatre, the Riley Smith at Leeds University The Ralph Thoresby Theatre at Holt Park and Leeds Grammar School Theatre until we joined the Leeds Civic Arts Guild in 1992. During that period the Group successfully entered several Drama Festivals and collected many awards, all the time increasing the growing membership’s knowledge, experience and confidence in ability and presentation. At the same time we gave play readings and small productions locally for charity groups to enable them to raise money for their causes using Limelight as the basis for a supper evening and entertainment or similar. This is something we have continued to do whenever asked. In later years Murder Mysteries have been good fund raisers for these events and we have been instrumental in raising many thousands of pounds for St.Gemma’s and other worthy causes. Some of the landmark productions in those early years were All My Sons by Arthur Miller, God’s Favorite by Neil Simon (special permission was obtained from the playwright for us to give this play its European première), a specially written musical revue, A View from the Bridge (Miller), Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose and The Diary of Anne Frank. In November 1992 we made our debut at the Civic Theatre with The Children’s Hour by Lillian Hellman after which we performed two productions a year and enjoyed being part of Leeds Civic Arts Guild. Some of the highlights were The Birthday Party (Pinter), The Sunshine Boys (Simon), Kindertransport (Diane Samuels), Hobson’s Choice (Harold Brighouse), Pygmalion (Shaw), Broken Glass (Miller), I Remember Mama (John van Druten), Veronica’s Room (Ira Levin) and The Importance of Being Earnest (Wilde). By the time the Guild moved to The Carriageworks we felt that the time was right to repeat The Diary of Anne Frank for a new generation of young people, so in February 2006 we gave once again the play we had first performed at The Ralph Thoresby Theatre in November 1981. Moving into this theatre was quite a challenge, as all societies well know, so it was with great relief (and some pride!) that we mounted this production with its two level set and attracted more than 1,000 people over four nights. This was despite the fact that it was half-term week so we did not get the school parties we had hoped for. However, the people came and were also very interested in the photographic display mounted in the bar by The Anne Frank Trust.
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
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30 YEARS OF LIMELIGHT——- THE LATER YEARS However, variety is the spice of life so this was followed by When We Are Married by J. B. Priestley, another successful classic directed by Helene Cooper, unfortunately the last of many of such classics with which she has excelled herself for Limelight, as she and husband Ian are moving to London where their children are living. They will be sorely missed. So as Limelight celebrates 30 years with a Reunion Dinner (on June 3) where members past and present will have the opportunity to reminisce and maybe talk about the future we think we can look back on many successes, some hair-raising crises and, best of all, good fun and the forging of many lasting friendships. Our autumn production at The Carriageworks will be A Month of Sundays by Bob Larby. This beautifully written play by the author of such TV gems as The Good Life and A Fine Romance features the warm and uplifting friendship of two elderly men in an old peoples’ home. Ian Vellins directed this play for Limelight in 1988 but he feel that it is worthy of another showing and will direct it again for October 31 and November 1 and 3, 2007. Sue Appleson , 2007.
WHAT’S IN A NAME ??????????????????? What would you like your magagine to be called ?
GUILD GOSSIP ? CARRIAGEWORKS CHAT? Do you have any ideas ? Please let me have them (SEE CONTACT DETAILS BACK PAGE) and I will publish them in the next edition of the magazine due out in the Autumn and we can vote to decide !!!!!!!!!!!
ANYTHING OF INTEREST TO ADD TO THE MAGAZINE ??????????????????
SEND IT IN NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SEE CONTACT DETAILS BACK PAGE
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
GUILD GOSSIP
Page 8
THE WRITE STUFF LEEDS ARTS CENTRE AND NEW WRITING
Talk about biting off more than you can chew. Back in March 2006, Leeds Arts Centre decided to put on a Christmas bash for its members. Unlike previous entertainments though, “The Little Big Show” would feature original material written by the LAC gang. This was a challenge. For sixty years our society has been staging established classic and contemporary plays - in six months would we find talented writers among our ranks? Would there be enough good sketches for a whole evening? Above all, would the producers, Rich Francis and David Lancaster remain sane and in full control of their underwear? Actually, no-one should have worried, we had already dipped our toe into the shark infested water of new writing. The year before, as part of our sixtieth anniversary celebrations, we had staged a Director’s workshop of one-act plays written by former LAC chairman, Martin Key. These ranged from ghost stories and tragedies to comedies and historical drama. The diverse format was a wonderful way of involving a large number of members, both on and off stage. It was particularly useful in encouraging new talent – and the audience seemed to like it. Martin Key came through again in October 2006 with “Theatre Suite”, a full-scale production at the Carriageworks. His four linked plays all concerned the triumphs, anxieties and highly comedy inherent in staging a play. Again a lot of members were involved and audiences were enthusiastic. A sketch show is rather different, however. Everything has to be short, no longer than 5 minutes, each piece has to make and immediate impact and the performers themselves can have a big influence on the final script. Luckily we discovered some excellent writers who showed saint-like patience as they were bombarded with umpteen requests (well, demands) for changes and rewrites up to the rehearsal period and even during it. The result was an entertaining show, which had comedy, drama and liberal helpings of the plain daft. Early this year we used some of the material in “A La Carte”, an entertainment Upstairs @ The Carriageworks. The packed studio also enjoyed “Pastiche”, the classic farce by Nick Hall. We are pleased to have developed so much writing talent and encouraged so many performers – and there is more to come. David Wheatley, one of our sketch writers is staging a Greenroom performance of his full-length play “Looking Back”, a poignant and moving love story. Also a diverse range of sketch shows is in the pipeline. Maybe we bit off a bit more than we could chew, but it was worth it. Mind you, Rich Francis has run away to sea and David Lancaster is a long-term resident at a rest home near Todmorden.
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1
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LEEDS CHILDREN’S THEATRE Tuesday 11 September 2007 will bear witness to a new experience for Leeds Children’s Theatre as they will be staging a greenroom production upstairs@thecarriageworks for the very first time. Furthermore, as a cast of exclusively over-13s, thriller ‘Murder By The Book’ (by Duncan Greenwood and Robert King) might be seen to deviate slightly from their usual genre. Director Ruth Govan Bader, who has shown talent “beyond her years” in the Cosmopolitan Players production of ‘Teechers’, will be donning the mantle of masterful artistic responsibility for the first time. Similarly, the show will be Production /Stage Managed by Michael Plygawko, recipient of the Guild Youth Award 2006.
THRILLER
Whilst Matt Stirk and Matt Driver will be having their debut acting performances with LCT, Helena Willcocks, who will soon be studying Drama in Stratford, will be once again performing with the society after her portrayal of Martha in ‘The Secret Garden’ earlier this year. Additionally, this greenroom will see the return of veteran LCT member Heather Siddle, after playing Peter in ‘Peter Pan’ in 2005. Andrew Plygawko, who has most recently played Colin in ‘The Secret Garden’, Scarecrow in ‘The Magic Scarf’ for LCT, and Tom in ‘Tom’s Midnight Garden’ for Cos, is also in the cast. “Crisp, witty exchanges pepper this light hearted and inventive thriller that unfolds with a series of macabre twists. A thriller writer indulges in vitriolic word duels with his estranged wife until she shoots him. An amateur detective from the next flat attempts to solve the murder before calling the police. More deadly games are in store when the corpse rises and the tables are turned more than once for the victim and the killers.” With limited tickets still available (for guild members and friends of LCT) from society secretary, Louise Hawkins, it is hoped that this society’s first experience of performing upstairs@thecarriageworks will be one of success, educational value, and most importantly, great fun.
We are on the web
• www.lcag.org.uk
Want to add details of your society, show etc to the website?
Members of the Guild are invited to write articles for the website. if you want to help pass on your expertise or have other useful hints, tips and recommendations.
Contact us by email submit it <at> lcag.org.uk , (change <at> to @), or see Karen
THANKS TO ALL OUR CONTRIBUTORS
LEEDS CIVIC ARTS GUILD USEFUL CONTACT INFORMATION
WHAT CAN YOU SEND IN TO INCLUDE IN YOUR MAGAZINE ? WRITE NOW
NEXT TIME
MAGAZINE EDITOR CAROLYN CRAVEN
MYSTERY PICS
cagec20@ntlworld.com 01132522514 Mobile 07806 556255
RIDDLES FUN & GAMES FOR ALL.
20 Churchgate Gildersome Leeds LS277HA
THE NEW SEASON’S PRODUCTIONS
GUILD CHAIR JAN MORRELL 0113 2298170
GERRY –A BOYHOOD MEMORY
20 Bagley Lane Farsley Pudsey Leeds LS28 5LJ
STANSFELD CHAMBERS REMEMBERED
VICE CHAIR TONY HOYLAND 01977 682576
NODA ——
————ARE YOU IN OR OUT ?
16 Copperfield Close Sherburn-In–Elmet LS25 6NP SECRETARY EILEEN POSTILL 0113 2531469 3 Hill Top Court West Ardsley Wakefield WF3 1DY
GUILD AWARDS ————WHO WON WHAT? NAMING OF THE MAGAZINE RESULTS IT’S A FARCE