STG December Newsletter

8/3/2019 STG December Newsletter

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/stg-december-newsletter 1/4

Strathclyde Theatre Group

STRATHCLYDE THEATRE GROUP IS A CHARITABLE BODY, REGISTERED IN SCOTLAND (SCO42388)

December Newsletter

THE CRUCIBLE The Crucible by Arthur Miller (Cottiers November 11th – 19th)

Our first production as a touring company was a resounding success. Taking on such a huproduction as the first of our newly re-organised company was a huge sink or swimstatement and, boy, did we swim! The 24-strong cast played to around 17 hundred peopleand the audience feedback was fantastic. We are still receiving emails from individualspraising the quality of the show and of the performances. Large school groups arenotoriously difficult to play to, but the cast kept them spellbound. A huge well done toeveryone involved onstage, backstage and front of house.

s to thre

Not only did ‘The Crucible’ put some much-needed funds into thecompany coffers, it has also helped STG to lay the groundwork for agood working relationship with Cottiers Theatre and we plan to extendthat in forthcoming productions. As a company without a home, goodcontacts with venues will be crucial to our future and Cottiers were mothan pleased with this first collaboration and keen forus to book in more shows. All in all, presenting Miller’s classic was a risk worth

taking – gaining a new audience for STG anddemonstrating all the qualities that make us a company to be proud of.

Here is only a small selection of the comments we have received fromaudience members:

I just wanted to say 'thank you' to you all for the fantasticproduction of 'The Crucible' that we saw last night. I have taken school group



productions in recent years (including a professional production by the BirminghamRep) and yours was by far and away the best I have seen.

Just to say a big thank you – the production was superb, the acting of the higheststandard – totally absorbing – we loved it very much!

Along with 2 friends I attended last night’s performance of The Crucible at The CottieTheatre. I simply want to ask you to pass on my appreciation to the cast. We really

enjoyed their work and I wish you all well in future work

Listen, we've run out of words! Powerful, Fantastic, Inspiring, Awesome, Brilliant, CoChryston High School

Congratulations to everyone involved in The Crucible. I'm just back from tonight'sperformance and it was amazing. I even had a tear in my eye. It was the bestproduction of it I've seen. Well done again and I hope the rest of the run goes as wel

ool,

a

STAGESTRUCK

On Sunday, November 13th a group of talented actors from STG competed in the semi-finof Stagestruck in The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon,home of the Royal Shakespeare Company. We were up againsthree other groups from around the country; Tell Tale from Liverp

Regent Rep from Bournemouth and Crossmichael Drama Club fromDumfries. Each group had to present two very challenging scenesrom King Lear.

Our performance was very well received, unfortunately, the judgeschose to chose to send Crossmichael and Regent Rep through tohe final. It was a great disappointment, but it was undeniably

marvellous experience and a wonderful opportunity to perform on



eone of the best stages in the world. Although we didn’t win, STG will benefit from some grpublicity when the series is broadcast next year.

One of the judges, Bill Kenwright said we are ‘an extraordinary group’ and urged us to stayogether and come back next year. A second series hasn’t been commissioned yet, but theproducers are hopeful that Sky will give the go-ahead. Stagestruck is certainly a reality TVprogramme with a difference – a celebration of the passion and commitment of creativeheatre groups around the country.

STG member Marianne Boyle said about her experience in the Stagestruck competition -I'd just like to say what a wonderful experience it was to be involved in the Shakespeare round. The workshop weekend helped me tap into my creativity as well as being an amaziexperience & i will remember it always!!’.

And Barry Ward, involved in both the first and second round of the competition said -Participating in Stagestruck was easily one of the most exciting, rewarding and treasured experiences in my life. I felt so incredibly proud of representing STG and walked away knowing that we did our best. With the invaluable advice from Dame Harriet Walter, couple

with the workshop day with the Royal Shakespeare Company and eventually performing inStratford-upon-Avon meant a dream really did come true for myself and no doubt everyoneelse who was involved in this incredible journey. I'll be behind Crossmichael Drama Club, will we all no doubt ….’

You can see all the drama and judge for yourselves how well we performed when theStagestruck series is broadcast on the Sky Arts channel in April and May of next year.



THE GLASS MENAGERIE

Our next production will be The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. The director ohe show will be Derek Banner. The Glass Menagerie will play at Cottiers Theatre, Glasgorom the 7th to the 11th of February.

Set in St Louis during the depression era of the 1930’s, this “Memory Play” is told throughhe eyes of Tom Wingfield, an aspiring writer whose longing for escape from his menialwarehouse job causes him to strike up a deal with his well meaning but frustrating motherAmanda to help her provide a suitable “Gentleman Caller” for Laura, Tom’s shy mildlycrippled sister.

Told with love and nostalgia this semi autobiographical play was Williams first major succeon Broadway. A poignant family drama filled with laughter and heartbreak which stillesonates with audiences more than 70 years on from it’s original run.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Abigail’s Party: We can confirm that STG will present Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh from 20th to the 23rd of March as part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. The venuewill be the Brunswick Hotel in the Merchant City – in the penthouse suite. The director will Peter Lamb.

Love à la Carte: Our highly popular a la Carte series returns with Love à la Carte on Sund

2th February 2012 at The Shed in Shawlands. More details in the next newsletter.

Still Game: STG are proud to present the first ever revival of the stage version of thepopular TV series ‘Still Game’ at the 2012 Glasgow West End Festival, from May 31st to Ju20th. This is possible because of the kind permission of Greg Hemphill and Ford Kiernan.More details in the spring.

Coriolanus: STG will present Shakespeare’s Coriolanus at the Cottiers Theatre from the 3until the 7th of July 2012. This is part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Open Stages

season. The director will be Mark Coleman. An audition notice will be posted in the Marchnewsletter.

STG Chair: Debbie Nicholson. Vice-Chair: Sara Jo Harrison. Newsletter compiled and edited by Bruce Downiee-mail: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

STG December Newsletter