Workshop Report, Looks like those who didn't go missed out.

A good Group of members attended the House of Fun Theatre Company's 'Finding the Character' workshop on Sunday 15th October and were not disappointed in the day. Tutor, David Richey, comes from a very accomplished career in the theatre and clearly had plenty of skills to pass on. Starting the morning with physical activities helped us all breakdown our barriers and warm us up on a chilly sunday morning. What at first impression felt little daft made an awful lot of sense when we came to applying the focussed skills we were learning to specific activities. The content of the course gave us all plenty to think about, new methods for finding instant character from the moment you step on stage, with everything from physical and emotional cues, to elements of imitation to help develop a good rounded character. Working as a team, we looked at the role of Lady M in the 'Scottish play' and all contributed different emotional elements which would help an actor build their performance of her. The group who attended all worked together really well and, I felt, helped us appreciate each others skills even more so that we might have previously done. Personally, I cannot recommend David highly enough and I very much hope that he will come back to work with us again. For all actors, the opportunity to reinforce the skills we may already have and learn new ones should never be missed and I should also pass on our grateful thanks to the CUDOS Presidents Trust Fund for subsidising the workshop making the whole day a snip at the price for what we gained from it. Definitely don't miss out next time!

Phoebe Rees Awards Night

The trophies were gleaming and the stage was set as actors, directors, set designers, technical directors and the whole gamut of amateur dramatists gathered on Friday evening at the Shrubbery Hotel in Ilminster for the Annual Phoebe Rees Awards evening. It was a sparkling affair as guests donned their best bib and tucker, jewellery sparkled, and the light glinted off the trophies arrayed on the stage. There was an a air of anticipation as people caught up with old friends, had a drink in the bar and sat down to a delightful meal before getting down to the main event of the evening: the awards ceremony.

Competition coordinator Philip de Glanville welcomed drama societies from across Somerset – all but three societies that had entered were represented on the evening. Competition moderator Clive Wooldridge presided over the evening and started off by saying, “I have been really impressed in my time as moderator how standards have got better and better.” He went on to say, “To be nominated, you have to have impressed both the moderator and the adjudicator. In my opinion, everyone who has been nominated is already a winner.”

Competion Moderator Clive Wooldridge (standing) is flanked by four of the adjudicators (from left: Phil Wells, Philip de Glanville, our own Polly English and Lynne Wooldridge.

Theatre Workshop

It sounds like the workshop was well worth attending, hopefully one of the lucky people who went will send us a report.

The event was heavily subsidised by the Presidents Trust Fund, this fund is setup to help with training and development in the field of the arts and is available in the form of a grant to any members who wish to apply.