Posts Tagged ‘play’
Bouncers
Bouncers
By John Godber & Jane Thornton.
Directed by Hayley Clines.
Wednesday 23rd to Saturday 26th January at 7.45pm in the Studio.
Bouncers is set in and around Flamingo Joe’s - a nightclub, with the action focusing on the exploits of the four doormen and their customers. The play creates a vivid picture of the relentless antics of nightlife with its raw energy, flashing disco lights and raucous lads and lasses out on the town. The quartet of actors switch with pin-sharp precision from charismatic doormen to giggling girls to lads on the lash and back again.
Four decades after John Godber’s Bouncers was first staged at the Fringe it remains one of the most popular and performed comedies.
Tickets: adults £12, students £10
Box office: 01483 284747 - or Book Online
Review - Trivial Pursuits (by VF)
Trivial Pursuits
By Frank Vickery
12-15 September 2018
Directed by Michael Ayres
“A summer evening’s barbecue with a few friends in a leafy part of Surrey. A pleasant few hours of small talk, laughter and friendly conversation. An idyllic scenario. Yet not in the world of Frank Vickery’s Trivial Pursuits where the underhand maneuvering, petty intrigue, and egos of a small Amateur Dramatic society are hilariously laid bare over two hours.
The director Michael Ayres (also on stage relishing the part of the society’s camp luvvie, Teddy), gathered a group of experienced and talented actors to produce this comedy on The Nomads’ small Studio stage. The restricted space meant the short conversational encounters between the characters could be better handled than in the larger auditorium.
Nick, played confidently by Stuart Tomkins, is the director of the fictional Ockham Operatic Society and the annual barbecue is where he announces the next season’s show. The fact that he cannot get the barbecue to light gives the audience a clue as to the way the evening is going to go – badly!
The first act skilfully established the characters and the fraught situation. What show would Nick announce? Could he be influenced by blackmail, bribery or other means into putting on a favourite of any one of four of the group?
Roz, Nick’s organised and down to earth wife holds the group together in an unflappable way until she realises Nick has been using his directorial influence too intimately with the company’s youngest female recruit. Played by Cheryl Chamberlain, recently seen in Love Me Slender, this was another strong performance. Her sister Joyce, once talented but now a bit of a lush, was played with clear enjoyment by a new Nomad, Fiona Whitehead.
The humourless Mona was wonderfully played as a bit of a diva by Juliana Anderiesz, appearing for the first time on the Nomad stage. The part of the society’s treasurer who knows the truth of the dire financial situation the company is in was ably realised by Elaine Burns whilst the part of the depressive Derek was played as an emotional weakling by Paul Asher. His (soon to be ex), wife Deidre was acted with evident delight in the part by the ever-reliable Moyra Brookes and in the exchanges between her and the pathetic Derek we saw all the impatience of an exasperated wife. Deidre’s escort for the evening, the television obsessed Eddie was played superbly by Iain Macfarlane obviously enjoying the potential for humour in the character.
In the role of the not-quite ingenue Jessica was Alannah Winn-Taylor, a young veteran of the Nomads. She played the part with spark and energy.
Due in no small part to Frank Vickery’s script there were gales of laughter from the audience throughout the show. It ought to be noted that laughs only come off the page when there is an experienced cast who know where the laughs are and how to maintain the pace to maximise impact.
Well done to all the actors.
Movement around the small set was fluid, and no-one bumped into the furniture or each other. The programme tells me the ‘Tuesday Crew’ was responsible for the set design and build. Whoever and how many they are, they did a first-rate job of constructing a small suburban garden. Plaudits are due also to the lighting crew who created the evening light ambiance and to the wardrobe mistress who dressed the cast in clothes reminiscent of that carefree decade of thirty-some years ago.”
VF
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Adapted and Directed by Graham Botterill
Tuesday 11th to Saturday 15th December at 7.30pm, matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm
Tickets: adults £16, children/students £10 (£12 for adults on the 11th)
Box office: 01483 284747 or Book Online
The famous tale of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from miserable miser to generous benefactor, has been a popular feature of Christmas since it was published in 1843. Scrooge’s redemption is prompted by the visitation of a succession of spirits. By turns exciting, terrifying, amusing and always moving; this story is a wonderful prelude to Christmas.
Trivial Pursuits by Frank Vickery
Trivial Pursuits
By Frank Vickery
Directed by Michael Ayres
Wednesday 12 to Saturday 15 September at 7.45pm
Tickets: adults £12, children/students £10
At the summer meeting of the local am dram society, next season’s play is to be announced. The society’s business manager, Nick, runs into trouble, having promised a different show and the plum roles to four different people.
In this comedic look at the world of ‘am-dram’, the audience may find the scenarios of hidden agendas, scores to be settled and all the behind-the-scenes shenanigans which go into a production, a little familiar.
All in all, this play will make you chuckle and chortle, perhaps even raise the odd wry eyebrow or groan! Now, does anyone know how to light a barbecue properly?
A comedic look at the world of amateur dramatics!
- Derek - Paul Asher
Casting - A Christmas Carol
The Nomads will be presenting Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in December 2018, directed by Graham Botterill.
The famous tale of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from miserable miser to generous benefactor, has been a popular feature of Christmas since it was published in 1843. Scrooge’s redemption is prompted by the visitation of a succession of spirits. By turns exciting, terrifying, amusing and always moving; this story is a wonderful prelude to Christmas.
- Performance dates: 11-14 December 2018 at 7:45pm, 15 December 2018 at 2:30pm and 7:45pm
- Rehearsal days: from 2nd September, Sundays at 2:30pm, Wednesdays at 7:30pm plus most Mondays from 17th October
Audition dates:
- Sunday 15th July at 2:30pm
- Monday 16th July at 7:30pm
- Wednesday 18th July at 7:30pm
- Further dates will be announced…
Audition pieces can be found here: Google Drive
Auditions will be held in the Bob King room at The Nomad Theatre, Bishopsmead Parade, East Horsley, Leatherhead, Surrey KT24 6RT (click here). There’s no fixed order; but, if possible, children will be auditioned first.
If you are interested in auditioning and/or would like further information, please contact Graham on [email protected]
There are over 60 characters, so cast members will be doubling and trebling parts. There are lots of fun roles including an ensemble of Carollers, Country Folk, Party Guests, Townspeople, Children, Businessmen, Sailors etc.
Characters (in no particular order):
- Ebeneezer Scrooge: Playing age 60+ – A mean, unhappy loner who recovers his humanity and a fine sense of humour.
- Bob Cratchit: Playing age 30+ – A gentle, downtrodden clerk who adores his family and desperately tries to provide for them.
- Fred (Scrooge’s Nephew): Playing age 30’s – A warm, humorous man who is determined to redeem his uncle.
- Charity Ladies: Playing age 40+ - Respectable ladies who can be doubled with the un-respectable Charwoman and Laundress.
- Street Urchin: Playing age 12+ - crossing-sweeper, message-runner, etc.
- Jacob Marley: Playing age 50+ – The ghost of Scrooge’s dead partner. A booming, terrifying character. Can be doubled with Old Joe the rag and bone man.
- Ghost of Christmas Past: Female – Playing age 30s – Initially frightening but sympathetic to Scrooge’s plight. Can double with Mrs Cratchit and/or Ada (Mrs Fred)
- Boy Ebeneezer: Playing age early teens – can double as Peter Cratchit
- Fanny Scrooge: Playing age early teens – Ebeneezer’s sister
- Schoolmaster: Playing age 40+ - a fierce bully who made Scrooge’s schooldays miserable.
- Mr Fezziwig: Playing age 50+ - Scrooge’s first employer…a jovial, generous man who knew how to celebrate Christmas. Can double with Ghost of Christmas Present.
- Mrs Fezziwig: Playing age 50+ - Fashionable, enthusiastic and adores her husband. Can double with Charwoman or Laundress.
- Young Ebeneezer: Playing age 17 to 25 – An enthusiastic apprentice and fiancé of Belle. Can double with Undertaker.
- Dick Wilkins: Playing age 17 to 25 – Fellow apprentice. Can double with Fred’s friend Topper.
- Belle: Playing age 18 to 25 – Young Ebeneezer’s fiancé. Can double with Young Wife and/or Ada’s Sister.
- Ghost of Christmas Present: Male – Playing age 40+ – Big and cheerful…a sort of prototype Santa Claus. Can double with Mr Fezziwig & Businessmen.
- ParcelMen (2): Any age – Diamond geezers.
- Mrs Cratchit: Playing age 30+ - desperate to keep her family alive on Bob’s pathetic wages. Can double as a Charity Lady.
- Martha Cratchit: Playing age mid-teens – oldest of the Cratchit children. Works long hours for little reward.
- Peter Cratchit: Playing age early teens – can double as Boy Ebeneezer
- Tiny Tim: Playing age about 8 – the much-loved baby of the family. Could be played by boy or girl. Must have the “Aaah” factor.
- Ada (Fred’s wife): Playing age 20+ - Suffers Fred’s ‘sense of humour’
- Ada’s Sister: Playing age 20+ - Unmarried, as yet.
- Topper: Playing age 25+ - Keen to marry Ada’s Sister…or anyone.
- Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: – Tall and terrifying. Non-speaking role…but bags of non-verbal communication.
- Old Joe: Playing age 50+ - Filthy, Fagin-ish rag and bone man. Ideally doubled with Jacob Marley.
- Charwoman: Playing age 40+ - Coarse, grasping harridan…doubles nicely with Charity Lady.
- Laundress: Playing age 40+ - Coarse, grasping harridan…doubles nicely with Charity Lady.
- Undertaker: Playing age 17 to 25 – Pond life. Can double with Young Ebeneezer.
- Plus Carollers, Country Folk, Party Guests, Townspeople, Children, Businessmen, Sailors, etc.
Auditions - Trivial Pursuits
The Nomads will be presenting Trivial Pursuits by Frank Vickery in September 2018, directed by Michael Ayres (Artistic Director, The Nomads).
- Performance dates: 12-15 September 2018 at 7:45pm
- Rehearsal days: Tuesday and Thursday
Audition dates:
- Tuesday 31 July - 7:30
- Thursday 2 August - 7:30
- Sunday 5 August - 1:00
Auditions will be held in the Bob King room at The Nomad Theatre, Bishopsmead Parade, East Horsley, Leatherhead, Surrey KT24 6RT (click here)
If you are interested in auditioning and/or would like further information, please email us to let us know on [email protected]
Characters (playing ages are flexible):
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Teddy – Often insensitive and selfish, he sees himself as a joker. Very friendly with Joyce.
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Joyce – Roz’ sister. Once talented and well-meaning; a lush, she gets drunk during the play.
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Mona – the choreographer. With no real sense of humour, she takes herself very seriously and has a hard edge. Maybe fancied Teddy in the past, but was ignored. Bitter?
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Pearl – the Treasurer. Sensible and straightforward.
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Roz – Nick’s wife and Joyce’s sister; the sensible, organised person behind Nick’s power.
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Jessica – pretty and younger than the other members.
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Derek – Boring and pathetic, but harmless. His divorce from Deirdre is about to be finalised, but he is missing her and is miserable without her. He has been involved with the Operatic Society through Deirdre.
- Nick – Roz’ husband. The society Business Manager. He feels pressured from all sides, and is in a no-win situation, but does find opportunities to get something positive out of it, however. Fancies Jessica.
- Deirdre – happy to be getting divorced from Derek, as she feels she can start living life now.
- Eddie – not part of the society, he has tagged along with Deirdre. His only interest is television.
Auditions - Much Ado About Nothing
The Nomads will be presenting Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing in October 2018, directed by Andrew Hamel-Cooke.
A sharply witty romantic comedy – a battle of the sexes. As soldiers memories of conflict give way to a life of parties and masked balls, two fall madly, deeply in love, while another two reignite their own altogether more combative courtship.
- Performance dates: 9-13 October 2018 at 7:45pm
- Rehearsal days: Sunday, Monday, Thursday evenings - some daytimes can be arranged if a appropriate
Take a look at the reviews of the previous two Shakespeare plays presented by The Nomads and directed by Andrew, here:
Audition dates:
- Please contact to arrange a date
Auditions will be held in the Bob King room at The Nomad Theatre, Bishopsmead Parade, East Horsley, Leatherhead, Surrey KT24 6RT (click here)
If you are interested in auditioning and/or would like further information, please email us to let Andrew know on [email protected]
Note: The Nomads are a not-for-profit, non-professional group residing in a well designed theatre building. We are unable to offer expenses or payment for actors, all roles on and backstage are voluntary.
Casting still open for:
- Claudio - Male - Playing age 20 - A young soldier who has recently returned from war. Claudio falls in love with Hero upon his return to Messina. He is easily manipulated., wears his heart on his sleeve, and too quick to believe rumors, and reacts emotionally without enough thought.
- Margaret - Female - Playing age 20 - Hero’s serving woman, who unwittingly helps Borachio and Don John deceive Claudio into thinking that Hero is unfaithful. Margaret is lower class, full of life and a bit sassy. She unwittingly becomes involved in Don Johns plot.
- Ursula - Female - Playing age 20’s - One of Hero’s waiting women.
- Borachio - Male - Playing age 25 - An associate of Don John. Borachio is the lover of Margaret, Hero’s serving woman. He conspires with Don John to trick Claudio and Don Pedro into thinking that Hero is unfaithful to Claudio. His name means “drunkard” in Italian
- Antonio - Male - Playing age 60’s - Leonato’s elderly brother and Hero’s uncle. He is Beatrice’s father.
Other characters (already cast):
- Balthasar - Male - Any age - A waiting man in Leonato’s household and a musician. Balthasar flirts with Margaret at the masked party and helps Leonato, Claudio, and Don Pedro trick Benedick into falling in love with Beatrice. Should be able to sing.
- Benedick - Male - Playing age 25 - Our Male lead…must be able to deliver a three dimensional character full of energy, humor and honestly. Benedick is a soldier recently returned from the war along with with Don Pedro and best friend Claudio. Benedick is quite charming, always making jokes and puns and carries on a “merry war” of wits with Beatrice. Chemistry with female lead is paramount.
- Hero - Female - Playing age 20 - The beautiful young daughter of Leonato and cousin to Beatrice. Hero is lovely, gentle, and kind. She also needs to have a well rounded character. She has the lead in the prank that is played on Beatrice, she is scorned by her betrothed, and the actor who wins this role must be able to portray a wide range of emotions through the course of the play.
- Beatrice - Female - Playing age 25 - Beatrice is a strong willed woman, with a sharp wit and spirit. Our Female lead must deliver a well rounded character with honesty and intellect. She wages a war of wits against Benedick and often wins the battle. At the outset of the play, she appears content never to marry, however, she is in love with Benedick, just unwilling to admit it. Chemistry with the male lead in paramount.
- Don Pedro - Male - Playing age 50 to 60 - An important nobleman, sometimes referred to as “Prince.” Don Pedro is a longtime friend of Leonato, Hero’s father. Don Pedro is generous, courteous, intelligent, and loyal to his friends. He is the most politically and socially powerful character in the play. This character needs to be very charismatic.
- Leonato - Male - Playing age 50 to 60 - A well-to-do, elderly noble. Leonato is the father of Hero and the uncle of Beatrice. As governor of Messina, he is second in social power only to Don Pedro.
- Don John - Male - Playing age 45 -55 - The illegitimate brother of Don Pedro; sometimes called “the Bastard.” He is the villain of the play; his actions are motivated by his envy of his brother’s social authority, (or jealousy if cast as a female).
- Dogberry (/Hugh Oatcake) - Male - Any age 30+ - The constable in charge of the Watch, or chief policeman, of Messina. Dogberry takes his job seriously, but isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Middle class, with a desire to appear higher, which creates great humour in his choice of words. Comedic timing is a must with this role.
- Conrad - Male - Playing age 25 - One of Don John’s close associates, entirely devoted to Don John.
- Friar Francis - Male - Any age 30+ - The priest who married the lovers, and is the voice of reason in the show. Compassion, patience, (humor) and stability are keys to his character.
- Sexton - Male - Any age 30+ - Leads the trial against the villains.
Shakers by John Godber & Jane Thornton
Shakers
By John Godber & Jane Thornton
Directed by Michael Ayres
Wednesday 14th - Saturday 17th February 2018 (in the studio) at 7:45pm
BOOK HERE
Tickets: Adults £12, Students £10
Box office 01483 284747 or www.ticketsource.co.uk/nomadtheatre
The Nomads present a dramatic comedy piece, Shakers, in the studio. Set in a cocktail bar c. 1985, we meet Carol, Adele, Nicky and Mel, four friends who have taken to waitressing in desperation but who also have wit and resilience enough to never let any of the colorful characters they come across shake them up!
Shakers cocktail bar is THE place to be! After work, before a club, to meet the blokes, to pick up the girls, to drink to celebrate or drown your sorrows, for birthdays and parties and romance and sin, this is the place to be seen. The all-female cast introduce us to complex women from all walks of life with a fascinating insight into their challenges and social commentary.
For this performance, you’ll also find some fun additions to your visit which will heighten the experience… for example, you can order one of our limited edition cocktails in the bar of The Bob King room, our brand new building (formerly The Greenroom)!
Director:
Michael Ayres, Artistic Director for The Nomads, is a well-known face in the amateur dramatics circles of Surrey. Most recently appearing as the dame, Sarah The Cook in Dick Whittington, he’s enjoying the first of two productions he’ll be directing here in 2018.
Cast:
- Mel - Lucy Hamilton
- Adele - Hayley Clines
- Carol - Nikky Kirkup
- Nicky - Laura Spalding
Tickets: Adults £12, students £10
Don’t miss out, seats are limited, book today!
Box office: 01483 284747 – leave a voicemail, or call on Saturdays 10.30-12.30
Online box office: www.ticketsource.co.uk/nomadtheatre