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ex-Harrow ... Ian Mortimer, Roger Balkwill, Andrew Kitchen, Kay Locker (aka Koré) and Jacquie Russell
ex-Beaconsfield .... Felicity Norrie (née Wiseman), Clare White (née Murrell), Paul Bacon, Mark & Janine Britton, Jane Fryers, Rebecca Mitchener (née Wallace), David Owen, Dave Farey, Catherine Lambert (aka Mansfield), Helen Chaldecott (née Wallace), Sheila Newland (aka Anderson), Debbie Lewis and Bill Tapley
Dave Farey,
Catherine Lambert and
Ian R. Wallace of
Troublemaker Theatre
were all involved in the annual Shakespeare As You Like It project for the
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead which involved twelve local primary
schools. Year five and six children are introduced to some of the stories and themes
in Shakespeare during the Autumn term and then, with Troublemaker staff
helping to generate initial ideas for rehearsal, they prepare and perform
short pieces of approximately 15 minutes inspired by his plays. The
performances all take place over four mornings at
Norden Farm Centre for theArts
with the children also assessing and evaluating each other’s
performances as well as finding out about the “behind the scenes” technical
aspects of the productions and experiencing an historical costume workshop.
Year nine pupils from
Altwood Secondary School
help provide technical support
for the performances.
This non-competitive project was originally set-up by
Maureen Bukht—a local
teacher and theatre enthusiast—who organised it for ten years:
Troublemaker has been heavily involved for the last five. This year
Troublemaker Theatre took over full responsibility for organising the 2010 project which
took place from November 16th - 19th; with a technical
training workshop for the Altwood students on the 15th.
The Project also managed to involve
Helen Sharman
for the first time. Helen led the assessment and evaluation sessions. The (largely ex-YT by now) team were delighted to see
Clare White (Murrell)
arrive on the first day as she was involved with one of the
school‘s productions! They were also pleased to have a visit from
England's youngest Mayor, 29-year-old Cllr
Catherine Bursnall, Mayor of
the Royal Borough, who stayed for the whole of the session on the Wednesday.
Congratulations to Chris (Kit) Lambert and his wife Ceri who are expecting a baby in May next year.
Andrew Kitchen has forwarded this, which may be of some interest to anyone who wants a diversion from the Olympics!
Shakespeare United for 2012 is aiming at a truly historic celebration,
for everyone in the UK, of the work of William Shakespeare in song, dance,
performance, comedy, slapstick, anything.
Shakespeare United for 2012 started with the performers' union, Equity, and
now it has the National Union of Teachers on board. But it would really love
to hear from anyone who'd like to join in.
Please visit Shakespeare United for 2012 or contact Ian Flintoff, Convenor
The Young Theatre (at Beaconsfield) and the Shared Intent Theatre Company present JB Priestly's An Inspector Calls with Ryan Witney as Inspector Goole. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 13-15 October at 7:45 pm in The Beacon Theatre, Holtspur Way, Beaconsfield. | The Birling family’s life is torn apart when an Inspector arrives bearing the tragic news of the suicide of Eva Smith. Priestley’s brilliant and haunting thriller twists and turns as, one by one, the family’s exploitation of the working-class girl are exposed. Box Office and more... |
Patron David Edgar’s new adaptation of Ibsen's The Master Builder was
given it's world premier in the Minerva Theatre as part of the Chichester Festival 2010. According to IRW, who saw the production, it was a very
good one - aided by some excellent performances and very good inventive
staging. IRW was also able to see A Month in The Country in the
Chichester Festival Theatre. Interestingly, this was an adaption by Brian
Friel, who wrote Winners - a very successful YT festival play back in
1990. Again this was an excellent production, well acted and exquisitely
staged. IRW was also able to catch up with two actors who were in that
production that he worked with whilst at the Beeb - Kenneth Cranham (Aston
in The Caretaker) and Caroline Pickles (who played the title role in
Bluebell).
More reviews: A Month in the Country [ Telegraph | Mark Ronan ],
Master Builder [ The Stage | Indie London | The Public Reviews ]
Yet another Mark Britton musical! JOAN of ARC A MUSICAL is an all new theatrical production to be shown for the first time at All Saints, High Wycombe from 3-6 November 2010 starting at 8pm (with a matinée on the Saturday starting at 3pm). Written and produced by local author Robert Bromley Davis, with music composed by Director Mark Britton. For more information see: www.joanofarcamusical.com and Wikipedia |
Robert Genister ended his involvement with Spooks when in the first episode of the new series on BBC1, the “ex-Home Secretary” was revealed as a “baddie” and met his end by poisoned malt whisky!
Heard on the grapevine: Jess Benest is getting married this month. Good luck Jess!!
Tim Hill: Sometimes this news may be about the Archive itself! Having recently discovered a reluctance of Google and other search engines to properly index some YTA pages (with albeit slightly dodgy html) the Yahoo and All the Web search engines seems to overlook a few errors introduced by some otherwise time-saving tools. It finds more pages. Try finding yourself with this:
I have been through the site and repaired these <script> issues so Google et al should be able to see everything that's visible soon. There are some cast lists which are scanned images though; these will soon be supplemented by (searchable) textual versions.
It has been very sad to learn of the sudden death of Cindy Linley at home in Little Chalfont. The funeral will be at Amersham Crematorium at 1.45pm on Friday 6th August. [More details] Our thoughts are with the family. [My enduring memory of Cindy is her 'flying' across stage (on a tea trolley) as Jean the Genie in TFT's Aladdin in 2002. :-) Tim.] |
Taking up Bill Tapley‘s generous offer of arranging for reduced priced seats for ex-YT members to see Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych (where he is coming to the end of his stint playing Jake Houseman) - Peter Sharman went on July 9th - whilst Helen Chaldecott (née Wallace) organised a trip with sister Rebecca, and mum Sue on July 24th and they all met up briefly with Bill afterwards. The show - and Bill - received rave reviews from all concerned! |
Rob Bowen and Ben Crowden are appearing in The Deadly Factor - the darkest of comedies by Jan Moran Neil at the Amersham Community Centre on Saturday 31st July and Sunday 1st August. [] |
You may have noticed that The Young Theatre at Beaconsfield are planning J. B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls for performances in October at the Beacon Centre. Any ex-members who would like to be involved should please get in touch. |
Suzie McPherson (née Buckley) is playing Viola in the Chiltern Shakespeare Company production of Twelfth Night in June at Hall Barn, Beaconsfield.
From Paul Bacon: I’m diversifying - currently concentrating on my Elton John tribute act - Ultimate Elton - Have
a look at my website - www.ultimateelton.com - It’s a lot of fun and
people seem to like it! I've attached a photo for your amusement! I'll probably be involved in Mark[ Britton]'s production
- Joan of Arc, and also singing with another local group - Songbirds...
Two quick snippets: Debbie Lewis is moving to Alderney from Berkshire and Karen Ogborn is expecting a baby in May. [Not connected, of course!!! Congratulations Karen, 'bye Debbie. Good luck to them both - ed.]
What a lovely surprise! We've heard from one of the founding members of YT
Beaconsfield ... David Blott ... who, with his family, was so involved in
the early days of the group. Amongst their many contributions: sister
Susan served on the Committee; mother Patricia directed Lady Precious
Stream in June 1971; and father David used his contacts to acquire props
and scenery for YT shows from Pinewood Studios!
David writes ...
Dear Ian, Have just been looking at the archive of the Beaconsfield Young
Theatre. I notice that you have listed the Blotts in your ‘Where are they
now?’. Sadly, my father David Blott died a few years ago of cancer but my
mother Patricia Blott is well. They enjoyed many years of retirement
together and we sometimes talked about those ‘theatre’ days. My sister,
Susan, is the school secretary of Windsor Girls School and last year became
a grandmother (she has 4 children). I'm hoping I've got a few years to go
before one of my 3 children make me a granddad! I'm a deputy head of a
primary school in London and although I've not done any acting since
(although you could argue that part of the art of teaching is acting) my
theatre training has come in very useful in the number of plays etc I've had
to organise over the years.
I can see that you've dedicated your life to youth theatre and the catalogue
of work in the archive is impressive. I hope you are taking it easier
nowadays, although I do remember the theatre being rather addictive.
Attached are some pictures from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
production which I didn't see on the website. I do have a box in the cellar
with all my bits and pieces from my days at Beaconsfield and when I get a
chance I'll dig it out and see if I have anything else that is not on the
website.
Have such fond memories of those productions - so thanks for the memories.
Regards, David Blott
Olivier Awards 2010: Andrew Kitchen has brought to our
attention the exciting news that Michael Hulls has been nominated for
an Olivier Award!
Andrew writes:-
In case you haven't heard (I have just today) Michael Hulls of
yesterdecade's YT (and for me Dartington of almost 30 years ago) - this is
starting to depress me despite the good news - has been nominated for an
Olivier Award this year for:
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DANCE
Michael Hulls for his lighting designs for Russell Maliphant's TWO:FOUR:TEN
at the London Coliseum; and for Russell Maliphant's AFTERLIGHT and for Ex
Machina & Sylvie Guillem's EONNAGATA at Sadler's Wells.
Thought it should be on YT's website! Cheers. A
Full list of nominations
We’ve heard from Jim Culverhouse (ex-YT Harrow) who writes “Just stumbled across the website! Brought back some memories I can tell you. Still remember being in The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew alongside Robert Glenister”.
Another Britton musical! .. Lost - “a musical for today” - written by Mark Britton and Graham Wilkinson, (both of course XYT) will be performed at St.Andrew‘s Church, Hatters Lane, High Wycombe on 25th, 26th & 27th March - starting each evening at 8pm. Tickets available (£6 Adults; £4 Concessions) from St.Andrew‘s Church Office 01494 529668 or 01628 526845.
Seen on TV . . Rick Warden joined the cast at Holby City (BBC1) as consultant Toby Geddes who successfully succeeded in irritating virtually everybody around - staff and patients alike - on day one! Playing “out-of-character” obviously(!) - but is this an indication of a short-term contract?!
Also Robert Glenister appeared as a guest star in the final episode of series two of Law & Order on ITV1. as DS Jimmy Valentine - a policeman with a doubtful pedigree! (Yes - another one . Pie in the Sky and Frost being two previous outings in this characterisation, although with some variation!)
Melissa Alder (ex-YT Beaconsfield) is to support David Owen (Honorary Life Member at Beaconsfield) at his latest Musical Rendezvous event - the St. David's Day Musical Dinner at Datchet Golf Club on February 27th. David has also enlisted the services of singer/harpist Lucy Bunce. Melissa studied at the Royal Academy of Music and has been a professional singer for fifteen years. Having begun her career at Glyndebourne she is currently a soprano at The Royal Opera House Covent Garden. She also is using her expertise closer to home in classes aimed specifically at making singing special for children in the Chalfont St Giles area with Over the Rainbow Singing.
William Tapley (Bill) - (another ex GD at Beaconsfield!) - turned up on Ready Steady Cook (BBC2: 26th January) partnered by chef Paul Rankin and got his “Winner’s Plate” by just one vote!
Robert Glenister has returned as Ash Morgan in a further series of Hustle on BBC1 - whilst Virgin 1 are also re-running an earlier series!
Helen Chaldecott (née Wallace) has given birth to a second daughter - Amelia Grace. She arrived safely on 16th January, much to the obvious delight of her big sister, Megan. Mother, baby, father, big sister - and grandparents! - are all well!!
Are you an ex-member or member of either Harrow or Beaconsfield?
We'd like to hear from you.
More information please!
* Please note that stories are edited manually and may or may not appear in a few hours’ or days’ time.
If you have any information about past Young Theatre productions, or information about any Young Theatre activities, then do please get in touch; and if you know any other ex-members of YT, please tell them about this site - we would very much like to hear from them too.
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