The Father
by Johan August Strindberg

Directed by Mike Bullimore
26th April - 3rd May 2008
Curtain up 7.45 pm.

For a piece written in 1887, this play has a very up-to-date take on the eternal battle of the sexes. Adolf and Laura are at odds with regard to the future of their daughter. Adolf wants her to leave home to study in town and become her own woman but Laura insists that she stays under the influence of the home and develop in a more conventional way.

But the argument isn't just about personal development; religion is also a factor. As a scientist Adolf sees the world in a very different way to the female members of his household who, between them, represent several of the various versions of Christianity.

Laura, however, will use any means she can to get her own way; even to the extent of undermining her own husband's sanity. In this overwhelmingly female household Adolf begins to question not only his sanity but also his masculinity and, as a result, even the paternity of his beloved daughter.

This surprisingly accessible version of the play was written by Mike Poulson for the Chichester Festival Theatre in 2006. The cast includes Bryn Thomas, Alexis Bull, Geoff Martyn, Peter de la Wyche, Linda Batson, Mike Palmer and Elise Johnson.

Mike Bullimore

BOX OFFICE

We hope you will all be eager to buy tickets for the next production at the theatre, Strindberg's 'The Father', which will run from Saturday 26th April to Saturday 3rd May. The Ticket Secretary will be at the theatre on four Saturday mornings from 5th April between 10.30 am and noon. The answerphone booking line will be open on Monday 31st March telephone number:

01625 540933

Phone any time after 31st March and leave a message with details of your ticket requirements.

Denise Soussi

MEMBERSHIP

A number of new folks have joined the ranks in the past couple of months. Alex Bingle, Rick Hazelwood, Alex Howarth and Emma Toms have all joined in connection with their roles in Hay Fever and Margaret Edmunds and Ann Goodwin are also now full members.

Elaine and John Lynn and Cindy and David Russell have joined as social members.

A very warm welcome to you all and we hope you will enjoy your membership of the Green Room.

Denice Soussi

SITUATION VACANT

We are looking for a new Registrar for next season. This is one of those Green Room jobs which is time consuming but absolutely vital. It involves keeping track of existing and new members and collecting subscriptions. To know more contact Denise Soussi who has been ably carrying out these duties for the last few years.

Basic requirements are a thick skin and the ability to squeeze blood out of stones.

Denise Soussi

BACKSTAGE

Bob the Builder doesn't work for the Green Room so we are dependent on voluntary labour to construct the sets.

The Play Selection and Casting Committee would like to establish a building team for each production next season.

If you are able and willing to commit to helping with just one production then please contact Vi Pope. You don't have to be a master builder or joiner. Basic skill with a paint brush will be more than sufficient.

Our Next Season of Plays
2008-2009

DISTANT VIEW

At the risk of getting ahead of itself the Play Selection and Casting Committee is giving thought to the season 2009 - 2010.

If anyone has any suggestions for plays they would like included please let Vi Pope know.

Contrary to popular belief the committee does welcome suggestions from members (when anatomically possible!) and does read and consider all the plays put to it.

Perfect Putdown

When Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opened on Broadway in 1954 Joyce Grenfell kept telling Noel Coward he must go and see it. Wagging a finger at him one day she said `You should go and see it Noel. Such things happen in real life'.

`So does diarrhoea' he riposted, `but I don't want to pay a lot of dollars to go and watch it.'

YOUTH GROUP

Easter fell early this year which meant we were not able to squeeze in our end of term mini showcases. Planning and preparation of these showcases does cut into the lessons and summer would generally be the term in which we focus purely on learning and advancing the student's skills. However, we will ensure we prepare something for the end of summer to make up for Easter.

We had a great term albeit it was short. We held a camera workshop with a follow up screening of the footage and we also held a monologue lesson which included tips to consider in preparing for auditions. It was great to hear that so many of the students had learnt so much from these types of lessons. There is an enormous amount of talent within the groups and they are extremely entertaining.

We have mentioned to students that we will be holding a summer school for one week in August running from the 4th until the 8th. (Monday to Friday) with a performance on the Saturday.

We will send out details at the start of the Summer Term to enable those who are interested to book a place. A lot of interest has been shown in once again performing the wonderful play, written by Gill Taylor, `Crooks, Film Crews and Heroes'. This is a fabulous play and was a big hit with the audiences as well so it is likely to be the one we do.

I hope you all enjoyed Easter and we look forward to seeing you for the summer.

Best wishes
Steph and John.

GAWSWORTH OPEN AIR THEATRE
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Performance dates Wednesday 25th June 2008 to Sunday 29th June 2008 Inclusive
Curtain up at 7.30 pm weekdays, 6.30 pm on Sunday 29th June.

The action takes place in Leonarto's house and environs. The play's setting is Messina, but the many detailed references to the garden and the domestic life of an Elizabethan household point inescapably to an English Manor House like Gawsworth.

Two stories are entwined. Claudio loves Hero but he is villainously misled into believing her to be a wanton. In church, at their wedding, he denounces her: she faints, is thought dead, but recovers to be proved innocent by a chance discovery made by the local watch.

The other story is of Hero's cousin, Beatrice, who thinks herself a confirmed spinster, and Benedick, who proclaims himself an eternal bachelor. Eventually they are both tricked into admitting their love for each other.

Mike Rogerson

FORTHCOMING EVENTS