THEATRE CLUB

 

DO YOU KNOW

If you have attended any of the Buckhurst Parkinson’s Support Group regular meetings and your name is on the register, you are automatically

a member of the Theatre Club, this entitles you to attend any of the shows on offer. (which generally are free). We tend to attend matinees as

logistically they are more convenient. 

 

For your added comfort, if you have any particular seating requirements (aisle seat, first two rows etc) please

contact Michael Reed or fill in a form on the“Contact us” tab and we will endeavour to meet your requirements.

 

 

Can't Pay Won't Pay

 

Theatre Club visit to Queens Theatre, Hornchurch, Saturday 17thMarch

Take a silly play, very cleverly written, and acted with gusto by an excellent cast which of course equals farce. And farce is what we got at the Queens Theatre Hornchurch on Saturday afternoon.

The resident company as we’ve witnessed before are at the top of their game in this very funny play “Can’t Pay Won’t Pay”. Set in, one presumes, a local council estate it managed to cram in references to all the recent news items, David Cameron, the coalition, Nick Clegg et al. With references to the recent riots the play revolves around confusion at the local supermarket when the management withdraw and a ‘help yourself’ situation occurs. All the action and there is plenty of that, takes place in a flat on the estate.

All the usual jokes about bankers bonuses – overweight police officers – the NHS cuts, with particular references to Queens Hospital Romford (not to be confused with the Queens Theatre) abounded right through till the end. We even got audience participation so in tune were actors and audience.

All in all something different from our usual fare of musicals. Great!

Looking forward to this excellent company’s next offering “The Merchant of Venice” written by some guy called Will Shakespeare. Now that will be different! 

 

 

Martin & Sheila

 

Stephen Greif

 

On January 26th. the Group was pleased to welcome Stephen Greif to our meeting.

 

Stephen is an actor of over 40 years experience spanning theatre, film, and TV as well as a variety of other work including talking books, TV and radio commercials, corporate presentations etc.

 

Stephen entertained and amused us with tales ranging from his first decision to become an actor, through his training at RADA, to his early experiences as a professional and to his ongoing work.

 

Along the way he dwelt on particular moments and particular encounters with fellow actors such as Laurence Olivier, Ian Mackellan and Albert Finney and made mention of his favourite stage appearance in the National Theatre’s highly successful production of ‘Death of a Salesman’ with Warren Mitchell.

 

Of his numerous TV roles Stephen made special recall of his playing the villainous Travis in the BBC’s scifi series ‘Blake’s 7’

 

saying that he still was called upon to take part in reunions held by the enduring fans of this series.

 

We hope to be able to perhaps invite Stephen to visit us again in the future to entertain us with further tales of his experiences in the world of the professional actor but if in the meantime, you’d like to refresh your memory of his visit and to learn more of his wide ranging career we’d recommend you to look him up on the internet: imdb/stephen greif.

 

 

On Sat. Feb.4 KMT matinee 3.00 pm
The Wanstead Players
'Crown Matrimonial'
Saturday February 4th we went to the Kenneth More Theatre to see the Wanstead Players performing in “The Crown Matrimonial”, A play covering the background to the abdication of King Edward V111 in 1936 in the light of his relationship with Wallis Simpson. Whilst it was a pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon, and the actors played their parts admirably, it portrayed the Royals acting in private as one would expect them to behave in public. It therefore failed to expose the passion and ferocity of argument which must of occurred during this period.

Derek Lester

Review of “Sound of Music” at the KMT by Kris Krishnan

I attended the matinee show of the “Sound of Music” at the Kenneth More Theatre (KMT) in Ilford on 11 January 2012. This musical was dedicated to the loving memory of the senior Sepples, Edward and Jessi, who passed away respectively on 9 and 14 January 2012. The musical was the product of the multi-award winning team of Jai Sepple (Producer & Director) and Harri Sepple (Producer & Choreographer) who had previously staged other musicals such as “Tommy” and “Dracula” at the KMT. Jai Sepple also ably played the role of strict and austere Georg von Trapp in this production.

A septuagenarian like me is inevitably is tempted to compare Erin Heatley Smith’s Maria Rainer with the same lead role played by Julie Andrews in the 1965 film version of this musical. However, that would be grossly unfair not only because the original movie was a multi-million dollar production and had the benefit of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s vast orchestra. Nevertheless, the highly talented Miss Heatley Smith sang the numbers beautifully and showed a tremendous range in her repertoire and the numbers were as enjoyable as they are popular. There were also eye-catching performances by Rachel Masters as Gretl and Louis Rice as Kurt. It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon with the musical numbers making one highly nostalgic. 

Sat. March 3. KMT matinee 
Redbridge Stage Company
'Barefoot in the Park'
Neil Simon's light hearted romantic comedy. 

The performance of "Barefoot In The Park" was most enjoyable, and the actors were perfectly cast. The actress who played Corie was so good, bubbly, energetic full of enthusiam for her new apartment, even though her husband and mother were not. The story was lovely and I am sure we can all recognise the heated difference of opinions of the young couple, if we can remember that far back. Thanks Michael for arranging another enjoyable afternoon.

Shirley Silver

 

 

FORTHCOMING SHOWS

Sat. March 17. Queen's Theatre Hornchurch matinee 2.30 pm
'cut to the chase' - The Queen's Theatre's resident professional company.
'Can't Pay? Won't Pay!'
Dario Fo's riotous comedy farce.

Sat. April 28. Queen's Theatre Hornchurch matinee 2.30 pm
'cut to the chase'
'The Merchant of Venice'
Shakespeare's drama of love, honour and revenge

 

Wed - Sat April 25th -28th Lopping Hall Loughton

Meredith Wilson's

The Music Man - Loughton Operatic Society