|
Latest News updated 22nd Dec 2011
** Click here for Panto Trailer **
 Message from HQ
An early Christmas for Forum Players
Christmas came early for the Forum Players this year, and this is without writing letters to Father Christmas, or hanging up socks in the chimney, singing carols etc. but the gods for once looked down favourably on us and rewarded us, like the true gods should do. They could not have chosen a better moment. In fact, I am proud to say that a kind person in the name of Cookham Dental Practice
have decided to donate an amount of money to us in exchange for publicity.
But how did we manage to capture the imagination of these people? This is not the outcome of a shrewd marketing campaign, and I’m not sure what Sir Alan Sugar would make of this, but by pure coincidence and a little bit because we currently have to watch our financial situation carefully, Anthony Deacon offered his pantomime, and Auntie Wendy with a stroke of genius had the idea of a local dentist happy to support us, given the title, “The Tooth Fairy”. At this point, yours truly, with the speed and sense of survival typical for people from an underprivileged country, started visiting some local dental surgeries, and thanks to our generous sponsor, we now have some pounds in our safe, and we are more able to face the future.
Poverty and Bohemian Life
I am sure you are familiar with the typical cliché of bohemian life of the penniless artist, whether they are using their voice, a pen or a paintbrush, living in a dingy attic flat, in Paris or Bourne End, without heating, without food etc., looking desperately for a moment of inspiration that will change their life. Well, this is perhaps where we are at the moment. Certainly, this is not the best time for artistic communities all around the world. Crisis, catastrophe? “A bottle of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild goes for $4,000 in Hong Kong. Chinese and Brazilian bankers ponder whether Europe is creditworthy”. Somebody is already saying that the ballroom days are over.
How do Forum Players stand in this global picture? It’s obvious that if cuts have to be made by any government of any colour and creed, the Arts must be the first to suffer, and I’m prepared to understand the reason why. At this point, I would like to reassure the members that our club finances have always been under very close scrutiny from the treasurer, and every penny that is spent has been analysed.
As Forum Players we were born and are still part of a fantastically generous umbrella organization, the Bourne End Community Centre, with a unique sense of mission to provide a home for a lot of people with interesting hobbies and which are of interest to a general public. In these fast changing times we have moved from a climate of plenty in the 1980’s to a much more rigorous and austere 2011. When I became chairman a few years ago, I was aware of these issues, and I undertook my responsibilities with a sense of mission to make art accessible to a wider public, and take the theatre to the heart of our community, for example, to the libraries and schools.
Unfortunately, like all the Performing Arts, on top of the cost of our ongoing productions we depend on the favour of our audiences. I just hope that – between one missionary and another – this will be understood and looked at favourably.
It's Panto Time
At Christmas time when family and friends gather for the usual yuletide rituals, over a mince pie or two the talk may well turn to pantomimes, i.e. who has been already, which is the best one, what makes a pantomime classic, what is lost from the good old days, the authenticity of pantomimes and the respect of the tradition, and the conversation may become animated. As far as our own panto is concerned and the question of authenticity, last Sunday morning there was some animated discussion around a project, when Anthony projected a cartoon he had produced for the pantomime, and which will start off the performance. As you know I was not born in this country, and I am not an expert on the traditions of pantomimes, but as a chairman and as somebody who is able to appreciate art I can assure you that this pantomime is unique, and different, written in a subversive style, with a strong message, whilst at the same time respecting tradition and authenticity.
A prime candidate for this category is Leigh’s dear husband Jeremy, who has been on the receiving end of many a desperate phone call by myself, and who has been most helpful with putting up advertising etc. In fact, every time I call now, instead of a greeting, he immediately suggests “Should I bring my hammer?!” I will never forget the sight of Jeremy’s lithe athletic figure emerging from the misty Buckinghamshire meadows, carrying a huge hammer, putting up the billboards advertising our autumn production, “Control”.
We now officially have a Youth Group as part of the Forum Players. They are very active, very keen to help and to learn all the skills involved with putting together a theatre production. Some of the young members are already involved on and off stage with the current pantomime. They have enrolled in the Maidenhead Theatre Festival, and I will tell you more in January.
 It has been a very busy year for Forum Players. Let me summarize our achievements: we put on three main productions, created a Youth Group, put on a Summer Festival, and we have a lot of projects to look forward to, for all members of any age to take part in. Who could ask for anything more?
Resurgence is around the corner if you want it to be. It is important that we continue to be able to reinvent ourselves, moving with the times, quoting the example given by Roger Cohen in an article in the International Herald Tribune (also quoted above): “A friend of mine’s teenage son is a passionate pianist. He recently broke his right arm. So what did he do? Looked up Ravel’s concerto for the left hand and went to work on it. That’s the spirit needed.”
Finally, a big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported our production and other social events in any shape or form over the past year, and a special thanks to our generous sponsor for their confidence in this very important time in the history of our club.
Merry Christmas everybody!
 Interview with Anthony Deacon
We meet Anthony late one Wednesday evening in November, outside the Community Centre. One of the first rehearsals of the new pantomime has just finished, and some of the young performers are waiting outside the building for parents to pick them up, chatting excitedly. It is one of those chilly autumn evenings with a touch of winter in the air. Anthony looks intrigued and amused and slightly suspicious, as Count Dracula might look at somebody arriving with a string of garlic cloves and a crucifix, as he sees us approaching with a notepad and byro in hand, in good reporter tradition.
When did you start writing?
When I was 16 years old. My first piece of writing was a novel, a thriller. It’s not finished yet, and is about 100 pages long so far. Which has taken 25 years!
Where do you get your inspiration from, say, for plays like “Control”?
I’m a great movie fan. I like mixing things, stage plays, movies, different concepts. I have always had a creative streak. I also like my plays to have a message. For example, the idea for “Animal Plan-it” started out as something I had written for schools, something topical about the environment. I had already produced some plays for the 7-8 year old age group, and I was looking for something aiming at teenagers, with a “harder” approach that would speak to them, with a big message.
Which book are you reading at the moment?
I must say I probably haven’t read a book for 10 years! I don’t read newspapers or books. I’m more of a visual person.
Your favourite drink?
I suppose this would have to be a cappucino.
Costa’s of course? He smiles.
Favourite food?
Filet Mignon (laughs)
Favourite holiday?
Touring around the US.
Finally, what you can tell us about “The Tooth Fairy”?
Interestingly, this was actually started as a screen play, with a darker adult story as a concept. When I started writing it, I realized that a lighter version would actually make a good panto!
And Anthony goes off into the night. We wish him well for all the work lying ahead of him!
Spring
Production
Farndale Avenue Townswomens Guild Murder Mystery
If you haven't read the script beware - can cause tears and pulled giggle muscles.
The biggest problem with rehearsing Farndale is trying to play it straight and not collapse into heaps of giggles at every turn. When we did it before, many of those involved were much younger, ie. Brenda, Wendy, Steve among others, but I don't think being older is going to help.
Dates for your Diary
Performance Dates for Pantomime
Wed 18th January, Senior Citizens
Sat 21st January - 2.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m.
Sun 22nd January - 2.30 p.m.
Sat 28th January 2.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.
Mon 30th January, 2012 - AGM
Spring production
Wed 25th January, Read through.
Wed 1st February, Casting
What’s On - Compilation of forthcoming events and activities as discussed in the monthly Committee Meeting – by Leigh Robinson
1) Finances, advertising and sponsorship.
2) Reminder regarding AGM Monday 30th January. Any nominations should be with Leigh by first week in January.
3) Tickets are now in the Library - initial sales are looking good.
4) Read through of "The Farndale Avenue Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery" on Wednesday 25th January and casting Wed.1st February
5) Planned Youth Section to have one production per year from 2012
6) Any offers of help with printing costs.
Courts & Social
• Centre Quiz for National Autistic Society – Forum Players participated in this fun charity event with two teams. It was also a good opportunity to advertise the pantomime, and Jeremy Ilic announced the January performances. One of the teams, “The Tooth Fairies” came fourth, and “Forum Quorum” arrived third from the bottom. Thank you to everybody who supported this event on behalf of the club!
|
Pictures from Treasure Island 2011
Some Information about Forum Players
We are a friendly club, who celebrated our 40th anniversary in 2008, and we try to put on two plays or revues and a pantomime each year.
We meet most Mondays and Wednesdays at 8.00pm at the Bourne End Community Centre.
We have a good sized stage and have a large scene dock to store flats and props, which allows us to build our own sets.
Anyone is welcome to join our club, you don't have to act as there are plenty of backstage, front of house roles.
Please feel free to pop in and have a chat, or E-Mail me for further information
|
