23rd September

Good progress tonight. Dee organising our French pronunciation, Tara and JP showing definite signs of 'tendresse' - Dee and Alan doing their John McCririick, Clare Balding commentary on the hunt scene really enlivens it. Colum is a super Maitre D'. Did the meet the Kroesig scene too.

I am looking forward to Monday night, hopefully everbody will be there. Tara will be refreshed and well read on all things Mitford after her holiday in Portugal.
I think I am moving away from my original idea of a prop less, black box production in which the cast will generate all the music and sound effects.
I think we will have enough to do with the various mis en scene - the hunt, the 1st World War ( not all of it) Fabrice's capture and execution, the Comrade's party, the Oxford party, the visit to Stratford upon Avon, The Bolter's dance, also the ball room scene for Linda and Fanny's coming out ball. I apologise that the girls have to share.
I think we will have a Christian on Monday!

Charles

And Next we have...

It's almost September! Can you believe it??

We have a brand new sparkling play from Charles Richards to perform for the Autumn play. It's an adaptation of the novel by Nancy Mitford called The Pursuit of Love and we'll be performing it on November the 25th, 26th and 27th. Auditions on Monday the 6th of September in Wesley House at 8pm. We need 6 men and 6 women, and there probably will be some doubling of parts so hopefully lots of fun stuff for all involved. Charles will be directing with an assistant.

We'll also need all the other important folk for costume, set design, props, script supervisor, lighting... Please come along if you're interested in any of that or email us through the website or leave a comment...

Also our AGM will be on Thursday the 2nd of September. If you're a member come along. The secretary and treasurer report on the year just gone and we elect the new committee for 2010/11. Also the annual subscription will be due and you can pay the treasurer on the night. Starts at 8pm in Room 1 (usually) in Wesley House.

That was the week that was.

And so another play has been put to bed, and what a fabulous show it was. So many compliments from the audience about the hilarious nature of the play, the wonderful acting and the lovely setting. In these weary times it was a real tonic for us all to be laughing almost continually for 2 hours. I wonder should we offer it as therapy for somebody? Certainly we had about 600 people chortling and guffawing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

I was right about the actors, everyone did a superb job acting their little socks off. John and Reg were particularly magnificent, such big roles so well done. Neil in his debut was great - I wonder is he dying to get back on stage already? Brian, Charles, Sean, Dick - all brilliant. The ladies, Carol, Dorothy, Pamela and Maud - Fantastic. Couldn't ask for better. Well done all, well done.
I should be getting photos up on the website soon.

And that's it for plays until the autumn. We will be having a summer bbq hopefully, and possibly another event or two so keep in touch.

We're Nearly There

So, it's set building weekend and next week we have our rehearsals and then The Show with, hopefully, large audiences. The cast have been working so hard, tweeking their performances, learning lines and getting on with it. The backstage crew are coming together and all props have been gathered, costumes are (nearly) ready, lights are ordered and the programme is about to go to the printers. Ready for the final polish and push.

I've not really paid attention to the blog, probably because no one ever reads it, but mainly because I don't know where the time goes. I have berated gently previous directors, and encouraged them to use the blog and here I am Not using the blog. Paul used it to amuse and encourage, Noleen used it inform and I haven't used it at all. Course neither did Jane but to be fair to her she might not have known about it. I feel I have let the society down by not writing hilarious tales of rehearsals and reminding people what we're doing when.

Before it hits the stage I would like to say this...

John will be wonderful. It's an enormous part, probably the biggest he's ever done and most people won't have done bigger. I think he has two half pages off stage throughout and the rest of the time he is driving the show. He will be great. He has been compared to Alan Rickman and John Cleese - sort of a combination of the two. Not too shabby comparison in my opinion.

Reg will be wonderful. He plays his part perfectly, and the way he has thrown himself enthusiastically into all the mad things he has to do has impressed and delighted me. He is truly a Trooper, and a talented one at that. Watch him for the biggest laugh. Paddy Power offering odds of 2 to 1.

Pamela will be wonderful. She gives a beautiful performance of both the antagonist and ally, and she's in pretty good nick.

Carol will be wonderful. She is superb as the helpful, well meaning and sexy wife with the attitude to kick ass when required. A great, strong performance.

Dick will be wonderful. When I first read the play I couldn't really see any other LPP'er in the role. He is perfect. A joy to watch him working.

Brian will be wonderful. In fact there's a strong chance he will steal the show. Coming to the show later than everyone else (due to a drop-out) but always committed, he gives a performance which will delight and it has been an absolute pleasure to see him develop the character.

Neil will be wonderful. It's his first time on stage and I expect he's really nervous. But I know he'll have just the right about of bounce and he'll be great.

Maud will be wonderful. Sure just getting Maud back on stage is wonderful. And her London-in-the-background is wonderful too.

Charles will be wonderful. He's going to be a proper London Bobby. Can't wait to see him in the uniform. And getting squirted.

Dervila will be wonderful. She's quite the professional ward sister with a performance of utter truthfulness.

Dorothy will be wonderful. I think this part has been more challenging than she thought it would be but she is so great at it. She has so much to do, and lots of physical comedy too, and she does it all brilliantly.

Sean will be wonderful. He's getting the bounce and aggression of an unhinged punk, which is a challenge for such a nice guy. And then he's the most adorable puppy. I can't wait to see his dyed hair and earring.

And that's them, the cast. Break a leg guys, you'll be Wonderful.

It Runs in Family rehearsals

Well, we're halfway there I think and rehearsals have never been anything less than hilarious. It's going to be absolutely hysterical. My only worry is that the audience will all be laughing so much they'll fall off their chairs en masse. Do we have the number for the St John's Ambulance?
I'm very excited that we're all Books Down from Thursday. It can really start to move and get a feel for the shape of it once that happens - and I can sort out (hopefully) some of the dodgy moves and groupings that are happening when lots of people are on stage together. Got to get rid of the semi-circle! Once the books go too it's easier to get a hold of your character and I'm looking forward to seeing people develop.
Must mention too that the PLAY READING EVENING is on the 19th of March. If you haven't heard from us and would like to come along let me know in the comments or email the hon sec. It's normally a wonderful, fun evening and is sure to be a successful social opportunity for the society and a great place to showcase your dramatic ability if you haven't tread the boards with us yet - with no pressure and no need to learn lines.
Now, I'm off to order a Matron's uniform. If anyone has a spare hospital trolley we could borrow let me know. One that folds up small would be nice.

Start of Rehearsals...

Rehearsals for It Runs In The Family start tonight... Still looking for one cast member - and have to decide on another one but otherwise it's all coming together. Performance dates are the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of April. Put it in your diary.

Meanwhile, don't forget to support Miss Brill (by LPP) in the Bray Festival this Thursday if you can. Yeay for Noleen and all the Cast!

Miss Brill in the Bray Festival

And, forgot to say, don't forget to support the LPP entry in the Bray Festival.

Only 15 days to Miss Brill in Bray! book your tickets now on http://mermaid.ticketsolve.com/shows/23097307/events/23127673

It Runs In The Family by Ray Cooney

Auditions Tonight at 8pm for the hilarious farce It Runs In The Family by Ray Cooney. 12 parts, 7 men and 5 women. The usual crowd of people needed for backstage and support for the production so come along if you're not yet a member of Leeson Park but might like to be.

Auditions in Wesley House (probably room 1). Hope to see you there!

Auditions for...

We're in the final stages of choosing a play for the Spring.

Auditions are next Thursday, the 14th of January at 8pm in Wesley House. It's most likely to be a Big Cast so we hope you're Available to audition.