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.

Blithe Spirit

Well here we are in production for another play, this time the wonderful Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward. It's a funny show with lots of ghostly entertainment. Jane Mulcahy directs - fresh from her Honeymoon - with a stellar cast including our new Hon Sec Sinead, past Hon Sec Charles, Andrew, Deirdre, Aoife, Rosalie and new girl Fiona. Rehearsals are in full swing and it's coming along nicely. The show is on the 26th-28th November.
LPP have also thrown their hat into the One Act Festivals this year with a new play by Carlo Gebler based on the book Miss Brill, directed by Noleen Hartigan. We haven't done the Festival circuit for many many years (before my time even!) so it's an exciting venture for us. We hope to apply for the Bray Festival in January too which we have performed at more recently but still it must be nearly 10 years - Exciting times for LPP.

Dunlavin

Dunlavin is three weeks ago now. It is amazing to report how smoothly everything went. Suffice to say the Deerings were wonderful hosts and cast and crew displayed tremendous energy and intitiative throughout. The performances were magical, enhanced by the setting, the backgrund sounds of cows and chickens, the lighting, the costume and the dry ice. We made € 1000 for local schools and what's more, a very good impression. I'd love to go back there.

Funlavin

Things are moving ahead. Rehearsals in small groups are taking place this week in John McCarthy's offices in Rathgar. Paul drove back from Galway specially. This week end will be a busy time in the hall, with rehearsals, set painting ( one colour black ) and assembling the costume.

Jean and Jackie are working on props and Sinead on the catering and front of house. The lighting is ordered, Barry Deering has welded in a lighting bar for us.
I hope Andrew and Avril are recovered from swine flu - they are badly needed.

It is lovely to hear some of the phrases from the show again - a young dissipated owl - like Leander, barring the wetting - your beauty has left a lining in it that has kept me warm ever since -. I liked Mrs Cregan talking about their estates being - heavily involved - a lovely euphemism.

A Lot Has Happened

The last post was about the auditions for Move Over Mrs Markham - it was cast with four new male members Eoin Langford, Jim Carroll, Ben Mulhern and Andrew Deering with Hilary Rose making her LPP stage debut alongside Sinead Fitzpatrick, Sarah Louise Cleary and Michelle Reid.
What a blessed production, from assembling such a stellar cast, through the costuming by Dorothy, Stage Design and Construction by Maud and Roger, through to the A. Rankin DVD and the secretary finding the perfect 1970's chair in a skip.
A magnificient response frm our audiences, with the economic clouds darkening it was just the ticket.
The Bar B Q was for once blessed with sunshine. Adrian Chapman returned to impressively catch Stephen McWhite at short mid wicket in a rousing game of cricket. Jan impressed with the bat, Sinead told the bowlers wehre she wanted it. Eric's othodox batting was impressive too.
The Colleen Bawn is due to ride again in the Deering barn in Dunlavin, Andrew Deering will take over from Glynner who played Hardress in November.
Don't forget the DLI summer school - Noeleen is definitely going, Andrew Rankin, JP Swaine and John McCarthy are also making interested noises.
Tara Power was a powerful al fresco Cleopatra in St Stepehn's Green and was a great interviewee on the Myles Dungan show.

Auditions

Auditions for MOMM are on Monday 19th January in the hall. 8pm

Spring Play

The dates for the audition and performance will be announced soon. Available committee members had a reading of Move Over Miss Markham, a farce from the 1970's. We rarely do farces as it usually reuires a long period rehearsing on the actual stage with the set already made, in order to cope with the split second exits and entrances.
However Roger, who has very happy memories of the first time LPP did the play in the 1980's would build a temporary door for us to use in the rehearsal room.
I was helpless with laughter on occasions during the read through, overcome by the weight of the innuendo. It will be a technical challenge for the actors, but bought off well, it should a night of unrivalled hilarity. That is the plan.

I am still being stopped by people in the street and hearing great praise for the Colleen Bawn. It deserves another outing. I am trying to find a venue. The DVD is excellent, well done Andrew. I have a couple of copies left € 10.

The Colleen Bawn

The Colleen Bawn:

Things are moving along. Colette has been through the complete wardrobe, that was on Sunday afer working a 16 hour shift and being 5 months pregnant. She puts her amazing energy down to two tablespoons of flaxseed on her morning yoghurt. She is off to the US on Tuesday and will be getting more costume materials there and wigs.

Noeleen has been in Wexford, colloguing with her brother in law Steve, who is the man for elegant set construction / design solutions.

The Whites, Maud, Roger and Dick are looking forward to appearing on stage together for the first time ever?

Shane Fahy completed a days filming as Bertie Ahern for the upcoming Mint Production/RTE biography of our former leader. Julian Judge played 'Paddy the Plasterer'.

Andrew Rankin is back and looks forward to a challenging lighting assignment.

There is books down on Monday for the first time.

Interesting review in the Sunday Times comparing the current Aykbourn and Pinter plays in the West End. Result Aykbourn ***** Pinter **. My feelings entirely.

The Importance of Beng Earnest

Things are going all too smoothly. We are on schedule..

On the matter of costume Dee and Colette are looking for corsets. If anyone has any give me a call.

The playreading is upcoming on Friday 7th March at Jean and Garrets 8 pm. Do get in touch with me if you are coming and let me know if you are reading and a suitable, memorable piece will be chosen for you.

Congratulations to Alan Nolan on another magnificiently witty and arresting design for 'The Importance' E mail everone on your contacts list.

Auditions on Monday!

It's come around again... another play, another audition...
Monday at 8pm is Wesley House, Leeson Park we're auditioning for The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. Noeleen Hartigan will direct, play dates around Easter but not quite decided at time of writing. All are welcome to audition - newcomers and oldcomers! However I will say that PLEASE be committed to rehearsals if you are fortunate enough to get a part. It's important to the whole team to have the full cast there when requested by the director. If you're going to be unavailable for more than a couple of rehearsals then Please - don't audition. You may be brilliant, you may know your lines, you may be fantastic in performance, but it's not fair on the rest of the cast to rehearse without you. Rehearsals are every Monday and Thursday at 8pm, if you don't have many scenes then you may not be required for all but that is up to the director. You have been warned. A Dim View will be taken.
As always it's not just the cast that are essential to the production so we'll be looking for people to do all the backstage stuff too. Interested?

Adieu!!

Well, that's it.....The fat lady has sung, and we're out of there! It was the most scrummy, spiffing and topping experience to share the past 3 months with all of you. Thank you for the absolutely top hole reception you gave me on Saturday night. The gifts were lovely. I thought I might leave this last blogging with the poem I wrote and recited for you on Saturday. So here goes.....


“Heroes - Meditations of a Director”
by Paul Cullen

I have written these few words
With every good intention
And I have tried my very best
To give you all a mention.

We started rehearsals for this play
In the balmy nights of September
And we’ve ended up here in the Waterloo Inn
On the first day of December.

The early part of rehearsals
Were a lot of fun
Jigsaws, feasts and sing a longs
And the quiz that the teachers won!

To put on the best show that we could
That was our ultimate aim
So we had a healthy attitude
To play up and play the game!

We certainly gave it our best shot
We really gave it a bash
But luckily, unlike Clare Broderick
None of us broke out in a rash!

Charles took on the producers role
And showed such responsibility
Except when he threw the coke at Alan
And nearly put him in Casualty!

For a show to be a success
You need a fantastic crew
So to Noeleen, Craig and Roger
Many thanks for all that you do.

Noeleen of course stage managed
A job that was a big demand
And I don’t think we’d have got those boxes moved
If it wasn’t for her guiding hand.

To Jean who managed all those props
The job you did was great
And also I must mention Sharon
Who’s make up was really first rate!

Carol played Grangewoods headmistress
Miss Gibson was firm but fair
But Carol is glad the show is over
Cos at last she can cut her hair!

Miss Granville loves her country
Thinks England is the best in the world
She adores patriotic poetry
And flies the Union Jack unfurled.

Sarah Jane took over Mademoiselle
And of course it saved the show
Her French accent was “Fantastique”
We’ll see her next on Allo, Allo!

Alan of course was Mr Scoblowski
Complete with an exaggerated limp
I suppose that’s what happens
When you become Mr Thompsons gimp!

As they crept around the corridors
Using just a torch for light
They obviously enjoyed each others company
All through the night.

But now that Mr T is back with his wife
Will the illicit affair come to an end
Or will he still have visitations
With his Bolshevick friend.

Caroline played Belinda Mathieson
A girl too perfect to be true
She was proud of Daisy
And Caroline “we’re proud of you”!

The other Caroline joined the group quite late
Not an easy thing to do,
But she worked hard and got involved
And in the end came through.

Poor Jane got confused at rehearsals
Reading in so many parts always toing and froing
But now that she has her eyesight done
She’ll know where she is going!

Louise is the baby of the gang,
Who could hurt this girl of just sixteen
But the black eye she got from Sybil
Was the biggest I’ve ever seen!

And Alice Fitzpatrick from Ireland
Her accent was so cute
You’d think butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth
Except when she’s playing the flute!

But be very careful when she’s around
She’s a dark one to say the least
Because if you happen to be a second year
You might end up being a feast!

Unless of course she’s in the bath
With all the other prees
Especially when Clare went down in the mud
And needed help to wash her knees!

Colette joining us this year
All the way from the US of A
And when she had to take over from Denise
She certainly saved the day!

She took on the role of Monica
And gave it her best try
It’s nice to know that Grangewood School
Has it’s very own CSI

Especially with all those mysteries
That filled us all with fear
Like where did Charles find all those young women
And why did they disappear?

Clare Beaumont was a topping head girl.
Never too proud or cocky
But you know she’d sell her granny
Just to win a game of hockey.

Dora doesn’t have a pencil sharpener
With boys she likes to chat
She even bites her nails
Dora Johnston, Don’t Do That!

Joan played Sybil Burlington
Beautiful, Spoilt and Rich
In fact you could say
She was a little bit....misunderstood!

Her funny bits were comedic
Her breakdown simply tragical
I must say Joan, in this production
You were by any standards, magical!

We cast Diane as Trixie
And we expected great things
She was always full of energy
No need for Red Bull to give her wings!

Diana was fun and enthusiastic
But could play the prima donna role
She insisted on a doughnut with the middle removed,
Yes, that’s right, she got her hole!

But she’s definitely got a future
The world’s hers for the taking
This young, talented girl
Is surely a star in the making.

And now to our leading lady,
Irene who played the huge part of Daisy
She must have said so many times
Why am I doing this I must be crazy!

But Irene, you did an amazing job!
Playing Daisy was quite tough
But with talent, dedication and commitment
You certainly “Pulled It Off!!”

And Irene as you say goodbye to Grangewood
And take Digby your little frog,
I’m sure that you’re so exhausted
You’ll sleep like the proverbial log!

This has been a fantastic show
It’s really been a ball,
And from the bottom of my heart
I’d like to thank you all!

Finally to all involved in this show
I warmly congratulate
So let’s say farewell to Grangewood
It’s time to graduate!!



That's it..... thank you for joining me on this journey.

Honesta Quam Magna.