 |
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms |
|
|
|
THE COMMUNITY CHEST
(Publicity
material used to venues)
The Wessex Actors Company has pioneered
The Community Chest - a portfolio of performances for community venues such as
village halls, community centres, schools, libraries and so on, all available
at low cost.
The Community Chest programme is listed
below. These are small-scale productions, which are technically self-contained
and can in principle play anywhere and any date.
A reduction in the minimum guarantee
required can result from District Council support. However, in cases of
potential or actual hardship, our terms can be negotiated if there is good
reason.
We hope that organizing committees will
respond to this innovative programme of live drama.
PLEASE CONTACT MICHAEL BARRY WITH
QUERIES
(TEL 01278 733100 OR 07906 364189)
THE COMMUNITY CHEST
A portfolio of low-cost,
small-scale productions tailored to the needs of small community venues (rural
and urban) and available at any time of the year by arrangement. Some have
narrated as well as dramatised sections.
The Warden *
The first part of Anthony
Trollope's magnificent 6 volume epic "The Barchester Chronicles" has
received a tremendous reception to date.
("The magic began - under the sure direction of Michael
Barry")
Courtship
Jane Austen's delightful views
on romance and marriage presented by actress Kim Hicks in the most successful,
long-running show from
("What a delight! A truly accomplished performance")
Couples?
The abrasive American wit of
Dorothy Parker - 1930s arsenic, tenderness and pathos, shaken not stirred, in
another winning show from the talented Kim Hicks.
("Vastly entertaining evening - a real treat!")
The Indiscretion of an
Heiress *
A popular Thomas Hardy novella
telling the story of forbidden young love between a teacher and aspiring writer
and the wealthy daughter of the squire - across the social divide. A poignant
and tragic tale.
("Michael Barry has a strong track record for Hardy
adaptations and he has come up trumps again")
Dickens at Christmas
Unashamedly popular and heart-warming
fare with a very strong "feel-good" factor. Perfect for venues
wishing to fund-raise with seasonal catering.
("Beautifully delivered... intimate and evocative feeling.
Charming night out!")
Christmas Through the Ages
A festive gallimaufry of poems
and prose, drama and diaristic intimacy, with some musical accompaniment,
celebrating both the Sacred and the Mundane at this special time of the year.
("What a splendid evening. We loved it!")
Man of the Minute
John Aubrey - 17th Century
author, antiquarian and irrepressible gossip - entertains with his brilliant
character sketches and witty anecdotes, well served in the hands of actor David
Weller.
("A tour de force both of acting and of memory")
A Father for My Son
Kathleen Scott, sculptor,
student of Rodin, and wild spirit, was wife to Captain Robert Scott (of the
Antarctic) and mother to Peter Scott, the naturalist. Actress Jenny Coverack
presents the story of this enthralling woman in a new one-woman show.
("A riveting production" - "A great success")
East Lynne - the Victorian
Story
At last - a straight-forward,
non-melodramatic, version of Mrs Henry Wood's famous and powerful novel of the
1860s. David Weller, and wife actress Vera Hughes present their play in a
condensed 1 hour version or as a full evening with interval.
("Drawn with uncanny realism")
The Snow Queen *
A retelling of this timeless
classic for young children - for school or holiday bookings. A story promoting
the values of friendship, loyalty and courage.
("It was the best show I've ever seen in my life... It was
terrific")
Workshops
These are available
independently of the above productions, or (at reduced cost) on the afternoon
of a production. Normally lasting 2-3 hours, workshops can blend theatre exercises
and games with text-based work to suit any group. Playwrights workshops are
also on offer. Normally two of our staff will be involved.
* For logistical reasons,
the 3 productions marked * need about 5 performances at a time within a period
of about a month. Therefore we will note your interest and get back to you at a
later date over a proposed touring period.
Financing:
Our normal terms for the
Community Chest (as at 1999) are 75% of box office with a minimum guarantee of
£150. For schools, this is a straight fee of £150. Workshops £100 (but £80 on
day of performance).
Where District Councils
finance us directly, we offer subsidized discounts to the guarantee for a
certain number of performances in the District: to £100 where a venue has
experience of acting as an Arts Promoter (sharing risk and reward with us); and
to £75 where there is no experience of this, or where maximum sensible seating
is around 40.
Please note that a number of
District Councils prefer to finance our performances to their venues directly
to the venue in question. We can advise you on this and inform you on whom to
contact.
"Professional Drama for the South
West"
The Counting House, Dodington, Bridgwater,
01278 733100