More actors wanted for student films

by Site Admin on Friday, October 24, 2008
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Other local arts

Below follows a message from Lawrence Dunant and Alec Price.  They’re looking for actors in two short films, one about a man who falls in love with a lift(!), and the other about two women who may be falling out of love with each other.

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Enigma variation

by Site Admin on Tuesday, March 18, 2008
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Other local arts

Budding actors and would-be STAC auditionees might like to know about workshops being run by Enigma Theatre. Rachel Le Sauvage, a STAC member last seen directing last year’s Babysitting Calvin, is running the workshops.

Have you always wanted to have a go at acting?

And would you like to meet new people and spend a couple of hours having fun with like minded people?

Enigma Theatre is offering drama workshops for adults which give you a chance to experience drama. The workshops will help build confidence and encourage teamwork through a variety of drama methods and techniques. Weekly sessions will include improvisation skills, role play, mime, movement and script work. The main aim of the workshops is to have fun!

The new sessions begin on Thursday 8th May. Those interested in taking part can download an application form (which also contains more information including where to post the application back to).

UPDATE 4th April: There will now also be a Monday session for beginners (”Chance to Act”) held in the Studio at the Swan Theatre. If anyone is interested they can send the application back to Rachel indicating that it’s the Monday session they are interested in, which start at 7.30pm.

Can you act for young film-makers?

by Site Admin on Sunday, February 17, 2008
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Auditions, Other local arts

Two student film-makers, Lawrence Dunant and Alec Price, on a course at the University are making a short film spoofing News and the Weather television. They want two actors from STAC to play the following roles:

• A scientist, age 50ish, male, grey
• A news Reporter aged 20’s-30’s, male or female

If you want more information or to organise an audition/film session, please make contact through the website and we’ll forward on your details. To be filmed during the next two weeks.

Aladdin at the Swan Theatre

by Site Admin on Tuesday, December 11, 2007
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Newspapers, Other local arts, Worcester Live

If you are still hankering for more Christmas theatre at the Swan following last week’s sell-out STAC production Dig In For Murder, then Worcester’s annual seasonal pantomime might be the answer to your wishes. This year Aladdin literally flies into town on his magic carpet.

John Phillpot gives a very positive review in the Worcester News:

this is a rootin’ tootin’, rip-roaring rampage through a roster of one-liners, with the gags coming thick and fast. Not only that, but writers Paul Milton and Chris Jaeger also add some topical jokes into the festive mix to give the show extra spice and immediacy.

The cast is a glittering showcase of talent. Worcester lad Ben Humphrey returns to his native city to make a formidable Aladdin, ably partnered by Claire Rimell as Princess Jasmine.

 

Chris Jaeger has said, “We were blown away with the success of last year’s pantomime, I still have people come up to me in the street and comment on what a great pantomime it was! This will be our 5th pantomime at the Swan Theatre now and we’re confident that we have the perfect recipe for success.”

Aladdin is showing now and runs until Sunday 30th December. Tickets from £8.50 to £14.50 are available from the Worcester Live Box Office.

The Swan is “a genuine community resource with a balanced programme”

by Site Admin on Thursday, November 22, 2007
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Newspapers, Other local arts, STAC news, Worcester Live

STAC member, Bob Churchill, and head of Worcester Live, Chris Jaeger, independently had letters printed in the Worcester Standard last week. Both were defending the Swan Theatre against the peculiar charge that it does not cater for a wide enough range of tastes, especially family audiences.

A letter in the Worcester Standard, 9th November (note: the page online is inaccurately dated as the subsequent Friday, the 16th), had complained that “what is on offer generally at the Swan theatre these days” is too often like the recent tour, Get Naked. (This was a nude a cappella performance by a troupe of male singers, though even this was aimed more at philosophizing about attitudes to the male body than simple lude entertainment.) These shows, Joan Ritchie argued, “are not suitable for a mixed age audience. It seems a shame that a theatre that was brought about by the people, for the people now only attracts limited audiences.” (Her letter is reproduced below.)

Bob Churchill and Chris Jaeger’s responses can be found online on the Standard’s Letters page for the 16th November (or in full below). Bob talks from the perspective of his “own theatrical experience in Worcester (acting) … with the STAC”, detailing the shows STAC have performed in the last year or so, many of which were suitable for a wide range of audiences. And he also mentions the STAC Children’s Theatre shows: “they are very popular, and, I’m proud to say, they cost just £1.50 a ticket. If that’s not inclusive I don’t know what is!”

Meanwhile Chris gave a similar rundown of shows from the broader perspective of the whole theatre, concluding that the Swan “is a genuine community resource with a balanced programme, If you choose not to come, that is your prerogative, but please don’t pretend that there is nothing here for mixed audiences. There is something here for everybody.”

All three letters are reproduced in full below.

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The New Skell

by Site Admin on Friday, October 12, 2007
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Newspapers, Other local arts, Personal, STAC news, Worcester Live

The Standard reports on a familiar face today.

Jared Thomas joined the Swan Theatre Amateur Company last year, first playing a love-sick Jack in Charley’s Aunt (alongside Keith Thompson and Bob Churchill who are both currently playing in Relatively Speaking) and then playing the lecherous best friend in Babysitting Calvin earlier this year. He has since played one of the “rude mechanicals” in the Invitation Company’s Midsummer Night’s Dream this summer.

And now… he is the new Skell, leading Worcester Live’s ghostbusting tours for children around the city.

The Standard article can be found online: “Ghostwalk starts up for new series of fright nights”. Also see the Worcester Live Children’s Ghostwalk page.

Who needs Barcelona?

by Site Admin on Friday, October 5, 2007
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Children's Theatre, Newspapers, Other local arts, STAC productions, Worcester Live

Director of Worcester Live, Chris Jaeger, is in the Worcester News today with his regular “Centre Stage” column, this month considering the “vexed question” of art funding.

He argues that because local authorities are constrained by their budgets “they always ask what things are going to cost”, and yet the arts are not a cost, they are an investment.

[Barcelona] just shouts culture’ - and surprise, surprise, it is one of the most desirable and exciting destinations in Europe.

People flock there, and the art contributes hugely to their experience.

It’s a sound argument! And with the nights closing in, why not make next week a time to delve into the artistic life of Worcester? There is dance, drama and music to enrich the Worcester experience!

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Old Time Music Hall this weekend

by Site Admin on Thursday, September 27, 2007
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Other local arts

Numerous and varied acts, accompanied by a live orchestra, will take to the stage this coming Friday and Saturday, as the Friends of the Swan Theatre once again stage the annual Old Time Music Hall show.

STAC’s own Frank Wellbourne is amongst the cast, pictured here (right) in a fetching Victorian swimming costume.

The Old Time Musical Hall is showing this Friday, 28th September at 7.30 pm and Saturday, 29th at 2.30 pm and 7.30 pm. Tickets from Worcester Live box office as usual (01905 611427), adult tickets £10, children £8.

Profits from the show go back to Worcester Live via donations from the Friends.

(Also see: Worcester News.)

Worcester amdram stalwart dies in Portugal

by Site Admin on Thursday, August 23, 2007
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Newspapers, Other local arts, Personal, STAC news

Liz Brownridge, a former member of STAC and various other Worcester groups since 1972, has died while on holiday in Portugal, aged 59.

From the Worcester News, Monday:

Holiday death of amateur dramatic’s star

A STAR of Worcestershire’s theatre scene has died suddenly while on holiday.

Liz Brownridge, aged 59, was in Algarve, Portugal, with her husband David when she suffered a heart attack on Thursday, August 16.

A member of Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society (WODS) for 35 years, Mrs Brownridge will be remembered for her dedication to and passion for local amateur dramatics.

Bruce Wyatt, current secretary of WODS said, “She had contributed so much to maintaining the highest possible standards of performance with her enthusiasm on and off stage - there will be a huge gulf that will be impossible to fill.

“She will be sadly and greatly missed by many and our prayers and thoughts go out to David and her two step-daughters Vickie and Helen.”

Born in Hull, Yorkshire, Mrs Brownridge trained as a dancer from a young age. By the time she was 17 she had joined a local dance troupe and was involved with three operatic societies.

When she moved to Worcester in 1972 to work in the pathology laboratory of the former Royal Infirmary in Castle Street, she joined WODS, Kays Theatre Group and the Swan Theatre Amateur Company.

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Worcester-under-Severn II

by Site Admin on Saturday, July 21, 2007
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Other local arts, Worcester Live

The floods last month were nothing really, were they?

This is the Swan today, a view from the raised balcony round the back, and from the bar across the race course:

The main bridge across the Severn is closed, as is Castle Street. But the theatre is still accessible and dry (though the car park is under water). And the show must go on! The Worcester College of Technology production of We Will Rock You is still scheduled (last we heard) to run this afternoon and this evening.

(More photos here.)

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