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.

From Joan Ritchie, published 9th November:

Following your article asking for comments on the censorship of the ‘Get Naked’ poster (Standard, November 2), I wasn’t particularly bothered by the poster but do feel that it is inappropriate for posting in public places. What bothers me more is what is on offer generally at the Swan theatre these days. I used to be a very regular visitor to the theatre and saw many good plays and shows but have not been now for two or three years. Often performances are like the one in question which are notsuitable 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.

Joan Ritchie
via email

From Bob Churchill, published 16th November:

What is Joan Ritchie on about? She says that “these days” performances at the Swan Theatre are “often” like Get Naked, “which are not suitable for mixed age audience” (Standard, November 9). Now it has always been the case that “family” productions are only one part of theatre life (though even on television truly cross-generational programs are restricted mainly to the seasonal holidays, or the pointless rubbish on Saturday evenings.) But the Swan — valiantly — does cater very widely for a venue which is so often under-utilized by its would-be audience here in Worcester.

My own theatrical experience in Worcester (acting) is with the STAC (www.stac-worcester.com). In just over a year we have staged, on the main stage at the Swan, an old-time farce (Charley’s Aunt, October ‘06) and the Ayckbourn play Relatively Speaking (this October), both of which are mild-mannered and suitable for anyone from about age 12 and up. We also staged plays only suitable for much older children and adults: Misery (March ‘07), The Dresser (May ‘07) and Popcorn (July ‘07). All of these might have appealed to slightly different adult audiences. That’s not to mention the work we do in the Studio next door (about three productions a year).

In the meantime, we run Children’s Theatre shows once a month on Saturdays, from October to May. These shows, about 45 minutes long, are aimed at younger children; they have been running for many years, 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 WODs may have performed the Fully Monty this year, which falls slightly toward the Get Naked end of the spectrum, but they have also just finished a successful run of Oliver! The grassroots theatre in Worcester is varied and often wholesome (it’s just that naked men tend to accrue a good deal of publicity!).

And true, many of the touring professional productions aimed at children are aimed slightly older, to coincide with the school curriculum, but they are still children-friendly and you don’t have to wait for a school to organise a trip to bring the family to the theatre! Also the annual pantomime is just coming up, in which the whole theatre is turned over to a family-friendly enterprise for two whole months. It seems like a very varied program to me!

It is impossible to cater to everyone all the time. I say, stop complaining about what you don’t want to come and see, and find out more about what’s on, so you can come and see the shows that do appeal. Because there must be something!

If Ms Ritchie has family of an appropriate age, it would be lovely to see her at next month’s Children’s Theatre, which is The Dancing Bear, Saturday December 8th at 10.30am and 11.45am. www.stac-worcester.com/childrens-theatre (I was in this month’s production and it’s always a delightful atmosphere).

Bob Churchill
Vincent Rd, Worcester

From Chris Jaeger, published 16th November:

Joan Ritchie (Standard letters, November 9) says that she has not been to the Swan for 2-3 years as we do not put on things for mixed audiences.

16 weeks a year are hires at the Swan, really good local amateur companies like WODS, WODYS, MMTG, Kay’s Pantomime, Great Witley, Worcester G & S, Academy Dance and many more doing shows like Oliver, The Mikado, Guys and Dolls, Old Time Music Hall and Mother Goose. The Swan stages a professional pantomime for 45 performances - last December, over 14,000 people saw Snow White, a fantastic family pantomime. (Aladdin this year.) Just two weeks ago, we staged an entire week of shows and workshops for young people during the half term week, many of which were sold out.

In the past 12 months a sample of what we have put on is Hull Trucks ‘Bouncers’ attended by over 20 schools and colleges, two Ayckbourn plays, Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’, 17 films for all tastes, Ballet Russe’s ‘Cinderella’, a world premier of a new play about Elgar, music of many genres, comedy including Pam Ayres, contemporary dance (where 80 per cent of the audience is under 18) and much much more. We have a Dancer in Residence, 7 youth theatres and classes for adults in addition to shows staged.

In the last year, we have had only 5 nights when there was a show which had an ‘adult only’ tag, and only three of those could be called ‘tacky’. 5 out of 365, You have no case Joan Ritchie, the Swan offers a huge eclectic range of events and is supported by large audiences (including the adult only nights.) It 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.

Chris Jaeger
Chief Executive of ‘Worcester Live’

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.

Next month… it’s Jill in the Box! Anyone interested in possibly performing for Children’s Theatre can make contact through the website and your email will be passed on to the Children’s Theatre organisers.

And tonight is the debut of Alan Ayckbourn’s Relatively Speaking.

Building the set at the weekend

Another of Andy Hares’ marvellous sets is in place, and the backstage crew outnumber the cast by more than two to one, so it should all run smoothly… relatively speaking.

If you want to see what the set looks like now it’s finished — and discover just who lives at The Willows, Lower Pendon, Bucks — then buy a ticket! The box office as ever is 01905 611427 and the show runs from tonight until Saturday at 7.30pm at the Swan.

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.

The article continues:

Performing quickly became a full-time hobby. As well as having a number of leading roles in WODS musical shows, Mrs Brownridge was a member of the governing committee for 20 years and honorary secretary for 12.

As a director her work included the award-winning productions of Chess in 2003, HMS Pinafore in 2005, and, more recently, The Full Monty.

In honor of her devoted service she was elected president of WODS in March this year.

Mrs Brownridge was 39-years-old when she discovered she was adopted.

Although she never met her real mother, in 1993 she traced her biological father to Scotland where she met him, her sister and half-brother for the first time.

Funeral arrangements are to be confirmed.

Chris writes:

I would ask all theatre-goers, membership and those who are curious about the S.T.A.C.and what it does to write here.

What you would like to see performed?

What you want from theatre in the 21st century?

Do you think you would like to take part, acting, lighting, props making, scenery, stage-management etc, etc?

Do you think that theatre is too stuck up?

Is it relevant to your every day life?

Do you just want to be entertained or are you up for something more demanding?

Please tell us (STAC). We are your local theatre company and we are here for you, the community.

The Swan, as seen from across the flooded race course

STAC’s Frank Welbourne says “It is very unlikely that the water will actually enter the main doors of the theatre. The highest I have seen it is up to the top of the slip road leading to the car park. There will be water in the cellar below the bar and it may come up through the drains in the workshop, but I have never known it to stop a show.”

Police were patrolling the flooded Hylton Road yesterday on the west side of the river and it was being pumped off last night, so the city centre should be accessible from the north-east again tonight without having to detour through St Johns. If the theatre car park is still out of use there is plenty of parking in the vicinity. Or you could even park further up in the city, such as in the college car park, and take a scenic walk down the Severn’s swollen banks to observe some of the highest flood waters for some years.

There is more information on the floods from the Council, here.

Future STAC productions are also listed at a new event-based networking site, www.RemoteGoat.co.uk. The entry for Popcorn is here. The entry for One for the Road is here. The RemoteGoat page for the Swan Theatre is here.

STAC will have a presence there as usual, promoting the company at large, including upcoming auditions for the October show (details coming soon).

Also some of the cast from Popcorn will be promoting the show, which begins a week today at the Swan! (STAC members have been encouraged to advertise the show and have received their own vouchers which can be exchanged for a free ticket on any night.)

The Arts Fair is free and covers all areas of the arts in Worcester. (The Worcester News preempts the event here.)

If you don’t already know who we are, you can read a brief introduction to our forty+ years dedicated to the arts in Worcester.

SwanTheatre.org will run a blog to keep you posted on:

• upcoming performances
• audition notices
• STAC news
• press coverage and reviews of our performances

Also, we will:

• maintain pages on our past performances
• link to local arts-related sites and news stories
• blog interviews, photos and updates on our rehearsals