Goodbyeeeee...

Well, after five and three quarter years in the group, just about half of that as chairman, I'm off to college to hopefully take the musical writing to the next level (or not!). Wish me luck because I'll need it! I am looking forward to seeing the next few shows as a member of the regular Woodhouse audience, which will be a relaxing experience.

I'm handing back over to Steve, who has served as chair before and knows pretty much everything there is to know about how this group operates, which it has done very successfully all the time I've known it, getting bigger every year, always doing more things, improving the quality and range of the programme and offering better and better value to members.

All this comes for what is still an extraordinarily low membership fee (with no hidden costs), and with the friendliest and least political atmosphere I've ever encountered in an amdram group. Oh, sure, we have disagreements and occasional fistfights, er, hurt feelings, but in general there is a pleasing lack of ego, a tremendous respect for ideas, a robust and sensible attitude to work and a determination to be inclusive and as democratic as possible. Long may those things characterise the group.

It's also a plus that we have a very sensible attitude to money, too, meaning the group is always able to invest and increase its sustainability year on year. I'd like to see politicians achieve that without raising taxes! :)

Among the many fond memories for me are, obviously, the two halloween pantos of 2003 and 2005. Speaking for myself, I achieved things on those of which I would not have considered myself capable back in January 2001. This is one of the great things about the group: provided you are willing to take a risk or work at something new, there's always an opportunity to try out and develop your talents in a wide range of areas, be that directing, music, writing, sound, lighting, set design, poster design, web stuff... the list is endless (well, it's long anyway: see www.woodhouseplayers.co.uk/involved.html). In my time, I've noticed that generally the people who stick around and get the most out of the group are usually the people who diversify beyond acting.

I hope that whatever happens, the group remains open to new ideas and innovations and is able to sustain its current increased level of activity. Whether it can or not is not down to the chairman or committee, but is something that every member of the group can step forward to make happen. If you like how the group is shaping up, then help maintain the level of activity by volunteering to do something, especially if you haven't before.

Anyway, all the very best to you all, and here's to many successful years to come for the Woodies. I look forward to seeing you all at The Dresser, in a week's time as I write this, and at shows after that.

Tim

Choosing 2007 plays

On 10 Oct we will be selecting plays to perform in 2007. The slots have changed this year, so here are some details about what we're looking for, to get you thinking. Any member of the group, or even a newcomer, can advocate a play for the group to perform. If you have a suggestion you want to bring to the meeting, please check out the "How We Decide What To Do" page on the website: http://www.woodhouseplayers.co.uk/members_programming.html and then mail chair@woodhouseplayers.co.uk so we can circulate the names of suggested plays ahead of the meeting, enabling those who can't attend to express a view by email.

If you would like to direct something, but are stuck for ideas, you could check out the slush pile page (plays previously suggested by various members): http://www.woodhouseplayers.co.uk/members_slushpile.html

Here's a list of the slots we are selecting for:

FEBRUARY STUDIO PRODUCTION

This will perform in February half term. We are looking for a full length play with a small cast (certainly less than ten and ideally less than five), and a shoestring budget. A good slot in which to do something 'experimental' that may not pull in massive crowds but would be a good development for the participants. Could be new writing.

DOUBLE BILL

We need to choose two one-act plays to perform in the Easter Holiday and to be taken to local drama festivals (if they run in 2007). No particular constraints on the subject matter or size of cast, but to enter a festival, a play would need to be fairly simple to stage and run somewhere between 20 and 50 minutes. Budgets are small. New writing especially welcome.

CABARET?

For the last two years we have run a cabaret in May. We need to decide whether this should continue into 2007, and if so who is willing to produce it, as Tim won't be around to do so in '07.

WHITSUN STUDIO PRODUCTION

If there are enough suggestions, we may select something for this slot, or leave it vacant and decide at another meeting in Feb. Another small-cast, small-scale effort in a similar vein to the February show. This year we did "Teechers" in this slot.

(UNDER MILK WOOD)

It has already been decided that we are going to stage a revival of this year's "radio reading" of Under Milk Wood, at the Kenneth More Foyer Studio Theatre. This will be some time in the early Spring, date tbc.


So, a quick recap:
- CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE FOR HOW WE CHOOSE STUFF
- IF YOU'D LIKE TO DIRECT SOMETHING BUT ARE STUCK FOR IDEAS, CHECK OUT THE SLUSH PILE
- IF YOU'RE GOING TO ADVOCATE SOMETHING, ESTABLISH WHICH SLOT IT SHOULD GO IN, THEN MAIL YOUR SUGGESTION TO chair@woodhouseplayers.co.uk, IDEALLY AT LEAST A WEEK BEFORE THE MEETING
- COME TO THE MEETING ON 10 OCTOBER, WCH, AND VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITES