Author Archives: Rob Spurway

Made IN DAGENHAM

Rob Spurway Uncategorized November 20, 2023 Leave a reply

📣📣📣📣BIG NEWS📣📣📣📣

Wellington Operatic Society’s next show will be

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Made in Dagenham

#madeindagenham #ford #strike #amdram #getinvolved

Sandra KERRY

Rob Spurway Uncategorized October 20, 2023 Leave a reply

It is with sadness that we have to say that Sandra Kerry died on the 19th October.

Not everyone will know her, but she was the Panto Chair in the mid 1980s and then after that the Chair of what was then the Civic Players.  At both of these times the groups had very little, if any money, but she helped to secure their future.

She is probably best remembered for making numerous costumes.  But she also was a props lady, directed a few shows and was always willing to be front on house.

She will be missed by her friends but in particular by her daughter Sue.

WTC are auditioning!

Rob Spurway Wellington Theatre Company May 27, 2022 Leave a reply

Anyone who has enjoyed The Play that Goes Wrong will know the sort of mayhem to expect!

These Coarse Acting plays will be performed at The Arts Centre from Wed 7th – Sat 10th September,  under the title “A 3 Box Set”, with rehearsals on Tuesdays and Fridays from mid-June.

The audition dates are now Monday 30th May and Thursday 9th June, 7.30, at The Arts Centre. 

A Fish in Her Kettle is a traditional French Farce with a twist – as the simple lack of a door handle causes the disaster as most of the cast find themselves trapped on’stage when the door jams.

Streuth – a take on the classic play Sleuth.  This is a crime story that not even Agatha Christie would have dared to write, and it gets itself into such confusion that it is doomed, apparently, to perpetual motion: but the Coarse Actors struggle gamefully on throughout.

Present Slaughter – a Noel Coward spoof of Present Laughter, where the play collapses because of one unlucky slip of the leading man, who cuts his wrist when he collides with a tableful of glasses.

Feel free to audition for parts in more  than one play, as they are all quite short, but the more, the merrier! 

Contact pennybradnum@gmail.com  for  more info .

List of characters

Streuth  ( a drawing room murder mystery )

The inspector (M/F) Main protagonist in this story. (Could possibly be female.)

Mr. D’arcy       (M)    The victims brother. Speaks lines too fast.

Mrs. D’arcy     (F)     Lady of the house but sadly fails to disguise her common accent

Hubert.            (M)   The D’arcy’s  son. Wooden and possibly older than his father. Reads lines throughout

The Major       (M)   Stock retired military man. Tweeds and a stuck on moustache.

James              (M)   Aged retainer. Rough westcountry accent.

Vicar / Rupert (M)  Villain and clergyman.

Sergeant          (M)  Might not even turn up! Could be female

Cook               (F)   Speaks her ‘common’ lines with cut glass tones.

Prompt            (M/F) Plays the prompt. (Bit obvious that)

Present Slaughter

Pianist             (M/F) If we can find a real one that would be good. We can do the play without one though

Oliver              (M) Suave and sophisticated. Needs to do a pratfall though.

Antoine           (M) Valet come waiter.

Mimi               (F)  French maid. Needs to faint, collapse on the floor to a less than flattering position.

Lavina             (F) Old flame of Oliver. Graceful. Spends a lot of time protecting her evening gown.

Binky              (M) Fails to make it on stage. Just needs to take a bow at the end.  

Bunny             (F)  Same as Binky

Doctor             (M/F)  No lines, just on at the end.

A fish in her kettle       ( A French farce )

Felix                (M) The Valet. Needs to do pratfall. Needs pace. Best for younger person.

Antoinette       (F)  French maid. Not necessarily fitting for the role.

Victor              (M) the master opf the house. Oozes smarm. Acts as if he is alone on stage.

Henri               (M) Doctor, myopic, causes havoc.

Eugenie           (F)  Lady of the chateau.

Captain Bidet  (M/F)  A stage hand roped in to cover. Plays French Captain with Scots accent and book

Lucille             (F)  Lover of Victor. Plays with scouse / Brum / Devon accent.

Count Otto      (M) German Count.

Cook               (F)  Just needs to rush on and off with a cake.

The band         (M/F) An ensemble of musicians. Only one speaks ( one line )

Prompt            (F) Can’t do coarse acting without one really. Has one line.

Panto Audition INFORMATIOn

Rob Spurway Wellington Pantomime Group May 25, 2022 6 Comments

The Pantomime Group have released the audition information for Once Upon A Time in Pantoland.

(Indicated genders are guidelines for casting. Many roles could be played by actors of any gender. Oh yes they could!) 

Spirit of Pantomime (F) Ultimate good-fairy full to the brim of pantomime cheer 

Tommy Tickle (M) Comic, 

Tiffany Tickle’s Son 

Talullah Tickle (M) Dame, kind & caring owner of the local joke shop 

Tilly Tickle (F) Fiery young woman with passion, integrity and determination 

King Charming (M) A miserable King who hates happiness & joy 

Prince Willy (M/F) A young prince desperate to break free from his father 

PC Pete Potter (M) A cheerful police inspector keen to serve the community 

Baxter (M/F) Policeman’s faithful dog companion 

Mouldywart (F/M) The wicked witch that plights the kingdom 

Snitch (M/F) Mouldywart’s sneaky cat 

Fairy Grandmother (F) An elderly, retired fairy based on Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother 

Debbie (F) Organised and officious, PA to the Fairy Grandmother 

Flaky Pastry (F) Friend of Tilly, Pupil at the Fairy Academy, happy but a bit Flaky 

SUPPORTING ROLES (M/F) 

Villager 1 – Villager 2 – Villager 3 – Villager 4 – Postal Worker 

 Peter – Pan – Jack (Of beanstalk fame) – Jack’s cow – Snow White – Hansel & Gretel – 

Magic Mirror (Voice over) – Fairy Cake – Fairy Lights – Fairy Liquid – Ghost 

COMPANY ROLES 

People of Pantoland –  Students of the Fairy Academy – Mouldywart’s Ghosts, Ghouls and guards.

SCENES 

ACT I 

Prologue Front of Cloth and partial stage ( for fountain ) 

Scene 1 Pantoland Market Square Full stage 

Scene 2 A Country Lane (Front Cloth) & full stage then front cloth 

Scene 3 Pantoland Market Square Full stage 

Scene 4 A Country Lane (Front Cloth) 

Scene 5 The Fairy Academy Full Stage 

ACT II 

Scene 1 Mouldywart’s Castle Full stage and ending up front of cloth 

Scene 2 Mouldywart’s Castle Dungeons Full stage ends front of cloth 

Scene 3 Pantoland Market Square Full stage 

Scene 4 Song Sheet (Front Cloth) 

Scene 5 Finale

Principal and Ensemble Audition songs

For the auditions, the songs will be the original arrangements, so please feel free to find them on your preferred streaming service to practice before the auditions.

Mouldwart – Somebody to Love by  Basstrologe

King Charming – Ooh Ooh Child by The Five Stairsteps

Willy – This is a new song so will only be available at the audition workshops

Tommy – Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves

Tilly & Flaky Pastry (Duet) Part of Me by Katy Perry

Adult and child ensemble song is Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves and this will be taught with basic choreography during the audition workshops

Show synopsis and reminder of audition workshop/audition dates and times

Once Upon A Time in Pantoland

Wellington Pantomime Group is proud to announce they will be performing a brand new pantomime, titled Once Upon a Time in Pantoland in January 2023. 

This bright and funny new production comes hot on the heels of their last success, Treasure Island and the creative Team behind this one – Director Steph Colman, Choreographer Holly Knowles, Vocal Coach Kiera Chard, Musical Director Joe Beckhelling and Production co-ordinator Pete Watts are all raring to go for this roller-coaster of a pantomime.

The story so far – Pantoland, where all your favourite pantomime characters live in peace – Peter Pan, Snow White, Jack (and his beanstalk) Hansel and Gretel, King Charming to name a few, watched over by the Spirit of Pantomime all live happily together.

But wait, the Wicked Witch Mouldywart, aided by her cat Snitch has plans to kidnap the Spirit of Pantomime and make the whole land unhappy. 

Can Tallulah Tickle with son Tommy and daughter Tilly, thwart the evil plans of Mouldywart and save the day along with PC Peter Potter and his trusty dog Baxter, and with the help of Charming Prince Willy (who loves Tilly and will do anything to save her). 

Featuring all your pantomime favourites – Dame, link person, evil witch, good fairy and fairy godmother, Prince charming, a King, bumbling police officers, a cat, a dog and panto cow, plus Postman ‘Pat’, villagers/ensemble, students of the Fairy Academy, ghosts, ghouls and henchmen plus more. 

Launch night and first audition workshop – Tuesday 7th June 7.30pm, 

Second Audition workshop – Friday 10th June – 7.30pm 

Main Auditions – Sunday 12th June, 10am – 3pm – specific times TBA.

All the above at Wellington Arts Centre, Eight Acre Lane, Wellington, TA21 8PS

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!! IMPORTANT !!

To confirm your attendance please email – wellypanto2023@gmail.com

Please let us know which of the audition workshops you will be attending and confirm you will be able to attend the auditions on Sunday. 

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Invite to all for CLIFF LAUNCH

Rob Spurway Uncategorized May 25, 2022 Leave a reply

On Thursday May 26th at 7pm the Operatic Society will introduce its autumn 2022 production
“Cliff” which celebrates the songs of a true British icon, Sir Cliff
Richard. Sir Cliff is the only artist to have a hit album in every decade
since the 50’s. He celebrates his 82 nd birthday in 2022.

You will get an opportunity to listen to a preview of some of the songs
that have been short listed for this show covering Sir Cliff’s hits from the
charts, movies and stage shows. You will meet the Director John Walker
and some of his team. The songs are a true celebration of this amazing
and popular star. The Operatic Society is looking for enthusiastic
performers who will shine a light on his most memorable hits from Rock
‘n Roll, Ballads, Eurovision, Stage, Movies, Christmas, Gospel – the
songs are endless.

In his 16 years involvement with the Arts Association John Walker has
devised and directed several Autumn Shows celebrating the songs and
music of John Lennon, Elvis Presley, James Bond and Bacharach.

Rehearsals begin on Monday 12th September and thereafter on
Thursdays and Mondays until the show week of 7th November.

Once, we know the number of members who want to be part of this
show, a few preliminary rehearsals will be arranged to familiarise the
company with the songs, before September 2022.

To become a member of the WAA and it’s constituent groups follow this link

Looking forward to seeing you at the launch.

IT’S ALMOST PANTO TIME!!

Rob Spurway Wellington Pantomime Group May 13, 2022 4 Comments

Wellington Pantomime Group is proud to announce they will be performing a brand new pantomime, titled Once Upon a Time in Pantoland in January 2023.

Launch night and first audition workshop – Tuesday 7th June 7.30pm

Second Audition workshop – Friday 10th June – 7.30pm

Main Auditions – Sunday 12th June, 10am – 3pm – specific times TBA.

All the above at Wellington Arts Centre, Eight Acre Lane, Wellington, TA21 8PS

To register your interest and for an audition pack, please email: wellypanto2023@gmail.com

What’s On January – April 2022

January

Event Location Date/Time Contact Notes
Acoustic Music Club M Sat 15th Jan, 7.30pm acousticclub@w-a-a.co.uk  
“Treasure Island” – our 2022 pantomime W Tues 25th – Sun 30th January panto@w-a-a.co.uk  

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February

Event Location Date/Time Contact Notes
Acoustic Music Club M Sat 17th Feb, 7.30pm acousticclub@w-a-a.co.uk ï»ż

MARCH

Event Location Date/Time Contact Notes
“Top Team Quiz” – our annual quiz evening A Sat 12th March, 7pm Simon Spalding
Acoustic Music Club M Sat 19th March, 7.30pm acousticclub@w-a-a.co.uk ï»ż

April

Event Location Date/Time Contact Notes
“ENG-ER-LAND” – Hannah Kumari. Take Art! A Sat 2nd April, 7pm events@w-a-a.co.uk https://thisweeklondon.com/article/hannah-kumari-eng-er-land/
Acoustic Music Club M Sat 16th March, 7.30pm acousticclub@w-a-a.co.uk ï»ż
Our House – The Musical W Wed 27th – Sat 30th April opsoc@w-a-a.co.uk

Locations:

A= Arts Centre, main hall

M = Arts Centre, multi-function room

W = Wellesley, Theatre

Casey Street has it’s Residents – Our House Cast List Announced!

Following some fantastic auditions in December, the creative team and I are very pleased to announce the cast list of Our House, due to be staged in April at the Wellesley Theatre. This cast made up of new and some familiar WAA members, will deliver a fantastic show for the audiences of Wellington and beyond. Our rehearsals start in earnest in February and we will keep you up to date with our progress, as we go via this blog!

Rob Spurway

Director

CAST LIST

JOE CASEY – Jack Glanville

SARAH – Bonnie Thompson

JOE’S DAD – Steve Vellam

KATH CASEY – Stephanie Colman

LEWIS – Theo Smalldon

EMMO – Michael Cole

BILLIE  – Nicole Heritage 

ANGIE  – Kiera Chard

REECEY – Gethin Pye

MR PRESSMAN – Matt Dearsley

CALLUM – Kirk Shepherd

JULIE – Madison Bouchta

DANCERS 

Lily-Rain Fuller

Jodie Lewis

Megan Leslie

Maddie David

Madison Bouchta

ENSEMBLE DANCERS 

Mischa Veysey Milton

Casey Clements

Martha Vile

Evie Warwick

Emily Sellick

Harry Taylor

Madi Smith

ENSEMBLE 

Mary Lewis

Bridgette Sells

Katy Knowles

Shane Mace

Charlie Webb

Lynne Adams

Nancy Powell-Brace

Penny Bradnum

Lona Jones

Lesley Darlow 

Amy Eveleigh

OFF STAGE SINGERS

Jeremy Secrett

Jenny Rowe 

Agnieszka Adamska

Sue Gitsham

Georgina Legg

WAA Membership goes digital!

Rob Spurway The Arts Centre January 9, 2022 Leave a reply

Becoming a member of the Arts Association can now be done from the comfort of your own home. Complete the form that can be accessed through the button below and the payment. You will then receive member benefits and be eligible to take part in any of our group’s performances (on stage or off stage).