Friday 31 January 2014

The Grocer

February 3rd brings us two episodes of the sitcom The Grocer, by Mark Brown. It's a dark, slyly satirical piece about spies, counterspies, and a lack of trust among the sellers of agricultural produce. Mix Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy with Open All Hours, though more contemporarily told than both. I read it many months ago and thought it very promising indeed. It really didn't need that much work, and it will be interesting to see if, and how much, if at all, it has changed.

7.30 at the Three Stags. Be there.

Wednesday 22 January 2014

A Stupid Love Song

January 27th brings us an exciting new play by Chloe Austin.

"After having a hit no. 1 record about her heart break, soulful singer Frankie bumps into her ex. (and inspiration for the song) rock star Jay - at a charity recording. To make matters worse, they have to record a love duet together. Despite both singers' fiancees turning up at the studio, old passions are stirred by the music. Emotions are high and arguments fly but is it love? Or just memories brought back by a stupid love song".

7.30 at the Three Stags.

Thursday 16 January 2014

Competition Play-off

WILL YOU MARRY ME? - GUILTY SECRET - RE-WRITING HISTORY

No, not scenes from The Rake's Progress, but the titles of our 3 internal competitions of 2013. The top two plays from each, none of them more than 10 minutes long, will be played again at the Three Stags, on Monday night 20 January, and voted on. And the winner will be recorded on the prestigious Guy McKay Shield [and may be kissed by Miss Making-Whoopee, who will be compering the show!] The annual play-off is always a fun evening, so come along.

Friday 10 January 2014

Clarion

Our first play of the new term is Clarion, by Mark Jagasia.

Monday 13th at 7.30 at the Three Stags.

Wednesday 1 January 2014

Winter Programme 2014

Happy New Year, everyone! Here is the new programme, meeting at the usual place, Mondays at 7.00 for 7.30 pm at the Three Stags, 67/69 Kennington Road, London SE1 7PZ.

Sorry about the formatting, and for the fact that it isn't in its usual spot as a pdf. Blame my dead computer.

Date Title Author Genre Time Chair

13/01 CLARION Mark Jagasia Stage 75 m Fiona McGee

20/01 COMPETITION PLAY OFF Bill Mary Debbie Peter Michael Cheryl Rob Various Scripts 65 m Fiona McKinnon

27/01 STUPID LOVE SONG Chloe Austin Stage 60 m Kevin Mandry

03/02 THE GROCER Mark Brown TV sit 70 m Eamon McDonnell

10/02 THE ROOK & THE CROW SIMPLE TALE OF LOVE Angela Higson Sasha Brooman Stage Stage 10 m 30 m Peter Thompson

17/02 COMEDY WRITING THE ROYAL TAPES Tony Kirwood Carmen Harris Talk Sketch 30 m 10 m Peter Vincent

24/02 TAM’S PEEPS Edward Sayeed Stage 75 m Mary Conway

03/03 LIVING LEGEND Rob Fearn and Cheryl Freedman Film script 90 m Tony Diggle

10/03 SUFFRAGETTES IN LOVE Janice Day and Catherine King Radio 45 m Francis Beckett

17/03 THE PRODUCERS Peter Huntley Talk 45 m Natasha Staples

24/03 PICK ‘N MIX Roger Mayhew Stage 75 m Debbie Maya

31/03 THE CELLAR Carrie Eden Stage 80 m Ninaz Khodaiji

07/04 WOULD YOU ADAM AND EVE IT? Competition 10 plays 90 m Jethro Dykes

14/04 LOVE ME DO Marks n Gran Stage 70m Suzanne Kendall

Note from the Treasurer: Hey, guys, the annual subscription of £8 must be paid before the start of term, or, at the very latest, 13 January 2014. Membership and the right to participate depend on it. So make sure it reaches Jethro Dykes at 42 Thurso House, Randolph Gardens NW6 5EL no later than opening night.

SPRING COMPETITION on 7 APRIL 2014 WOULD YOU ADAM AND EVE IT?

It is time we had another “In the Style of” competition. Please take the story of the Fall of Man [Genesis chapters 2 and 3] and turn it into a short play in the style of a well-known dramatist. The reading time must not exceed ten minutes or fall short of five, on pain of disqualification; and it should include all Stage Directions and introductions. Scripts should include a list of characters (with ages) and speaking parts for at least one male and one female actor. They must be emailed to Natasha Staples at natashastaples@gmail.com by Monday 24 March 2014 and hard copy scripts (one for each reader) must be sent to Peter Thompson at 9 Hillfield Park N10 3QT by the same date. The scripts are not to be rehearsed but the cast may discuss the script with each other on the night and raise any questions with Natasha (but not the author who must remain anonymous). Author’s name should be disclosed to Natasha, but not included on the scripts. Only the first ten entries to be received will be accepted for the competition but we may be able to arrange readings of surplus scripts on another occasion. Casting and distribution of scripts will take place on Monday 31 April 2014.

OTHER CONTACTS: Chair: JohnMorrison: [07881 784652] JohnMMorrison7@aol.com ] Secretary: Peter Thompson [0208883 0371 secretary@playerplaywrights.co.uk] Treasurer: Jethro Dykes [078766111833 dykjeth@gmail.com] at 42 Thurso House, Randolph Gardens, London NW6 5EL Casting Secretary: Suzanne Kendall: [07738436068: pp.castingsecretaries@gmail.com] Competitions Secretary: Natasha Staples: [07864986522: natashastaples@gmail.com].