Dear Members,
So —we have a sold out show on our hands! Once Upon A Time in Wigan by Mick Martin will be playing to a packed house from the 7th to 14th February. It’s a gritty tale told by a committed team with an amazing soundtrack. It has energy and heart and feels like a very fresh look back into the roots of the Northern Soul culture.
Reflective of the time and absolutely in keeping with the characters, the script is peppered with bad language (you have been warned!) but the whole is a realistic deep dive into 1970s working class Britain and the music will have you wanting to join in!
Play selection is always both a joy and a consternation as we endeavour to build a balanced season that will give us both artistic and commercial success. Under Mark Rosenthal’s direction and with a cast and crew giving it their all, we appear to have both, so bravo everyone and keep the faith!
A special thanks goes here to Frank Brown, one of our dream team of set painters. It’s Frank’s love of Northern Soul that set the search for this play going. So this one’s for you, Frank!
In mentioning the set, I’m reminded that we’re currently looking to expand our set team. Chris Bannatyne is on the look out for anyone who has daytime availability and a desire to pick up new skills. No prior experience is necessary (I’ve helped in the past and I don’t know one end of a power tool from the next) – the main thing is a desire to learn and a willingness to be part of a team. Under Chris’s instruction, sets can be put up within two or three days, so the time commitment is not huge. In addition to the 5 Saddleworth Player’s shows, sets are constructed to support our youth group—SPY, the disability led group, In My Shoes, and external bookings. This is often creating a ‘black box’ with curtains, but does need planning and actioning around bookings.
There are, of course, many and varied ways to get involved with the theatre community. We have built up teams of new front of house and bar volunteers but always have room for more.
Anyone wanting to find out more about back stage roles should come along to the training session on Monday, 9th February. You can hear all about what is involved in being a stage manager, or in being part of the props or costume crew. It’s a great way of both doing something really necessary to producing a show and also meeting new, fellow Saddleworthians.
If acting is your thing, note that we’re holding auditions on 16th February and 14th March for the premiere of Martin Roche’s brand new comedy, The Saddleworth Constable. Details are contained in SP News but we’re looking for one male and 5 females of various ages. It is going to be the first show of next Season, so rehearsals will start in August—leaving you lots of time to learn lines, so no excuses!
It you’d love to be on stage but are daunted by taking up a large part, we have some small but crucial walk on parts in our April thriller, Wait Until Dark. We’re looking for three men who can commit to learning a few lines and developing their stage craft.
It would be really great to hear from you, so do take the plunge and drop me a line at Saddleworthplayers@millgateartscentre.co.uk
I hope you’re all looking forward to getting involved and having some great nights out at the Millgate,
Verity
CONTENT
- Once Upon a Time in Wigan- Directors preview/ a sell out success / Cast & Crew
- Nell Gwynn Review by Gemma Carter of the Saddleworth Independent
- It’ll Look fine in the Dark – stage building call out
- 9th Feb: Training for Stage Manager, Props, Costumes & Front of House
- A tribute to José Whitehead – Life Member
- Own a piece of history: take home a ‘stagey-bit’
- The Saddleworth Constable audition dates 16th Feb / 4th March