Late Spring Production - The Caucasian Chalk Circle 22 - 25 May 2013

After the successful run of the Spring Production comes the LATE SPRING PRODUCTION close on its tail.THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE is being presented on the 22nd - 25th May, 7.30 pm at the Arden Theatre.

This play, well known by name if not by content, is written by Bertolt Brecht, based on an old Chinese legend.

A cruel town governor is murdered. His wife escapes but abandons her baby who is then cared for by Grusha, a kitchen maid. Later the governor's widow returns, demands the return of her son, and a trial is ordered which results in a test - which woman can drag the child out of the chalk circle?

Directed by Bob Lacey and with a large cast of Arden members and recruits (many of them doubling several characters), the production offers an absorbing evening's entertainment - not to be missed!

Tickets are available from The Sweet Scene, Preston STreet, Faversham or by phone - call Printshop on 01795 531600 during office hours.

Shazia Mirza at the Arden Theatre - Saturday 1st June 2013

Internationally acclaimed award winning stand-up Shazia Mirza tops another fine bill at the No5 Club at the Arden Theatre on June 1st.

Mirza has toured the world and appeared on CBS 60 Minutes, NBC's Last Comic Standing, and Have I got News for You (BBC). She is a also former winner of the AWA Arts and Culture Award and is currently touring her hilarious brand new show‘Cuckooland’.

The press on Shazia Mirza:

“Clever, groundbreaking and very funny” Evening Standard

“Had the place in stitches” Independent

“Rave reviews” Telegraph

“Mirza the Lenny Bruce of female stand-up” Metro

Mirza is joined by Gemma Whelan and Frank Sanazi.

Gemma is fresh from her leading role in the West End smash hit comedy One Man Two Guvnors and from filming on the latest season of HBO's Game of Thrones. In 2010 she won the Funny Women Variety award for stand-up comedy. See her perform as her award-winning character Chastity Butterworth.

The press on Gemma Whelan:

“Combines the daft puns of a female Tim Vine with the persona of an emotionally frigid posh-boy comic like Will Smith, and the effect is most impressive.” Chortle

Frank Sanazi, The Ubermeister of Comedy, is the leader of the Iraq Pack which consists of Dean Stalin, Saddami Davis Jnr & Osama Bin Crosby, or as they collectively known the ‘four Singers of the Apocalypse.’ Frank’s extreme renditions like ‘Strangers On My Flight’, ‘Third Reich’ & ‘Big Bad Chairmen Mao’ are still being lapped up by fans the world over.

The press on Frank Sanazi:


“Comedy gold” - Evening Standard

“Diabolically good” - Music OMG

“We promise you'll never, ever have seen anything quite like it. Resistance is futile! ”
- Roar with Laughter
“Howlingly funny...you will be doubled over with mirth” - Night News (Scotland)

Saturday June 1st : Phil Zimmerman’s No5 Club at the Arden Theatre SHAZIA MIRZA, Frank Sanazi and the Iraq Pack, Gemma Whelan, with Phil Zimmerman as MC. Tickets £12 from Sweetscene, or www.wegottickets.com/no5club. Doors7pm/show 8pm. Leslie Smith Drive, Faversham, ME13 7LE www.philzimmerman.co.uk

Spring Production - FUNNY MONEY by Ray Cooney

The Arden Theatre Group is presenting its spring production - Ray Cooney's celebrated farce FUNNY MONEY on May 3rd, 4th, 9th, 10th and 11th.

Henry is late home for his birthday dinner party, but with good reason - he has accidentally picked up a briefcase containing loads and loads of funny money and now his main aim in life is to emigrate, and fast! The police soon appear on the scene resulting in a frantic game of cat and mouse, hilarious innuendo and cruelly funny turns of fate in the battle to hold on to the money.

Directed by Greg Watkin, the production includes well-established Arden members together with welcome newcomers, and promises a must-see evening's entertainment.

Tickets, costing £6 Adults, and £5 Concessionary are available from THE SWEET SCENE, Preston Street, Faversham or by 'phone - call Printshop on 01795 531600 during office hours. The production begins at 7.30 pm.

Comedy: No. 5 Club at the Arden, 27th April 7pm

AFTER the brilliant opening night at the Arden Theatre last month, Phil Zimmerman’s No5 Club returns to Faversham on April 27 with another superb comedy line-up.

The opening show sold out and some disappointed comedy fans had to be turned away, so get in quick and support Faversham’s great new comedy club.

Topping the bill this time are award-winning rock n roll comedy duo, Ray Guns Look Real Enough. One of the most unique double acts in the country, they have been described as Spinal Tap meets Morecambe and Wise.

The Rayguns combine high quality musicality and insane mash ups which brings together cabaret, comedy and rock n roll. They have played to packed stadiums, rocked festival stages including T in the Park and Latitude and are regulars at comedy and cabaret clubs across the UK.  In 2011, They won the ‘Time Out Alternative Eurovision’ award and have been nominated for this year’s London Cabaret Awards  as ‘Best Musical Variety Act’.

They are joined on the bill by the high-energy hilarity of the fast rising Paul T Eyres, resident comic, promoter and star of Never Mind the Buzzcocks  Phil ‘Creepy No5’ Zimmerman, plus top special guest acts.

Tickets are available from  Sweetscene in Preston Street Faversham, or can be booked online at www.wegottickets.com/no5club.

April 27 : Phil Zimmerman’s No5 Club at the Arden Theatre, RAY GUNS LOOK REAL ENOUGH, Paul T Eyres, Phil Zimmerman, plus special guests. Tickets £12 from Sweetscene, or www.wegottickets.com/no5club.

Doors 7pm/show 8pm. Leslie Smith Drive, Faversham, ME13 7LE
www.philzimmerman.co.uk

Audition Call

Play: Talk, by Mark Wilson

When: 23 – 26 October 2013, the Arden Theatre

The play will be part of the Canterbury Festival “umbrella” programme

Six parts. 4 M, 2 F.

Talk tells the story of two doctors working within the criminal wing of Bethlem Asylum in the mid-1850s. Dr Charles Hood is convinced that ‘exposure to the sublime [music and paintings] shall restore the mentally distressed to reasonableness’; Dr George Haydon is more radical, working with creative inmates more actively to explore their deepest feelings. Though both are united against the institutional brutality common at that time, tensions surface under the pressure from a Government Commission of enquiry into their methods.

It is also the story of the poet, Emily Clayton, incarcerated by a husband troubled by his wife’s radical writing, and Richard Dadd, the artist, committed following his trial and conviction for the murder of his father.

The traditional approach to the treatment of the mentally ill is personified by the characters Ward Sister Grey and the orderly Fowles. Every part is utterly essential to the action and are great and challenging roles to act. The two doctors and Emily Clayton are in their 30s. The others are in their 40s. It’s a serious play, obviously, but relieved by comic moments.

An audition workshop will take place on Sunday 7 April – all wishing to be considered should be there from 2.00 to 4.30 pm. If necessary, there will be recalls at 2pm on Sunday 14 April, with readings; time-commitment for up to an hour. Those interested should contact the director, Pat O’Connor, on 01227 450528, 07849 619328 or at pat@pkoconnor.plus.com

Faversham Young Players - Dates for Your Diary

DRAMA WORKSHOPS
Spring Term Performance – during class time on Saturday 16th. March

Spring Term ends on 23rd. March

Summer Term starts on 20th April

Half term break = 1st. June

Summer Term ends on 19th July

Summer Term Performance – TBA

Summer Holiday Drama Week = 29th July – 2nd. July

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

COMEDY NIGHT

Phil Zimmerman is presenting his first Faversham Comedy Night on Saturday 30 March. Phil is best known for his legendary television appearances on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, which earned him cult status and a fan page on facebook!

The opening night at the Arden boasts a fine bill, with the award-winning Felix Dexter headlining, with support from former comedian of the year, Matthew Osborn, and brilliant globe-trotting comic, Nick Wilty. Tickets priced £12 are available from The Sweetscene in Preson Street, Faversham, or can be booked online at wegottickets.com/no5cub. The show begins at
8 pm.

MURDER MYSTERY

MURDER ON THE DANCE FLOOR  follows on the 4th, 5th and 6th April. This is another of Brian Booth's entertaining productions - a great favourite with audiences. This time the setting is a dance hall, way back in the '70s. Performances are 4th, 5th, 6th, April at 7.30 pm. Tickets
(which include a fish and chip supper) cost £12.50 and are available from Baldwins Estate Agents, Court Street, Faversham, or Awaydays - 01795 590008.

THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE by Bertolt Brecht

The 'Chalk Circle' is well into rehearsal for production 22nd - 25th May. More details willo be available soon.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Arden Theatre Group's ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will be held on Thursday 14th March at 8 pm at the theatre

AUDITIONS

Bob Froud will be holding auditions for THE KILLING OF SISTER GEORGE at 2 pm on 24 March
at the theatre. All are welcome.