The Anchor Players Dramatic Society, Simon's Town

IN THIS ISSUE

In this, the August edition of The Anchorage, we report back on the 37th Annual One Act Play Festival and on our recent successful staging of the Geraldine Aron double bill at The Theatre In The Dockyard. We also fuel the hype surrounding our forthcoming major productions: Maskerade and Nunsense and attempt to explain the state of limbo into which our proposed second showcase Some/One has apparently disappeared.

THE 37th ANNUAL ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL - THREE AWARDS

The 2001 instalment of this long-standing Fish Hoek Dramatic Society tradition was a great pleasure to attend. Not only was the festival very well organised and efficiently run, but the nine plays presented over four evenings provided a diverse and exciting mix of entertainment which ensured that each night was something special. Anchor Players entered two Geraldine Aron plays: Mickey Kannis Caught My Eye and a companion piece, Joggers. We are very proud of our director, Sue Bolton and her brilliant Mickey Kannis cast for putting on such a breathtaking performance on the night and for carrying off three awards in the end: the Topkapi Trophy for Best Actor, awarded to Max Tichauer, the Peggy Ruske Trophy for Best Supporting Actress, awarded to Belinda Batt, and the Chris Smith Trophy for Runner-Up Play of the festival. Well done to you all! We would also like to thank our novice director, Dave Chaston for devoting so much of his time and energy to Joggers. Dave also had a very strong cast who showed just what they were capable of during the run of the double bill at The Theatre In The Dockyard.

TERRY PRATCHETT'S MASKERADE

Rehearsals for this ambitious Discworld production are now well underway. There have been several cast reshuffles, but things now appear to be on track and you may look forward to some good performances, particularly from our two witches - Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg. Exciting special effects, in terms of lighting and sound, sets and lavish costumes promise to make this particular Pratchett piece our most spectacular yet. So if you're a seasoned Discworlder, or just in the mood for a good mystery peppered with the inimitable Pratchett wit and a suitably gothic setting ala 'Phantom of The Opera' don't forget to keep the dates 6th - 16th of September in mind. Bookings (through infoMotion 785 2466) are now open, with special discounts for block bookings of ten or more.

NUNSENSE

As mentioned in previous newsletters, Anchor Players have taken the initiative in deciding to present a touring production of this collaborative effort between ourselves, Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society and Bellville Amateur Theatre Society. This hilarious musical comedy will be staged at three different venues: in Bellville (from late November), Somerset West (early December) and Simon's Town (mid December - ending on the sixteenth.) Auditions, held in June, went smoothly and the following talented actresses have been cast:

   Sheila Inglis as Sister Mary Regina, Mother Superior
   Linda Barrans as Sister Mary Hubert, Mistress Of Novices
   Lisa Jones as Sister Robert Anne
   Amelia Bosman-Lowe as Sister Mary Leo

Those of you who saw Stepping Out will remember Sheila and Amelia for their excellent performances in this recent Claremont Dramatic Society production. There is, of course, a fifth nun, whom I didn't forget about - the part of Sister Mary Amnesia is still to be cast. Musical rehearsals for Nunsense begin shortly with Wilna Viljoen of BAT's and our two extremely talented and capable co-directors; Cole Cameron and Deon Bisschoff begin work in earnest next month.

GERALDINE ARON DOUBLE BILL

The decision to enter two Geraldine Aron plays in the festival was no accident as Anchor Players had intended presenting these two thematically linked pieces as a double bill from the outset. Performances took place at The Theatre In The Dockyard on the third, fourth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth of August. Press was favourable and audiences appreciative. The common thread of ageing protagonists confronted with the loss of youth and struggling against the onset of middle age made a powerful impression. What was most striking, however, was the way in which individual cast members explored and developed the portrayal of their characters during the run. A single performance of a play at festival does not always show the production to its best advantage, as there are many things that can and often do go wrong. Joggers in particular gained in depth and emotional intensity during the double bill, so that even though it is perhaps the lesser of the two plays in terms of impact and effectiveness, the quality of performances from its cast placed it on even footing with Mickey Kannis Caught My Eye. A big thank you to both casts and their invaluable crews, to the front of house staff and all who helped make this production a success.

SHOWCASE

Due to a very hectic schedule (the fact of having three major productions running back to back) The Anchor Players committee has decided to shelve all showcases for the remainder of the year. This does not mean that these important youth initiatives have ground to a halt, but rather that serious thought is being given to expanding the scope of these endeavours, which will resume with renewed energy and vigour in 2002.

NEWS SNIPPETS

Our hearty congratulations to Owen and Brenda Barrow on the birth of their baby girl, Frances. Also to Michelle Du Toit and Nick James on their recent engagement.
Our thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery go to Aubrey Hindle, who has undergone successful heart surgery and is recuperating at home.

DATES TO DIARISE

24 August - 1 September The Woman In Black, a ghost story, directed by Lieske Bester for MADS at the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg.

6 - 16 September Anchor Players present Terry Pratchett's Maskerade, directed by Cole Cameron at The Theatre In The Dockyard, Simon's Town. Bookings may be made through infoMotion (785 2466) from the 22nd of August.

21 - 29 September Equus directed by Yvonne Copley for Constantiaberg Players at the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg.

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