The Anchor Players Dramatic Society, Simon's Town

IN THIS ISSUE

2003 may see unheard-of new visions at our AGM and 2002 Awards just around the corner, 'Our anchor' is established and manned, our directors and actors excel across the Peninsula... PHEW, we're on a roll!

FROM THE CHAIR

As acting chairman I have been privileged to be in this position during our darkest hours (thanks Winston!) and it has given me the opportunity to get to know the society, it's roots and what makes it tick.
      Our new-found friends the Western Cape Cultural Commission have given this society the opportunity to become a major force in the dramatic arts. And as acting chairman I welcome the responsibility to take the society forward as we can now develop 'TAPS' into a truly community based theatrical Society and offer our services to a greater and more diverse public.
      It is our responsibility to bring new members into the fold and the only way this is going to happen is with a new and brighter image.
      I call on you all to join hands with us as we go forward and support TAPS by attending the AGM. Let us make it a night to remember and bring some dignity and excitement back into The Anchor Players.
      Jeff Batt

AGM VISIONS & AWARDS

Scarcely had Cinderella's golden coach departed from the stage and galloped through the silver filigree gates of the Dockyard when the bells rang in 2003. And what an exciting year lies ahead of us!
In terms of The Anchor Players Dramatic Society's constitution, notice is hereby given of the Annual General Meeting that takes place at the Simonsberg Theatre in the West Dockyard on Tuesday 18 February at 8.00 pm. As a result of our firm connections with the SAN of late, this meeting is of paramount importance. Members have to vote for a new committee and brand-new plans, façade and diversifying future. To this effect, the meeting will be addressed by our patron, Rear-admiral J E Louw on his vision for The Anchor Players. In addition Major Kekana of the Navy Social Services will also be in attendance. Our enthusiastic acting chairman Jeff Batt will deliver a detailed report of the new course that is being plotted to steer us into a new dawn. Coupled with the recent beneficial grant by the Western Cape Cultural Commission, this dawn will indeed break over new horizons. We therefore urge all members to board our flagship for this crucial journey!
There will be entertainment of course: glittering highlights from our 2002 productions – Centre Stage, Jeff Batt Live but limping slightly! and Cinderella to delight you again. A free glass of sherry or wine will be handed out as you arrive, and afterwards tea, coffee and snacks will be served, backed up by a pay bar.

      The winners of The Anchor Player Awards for 2002 will be accoladed and presented with their hard-earned, sought-after trophies. Please complete the voting form (available to members on email request and also at the AGM). If for some reason you are unable to join us for this annual highlight (heavens forbid!), kindly mail your completed form well in advance to ensure that your vote is counted - one nominee in each category only.
      If all of this does not sound enticing and rejoicing, well... we cannot afford a recurrence of last year's embarrassing and ill-fated AGM which had to be rescheduled due to a lack of interest by our members. We desperately need your full support; our new vision must be put into action immediately.
      The Anchor Players' show must and WILL go on!

OUR ANCHOR AT LAST!

We now have our own cultural home: an office and committee room in the Old Municipal Buildings, Main Road, directly above the New Simon's Town Library. Truly our foothold and anchor from which The Anchor Players continues to be a vibrant part of the Simon's Town cultural scene, striving to develop a community based theatre programme fostering a love of the dramatic arts in all the people of the region. Thus "The Anchor is firm and holding – to infinity and beyond..." according to an excited Jeff Batt.
Contact us via tel 021 786 5255, cell 073 134 5987, fax 021 786 5256, email anchor.jeff@wol.co.za or visit us personally with your requests, suggestions or inputs. Our postal address still remains Box 93, Simon's Town 7995, and our professional website always at www.infomotion.co.za/theatre/ If you want to introduce fresh new members, ask them to simply contact our office.

CINDERELLA

A fairytale did come true in our bi-annual Xmas pantomime Cinderella. With magical hand-painted sets by director Belinda Burchell Batt, colourful costumes and engrossing music, the cast mix of veterans, newcomers and youngsters imbued the audiences with their own joy, especially to the heart-warming young ones – our future audiences and actors. Their laughter still fills our ears. Congratulations to each 'n all!
Following in this tradition, the committee is in full swing with planning this year's productions which will be announced in the next issue.

CAPE TIMES AWARDS

The prestigious Cape Times Theatre Awards annual ceremony takes place at the Little Theatre on 11 February 2003 at 7:00 for 7:30 pm. The panel's nominations include no less than three of our stalwarts...
      Sue Bolton as Best Director for Wait until Dark
      Belinda Burchell Batt and Jean Bruwer for Artistic Contribution of Cinderella
      Jeff Batt as Best Actor in a Musical for Kiss me Kate.
      BRAVISSIMO!!! - string along and share this eventful event by phoning Val Nijkamp on 938 1435.

PEOPLE

Our prized directors and actors certainly flash their talents and show their skills in other Western Cape amateur dramatic productions...
      Albert Lintvelt was acclaimed as Best Supporting Actor in 2002 in the column 'Amateurtoneel' of Die Burger for his four cameos in '007 - Shaken and Stirred', and does another cameo in 'Our Town'
      Lynn Moss scored the female lead in 'Gym & Tonic' directed by Heather MacLachlan
      Dave Chaston, Jennifer Moss and Roy Ryan all act in 'Nobody's Perfect' directed by Sue Bolton. (See To diarise for further details)

BIRTHDAYS
January
27: Eileen Smith
February
04: Richard Kleinsmith
15: Yvonne van Zyl
25: Lana de Villiers
March
03: Angela Mayhew
04: Chris Pemberton
07: Hendrik de Villiers
27: Jeff Batt

DATES TO DIARISE

11 February
    CAPE TIMES THEATRE AWARDS
    (The nominees include no less than three Anchor stalwarts)
    The Little Theatre, Orange Street, Cape Town
18 February
    ANCHOR PLAYERS AGM & THEATRE AWARDS
    with highlights from our 2002 productions, snacks & cash bar,
    8pm The Simonsberg – Theatre in the Dockyard
14, 15, 20, 21 & 22 February
    GYM & TONIC
    by John Godber, Directed by Heather MacLachlan for
    Claremont Dramatic Society at The Masque Theatre
7, 8, 13, 14 & 15 March
    NOBODY'S PERFECT
    by Simon Williams. Directed by Sue Bolton for
    Fish Hoek Dramatic Society at The Masque Theatre
28, 29 March & 3, 4, 5 April
    OUR TOWN
    by Thornton Wilder, Directed by Lieske Bester for
    Constantiaberg Theatre Players at The Masque Theatre

YOUR eMAIL ADDRESS

If you are not on our email list then you could be missing out on our Newsflashes. Society members and non-members can be added to our list by simply emailing Jennifer infomo@infomotion.co.za

GOT NEWS FOR US?

If you have news or views to share, call Albert Lintvelt on 786.2940, or email
albertjl@telkomsa.net