With both readings scheduled well and truly out of the way, we are now beginning to deliberate casting - this is not the fun task that I envisaged it to be - in fact, it's bloody hard work.
Having been a member of CP for just over a year now, and seeing/being part of 2 plays and a panto already - I would say that I know a fair bit about what a some of the members are capable of, and somehow I think that this has gone against me. I'm trying hard not to typecast anyone, but then again, at the same time I do have to consider who has really shone in certain parts whilst reading - is it really my fault if they shine in the same type of roles they've done before? Luckily I've got my co-producer to ground me as she's only been with the group since the last performance which not everyone was involved in - I'm hoping that she'll stop me ignoring someone who should be given a chance in favour of someone else.
The other problem appears to be the lack of women. Everyone has said to me that CP has a problem with a lack of young men, but during the readings I noticed that a lot of the women there were not interested in a part, and even though some read extremely well I found we were unable to cast them. After much deliberation, we have decided to have a third reading on Monday for the as yet un-cast female parts - I don't mind this, however I don't want to come across as indecisive (which, unfortunately, I am!) but as my friend used to say "needs must when the devil sh**s in your boots".
Hopefully by next Wednesday, we'll have finalised the full cast (and not just the men!) but like any good woman, I have a back-up plan!
ST
Friday, 5 November 2010
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
The Coach and Horses - Shrewsbury
It's not unusual for me to wake up on a Sunday morning with the idea of going for a carvery somewhere for lunch. In fact, it's a rather regular occurrence when I'm with friends, and this weekend was no exception. As I was in Shrewsbury at the weekend, I thought it an ideal opportunity to indulge in this little habit of mine, and suggested to Ange and Steve (who had kindly consented to have me to stay) that it might be an idea to go for lunch before I headed home. Having asked if they knew anywhere local that would do a nice carvery, we settled on the Coach and Horses and headed there.
The pub itself is a little away from the centre, so I thought that it would be fairly quiet at 12.30pm, but obviously its reputation had preceded it, and we arrived to be told it was fully booked, however instead of turning us away the bar manager was very accommodating and advised us (as we had arrived fairly early) that, if we were willing to wait half an hour, then we could have a table. This was fine by us, and we took great delight in watching other people come in, only to be told that there wouldn't be a table for them for quite some time, and settled at the bar for a few pre-dinner drinks.
As we waited, my friend informed me that the Head Chef who was cooking that day, John Barton, had been a quarter-finalist in Master Chef - so naturally my expectations were set rather highly for the food, and I wasn't disappointed. The meat was lovely and tender (I had the Turkey, and my companions the Lamb) and all the accompanying elements of a good carvery were well up to standard.
However... the pudding... well the pudding was something else! Both myself and Ange had the Chocolate Torte, and the only words I can use to describe it are 'melt-in-the-mouth chocolaty goodness'. It was light, fluffy, and did indeed melt in the mouth and was served with a choice of cream or ice cream - although I think that the dish would have been perfect served on its own.
I would definitely recommend this pub to others visiting/living in the Shrewsbury area, and even if you're not looking for a place to eat - this pub has a lovely atmosphere for a few drinks. We found the staff really helpful and accommodating, and they were fantastic at getting us a table even though the restaurant was packed.
ST.
The Coach and Horses
Swan Hill, Shrewsbury SY1 1NF
01743 365 661
@Shrewscoach (twitter!)
The pub itself is a little away from the centre, so I thought that it would be fairly quiet at 12.30pm, but obviously its reputation had preceded it, and we arrived to be told it was fully booked, however instead of turning us away the bar manager was very accommodating and advised us (as we had arrived fairly early) that, if we were willing to wait half an hour, then we could have a table. This was fine by us, and we took great delight in watching other people come in, only to be told that there wouldn't be a table for them for quite some time, and settled at the bar for a few pre-dinner drinks.
As we waited, my friend informed me that the Head Chef who was cooking that day, John Barton, had been a quarter-finalist in Master Chef - so naturally my expectations were set rather highly for the food, and I wasn't disappointed. The meat was lovely and tender (I had the Turkey, and my companions the Lamb) and all the accompanying elements of a good carvery were well up to standard.
However... the pudding... well the pudding was something else! Both myself and Ange had the Chocolate Torte, and the only words I can use to describe it are 'melt-in-the-mouth chocolaty goodness'. It was light, fluffy, and did indeed melt in the mouth and was served with a choice of cream or ice cream - although I think that the dish would have been perfect served on its own.
I would definitely recommend this pub to others visiting/living in the Shrewsbury area, and even if you're not looking for a place to eat - this pub has a lovely atmosphere for a few drinks. We found the staff really helpful and accommodating, and they were fantastic at getting us a table even though the restaurant was packed.
ST.
The Coach and Horses
Swan Hill, Shrewsbury SY1 1NF
01743 365 661
@Shrewscoach (twitter!)
Monday, 1 November 2010
The Panto that nobody wanted...
It took 3 people, and 4 'consultants' to write, it took 3 months and numerous re-writes to complete - yet no one wanted to produce it.
What am I referring to? My local amateur dramatics group's 2011 panto, Cinderfella, of course!
After numerous hints by our committee chairman for me to cajole someone else into producing the panto, it became apparent that no one wanted to take on the responsibility, and it was then that I began to feel a little sorry for it. Cinderfella had been lovingly prepared (excuse the flowery sentiment, but we are talking about a panto here) by a group of writers - one of whom had been responsible for last year's very successful outing, Robin Hood, and not one of them was willing, or able, to commit to producing Cinderfella. Everyone I turned to said variations on a theme of 'No', and with the umpteenth hint being thrown in my direction, it was at this point I took leave of my senses and agreed to do it myself.
Actually that isn't strictly true, I didn't agree to do it myself, I said I would agree to it on the condition that I had a co-producer, and no sooner were the words out of my mouth, when Ms. Chairman literally grabbed the person standing next to me, and said 'You'll help Fay produce the panto, won't you?'
Thankfully, the person standing between myself and the chairman was full of joyful optimism at the thought of doing the panto, and thus my partner in crime (or should that be producer in crime) was born, either way Donna shall henceforth be known as a god-send.
ST.
What am I referring to? My local amateur dramatics group's 2011 panto, Cinderfella, of course!
After numerous hints by our committee chairman for me to cajole someone else into producing the panto, it became apparent that no one wanted to take on the responsibility, and it was then that I began to feel a little sorry for it. Cinderfella had been lovingly prepared (excuse the flowery sentiment, but we are talking about a panto here) by a group of writers - one of whom had been responsible for last year's very successful outing, Robin Hood, and not one of them was willing, or able, to commit to producing Cinderfella. Everyone I turned to said variations on a theme of 'No', and with the umpteenth hint being thrown in my direction, it was at this point I took leave of my senses and agreed to do it myself.
Actually that isn't strictly true, I didn't agree to do it myself, I said I would agree to it on the condition that I had a co-producer, and no sooner were the words out of my mouth, when Ms. Chairman literally grabbed the person standing next to me, and said 'You'll help Fay produce the panto, won't you?'
Thankfully, the person standing between myself and the chairman was full of joyful optimism at the thought of doing the panto, and thus my partner in crime (or should that be producer in crime) was born, either way Donna shall henceforth be known as a god-send.
ST.
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