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.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Parlez-vous Français?
Rows of tables, whiteboard, overhead projector, whitewashed walls... yes, I was definitely back in a classroom!
Having worked for a French company for the last year, I finally decided that I was sick of listening to my colleagues speaking in french and not being able to make sense of at least half of what they were saying, so I enrolled for one of Warwick University's Lifelong Language Learning french courses.
I don't technically need to speak french for my job as most of the people I work with speak extremely good English, even those based over in our company's head office over in France, however I still got this nagging feeling that I was expecting my colleagues to fit in and speak English all the time, and yet as over half of our office based employees are French, I wasn't making much of an effort to fit in with with them.
Finally though, I enrolled in a uni course, and when I went along to an assessment (what seems like an age ago now) I was surprised to learn I came under the category of 'lower intermediate' - showing that I hadn't quite forgotten as much of my GCSE french as I thought, either that or I'd been picked up more from my colleagues than I'd originally realised!
Having worked for a French company for the last year, I finally decided that I was sick of listening to my colleagues speaking in french and not being able to make sense of at least half of what they were saying, so I enrolled for one of Warwick University's Lifelong Language Learning french courses.
I don't technically need to speak french for my job as most of the people I work with speak extremely good English, even those based over in our company's head office over in France, however I still got this nagging feeling that I was expecting my colleagues to fit in and speak English all the time, and yet as over half of our office based employees are French, I wasn't making much of an effort to fit in with with them.
Finally though, I enrolled in a uni course, and when I went along to an assessment (what seems like an age ago now) I was surprised to learn I came under the category of 'lower intermediate' - showing that I hadn't quite forgotten as much of my GCSE french as I thought, either that or I'd been picked up more from my colleagues than I'd originally realised!
Thursday, 14 October 2010
'Keep Calm' - Opening Night
Luckily I have one of the smaller roles in 'Keep Calm', as this is technically my first production as an adult, or at least one that doesn't involve either custard pies or generally acting the fool. I play the part of Mary Grant - a not dissimilar character to Sybil Fawlty, who leaves her husband in charge of looking after the household and baby while she goes out for lunch.
Apart from the fretting and fidgeting before my exit, in contrast to my character when I do finally leave 'for lunch' I can quietly relax back stage while all hell breaks loose, and prepare for my emotional outburst at the end... it promises to be quite something.
ST
http://www.cubbingtonplayers.com/
14th, 15th & 16th October - Keep Calm (Louis Goodrich) & Babysitting Calvin (John H Newmeir)
Monday, 11 October 2010
Bloggers are what!?
As someone who has tweeted (twittered... I'm actually unsure of the past-tense of the verb 'to tweet' now I come to think of it) profusely for some time now, there is one thing I've noticed - twittering and blogging are, in more instances than not, things that go hand-in-hand - it is a shame then, that someone I had come to admire on the BBC has branded blogging as the "spewings and rantings of very drunk people late at night".
I'm sure that Andrew Marr did not mean all bloggers, but it is unfortunate that he did not seem to make much of a distinction in his statement.
I'm sure that Andrew Marr did not mean all bloggers, but it is unfortunate that he did not seem to make much of a distinction in his statement.
Friday, 8 October 2010
Ristorante Etna
We walked into Etna on a Friday evening and I could immediately see why this particular restaurant had mixed reviews from the people who had eaten there over the years. Although I had read that this was one of the first restaurants in Coventry's Restaurant Quarter, it seemed to lack the sort of atmosphere that I would have expected for an eatery that has been around for more than twenty years. The interior had been redecorated in recent history, but unfortunately it has left the venue with a certain clinical air to it, everywhere was clean but it seemed lacking in any particular personality (the decorations for example seemed a little disjointed) and lacked the friendliness of other Italian restaurants that I have visited.
The menu itself was large and varied, and along with the specials board catered for most tastes whilst
The menu itself was large and varied, and along with the specials board catered for most tastes whilst
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