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'Whispers'

from Back-stage
The Newsletter for Solo and Duet Members of
The Association of Community Theatre

No.102 fep                         November 2011
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I hope that you received the previous edition of ‘Whispers’.  What I am looking for is your own contributions.  Looking at the people who have come on board in this category I know you have much experience and must have ‘tales to tell’, ‘Anecdotes’ and sensible contributions to the changing world of Community Theatre.   You can reach me on the email address that is shown on the covering message (Any emails should include ‘Whispers’ in the subject field) or you can write to me The Editor, ‘Whispers’, 60 Kenmore Road, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 8FS.

Christmas Party and Awards Evening:  I’m really looking forward to this event at the Alma Lodge, Stockport on 19th November and hope that you have secured your booking because it is going to be a wonderful friendly and entertaining evening.   I believe I will be seated with Solo and Duet Members and we can then get to chat about what you would like The Association to do for you.   I’ll be sure to pass on your contribution to the hard working Committee.


Ticket Prices:  I had an interesting conversation recently regarding the price of tickets that we in amateur theatre charge our audiences.   I took a look at some old literature, programmes and minutes of meetings going back many years.    It seems to me that as a proportion of Production Costs we are steadily falling behind.   I know your response may be “If we charge more – we will lose audiences”  -  But will we ?        I appreciate of course that if we go back far enough productions were not on the same scale as they are nowadays.   Lighting was ‘Basic’,  Sound depended on the quality of the performer.  In many cases venues were the local village hall (and still are to the credit of many performing groups) so hire fees were less.   Properties were begged, borrowed and ‘looked it’  compared to the professional items now required to say nothing of the cost of scenery.  The list goes on.   And why because so many groups compete with the professional theatre.   And yet I went to see a professional show in London a couple of years ago and Ticket Prices were well into three figures and many amateur groups are still timid of breaking through the £10 barrier.    I firmly believe that if you undersell your product your customers will rate your production similarly.  Remember that your catchment area can choose between a professional touring production or your own highly skilled and well rehearsed performance.   The difference is that when the last few essential, polishing rehearsals should be taking place we are busy standing in the local market place, high street etc trying to boost ticket sales.    What do you think – have your say in ‘Whispers’ – I will not disclose the name of sender if you prefer to keep it confidential (but I must have your name and address for my files).   I feel better for getting that of my chest !!!


OBITUARY

NORMA M. DEAN
1932-2011

Norma Dean was well known throughout the Amateur Theatre movement and especially in the North West and in the Dukinfield and Ashton districts in particular.  The following obituary was published and is reproduced below.

“It is with great sadness that we record the death of the President of Dukinfield AODS -  NORMA M. DEAN on Monday 17th October 2011.  Norma had been ill for some time and she passed away peacefully on the opening day of Dukinfield’s 2011 production of ‘Me and My Girl’.   Norma first joined Dukinfield in 1948 for the production of ‘Show Boat’, she became Assistant Treasurer in 1961, Secretary in 1963 and Chairman in 1980 a position she held for 28 years before due to ill health she retired and became President in 2009.

In her years with Dukinfield she won many accolades including a Manchester Evening News Oscar in 1975 for her work resulting in the foundation of Tameside Theatre.  In 1986 she won a Reporter Award for Services to the Amateur Theatre and in 2004 she was awarded a NODA Lifetime Special Achievement Award for Services to Amateur Theatre in the North West also in 2010 Norma received her 60 year Long Service Award.

But awards were just the icing on the cake for Norma, her great love was amateur theatre and Dukinfield in particular, everyone knew that if you crossed swords with Norma you would come off the worse.  She was dedicated, tenacious and at times stubborn, but underneath she was warm hearted, she was Aunty Norma to the children of her close friends and she always had time for anyone with a problem.

The passing of Norma  is the end of an era in the history of Dukinfield AODS and Amateur Theatre in the North West.   “Goodbye Norma” you were a great lady and you will be missed by everyone who knew you.”


I never had the honour of actually meeting Norma but was very conscious of her work, not merely for Dukinfield Society but for Amateur Theatre in general and the zeal she devoted to Tameside Theatre.  On my many visits to Dukinfield Shows she was pointed out to me but she was always so busy I never got the chance to speak to her which I will always regret.   Immediately on the formation of  ACT Norma was one of the first to become a ‘Solo’ member adding her valued endorsement to our fledgling Association.   On behalf of ACT “Thank you Norma for all your work in Community Theatre. – Fred Plant (Editor)”

Please send your communications to Fred Plant, 60 Kenmore Road, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 8FS.   If you send communications by email please address it to   fred.plant@actuk.org    However if you are sending by email please mark the Subject Field as  ‘Whispers’ otherwise I will be unable to open your much appreciated communication.   I regret at present I cannot accept Photographs by email but hope to be able to do so sometime in the future