NEWS ARCHIVE - 2010

TOWN SHOW 2011 - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s THE LIKES OF US 

Successful Run Now Complete - Wed 23 – Sat 26 Feb 2011 

We had the great honour to be the first group in Berkshire to be given permission to stage this exceptional new musical.
As you would expect, the musical score was outstanding, and there were parts for all age groups.  The children stole the show.

Click Here to find out more and to see some fantastic performance Photos.

HUNGERFORD CALENDARS 2011 - Only £4.95

On Sale at Rehearsals from Monday 20th September  

Purchase a calendar and send one to your friends and by doing so you will be sending a photograph of yourself in Carousel - see February below (Click to enlarge)

Each month has a picture of either one of Hungerford's organisations or a photograph of a part of our Town

There is a super photograph of the canal near the church with a heavy layer of snow - January and a a great picture of our fabulous Christmas lights - December 

By purchasing Hungerford Calendars CHTC will benefit in two ways

1. We make £1 on every Calendar we sell so by buying one or more you will be raising funds for us to continue staging productions. 
2. It publicises the Town Show - the dates are marked and also there is information about this year's show - handy reminder to your friends to book their seats.

So make sure you purchase a copy or three - see Sarah on Registration
Support YOUR Theatre Company     

CASTING  & SUCCESS STORIES

Beauty & The Beast Roles for Helen Bonner  Paul Hyde - Following a long afternoon of auditions both were pleased  to be cast in the forthcoming Newbury Operatic production of Beauty & The Beast, which runs 12-16 April 2011 at t he Newbury Corn Exchange.  Casting against type, neither actor has the lead role of Beauty or the Beast but both are currently enjoying rehearsals in their roles as Mrs Potts (The teapot lady who sings the title song) and Maurice (Belle's Father, the eccentric inventor). 

West End Role for Philip Desmeules -  Phil appeared in Oscar Wilde's 'An Ideal Husband' , which ran at the Vaudeville Theatre on The Strand between 4th November 2010 and 19th February 2011.  He played Mr Montford and Harold in this production. 

Planning News - Prop Store Guaranteed for 3 years 

After much hard work behind the scenes we were very pleased recently to receive temporary planning permission to continue using the prop store.  THis facility is kindly provided by David Liddiard at College Farm. 

We are very grateful for the hard work from Roger Thompson, David Holtby and everyone who supported the application and made it happen.

The article from the Newbury Weekly News provided the details. 

CLICK on it to enlarge.

TOWN SHOW 2011 - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s THE LIKES OF US 

A Musical in 2 Acts:     
Wednesday 23 – Saturday 26 February 2011 

We have the great honour to be the first group in Berkshire to be given permission to stage this exceptional new musical. As you would expect, the musical score is outstanding, and there are parts for all age groups.

Rehearsals:  Every Monday at Herongate Leisure

Auditions:

Members aged 15+.  Monday 27th Sept  7:30-10:00pm at Herongate (No children required) Members aged 8-14. Saturday 2nd October,   2:30-4:00pm, Herongate Leisure

Click Here to find out more and download registration forms

WANTED - MUSICAL DIRECTOR

We are looking for an enthusiastic amateur to take up the post of Musical Director for the forthcoming Town Show (see above).   CLICK HERE for an outline Job Description for the role.

The list of responsibilities may look daunting but help and assistance in the role will be available if required.  We have in-house technical audio and musical support and we hope to confirm our both our usual (and excellent) rehearsal pianist and musical arranger / orchestra leader shortly.

• Anyone interested should please contact David Clayton on 01488 683845 or dune@hung123.fsnet.co.uk                

CASTING  and SUCCESS STORIES

Busy Summer for Georgina Hendry - Georgie Hendry recently completed a successful run as lead girl Carmen in the New Theatre Oxford summer youth project of the musical Fame.  She has also been cast as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz - the summer youth project at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon.

It's Jekyll & Hyde for Paul Hyde ... Paul recently joined with the Newbury Nomads for their production of "Jekyll & Hyde - The Musical".  He was pleased to get the role of Sir Danvers Carew KBE and is enjoying the rehearsals.  The show will run 6-9 October 2010 at the Newbury Corn Exchange.   Tickets £12.50(£10) on sale NOW.  CLICK HERE for box office.

... And It's Carrie Pipperidge for Julie - Julie Gower, our excellent Julie Jordan in Carousel is delighted to have just won the role of Carrie Pipperidge in the forthcoming Waterside Musical Society production of the same show at Holbury, on the edge of the New Forest. It runs 10th - 13th November 2010.  Tickets are £9/£8 and box office is 0230 849708.

PLAYERS PRODUCTION 2010 - The Happiest Days of Your Life by John Dighton  

• The masters of Hilary Hall School for Boys are told that St Swithin's, a girls' school, will be billeted upon them. The staff try desperately to conceal the fact that boys and girls are housed together, but in vain, for the parents find out. They are about to remove their offspring when a message arrives: a third school is to share Hilary Hall. Against this common enemy, both staff and parents unite to barricade the gates.

  Auditions: Friday 17th September at John O'Gaunt Community Centre 7:30pm

• Copies of the script are available from the director, David Clayton, on
  01488 683845 or dune@hung123.fsnet.co.uk  

• Performances:   2/3/4 December 2010 at Herongate Leisure              

YOUNG PERFORMERS 2011 - Treasure Island

The 2011 Young Performers Production will be Treasure Island.

CHILDREN'S THEATRE

The 2010 Children’s Theatre Production was “The Dracula Rock Show” -  a fun musical play (Click image right to enlarge) - "A hilarious plot, full of splendid eccentric characters, is sparked by a dynamic rocky score, which takes in 60s rock, 70s disco and even a line dance! "  Part of HADCAF.

"I have just seen the Children's Theatre “Dracula Rock Show” & had a most enjoyable evening. The young cast performed extremely well, singing rock & roll songs that would have been mainly alien to them (some that date from my youth) and distributing humour with extreme gusto and quality. The main characters performed with immense poise, and the support cast, dancers and singers showed great ability. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and congratulate all who were involved. If this is the face of young theatre in Hungerford then more please".   John Miles 

• Click Here for the Dracula Rock Show Page with show photos
  (Photos by Carl Holmes of The Hungerford Camera Club)

Free filmmaking workshop Mon 2 Aug - Fri 6 Aug 2010

Sam Sampson, Learning Manager at CORN EXCHANGE & NEW GREENHAM ARTS was organising a workshop and is in desperate need of more participants. If anyone knows people who might be interested she would be very grateful if you can pass on this info to them. 

• The workshop is at New Greenham Arts, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm each day.

• It’s completely free and is open to anyone aged 10-18.

During the week the participants will work with professional filmmakers from MWS media to create a documentary responding to the history of Greenham Common and specifically to Jessica Curry’s new choral work Perpetual Light, which draws on the background of the Cold War and nuclear technologies. Most of all, it’s an opportunity for young people to get creative and learn about filmmaking.

They’ve got places left and would like to fill them! Anyone interested in taking part should contact Sam ASAP to bag a place: 01635 582666 ext 206. 

HADCAF PERFORMANCES by Natalie Hyde and Phil Desmeules 

On Tuesday 20th July, Natalie Hyde gave an accomplished performance in  An Evening of Song with Birmingham Conservatoire Students - a HADCAF event.

As a former CHTC performer and a talented soprano Natalie, together with a fellow soprano and piano accompanist from the Birmingham Conservatoire, presented a varied programme to entertain and delight a sell-out audience at the croft hall.  There were songs from across the centuries, including a selection of solos and duets from Oratorio to 20th Century English Song, from Opera to French Song, and everything in between. 

On Sunday 18 July, Phil Desmeules (a CHTC alumnus) completed a moving performance of  My Real War, 1914.. ? his one man show that had a successful West-End run in 2009. The audience, including many local friends and family, were enthralled by his compelling stage characterisation and his phenomenal memory (nearly 90 minutes of non-stop action)!

Phil's theatre credits include A View from the Bridge in the West End, Uncertainty at the Arts Theatre, The Hygiene Hypothesis at Theatre503 and Hamlet at Greenwich Park. His television work includes Little Dorrit, Doctors and The Trafalgar Battle Surgeon.

NEWS: Natalie recently won the Ambache Prize in Birmingham or the performance of Music by Women Composers.  There were 22 entrants and 6 finalists and Natalie won! 

CLICK HERE for the HADCAF site.

NODA News  - NODA AWARD FOR CHTC!

CHTC has been awarded the Constance Power Trophy by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) singling us out as being `most worthy of encouragement` from some 250 theatre companies in the South East of England.  The judges were most impressed by the strong community involvement at all ages and in all areas of the group from set building and play writing through to excellent work on stage.
"Over the years tremendous work has been done helping the youngsters to develop their dramatic and creative talents" said Henry Hawes, NODA`s Regional Director.

Our Chairman, David Clayton, received the award at Wyllyots Theatre in Potters Bar.  The presentation was made by the NODA National President and her Consort (pictured above - photo from www.XMO4.com) during the NODA London AGM on Sunday 4th July.  "Its great to get recognition for all the hard work put in to maintain what is now quite a large and very active organisation." Said David "We greatly appreciate all the support and involvement from the Local Community without which this would be quite impossible."     

YOUTH THEATRE  “The Cleaners“ by Hoffi Munt & Samuel Robinson

Well done to the Youth Theatre for their production over 2 nights during peak exam period!  Thanks to everyone who helped to make it happen.
Loosely based on the writer’s own experiences as a cleaner, ‘The Cleaners’ is a comedy following the story of 7 wayward teens that are forced to clean an office in the hope that it will redeem them of their former ways.  As they battle against addiction, ASBOs, teenage pregnancy, OCDs, anger, stupidity and just plain bad luck they are overseen by the unrelenting and bizarre supervisors and office workers. With the odds against them will they ever become upstanding members of society? A surreal, ironic and cynical look at how young people are perceived today.

" 'The Cleaners' worked hard tonight, and the cast performed well and should give themselves a pat on the back. The script, though well written and full of interesting subjects, was complicated to stage and the whole group worked hard and should be congratulated. Thank you all "- John Miles.

Thursday 10th & Friday 11th June 2010 7:30pm - Herongate Leisure conference theatre.  Tickets were £7 from from The Box Office. Crown Needlework, High Street, Hungerford or on the door.   Telephone Bookings:- 01488 684011

Click Here to go to The Cleaners Page

ITALIA CONTI SHOW - BREAKOUT!

The Newbury Italia Conti Summer Show - Breakout - is taking place at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon on Saturday 19th June.

George Olney and Charlie Waddell (front row of the poster) from CHTC are both involved.  CLICK HERE for PDF of poster.

Discounted tickets for £8 were available to theatre company members from Sarah Olney:

CASTING  and SUCCESS STORIES

Busy Summer Ahead for Georgina Hendry

In April Georgie Hendry was cast as Carmen in the New Theatre Oxford summer youth project of the musical Fame. Carmen is the lead girl who dies in the musical and then appears at end and dances on a yellow taxi!  Not content with that, she attended auditions for the summer youth project at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon.  As a result of this she has now been cast as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.  Georgie is now doubly thrilled especially as the show is very popular this year due to the BBC search for Dorothy.

Film Role For Helen Bonner

Our congratulations go to Helen Bonner who recently finished a role in a new film!  Says Helen "I’ was offered the part of Mrs Baxter in ‘The Sweet Shop’ movie !  She is the local baker , a ‘village character’ who has known the star of the film, Jarvis Marshall,  since he was a lad! .  An Autumn release is expected either to the big screen or to DVD.

It's Jekyll & Hyde for Paul Hyde

Paul recently auditioned with the Newbury Nomads for their October production of "Jekyll & Hyde - The Musical".  He was really pleased to get the role of Sir Danvers Carew KBE and is already enjoying the rehearsals.  It's a great opportunity to perform in one of his favourite musicals, which will never be a potential town show.

Theatre Ad Infinitum - Free Performance in Hungerford

An opportunity to see an exciting piece of theatre organised by Newbury Corn Exchange for FREE in Hungerford at the John O’Gaunt Youth & Community Centre.  

Tuesday 4 May 7.30pm   - Theatre Ad Infinitum presents a one-man performance of ‘Odyssey’.

Based on Homer’s classic. One actor, one hour. One man’s epic quest to reunite with his family and seek his bloody revenge.   This was a sell-out show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2009 and performed by George Mann who won ‘The Stage’ Best Solo Performer award in 2009.  
For more information go to www.theatreadinfinitum.co.uk.

FREE tickets available from the John O’Gaunt Centre or call 01488 683692 

CHILDREN'S THEATRE

The 2010 Children’s Theatre Production will be “The Dracula Rock Show” -  a fun musical play to be directed by Lynette Gridley. (Click image right to enlarge) - "A hilarious plot, full of splendid eccentric characters, is sparked by a dynamic rocky score, which takes in 60s rock, 70s disco and even a line dance! "

Rehearsals are at 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Friday evenings – JoG main hall in Priory Road - All aged 8 to 13 are invited to come along.  - See you there !!

Performances: 10th July 2010 – John O` Gaunt Community Technology College Main Hall 2:00pm and 7:00pm.  

Tickets available from Crown Needlework:  Adults £6    Children £4
Click Here for launch poster

YOUTH THEATRE

Next Production - “The Cleaners“ by Hoffi Munt

We are having a play reading for those interested in this year’s production.

• Monday 19th April 7:30pm - John O’Gaunt Youth and Community Centre

Performance Dates:  10th -11th June 2010 

For further information contact David Clayton on 01488 683845 or email dune@hung123.fsnet.co.uk       

THE SWEET SHOP - FILM ROLE FOR HELEN BONNER

Our congratulations go to Helen Bonner who, following recent open auditions in Newbury (as publicised on this site), has been cast to play a role in a new film! 

Says Helen "I’ve officially been offered the part of Mrs Baxter in ‘The Sweet Shop’ movie !  She is the local baker (25 years), a ‘village character’ who has known the star of the film, Jarvis Marshall,  since he was a lad!  I don’t really know any more than that!".  More news just as soon as we know it......

Make Up Workshops - 24 April: Salisbury

Free Make up Training Sessions are open to all members of the company

Saturday 24th April – Basic Characters 9am – 12 Noon or 1pm – 4pm In Salisbury  – venue to be advised .   Please contact David Clayton on 01488 683845 for further information or request a place by emailing dune@hung123.fsnet.co.uk  

Concert Party
Kick-off Meeting was 7:30pm Tuesday 30th March - JoG Youth & Community Centre

Adults or children, interested in performing sketches, instrumental pieces or songs (as soloists or as part of a chorus) are needed for events where the company are invited to perform.

We are constructing two programmes one on a ‘Musical’ theme and the other a ‘Music Hall’ theme.  The first session was to look at what people would like to perform and gather in music etc for review before any rehearsals.

The Young Performers - GRIMM TALES - SATURDAY 20th March 2010.
''Grimm Tales'' was written by Hoffi Munt,  Directed by her sister Roushka and was excellently performed by the Young Performers.

The show is a compilation of Grimm's fairy tales including; Little Red Riding Hood, The Frog Prince, Rapunzel and Cinderella told by the brothers Grimm to a princess who won't go to sleep.........

 As John Miles said ''The confidence of the 5 to 8 year olds was amazing and the show was entertaining from start to finish. A well written script also produced plenty of amusement for adults and children alike''.   The show was performed in front of a packed audience in the wonderful new conference theatre complete with tiered seating at Herongate Leisure, our 2010 production sponsor.   See Grimm Tales Page  for details and photos.

Before the show the Theatre Company received a much needed donation of £1,000 from Neil Benson, Chairman of the Hungerford Round Table (Pictured left - click pic for a close-up). This donation will be used to increase the stock of lighting and other related equipment for use in CHTC productions. The children were as delighted and grateful as anyone else when David Clayton the Chairman explained what it would be used for.

All in all far from a 'grim' afternoon !

30th Anniversary TOWN SHOW

CAROUSEL - 100 performance photos now on line on the Carousel Page.  

• Click Here for NODA Review

• Click Here for Grand Draw Results

• A CD containing a large selection (over 700) of higher resolution performance photos (which could be used to make good quality prints as required) is available from Barry Waddell - Price £5

CHILDREN'S THEATRE

The 2010 Children’s Theatre Production will be “The Dracula Rock Show” -  a fun musical play to be directed by Lynette Gridley. (Click image right to enlarge)

Rehearsals will be 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Friday evenings - first rehearsal 23rd April 2010 – JoG main hall in Priory Road - All aged 8 to 13 are invited to come along.  - See you there !!

Show dates: 9th & 10th July 2010 – JoG main hall: Performance Times TBC

• Click Here for launch poster

PLAYERS PRODUCTION

We are having a play reading for those interested in this year’s Players’ production.

• The reading is at 7:30pm on Monday 29th March at Karen’s House

• The performance is on the 23rd/24th July 2010

• For more information or directions contact Karen Ashby - ashby755@btinternet.com

Concert Party  - 7 30pm Tuesday 30th March Community Centre

Adults or children, interested in performing sketches, instrumental pieces or songs (as soloists or as part of a chorus) are needed for events where the company are invited to perform.

 We want to construct two programmes one on a ‘Musical’ theme and the other a ‘Music Hall’ theme.

Please bring any sheet music or scripts you would like to perform.

CHTC SUCCESS STORIES!

Georgina Hendry has a "Dorothy" Experience with BBC auditions

 Georgie Hendry recently went to open auditions in London as part of the BBC nationwide search for a Dorothy to play in the new Andrew Lloyd Webber production of The Wizard Of Oz.  She was number 8449,so they had seen quite a a few hopefuls before her!  

She waited three hours and eventually had her chance to sing Over The rainbow and , a very modern pop song.

"I sang something by pixie Lott, was then asked to tell them about myself, and to do some vocal scales.  I then sang Wizard And I from the Wicked and I feel pretty from West Side Story to show my range.   The hopefuls were then gathered to see who had a recall for the main casting room.  I was the lucky girl in our group to get the golden ticket and go through!  

For another three hours I had to wait in a holding room together with girls already in current West End shows and recent musical theatre graduates.  I then got to sing to a panel of four, including David Grinrod, and a vocal coach from the show.   This was all filmed for TV and was very nerve racking".  

"Eventually I was told they weren't taking me through to Dorothy school as they felt I was too young and my voice not quite mature enough to get through 8 shows a week in the West End as a soloist. (ALW has written some new rock songs for the show and needs a very very strong voice).  Even so, the comments and feedback I had were amazing.....  They told me that my acting skills through song were as strong as the trained girls they and that would pay to watch me in five years time.  I was delighted and did cry (The cameras loved that, of course)". 

Look out for the show when it runs on BBC and you might just see Georgie on TV.  She says "the girl who gets this part will be amazing.  I witnessed some big talent while I was there"

30th Anniversary Poster

Our New, Limited Edition 30th Anniversary Poster Celebrating 30 years of Community Theatre in Hungerford is available NOW - Only £3.00 each !

Available now from Crown Needlework and at performances of The Town Show for £3 only.

Be sure to pick up your copy of this piece of local history.  Guaranteed to bring back memories of past and recent Hungerford Town Shows!

30th Anniversary TOWN SHOW

Rehearsals:  Mondays at Herongate Leisure - Rehearsal Schedules + Photos    See the Carousel page for details.  

• Tickets on sale now:  £9 for Wed Eve, Thur Eve & Sat Matinee and £11 for Fri & Sat Eve from our box office at Crown Needlework.

  •  NOTE:  CURTAIN UP at 7:15 and 2:15

• The Winter edition of CHAIN MAIL features a centre spread of our Carousel production.  Click thumbnail right to read it.

• Friday 11th December - Victorian Extravaganza - We took part in the Parade 7:00-7:30.    

CASTING CALLS

• Billy Elliot - MICHAEL (Male)
  
  The Billy Elliot Casting team are hoping to do a closed audition in early January - date tbc.  They are looking for boys who think they could be stand up comedians, who are aged 9 to 12 years and under 4ft 10ins to audition for the role of Michael. Any tap dance and singing experience will be a bonus.  Any boys that are invited to audition will be asked prepare 3 minutes of material to entertain and make them laugh. This could include a few jokes a silly nonsense poem or other material or their choice. Any interested boys should send a CV or email with photo and all contact details etc to billyauditions@workingtitlefilms.com

• There are also Open auditions in London for Billy and Michael on 6th Feb 2010.  Other audition days are set for Bristol, Leeds & Manchester - Full details at this link: - http://www.billyelliotthemusical.com/auditions/.

• Are you Andrew Lloyd Webber’s next leading lady? - BBC One is launching a new TV talent search to find a leading lady for the legendary musical, The Wizard of Oz.   The TV show is currently looking for potential Dorothys to audition as the nationwide search begins in January 2010.   
  If you think you could be Dorothy then apply now by going to bbc.co.uk/dorothy

• Theatre Casting Calls:  -  Sound of Music UK Tour, Les Miserables UK Tour, Les Miserables Queens Theatre, The Lion King-Cubs school  - CLICK HERE for details
• Contact  rob@thecastingwebsite.com
  Rob Earnshaw Managing Director - The Casting Website, http://www.thecastingwebsite.com 
  Tel: 01952 458449 Mobile: 07707 083674
  
• Click Image right for details of Casting Website Intake Auditions 2010

CHTC Garments

New CHTC Sweat Shirts & Polo Shirts now available

Click Here or on button left for details