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RBS Invests in the Youth Theatre
RBS has awarded £250 to Forfar Dramatic Society’s Youth Theatre, to help fund its activities, including its current production of Alice in Wonderland.
The award has been made through RBS’s Community Cashback programme which was introduced as part of the bank's ongoing commitment to the communities in which it operates.
Through the award scheme the RBS helps community groups, schools and charities in which its staff make an important contribution in their own time.
In this case, the member of staff concerned is Elaine McEwan, who volunteers with the Youth Theatre on a regular basis. Elaine qualifies for the award because she has given over 200 hours of her own time to the youth theatre in the last year.
That has involved her in supporting the group to stage the production “Forfar Tales” as a co-production with the adult club, as well as helping to film and edit “Think Global”.
“Think Global” is a film made by the Youth Theatre which examines the threat of climate change and how changes of lifestyle can reduce carbon emissions. The film was funded as part of the grant of just over £18000 awarded to the Society from Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Climate Challenge Fund to insulate their rehearsal hall. You can see the film at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S9-LLyj96o
This is the second year that the Youth Theatre has been able to secure funding through the Community Cashback scheme. Last year they also received funding which contributed to “Forfar Tales”, and the running of the regular Sunday night sessions.
Elaine is currently part of the team working on Alice In Wonderland. This adaption of the popular novel will see the Youth Theatre use a variety of masks and puppets in an exciting new version of the story.
According to Elaine, it’s really exciting to be working on the project. “It’s good to see the Youth Theatre doing something that will develop new skills. They all seem to be really enjoy being part of the production.”
The award from RBS gives a considerable boost to the project. It will help to pay for the materials need for all the masks and puppets, as well as the other production costs.
Dramatic Society President Neil Paterson is delighted by both the injection of cash and the recognition of Elaine’s voluntary effort. “Our youth theatre relies heavily on volunteers” he said. “This award highlights the work they do and brings a tangible benefit to the youth theatre. Elaine is one of a team of volunteers who support the youth theatre and we’re grateful to all of them for their efforts.”
He added “The club as a whole is going through an exciting time at the moment as we continue to upgrade our premises, so remember to keep up to date with what’s happening in the Society! Check www.forfardramatic.com, search for us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @ForfarDramatic.”
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OFF the HOOK
By Derek Benfield
November 2012
Venue and dates to be announced shortly
Forfar Dramatic Society Quiz Night
Cricket Club
on Friday 2nd December at 7.30 pm.
Teams of 4 - £5 per ticket (supper included).
For further information or tickets, please 'phone Kim on 0751 377 0609.
Come along for a night of fun and show off your general knowledge. don't have a team? Don't worry, just come along and we will find one for you!
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Society gearing up for Black Comedy
The Society is moving into top gear and putting the polish into their forthcoming production of the hilarious sixties farce Black Comedy by Peter Shaffer.
First performed in 1965 Black Comedy is, suitably enough, a black comedy in which the effect of loss of light would have on a group of people who all hold things from each other is explored. The farce is set in a London flat during an electrical blackout, and is written to be staged under a reversed lighting scheme: that is, the play opens on a darkened stage, then a few minutes into the show "a fuse blows", the stage lights come up, and the characters are seen shambling around apparently invisible to one another.
Brindsley Miller and his fiancee Carol Melkett have "borrowed" some posh furniture from neighbour Harold Gorringe's flat in order to impress Carol's father, Colonel Melkett. Brindsley, an artist, is afraid that the Colonel will not give up his daughter to a starving artist. Things go awry when the lights go out, leaving Brindsley helpless as characters arrive, one by one. First is Brindsley's elderly neighbour, Miss Furnival. Colonel Melkett, unimpressed by the blackout, arrives, and Brindsley's worst nightmare comes true as Harold returns early, and Brindsley tries desperately to return the furniture without Harold noticing.
The play runs from Wednesday 16th to Saturday 19th November in the Lochside Leisure Centre in Forfar. Tickets costing £8 for adults, £6 for concessions and £25 for a family ticket of 2 adults and 2 concessions are on sale at the box office in the Toy Castle, 86 Castle Street, Forfar. Tickets for the Wednesday night show are offered at the concession rate of £6 for everyone.
If you are unable to go to the Toy Castle, you can reserve tickets by emailing forfardramatic@live.co.uk stating the number required and for which night. The tickets can then be picked up and paid for at the door.
New Session Underway
Forfar Dramatic Society kicked off it's 2011-12 season on Tuesday 16th August with initial preparations for the next production - Black Comedy by Peter Shaffer. This 1965 classic is a hilarious tale of mistaken identity, mis-poured drinks, dastardly (and very funny) revenge and much more, all as a result of blown fuse induced blackout. Anyone interested in getting involved in the production should pop along to the clubrooms (132 East High Street, Forfar) from 7.30pm on a Tuesday night.
Carbon Reduction Advice for Halls
Forfar Dramatic Society is offering local community halls the opportunity to find out how to reduce their fuel bills and their carbon footprint.
For many years the Society has been planning the refurbishment of their clubrooms to provide a warm rehearsal and performance space for their members and other groups looking for a suitable venue.
Last year the Society managed to get a grant from Angus Council to pay for loft insulation in the building.
This year the Society is applying to the Climate Challenge Fund to insulate the walls and floor of the hall with a view to installing a sustainable heating system.
“We have had a lot of advice on how to proceed with insulating a large stone built building and we would like to share that knowledge with any other halls in a similar position” said the Society’s President Neil Paterson. “Newer brick built buildings are relatively easy to insulate with cavity wall insulation. Unfortunately keeping an older building warm and reduce bills and carbon emissions can be more challenging.”
The Society would like to invite interested members from any other local organisation to view their clubrooms to get advice on how to approach insulating an older large stone built hall by phoning their Building Convenor Robert Kidd for a tour on 01307 462701.