National Operatic & Dramatic Association                               London Region
 
Society                 : Belmont Theatre Company
Production         : LADIES WHO LUNCH
Date                      : 24th February 2017


Be inspired by amateur theatre

 
Venue                  : Pump House Theatre Watford
Report by            : Michael Monk
 
                                                                                                                                Show Report
 
The play opened with a nice use of a short recording of a news report providing the background of the story ahead. The recording was a very effective way to open the play, well put together and compiled as though watching any standard television news broadcast. The production is staggered across three continents as we visit UK, Australia and America. Belmont Theatre produced a stunning set, designed by BILL REBELLO and members, easily identifying each country. Stage Management efficiently run by LORNA ALDER with minimalistic props managed well. by EILEEN & DAVID MOYES and KEITH CLOUGH.
 
Director – MARY-ANNE ANARADOH delivered a very fast paced production from beginning to end. The acting credits and highlight of the production must go to the three wives. However, the gentlemen really held their own in the one scene they had together, with nice confusion on their faces as they begin to realise the betrayal, with nobody being quite ready to accept they’ve been outplayed by a woman.  Congratulations on your debut and a job well done.
 
Lighting & Sound EDDIE STEPHENS & HELENE - All area lighting for each apartment was straightforward and all on cue. Sound with musical interludes for covering costume/scene changes were suitable, appropriate and pleasing to listen too.
 
Costumes – ANNE SUTHERLAND – All the costumes were very suitable for each of the characters. There were also plenty of costume changes and the ladies were always very well turned out. 
 
Lady Amelia – DANIELE ROBSON – A very confident performance providing the solid, scheming brains behind the operation. In control from the beginning to the end. Good chemistry with Joane & Rachel. Good stage presence and mischievous scheming.
 
Rachel Milchan – KIM WEDLER – A very different and simplistic role from Kim on this occasion. Good American accent maintained throughout. You revelled in the comedy in your American household. I enjoyed, in particular, your one to one scene with Harry.
 
Joane Stocks – JUDI CAMPION - Strong performance from a very accomplished actress. Great facial expressions and stage presence throughout with perfect comic timing, having most of the great one liners in the play. Congratulations on holding the ‘Aussie’ accent from start to finish.  Good chemistry with Amelia & Rachel.
 
 
 
All three ladies gave exemplary performances with strong characterisation and teamwork. It is difficult to find anything to criticise or suggest improvements for such a formidable line up. As well as working so well together you also had some of your best material when acting with just your husbands. Bravo!
 
 
 
Sir John – MICHAEL COLLINS – Very nice upper-class characterisation and confident performance throughout. Your scene with the other two husbands was very enjoyable.
 
Harry Milchan – LAURENCE CONWAY – Confident performance as Harry, a man who can never find the words to describe how bad the situation is becoming. Your scene with Rachel was extremely funny.
 
Ken Stocks – GRAHAM BRODERICK – Interesting that the Aussie accent wasn’t to evident but perhaps the London accent was too hard to lose when moving to Aus! Having said that, Graham held his own throughout.
 
As I said earlier Gentlemen. I did enjoy the one scene you had all together, delivering excellent facial expressions as the betrayal unfolded.
 
Good support from the remaining members of the cast, Geri – TARA PATHIRANA, D L Wallis – GILLIAN WEINBERG and Bonnie/Mary – HELEN SHERWOOD
 
The programme, MIKE & MAGGIE MORROW, was extremely well presented and very informative. Please consider entering your poster and programme into the annual NODA competitions.
 
Thank you, Belmont Theatre, for a very good evening’s entertainment. I am sure you will do very well in the Barnet Festival with this play – Good Luck and do let me know how you get on please.
 
Thank you once again for your very kind welcome and hospitality.
 
Best wishes
 
Michael Monk
Regional Representative
NODA London District 10
 
 
Please invite your members to follow @NODA_London on Twitter, and like the NODA London Facebook page
 
If anyone would like to get the NODA London newsletter directly, just email Nick Ford at [email protected] to sign up
 
 

Link to Youtube for Prologue for Ladies Who Lunch - https://youtu.be/d_cmQjvysA0

Belmont Theatre Company Open Day.  Sunday 19th February 2017
 
The current show is a sell out and the cast are really looking forward to the opening night and curtain up on ‘LADIES WHO LUNCH’.
 
We move into the theatre on Sunday 19th February to build our set and rig the lighting/sound ready for the evening technical rehearsal.
 
For each show we have an OPEN DAY where people interested in the nuts and bolts of a show can come along to the theatre for a conducted tour. A chance to see the lighting being rigged, the set being built and see the show slowly take shape.
If you are interested then please come along to theatre between the times of 10.00am and 3.00 pm. You will be most welcome and view what is going on, from the Front of House preparations, set building and a view backstage. Tea and Biscuits will be on tap. Be great to see you.
 
Please email our Chairman, Michael, if you’d like to come along or require further information   [email protected]
 
.

NEXT AUDITIONS - for 'SUDDENLY AT HOME'

FORMAL READING - Tuesday 28th February 2017

AUDITIONS - Thursday 2nd March 2017

SHOW DATES - Suddenly At Home -  24 - 27 May 2017
 
The May 2017 production is a thriller by Francis Durbridge. Suddenly At Home is an eight- person play set in the 1970’s telling a story of love and greed.  Maggie Howard is a wealthy woman and doesn’t mind letting people know it. Her husband Glenn Howard is unsatisfied with his life and craves a fresh start, one filled with money and prospect. It seems the only way to reach his idyllic dream is by murdering his wife.
 
 
The Characters  -  Cast: 4M/4W
 
Maggie Howard   -       Late 30’s. Fairly out spoken type. Somewhat   coarse in speech + manner.
 
Helen Tenby        -       Late 20’s. Maggie’s sister. Smart intelligent    looking woman.
 
Ruth Bechler       -       20’s. Maggie’s au-pair girl. Attractive. European.
 
Sam Blaine          -       30’s – 40’s. Faintly conceited yet rather likeable.
 
Sheila Wallis        -       30’s. Attractive manner. Tense disposition.
 
Glenn Howard     -       30’s – 40’s. A man with easy charm and a mission.
 
Appleton             -       50’s. A police inspector.
 
Remick               -       30’s – 40’s.  A man who is not what he seems.
 
Please note all ages are adjustable to accommodate casting.
 
Performance dates 24 - 27 May 2017 at the Pump House Theatre, Local Board Road, Watford.
 
Rehearsals commence Tues 14 Mar (Tues+Thurs 7.45-10.00) at Carpenders Park Community Hall, Carpenders Park. Sunday rehearsals commence 23/April (10.00-1pm).
 
All are welcome to the play reading on Tues 28/Feb and auditioning on Thurs 2/Mar both at 8pm at Carpenders Park Community Hall.
 
For further information about this production please contact the directors:
 
Graham Broderick (mob 07956352209)  /  Paul Botly (mob 07816872293)

Suddenly At Home -  24 - 27 May 2017
 
The May 2017 production is a thriller by Francis Durbridge. Suddenly At Home is an eight- person play set in the 1970’s telling a story of love and greed.
 
Maggie Howard is a wealthy woman and doesn’t mind letting people know it. Her husband Glenn Howard is unsatisfied with his life and craves a fresh start, one filled with money and prospect. It seems the only way to reach his idyllic dream is by murdering his wife.
 
 
The Characters            Cast: 4M/4W
 
Maggie Howard   -       Late 30’s. Fairly out spoken type. Somewhat  Coarse in speech + manner.
 
Helen Tenby        -       Late 20’s. Maggie’s sister. Smart intelligent  looking woman.
 
Ruth Bechler       -       20’s. Maggie’s au-pair girl. Attractive. European.
 
Sam Blaine          -       30’s – 40’s. Faintly conceited yet rather likeable.
 
Sheila Wallis        -       30’s. Attractive manner. Tense disposition.
 
Glenn Howard     -       30’s – 40’s. A man with easy charm and a mission.
 
Appleton             -       50’s. A police inspector.
 
Remick               -       30’s – 40’s.  A man who is not what he seems.
 
Please note all ages are adjustable to accommodate casting.
 
Performance dates 24 - 27 May 2017 at the Pump House Theatre, Local Board Road, Watford.
 
Rehearsals commence Tues 14 Mar (Tues+Thurs 7.45-10.00) at Carpenders Park Community Hall, Carpenders Park. Sunday rehearsals commence 23/April (10.00-1pm).
 
All are welcome to the play reading on Tues 28/Feb and auditioning on Thurs 2/Mar both at 8pm at Carpenders Park Community Hall.
 
For further information about this production please contact the directors:
 
Graham Broderick (mob 07956352209)  /  Paul Botly (mob 07816872293)
 

NODA London Latest - November 2016
The latest issue of the NODA London Newsletter is now available and you can download your copy right now simply by clicking here.

In this issue, we unveil plans for our brand new and improved newsletter!

Other highlights of this issue include:

  - How to gain maximum publicity through NODA for your shows and auditions
  - News and ideas for Youth Groups
  - Plans for a Directory of newly release shows
  - The ever popular What's On guide featuring details of loads of amazing productions

If you think anyone else in your Society may like to receive the newsletter as well, just forward their name, email address and Society on to me at [email protected] and I will make sure they receive it.

And if you have any comments about the newsletter or would like to contribute an article, please contact Rosemary on [email protected].

Regards
Nick Ford
(NODA London Social Media & E-Comms Officer)

.

Belmont members greatly enjoyed a visit to Charles Dickens House, Doughty Street
on Saturday 17th September.
The building is a wonderful example of Georgian architecture. It was threatened with
Demolition in 1923 but saved by The Dickens Fellowship who raised the mortgage and
bought the property’s freehold. The house was renovated and the Dickens House Museum
was opened in 1925.  It is the only surviving Dickens house in London.
 
The house is crammed full of fascinating objects:
The specially designed desk/lectern which Dickens read from on his public reading tours.
A small window rescued from the Camden Town house which Dickens would have stared
out from as a boy......
Perhaps the best known exhibit is the portrait of Dickens known as ‘Dickens Dream’ by R.W. Buss, an original illustrator of ‘The Pickwick Papers’.
This unfinished portrait shows Dickens in his study at Gads Hill Place surrounded by the
characters he created.
 
This visit was definitely one of Belmont’s most interesting and enjoyable ventures.
It goes without saying that, in true Belmont tradition, we ended up in a nearby
characterful pub to round off the visit with an excellent meal.
 
Many thanks to C-team and particularly to Graham for researching and organising this event’
Picture by Lynda Lovatt