National theatre Role for Jack

First Printed in The Bolton News, 9:51am Friday 17th June 2011

A TEENAGER from Bolton will be treading the boards at one of the country’s top theatres after winning a place at a prestigious summer school.

Jack Hart, aged 14, has been accepted to the National Youth Theatre’s summer school at Laban School, in Greenwich, London.

As part of the course, the young people involved will perform at The National Theatre.

Jack, of Hilton Avenue, Horwich, has made regular appearances on stage at Bolton Little Theatre, and is currently working behind the scenes on their production of The 39 Steps.

The Rivington and Blackrod School pupil said: “Over 4,500 young people applied so it is great to be picked out and it will be exciting and a privilege to play at the National.”

On Friday, June 24, Jack will be hosting a night of music and poetry at the theatre to raise funds towards the trip. Sandra Simpson, who directed Jack in The Grapes of Wrath, said: “I am always pleased to have him in my productions as he has a mature attitude that makes him completely reliable and his concentration means he is entirely convincing in any role he takes. I was delighted to give him a reference and was thrilled when he got the place.”

Tickets for the fundraising evening cost £10, including supper. To book, ring June Grice on 01204 495622.

Review: 39 Steps

Printed in The Bolton News, Tuesday 14th June 2011

AFTER hearing rave reviews about productions at Bolton Little Theatre I had high expectations for The 39 Steps.

And my expectations weren’t met, they were exceeded.

With just four members in the cast I was curious about how the play would pan out. But as they ‘say good things come in small packages’ and with this adaptation of the John Buchan novel that certainly rang true.

The play centres around English chap and Casanova Richard Hannay’s (played by Mark Leigh) frantic and action-packed time on the run after mysterious Annabella Schmidt (Steph Shipley) is murdered in his London home.

The drama is perfectly pieced together by the two clowns (John O’Connell and Kevin Shipley) who between them had more costume changes and accents than I could count. With their instant changes the four strong cast could have pulled off a cast of 50.

Particular favourites were transformations of a spy to a sheep and a policeman to a train conductor.

It would be unfair and too difficult to single anyone out as they all hit the nail on the head.

But a special mention without a doubt deserves to go to the crew backstage who managed to take the audience on the journey from London to Scotland. The set included boats, a train, a car and some planes. And that is without even mentioning the dogs on leads, car headlights on the clowns’ legs and the puppets – you name it had already been thought of.

Set in the lead up to The First World War the many costumes were traditional but the production even had a touch of modern with some 90s chart toppers and some 4D effects weaved in for the crowd.

The busyness of the show was griping enough for the audience but the dry and somewhat schoolboy humour throughout was priceless.

The only thing I would like to have seen was more information about was Bolton’s unsung stars in the programme – Alfred Hitchcock and John Buchan have had their time to shine let’s hear more about some of Bolton Little Theatre’s finest.

An extra night has been put on due to the demand and let’s hopes every seat is deservingly filled.

Unsurprisingly, at some points you could see members of the cast breaking into a sweat – they truly gave it their all.

Having never read the book of The 39 Steps I am now unsure whether I want to in case it doesn't meet the bar now set.

New production is an epic creation

From The Bolton News, 28th February 2011

BOLTON Little Theatre’s production of The Grapes of Wrath, recreates Steinbeck’s epic tale of the Joad family’s journey from Oklahoma to California in search of work. When the Joads needed a vehicle to carry the family and their few possessions along Route 66 for 2,000 miles, luck was with them!

Epic Creation with the help of Jolyon Coombes (far right)

Jolyon Coombes, who worked at The Octagon for many years, walked into the theatre looking for a challenge. Twenty four hours later he was back with a scale model of just the jalopy to do the job. Three weeks later, with help from BLT’s resident stage crew, the finished product is in danger of being the star of the show.

Travel with them on this courageous trek by booking seats for this production which opens on Saturday March 19 and runs until March 26.

The volunteer set builders meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.

Tickets for the show cost £9, and are available from the Albert Halls box office on 01204 334400 or through htpps//www.boltonlittletheatre.co.uk.

Kat Dibbs

Gripping Night of Entertainment

From the Bolton News, Thursday 3rd February 2011

Dangerous Corner by JB Priestley Bolton Little Theatre, Hanover Street, Bolton Runs until Saturday February 12th THIS JB Priestley masterpiece is perfect for the intimate setting afforded by the compact Forge Theatre within Bolton Little Theatre.

A larger auditorium would definitely detract from the maximum impact Priestley intends with this drama.

However perfect the theatre is though the right setting would be pointless if the cast didn't have the sort of excellent acting skills I was lucky enough to witness last night.

This was amateur acting at its very best - so polished and perfect it would put many professional casts to shame.

The storyline is dramatic from start to finish. This is edge of the seat stuff with plenty of character assassination and the odd assignation thrown in for good measure.

Sitting so close to the action means the audience feels somewhat of a voyeur - watching lives unfold and disintegrate at close hand makes for fascinating, viewing and so real are the performances at time you feel you are watching a real life confession of sins.

But where to start with the accolades? Suffice to say each of the seven cast members brought their own qualities to their individual role and each was faultless. If pushed to pick my favourites it would have to be Peter Scofield as Robert Caplan and Jennifer Lee as his wife.

There is so much intrigue around each and every corner that this production is as fast flowing as it is revealing.

The two intervals do give you the opportunity to pause for breath and then it's back to the heady ride that is Dangerous Corner.

Given that this play is a sell-out may I make the suggestion you take a look at future BLT productions and book yourselves in as soon as possible so as not to be disappointed.

Gayle McBain

2011/12 Season and Readings

Andrew Close submitted the following proposed programme for next season to the Management Committee at its meeting on 16th November, and it was happily accepted. Here are the details:

1st to 6th August – REVIVAL of a production
from present season.

10th to 17th September – MAIN STAGE
(Reading - Wednesday 19th January 2011)
The Graduate, Terry Johnson,
directed by Peter Scofield

29th October - 5th November – FORGE
(Reading - Wednesday 26th January 2011)
Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Dario Fo
directed by Steve Stubbs

3rd to 10th December – MAIN STAGE
(Reading - Friday 28th January 2011)
Hi-de-Hi – Croft & Perry (extra performances to be arranged)
Directed by Andrew Close

4th to 11th February ‘12 – FORGE THEATRE
(Reading - Wednesday 23rd February 2011)
The Game, Harold Brighouse
Directed by Michael Shipley

17th to 24th March – MAIN STAGE
(Reading - Friday 25th February 2011)
Much Ado about Nothing, W. Shakespeare
Directed by Sandra Simpson

12th to 19th May – FORGE THEATRE
(Reading - Friday 4th March 2011)
Breaking the Code, Hugh Whitemore
Directed by Kevin Shipley

9th to 16th June – MAIN STAGE
(Reading - Wednesday 9th March 2011)
Calendar Girls, Tim Firth
Directed by Andrew Close

There is the potential for additional performances on Charity Nights for all these productions, on the Thursday & Friday nights before the normal run starts, and on the two Sundays of the run.

Andrew also points out that the licenses for some of these plays have yet to be confirmed, so the list is subject to possible alteration.

Drama societies’ fear for the future

The Bolton News, Tuesday 23rd November 2011

AMATEUR theatre groups in Bolton claim their future could be threatened if plans to sell a drama venue are given the go-ahead.

Proposals have been announced to merge three Methodist churches in Bolton — Astley Bridge, Chorley Old Road, and Halliwell — and to sell the Theatre Church in Seymour Road, Astley Bridge because of dwindling congregation numbers.

It would see the churches move to a new building on the site of the former Delph Hill Methodist Church in Crompton Way.

The Theatre Church, which was converted in 1969 to offer a purpose-built theatre space for local groups, is used by hundreds of people every year.

And the groups that use it are now launching a campaign in a bid to save the building.

The Theatre Church hosts productions by five amateur dramatics societies — CATS Youth Theatre, Five Saints Amateur Theatre Company, St Paul’s (Astley Bridge) AODS, Bolton Catholic Music and Choral Society and Farnworth Performing Arts Company.

CATS Youth Theatre, which has more than 100 members, also use it as their permanent base, where they rehearse and store their sets and costumes.

Paul Cohen, chairman of Bolton Amateur Theatre Society and co-director with his wife Louise of CATS Youth Theatre, said: “We understand the congregations have to merge, but for Bolton to lose that building is a crying shame because of what it gives to the community.”

The Theatre School is also home to community groups, drama schools and sports clubs, including Theatre Dance School, which has 160 pupils, andSharples Wrestling Club.

Sarah Ward, who has run Theatre Dance School at the venue for the past 20 years, said: “Although I have earmarked somewhere for the business to move to should Theatre Church be sold, from a personal point of view to lose the theatre would be a tragedy.

“It is used by so many different people and there is nothing else like it around here.”

Ms Ward says if her dance school is forced to move it would mean she could no longer put on a show once a year, and instead would have to raise funds in order to produce a show at theAlbert Halls — a much more expensive venue — once every few years.

Halliwell Theatre Company, who put on plays at Halliwell Methodist Church, in Harvey Street, will also lose their venue if the building is sold, however the Chorley Old Road Methodist Church, which hosts plays by societies including the Marco Players, will continue to function as it has been bought by its current occupants, Stepping Stones Nursery.

Methodist leaders insist there would be “provision of some drama and theatre” at the planned site.

Superintendent Minister of the Bolton Methodist Circuit, Reverend Gerald Broadbent, said: “At the moment three Methodist Churches in Bolton — Astley Bridge, Chorley Old Road, and Halliwell — are intending to join together and build a new church on the site of the former Delph Hill Methodist Church.

“This new church is presently to be called North Bolton Methodist Mission. It is intended to have a strong community input including the provision of some drama and theatre and other activities in new and exciting ways which we hope would interest existing users.”

He added: “It may well be this will involve the marketing of the Astley Bridge site.

“If this happens the sale would be subject to Charity Commission regulations to obtain the best price possible.

“No decision or date for this is settled and the church will, of course, keep all users in the picture.”

From Torquay to Africa!

Elliot (centre) with Basil (Andrew Close)
and Sybil (June Grice)

Basil Fawlty is not famous for his helpfulness but when 17 year old Elliot Watson needed to raise funds for a trip to Namibia, South Africa, next year he thought it a great idea to enlist the help of the famously rude hotelier. 

Elliot is a member of the theatre where he volunteers regularly as part of the technical team in the sound department. But he hopes that the biggest noise he'll be making over the coming few weeks will be a massive cheer as Basil and Sybil send him and his friends to South Africa.

Elliot and nine of his friends aged from 15 to 20 years old are going with 4 adults to the Church of the Good Shepherd in Okathithu working in the school which teaches young people from 6 to 16 years. The young people from Holy Trinity Church, Horwich attend various schools and colleges around Bolton and Chorley and the church has had links with Okathithu for 15 years.

Elliot says "I have seen charities raising money by having a theatre night with a buffet and drink before the show and enjoy a good play and I thought it would be a great way to have a night out and make some more money for our trip."

If you want to support this group of young people tickets for the Theatre night on Wednesday 1st December at Bolton Little Theatre. (including a supper and drink before the play) are £18 available from Richard and Margaret Fairclough on 01204469091 

Fawlty Towers runs from 4th to 11th December at Bolton Little Theatre 

Tickets from The Albert Halls Box Office on 01204 334400 

or through wwwboltonlittletheatre.co.uk