The Apollo Players, who staged the show in December for ten well-attended performances that led to £1500 being raised for Cancer Research UK, were delighted to receive the County Press Isle of Wight Theatre Award for the Best Production in 2010. The award was received by director Michael Arnell.
www.apollo-theatre.org.uk
The production planned for October 2011 by WYSPAS – Wycombe Society for the Performing Arts – has been postponed until 2012, owing to production date clashes with other societies in the area. Further news will be posted on this website and on
www.wyspas.info/1.html in due course.
In response to several requests, the piano/keyboard/bass score is now available on CD so that smaller companies without access to accompanists can rehearse and stage the musical. Of course, live music is always preferable but the availability of the CD is a good second-best. At the same time, it could mean that more money becomes available for Cancer Research UK. Copies of the CD are available at £5 each.
In the past two years, the sums raised for cancer research from productions of Below Stairs are: Concert performances in Naphill £540; Apollo Players, Isle of Wight £1,500; Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales £212; Hitchin Young Thespians £300; Wantage Stage Musical Society £285; Mytholmroyd St Michael’s Amateurs £1400.
Already in rehearsal, the 12th production of Below Stairs can be seen in Stamford Arts Centre, 27 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire, from 9 to 12 November 2011, with a matinee on the Saturday. Full information and tickets nearer the time may be obtained from the Stamford Arts Centre on 01780 763203 or email boxoffice@stamfordartscentre.com
The latest news is that Lindley Church Amateur Operatic Society in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, is to stage the show on 6–11 February 2012 at Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen Street, Huddersfield – a venue that seats 470. This production follows literally close on the heels – namely just 11 miles away! – of the Mytholmroyd one in May.
Read the interview by Katy Lewis (no relation) with Alan Lewis on the BBC website. www.bbc.co.uk