In this edition of the Franklin Flyer, we bring you an exciting Panto update, workshop news, AGM information, plus many other titbits including a new section of great acting quotes. Wishing the Franklin community a spooktacular Halloween!
The Emperor’s New Clothes
Based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, this year’s Franklin Players pantomime promises to warm up the hearts of children and adults alike!
Frivolously unfashionable Emperor Corduroy Denim Spiffypants (Bernard de Jongh) is a vain, totally unaware monarch obsessed with flamboyant clothing. He loves nothing better than wearing fancy new clothes. Three times a day he would change into a brand new royal outfit.
While many Emperors spend their days talking to advisers and fixing problems of the land, ours is far too busy sending out his servants to find the next great outfit to wear. So when his slightly opinionated daughter Freddy (Jaci Lockwood) and stern but sympathetic mother (Nailah Phoenix) along with the help of some colourful fairies in not so colourful threads, decide to teach him a lesson in humility, things are sure to heat up on stage. How else are they to save the local community centre?
Fun competitions
Join us for one (or more) of six performances in November. Come dressed in your spiffiest Emperor outfit and add to the fun by not only watching our panto but entering our three competitions:
- Best dressed ‘Emperor’ audience member
- Design the Emperor’s new outfit
- Spot Pixie
Teddy bears for kids
We will also be collecting new and pre-loved teddy bears (or any soft toy) for distribution over the Christmas period to those children spending the holiday season in hospital. A collection box will be available at front of house.
Bookings are open and seats are filling up fast, so email bookings@franklin.org.za or WhatsApp Wendy on 082 366 9987 to reserve your seat. Open the poster below for all the details…
One Act Play Festival 2020
We’re looking so forward to our One Act Play Festival! Here’s a round-up of everything you need to know…
Rules
Whether you want to write, act or direct, be sure to familiarise yourself with the festival rules and guidelines.
Writers
For those who wish to submit their scripts for consideration, the submission deadline is 10 January. Email your scripts to committee@franklin.org.za and please don’t miss the deadline! You may also be interested in attending our writing skills workshop on Sunday 8th December (details below).
Directors
If you would like to try your hand at directing, contact us to be added to the director’s list and let’s see what scripts become available closer to the time. We are always on the lookout for new directing talent and this is the perfect way to hone your skills in a co-creative and friendly environment. Of course experienced directors are welcome too!
Actors
Don’t miss the chance to strut your stuff on stage. The plays are short (35-45min) and you have the opportunity to sink your teeth into more than one production if you like. Diarise the following audition dates:
- Sunday 19th January, 2.30pm
- Monday 20th January, 7.30pm
- Wednesday 22nd January, 7.30pm
Showtime
Before you audition, please make sure you will be available to perform on the following show dates:
- Friday 27th March
- Saturday 28th March
- Friday 3rd April
- Saturday 4th April
HANG:10
Franklin Players took home two awards at Protea Stage Productions’ annual Hang:10 short play festival. Congratulations to Ashley Nader for best script (Pillow Talk) and Traci Scerri for best actress (Pillow Talk). Well done to all the other winners and everyone who took part in this event, we look forward to next year! Huge thanks to Mark and Carole Worrell for hosting an awesome social at their home in Benoni last Sunday.
AGM
The Franklin Players Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday 8th December from 11am to 12. Members are kindly requested to attend. The notice, proxy form and minutes of last year’s AGM will be emailed to our current members this week. This is a catered event with light snacks and refreshments on offer, so please RSVP your attendance as soon as possible in order to assist with catering requirements.
Members are encouraged to stay for the FREE workshop which follows directly after the AGM. See details below…
Writing skills workshop
Don’t miss our Writing Skills Workshop to be held on Sunday 8th December from 12.30 to 3pm. Attendance is free for paid-up Franklin members and only R50 for non-members. Please let us know if you are interested in attending the workshop so that we print an appropriate amount of course material.
The Franklin family
All actors cast in our shows automatically become members and pay membership for the year (R200 for adults, R100 for students and half price after July 1st). We welcome and encourage you to join for reduced ticket prices, free workshops and a wonderful community just as interested in the stage life as you.
It’s easy to become a member – simply complete the membership form and email it to committee@franklin.org.za together with proof of payment. For more information and background about The Franklin Players, read more about us here.
Join the Franklin WhatsApp community!
Both members and non-members are welcome to join the Franklin WhatsApp group to stay informed about future auditions, events and upcoming shows. Send us a message on 082 366 9987 to join the community. And don’t worry, commenting is disabled (admin only) so you won’t be spammed with a barrage of messages!
Techies wanted
If you are a keen tech-head and think you might enjoy working with stage lighting and sound equipment, or even if you are already skilled in this area and have the time to assist with our shows, please give us a shout because we are looking to expand our tech team.
We will offer training on all the equipment and you will work together with someone who already knows the ins and outs, so don’t worry you’ll never be thrown into the deep end! Since this is voluntary community theatre, there is unfortunately no remuneration other than some comps for the shows which you can give to family and friends.
Protea Stage Productions
Protea proudly presents The Musical Adventures with the Wizard of Oz in Benoni this November. The old family favourite takes on a new spin in this original production, and is sure to delight audiences of all ages! Join Dorothy and her friends on their magical journey and book today! For enquiries and bookings email tickets@proteastage.org.za or contact Carole on 083 660 2936. Open the poster for all the details.
Follow Protea on Facebook.
Startime Players
Startime Players has not one, but TWO productions lined up for you in October and November. First up is their interactive murder mystery: Murder at the Lake Lodge! It takes place just in time for Halloween – so if you’re looking for a thrilling night out, join them for a night of chilling theatre! Call or WhatsApp Alice on 072 120 2479 or email startimeplayers@gmail.com for bookings.
Follow Startime on Facebook.
RLT Productions
After their grand tour of Boksburg (thank you Startime) and Benoni (thank you Protea), it’s back to the Basement for RLT Productions!
Under the deft directorship of Oriela van der Walt, some of RLT’s best and brightest, including Stephen Slade, Karen Zaal, Graham Shirley, Sheila Smith, Andrew Palmer and Hannah Jordaan, will be entertaining you with outrageous skits and sketches and glorious song and dance – just to remind you that another year is nearly done and those happy holidays are on their way! (And if the feel-good spirit hasn’t kicked in yet, the RLT Improvistas will certainly have you rolling in the aisles by the time the final curtain falls.)
For enquiries and SHOW-VEMBER! booking details, drop a line to RLTProductions1950@gmail.com or WhatsApp Graham Shirley on 083 332 9683. See poster for more details.
Follow RLT Productions on Facebook.
EADS
Edenvale Acting & Drama Society proudly presents Sleeping Beauty in November. For enquiries and bookings, send an email to eadsbookings@gmail.com. Open the poster for all the details.
Follow EADS on Facebook.
Events calendar
Here is a summary of upcoming events:
- 25, 26 October & 1, 2 November
Startime Players: Murder at the Lake Lodge
- 1, 2, 8, 15, 16 November
EADS: Sleeping Beauty
- 15, 16, 22, 23 November
RLT: SHOW-VEMBER!
- 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 November
Protea: Wizard of Oz
- 22, 23, 29, 30 November
Franklin Players: The Emperor’s New Clothes
- 8 December
Franklin Players: AGM & Writing Skills workshop
You tell us!
When we put on a production, we try and select a script that will delight and entertain our audiences. It’s difficult to please everybody all of the time, so we are asking YOU –
What would like to see performed on the Franklin stage?
Be specific if you like and give us names of plays, or just let us know your preferences in terms of comedy, drama, slapstick, mystery etc.
We also want to do our best when communicating with you, so we ask that you let us know your preferred method of communication. Is it email? Whatsapp? Facebook? In other words –
How should we communicate with you?
Letting us know what you prefer will give us the opportunity to meet and hopefully exceed all your expectations. So please pop an email to committee@franklin.org.za or simply reply to this newsletter. You could also drop us a Facebook message or send a Whatsapp to 082 366 9987.
Thank you for taking the time to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!
Great acting quotes
“Be in the moment. Period. Just be there. Because if you get all like, ‘Oh I got to do this big thing.’ It just never works. It just doesn’t work. You’ve just got to let go. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. Whatever you do is ok, just be truthful, honest, real, and that’s all you can ask for.”
– Robert De Niro
Source: Stagemilk.com