| Message from Dr Cara Gray about her latest research about theatres in towns, which includes the Settlement Players. A couple of things that I wanted to share from our short research project which you might find interesting – firstly, I wanted to share with you the chapter of our book that the Settlement Players featured in. Here is a link to the open access book https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/oa-edit/10.4324/9781003308058/theatre-towns-helen-nicholson-jenny-hughes-gemma-edwards-cara-grayTheatre in Towns | Helen Nicholson, Jenny Hughes, Gemma Edwards, Cara Theatre in Towns offers a contemporary perspective on the role of theatre in the cultural life of towns in England. Exploring volunteer-led, professional and www.taylorfrancis.com If you go to Chapter 6 and download (it’s free!) you will be able to read it – let me know if it doesn’t work. The chapter explores the idea of ‘hopeful towns’ and touches on the relationship between creativity and the Garden City Movement and how that legacy can be found today in theatre groups, and mentions the Settlement Players. It is a very forward-looking chapter, highlighting the potential for towns as inspiring places for theatre, but also looks back in history to hopeful movements that have involved towns and the connections between past and present. This link is a report from the project which also uses the Settlement Players as a case study of how many theatre/theatres are kept running through voluntary effort, creativity and local networks. Lastly, I am in the process of preparing a chapter in a book about 20th century British theatre which includes a section about set building with you and the history of the Settlement, your Little Theatre and your ongoing relationship with the building. I will update you on that when I hear more but it’s been so lovely to revisit that time in this chapter!Very best wishes,Cara Cara Grays Bio from the Players website, when Cara originally joined us as a PhD student in 2014! Cara Joined the Settlement Players in 2014. Cara joined as part of research for a PhD looking at ‘Amateur Dramatics in Urban Utopias’, contributing to the wider AHRC funded project ‘Amateur Dramatics: Crafting Communities in Time and Space’ at the Royal Holloway, University of London. As part of the Connected Communities Scheme, the project looks at how (and if) amateur theatre companies create, sustain, challenge and revitalise their communities, in order to explore what role amateur theatre plays in constructing and sustaining communities. Taking Letchworth Garden City as a case study, the PhD will examine the historical and contemporary practice of Letchworth’s amateur dramatic companies, specifically investigating the ‘making’ of amateur theatre and the spaces in which these amateur creativities happen. A booklet on ‘Reflecting on Amateur Theatre Research: 17th September 2016’ is available here Reflecting on amateur theatre by Amateurdramaresearch – Issuu , and has quotes and pictures of Settlement Players’ |
AUDITION NOTICE for November
Ken Ludwig’s ‘The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays’
Performance dates will be 16th – 18th November.
Rehearsals from early-mid September (TBC) for read-throughs and some workshops.
Audition dates at the Settlement
Mon 7th Aug and Wed 9th at 8pm in the Hall, Sun 13th 10.30am in the Brunt room
Mon 14th Aug and Wed 16th at 8pm in the Hall, Sun 20th 10.30am in the Brunt room
More details in link below.
Auditions – Settlement Players Settlement Players (settlement-players.co.uk)
September two one act plays written and performed by the Settlement Players. Celebrating 100 years. Exhibition of Players archive items will also be on display.
ONE ACT EVENINGS
September 8th and 9th, Two one act double header evenings. Both Plays will be performed on both nights. There will also be a small exhibition of items from the Players archive.
Two short plays written and performed by the Settlement Players. Here comes the Sun, a short drama based around science, and, Fake or Fortune, a comedy about the almost true tale of how the Settlement was saved!, which will also be performed at the Cambridge Drama Festival on 14th September, in the new play category.
Tickets, £5, available, online and on the door only, for 8th and 9th September at the Little Theatre, Settlement, Letchworth
Box Office – Settlement Players Settlement Players (settlement-players.co.uk)
We also plan to have a small exhibition of Players items from the Players archive on the 8th and 9th September.
Cambridge Drama Festival 14-16th September. Players performance of Fake or Fortune is Thursday 14th September. Tickets available ADC Theatre, Cambridge.
What’s On | ADC Theatre
AGM
Letchworth Settlement Adult Education Centre Summer School
A number of courses that might be interesting to the Settlement Players are being held at the Settlement during their Summer School. A variety of other courses are also available.
Writing and Editing Two-day intensive workshop (22/7/23 & 23/7/23) 10am-3pm £60
Write a Short Story in a Day 10am-4pm 31/7/23 £36
Writing for Radio 4/8/23 10am-1pm £18
Workshops and Lectures | Letchworth Adult Educational Settlement (letchworthsettlement.org.uk)
AGM Notice
AGM Notice
The Annual General Meeting of the Settlement Players will be held on Wednesday 19th July at 8.15pm in the Brunt Room, at the Settlement, Nevells Road, Letchworth. There will be a short chairman’s report, a treasurers report and the election of officers and committee members. After the AGM there will be an opportunity for a drink, nibbles and a chance to chat with other Settlement Players.
AGM Agenda
- Attendance
- Minutes of 2022 AGM
- Chairman’s Report
- Treasurer’s Report
- Election of Officers and Committee Members
- Any other business : Forum for discussion of any points raised by members either beforehand in writing or at the meeting
Notes:
Nominations are invited for Officers and Committee Members.
“Voting Members” and “Committee Members” are those people who have a current membership with The Players and the Settlement.
Settlement Adult Education Courses
The Letchworth Settlement Adult Education Brochure for 2023-2024 is now available.
https://www.letchworthsettlement.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Settlement_2023_24_WEB.pdf
Enrolments start:
Arts & Crafts: Thursday 29th June at 10am
Languages, Creative Writing and Special Interest: Friday 30th June at 10am
To enrol go to the courses section of Letchworth Adult Educational Settlement | Independent Adult Education Centre (letchworthsettlement.org.uk), ring 01462 682828, or call in to the office.
The Letchworth Settlement Adult Education Summer School is available to book now. Click below to explore the workshops available.
The Settlement Summer School will run from Friday 21st July to Friday 4th
Workshops and Lectures | Letchworth Adult Educational Settlement (letchworthsettlement.org.uk)
Auditions 2nd and 3rd July 2023 for September one act plays
Audition Notice
AUDITION NOTICE
Two plays to be performed on 8 and 9th Sep at the Settlement and one to go to Cambridge Drama Festival which runs 14-16th Sep.
Audition Dates:
Sunday 2nd July in Hall 7 p.m. and Monday 3rd July 8 p.m. In the Hall.
Play written and to be directed by Stuart Cocks
This one act is only being performed at the Settlement.
Here Comes the Sun
At a rural laboratory in the 1960s two scientists work late into the night. As one of them is pondering if their latest results are significant they get some unexpected visitors.
Characters:
George. Age 30-50
Andrew. Age 30-50
Silvia Age 20-40
Abigail: Age 20-60
Smith: Age 20-60
I can be flexible on the ages as long as the age combinations work together. If anyone would like to read the script prior to the readings then please let me know and I’d be happy to forward a copy (with the caveat that I may tweak it before the readings).
stuartcocks24@gmail.com
Play written by Claire Hogan (Pranksy) to celebrate the Players Centenary, and to be directed by Stephen Charles
This one act is will be performed at the Settlement and go to the Cambridge Drama Festival
The Players Centenary Play – Fake and Fortune
A comedic imagining of the Players putting on a special production. The play takes place inside on the stage of the local amateur dramatics group home venue of The Settlement. Covid has left the Arts Centre financially crippled. With only months to go to The Settlements Centennial anniversary, the centre faces closure leaving the local Am Dram group with two dilemmas’, what play will they choose for their centennial anniversary the following year and would they need to find a new venue as well as a play?
Can the cast use their talents on and off the stage to keep the Settlement open and a home for their dysfunctional group of actors.
Characters:
Cast
Simon: 40+ – President of the Settlement Players.
Penny: 30+ – Works for a marketing company in London after failing to make it as an actress.
Verity: 29+ (alright 40 plus) Drama Queen on and off the stage. Posh. One of her many hobbies to fill her time when her husband is off on Business trips or away with his mistress.
Trish: 30-70 Pragmatic, teacher with left wing views.
Jan: 40+ Helps out with costumes. Married to Jim
Julian: 50+ likes to think of himself as the leading man in every play. Irrespective of the age of the role. Married to Jen
Danny: Middle aged. Cheeky chappie. Doesn’t take himself too seriously.
Julie/Mark: Quiet but creatively deep.
Judy: Mildred’s Daughter and carer. Has a bit of a thing for Danny and often see furtive glances between them.
Mildred: Oldest member of the group. Speaks bluntly and often inappropriately.
Dawn: Talented younger actress, struggling to make ends meet. Always helps others.
Nicki: 40+ Head of the Settlement
Cameos
Person with torch: Walk-on
Comet Reporter: Male or female no age restriction. Very confident
Fiona Bruce: This could be an audio pre-recorded
Banksy: Male – brief appearance at end. A few words but we never see this face
Final script will be available for the audition. (We are working to some tight timelines!)
sjcharles@ntlworld.com
Americano Plays Americana at the Settlement
Travel route 66 as you enjoy the Great American song back catalogue, enjoy the sounds of the 60s in this initimate musical event, staged at the Settlement, Letchworth Adult Education Centre.
