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This page last updated:
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
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How to.. take part in amateur dramatics
THE CAST: Rachel Devlin playing Christina, left, Patricia McDonagh playing Kate, Catherine Myland playing Maggie, Maria Leel paying Agnes and Venessa playing Rose. (5DL1206020)
PERHAPS it is because I’m a drama queen by nature, although I like to describe it as my artistic temperament, but I’ve always adored the theatre.
Growing up in Dublin, I’ve been involved with numerous productions on stage, enjoying every moment treading the boards.
And as an adult living in Peterborough, it was time to root out a group of like-minded people. And I couldn’t have been more fortunate in discovering Peterborough Mask Theatre just as the group was holding open auditions in August for its spring production at The Key – Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel – which will be performed next week.
Director of this production Maureen Callon put the thespians through their paces and I was lucky enough to be offered the role of Christina, one of the five sisters in the multi-award winning play.
But, if I hadn’t been offered a role on stage, there was still a host of positions that I could have tried out to join the welcoming group.
Acting is just one aspect of amateur dramatics. There’s a huge variety of different skills needed to make a production successful. From directing, writing, stage management, set design and construction to make-up, wardrobe, marketing and backstage – there really is a job for everyone.
Peterborough Mask Theatre has been up-and-running for more than half a century, producing a varied repertoire of high quality theatre.
Since the company was formed in 1947, it has worked to the basic rule of performing “plays of merit”. In the past 50 years, Mask has performed a diverse range of theatrical work, including Arms and the Man, Julius Caesar, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and Daisy Pulls it Off.
The group has also begun a workshop programme in recent years which has provided an ideal route for newcomers to take to the stage.
Peter Crerar playing Michael, Rachel Devlin playing Christina and Glen Whitmore playing Gerry. (5DL1206053)
Rehearsals for Dancing at Lughnasa have now been under way for more than three months and, as well as getting to indulge my theatrical tastes, being part of the group offers a fun social side to my week as the cast get to know each other – giggling over the odd mishap during our meetings and congratulating each other when we manage to capture the essence of our characters.
Meanwhile, director Maureen, the linchpin of the production, has kept us all focused, showing us how to hone and craft our performances as the clock ticks down.
Dancing at Lughnasa premiered at Dublin’s prestigious Abbey Theatre in 1990 and was acclaimed in London and on Broadway.
It is a poignant tale set in 1936 in Donegal, and tells the story of how the outside world affects five sisters and their eccentric retired missionary brother, living together in a small cottage in the hills outside the village of Ballybeg.
With them is Michael, the seven-year-old son of the youngest sister, who, as an adult, leads the audience through a tender and humourous evocation of his sisters’ lives.
Director Maureen, who joined Mask in 1976, said: “Mask is open to anyone who wants to join. People beginning as novices can join us and we can instruct, direct and help along those who are totally green.
“We always do works of value but we have a wide range too, from Shakespeare, which we will perform in Central Park in the summer, to Ayckbourn comedies.
“To begin with, I would never have imagined myself as a director in my teens. I’ve been in many roles, from Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest to Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas.
“I’ve gone through all the roles since my school days. I’ve always found my hand shot up in the classroom to read plays and I’ve had a natural instinct to keep on playing through my life, I think that’s what it boils down to.
“Becoming a director is a new challenge. As one gets older, learning lines for big roles becomes more difficult and for me to keep going with the theatre I started directing, and it has progressed.
“Now I’ll tackle anything that inspires me. I’m inspired by characters and not necessarily by plot building. It becomes a psychological thing – being able to see the characters come to life. We did a rehearsed play reading of Dancing at Lughnasa three years ago for the Mask membership, and I loved the real people that make up the play. I was then asked by the committee to direct the play because I had liked it so much.
And now the count down is on as we get ready for the curtain to go up at The Key Theatre, in Embankment Road, central Peterborough, on Wednesday night. The anticipation is palpable amongst us, and the group have become a tight-knit support network to chase away the inevitable nerves. I’ve enjoyed every minute of the journey – making new friends, indulging my favourite interest, being inspired by others’ talent, and getting ready to take to the stage. Inspired to join in? You should be.
Dancing at Lughnasa will run from Wednesday, January 25, to Saturday, January 28, performances begin at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 to £12, concessions available.
To book, call The Key box office on 01733 552439.