Month: April 2016

As if yesterday’s thrilling news update wasn’t enough, here I am again, chained to the keyboard, with more info from the world of Will.

Not one, not two, but three expos are now scheduled for May.  Songologues, the non-singing but all dancing brainchild of Mr Gibbins, is returning, with a run scheduled for mid August (exact dates tbc). Versions 1 and 2 have been fantastically successful and hugely enjoyable, so if version 3 is for you, the expo is on Tuesday 10th May at HQ, followed by auditions on Wednesday 19th and Sunday 22nd May

Audition dates are now confirmed for our October production of T S Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral – they are Wednesday 11th and Friday 13th May, both 7.30pm at HQ

Finally, following the fantastically successful run of The Winter’s Tale, a short film that Nick Downes made about the production and the SSA generally has been posted to YouTube.  Click here to catch us in glorious sound and vision……….

A very special week, and lots of news to update you on.  The whole world seems to have suddenly woken up to the beauty and majesty of Shakespeare, yet those of us who have been championing his cause for nearly 70 years will let them have their moments, because we know he’s ours really………………

There are loads of events going on around the city over the next few days, as part of the splendid Much Ado About Portsmouth (MAAP) Festival – fashion, film, drama, art, even baking.  Check out the website and get yourself along to some events

The SSA will be presenting an extract from The Winter’s Tale as part of the Ruff Fashion Show, being held at the Square Tower on Friday 22nd April at 6pm, so grab a ticket if you fancy some more pastoral perfection.

The latest edition of our newsletter, Billboard, is now available.  It’s emailed to all our members, but for those of you new to the SSA, or just hopeless with email, here it is in all it’s glory Billboard April.  There’s loads on The Winter’s Tale, MAAP, the AGM and (drum roll please) the expos being held next week for our October production of Murder in the Cathedral, and our November production of As You Like It.  Billboard is mainly written by Rob Bartlett so you’ll have to excuse the spelling and grammar, but you know what they say – if you leave a chimpanzee in a room with a typewriter for long enough, eventually something vaguely readable will be produced!

Finally, news reaches us that the fantastic Songologues is back, as part of the Front Room Words event.  It’s all going on at the Aurora Bar, 40 Albert Road, from 7pm on Thursday 5th May, so be there and be entertained.

Lots of news in SSA land today!

The Winter’s Tale – the first night was last night, and I think it’s fair to say the review is bloomin’ marvellous, just take a look for yourself.  Not only that, but the whole run sold out over a week before the curtain went up.  What a great tribute to the cast and crew of this production, especially Mr Director Sir Nick Downes – well done to all of you, and break legs for the next 3 nights!

There are two really exciting expos to tell you about too:

Our previously announced production of T S Eliot’s Murder In The Cathedral will be staged in the atmospheric surroundings of Portsmouth Cathedral in early October.  Lauren Farnhill will be expo’ing on Monday 25th April, 7pm, at the cathedral in Old Portsmouth.

We are delighted to announce that As You Like It will be our Autumn production at The Station Theatre, Hayling Island, continuing our productive association with this fantastic venue.  Paula Bartlett and Ellen Giddey will be sharing their vision at the expo on Wednesday 27th April, 7.30pm, HQ, and the production will be during the week commencing 6th November.

It’s unusual for the SSA to be putting on two productions so close together, but Lauren, Paula and Ellen have already started working as a team to ensure everything goes smoothly, including the use of SSA resources, the most valuable of which is you, our members.  There are about 5 weeks between the two plays, so if you want to be in both productions, that can be arranged without any problems, just make sure you come to both expos and get  your name down!

And finally………… we are planning to have our AGM on Tuesday 17th May, so get the date in your diaries and look out for more details coming soon.