Discussion
I've been active in an operatic/musical society for almost 30 years. I love it - although it can be very time consuming.
Our performances are, on the whole, to a very high standard. The most common comment we get from people who have come to see one of our shows is "How many professionals do you have in the cast?". The answer is, of course, none - although we do have quite a few people with formal theatrical and drama training involved - whether they be our producers, musical directors, choreographers or performers..
http://www.cfaos.co.uk/
Our performances are, on the whole, to a very high standard. The most common comment we get from people who have come to see one of our shows is "How many professionals do you have in the cast?". The answer is, of course, none - although we do have quite a few people with formal theatrical and drama training involved - whether they be our producers, musical directors, choreographers or performers..
http://www.cfaos.co.uk/
I love it, although I'm not currently treading any boards... 
I joined a very local group around 4-5 years ago, and spent 3.5 years with them playing various roles, starting out with small parts, up to much larger vocal appearances.
Met some great people through it, helped me 'come out' of my shell a lot, was great exercise, and kept me extremely busy.
I'll do it again soon enough!!
I joined a very local group around 4-5 years ago, and spent 3.5 years with them playing various roles, starting out with small parts, up to much larger vocal appearances.
Met some great people through it, helped me 'come out' of my shell a lot, was great exercise, and kept me extremely busy.
I'll do it again soon enough!!
My cousin does am-dram. I got roped in to do some fight choreography for a pirate thing - I used to fence, and coach beginners so it sort of made sense. I then had to do the opening fight scene.
I get dragged along as audience five of six times a year, what with my cousin, and Mrs Muppet's bother in another group, and so far I've seen one play I didn't hate. Even when the script is good the actors are on the whole terrible, with a few who do the cliched am-dram over-acting loud shouty voice thing all the time. As far as I can tell most of the audience is there as a result of emotional blackmail.
So please be critical of your performances, and if you suspect you might be s
t stop making people come to watch.
I get dragged along as audience five of six times a year, what with my cousin, and Mrs Muppet's bother in another group, and so far I've seen one play I didn't hate. Even when the script is good the actors are on the whole terrible, with a few who do the cliched am-dram over-acting loud shouty voice thing all the time. As far as I can tell most of the audience is there as a result of emotional blackmail.
So please be critical of your performances, and if you suspect you might be s
t stop making people come to watch.Captain Muppet said:
My cousin does am-dram. I got roped in to do some fight choreography for a pirate thing - I used to fence, and coach beginners so it sort of made sense. I then had to do the opening fight scene.
I get dragged along as audience five of six times a year, what with my cousin, and Mrs Muppet's bother in another group, and so far I've seen one play I didn't hate. Even when the script is good the actors are on the whole terrible, with a few who do the cliched am-dram over-acting loud shouty voice thing all the time. As far as I can tell most of the audience is there as a result of emotional blackmail.
So please be critical of your performances, and if you suspect you might be st stop making people come to watch.
One thing in my favour I suppose - I was a musician in a previous life, toured lots, did plenty of festivals, reading etc... My point being, I know when you're putting in a good performance and when you're not, and also how to be professional to pull through it and give punters a damn good show.I get dragged along as audience five of six times a year, what with my cousin, and Mrs Muppet's bother in another group, and so far I've seen one play I didn't hate. Even when the script is good the actors are on the whole terrible, with a few who do the cliched am-dram over-acting loud shouty voice thing all the time. As far as I can tell most of the audience is there as a result of emotional blackmail.
So please be critical of your performances, and if you suspect you might be s
t stop making people come to watch.If I'm s
t, I'll stop doing it.My mum used to act in and produce plays for our local am dram group. I used to help her learn her lines. My dad would sometimes assist with the set and special effects.
Other than school plays when I was little, I never really had the nerve to act myself. Because of the stage lights you can't actually see more than the first 3 or 4 rows of the audience anyway.
I'm sure that if you contact your local am dram society they'll be glad to have you.
Other than school plays when I was little, I never really had the nerve to act myself. Because of the stage lights you can't actually see more than the first 3 or 4 rows of the audience anyway.
I'm sure that if you contact your local am dram society they'll be glad to have you.
Not quite - although I was the track day with one of my musical society mates. We have a few in our group who are into cars. In fact, it was this friend who introduced me to Pistonheads in the first place (he used to own a TVR). So, it's my acting and singing that led to PH - in an indirect way.
Eric Mc said:
The most common comment we get from people who have come to see one of our shows is "How many professionals do you have in the cast?". The answer is, of course, none
I read that as (from The Office):"Yeah well I went down there the first day it opened right, and I did a couple of laps, I pulled over, the bloke that runs the thing comes over and said - Oi no professionals. I took my helmet off, I said I'm not a professional. He said - you're not a professional? I said - No, he said - well you should be, if I was you I'd take up Formula One, and if you drive like that you'd probably be the best in the country! I said - I'm not interested I'm making s
t loads out of computers."nicanary said:
AmDram - first step to a touring Rep Company. A wonderful start to life as a thespian, and actoooor. Just think of those boarding houses for touring artistes - Mrs. Miggins awaits, dear boy!
(My Hamlet was well received in Chipping Campden. Still have the clippings......)
I can never understand why actors feel the need to retain bits of their toenails....(My Hamlet was well received in Chipping Campden. Still have the clippings......)
Must be a thespian thing.
Eric Mc said:
nicanary said:
AmDram - first step to a touring Rep Company. A wonderful start to life as a thespian, and actoooor. Just think of those boarding houses for touring artistes - Mrs. Miggins awaits, dear boy!
(My Hamlet was well received in Chipping Campden. Still have the clippings......)
I can never understand why actors feel the need to retain bits of their toenails....(My Hamlet was well received in Chipping Campden. Still have the clippings......)
Must be a thespian thing.
My post should be read in the manner of Donald Sinden....
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