After 7 happy years at North Cestrian School ACT II have had to leave as the school has started a major rebuilding programme which is expected to take up to two years to complete. We are delighted to say that they have found a new home at the Jubilee Community Centre in Altrincham. The photograph above shows Centre Manager, Katrina Parkinson welcoming Head Tutor, Valerie Harris and some of the students of ACT II to their first meeting.
Ex-ACTS student Georgina Dalgliesh won the award for Best Author and Director of an original play. She wrote ‘Art is in the Eye of the Beholder’ which was performed at all the festivals by ACT II.
Seen here with Head Tutor Valerie Harris are Jamie Bennett who gained a Certificate of Merit as Best Actor for his role as ‘William Shakespeare.’ Plus Lydia Ridgway who was awarded a Certificate for her role as ‘Queen Elizabeth I’ in the same play. At the Wilmslow Festival Lydia went one better and won the Best Junior Actress award.
ACT I in ‘Oh Mr Shakespeare!’
ACT II Cast with their Director in ‘Art is in the Eye of the Beholder’
Having already entered two One Act Play Festivals both sections of ACTS will be performing their plays for the last time at the Partington Players One Act Play Festival. This is being held at their theatre in Glossop on the 6th July.
Mayor Judith Lloyd with ACT II.
Head Tutor, Valerie Harris with ACT I.
‘ACT II – ‘Wine on the Rug’ Cast.
More success for ACTS students when they chose two brand new plays to perform as their main productions this year. ACT I performed ‘The Play Will Go On!’ written by J. F. Banks while ACT II performed ‘Wine on the Rug’ by Christopher Bennett. Not only were the plays well received but our guest of honour the Mayor of Trafford, Judith Lloyd was very impressed and praised highly both the play and cast. Well done to the casts and everyone front and back stage for all their hard work.
ACT II’s production ‘Wine on the Rug’ is a drama comedy written by ACT II student Christopher Bennett. It concerns Hubert Bose who lives in a great big manor housesurrounded by a motley crowd of hangers on. Life trundles on as best as possible until that is, a murder is committed. Secrets are revealed as the bodies start to mount up but who is killing off people and for what reason?
ACT I’s production ‘The Play Will Go On? is a play about an amateur drama group who lose their director via a freak accident. A new director is found but who decides to ditch the present play. Instead she is going to direct a completely different production she wrote herself. It’s a completely new experience for the group but can they make it a success and still keep their dignity?
Book now for two excellent evenings entertainment!!
Photograph above shows some of the members of ACT I with Head Tutor, Valerie Harris and Tutor, Peter Ning.
It may have been long overdue but ACT I managed to get to the theatre to watch the production ‘Horrible Christmas’ which was being performed at the Lowry Theatre. We had wanted to take a group picture outside but it was raining too hard for us to do this. A good time was had by all the only downside being that not all of our studests were able to come. So for our next theatre visit, wherever it may be, we are hoping for a ‘Full House’!
Above: Renny with students from ACT II
Have ever wondered how actors do the things they do on stage (from a fighting perspective) without hurting themselves and more importantly their fellow colleagues, then a workshop with fight director Renny Krupinki will provide the answers. We were delighted to have Renny back again to run one of his very enjoyable stage fight workshops. Renny put everyone at ease and balance theory and practice, with thoughtful feedback interspersed with humour. Our thanks go to Renny for his consummate skill, and hopefully the school neighbours were not too concerned by the controlled screaming!!
Auditions for A.C.T.S will take place at 10.30am on Saturday the 3rd September at ACT I’ s meeting place, the large Unitarian Chapel School Room on Sylvan Grove, off Dunham Road, Altrincham, WA14 4NX .
If you are interested in joining, then please email Head Tutor Valerie Harris at info@acts4u.org.uk.
Boys will be particularly very welcome in ACT I.
All students must be accompanied by a parent.
Above: Charlote and Hannah with the ACT I students
Our thanks to Charlote Hemming and her assistant, Hannah Dawson who ran a Theatre Make Up Workshop ACT I. Charlote has been a Make Up Artist in this field for 3 years now and has worked on a variety of productions including ’Cats’ and ’The Merchant of Venice’ to name but two. After a brief introduction, the students were all issued with tissues, sponges, make up sticks and make up and under the careful supervision and guidance of Charlote and Hannah began to make each other and themselves up. The session covered burns, bruises, black eyes, cuts and the odd bullet wound. A very busy, interesting workshop that was enjoyed by all.
