News In Brief

Please see below for details about Southfields Theatre Group’s latest production. We are very pleased to be able to support this local group’s latest theatrical venture. Do come along if you can.

Auditions for Noel Coward’s

THE VORTEX

 

You are invited to audition for Southfields Theatre Group’s groundbreaking production of Noel Coward’s The Vortex.

            The auditions will be held on the 28th and 29th of July at 7:30, with callbacks on the 30th, at the Aspire Centre , Merton Road, Southfields, SW18 5JU. The show will be performed at St. Barnabas Church in Southfields on the 19-24 October. We will be begin rehearsal on the 24th of August, also at the Aspire Centre.

The Vortex takes in 1920’s upper class Britain, where luxury reigns, whole separate lives are lived behind closed doors, and heartache prevails. The play also takes place in-between the First and Second World Wars, and so we are taking this opportunity to raise money for a soldier’s charity (TBA), especially because our performance will be shortly before Remembrance Day.

This will be a truly unique production for local community theatre. Directed in a semi-immersive fashion, the audience will be surrounded by the world of the play, and will follow the action as it moves throughout the space.

The production will be ensemble based in both process and product. I am looking for creative people who are willing to take risks and think outside the box. I believe this production will be will be truly stunning.

If you are interested in auditioning please email, dominiquesinagra@gmail.com and let us know which day you’d like to attend. At the auditions please bring a prepared monologue, and wear clothes you can move it, as we might do some group exercises. There will be photocopied scenes for you to work with in groups.

I look forward to meeting you.

 

Dominique

 

Dominique Sinagra

Director

 

 

 

THE VORTEX Synopsis

 

The story follows a talented young composer, Nicky Lancaster. Nicky proposes to his lover Bunty, a journalist, while his mother Florence, an aging socialite, has extramarital affairs with younger men, including Tom, who is also Bunty’s ex-fiancé. Tensions come to a boil as Nicky struggles with his severe cocaine addiction and repressed homosexuality (a theme that was necessarily subtly conveyed, considering contemporary attitudes), as well as the simmering resentment he feels for his vainglorious mother.

 

      THE VORTEX Cast

 

Please note:  All playing ages are as a guide only!   Please don’t be put off auditioning if you feel you are too old or young, too fat, too thin etc etc. If you are passionate about this play, we would love to see you.

 

Leading roles

 

Florence Lancaster (the role is cast)

Playing age 40’s/50’s

Florence is a glamorous, wealthy, socialite.  Terribly vain, superficial, selfish and histrionic, she is desperately trying to cling on to her youth ( in more ways than one!).

She has had many affairs and, when we meet her, she is in the throes of one with Tom Veryan, who is almost the same age as her son, Nicky.  She was once very beautiful, and there are still fragments of that beauty left.

 

Nicky Lancaster

Playing age 20’s

Nicky is Florence’s son. A composer and pianist. Sensitive, confused, emotional

petulant, highly strung, drug addicted, possibly homosexual.  Very attached to his neglectful mother. Oedipal overtones.   We hope to be able to cast someone who can play the piano.

 

Helen Saville

Playing age 30’s/40’s

Helen  is Florence’s friend. Though possibly a decade younger, she is solid and practical. A voice of reason. Smart, caring, level headed and perceptive.

 

Pauncefort Quentin

Playing age 50 +

Pawnie is a flamboyant, witty, acid-tongued and camp bachelor

 

Tom Veryan

Playing age 20’s: Tom is athletic and very good-looking and not much else. Ex-Army officer. He is having an affair with Florence.

 

Bunty Mainwaring

Playing age 20’s

Bunty is attractive in a 1920’s boyish, down to earth sort of way. Self assured, strong, perceptive.

 

Supporting roles

 

Clara Hibbert

Playing age: late 20’s-40

Clara is an affected, melodramatic, soprano. Described as emaciated. However, I think she would be great fun to play!

 

 

David Lancaster

Playing age: 50’s/60’s

Florence’s cuckolded husband and Nicky’s father.. Easy-going, resigned and long suffering in the face of his wife’s ‘temperament’.

 

 

Bruce Fairlight

Playing age: 40’s/50’s

Bruce is an earnest playwright. His plays are about squalor and poverty and are appreciated by the upper class.

 

 

Preston

Playing age: 30’s/ 40’s +

Preston is Florence’s maid, described as having a wonderful poise.

She is a minor speaking role, but, in this production, her role is significantly enhanced as she will escort the audience through the space.

 

 

About the director

Now living in Southfields, Dominique Sinagra has extensive theatre experience. She studied with distinction at the National Theatre Institute, Connecticut and won Best Director, Best Actor, and Audience Favorite at a New York City fifteen minute play festival.

Dominique has been director or A.D. for several professional and community plays in the US. While travelling widely in Europe, Africa, South Asia and the Middle East, she has conducted many innovative filmin

With just over one week to go to the election it is not too late to have a look at the House of Bishop’s letter to the people  and parishes of the C of E, ‘ Who is my neighbour?’ Contrary to much of the misreporting in the press it gives no suggestions as to who to vote for,but simply outlines some of the biblical and theological perspectives which should be taken into account when voting and reflecting on the shape of our society.

One passage alluded to is Philippians 4:8.

Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

This couple met at St Barnabas and were married here in 1952. Donald died in 2010 and Elizabeth in June last year. Both their children were baptized here, and so their daughter Karen has very kindly sent us a donation, which I hope to use for more garden improvements this spring as a fitting long term legacy.

The emergency work to replace the broken guttering has now been completed. The next stage of the work is to paint the existing asphalt to protect it against sun damage and to repair any tiles broken by the scaffolding. We can’t commence with the repair to the walls in the vestry until thy have dried out after the most recent leaks through the roof.

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We will be looking at the Pilgrim Course- the part exploring the Eucharist. As usual we will be meeting in the Upper Room- in the new hall- at 8pm- for about 90 minutes. Do contact me if you have any questions?

ian