The magazine of Scottish Community Drama

Summer 2016scene

SCDAMerchandiseA range of merchandise isavailable with all profits from thisventure being donated to SCDA.The range of garments are navy blue colour withgold and light blue embroidery of the SCDA logo.Also available in Fushia Pink.

Polo Shirts size XS to XXL £15Sweatshirts size S to XXL £15Full Zip or Pullover Hoodies S to XL £20

Garments can bepersonalised with clubname or Individual name.Other sizes quoted foron request. To orderplease contact:-lilacstitches@aol.com orenquire at Head Officefor further details.Our Ebay shop scda12sells pens, bags, mousemats and other items.Mouse Mats, Jute Bagsand SCDA logo pens areavailable from Head Office

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Chairman’sChatSo we closed the curtain onanother hugely successfulScottish Final proudly sendingour worthy winners StudioTheatre Group to Cardiff in July,and I know that if you can't bethere to support them you’ll bewishing them all the very best,and for the Howard De Walden toreturn to Scotland. We mustsurely be due to keep it soon?

We had excellent audiences, 2 evenings with a full house noless, so if we can do it for a Scottish Final why can't we do it atour Divisionals? Answers on a postcard…

As you know, this is our 90th Anniversary year, and we have somuch to look back on that we have achieved, so many BritishFinal Winners, the creation of our National Library in Edinburgh,coming through our “black hole” and now supporting our HQ inStirling with our 2 brilliant staff, and increasing (and retaining)our membership. But the most important part of SCDA is itspeople and its clubs, whose views and opinions are what formthe basis of national decisions. So if you have something tosay, tell your District Rep. who will take it to Division and thenNational committee, or better still, get involved! Everybody iswelcome to get involved, don’t stay quiet!

So it's back to old clothes and porridge this week, and believe itor not starting to arrange next years Final.

From a very tired but very proud National Chair, yours aye,Jackie Westerman

chair@scda.org.uk

SCENENo. 151Scottish Charity No. 021397

Retail price for non-members - £4

NATIONAL OFFICESuite 88, Stirling Enterprise Park, Springkerse,Stirling, FK7 7RP phone: 01786 440077National Administrator e-mail:headquarters@scda.org.ukNational Drama Advisor email : nda@scda.org.ukwww.scda.org.uk

OFFICE OPENING HOURSOur staff work flexible hours but the nationaladministrator’s normal office hours are Tues-Thurs8am-3.30pm, so please leave a message andsomeone will get back to you as soon as possible.Copy date for next edition : 25th JuneFuture Copy Dates: 24th September, 3rd DecemberEditorial Statement:The editorial committee reserve the right not toprint everything that is submitted for Scene.

Please email articles to Scene Editor :scene@scda.org.uk

Printed byMonument Press, 42 Abbey Road, Stirling FK8 1LPPhone : 01786 474763 Fax: 01786 451520email: info@monumentpress.co.uk

SCDA LIBRARY SERVICE

NATIONAL LIBRARY, EDINBURGH -Room 3/6 Summerhall Arts Centre,

Edinburgh EH9 1PLHours: Tuesday 2-7 pm

Other visits by appointmentCONTACT DETAILS:

library@scda.org.ukLibrarians:

Douglas Currie (07879 877732),Susan Wales (07799 408608) andAlison McCallum (07772 945612).

Postal service in operation at all times.INVERNESS -

Inverness Public Library, Darraline Park, Inverness IV1 1NH. Tel 01463 236463.

Hours: Mon & Fri 9am - 7.30pm.Tues & Thurs 9am - 6:30pm.

Wed & Sat 9am - 5pm.Librarians: Miss C Goodfellow & Miss E Burridge

90 years ofDrama

SCDA is celebrating 90 years of amateur drama. Wewould like to make the autumn issue of Scene a

celebration of these 90 years. Can clubs please send inany photos articles of events from their own history or anyarticle of events they have been party to over the years.Obviously the older the photos and articles the better. If

anyone has copies of photos from the early years can youscan them and email them to us or post the photos to HQand we will take good care of them and return them after

the issue is printed.As always can you please make sure photos are 300 dpi.

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CLASS ADS(The small ads page)

Playwright?; small business?; buying or selling?; Allkinds of small ads accepted. Have your ad readthroughout SCDA land. Contact scene@scda.org.ukSend your details to Scene Magazine's classified page.

£15 - up to 30 words

CORDINER PRESS: one-act plays and pantomimes byIsabella C. Rae – comedy, drama, fantasy! For catalogue,see www.cordinerpress.co.uk or contact 36 MansefieldAvenue, Cambuslang, Glasgow G72 8NZ;

Phone 0141 641 1465NANCY MCPHERSON PLAYS: For a selection ofpantomimes and award winning One-Act plays including‘Fusion’ (Scott Salver winner 2012) and ‘WasteManagement’ (Geoffrey Whitworth runner-up 2011)

visit www.nancymcphersonplays.co.ukPLAYS BY RON NICOL: 52 published one act dramas, comedies, youth plays, full-length plays and pantomimes.

300 productions world-wide. Over 120 festival awards. Details at www.ron-nicol.com

MORAE SERVICES: Bookkeeping and Payroll services for small to medium sized businesses, agent for HMRC forPAYE & VAT. Independent Examiner for Charity Accounts. Tel: 01738 446120 or email mo@moraeservices.co.uk

Advertising inScene

If you would like to advertise in Scene- it could be a classified advert up to afull colour page. Please contact us at

Scene@scda.org.ukDiscounts available for pre-paid

adverts.

Don’t Forget…..Email club information to

headquarters@scda.org.uk and yourinformation will be entered into thediary. Remember to give as much

information as possible, please do notassume that we know your club’scontact details. A post code for the

venue is always useful too.

Membership Renewals 2016-17Yes, that time of year is rapidly approaching again!Membership fees for 2016-17 have been kept at the 2015-16 levels of £25individual members, £35 joint members; £12.50 youth members; £30senior club; £20 youth club. (Admin fee payable on all late renewalsreceived after 1st July.)Membership renewal forms for individual members are enclosed with thisissue of Scene, and at the same time forms have been posted out toClubs.Reminders will be sent out by email and on Facebook from time to time upuntil the 30 June, but only one paper copy will be issued.Payment can be made in a variety of ways: cheque or postal order; bystanding order; by cash in person at HQ or (for individual members NOTclubs) via paypal on the SCDA website. Please note that HQ cannotaccept card payments.There is no need to send an SAE. Membership stickers will be sent outwith the Autumn issue of Scene. Members providing an email address willreceive an acknowledgement and copy of the 2016-17 membershiphandbook after 1st July.If you have any questions please contact HQ headquarters@scda.org.ukor our membership secretary, Lesley Syme, membership@scda.org.uk

Error ofJudgementIn November, Rutherglen Rep performed in one of their regularLunchtime Theatre slots at Rutherglen Town Hall. It’s a verycosy affair with a stage rigged up in one of the larger rooms.After the lunch of soup and sandwiches served at beautifullylaid-out tables, the audience are always relaxed and in a moodto enjoy the one-act play. This time it was ‘Error of Judgement’by Isabella Rae, which shows Emanuelle, utterly depressed bythe state into which the human race has degenerated, meetingLuke (short for Lucifer) who’s been thrown out of Hell by hisfather, Satan, for being too good. Will Emanuelle give him sanctuary in Heaven? Naturally nothing is simple. Weplayed to an almost full house and the lunchtime audience were their usual responsive selves, laughed at all the rightbits and gave us great applause and good feedback when we went out afterwards to mingle.

Isabella Rae

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Welcome....to 5 new members from Orkney :- Kirsten Norquoy, Lorraine Giles, Lydia Campbell, Joe Horrocks, Lynne Nicolsonand Robert Rae;to Owen Derrick from Inverclyde, Maura Currie from Glasgow, Alma Forsyth from Glasgow, Alan Gerrard fromHighland, David McCallum from Argyll and Kintyre and Jamie Drummond from Aberdeen;and to new patrons Iain & Sheena Carmichael, Christine Barron, David Cumming, Alice Ross and Livingston Players

Thank you....first of all to the members of the Executive and National Committee for continuing to donate expenses. Theseamounted to £406;also to Braemar Performing Artists (£113) and to D Currie, Gordon Hibbert, Betty Mathieson and Iain McEwan fortheir individual donations;While we made a surplus last year, this will not continue in 2015-16, so we need all the financial aid we can get.

Tony FlischNational Vice-Chairmanvicechair@scda.org.uk

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The Drama Association of Wales isproud to be hosting, for the first timein twenty two years, the 83rd BritishFinal of One-Act Plays in the vibrantcity of Cardiff (www.visitcardiff.com)at the beautiful Sherman Theatre on1st and 2nd July, 2016.This prestigious festival only comesto each country once every fouryears. The last time it was in Cardiff,it was won by Castaway TheatreGroup from Aberystwyth who wereawarded the winner’s trophy, theHoward de Walden cup, for theirproduction of ‘After Liverpool’.Each year the United KingdomCommunity Drama FestivalsFederation (UKCKFF) promotes aseries of One-Act Play Festivals inwhich theatre groups from the fourcorners of the UK compete torepresent their own country at theBritish Final. These groups incommunities throughout the UKread, cast, rehearse, produce, directand perform one-act plays. Behindthe scenes members put othervalued skills to use in the areas ofcostume, hair and makeup, setdesigning, set building, set dressing,lighting, sound and stage managing.These One-Act Festivals provide aunique opportunity for amateur theatrecompanies to appear in new andvarying venues before widely differingaudiences and receive professional

constructive advice from theinternationally recognised body of theGuild of Drama Adjudicators (GoDA).Founded in 1934 and registered as acharity since 1973, the DramaAssociation of Wales (DAW) aims tocreate opportunities for people of allages and walks of life to becomeactively engaged with theatre activitieswhich are of a high standard,rewarding and fun.Based in Cardiff, DAW membership isopen to everyone across the UK aswell as internationally and includesamateur and professional theatrepractitioners, playwrights, amateurtheatre groups, teachers, academics,

schools, colleges and universities andeveryone who has an interest intheatre. Many of our members havejourneyed with us throughout theyears.

Mr. Michael Sheen, OBE and patronof DAW writes:‘My family have been involved inamateur theatre for generations, so Ihave experienced first-hand thecreative and social benefits itprovides and the strong sense ofcommunity it can engender. Thisannual competition is a fantasticexample of hundreds of amateurgroups competing in their respectiveparts of the UK to be therepresentative group from England,Northern Ireland, Scotland andWales at this prestigious annualevent.I am delighted to be a Patron of DAWand support this brilliant event in 2016.’The plays will commence eachevening at 7pm with Wales &Northern Ireland on the Friday andScotland and England on theSaturday. Tickets can be purchasedfrom the Sherman Theatre BoxOffice at 029 2064 6900 or on line atwww.shermancymru.co.uk

Please also feel free to visit ourwebsite at www.dramawales.org.ukor better still come along and enjoythe festival with us!We look forward to seeing you. Teri McCarthy Chairman

Welcome to Wales

Back L-R Elspeth Whyte (Truvy), Lynne Hurst (Shelby), Gill Sullivan(Ouiser), Suzanne Smail (Annelle) Front L-R Judith Hutchison

(M’Lynn), Niccy Angus (Clairee). Photo: Grant Collier

One play Two VenuesLivingston Players celebrated their 45th Anniversaryearlier this year and although they are now in thesecond half of their fourth decade they are as busy asever. After performing Robert Harling’s SteelMagnolias at the Howden Park Centre in January theydecided to take their successful production to theRegal Community Theatre in Bathgate, of whichSusan Boyle is a Patron. The show was met with awarm reception as it has many heart-warmingqualities and proves that women can be hard as steeland soft as magnolias. This is the second time thatthe Players have taken a show “on tour” performing“The Steamie” at the Regal last year. Whilstrehearsing and performing Steel Magnolias thecompany were also in the throws of rehearsing fortheir May production of Sister Act and are lookingforward to performing “Allo Allo” back on their hometurf of Howden Park Centre in May.

Pam Murray

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Toad of Toad HallIn November New Victory Playersmade their home (or should that beriverbed) in East Kilbride Arts Centre fortheir final production of 2015, whichwas their 70th Anniversaryyear, Toad of Toad Hall. Itwas a musical spectaclewith lots of furry creatures -the crafty toad, the wiseold badger, the clever rat,the shy mole, theconniving weasel andmany more. Toad of ToadHall is a play by A. A. Milnewhich is an adaption ofKenneth Grahame's 1908novel, The Wind in theWillows. For a small clubthis was a hugeundertaking, however as it

was an extra special anniversary yearall club members were keen to crackon and wanted to end the year on ahigh. The rehearsal period was longand stressful at times, but what a showat the end! Hats off to the four leads -

Alistair Mann as Toad,Cameron Melville as Rat,Frank Chambers as Badgerand Lauren Fairley as Mole,a special mention forLauren who took over therole only two weeks beforethe first performance due toanother club memberpulling out due tounforeseen circumstances.They had the audience inthe palm of their hands ateach performance. Thiswas all the vision of MaryFairley the clubs residentdirector. She was extremely

proud of the end result and very proudof her cast.New Victory Players took a welldeserved rest over the festive periodbefore kicking off their 2016 sessionwith their annual Burns supper inJanuary and then returning to theSCDA Glasgow districts one actfestival with two entries. Also lookout for information on the full lengthplays that will be performed in Mayand November, both at East KilbrideArts Centre.

Iain Wilson

New Victory Players

Leitheatre presented Brian Friel'sdouble bill "Lovers: Winners andLosers" at the Church Hill theatre inNovember. The play is one of Friel'searlier and less well-known worksand both parts are set in NorthernIreland in 1966. Rehearsals had justbegun when the news of his deathaged 83 was announced.The first "act" Winners is about ayoung couple just leaving school andalready about to embark on marriedlife together. Along with the twoyoungsters the play features twonarrators who calmly describe thetragic events that occur. Don Arnottdirected and a simple but effective

set was designed byDerek Blackwood.The second part Losers,was directed by EffieRobertson and tells thestory of a middle-agedcouple who findthemselves stuck in aloveless marriage andsharing their home withthe woman's domineeringmother.Leitheatre President Lynne Morris(who played the old battleaxe MrsWilson in Losers) said "We allenjoyed doing these plays: thinkingabout making the stories resonatewith modern audiences, working on

the accents and finding the humourin the sadness of the two scripts. Weare particularly proud of our twoyoung actors Alistair Robertson andChloe McIntyre who did a great job."

Lynne Morris

Leitheatre

EK Rep - TheGod of CarnageBilled as a dramatic comedy the tension slowly builds as the playwends it way through the straight run of an hour and twentyminutes.This 'no interval ' was a bit of a new experience for our audience butthey appreciated that as the play progresses the tension builds to

the end and any break in that would deflate the enjoyment., which was clearly shown by their appreciation at the end.Ken Lawton

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SCDA celebrates our 90thanniversary this year and it is fittingthat we have proof it is really just agreat big family.At the Northern Divisional YouthFinal in Birnam this year, CarnoustieTheatre club performed ‘The

Amazing Dream Ticket’ by CarolynHarrison. Carolyn has been involvedwith SCDA since a child through hermother Winnie Brown, who hasdirected many Scottish Finalproductions with Forfar DramaticSociety. Carolyn has now performedregularly with Carnoustie TheatreClub seniors.Two young member of theCarnoustie Youth team, Jessicaand Emily Taylor have even longerroots in SCDA. Their great grand-father is none other than RobertPollock McKell. Their motherRebecca tells us that hergrandparents were involved withTroon Players back in the day.“My Grandfather was chairman ofthe SCDA for a few years, (1954-1957) travelling a lot with the role.My grandma Eunice was a keenactor and my grandfather (Knownas Bob) favoured directing andproducing. Their children (my dadand Aunt Nicé) were involved in theTroon players, my Aunt acting and

dad back stage when he was young.No anecdotes are known but I knowSCDA was an important part of myGrandparents lives.”Who knows maybe in the future wewill see Jessica or Emily follow intheir great-grandfathers footstepsand be National Chairman.

Morna Barron

SCDA is really a big family

The highlight in the SCDA Youthcalendar is the Scottish Youth Final,which this year will take place inEastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock onSaturday 18th June. It is theprivilege of Glasgow District toorganise this year’s final andplanning is well underway. Membersof Glasgow District are lookingforward to welcoming the youth

teams and are excited about theprospect of hosting anotherprestigious festival (they havepreviously organised a Britishand Scottish Final).Eastwood Park Theatre is anexcellent venue and the helpfulstaff are used to working withcommunity drama groups andprofessional groups. It is ideallylocated near the M77 motorwaymaking easier travel for theteams and the audience.This year we have an excitingline up of plays for the audiencesto enjoy over the two sessions(2pm and 6:30pm). Theafternoon session will open withThistle Theatre Company,

(representing Western Division)performing ‘Rabbit’ by David Foxton,followed by Breadalbane Academy(representing Northern Division)performing ‘ DNA’ by Dennis Kelly.The evening session will open withFintry ADS (representing EasternDivision) performing ‘Tuesdays andSundays’ by Daniel Arnold and

Medina Hahn and the festival willconclude with Inverness RoyalAcademy (representing HighlandDivision) performing ‘Rabbit’ byDavid Foxton. It will fall toadjudicator Alasdair Hawthorn tomake the difficult final decision anddecide who will win the Quidi Viditrophy.The young actors who will perform inthe final, along with all the otherswho performed at the various districtand divisional rounds are the futureof the SCDA and need to beencouraged. If you have never beento a youth festival, then you don’tknow what you are missing. Why notarrange to come along this year andsupport the youth members, as wellas enjoying an excellent day’sentertainment? Tickets are availablefrom the Eastwood Park Theatre’sbox office or online from thetheatre’s website.

Lorna Campbell

Youth Final

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Once again the Northern Divisional Youth Finals in theBirnam Institute proved an excellent evening of theatreand the young people of Orkney, Stonehaven Aberfeldyand Carnoustie should be very proud.Perthshire District provided the FOH staff and back stage

crew and the evening was run by their youngsters fromtheir youth groups. Ron Nicol the adjudicator wasimpressed by the standard of theatre he saw.Ury Players gave us Knock, Knock, Knock by BobEccles. Ron thought it was a well thought out set whichgave good acting areas. The pace was established andmaintained but there needed at times to be moreforceful delivery.Palace Players gave us Driver’s Test by Don Zolidiswhich had an infectious sense of fun. The two girlsprovided well defined and differentiated characterswhich were real and believable. Ron thought this was amost enjoyable and entertaining production.Carnoustie Theatre Group with The Amazing DreamTicket by our own Carolyn Harrison filled the stage withwhat appeared to be all the children from Carnoustie! Awonderful colourful production with a particularlywonderful monkey dance sequence, not to mention thebrilliant sinking of the cruise ship followed by anappearance of a couple of sharks. Ron was delightedto see so many young people on stage obviouslythoroughly enjoying themselves. This was a great lively

entertaining performance that theaudience loved.The evening had commenced withBreadalbane Academy’s powerfulproduction of DNA by Dennis Kelly.Ron thought the acting throughoutthis production was very strong withnot a single weak character, therewas excellent teamwork andawareness. This was a mostconvincing interpretation of adramatic story.DNA was a gripping and outstandingproduction which held the audience

throughout and thoroughly deserved to win the JayneNicol Youth trophy presented by Ron’s wife Norma.Not to be out done Molly Black from Unmasqued DramaCo. chaired the platform party along with AndrewShannon from Blairgowrie Players, who gave the vote ofthanks, both did an exceptionally professional job.Future National Chairman in the making perhaps?

Northern Division Youth Final

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JOHN MORLEY’SPANTOMIMES

“THE DOYEN OF GOOD PANTOMIME WRITERS” (The Times 1994)

CINDERELLASNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS

PETER PANBABES IN THE WOOD

BEAUTY AND THE BEASTTHE SLEEPING BEAUTY

PUSS IN BOOTSRED RIDING HOODHUMPTY DUMPTY

WIZARD OF OZMOTHER GOOSE

“NO ONE KNOWS MORE ABOUT PANTO THAN JOHN MORLEY”(Sunday Times)

FROM NODA LTD.

ALADDINROBINSON CRUSOE

GOLDILOCKS & THE THREE BEARSPINOCCHIO

JACK & THE BEANSTALKTHE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

SINBAD THE SAILORDICK WHITTINGTON

“WRITTEN BY JOHN MORLEY, THIS IS PANTO AT ITS BEST”(The Guardian)

FROM SAMUEL FRENCH LTD.

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Libr

ary CornerHearken back - 1976 and 1951 -How much do you remember ofthese years?1976 - SCDA - GOLDEN  Jubileeproduction of "The Warld`sWonder" by Alexander Reid,

directed by Marillyn Gray, in theChurch Hill Theatre, Edinburgh(part of the FRINGE).

The Jubilee Programme includesnames of well- known (some nolonger with us) SCDA Present andFormer Members , such as  BillGraham,  Jimmy Chisholm, theArnotts, Jim Witcomb, John

Ramage, Craig Melville, JennyCalcott, Dorsay Larnach,Mandy Black, Jimmy Maxwell,Derek Blackwood, TrevorGarlick, and many more!1951 (before some of your timehere!) - SCDA Semi-JubileeScottish Finals in TroonConcert Hall - 5th - 7th April -yes much earlier than in recentyears.The plays presented were

"Whaups at Midnight" by JohnMcCabe (Falkirk H.S. F.Ps);"Playgoers" by Arthur Pinero(Dumfries Guild of Players);"Displaced Persons" by ElizabethMilne (Barrhead Players); "The LongChristmas Dinner" by Thornton Wilder(Torch Theatre, Glasgow); "There`s

Rue for You" by Margaret Turner(Blue Triangle, Kirkcaldy) "The Roseand Crown" by J.B. Priestley (StMichael`s, Inverness); "The Devil`sStagecoach" by David Monger (ThePantheon, Glasgow); "LucreziaBorgia`s Little Party" by A.J.Talbot(Arabella  and Kildary WRI D.S.);"Unto the End" By Wilfrid Grantham(Huntly F.P.s).The winner of the Wheatley TassieTrophy for First place were BarrheadPlayers with “Displaced Persons" byElizabeth Milne  and second were TorchTheatre, Glasgow with “The LongChristmas Dinner" by Thornton Wilder.

Douglas Currie,Senior Librarian.

Trawling the Archives

Some souvenir pics from ‘Warld’sWonder’ held by Jenny Calcott,

a Life member of SCDA.

Written by Ivan Menchell and directedby Michael Emans (of RaptureTheatre and EK Rep Theatre)East Kilbride Repertory Theatre’sFebruary Production was the sparklingnew production of the smash hitAmerican comedy: The CemeteryClub directed by Michael Emans.It was a simple and poignant, yetfunny story set around three elderlyJewish widows: sweet tempered Ida,party girl Lucille and devoted Dorismeet every month to chat, catch upand visit their husbands' graves.However when widowed Sam appearson the scene, the friendship of the girlsis threatened, when Ida falls in love!!The cat is set among the pigeons.

There was a stellar cast of AileenWaite (Ida), Jean McMillan(Doris), Susan Hunt (Lucille),Julie Blackburn (Mildred) andDave Bennett as Sam.These were all seasonedactors at the top of theirgame. No one was any betterthan the other and all pulledtogether to deliver a powerful,funny and yet poignant storysurrounding the friendship ofthree main protagonists.The play itself has the benefit of goodwriting and catches the Jewish deliveryin the Manhattan accent and which waswell sustained by the actors. The funny one liners were pointed

up by the moments of pathosas we witnessed in thecemetery scenes which MrEmans captured in a simple setof a white background with treebranches projected on by theclever lighting. and with thewives husband’s photossuspended over theirrespective graves.The action moved between Ida’sNew York Manhattan flat and thecemetery and the scene

changes were handled in novel way bythe stage hands acting as the ‘dead’husbands moving and dancing to aJewish music backing track. All muchappreciated by the large audiences inthe East Kilbride Village Theatre.Once again the EK Rep Theatre hasgiven their public a very high standardpiece of theatre. When I was theremany of the audience on their wayout were saying things like, “Bestyet.”; ”Fantastic”; and “Excellent”. Soit was obvious that this funny andtouching play tickled their funny boneand yet tugged at their heartstrings.This was an un-missable night at thetheatre that proved that age was nobarrier to romance.

Ken Lawton

EK Rep - The Cemetery Club

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The eagerly awaited day ofthe Finals arrived and Imade the journey down toEdinburgh in the sunshinealong with many otherdrama enthusiasts. The cityitself was vibrant and busyas ever as we made our wayto the Church Hill theatre forthe first night of the SCDAScottish Finals in the 90thyear of the organisation. Thefoyer and bar area was thesetting for the reunions of

many friendships as everyone gathered and greeted familiarfaces. After a lovely warm welcome from our NationalChairman Jackie Westerman the battle commenced.Our adjudicator for the weekend was the experiencedand well qualified Russell Whiteley who is extremely wellknown on the SCDA circuit.

DingwallPlayers hadthe oftenunenviabletask ofopening theFestival withtheirpresentationof ‘Picnic on

the Battlefield’ by Fernando Arrabal. Russell explained thatthis play was a satire calling for sympatheticcharacterisations and also requiring pathos and comictiming. He commended the lively stage presentationalthough he thought the sandbags may have beenpreviously used in the Yorkshire floods! He also liked thesymbolism of the accessories, particularly the cleverbusiness with the wine glasses. Russell felt that, justoccasionally, it lost momentum but was a confident andsuccessful start to the festival.Local group Leitheatre were next to perform with theirproduction of ‘Audience’ by Michael Frayn. Russellindicated that this play required theatrical timing andcontained themes of escapism and lack of fulfilment.Russell managed to discuss all thirteen characters in amatter of minutes but felt he could most easily play the partof falling asleep on stage himself! He felt there were somevery funny moments but at times the pace dropped slightly.Crossmichael Drama Club concluded the Thursdayevening with their presentation of the Tennessee Williams

play ’27 WagonsFull of Cotton’. Thedemands of thispiece includedcruelty, innuendoand sexuality of anearthy physicalquality with arequirement forstrong ensembleplaying. The settingof the Porch in

Mississippi received a well-earned round of applause fromthe audience as the curtain wentback. Our adjudicator loved theatmospheric music and effectivelighting changes. Russell feltthat there was a powerfulatmosphere throughout theproduction with the building ofmenace, subtle movement andcrisp cueing. In summary,Russell felt that the productioncreated effective moods and, attimes, was exhausting to watch.Refreshments were on offer as always in the theatre barafter the evening’s entertainment but many weary travellerstook the opportunity of a longer night’s sleep and jumped onthe Lothian buses back to their accommodation.After a day exploring the sights of our beautiful capital city andringing the tills in the wonderful array of shops, an even largeraudience gathered for the second night of entertainment.Lochcarron ADS kicked off the Friday evening with theirproduction of ‘Cruise Missile’ by Jean McConnell. Russelldescribed this piece as being well written with beautifuldialogue relying on the contrast of the two charactersand pace. The company were commended on theirinteresting music, clean simple setting of the ship’s deckand flamboyant costume. He also complimented thegentle opening pace, staccato dialogue and dancesequence but felt the audience most appreciated the‘wave’ section of the play. He felt they were obviouslyhaving fun and so were the audience.Killin Drama Club followed with their presentation of ‘Into theMist’ by Helen Wyngard. Russell described this as a tender,distressing piece of writing which relies on close relationshipsand needs to exploit the humour to relieve the intensity. Thisteam also received appreciation from the audience when thestage was revealed. Heliked the gentle openingpace and felt that the warmrelationship between thecouple was well conveyed.He felt the final image wastheatrical and well-handledand obviously manymembers of the audienceagreed by the number oftissues which were evidentas the lights went up.The second night of thefestival was brought to aconclusion with ‘DegasC’est Moi’ by David Ives presented by Ad Hoc Players. Thischallenging play was described as a zany, up-beat satirerequiring invention, creativity and style. Russell consideredthe lighting to be effective as was the inspired introduction ofthe additional character. He complimented the company ontheir attack and enthusiasm in creating many characters withexcellent comedy timing. The production was described asimaginative, creative and manic which was exhausting for theactors and audience alike.

Scott Salver -Isabella Rae

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Everyone came together in the bar following theevening’s entertainment to enjoy the now legendary TomGibson quiz. Unfortunately, Tom was unable to attendthe Finals this year as recovering from illness but GordonHibbert was a more than capable understudy. Therewere a large number of teams competing for the quiztrophy which this year was hotly contested. Who thoughtthat Donny Osmond’s love could cause a near riot at theSCDA Scottish Finals! However, the referee’s decisionwas final and Benita Wylie’s team triumphed.The participating teams and patrons were invited toattend the Civic Reception at the Council Chambers onthe Saturday morning. Jackie Westerman addressedBailey Elaine Aitken thanking her for the invitation andhospitality in these times of austerity. Bailey Aitkenexpressed a keen interest in SCDA having attended aDistrict round previously herself. She explained she hadbeen particularly fascinated by the adjudication whichshe had never experienced before. She alsocongratulated SCDA for what the organisation did forcommunity theatre. What more could the Lord Provost ofour capital city want than Jackie’s kind presentation of anSCDA hessian shopping bag full of SCDA goodies!There was a packed auditorium on the final night of thefestival with an atmosphere of tension and anticipation.There may only have been two plays but quality meant thatthe theatre audience were certainly not short changed.First up were Greenock Players with their production of

‘The Sociable Plover’ byTim Whitnall. RussellWhiteley described thispiece as delicious,atmospheric,claustrophobic writing bythe narrator of theTeletubbies! This was aplay of two halvesrequiring humour, pathosand an ear for dialogue.He complimented thedelightful set of the barren,basic bird keep andexcellent storm effects. Hefelt the company builtstrong confrontations andbody language whilstexploiting comedy

moments to the full. The two actors were thought to beskilled with impeccable acting skills which at times seemedspontaneous, not rehearsed and a pleasure to watch.Bringing the festival to its conclusion with ‘A Bench at theEdge’ by Luigi Jannuzzi were Studio Theatre Group.Russell indicated that this piecewas a dramatic comedy withedgy dialogue requiring humour,empathy and pathos. Thehaunting music and simplesetting complimented by darkand white costumes wasconsidered to be very effectiveby the adjudicator as was theclever use of the echo effect. Hethought the two characters werewell defined and contrasted, withthe rapport between them clearlyevident. The tension on the

cutting of the cord scenewas palpable and youcould have heard a pindrop in the auditorium.Russell felt thecompetent actors workedbeautifully, handling thechanges in mood andatmosphere with varyingpace extremely well. Hedescribed them as atheatrical tour de forcebut was so exhausted by the end he wondered where hecould find the nearest abyss!Finally the moment we were alleagerly anticipating. However,suspense continued as Jackiegave a very touching tribute to thelate Sandy Glass and Joy Talbotlooked completely stunned andspeechless when she waspresented with Honorary LifeMembership of SCDA by Jackie inrecognition of time and work givento SCDA over a number of years.Russell Whiteley summed up thefestival as a fascinating,stimulating three days. Thesupportive audiences hadexperienced a true celebration of theatre enjoying laughterand also being moved to tears.Trophy winners included the Dunmore Trophy for bestposter won by Stranraer DC followed by Killin DramaGroup who won the Grampian TV Trophy for best stagedécor. The Donald T. Farmer trophy for best theatricalmoment was awarded to Dingwall Players. The winnerswere announced inreverse order withCrossmichael winningthe David BaxterSalver for third placeand Greenock Playerslifting the Jim Porteoustrophy in the secondpace. The ConnieFisher Trophy forhighest productionmarks along with thehighest accolade, theWheatley Tassie, toStudio Theatre Groupfrom Northern Division in Aberdeen. They go forwardwith all the support and best wishes of Scotland to the

British Finals in Cardiff in July.It was a friendly festival with anopportunity to reconnect withold friends and also a time tomeet lots of new faces. As Imake my way back home I’malready looking forward to the90th birthday celebrations andthe Scottish Finals 2017, both tobe held in the beautiful setting ofPitlochry. Why don’t you comealong too?

Carolyn Harrison

Dunmore Trophy

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It’s always encouraging to see a varietyof original scripts receive their worldpremiere performance in our annualOne Act Play Festivals throughoutScotland and although H.Q. received amuch reduced total of only nine entriesthis season the generally high standardof writing was maintained.We welcomed two new recruits to ourexperienced judging panel this yearwho work completely independent ofeach other marking and grading theplays under various artistic categories.Achieving victory for the very firsttime is prolific playwright and regularentrant Isabella C Rae fromCambuslang with ‘Such a Parcel ofRogues’ presented at GlasgowDistrict Festival.The parallels between the historicalperiods are well accentuated with agood mix of characters and ages. Thecomplex structure of the piece washandled skilfully with period referencesand personal tragedies conveyedeffectively. There was scope fordevelopment of minor characters andconfident management of the narrativethroughout.Runner-up was Russell Adams fromStonehaven with ‘Grave Concerns’entered in Aberdeen District Festival.Skilful plot development featuring aninteresting assortment of offbeatcharacters from conventional TV TimeTeam personnel, a doric speakingshepherdess to the spirit of a StoneAge chieftain – all served with a pinchof tongue in cheek humour. Theconvoluted storyline challenges instaging and special effects fitted ingeneral with the context.In Third Place came last year’swinners Kirkintilloch Players Youth

with another of their offeringsscripted by cast members inrehearsal also premiered at GlasgowDistrict Festival. ‘The Lonely Roadto Freedom’ is a well constructedyouth drama dealing with a veryrelevant modern day problemfeaturing flashback scenes toemphasise the play’s moralitylessons. Authentic natural dialogueand believable characterisationportraying the target age group. Thestructure was interesting and wellmanaged providing two differentperspectives on the same narrative.The above top scripts will beforwarded to the Geoffrey WhitworthUK wide Competition for originalplays presented in the first round ofthe One Act Festivals organised bySCDA, AETF, AUDF and DAW withthe winning author receiving theirprize at the British Final in ShermanTheatre, Cardiff early July.Brief comments on the remainingscripts entered:-‘Bright Lights’ by Alan Richardson:A trio of strong well writtencharacters across the age range inthis developing tale of revenge andrevelations in Theatreland. Neatstructure, very economical andtechnically well managed with thesharp humour fitting the context.‘Mind Your Own Show Business’by David Carswell: Original piece ofcomic writing with send-ups ofclassic TV genres delivered at pacewith lively humour and witty repartee.Twist in the tail where the threecharacters were neatly shown to bevoices of the same person.‘Listen to the Walls’ by Anna Priceand Sandra Batty: Four dramatic

cameos fromStanley Millshistory.Atmosphere andperioddelineated bywell chosenpoetry andsongs whichprovided agentle rhythm tothe writing.‘The Pits’ byJamie Thorburn:

Showed a glimpse of the emotionalhuman side to the 1984 Miners’ Strikewith structure and staging usedeffectively. However there was adanger that the central characters’story might be swamped by thelengthy monologues and screenprojections.‘The Box’ by Graeme Ferguson: Asentimental family tale of memoriesand unexpected discovery. Soundstructure with some characterdevelopment but tendency to betheatrically contrived at times.‘# Likes’ by Claire Wood: Snappydialogue and quirky charactersdealing with ‘on trend’ issuesrequiring delivery with pace. Thebare script detracts from the climaxof the play’s resolution.

Many congratulations to winningplaywright Isabella Rae who will bepresented with the Scott Salver onthe last night of Scottish Final inChurch Hill Theatre, Edinburgh.We thank all the writers who enteredthis season and trust you enjoyedthe experience of seeing your workcome alive on stage.As usual the top new scripts will beavailable to borrow from ourSummerhall Library in Edinburgh.

Stephen LambertPlaywriting Convenor

Photos are from Such a Parcel ofRogues

Playwriting NewsScott Salver Competition 2016

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Girl Power came to Bearsden thisautumn, with the KilmardinnyPlayers November production of“Top Girls” by Caryl Churchill.This play, first seen at London’sRoyal Court in 1982, wasperformed by a cast of fourteenwomen of all ages. They weretaking on one of the 20th century’smost important plays by one of ourgreatest living playwright, whorecently celebrated her seventyseventh birthday.This was a complex and demandingplay for all concerned, including theaudience, as the play abandonsconventional narrative in favour of a

sprawling, fragmented, chaotic anddeeply troubling feminist analysis.

Overlapping dialogue, interruptionsand up to three characters speakingat the same time, kept everyone ontheir toes. There were four differentsets and a rapidly shiftingsuccession of small scenes. Theplay is by turns funny and horrifying,mixing realism with flights of fancyand domestic settings with aworking environment. Everyone waschallenged by these requirementsbut we all took huge satisfaction inbringing it off. Audience reactionwas positive and cast and crew are

able to look back on a job well done.Paul Cockcroft

Kilmardinny Players

Saughtonhall Drama Group brought the pantomime to Edinburgh’s ‘wildwest frontier land’ at Saughtonhall Church in late November. This isquite early in pantomime season, this is due to the performances takingplace in the church, which itself is very busy during December.Geronimo! written by Fife author Dave Buchanan, is a traditionalpantomime. Complete with a ‘quite nasty’ baddy, best boy, dame plus anadded dash of Indians and a small cat. Not forgetting loads of corny jokesand songs to sing-a-long to. The story, set in 1870, features Billy (bestboy) from ‘Scotchland’ who travels to America to visit ‘his’ Aunt Belle and tofind his fortune. Along the way Billy encounters the perils of the wild westplus learns some great songs. With new friends Billy has to face verystrange goings on in Tumbleweed, a deserted former gold mining town.Director John Webster commented, ‘this is a genuine family pantomimewhich we are delighted to be staging. We have added someSaughtonhall character to the pantomime, including some super specialeffects. The author said he was coming to see one of the performancesand we hope that he enjoyed seeing our version of his show’.

Geronimo

Love youth theatre and want to comesupport a great cause? The Bruntonin Musselburgh is putting on A Nightto Shine! The date is Monday 2 Mayat 7 pm, and there will beperformances, a raffle, a bake sale,and much more. Tickets are £2 andcan be purchased the night of theevent at Venue 2. The money raisedwill contribute to sending a few of our

members to the National Festival ofYouth Theatre in July.Also, The Brunton will be putting onsummer art activities, dates TBC.This includes mini drama camps for5-7s, workshops for 8-12s, andstage experiences for 12+.

The Brunton, Ladywell Way,Musselburgh, EH21 6AATelephone: 0131 6652240 or Emailscooke@eastlothian.gov.uk for moredetails.

Sarah CookeCommunity Arts Assistant

The BruntonMusselburgh

Youth Shine in Musselburgh

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Shakespeare at Traquair wasspawned from Under One Roof(UOR) - group formed to campaignfor an Arts Centre in Peebles. Asgreat patrons of the arts it wasthought to approach Flora andCatherine Maxwell Stuart to possiblydo a ONE OFF fundraiser atTraquair. So James Thomerson andRichard Nisbet met with Catherineand Flora one Autumn evening of1993. But what fundraiser? Patronof UOR, Judy Steel immediatelysuggested “A Midsummer Night’sDream - promenade style in the

grounds”. Two auditions - TontineHotel and Traquair Arms. Therewere members of Borders YouthTheatre, Tweed Theatre, LucyHowell’s Youth Group in WestLinton, a committee member fromUOR, Accordionists from the ManorValley, a Hairdresser from Ashkirk, aschool teacher from Priosford Schoolin Peebles, a Council Worker fromSelkirk, a teacher from Drumelzier, aflautist from Innerleithen, a wee girl

from Broughton, a wee boy fromEttrick Valley, a choreographer fromSelkirk. New friendships from acrossthe Borders.ONE OFF fundraiser! - Here we aretoday 21 years on.This years production is The TamingOf The Shrew : Wednesday 1stJune to Saturday 4th June andWednesday 8th June to Saturday11th June. Tickets £8/£14 EastgateBox Office (01721 725777)

Directors NotesTo modern audiences, The Tamingof the Shrew can present a deeplyproblematical dilemma, whichcentres on the relationship betweenPetruccio and Katherina. How is itthat a woman who, by currentstandards, appears perhaps to be alittle too forthright and assertive,submits to the demands of aseemingly domineering andmisogynistic suitor?Indeed, there are hints of discomforteven in Shakespeare’s day. JohnFletcher, Shakespeare's successoras house playwright for the King'sMen, wrote ‘The Tamer Tamed’ as asequel to Shrew in which Petruccioremarries after Katherina’s death,whereupon the new wife proceeds,successfully, to tame him!So how do we get round thisproblem? There are I think threemain solutions. Firstly, it can beplayed as a straight Elizabethanperiod piece, where a wife is ownedsolely and wholly by her husbandand must obey his every commandunquestioningly.Alternatively, it canbe playedironically, so thatafter Katherina’sfinal speech inwhich shechastises the otherwomen present fornot obeying theirhusbands andpledges unyieldingfidelity toPetruccio, she

might for example turn to the audienceand give a knowing wink as if to say‘yeah, yeah as if!’.There is I think a third possibility thatis worth exploring and that is theirbehaviour can to a greater extent beunderstood if they just lust after eachother. It is an instant and electricallyanimalistic attraction that transcendsboth reason and common sense.They will endure virtually any crueltyand privation to get the object of theirdesires between the sheets! Yes,they are both proud and stubbornand yes neither is going to give wayto the other without a battle, but nowit becomes much more a battle ofequals.

Broad ComedyThis is the approach I have chosen toadopt and moreover, it is one thatallows the broad comedy to shinethrough, whilst simultaneouslycamouflaging some of the darker andcrueller elements of the piece. It alsoallows Petruccio and Katherina to beessentially likeable people, not withouttheir faults, but recognisably, of us.I have also decided to adopt a broadgypsy theme to the show. I think thisenables all the passion, colour andhot-headedness that is required andalso gives Chris Dubé, our Directorof Music, a suitably fervent canvasupon which to compose and adapthis music for the play.So there will be music and singingand humour and sauciness andabove all enjoyment.If this all sounds like fun then I canassure you it will be.

“ Peacocks, Pot Bellied Pigsand Perfection “

That was the headline from our once and now first review.

Midsummer Night’sDream 1995

Midsummer Night’s Dream1995

17

The cast cover a far biggerarea now including Glasgow,Lanark, Edinburgh and theLothians . Audiences comefrom all over - regulars fromCarlisle, Newcastle andUniversity of Edinburghoverseas students.Under One Roof’s dreambecame a reality in 2004 withthe opening of The EastgateTheatre and Arts Centre. Thepromenade event raised over£10,000 towards the project. Withthe opening of the Centre UORcame to an end.Shakespeare at Traquair is aninclusive group of volunteers. It isopen to all age groups, ethnicbackgrounds, theatrical experiences,location, politics. We have a strongteam behind the scenes. Wecontinue to be given great supportand likewise support othercommunity groups throughout theBorders. Having so many differentDirectors creates a freshness oneach production.Last year has been a 20thcelebration. A major project to renewthe roof of the Old CoachHouse at Traquair inOctober, where we storeour extensive investmentof costumes, scenery etc.,is now very nearcompletion. The roof wasvery bad - leaking and a lotof costumes to the tip.Pretty soul destroying with

all that cutting , sewing , cuts to thefingers and like. We also co -inhabited with bats - a lot in thecavities of the wall. Barry theBatman working from the BushScience Park surveyed andadvised through the journey.Bat Houses/ boxes are to beinstalled very soon. Work onthe interior will take place afterthat - electrics, joinery,plumbing, painting and so forth.Hopefully some of your readerswill maybe come experiencethe magic of Shakespeare atTraquair in June this year.21 years, wow. I know many SCDAmembers been going way more thanthat but we are a 21 year old acorn.

Michael Boyd wasan Oberon servantat the age of 7 in1995 and had a yearout in Australia,qualified inArchitecture atGlasgow, gone on todesigning computerprogrammes – he isplaying Petrucciothis year. Acorns to

hard nuts in 21 years.S@T would never have happened and

continue today with out the support ofFlora and Catherine Maxwell Stuart.The biggest thank you to you both.

Traquair House andgrounds is the most specialplayground. History oozesfrom every stone and tree.The beautiful houseexpands and contractsaround us as a motherwould do. Richard Fuller

Twelfth Night 2012

Tempest

Taming of the Shrew rehearsal

It is rare for an amateur club to begiven the opportunity of staging aworld premiere but that is what'shappened to Largs Players in April.The Ayrshire group were handedfirst shot at presenting the brandnew musical 'Caledonia-USA'based around the songs and musicof Largs singer songwritersGallagher and Lyle who had manyhits in the pop charts in the 70s.The show was originally called 'WhenI'm Dead And Gone' after one ofBenny Gallagher and Graham Lyle'schart-topping songs when they weremembers of McGuinness Flint.However, when the veteran musiciansgot together to write their first song in30 years they came up with'Caledonia-USA.'

The musical, written by MaggieKinloch, vice-principal of the RoyalConservatoire Scotland, and tvscriptwriter Viv Adam is beingpitched as a potential professionalshow on Broadway.Maggie, who started her career withher home town Largs Players,directed the show, assisted byRuairidh Forde and musical directorRyan Moir at Barrfields PavilionTheatre, from April 20 to 23.With a cast of 44 the story flowsbetween Largs itself and New Yorkand features 20 Gallagher and Lylesongs such as 'Stay Young', 'I WannaStay With You' and 'Breakaway.'Players' president Drew Cochrane,who is in the show, said: "Benny and

Graham will attend everyperformance and I am sure they willbe pleased with the outcome. It isthe biggest thing the club has donein 80 years, and it would be great tothink that 'Caledonia-USA' went onto be successful on the West Endand Broadway. We could truly say"we did that!"

Drew Cochrane

two of the young stars, Robbie Quinnand Jordin Revel with Benny

Gallagher, left, and Graham Lyle.

Largs Players

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Play Reviews – BY STEPHEN LAMBERTScripts from leading publishing houses can be ordered through the SCDA Discount Scheme - please contactBrenda Williams at our National Office by phone or email for details. Reading copies of all scripts and the topplays in our Scott Salver, Geoffrey Whitworth and Play on Words script writing competitions are available toborrow from the SCDA National Library at Summerhall Arts Centre in Edinburgh.Please note that we cannot guarantee every script reviewed is currently available for amateur performance.

NICK HERN BOOKS‘Bracken Moor’ by Alexi Kay CampbellTwo Act Drama ISBN 9781848423329Cast: 4 Male, 3 Female plus small boy cameo‘We must go down into the dungeons of theheart to the dark places where modern mindimprisons all that is not defined and thought apart. We must let out the terrible creative visions.’‘He calls me sometimes usually in the darkhours of the morning – Mummy where are you?Come and find me!’After years apart, two families meet torediscover their lost friendship and insteadconjure up the spirit of a buried tragedy inwhich a young boy falls to his death down adisused mine shaft.Very powerful and at times frightening ghoststory set against the economic crisis which hitthe Yorkshire mining industry in the 1930’s.A boldly theatrical tale of grief and denial witha good mix of challenging character rolesacross the age range. Drawing room set.‘Our New Girl’ by Nancy HarrisTwo Act Drama ISBN 9781848422230Cast: 1 Male, 2 Female plus small boySet in the modern kitchen of the Robinsonfamily where everything is just a little too shinyand bright with a clock ticking ominously in thebackground.Behind the front door of former lawyer HazelRobinson’s immaculate London home looks canbe deceiving. Her plastic surgeon husbandRichard has embarked on his latest charitablemission to assist the people of Haiti recover fromtheir earthquake trauma leaving his heavilypregnant wife to cope with a failing Olive Oilbusiness and her problem eight year old sonDaniel and his pet tarantula. When aprofessional nanny, Annie, arrives unannouncedon her doorstep Hazel finds her home under theshadow of a seemingly perfect stranger and onewho has her own agenda.An exceptionally well written psychologicaldrama full of devious twists and unexpectedrevelations about the darker side of modernparenthood.In its London premiere the important role ofDaniel was played alternately by two talentedyoung actors which would be advisable foramateur staging since the boy plays a crucialrole in the action.The volume also includes the Nancy Harrisshort play ‘Little Dolls’, 1 Male, 1 Female,concerning an interview following anunexpected death.‘Four Play’ by Jake BrungerComedy in fifteen scenesCast: 4 Male ISBN: 9781848425552Rafe and Pete have hit a rut in their personalrelationship and after seven blissfully happyyears their lack of sexual experience is finallydriving them apart.

When they proposition mutual friend Michael tohelp them out with their problems, knowing fullwell Michael has his own partner Andrew, whatseemed like a simple solution quickly spiralsout of control.The work is a new comedy for four twenty-somethings about sex and commitment. JakeBrunger’s writing includes a musical adaptationof ‘The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾‘.Written as open text with no specific setlocations and helpful punctuation marks to assistthe quick fire dialogue delivery, the play wascommissioned by Old Vic New Voices as part ofthe T.S. Eliot Commissions and premiered atLondon’s Theatre 503 in February 2016.

SAMUEL FRENCHPrivate Peaceful’ by Michael Morpurgoadapted by Simon ReadeDrama in thirty eight short scenesEnsemble Piece. ISBN: 9780573110955An infinitely touching, intensely acted accountof a young First World War soldier’s final day,the play relives the life of Private TommoPeaceful awaiting the firing squad at dawn.During the night he looks back at his short butjoyful past growing up in rural Devon, his excitingfirst days at school, the accident in the forestwhich killed his father, his adventures with Mollythe love of his life and the battles and injusticesof war that brought him to the front line.In the Great War over 290 soldiers of the Britishand Commonwealth armies were executed byfiring squad, some for desertion and cowardice,others for simply sleeping at their posts.Many of these young men were traumatised byshell shock and at the Courts Martial theaccused were often unrepresented.Their injustice was only officially recognised bythe British Government at the beginning of the21st Century and some 90 years later the menwere granted posthumous pardons.No set required with bare minimum of propsand imaginative inventiveness essential to thestorytelling. Lighting and sound effects list.The script is also published by French’s as aplay for one actor with adaptor’s note on theending. Available from National Library,Summerhall. ISBN: 9780573142024‘Mrs Pat’ by Anton BurgeTwo Act Monologue ISBN: 9780573130083Cast: 1 FemaleBeatrice Stella Patrick Campbell (Mrs Pat) wasa 19th Century leading lady, the toast of Londonand New York theatres, famed for her beautyand wit pioneering interpreter of Ibsen andco-star of Sara Bernhardt. She was GeorgeBernard Shaw’s original Eliza Dolittle and alegendary Hedda Gabler.Yet in spite of her towering achievements in thefinal year of her life she faces her greatestchallenge. Feeling abandoned by her art andcountry, at the mercy of the newly imposedquarantine laws, Mrs Pat and her adored

Pekinese Moonbeam find themselves fleeingParis as the Nazis approach.On a railway station platform she contemplatesa life that has encompassed theatricalsuperstardom, financial ruin, public plauditsand personal loss yet even in her most difficulthour she remains a tour de force.Full property, lighting and effects list. The playwas first staged at Chichester Festival Theatrein October 2015 starring Penelope Keith.Actor and writer Anton Burge has written 8plays celebrating the lives of famous womenand is author of ‘Portraying Elizabeth’, a studyof actresses’ interpretations with Eileen Atkins,Glenda Jackson Anna Massey, Greta Scacciand Miranda Richardson.He is currently completing a biography of BetteDavis.‘Thomas Tallis’ by Jessica SwaleDrama in eight scenes ISBN: 9780573111334Cast: 3 Male, 1 Female (doubling eighteenroles)A portrait of the life of one of Britain’s mostsuccessful composers set against thetumultuous political backdrop of theRenaissance. Living under four monarchs,Tallis was forced to adapt his compositions tosuit their varying religious demands.In Jessica’s vividly imagined play we follow thecontrasting fates of Tallis and a young priestfrom the dissolution of the monasteries throughMary’s bloody reign, encounters with a youngElizabeth and the mysterious Dr Dee to theirdramatic conclusion.An elegant script with an ambitious storyline.Property and music notes supplied.Ideally the play should be staged with a choirperforming Tallis’ choral canon throughout.Script contains programme notes on ThomasTallis by the playwright.‘A Christmas Carol’ by Patrick Barlowadapted from Dickens’ novelTwo Act Drama ISBN: 9780573111471Cast: 3 Male, 2 Female (doubling) pluspuppeteersIn this stage version Olivier Award winning andTony nominated Patrick Barlow takes Dickens’story of greed, grief, ghoulish ghosts andeleventh hour redemption to new levelsbringing the timeless tale of life with just fiveactors using wit, flair and theatrical invention.Comprehensive props, lighting and effectslistings. Various London settings around 1842.Helpful character age and dialect descriptions.Puppeteers bring to life Little Scrooge, Cratchitchildren, spirits and phantoms.Premiered at Noel Coward Theatre inNovember 2015 with Jim Broadbent asEbenezer Scrooge.

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Before moving to Edinburgh, I didn’tknow that such a wonderful thing asthe One Act Play Festival existed.I’m jealous of all the people whogrow up organising their calendararound the Youth competition andthen graduate to the fully fledgedversion. As it’s the most brilliantopportunity to experiment.Experiment I did. First with a crackingplay by writer, philosopher and one-time President of the Czech Republic,Vaclav Havel. Private View poked funat the middle class ability to surviveand thrive in a restrictive regime.‘Blood and meat oozes between thelines’ wrote one reviewer (of thescript). Ross Hope, FrancesSwanwick and Pay Hymers did alovely job in the Edinburgh GraduateTheatre Group entry to the One ActPlay festival that year of conveyingthe ‘blood and meat’ alongside anoverpowering cloying smugness.We followed up this entry with acouple of pieces by brilliant Britishwriter Sarah Kane, Crave and 4:48Psychosis. Her particular form of

writing isn’t everyone’s cup of tea butthe One Act Play Festival gave usthe opportunity to present thesedifficult dramatic pieces of theatre.The One Acts are also a wonderfulopportunity to explore a piece of alonger play. So one year, we enteredthe first scene from a play called ThePillowman by Martin McDonagh,better known now for his film scriptsbut at the time, recognisedprincipally for his masterful work,The Beauty Queen of Leenane.David Grimes, Gordon Craig andChris Condie did an exceptional jobof bringing the ‘not quitewhat they seem’characters to life andwe loved bringingthat particular slice ofmenace to thecompetition that year.This year, I’ve decidedto go the whole hog asfar as experimentation isconcerned. I’ve writtensomething. It was great tosee some new writing

in the competition last year and I’mhoping that the audience will betolerant of my efforts this years.My mother ship, the Grads, enteredtheir own play, The Rose and Crownby the excellent J B Priestly, sowe’ve created a brand new group,Production Lines. And produced abrand new script called Likes.Dealing with self-image in a societythat expects carefully curatedperfection, Likes looks at twoteenage girls’ attempts to navigateexpectations, online and off.I’m delighted to have assembled a

brilliant cast including RossHope who clearly wasn’t putoff by his first flirtation withthe One Acts with me. And

we’re particularlypleased to have localphotographer Judith

Fieldhouse involved ascreator of the multimedia

element of the show.

Claire Wood

It’s all about the One Acts

Four middle-aged men, dressed inboring grey suits with matching greypullovers, sit facing the audiencesimultaneously sipping tea as Elgar’s“Salut d’amour” plays quietly.It’s the low-key start to TrystTheatre’s sell-out “Travels with myAunt” in Alloa’s Coach HouseTheatre.... which then zanily burstsinto life like a match carelesslythrown into a box of fireworks.This rip-roaring, anarchic comedytells the story of retired bank managerHenry Pulling and his excitingadventures with his eccentric AuntAugusta. In their madcap travels –from London and Brighton to Paris,Italy, Istanbul and South America -Aunt Augusta pulls Henry away fromhis dull and safe existence into anexotic world of international intrigue,travel, crime and romance.The four actors – Jim Allan, AlanClark, Brian Paterson and BrianTripney – displayed their versatility

by all playing Henry plus 25 otherlarger-than-life characters, changingidentities, nationalities, sexes andeven species at the drop of a hat.Mild-mannered Henry meets his AuntAugusta at a funeral. Played brilliantlyby Carol Clark, like Maggie Smith inoverdrive, flamboyant, flame-haired70-plus Augusta is both the blacksheep of the family and a colourfulbird of paradise who lives life to thefull. In the play she slowly sets aboutcorrupting Henry. Augusta becomes abossy mother figure, drawing him intoher shady world ofsmuggling, drugs, hippies,war criminals, CIAoperatives and militarydictatorships!The Alloa audiencesloved all the jokes andbusiness, especially whenAugusta was talkingabout how, in one of thecountries she visits, “it

was only recently that theyassassinated the prime minister - wedream of it, but they act!"“It’s a wonderfully wacky and riotousplay,” says Director Jim Allan. “Andjust by moving tables and chairsaround the stage plus subtle changesin lighting and sound, we were able tocreate different locations such as aLondon taxi, a French railway stationand a South American prison. It wasa fun run that we and our audiencesthoroughly enjoyed.”

Alan Clark

Tryst’s “Travels with My Aunt”a Raucous Romp

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Alexander (Sandy)Glass OBE

1932-2015Sandy arrived in Dingwall in the latesummer of 1977 to take up the post ofRector of Dingwall Academy. Hisreputation as a drama enthusiast inprevious incarnations in Fochabers,Nairn, Oban, Perth and Montrosepreceded him and it was no surprisewhen, despite the responsibility ofleading the (then) largest school inHighland Region, he was soonheavily involved dramatically withboth the Dingwall Players and theyoungsters of the Academy. Hiscredentials as a director were locallyestablished in the Players Christmasshow of 1978 when his sold outproduction of “A Christmas Carol”took to the town hall stage touniversal acclaim. His ability toinvolve and inspire a large castcomprising a wide age range in agenuinely community project was afeature of his success as a directorover many years--”The Wizard of Oz”,“Our Town”, The Wind In The

Willows” and the Christmas pantobeing just a few examples. When notinvolved as director of the panto hewould invariably pop up on stage(usually playing the villain!).Sandy`s commitment to the SCDA`sannual One Act and Youth Festivalswas prodigious. Between 1979 and hislast productions in 2010 he wouldnormally each year be involved indirecting one play for theInverness/Moray Firth District Festivaland 2/3 (and occasionally 4!) for theHighland Division Youth Festival, all atthe same time. Such was hisenthusiasm and determination that onthe one occasion that the PlayersCommittee in their wisdom (or lack ofit!) declined to approve his choice ofplay for the District Festival hetemporarily embraced an Invernessclub to ensure the play went aheadanyway! Two of his One Actproductions made it to the ScottishFinal and his youth plays regularlyfeatured in the National Youth Finaland invariably toured to the Moray ArtsFestival in Elgin.

SCDA DedicationSandy`s SCDA dedication was noless on the administrative side. Hewas a committed and effective Chairof the Inverness/Moray Firth Districtfor many years and a hard workingand efficient Highland DivisionSecretary/Festival Organiser untilretiral in 2011. He also acted as theHighland representative on theJames Scotland Trust Fund andChaired the meetings of theOrganising Committee of theScottish/British One Act Final whenEden Court Theatre was the venue.Further afield he will be rememberedas a supportive Convener of thePlaywriting Committee and as amember of the National Committee.In all of these roles his organisationalskill and ability to liaise effectivelywith a wide circle of contacts weremuch valued.

It may be said that patience was notone of Sandy`s greatest attributesand he certainly did not suffer foolsgladly, but those who got to know himsoon realised that his bark was worsethan his bite. He certainly inspiredgreat loyalty and affection in his castsboth adult and youth, and he wasquick to show his caring side to thosecoping with illness or personalproblems. Many will remember hisChairman`s ability to tease andcharm a Festival audience orCommittee into co-operation. Sandyenjoyed recounting the story of hisfirst experience of amateur dramawhen as a young lad in Dunbar hewas drafted in to a WRI team at afestival, where he received anadjudication which was couthy butuncomplimentary. Despite this hewent on to become a great stalwartfor amateur drama both locally andnationally. In 2009 Sandy celebrated50 years of involvement in youthdrama and many hundreds ofyoungsters must have benefited fromexposure to the art under hisguidance. Sandy had a wide circle ofacquaintances within and without thedrama world and took great pleasurein reconnecting with formercolleagues and pupils over the years.Sandy became an auxiliary kirkminister in 1993 and in the same yearwas awarded his OBE for services tochild welfare. He spent his last yearsin a care home in Dingwallsurrounded by books and visited bymany friends and acquaintances. Hedied peacefully on Christmas Day2015 and his funeral attracted a fullhouse to the church where he had formany years been session clerk. He issurvived by his wife Edith, daughtersEleanor, Muriel and Louise (all ofwhom appeared in some of Sandy`sproductions) and three grandchildren,to whom sympathy is extended.

Ron Singleton

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Charlie Gallacher

Brought up in Alexandria near LochLomond in 1931, he broke into “thearts” early as a boy soprano, givinghis all to “The Holy City”. Later hejoined Dumbarton’s People’sTheatre. Green Room and Pantheon

(Glasgow). Taking drama much moreseriously than many of us, heattended summer school in StAndrews under the tutelage of thelate James Scotland (the author ofthe hilarious “Cambusdonald”monastery comedies). A fellowstudent was our own greatly admiredlibrarian, Douglas Currie.A work move to Edinburgh foundCharlie writing and directingcommunity productions in Currie.Later Fife drew him into the musicalscene and he “guested” forGlenrothes AMA and Kirkcaldy AOS,where his repartee and fund of jokesmade him a popular member of the“boys” dressing room.Charlie was particularly delighted tobe invited to take part in “Ane Satyreof the Thrie Estates” outdoor (mostly)in Cupar (where it was first performedin 1552). He represented Religion(Spiritualitie) with appropriate solemn

dignity and got as much pleasure asthe audience from his de-frocking toreveal his LARGE figure in a scarlet,lace trimmed basque – cue for greathilarity.A very keen Burns man, Charlie wasoften called on to give “The ImmortalMemory”, “Tam O’Shanter”, and “TheToast To The Lassies”. Fellow Burnsenthusiasts looked forward to hearingthe further anics of Charlie's mythicalgirlfriend “Big Senga” or her not sofeminine mother “Wee Senga”.Though not in great health latterly,Charlie was always a great supporterof SCDA, to be seen at One ActFestivals at District, Divisional andNational levels.Charlie was a very talented andlikeable man of great humour andeasy sociability. We will all miss him.

Martin Butler

Charlie and Alice

Dalgety PlayersThis year marks the 40th anniversary of the club.It all started when the minister of Dalgety Parish Churchthe rev Peter Elston was keen to start a drama club in thenew town. I was invited to attend a meeting in the oldchurch hall (now the Scout HQ) along with severalinterested parties. I was at that time producer andperformer with Randolph Players Dunfermline. Mattersproceeded and with assistance from Randolph Playersthe show was ‘on the road’.Early shows were on the small ‘stage’ in the old churchhall and consisted of joint productions with Randolph ofone-act plays,sketches etc. The stage was entered fromthe door at the back of the hall and the nearby churchbecame the dressing room. This meant a quick dashalong the outside of the hall to get to the back door. Thisroute was open to the elements, often dark and wet. Partof the dash was along a narrow path bordered by a fenceoften lined by cattle with heads over the field fenceattracted by music from the show.The clubs first play was the classic Scots comedy ‘ theMaisterfu’ Wife’The club’s earliest pantomimes were held in Dalgety Bayprimary school and then in the new church building witha, real stage’. The club programme until recently was a

drama production in autumn and a pantomime,as now, inJanuary. This to be followed by entry to SCDA one actplay festival in February. A variety show in spring orsummer followed In the autumn by productions whichincluded such favourites as ‘Wild goose Chase’, ‘Breathof Spring’ ;Seeds of Doubt’ etc.The autumn fuii lengthplay has fallen out of the programme recently due to avariety of factors but hopefully will return.The club has become become known for its pantomimeproductions and this year presented its 36th annualpantomime. The club makes all its own scenery and hasan extensive costume collection. The lighting departmenthas recently upgraded to LED stage lighting units.The club took part in several large productions such asthe Masque of Dunfermline, (part of the CarnegieCentennial celebration), The historic play’ 800 years ofDalgety Parish’ and the 25th anniversary’ Masque ofDalgety Bay’Over the years the club has performed and has raisedmoney for a variety of charities and causes includingprojects in Malawi.Several of our members have become full time actors orteachers and others have appeared on TV , film or radioover the yearsThe club is an open community club and welcomesanyone with an interest in all aspects of theatre

Peter Franklin

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What does a tennis ball, a pedigreedog and a deaf aid have in common?- Well for those who supported theCrieff Drama Group’s autumnproduction the answer was athoroughly enjoyable andentertaining evening. Once againthe Drama Group had put together acollection of one Act plays,combined that with an excellentsupper and this recipe guaranteeda full house in the Academy Hall forthree nights last week. It may soundeasy enough but the selection ofthree comic plays is only achievedby reading a number of scripts anddeciding which ones will make up asuitable programme and willcombine the acting talents of theGroup.The first appetiser of the eveningwas “Score” by Lyndon Brook -Sheila (Jane Drysdale) and Harry(Neil Combe) are doubles partners ina tennis match against a superiorpairing. Tennis is not their forte but

a means by which Harry can improvehis standing with his boss who formspart of the opposition. Desperate toimpress Harry chides his partner forletting him down whilst Sheila isequally acerbic in her asides to

Harry. The energy put in by thelosing couple certainly entertainedthe audience as did the painedexpression on their faces as they arecompletely outplayed.!The second course was awonderfully funny sketch takenfrom Jean McConnell’s collection offive short plays entitled “Deckchairs”.

“Doggies” is the chance meeting oftwo dog walkers who sit down to reston a sunny day on the esplanade ofa seaside resort.Thelma (FionaWellstood) the proudowner of her preciouspedigree pekinese SanSan meets with Eric(Tom Inglis) theequally proud owner ofa mongrel, Robbie.Fiona was excellent asthe up market Thelmaand berates Eric on thebehaviour of his dogblaming the owner for

its antics and lack oftraining whilst Eric defends his dogwhole-heartedly. Both dogs appearas oversized hand puppets on thelaps of their owners, the timing andmovement of the dogs during the

conversations addedbrilliantly to the humourof the piece. For all thehigh and mighty attitudeof the pedigree owner itturns out the mongrelhas the last laugh asRobbie had takenadvantage of San Sanwhilst romping in thebushes! A first classsupper was served tothe audience followingthis play and a happy

buzz of conversation rang aroundthe Hall, an obvious indication of theapproval of the entertainment servedso far.The third and final offering for thenight was “Getting Along” byCharles Mander, set in a dilapidatedgîte in the French midi, the ageingtravellers arrive wearily at theirsupposed destination. JohnCummings as the agitated Henry,leader of the party kept everyone ontheir toes as he flitted aroundcreating one drama after anotherwhilst the seasoned Saga travellerNorman (Mike Owens) struggled withhis deaf aid or was it just selectivedeafness as he chased poor highlystrung Marcia (Helen Day) who wasterrified by the thunderstorm whichhad just started. The only calmmembers of the party were Helen(Kate Beauchamp), long sufferingwife of Henry and the recentlybereaved John (Paul F Kelly) whodecided to drive off and revisit theoffice in the Chateau to check

whether they had reached theircorrect destination - their departureraising the blood pressure of Henrywho suspected them of runningaway together. Fortunately theirreturn confirmed Henry had takenthe wrong turning and they were inthe wrong building. As seasonedmembers of the Group eachportrayed their character toperfection and kept the pace of thesketch flowing from start to finish.!

Congratulations must go to CrieffDrama for a splendid evening ofentertainment and dining.!

Mike Boxer

Crieff Drama!

Once again we havehad a great selection ofposters for the 2015competition. It couldhave been more if clubswould remember that toenter it’s a simple rule –have the scda logo orsay they are membersof the association on it.(Are clubs not proud tosay they are membersof the associationanyway?).Our professional judgeDouglas McBride hadthe following to sayabout this year’s entries.“Oops!, now what am Igoing to do….? It’sfinally happened, abatch of posters havebeen delivered to me

that all, yes! all are so clear and concise in their message that it’s toohard to choose between them.Graphics are great, imagery is fantastic , the designers are to be congratulated. Each have a wow!!! factor. I wish I

could see all the productions now….Treasure island evokes a great atmosphere, ( thirdplace). Someone who’ll watch over me, suchmystery, great photo too, (second place). Thenthere is Annie…There is so much information on theposter, however the group of waifs, call to me, betthat was a great show.So, Annie is the winning poster…mycongratulations to every company.

Morna Barron

Poster Winners

Saughtonhall Drama - Geronimo New Victory Players - Toad of Toad Hall

Leitheatre - Lovers: Winners & Losers

The Florians

Stewarton Drama Group- Calamity Jeannie

Leitheatre - Lovers: Winners & Losers

Auld Kirk Players Wild Goose Chase

Riverside DC - Snow White

Riverside DC - Snow White

Ury Players - Aladdin

Pit PonyProductions- Cinderella

Ury Players - Dirty Dusting

Pathhead Players - Bluebeard