Call for proposals (and Andy’s expert directing tips!)

Since we are now looking for proposals for Network’s spring show in April 2016 (deadline for initial proposals 31st October), we got in touch with the self-proclaimed Wicked Uncle of Network, Andy Kerr, for some insider tips on direction. Useful if you’ve never directed before or even if you have but want to learn from the best!

“We are a creative community and new ideas are encouraged. Discussing new plays and ideas is vital for our future. We have become a really big group and, with so many potential actors and crew, not everything has to be a full-scale, huge production. If you have a great idea for a one-act play with a cast of 3, that we can put on for £50, then tell us about it!

 My advice to any budding directors is to get involved with the production side of a show instead of purely acting. You need to keep your eye on all the balls. For many of our members, their route into the group is the workshops, but although they are wonderful fun and a great way to get involved, directors also need knowledge of how to deal with a production as a whole. Many people have fabulous artistic ideas about a play but no knowledge of the people they need around them or the range of skills required.

 You should perhaps start with a small cast and a show that is easy to produce. Larger casts can be harder to bond together and you can spend your whole time organising who needs to come to rehearsals and when.

Above all, you want your first experience to be positive! The first play I did was Büchner’s Woyzeck, a play the author left unfinished at his death. Although it turned out well in the end, I quickly realised I had overstretched myself and spent a lot of the rehearsal process extremely stressed. Remember that our reason for doing any of this is a love of theatre; you need to enjoy the experience!”

If you do have an idea, then please submit your proposal to liverpoolnetworktheatre@gmail.com, including a few sentences about why you think this play would be a good choice and some initial ideas on staging. Both a director and production manager should be included on the proposal. Please also bear in mind that the chosen show will be performed at the Lantern Theatre – backstage space is at a premium here, so maybe your half-scale version of Titanic, The Musical, might be better suited to another venue. All proposals received will be reviewed at the committee’s next meeting in early November.

If you need any advice or have any questions, please feel free to get in touch before you submit. If you have any ideas for a smaller show outside of the April window, as suggested by Andy, we will be happy to hear from you. Send us an email and we can discuss your plans. Lastly, for those who cannot do April, the following production will be in July and submissions should be made before the end of the year. More details soon.

Meet the new Network Committee

Hello Everyone!

Following our AGM on 22nd September, the roles of the “new” Network committee have officially been cast! Our line-up now presents itself as follows:

Continuing their previous roles are:

  • Frank Kennedy – Chair
  • Angela Millett – Secretary
  • Sonia Chapman – Treasurer

New to the committee are:

  • Mark Cooper & Julie Hills – Membership Officers
  • William O’Neill & Sandra Tschackert – Communications Officers
  • Martin Dimitrov – Workshop Liaison
  • Mark Freeman – General Committee Member

A very special thank you goes out to former committee members James Gray, Elaine Stewart, Faye Christiansen and Mike Leane for all their hard work in the past year.

The new committee successfully held its first meeting in early October. We are highly motivated and full of ideas for the new Network year and are happy to be approached with any questions or suggestions you may have.

We are also working on bringing the website up to speed, so stay tuned for more news in the next few days!

All the best,

Sandra on behalf of the LNTG Committee

Summer and Autumn productions

Dear All,
The 2015 Summer Production will be Easy Virtue directed by Lauren Steele.
The 2015 Autumn Production will be Hobson’s Choice directed by Mike Sanders.
Please keep an eye out for further details and audition dates.
Thanks.

Call out for suggestions for the summer play

If you’re already missing the summer and Network’s outdoor japes in parks, lovely houses and libraries, why not help us pick our summer play for 2015?  What we’re looking for is a comedy that will pull in the crowds and give the cast the chance to sweat it out (or get very wet) in fabulous period costumes.  If you have a favourite play by Shakespeare or his contemporaries, right up to Oscar Wilde and just nudging the 20th century, we’d like to know and if you like a play that we’ve already performed, don’t despair; we’re happy to consider repeats if they were a few years ago.  Keep in mind, though, that we are helpless thespians and want to wear corsets.  And that’s just the men…  You’ve got until the Christmas break to come up with ideas so feel free to chat with any of the committee members if you’ve any questions, and we’d love to hear from prospective directors too.   Looking forward to hearing your exciting ideas!

 

Latest updates for this Autumn at Liverpool Network Theatre

  • Next Tuesday’s workshop (5th August) will be a read through of the Dracula script. please note, this is not any form of audition, it’s just to read the script for time and to get a feel for it and for any cuts that may need to be made. You are all most welcome to attend.
  • There will be another fabulous Liverpool Network Theatre quiz on the 5th September at the Pilgrim form 7pm. Ticket prices TBC. Do spread the word, we hope to see you all there.
  • Dracula will no longer be our Halloween play and has been moved to March. Auditions will take place in November (dates TBC). Rehearsals will begin before Christmas. expressions of interest are welcomed for directing, production managing, backstage support etc.
  • We are also seeking thoughts and ideas for the Halloween production, do let us know if you have any particular ideas you would like to share.
  • Tuesday 16th September will be an Open meeting, also including an AGM. All are welcome to attend. This will take place at Hope Street Ltd from 7pm. There will be no workshop that evening.
Do feel free to contact us if you would like any more information: liverpoolnetworktheatre@gmail.com

Changes to Workshop prices and yearly membership update

Following our recent open meeting, it has been decided with regret to raise our Workshop fees to £3 waged and £1.50 unwaged with immediate effect. This is due to the fact that at the previous level the cost of hiring the room on Hope Street was proving a drain on our finances, a drain which will be significantly alleviated at the new price.

The good news is that we are also introducing a Membership scheme open to all. Becoming a General Member will entitle you to a £1 reduction on the entry price for all Network events, both productions and events such as quiz nights and the Christmas Revue. The cost of membership is set at £5, and will come with a membership card.

As anyone who has been in past productions will be aware, being cast in one of our plays means that you have to pay “subs” to make sure we are insured. This has now metamorphosed into becoming a Performing Member, which is essentially the same as being a General Member but with the added bonus of having been on the stage! The cost of becoming a Performing Member is now set at £15 waged and £7.50 unwaged. Again, this is something we’ve been very reluctant to do but which rising costs have forced upon us.

Both forms of membership will last for a year. If you would like to become a General Member contact us via liverpoolnetworktheatre@gmail.com. However, there is no obligation to do so and it is worth stressing that Workshops remain open to all!

Workshops in October and November 2013

Why not join us? Every Tuesday night from 7pm at Hope Street Ltd
(entrance on Arrad Street)

8 October – Frank Kennedy on ‘Conflict and Contrasts’
15 October – No workshop due to lack of venue
22 October – Matt Davies workshop – subject TBC
29 October – No workshop due to Network Halloween show at St Lukes Church
5 November – Sean Gaffney on either ‘Emphasis’ or ‘Revolution and deceit’
12 November – Matt Wade workshop – subject TBC
19 November – Faye Christiansen – subject TBC
26 November – Rio from Liverpool Uni Drama Society – subject TBC

Network Pub Quiz – 20th September 7:30pm

NetworkPubQuizRoll up, roll up, for Liverpool Network Theatre Group’s first ever quiz night!

Hosted by our very own Bamber Gascoigne Rob “Two Brains” Griffiths at the Pilgrim Pub (directions below) on 20th September at 7:30pm.

It’s a night to discover just how useless your useless knowledge really is and be in with a chance to win fortune and glory (or at least whatever tat we can cobble together for prizes.) All welcome, Networkers and non-Networkers alike.
Doors open at 7:30, eyes down at 8pm, £3 entrance. See you there!

Facebook Event: Click here
Pilgrim Pub Directions: Click here

AGM: Tuesday September 3rd at 8pm

The Liverpool Network Theatre Group AGM will be held on Tuesday 3rd September at 8pm in our usual workshop venue*. Along with discussing plans for workshops and future productions, we will be electing a new committee. The company is in a period of transition and nominations are being sought for ALL positions on the committee. This is a great opportunity to influence Network’s future direction so don’t be shy!

If you are interested in being on the committee (or know someone who is), please get in touch through the “Contact Us” section. You will have to attend the meeting to be able to vote.

Thanks,
Mike.

Roles on the new committee:
Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Communications
Membership coordinator
Workshop coordinator

* For details on how to get to our workshop venue please visit: http://www.liverpoolnetworktheatre.org.uk/workshops/

Romeo & Juliet

Liverpool Network Theatre Group Proudly Presents ‘Romeo & Juliet’.

Romeo & Juliet

“Never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”

Performance Dates:

Friday, 19th July 7:00pm – Lowlands, Hayman’s Green, West Derby
Saturday, 20th July 2:00pm – Lowlands, Hayman’s Green, West Derby
Sunday, 21st July 2:00pm – St Francis of Assisi Academy, Gardeners Drive, Kensington

Friday, 26th July 7:00pm – Reynolds Park, Church Road, Woolton
Saturday, 27th July 2:00pm – Reynolds Park, Church Road, Woolton
Sunday, 28th July 1:00pm – Sudley House, Mossley Hill

Tickets are on sale at News from Nowhere, 96 Bold St L1 4HY:  £7 or £5 (concessions)