Monday 04 December
DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
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NODA NATIONAL NEWS
The Winter 2006 issue of NODA National News will be distributed to members this week. We would be grateful if the secretary or NODA contact could make sure that as many members of their society as possible get to see it. Highlights of the magazine include: - Announcement of the launch of a legal helpline for societies from 3 January 2007
- A full report on the NODA National Weekend at Eastbourne
- A report on the NODA Summer School at Loughborough and announcement of bursaries for 2007
- Cheshire Cats: Guilden Sutton Players on the Fringe
- A Diet of Reiss: A wow of a workshop
- Grand Total: Leeds Amateurs' theatre of dreams
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NODA SUMMER SCHOOL
The brochure for next year’s Summer School, which takes place at Loughborough University from 4 to 11 August 2007, is inserted with the latest issue of NODA National News. For extra copies please contact Headquarters on 0870 770 2480 or apply online. In 2007 there will be 36 national bursaries plus 2 Barnes bursaries of £250 each available to members to help offset the cost of coming to the Summer School. Preference will be given to applications from first time students of any age (minimum age 18) but anyone wishing to try a completely new theatre discipline can qualify as a first time student. Written applications should be made to your Regional Councillor by 31 January 2007 at the latest.
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LICENSING UPDATE
On 1 December NODA's Chief Executive made a presentation at a seminar on the Licensing Act at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, organised by the Voluntary Arts Network. His presentation focused on the problems caused for amateur theatre groups by the 96 hour limit and 15 day quota for Temporary Event Notices (TENs). The DCMS listened sympathetically but at this stage cannot make any commitments as the Licensing Act us currently under review. What they could report is that while organisations such as NODA have requested an increase in the limits for TENs, this has been opposed by the police and residents associations. So it is unlikely there will be any changes to the TEN system. They are looking at making full premises licensing easier for village and community halls, though as this requires an amendment to primary legislation will necessitate finding parliamentary time. In response to NODA's enquiry regarding the treatment of school halls under the Act, we were informed that if the school has a purpose-built theatre, which hosts both professional and amateur productions, then it would be subject to full premises licensing. If, however, the school hires out its hall on an occasional basis to amateur theatre groups and other community events, then it should be able to benefit from the free licensing for public entertainment allowed under the Act for village halls, community halls or other similar buildings. Sale of alcohol, however, would continue to be subject to obtaining a TEN unless the licensing authority is prepared to apply for a full premises licence on behalf of the school.
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NEW RELEASE from JOSEF WEINBERGER DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
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SONG, STAGE & SCREEN II
Call for Papers International Conference Interdisciplinary approaches to the musical stage 23rd-25th March 2007 School of Performance and Cultural Industries, University of Leeds
Contributions are invited to the above conference which aims to bring together scholars from all over the world in any discipline, working on the relationship between music and the stage/screen. This conference is organised by the School of Performance and Cultural Industries of the University of Leeds. Speakers will include Dr Nicholas Till (Director - Centre for Research in Opera and Music Theatre, University of Sussex), Jim Holmes (Head of Music - Opera North), Dominic Gray (Projects Director - Opera North) and Dr Dominic Symonds (Co-editor - Studies in Musical Theatre journal). We are also interested in hosting a small number of small-scale Music(al) Theatre performances (of up to 6 performers). For more information please visit: Song Stage Screen
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THE ARTS DEBATE
The Arts Debate is a large-scale programme of research, public consultation and debate to explore what people value about the arts. Over the next few months Arts Council England will be developing a series of online debates that will contribute directly to the programme's findings. NODA is encouraging its members to join the debate and make themselves heard. The current debate is about arts funding and focus groups. To join the debate or to find out more, please go to http://www.artsdebate.co.uk. It would be worth using the debate to point out that amateur theatre, and its infrastructure body NODA, do not receive any funding from Arts Council England.
************************************************************** DREAM MAKER PRODUCTIONS
Dream Maker Productions is a charitable theatre company based in Fife, Scotland, that is dedicated to help and support Kidney Research UK by means of performances in the theatre arts and in particular in the promotion of new work. We were formed in 2004 with the sole aim to produce and stage a new musical called "Sailor The Musical Journey", based on the songs of the 70s cult band Sailor. This has been a major undertaking and all the efforts came to fruition in July 2006 at Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. This show was the first World Premiere of a musical to be staged in Carnegie Hall. The proceeds from the show benefited Kidney Research UK and the MacMillan Fife Appeal. For further information visit www.dreammakerproductionsfife.com
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BEAUTIFUL NEW SENTIMENTAL BALLAD
Ideal for a new musical. Arranged professionally by the Guild of international songwriters and composers, this ballad is offered with music and lyrics to any professional set of musicians who are arranging for the making of a new musical. The small fee will be donated to the mick lyons cancer laboratory. A cd is available to hear the song, which is called “tell me – tell me”. It is of a lady pleading for the return of her man, and has been highly praised. Those interested should call Martin Selwood on 023 92 594250 any time or email me at playwright90@googlemail.com
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TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE
Are you aged between 13 and 24 years of age? Have you got a talent you want to share with the world? Have you run out of ideas on how to progress your talent any further? Do you want to know what it would take to achieve your dreams? If the answer to any of these questions is yes then help is finally on hand. Next week sees the launch of a new website which aims to help create more young stars. Talented Young People, the brainchild of Adam Sibley from Cornwall, is a free to use online resource tool for young people to further their talents. The website is jam packed with useful information and guides on how to further or pursue your talents. As well as a tips and advice section there is also an ask an expert section where each week viewers on the website will be able to put their questions to an industry expert. For more information please visit: http://www.talentedyoungpeople.com/.
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DO YOU KNOW A DESERVING FAMILY WHO DESPERATELY NEED A COMPLETE MAKEOVER FOR THEIR HOME?
Perhaps you are a family with a compelling story and your home is in need of some serious attention? The producers of Restoration and Deal or No Deal are looking for families who have overcome difficult situations in their life and deserve this amazing opportunity to turn their homes and lives around. Contact them on: 020 8222 4832 or homeshow@endemoluk.com
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YOUTH ARTS STARTER KIT
A new Youth Arts Starter Kit has been launched by Artsplan, useful for anyone who is starting to work together with young people in the arts and would like a range of tools to support them in their work. The Youth Arts Starter Kit has been produced by Artswork, the national youth arts development agency, as part of their Artsplan department. All training and publications are written by experienced youth arts specialists, currently involved in a variety of project work through the UK. The kit contains a 441 page Youth Arts Directory, the youth arts funding guide titled Get Sorted: how to get organised, sort the budget and go for funding for your youth arts project, plus three sets of practical guidelines. For further details, or if you would like to purchase a Youth Arts Starter Kit please contact Jay Barron on 023 8063 0960 or email artsplan@artswork.org.uk
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US STUDY HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS OF
VOLUNTARY ARTS PARTICIPATION
People who participate in the arts are people who help make communities thrive, according to a study released earlier this month by the American National Endowment for the Arts (the equivalent of the UK's Arts Councils). The study, The Arts and Civic Engagement: Involved in Arts, Involved in Life, reveals that people who participate in the arts also engage in positive civic and individual activities (such as volunteering and going to outdoor events) at significantly higher rates than non-arts participants. The report shatters the stereotype that art is an escapist or passive activity, showing instead that it is associated with a range of positive behaviours. The study is the first in the US to measure the connection between arts and civic engagement, which can be defined as promoting a positive quality of life through individual and group activities. Among other findings, it found that arts participants volunteer at more than twice the rate of those who do not read literature or participate in the arts, contributing substantial social capital to their communities. Further, the study demonstrates that arts participation can be seen as an indicator of civic and community health. The report is available to download at www.arts.gov/pub/civicengagement.pdf
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CHARITY COMMISSION WARNS ABOUT NEW EMAIL SCAM
The Charity Commission has issued a warning about a fake email charity lottery that it says is more plausible than many because it uses the names of two bona fide charities. It claims to be run in conjunction with the British Red Cross and Action Against Hunger UK, although both charities know nothing about it. The scam tells recipients they’ve won £500,000 and then requests personal details so it can award their prize. Callers are asked for a sizeable amount of cash up front before the prize can be processed. David Locke, head of charity services at the Charity Commission, said: "We’re warning people not to be fooled into thinking that this is a legitimate lottery because of its supposed association with the two charities named in the email - neither charity has anything to do with this scam. Any genuine correspondence from a charity will include a registered charity number and contact details, which can be checked on our website. These sorts of scams are rare, but don’t become a victim of those who prey on society’s trust in charity.’
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CHARITY COMMISSION DIRECT NOW OPEN FOR LONGER
From 28 November 2006, Charity Commission Direct is extending its opening hours. Trustees, charity advisers and members of the public who are not able to phone during normal working hours can now do so when it suits them best. Experienced Commission staff will be taking calls from 8am to 8pm during the week and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. Callers can get quick and effective advice and guidance at a time convenient to them. The Commission will carry out a formal review of the impact of the extended service in 12 months time. Charity Commission Direct can be contacted on 0845 300 0218.
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ESMEÉ FAIRBAIRN FOUNDATION The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation is one of the largest independent grantmaking foundations in the UK. The Foundation aims through its funding to improve the quality of life, particularly for people and communities that face disadvantage. The Foundation makes grants in four areas: - Social Development
- Environment
- Education
- Arts and Heritage
For further details and application guidance contact: Esmee Fairbairn Foundation 11 Park Place London SW1A 1LP Tel: 020 7297 4700 E-mail: info@esmeefairbairn.org.uk Website: www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk
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FENTON ARTS TRUST
The Fenton Arts Trust aims to give encouragement and financial support to those actively contributing to the creative arts in the UK. It seeks to assist, through grants and bursaries, individuals and groups who are making a worthwhile contribution to the artistic and cultural life of this country. The Fenton Arts Trust grants are available to support individual works, activities, performances or prizes in the fields of drama, painting, sculpture, ballet, music and poetry. Website: www.moxie.u-net.com/fentonarts
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WWW.GOVERNMENTFUNDING.ORG.UK
This site is an online portal to grants for the voluntary and community sector from the following funders: - Cabinet Office
- Department for Communities and Local Government
- Department for Education and Skills
- Department of Health
- Home Office
- Government Offices for the Regions
Registration to governmentfunding.org.uk is entirely free and will create a personalised profile which will allow you to: Receive email alerts on new and update grant schemes, apply online for grant schemes relevant to you, include your organisations details, save specific grant searches and information. Website: www.governmentfunding.org.uk
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BT COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS deadline: 15 February 2007
BT Community Connections, the scheme which has awarded more than 4,600 internet-ready PCs to local community and voluntary organisations since 2000, is open for the second round of 2006/07 applications. Groups need to demonstrate how a PC and internet connection will benefit their work and the local community. Those short-listed will be judged by a regional panel in England or national panels in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Apply (online or by post) by 15 February - www.btcommunityconnections.com
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NICK HERN BOOKS NEW PUBLICATIONS
book and lyrics by Tony Kushner 'amazing piece of music-theatre... succeeds triumphantly' Daily Telegraph 'Remarkable... the ultimate upstairs-downstairs musical' Guardian 'you want to press the rewind button immediately and see it all over again' Sunday Times Production: National Theatre, Lyttelton, until Jan
Discovering the Secrets of Spontaneous Performance by Chris Johnston
A fascinating investigation into the wellsprings of improvisation in theatre, dance and music, from the author of the influential House of Games. And three new plays premiered outside London:
LONG TIME DEAD by Rona Munro Production: Paines Plough at the Drum Theatre Plymouth THE WAY HOME by Chloe MossProduction: Everyman Theatre, Liverpool MEMORY by Jonathan LichtensteinProduction: Clywd Theatr Cymru
Nick Hern Books, The Glasshouse, 49a Goldhawk Road, London W12 8QP
t. 020 8749 4953 f.020 8735 0250 www.nickhernbooks.co.uk
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NODA THEATRE CLUB
SAVE UP TO £32.50 ON THE SENSATIONAL EVITA
EVITA, one of the world’s greatest musicals, has triumphantly returned to the West End in a brand new production by award-winning director Michael Grandage. The passionate and tragic tale is told through Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s newly orchestrated score featuring unforgettable hits such as Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, High Flying Adored and Another Suitcase in Another Hall. Get tickets at just £32.50 (+ £1.50 booking fee per ticket), Monday evenings until 28 April 2007. To book call now on 020 7907 7056 quoting ‘Evita NODA offer’ or go to www.lovetheatre.com/noda to book online.
GROUPS OF 12 OR MORE GET TICKETS AT ONLY £25 TO SEE THE SENSATIONAL GUYS AND DOLLS 
Based on Damon Runyon's New York stories, GUYS AND DOLLS tells the tale of Nathan Detroit who bets his big-time pal, Sky Masterson, that he can't make Sarah Brown, the neighbourhood missionary, fall in love with him. The high-spirited story unfolds through a toe-tapping score including Luck be a Lady, Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat and If I Were a Bell. Groups of 12+ can buy tickets at just £25 per person, Monday-Friday evenings, Wednesday and Saturday matinees. To book call now on 020 7907 7002.
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NODA HQ
Please note that NODA House will be closed from Thursday 21 December and will re-open on Tuesday 2 January. Best wishes for the festive season from everyone at NODA House. We thank you for your continued support throughout 2006 and wish you and your society every success in 2007.
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