Welcome to the March issue of the e-mail newsletter, packed with news, information and special offers on tickets for the hilarious The 39 Steps and on group tickets for the sensational Evita.

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                                          NODA NATIONAL NEWS 

                                                  
 
The Spring 2007 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. 

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                                NODA SUMMER SCHOOL

Once again Loughborough University will be the location of the NODA Summer School, offering students the opportunity of studying one of thirteen courses ranging from acting and performing through to lighting, sound and stage props. Tutored by professionals, the school will inspire and enthuse those who attend, and help the less assured among you gain the knowledge to realise your full potential – whether as a member of a technical crew supporting a show or as a performer within it. There are still spaces on some of the courses - Musical Directors, Contemporary Drama, Stage Sound, Directing Youth Theatre, Stage Combat and Stage Lighting would welcome another student or two, and there may be spaces on other courses by the time you read this – so do contact us and see what an interesting, enjoyable, stimulating week you could have with other amateur theatre enthusiasts. Book online us via the website at www.noda.org.uk or call Kate or Antonia for further details on 0870 770 2480.

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                            VACANCY AT NODA HOUSE

NODA has a vacancy for a Sales Assistant/Receptionist at its Headquarters in Peterborough. For further details go to http://domain992762.sites.fasthosts.com/vacancies.asp

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                 OFCOM SPECTRUM FRAMEWORK REVIEW

We have received a number of enquiries concerning Ofcom's announcement that it plans to auction all radio spectrum in the UK and a full statement clarifying NODA's position on this issue can be found at http://domain992762.sites.fasthosts.com/news.asp?id=120.

NODA is supporting the campaign being mounted by BEIRG (British Entertainment Industry Radio Group) and is being kept up to date by BEIRG as to developments. The e-petition on the No. 10 website has not been endorsed by BEIRG, and it is not convinced the petition does its campaign any favours. Instead it is lobbying MPs to sign an Early Day Motion. 99 MPs have so far signed the EDM; it needs more than 100 signatures for the government to take notice. NODA therefore advises its members to write to their MP using the template letter that can be found on the PLASA website at http://www.plasa.org/standards/Constituent%20MP%20Letter.doc. You can see the wording of EDM no. 531 and the list of MPs which have signed at http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=32193&SESSION=885

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        PERFORMANCE MASTERCLASSES OF “MAMMA MIA!”

   AT THE PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE ANNOUNCED FOR 2007

Following their huge success for the past two years, dates for the Performance Masterclasses of “MAMMA MIA!” have now been confirmed for 2007.

“MAMMA MIA!” producer Judy Craymer and Simon Warwick for The Creative Masterclass Company have again joined forces to organise two official Performance Masterclasses of “MAMMA MIA!” in 2007.  Held at a central London rehearsal space and the Prince of Wales Theatre, the non-residential courses, which focus on the true spirit of “MAMMA MIA!”, culminate in the participants’ very own performance on the set of this international hit production.  The performance will include full lighting, sound and Masterclass Band.  Over 3½ days, the participants will learn and perfect original “MAMMA MIA!” material, taught by highly respected members of the West End creative team.  Because of the nature of the musical itself, the Masterclasses will predominantly appeal to both male and female performers aged between 15-60 who dance or move well.  The Masterclass fee (£295) includes a top price ticket to see the London production, plus two tickets to the Saturday morning closed performance by the members of the Masterclass, on stage at the Prince of Wales Theatre.  Each Masterclass course is limited to 60 places and the courses will be 30 May - 2 June and 1 - 4 August.  For more information on the Masterclass courses, visit www.mamma-mia.com

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                        BLOOD BROTHERS WORKSHOPS

I am a life member of Llandudno Youth Music Theatre and am currently playing Eddie in Blood Brothers on the national tour. I run workshops for drama groups while we are on tour with Stephen who plays the other brother and the musical director. Our website is www.brothersworkshops.co.uk and feel free to contact me on 07702797361 or craig@brothersworkshops.co.uk.

Our workshops include:

Warm up games
Full professional vocal warm up (as we do in the show)
Learn and perform title song
Perform scenes from the show with direction
Drama college, agent and casting director advice
Singing tuition
Q and A session

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YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LOOKING FOR FRESH YOUNG TALENT

Youth Music Theatre is looking for young people interested in music, drama and dance. Auditions are about to be held all across the UK, to cast young people aged 11-21 to create a brand new piece of music theatre. The young people will work with leading directors, composers and choreographers at residential courses this summer.

The auditions are open to all - they are two-hour long workshops led by directors and composers from YMT, and you do not have to learn anything in advance. For more information about YMT and the UK auditions call 0870 240 5057 or visit www.youth-music-theatre.org.uk.

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               2 MATURE FEMALE PRESENTERS SOUGHT

I work in programme development here at Tigress Productions – a specialist factual television production company. We are looking to cast two mature ladies as new presenters for a prime time series segment on a terrestrial channel. In brief, we are looking for 2 outgoing, vociferous mature ladies (between about 60 and 80 - and preferably on the more mature end of the scale) who have a thirst for knowledge and are not daunted about trying new things. It would be even better if we could find two friends who bounce off each other really well. They do not need to have previous presenting experience – it’s all about personality and gusto.

Lucy Mallatratt, Assistant Producer - Development

tigress productions 2 St. Paul's Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1LT
t:  0117 933 5600 f:  0117 933 5666
e: lucymallatratt@tigressproductions.co.uk
w: www.tigressproductions.co.uk

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                  HARVEY GOLDSMITH PRESENTS OPERA

Harvey Goldsmith Presents… is a new observational documentary series for Channel 4. Harvey Goldsmith’s talent for promotion is almost legendary. For the last thirty five years he’s championed live entertainment for mass audiences around the world, promoting everyone from the Rolling Stones to Luciano Pavarotti, countless live spectaculars like Lord of the Dance and Cirque de Soleil, and of course Live Aid and Live 8.

In Harvey Goldsmith Presents… each week Harvey brings his considerable talents to bear on a performing artist or live entertainment company with a view to turning around their fortunes. These may be talented performers whose careers have stalled, or organisations whose energies and ambition lack focus and direction. Over a six month period Harvey’s aim is to make them a success, by whatever means necessary.

Each programme will be followed by a ‘switchover’ show on E4, in which Harvey and the performers are joined by a specially invited audience to discuss the documentary and the issues raised. This half hour studio show gives everyone a chance to air their views, to reveal the issues behind the decisions they came to and to gain a valuable insight into this fascinating area of live entertainment. There may also be a live performance but what we’re mostly after are frank opinions and vigorous debate.

Do you love opera or hate it? Do you think it is accessible for everyone or limited to the privileged few who can afford it? Do you think Opera should be publicly funded when only a small minority view this art form? If you feel strongly about any of the issues mentioned above and would like to participate in a TV audience discussing Opera today, please contact Venita via email: venita@tenalps.com 

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                                RJ A ROCK MUSICAL

RJ a rock musical is a new musical based on a fusion of shakespeare (Romeo & Juliet) and a modern music theatre style. Further info about the musical can be obtained from www.awmmusic.co.uk.

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                UNFIT DUO TO RUN LONDON MARATHON

Lee Wilson was a lively 19 year old with a great passion for stage technology. He had recently worked on his ‘dream job’ (as he called it) as part of the LIVE8 stage crew at Hyde Park, Edinburgh and the Eden Project. He was brimming with a talent for lighting design and had worked with various amateur and professional companies, many at the Theatre Royal Plymouth. He had also recently won a school achievement award for his efforts in the performing arts and technical departments; his headmaster spoke at his funeral of a child who was a pleasure to teach, to work with and to know.

When he passed away in his sleep on 4th October his death affected so many people that over 600 joined his parents, younger brothers and girlfriend to say farewell.

We wanted to achieve something in memory of Lee and to raise awareness of this devastating syndrome that results in the death of up 8 young people per week in the UK.

Whilst watching the London Marathon Last Year (with more than a hint of a hangover), we decided to run the 2007 London Marathon. We are also looking to raise 3,000 pounds for Cardiac Relief in the Young (www.c-r-y-org.uk).

However we are certainly not fitness fanatics, and have never run a marathon before. To get in shape, I have given up smoking (a habit I was dedicated to), and have progressed from being able run just 100 metres to 10 miles. Casey did not have quite so far to progress as he had been to a gym once.

We desperately want to hit our target of 3000 pounds as a thank you to CRY, and any press coverage you can give is much appreciated

Donations to show support can be made through our web pages www.justgiving.co.uk/caseyknight and www.justgiving.co.uk/aliellis

Alternatively donations to show support for our run can be sent to the address below:

Alistair Ellis, 20 Faringdon Road, St Judes, Plymouth, Devon

Tel: 01752 221949

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                         THE RADIO PLAY'S THE THING

                                         deadline: Monday 26 March

Channel 4 Radio and 4Talent are launching the first ever nationwide search to find fresh drama-writing talent for commercial radio as part of the channel’s The Play’s The Thing. If you’ve got a radio play in you they want to hear from you by 26th March 2007. You could be one of four winners to get a chance to:

• Develop your script
• Get top industry mentoring
• Win studio time and cash to help you produce it
• Have it broadcast on Channel 4 Radio and Oneword Radio

If you’ve never been produced before and have an idea for a 15-minute radio drama of any genre, then submit your entries via www.channel4.com/theplay

Shortlisted scripts will then be developed through a masterclass process at Channel 4 Radio before being whittled down to four winners.

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                         NEWS FROM SAMUEL FRENCH

Samuel French have just published three plays in its acting editions all of which are available immediately for amateur production.

FATHER'S DAY is a warm and touching comedy by Eric Chappell based on his hit TV series Home to Roost. Henry the irascible divorce is disturbed by the unwelcome appearance of his son and new girlfriend then his ex wife arrives. Surprisingly a faint flow of a new tenderness develops and Henry has to face some important decisions.

AUDIENCE WITH MURDER is an intriguing, multi-layered, witty thriller for two men and two women, full of unexpected twists. Written by Roger Leach and Colin Wakefield, AUDIENCE WITH MURDER was first produced at the Edinburgh Festival in 2004 and subsequently presented to great acclaim at the Jermyn Street Theatre in 2006.

ONE LAST CARD TRICK is a comedy by Stewart Permutt. Sophie, Hetty and Magda meet every Tuesday to play Kaluki in their synagogue - Loretta keeps the score. But the synagogue is about to be sold to a strip club owner and the intrepid ladies decide to take direct action and barricade themselves in. But will their constant bickering put paid to their plan? A warm and very funny play.

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                               LICENSING ACT UPDATE

NODA's campaign on the Licensing Act has attracted interest from a reporter on BBC Radio 4’s The World At One and PM programmes. He has asked if any groups negatively affected by the Act, who have shows coming up in the next few weeks, would like to get in touch with him. He would be happy to attend a production or rehearsal and meet members to talk about the issues. If this applies to you, and you are interested in his offer, please contact Mark Pemberton on mark@noda.org.uk in the first instance, who will in turn pass on his contact details.

More than 18,600 people have now signed the live music/licensing petition, placing it at no.6 in the list of over 3,600 petitions on the Number 10 website: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/list/open?sort=signers

In the last few weeks the Number 10 petition website has attracted widespread media coverage due to the petition opposing the government's road pricing proposals .

Ministers, and some in the press, have cast doubt on the value of such petitions. But one thing is clear: a successful petition does raise public and media awareness about an issue, making it more difficult for politicians to ignore.

Please consider signing the petition if you haven't already done so. If you have signed, encourage friends to sign. 

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   SIGN THE PETITION: DON'T RAID THE LOTTERY TO FUND
                                     THE OLYMPICS

The campaign is now intensifying to ensure that Lottery good cause funds, such as the arts, are not raided to meet the rising costs of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The voluntary and community sector could lose out on over £300 million if lottery funds are diverted.

Join the campaign and make sure that charities, voluntary organisations and community groups are not unfairly penalised.
You can join the campaign by:

Signing the petition at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Defend-funding

Encouraging other people in your organisation, trustees, supporters and the wider sector to sign the petition and join the campaign

Writing to your MP encouraging them to sign EDM 695 and to raise this urgently with Ministers

Writing to your local newspaper raising concerns about the diversion of further Lottery funding

Further details can be found at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/olympicslottery and for further information, e-mail lotterycampaign@ncvo-vol.org.uk 

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                 FORTHCOMING LINK EVENTS FROM VAN

Link Events are designed to provide informal opportunities to meet, share and learn. Forthcoming events include:

Child Protection

29 May 2007 (Manchester)

28 June 2007 (London)

This one-day training event aims to ensure that the children, staff and volunteers engaged in the arts through your organisation are as safe as they can be. It will match the demands of the legislation (including the Vulnerable Groups Bill 2006) to the particular needs of your organisation.

It will be led by Liz Whitehead, consultant and Chief Executive of the British & International Federation of Festivals and Executive Director of the National Youth Music Theatre.

Who can attend?
The event is aimed at national voluntary arts umbrella bodies, but is relevant to anyone involved in voluntary arts provision (voluntary arts organisations, local authority arts officers, Arts Council staff, policy makers, consultants etc).

How much?
Just £25 or take advantage of our £20 early-bird rate if you book four weeks or more in advance.

For further information, email daniel@voluntaryarts.org or visit www.voluntaryarts.org

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                   STAYING SAFE COMMITMENT SCHEME

Is your organisation committed to keeping children safe?                                                                                           

Do you want your commitment to be recognised by the NSPCC?

The Staying Safe Commitment Scheme offers recognition and support to organisations that have taken the first steps to introduce measures to protect children and young people from harm or abuse. The scheme is underpinned by the NSPCC Safetycheck standards. These standards provide a benchmark for good practice and help to make organisations safe for children, young people staff and volunteers.

Who is the scheme for?

The scheme is open to organisations in England and Wales, from voluntary and commercial sectors, who provide activities or services for children and young people, including performing arts and entertainment.

Benefits for your organisation

The NSPCC awards a Certificate of Recognition to organisations that meet the Staying Safe Commitment Scheme criteria. This should benefit your organisation in a number of ways, for example it will:

signal that you have taken the first steps in keeping children safe

provide reassurance to children, parents, carers and others that your organisation is developing policies and procedures to safeguard and protect children

enhance the confidence of your organisation’s staff and volunteers in knowing what to do if they have concerns about a child.

What is the process?

To receive the Certificate of Recognition, organisations must be able to demonstrate that they have:

completed a self-assessment using the Safetycheck standards and developed a safeguarding action plan

identified someone in the organisation to take responsibility for child protection issues and implementation of the action plan

prepared a child protection policy statement and procedures for taking action when there are child protection concerns

taken out public liability insurance.

Next steps

For further information about the Staying Safe Commitment Scheme:

telephone 0116 234 7276 (England) or 01978 310 192 (Wales)

email commitment@nspcc.org.uk

download the Staying Safe Commitment Scheme application form (http://www.nspcc.org.uk/inform/TrainingAndConsultancy/Consultancy
/StayingSafeCommitmentScheme/SSCS_gf29829.pdf)

Visit www.nspcc.org.uk/commitmentscheme

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            BECOME A VOLUNTARY ARTS AMBASSADOR

VOLUNTARY ARTS AMBASSADORS is a unique scheme which sees volunteers becoming a link between voluntary and amateur arts groups (e.g. drama clubs / choirs / knitting circles) and Voluntary Arts England - acting as our voice ‘out in the field’, highlighting our information resources to groups in order to help them thrive. Existing Voluntary Arts Ambassadors have been locating groups in their area, meeting with those groups, passing on information, distributing resources e.g. leaflets and giving presentations about our work.

We are keen to hear from YOU if you want to join us in promoting participation in the arts and crafts by becoming a Voluntary Arts Ambassador, increasing your network of skills and knowledge of the arts sector and employability where appropriate. For more information visit www.vaengland.org.uk 

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                       SCOTLAND DRAFT CULTURE BILL

The Scottish Executive has published a Draft Culture Bill and is inviting responses from the arts sector and Scottish public before the end of March. The text of the draft Culture Bill is available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/12/14095224/0

Of most relevance to NODA members in Scotland is the section headed 'Local Cultural Entitlements'. This provides an opportunity for members to get support for amateur theatre, and availability of suitable venues, written into their local authority's cultural plan.

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               CONSULTATION PHASE OF ARTS COUNCIL
                      ENGLAND'S ARTS DEBATE OPENS

The arts debate, Arts Council England's first-ever public value inquiry, will launch its second phase with an open, online public consultation on Monday, 12 February 2007. The arts debate is a large scale programme of research and consultation to explore what people value about the arts. Its purpose is to help the Arts Council consider whether they need to do things differently in the future to create greater value for all the communities they serve.

Arts Council England now want to offer everyone the opportunity to share their views on the value of the arts and the role of public funding. The early discussion groups have helped them to identify five key questions that they believe should be the subject of a national debate:

• What do you value about the arts?
• What principles should guide public funding of the arts today?
• What are the responsibilities of publicly funded arts organisations?
• When should an artist receive public money?
• Should members of the public be involved in arts funding decisions?

To take part in the consultation process www.artscouncil.org.uk/artsdebate

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                        NCA CALLS FOR CASE STUDIES

To strengthen the National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) case with the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, it is asking you to send it your success stories. This will enable it to create a regional picture of the UK, citing local examples, and will be valuable in demonstrating that investment in the arts has been well spent and should be sustained. If you have evidence of recent success in new programming, partnership projects, audience development in terms of numbers, diversity and participation, education, access issues, increasing earned income, innovative fund raising, or community projects, the NCA would like to hear about it.

Please send information to campaigns@artscampaign.org.uk and provide simple, clear statistics wherever possible.

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                               THE IDLEWILD TRUST

                   deadline: 16 March and 28 September 2007

The Idlewild Trust is a grant making trust that supports registered charities concerned with the encouragement of excellence in the performing and fine arts and the preservation for the benefit of the public of buildings and items of historical interest or national importance. Occasionally it also supports projects that conserve the natural environment.

The total funding available each year is approximately £120,000 and registered charities can apply for grants ranging from £1,000 to £3,000. Applications are considered twice a year. Guidelines and application form can be found at www.idlewildtrust.org.uk

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            PEOPLE'S MILLIONS PROGRAMME RE-OPENING
                                    IN MARCH 2007

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has announced that it will be re-opening the People’s Million Programme in March 2007.

The People’s Millions is a £15 million partnership programme between the Big Lottery Fund and ITV. It was launched in June 2005, and in November 2005 53 grants of up to £50,000 were made to projects throughout the UK which would benefit local environments.

People’s Millions promises to be even bigger in 2007. The programme will open again in March 2007 and organisations will be able to apply for grants of up to £100,000 for local projects across the UK that will help communities to transform, use or enjoy local environments. The programme will be open to voluntary and community groups, local authorities, schools and health organisations.

The programme has a strong focus on public involvement, and TV viewers watching regional TV programmes get to choose which projects they would like to see funded in their communities. TV votes will take place towards the end of November 2007.

More: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_peoples_millions.htm

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                  NORWICH UNION COMMUNITY STARS

                 deadline: 31 March, 30 June and 30 September

The Norwich Union Community Stars Programme will support local community projects run by registered charities by providing grants of between £250 and £1500. The money must be spent on a specific project within 12 months of receiving the grant. The scheme will operate in areas where Norwich Union has a large business presence: Perth; Liverpool; Birmingham; London; Worthing; Glasgow; York; Norwich; Croydon; Eastleigh/Southampton; Newcastle upon Tyne; Sheffield; Stevenage; and Bristol.

Most charitable activities will be considered, however, grants will not be given for sectarian or religious causes, overseas aid, public or private schools, or animal welfare projects. Each of the eligible areas will have a regional budget, and a locally based committee will make grant decisions.

Application packs are available from:
Corporate Social Responsibility Team,
Norwich Union,
2 Rougier Street,
York
YO90 1UU
E: GCSR@norwich-union-life.co.uk

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             ARTS & BUSINESS LAUNCHES CHANGES TO
                            INVESTMENT PROGRAMME

Arts & Business, the national charity dedicated to creating new and sustainable arts and business relationships, this week announced changes to its investment programme.

After a comprehensive process, aided by the Arts Council England Review of 2005, Arts & Business has developed a powerful vision of how best to grow and sustain business engagement with the arts

The programme will no longer be called New Partners, but will now consist of two separate strands of investment, Reach and Invest.

• REACH : An open application scheme, this strand encourages business to try something new with the arts, or to broaden and deepen an existing arts partnership.

• INVEST: Approaches to the Invest scheme are by invitation only. This new strand is designed to enable Arts & Business to initiate relationships between business, the arts and public sector bodies.

The new programmes will begin from 1st April 2007 with guidelines available now from www.aandb.org.uk

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                            THE GORDON FOUNDATION

The Gordon Foundation helps people up to the age of 30 grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society. It offers grants to support their education in the fine or performing arts, particularly music, drama or design, or to allow them to engage in educational travel which involves physical challenge and endeavour.

If you would like to apply for a grant to support your education in the fine or performing arts, please write either by letter or email to Gillian Hoyle at the following address, giving details of your plans, your fundraising activities and a proposed budget:

Gordon Foundation
PO Box 214
Cobham
Surrey KT11 2WG

www.gordon.foundation.btinternet.co.uk

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                               NODA THEATRE CLUB

GROUPS OF 10+ GET TICKETS AT ONLY £22.50 TO SEE THE SENSATIONAL EVITA

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical EVITA features a dazzling score that includes Don’t Cry For Me Argentina and Another Suitcase in Another Hall. The role of Eva Peron is played by Elena Roger, an Argentine Senorita who has been described as “mesmerising” and “sensational”. Directed by award-winning Michael Grandage, this is a vibrant and colourful production, which brings audiences to their feet.

Groups of 10+ can buy best available tickets at just £22.50 per person, Monday-Friday evenings and Thursday matinees until 15 December. Rate applies to tickets booked and paid for before 31 May.

To book call now on 020 7907 7002.

2 TICKETS FOR THE PRICE OF 1 TO SEE THE HILARIOUS 39 STEPS

John Buchan’s gripping comedy thriller – memorably filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1935 – is now cleverly adapted for the stage. Nothing has been cut from this hilarious and spectacular version of Britain’s most spellbinding thriller. With four actors playing a minimum of one hundred and thirty nine roles, THE 39 STEPS proves to be “hilarious” (Sunday Express) and “hugely entertaining” (Sunday Times).

Get two top price tickets for £42, Monday-Thursday evenings and Tuesday matinees until 4 May (exclusions may apply).

To book call now on 020 7907 7056 quoting ’39 Steps offer’.