Welcome to the April issue of the e-mail newsletter, packed with news, information and special offers on tickets for The Lady from Dubuque and and on group tickets for the sensational Fiddler on the Roof. We wish all our members a very Happy Easter.

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NODA SUMMER SCHOOL

Places are still available on the Contemporary Drama, Directing Youth Theatre, Musical Directors, Stage Combat, Stage Lighting, Stage Sound and BTEC Technical Skills courses at this year’s Summer School, which takes place at Loughborough University from 4 to 11 August 2007. To book a place, contact NODA on 0870 770 2480 or book online at www.noda.org.uk.

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BIG YOUTH THEATRE FESTIVAL

The Big Youth Theatre Festival, NAYT's flagship event for young people, will take place in Epping Forest, London from 12 to 15 July. Further details be be found on the attached leaflet or visit www.nayt.org.uk

Download the leaflet here.

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EXPERIENCED DIRECTOR

wanted for November 2007 production of Jack the Ripper - the musical. Rehearsals Tuesday & Thursday evenings in Wimbledon.
Send CV to stephenroe500@hotmail.com or telephone 020-7381 1803 by 22 March

Visit our website www.wlos.org.uk

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Opening production at Kilworth House Theatre
The Pirates of Penzance

The Kilworth house theatre has been built in a beautiful woodland glade close to the lake in the grounds of Kilworth house, Leicestershire. The show is directed by Mitch Sebastian with musical direction by Matthew Freeman - the creative team behind many west end productions.

Opening on the 19th June - 8th July.
No performances on Mondays. No Saturday matinees
Matinees on Wednesday 27th June and 4th July.
Performances on Sunday nights.

We are looking for 12 men as extras to play policemen between the age of 20 and 60 who have acting, singing and dancing experience in musical theatre
and can 'move'. Auditions will be held on Sunday 29th April at 12.00 noon at Kilworth House Hotel - please bring something to sing..

Rehearsals will commence on Monday 11th, Tuesday 12th, Thursday 14th, Friday 15th, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June. Monday 18th June final rehearsal. Opening on the 19th.

This should be a challenging and great experience to work with a west end cast and director. For more information contact Alison Chapman 01858 881933. Expenses will be paid for rehearsals and performances.

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BILLY ELLIOT

Working Title and Old Vic Productions are holding open auditions for actors/singers in the West End production.

Newcastle Saturday 14th April

Manchester Sunday 15th April

Leeds Saturday 21st April

Liverpool Sunday 22nd April

Further details can be found on the attached leaflet.

Click here to see the leaflet

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VOICE BUSINESS TRAINING

I’m writing to let you know about two inspiring workshops which we are hosting in Glasgow on 2nd and 3rd May and which might be of real interest to your members. We’re currently offering a 50% discount to members of Dramatic and Operatic Groups.

This is an exciting chance to work with one of Britain's most influential voice training pioneers, Frankie Armstrong. The workshops are designed for everyone who'd like to explore their voice in a supportive and stress-free setting. Frankie's workshops help you do so in a relaxed and most enjoyable way.

Her inspiring methods have been taken up by thousands, not only in the UK but in Australia, North America and elsewhere. She believes in creating a supportive, generous atmosphere where people do not feel judged or under pressure to get things "right". The intention is to help us all find a creative balance between relaxation and energy.

To book a place, please use the link on our website http://www.voicebusinesstraining.co.uk/frankie.html, and to find out about available discounts, simply get in touch on 0141 333 9331.

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Shakespeare Youth Festival - set-up your own
theatre company

area: UK wide
dates: open days from April 21 – May 13
Shakespeare Youth Festival (SYF) is a new and exciting arts project that gives 16 to 21 year olds UK-wide the opportunity to set-up their own theatre company.

Young people will be given mentoring and resources to stage, direct, design and perform an abridged Shakespeare play in a professional theatre – with complete creative ownership. SYF will be holding open days in their partner theatres from April 21st – May 13th. More at www.ssf.uk.com/youth.

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JOURNEYS

A new Internet magazine called Journeys is running a theatre section with articles and listings aimed at school and youth theatre.

Phil Revell, Journeys' editor, has written for The Guardian on education issues for more than ten years. He is appealing for youth theatre directors to send him details of forthcoming productions, so that Journeys can build a listings page. There are already listings on the site about professional productions that might be of interest to children and young people.

If you have an up and coming production please let Phil know by e-mailing the details to: theatrelistings@journeysmagazine.co.uk

The e-mail should be set out as follows:

Name of the Theatre Company
Title and author of the play
Brief description of the play
Dates for the production (not times or prices)
Venue town/city
Box Office telephone number (mobile numbers are not acceptable for this)
Contact details for an adult who can verify this information

Please do not send photos or other information to the listings address. But, if you have a story to tell about your youth theatre, you could send details to: editorial@journeysmagazine.co.uk - ensuring that you give a contact telephone number.

You can see Journeys' theatre pages by pasting this link into your browser:

http://www.journeysmagazine.co.uk/focus.aspx?focus=theatre

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LICENSING ACT UPDATE

More than 51,600 have signed the licensing/live music petition. It now stands at no.3 in the list of over 5,400 e-petitions on the Number 10 website:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/licensing/ (to sign)
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/list/open?sort=signers (view top petitions)
Please consider signing the petition, if you haven't already signed.

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VOLUNTARY ARTS ENGLAND

Show your support for the voluntary arts – become a registered supporter of Voluntary Arts England

Arts and crafts activities unlock potential, eradicate apathy and build strong, happy, independent and fulfilled communities. Local people play a vital part in offering many thousands of opportunities to participate in the arts and crafts on a voluntary / amateur basis. These activities include dance, drama, literature, music, visual arts, embroidery, potter, lace making, applied arts, festivals and many other activities.

If you think that voluntary and amateur arts are important, then join us! There’s no membership charge. We’re raising recognition of your work, not money for ours.

Download and complete a form to become a registered supporter - www.vaengland.org.uk/uploaded/map4765.doc

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VOLUNTARY ARTS NETWORK BRIEFINGS

VAN has published three new briefings:

104 - Older People and the Voluntary Arts - www.voluntaryarts.org/uploaded/map4912.pdf
This briefing aims to help local volunteer-led arts groups ensure that participation by older people in their activities – whether as creators of artwork, set designers or organisers – is meaningful and of the highest possible quality.

105 - Health and Safety in Offices - Fire Safety - www.voluntaryarts.org/uploaded/map4911.pdf
If you run a charity or voluntary organisation, if you are self-employed or if you employ others, you are legally obliged to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of fire. This briefing will provide an overview of the rules along with some practical instructions on how to do so.

106 - Community Interest Companies - www.voluntaryarts.org/uploaded/map4910.pdf
This briefing explains the nature of this type of company and considers its advantages and disadvantages in comparison with other organisation types.

To read past briefings, visit the VAN briefings page at www.voluntaryarts.org/publications.

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Forthcoming Link Events from VAN

These events are aimed at national voluntary arts umbrella bodies, but are relevant to anyone involved in voluntary arts provision (voluntary arts organisations, local authority arts officers, Arts Council staff, policy makers, consultants etc). For more information and to book, please follow the links below or email daniel@voluntaryarts.org.

Safety Audit: Child Protection
This day aims to ensure that the children, staff and volunteers engaged in the arts through your organisation are as safe as they can be.
- Manchester - 29 May 2007
- London - 28 June 2007
Safety Audit: Child Protection leaflet and booking form - www.voluntaryarts.org/uploaded/map4644.pdf

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THE CHARITY COMMISSION

Small charities no longer forced to register with Charity Commission
On 23 April 2007, the income threshold when charities in England and Wales are required to register with the Charity Commission increases from £1,000 to £5,000. Those with income under £5,000 can register voluntarily, or choose to de-register if they are already registered. All charities will, however, remain under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Commission.

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Volunteers' Week 2007

dates: 1-7 June 2007
Volunteers' Week is a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering. The week aims to raise the profile of the work of the UK's 22 million volunteers and the associated publicity means it's also a great time to recruit, reward and recognise volunteers. Now in its 23rd year, Volunteers’ Week has become a major event in the UK's volunteering calendar. The week is coordinated in England by Volunteering England.

As part of the Volunteers' Week celebrations this year, there will be a photography competition to reflect and celebrate the contribution of volunteers or volunteering in a variety of different organisations and roles. Participants will be asked to send in their photos of volunteers in action and these will be judged accordingly – there will be a first, second and third prize. These photos will be displayed on the Volunteers Week website at the beginning of Volunteers' Week and in the June issue of Volunteering Magazine.

For more details, visit the website at www.volunteersweek.org.uk.

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Wellcome Trust Arts Awards

The Wellcome Trust has launched the Arts Awards, a funding scheme to encourage arts projects inspired by biomedical science. The scheme builds on the success of previous schemes such as Sciart, Pulse and Science on Stage on Screen and is part of the Trust's £3.2 million Engaging Science programme.

The first deadline for awards up to £30,000 was 16 March 2007 followed by a second deadline in July. The 2007 deadline for large awards over £30,000 is 27 April 2007. For more details, scheme criteria, guidelines and an application form see www.wellcome.ac.uk/arts or email arts@wellcome.ac.uk.

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Nationwide Awards for Voluntary Endeavour

deadline: 30 April 2007
Now in its tenth year, the Nationwide Awards for Voluntary Endeavour is anational awards scheme designed to recognise individuals and groups throughout the UK who have made an outstanding contribution to their local community.

Three levels of awards are made:

• From all nominations received in each judging region, two awards are made in each category. Individual winners receive a medal and £50 worth of dining out vouchers and group winners receive a plaque and £100 worth of dining out vouchers. There are a total of 80 regional/home nation winners.

• From the list of regional/home nation winners, one is chosen from each category to represent their region/home nation as a national finalist.
There are 40 national finalists in total. The finalists receive £250 worth of vouchers and a cheque for £500 for the charity or cause of their choice.

• From the 40 national finalists, one national winner is chosen for each category. The four national winners each receive a trophy, £500 worth of vouchers and a cheque for £2,500 for the charity or cause of their choice.

More information: www.nationwide.co.uk

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The Moto in the Community Trust

The Moto in the Community Trust is a new charity which has been set up to consider grants for projects that benefit communities where Moto Service Stations are present, or that have a significant staff catchment . The trust seeks to support as many community projects as possible. Although there is no minimum or maximum grant size, the Trust has indicated that it is unlikely to support any applications above £10,000.

Guidelines and Application information: www.moto-way.com/mitc/community_projects.htm

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Apply online for BIG Lottery millions

This year’s People’s Millions sees the launch of the Big Lottery Fund’s first ever online application form, revolutionising the application process and making it easier for groups to apply.

Groups can now log onto the Big Lottery Fund’s People’s Millions website www.thepeoplesmillions.org.uk to submit their project information, following a simple and secure step-by-step application process. Forms can be saved at any step, allowing applicants to comeback and complete their application at a later time and information can also be validated for inaccuracies before final submission.

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NEW FROM SAMUEL FRENCH

Samuel French are pleased to announce two new releases, both written by multi award-winning Laura Wade.
OTHER HANDS was first presented by the Soho Theatre in 2006. In a world of systematic, high-speed technology, some people expect to live life as efficiently as the machines they depend on. Machines that can't be fixed are thrown away but what do we do with something as human and messy as love?
BREATHING CORPSES was first performed at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre starring Niamh Cusack, Tamzin Outhwaite, Rupert Evans and James McAvoy.
Amy's found another body in a hotel bedroom. There's a funny smell coming from one of Jim's storage units. Kate's losing it after spending all day with the police. There's no going back after what they've seen.

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NICK HERN BOOKS
NEW PUBLICATIONS

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
The latest title in the Shakespeare Folios Series - a new edition of the plays combining the authenticity of the 1623 First Folio with the accessibility of modern type. 'A quite wonderful idea' Sir Peter Hall.
£12.99

Someone Else's Shoes by Drew Pautz
A sharp and funny new comedy about the role of art in a material world, premiering at Soho Theatre from 7 March in a production by English Touring Theatre.
£8.99

The Eleventh Capital by Alexandra Wood
The arresting debut play premiering in the Royal Court's Young Writers' Festival. 'There are few things in theatre to beat the first glimpse of an exciting new talent, and watching her astonishingly assured first play, I have no doubt that Alexandra Wood is the real thing' Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph
£8.99

How To Disappear Completely And Never Be Found by Fin Kennedy
Winner of the 2005 John Whiting Award for New Theatre Writing - a tremendous play now premiering at Sheffield Theatres.
£8.99

The Things Good Men Do by Dan Muirden
Good men behaving very badly in this impressive debut play premiering at the Old Red Lion Theatre in Islington.
£8.99

Ladies Down Under by Amanda Whittington
The sequel to Whittington's Ladies Day - more exuberant comedy with the ladies from Hull, premiering this month at Hull Truck.
£8.99

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

GROUPS OF 10+ CAN SAVE £30 ON THE BRAND NEW WEST END PRODUCTION OF FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF has captivated audiences around the globe since its original Broadway opening in 1964. Winner of 9 Tony Awards, the spectacular stage show went on to become a smash hit Oscar-winning film and features some of the most memorable songs in musical history including Tradition, Matchmaker and the unforgettable If I Were a Rich Man. This brand new production of this uplifting and heartfelt story stars Olivier Award winner Henry Goodman as Tevye.

Groups of 10+ can buy tickets at just £25 per person, Monday-Friday evenings, Wednesday and Saturday matinees from 19 May until 29 September.

To book call now on 020 7907 7002 quoting NODA.

SAVE £20 ON TICKETS TO SEE DAME MAGGIE SMITH IN THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE

For a strictly limited season only, Maggie Smith makes a long-anticipated return to the London stage in THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE, written by America’s greatest living playwright, Edward Albee.

Jo and Sam are having a party. As the drinks keep flowing the frivolous party games take a darker turn and it becomes clear that lurking beneath Jo’s belligerent wit is bitter pain. As the party draws to a close an unexpected guest and her mysterious black companion arrive. Will they bring Jo the comfort she craves? Will The Lady From Dubuque ever answer the question: ‘Who are you?’

Get best available seats at £30 (+ £1.50 booking fee per ticket), Monday-Thursday evenings and Wednesday matinees until 9 June. Hurry this offer only applies to tickets booked before 30 April.

To book call now on 020 7907 7056 quoting ‘Dubuque offer’.

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