Welcome to the July issue of the e-mail newsletter, packed with news, information and special offers on tickets for the hilarious The Drowsy Chaperone and on group tickets for the much loved Mamma Mia.

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  COMPLETE THE NODA SURVEY AND YOU COULD WIN £100!

Five years on from its last national survey in 2002, the time is right for another major survey of the issues affecting our members and the amateur theatre sector. It is only by having this detailed information that NODA can tell if it is doing a good job for its members, and represent your interests to government departments, local authorities and national and regional funding agencies.

The first part of this survey asks for your opinion on the services provided by NODA, to help us improve and grow over the coming years.

Please complete the survey by clicking here The closing date is 20 September. All surveys returned will be entered into a prize draw, to be drawn at the Association's AGM on 29th September. 

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                                NODA SUMMER SCHOOL

This is your final call for this year’s NODA Summer School at Loughborough University from 4 to 11 August. Most courses are already full but some places remain on Contemporary Drama, Directing Youth Theatre, Stage Combat, Sound and the BTEC Technical Skills in Live Entertainment. To book a place, contact NODA on 0870 770 2480 or book online at www.noda.org.uk.

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                           NODA NATIONAL WEEKEND

This year’s National Weekend takes place at the Palace Hotel in Buxton from 28 to 30 September. Built in 1868, the Paramount Palace Hotel's magnificent exterior was designed by Henry Currey, architect to the Duke of Devonshire. It’s a much-loved focal point of Buxton’s culture and where everyone wants to stay when they are in town. They used to call this wonderful part of the world the English Switzerland, so immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery, rolling dales and countryside.

Right in the heart of Buxton, the hotel has 122 bedrooms, including bedrooms suitable for wheelchair access. Facilities include exquisite dining in the Dovedale Restaurant and a wide-ranging Bodysense Health & Leisure Club with excellent beauty facilities.

The National Weekend, as well as its regular series of meetings, cabarets and social activity, will include an excursion to Chatsworth and workshops, and will be an excellent opportunity to network with other amateur theatre enthusiasts from across the country. Book online at www.noda.org.uk.

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                                       SHEET MUSIC

Further to the announcement in last month's newsletter, please note that we are unable to offer discounts on sales of individual pieces of sheet music. We are, however, able to offer discounts on bulk orders by negotiation. Please contact NODA Ltd on 0870 770 2480 or email everyone@noda.org.uk for further details.

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                         JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED

Are proud to announce the release of the amateur performing rights for 

                   Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
                          Premiere: Broadway on 3 March 2002

A fresh and contemporary musical from Tony-Award winning composer Jason Robert Brown, THE LAST FIVE YEARS chronicles a young couple's romance in a new and exciting way: her story starts at the end of their relationship; his begins on the day they met. Funny and uplifting, the show captures some of the most heartbreaking and universally felt moments of modern romance.

"Mr. Brown confirms his sparkling facility as a composer, fluidly mixing diverse styles. They range from waltzes to rhythm and blues, from Sondheimesque urbanity to a clever 'Chorus Line'-like audition piece for Cathy." [New York Times]

"Brimming with persistent melodies, thoughtful lyrics and a heartfelt, compelling story" [Associated Press]

Cast: 1 man, 1 woman
Instrumentation: piano, guitar, bass, violin, cello 1 & 2

Perusal materials are now available on request.

Josef Weinberger Ltd, 12-14 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JJ

T: 020 7580 2827 F: 020 7436 9616 E: amateur@jwmail.co.uk W: www.josef-weinberger.com

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                    NEW FROM PLAYS AND MUSICALS

               "Reality - the musical" (6m, 8f, 2m/f plus chorus)

A musical for youth groups or younger adult groups : Join Les, Dale and Bruce as your hosts on Reality, a game show that offers the chance to change the future and ‘Walk Through Time’. Watch them search for a contestant willing to risk all and play for the ultimate prize - a changed life. With ‘real life’ scenes set on a London Station and a game show set in a studio somewhere in time, Reality takes the game show to a new dimension. Full of marvellous modern music, solos, duets, trios, chorus songs, lots of dance possibilities (inc one tap dance), and introducing Bruce, the 'god' of game show hosts. Not to be missed!

Plays And Musicals
0700 593 8842
www.playsandmusicals.co.uk

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   Up for Arts? - let us know if you have any events planned

‘Up for Arts?’ is the name of Voluntary Arts England’s forthcoming participation campaign running in partnership with the Community Channel with events happening in various parts of the country this summer.

The campaign is built around the following main components:

1. Promotional grants for small/medium voluntary arts group. (deadline closed)
2. Training days
3. Media coverage, including high profile showcase events

Its objectives are to:

• Make voluntary and amateur arts participation more visible and increase participation.
• Raise awareness of volunteering across the arts and the benefits it can bring e.g. improved confidence, self-esteem, life skills.
• Showcase the many voluntary arts opportunities that exist

To keep up to date on things that are happening and how you can get involved keep an eye on the dedicated section of our website www.vaengland.org.uk/artsandcrafts

And if you are planning a voluntary or amateur arts or crafts event any where in the country at the end of July / beginning of August then send us more information and we will try to publicise it as part of Up for Arts? campaign. Perhaps you would like organise an event but need some inspiration of things that you could do. In either event send your emails to brian@vaengland.org.uk

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       Wild and wacky facts about the world of amateur arts  
                                         and crafts

What are the strangest facts about the world of amateur arts and crafts? Voluntary Arts England aims to find out. Have you got a unique story to tell– something weird and wonderful that you feel no other group can lay claim to?

Perhaps your group:
• has the longest name of any other group in the country?
• meets in the most unusual place?
• has broken a world record?
• meets at the most northerly point in the country?
• has been running for longer than any other group?
• performs in the smallest theatre?
• revived an art or craft form no longer practised?
• has five different generations all members of the same group?
• has twinned with a group from another country?
• have had a famous person go through your ranks
• have held the loudest / quietest concert

Tell us in no more than 100 words why your group is so unique - even send us photos. Whatever your tale, we want to show the best on both our website and during our forthcoming ‘Up for Arts?’ campaign, with events happening across the country in July and August 2007.

Send them your stories to: info@vaengland.org.uk

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           The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service 2008

                             deadline: 30 September 2007

The Queens Award for Voluntary Service recognises the vital role played by the hundreds of thousands of ‘unsung heroes’ of the voluntary and community world and emphasises the importance of continuing recognition of their work. The nomination period for The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service 2008 begins on the 2nd June you can nominate your chosen voluntary organisation for this year's Awards round.

If you know a group of volunteers who devote their time to helping others in the community and improve the quality of life and opportunity for others, nominate them now. It is easy to nominate. Just visit www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk and download an electronic version of the nomination form and guidance notes.

For further information you can email queensaward@volunteeringengland.org or call the Award hotline on 0845 000 2002

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 Sign a petition on the No 10 website to oppose funding cuts

Sign up to the Downing St Petition site to voice your views about the loss of good causes funding to the Olympics. A petition site has been created at:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/lotteryolympics

Why not add your name to the growing list of people who are deeply concerned about the loss of good causes lottery funding? Many amateur theatre groups have benefited from lottery funding, and the shift of funding to the Olympics means there will be less money available in the future.

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                                Community RePaint

Last year Community RePaint collected 240,000 litres of paint across its network of 64 paint reuse projects which is available to all in the community and voluntary sector. This paint is available (often for a small donation or even sometimes free) to as many of these people as possible.

Previous organisations have used paint for:

• Village halls
• Theatre and art groups
• Community 'drop in' centres

There are not Community RePaint schemes in every area but schemes will often donate paint outside their local area.

For a list of projects and where paint can be obtained from visit www.communityrepaint.org.uk

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         Co-operative Group Community Dividend Fund

The Co-operative Group Community Dividend Fund is now open for applications of between £100 and £5,000 funding community, self-help and voluntary groups which:

•benefit a local community in which at least one Co-op group business trades;
•have a charitable purpose (you do not need to have charitable status);
•fit in with co-operative values and principles.

For further details and to download an application form:

www.co-operative.co.uk/en/communityfund/

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                          UK Villages Community Kitty

                                deadline: 10 October 2007

UK Villages Community Kitty provides grants of between £50 and £500 to a range of community based projects. In the past, the fund has awarded grants for projects ranging from a knitting circle, to a playgroup needing toys, sports equipment for cubs, and support for several village halls and playing field committees - as well as a number of Heritage projects. For more information, go to www.communitykitty.co.uk/ukvillages.nsf/b?open&s=kitty. 

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                                   NICK HERN BOOKS

                                    NEW PUBLICATIONS

Big White Fog by Theodore Ward

A landmark 1937 drama never before seen outside the US, now staged at the Almeida Theatre, London. 'That rare dramatic thing: a drama which extends one's awareness of life, resounding with justified anger and passion' London Evening Standard. £8.99

Macbett by Eugene Ionesco, in a new version by Tanya Ronder

Ionesco's tragic farce based on Shakespeare - a vicious cycle of murder and bloodshed - in a new version premiered by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. £8.99

All Mouth by Jonathan Lewis & Miranda Foster

A new comedy from the writers of Our Boys (Donmar), set in the hidden world of the voice-over artist. Premiering at the Menier Chocolate Factory, London. £8.99

Terminus by Mark O'Rowe

A blackly comic vision of Dublin infested with demons, from the writer of Howie the Rookie. Premiered at the Peacock by the Abbey Theatre, Dublin. £8.99

365 Days/365 Plays by Suzan-Lori Parks

A unique, year-long play cycle from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Topdog/Underdog. 'haunting and marvelous' TIME £15.99

Intimate Apparel & Fabulation: two plays by Lynn Nottage

Two plays spanning 100 years in the lives of African American women. Fabulation was seen at the Tricycle in 2005 ('couldn't be funnier or more irreverent' Telegraph). £12.99

Anna Christie & The Emperor Jones: two plays by Eugene O'Neill

Two plays by one of the 20th century's greatest writers. Reissued alongside revival of The Emperor Jones at the National Theatre, from August. £8.99

Rodney's Wife by Richard Nelson

A study in dissolution by a leading American playwright. 'Nelson is a master of the quiet detail' Newsday. £15.99

The Long Christmas Ride Home by Paul Vogel

A moving study of the American family, conceived as 'a puppet play with actors'. 'Enough to make even die-hard agnostics believe in the mystical powers of drama' New York Times. £12.99

Freeing the Natural Voice by Kristin Linklater

The classic voice-training book for actors, by a pre-eminent voice teacher who has worked mostly in the US, but also for the RSC and for Peter Brook. Fully revised and expanded edition. £14.99

So You Want To Be A Playwright? by Tim Fountain

How to write a play and get it produced - indispensable advice from playwright and former literary manager Tim Fountain. £9.99

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+ SAVE UP TO £22.50 ON MAMMA MIA!, THE ULTIMATE FEEL-GOOD SHOW

Mamma Mia! takes place on a Greek island, where a daughter, on the eve of her wedding, sets out to discover the identity of her father. She invites three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The sunny, funny tale comes to life using the storytelling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs including Dancing Queen, Knowing Me, Knowing You, I Have a Dream and Take a Chance on Me.

Groups of 10+ get best available seats at just £30, Monday-Thursday evenings and Friday matinees until 19 October. Rate applies to tickets booked and paid for before 15 September.

To book call now on 020 7907 7002.

SAVE £20 ON THE HILARIOUS MUSICAL COMEDY THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, STARRING ELAINE PAIGE

As a die-hard musical theatre fan drops the needle on his favourite cast album, an outrageously funny musical from the 1920s bursts to life in his living room. What follows is the uproarious tale of a pampered starlet determined to give up show business to get married and her ruthless producer intent on sabotaging the nuptials. Add to this a Latin lover, a debonair groom, an English butler, a pair of gangsters disguised as pastry chefs as well as The Drowsy Chaperone, and all manner of mix-ups and mayhem are set to ensue.

Buy top price tickets for just £35 (+ £1.50 booking fee per ticket), Monday-Thursday evenings and Wednesday matinees until 26 July.

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

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                                AND FINALLY ………

              A FAREWELL FROM MARK PEMBERTON

This is my final email newsletter, and I wish to extend my thanks to you all for the support you have given me these past seven years. Working for NODA has been a privilege, and I have enjoyed meetings members at conferences and other events during my time at the helm. I wish you all the very best in the coming years.

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