Welcome to the October issue of the e-mail newsletter, packed with news, information and special offers on tickets for Present Laughter and Phantom of the Opera.

                       NODA NATIONAL WEEKEND 2007

The National Weekend 2007 was held in the beautiful town of Buxton in the Peak District.  The weekend was a great success combining the National Association AGM with the business meetings of NODA Council and Summer School Committee.  In addition there were receptions and dinners providing members with an opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones.  Entertainment was varied and innovative, catering for all tastes, from the vibrancy of We Will Rock You, via horse racing and karaoke, to dancing to the melodic sound of a 17 piece big band. 

The new Chief Executive, Tony Gibbs, was introduced to the assembled throng on Saturday at the AGM and made welcome, along with the new Honorary Accountant, Stuart Dick, and the new East Midlands Councillor, Martin Tailby who is replacing Mike Hinks who was elevated to the Presidency of NODA.  Honorary Memberships were bestowed on five long servicing members. Trophies were presented to the winners and runners up of the National Programme and Poster Competition and the second recipient of the President’s Cup, Sadie Williams, was delighted to receive the accolade from outgoing President Bob Drywood.  Past President Kay Darbyshire was on hand at the presentation of the Kay Darbyshire trophy for the standard programme runner up and had the opportunity of saying a few words.  Celia Walker also offered a final farewell as she retired from Council after 15 years sterling service.

Workshops, a golf tournament and a discussion forum filled the Saturday afternoon and feedback has been very positive.  Delegates enjoyed themselves, Council and staff worked hard, and all were invited to join the National Weekend next year at the glorious Peebles Hydro in Scotland on 19-21 September.  Further details will be circulated in March 2008.

                     NODA NATIONAL SURVEY WINNER
                            Announced at National Weekend

The winning entry was extracted from the entries by Fiona Shirran, President of AIMS and the £100 was won by

Kathy Jordan of Rock Ferry Amateur Operatic Society in the North West Region.

        NATIONAL PROGRAMME AND POSTER AWARDS 2007
                            Announced at National Weekend
 
SOUVENIR/DE-LUXE CLASS WINNER: The Owen Peacock Trophy
Dinnington Operatic Society, NODA North East for High Society
 
RUNNER UP: The Ralph Whittaker Trophy
Darlington Operatic Society, NODA North for Sweet Charity
 
STANDARD CLASS WINNER: The R T H Perkins Trophy
Our Lady’s FPA Light Opera Society, NODA Scotland for Brigadoon
 
RUNNER UP: The Kay Darbyshire Trophy
Dee & Alyn Gilbert & Sullivan Society, NODA Wales & Northern Ireland, for The Pirates of Penzance
 
BASIC CLASS WINNER: The Barnes Trophy
Promenade Productions, NODA South West, for Sleeping Beauty
 
RUNNER UP: The Underwood Quaich
The Three Towns Operatic Society, NODA North West  for The Pirates of Penzance
 
POSTER WINNER: The Thomson-Leng Trophy
Anyone4Theatre, NODA South East, for Seussical The Musical
 
RUNNER UP: The Bill & Nora Timmens Trophy
Northampton AOS, NODA East Midlands, for Crazy for You



                              THE PRESIDENT’S CUP
                          Announced at National Weekend

The personal choice of the outgoing President Bob Drywood was to make this award to Sadie Williams of Kent

 

                  NEW FORM FOR CHARITY REGISTRATION

A new streamlined application form for charities wishing to register with the Charity Commission appeared on the 1st October, and the old style won't be accepted after 30th November.

www.charitycommission.gov.uk/registration/newregform.asp.

                                HAWTHORN@HOME
 
Hawthorn’s are again organising a series of events, to take place at its head office in Old Dalby, Leicestershire.  The events, ‘Hawthorn@Home’, will give Lighting, Sound and AV users the opportunity to get hands on with the latest equipment and technology.  It is intended the workshops will allow Manufacturers, Supplier and Users to discuss the products and to gain an insight not normally available outside the large tradeshows.
 
‘Hawthorn@Home’ events will commence with lunch and an informal get together followed by the hands on/demo of the equipment.  The next three events are;
 
Friday 5th October: ‘Moving Lights’ an opportunity to see the latest moving lights from some of the leading manufacturers including Clay Paky, Martin Professional and Robe.
 
Friday 26th October: ‘Pyro and Effects’ an opportunity to see a pyrotechnic demonstration by Le Maitre and lighting effects from other companies such as Rosco/DHA and Martin Professional.  ‘Bring your Christmas Show Director along to see what effects are about’
 
Friday 9th November: ‘Generic Lighting’ your chance to compare and try generic lanterns from the leading lantern manufacturers including Selecon and ETC amongst others.
 
‘These events have become a regular meeting ground for users to discus and share all things to do with the industry and to share ideas’ said Hawthorns Alan Jackson, ‘and give everyone an opportunity to get to grips with all types of equipment.’
 
For further information or to register your interest in attending please email;
leisa.tomaselli@hawthorns.uk.com   www.hawthorns.uk.com

                        UK VILLAGES COMMUNITY KITTY
                                  deadline: 10 October 2007

UK Villages Community Kitty provides grants of between £50-£500 to a range of community based projects. In the past, the fund has awarded grants for projects ranging from a knitting circle, toys for a playgroup and support for several village halls and playing field committees, as well as a number of heritage projects.

For more details go to: www.communitykitty.co.uk

                                      SAMUEL FRENCH
            Changes to the Availability of Three of Their Major Musicals

There is now a general amateur re-release on ME AND MY GIRL with immediate effect, but only up to 31st December 2008. This means that all performances must take place by 31st December 2008 at the latest. (The principal agent has advised Samuel French that there are plans for a professional American production to come to London after that, hence the date limit given.)  Samuel French have already advised all the groups that were on their Waiting List for the show, and will be taking bookings as usual on a strictly “first come, first serve” basis. 
 
Secondly, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, (which was noted as a Re-Release in the latest NODA News) has now unfortunately to be placed back on the Partially Restricted list.  Samuel French advises that there is due to be a professional production of the show opening at the Menier Chocolate Factory theatre in London later this Autumn, and at present the American principal agent is agreeing to check all amateur applications on an individual basis outside the London area.
 
Finally, SCROOGE – THE MUSICAL by Leslie Bricusse is now only partially restricted. The situation at present is that Samuel French can refer all individual amateur applications from everywhere in the country directly to the Principal Agent for consideration, but it is important to note that even though a good number of the applications that Samuel French have already put to the agent have been approved, there have also been a few refusals and therefore there is no guarantee whatsoever that all applications will be successful. 

           NEW TITLES FROM PLAYS AND MUSICALS

Following a representation agreement with David Spicer Productions in Australia, Plays And Musicals are pleased to announce that rights to the following musicals are now available in the UK ...

'Pride And Prejudice'
'Cruisin'
'The Mikado' and 'The Pirates Of Penzance'
'Rock Apocalypse'
'Beach Blanket Tempest'
'Boy's Own McBeth'
'Paris'

... More details of all these can be found on the P&M website at www.playsandmusicals.co.uk

                    NATIONAL THEATRE SPECIAL OFFER
          Alex Jennings in one of Coward’s finest and funniest comedies.
 
                                           

Present Laughter
by Noël Coward

At the centre of his own universe sits matinee idol Garry Essendine: suave, hedonistic and too old, says his wife, to be having numerous affairs. His line in harmless, infatuated debutantes is largely tolerated but playing closer to home is not. Just before he escapes on tour to Africa the full extent of his misdemeanours is discovered. And all hell breaks loose.

Noël Coward’s Present Laughter premiered in the early years of the Second World War just as such privileged lives were threatened with fundamental social change.
 
Get a free drink and a programme! *

Valid until 14 November on Monday – Thursday performances. Valid on £37.50 and £29.50 seats.

Call 020 7452 3000 and quote ‘NODA Offer’.
 
* Glass of wine, beer or soft drink available pre-show’

GET A TOP PRICE TICKET FOR PHANTOM AND A 3-COURSE 
               MEAL WITH COFFEE FOR ONLY £50

The Phantom of the Opera has some of the most lavish sets, costumes and special effects ever to have been created for the stage. Set within the majestic Paris Opera House, this haunting musical follows the tragic love story of a beautiful opera singer and a disfigured young composer living below stage.

Package price is £50 which includes a best available seat and a Bronze Restaurant Voucher valid for a 3-course meal with coffee at a wide variety of restaurants throughout Central London including Bertorelli, Chez Gerard, Cafe Fish, Livebait and Planet Hollywood. Valid for Monday-Thursday evenings until 31 October. Subject to change and availability.

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