www.southenddrama.co.uk

For One Night Only: Monty Python's Flying Circus
Posted: Wednesday 24th November 2004

Southend Drama Society are proud to announce that their first production for 2005 will be a series of sketches from Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Considered to be among the finest comedy series of the 20th Century, Monty Python continues to keep audiences laughing - 40 years after it all began.

This production will only be on for one night, so be sure to get your tickets early.

Click here for more information.

BBC and Vinopolis Trip
Posted: Wednesday 10th November 2004

We had ourselves a great day trip to London on Saturday 23rd October. We all met at White City tube station in rather wet weather, went to the new entrance at BBC Television Centre and were introduced to our guides, Kitty and Simon.

Our guides escorted us around the first and most famous television studio in the world. We were given an insight into how some of our favorite television programmes are made, and as a Brucey Bonus(TM) we saw Julian Clary, Carol Vorderman and, the main man himself, Bruce Forsyth.

After our tour of the BBC, we went to Vinopolis. We wandered around the different regions of the wine world and sampled various wines of our choice. We tried wines from countries like France and Italy, along with wines from places like Georgia and Thailand.

After that, in true Southend Drama Society tradition, we made our way to a pub.

A great day was had by all and it was especially nice to see so many of our newer members coming along.

A big thank you to Gemma for arranging the day and making it such a success.

Play it Again, Sam Poster
Posted: Sunday 17th October 2004

A full size version of the Play it Again, Sam poster is now available for download. Just click here.

BBC and Vinopolis Trip
Posted: Sunday 10th October 2004

We are only a few weeks away from our trip which includes a guided tour around the BBC and Vinopolis. Please ensure you get your money to Rick as soon as possible. This is gonna be a good'un!

Play it Again, Sam
Posted: Sunday 12th September 2004

With the conclusion of A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, it means that Southend Drama Society are already in the pre-production stages of the follow-up.

We are pleased to announce that our next production will be the Woody Allen play, Play it Again, Sam. The play will be performed at the Focus Theatre, Short Street, Southend on Sea between 9th and 11th December 2004. Doors open at 7.30pm.

Auditions for Play it Again, Sam are now completed.

A Day in the Death of Joe Egg
Posted: Sunday 12th September 2004

Last night saw the final performance of Peter Nichols' A Day in the Death of Joe Egg. After months of intensive rehearsal and preparation, everyone involved in this production has plenty to be proud of.

The results of all of our efforts were clear to see on stage, with some very positive responses from the audience, ranging from the set design to the intensity and quality of the acting from the entire cast.

A Day in the Death of Joe Egg
Posted: Tuesday 31st August 2004

Tonight's Evening Echo carries an article about our next production, now less than 2 weeks away. Try to pick up a copy.

Intensive rehearsals for A Day in the Death of Joe Egg continue. In the meantime, the final poster for the production has been completed and can be downloaded here. Feel free to print off copies for your front window!

You may be interested to know that the Chapterhouse Theatre Company are putting on an open air production of the comedy masterpiece Art at the Eastbury Manor House, Barking, Essex on Saturday 14th August 2004. The play is directed by Nigel Havers.

The play starts 7.30pm with gates open from 6.30. You can take your own picnic, seating and rugs. Adults £14 Children aged 5 - 16 £10

For tickets, call: 020 8724 1002. Payments can be made by cash, cheque and credit card. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Southend on Sea Arts Council Website
Posted: Saturday 10th July 2004

Southend on Sea Arts Council have updated and upgraded their website. Details of various arts groups and activities - from drama to visual arts are represented. Well worth a look.

Southend Drama Society are pleased to announce that their next production will be A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, by Peter Nichols.

The play concerns a married couple and their severely disabled 10 year-old daughter Joe. An evening at the family home turns to tragedy as we explore the ways in which Brian and Sheila maintain their relationship while trying to look after their daughter.

This dark comedy is coming to the Focus Theatre, Southend-on-Sea from 9th September 2004 for a 3-night run.

Last night saw seven teams of Southend's greatest minds competing in Southend Drama Society's Quiz Night. A good night was had by all and we'd like to thank everyone who helped make the evening such a success. We'll do it again soon.

Last night saw four drama groups competing in the Eastern Area Final of the All England Theatre Festival.

After an absolutely fantastic result in the Southend and Eastern Divisional Drama Festivals, we're sorry to report that Southend Drama Society's production of the Blackadder play 'Ink and Incapability' didn't make it through to the English Final.

Without a shadow of a doubt, this was our best effort so far, with everyone giving 110%. The audience clearly enjoyed the production and all those involved came away knowing that they had done their very best.

In the end, the winning team were the Young Theatre of Beaconsfield for BALLBOYS. The two main characters of which were excellently acted and very convincing. Good luck to them in the next round.

A reproduction of Southend Arts Council's report on the evening can be found here.

We're very sad to be putting Blackadder to rest at last. A very big "Thank You" is owed to Richard Curtis and Ben Elton for letting us take a stab at recreating the magic of Blackadder for the stage.

"Here lies Edmund Blackadder - and he's bloody annoyed!" - Capt. E. Blackadder, 1916.

Billy Liar - Rescheduled
Posted: Saturday 8th May 2004

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Southend Drama Society have been forced to reschedule their July production of Billy Liar. Please note that the play will now take place between 15th - 17th July 2004 at the Focus Theatre, Southend-on-Sea. Contact productions@southenddrama.co.uk for ticket information.

All England Festival
Posted: Sunday 22nd February 2004

Southend Drama Society's production of Blackadder for this year's All England Drama Festival shall take place on Saturday 27th March at the Eastwood Studio Theatre, Rayleigh Road, Leigh on Sea.

Annual General Meeting
Posted: Sunday 22nd February 2004

Please note that this year's AGM will take place at the Leigh Wesley Hall, Leigh on Sea on Tuesday 24th February at 8pm.

All England Drama Festival
Posted: Sunday 22nd February 2004

Southend Drama Society are pleased to announce that The Donahue Sisters has been selected as our second entry for this year's All England Drama Festival. The play, written by Geraldine Aron, will be performed on Thursday 25th March at the Eastwood Studio Theatre, Rayleigh Road, Leigh on Sea.

All England Drama Festival
Sunday 18th January 2004

Southend Drama Society have secured permission to perform the Blackadder classic "Ink and Incapability" at this year's All England Drama Festival. The original cast from last year's Blackadder shall all be reprising their roles in what was Southend Drama Society's most successful production in living memory.

Everyone involved in last year's production was thrilled when the show's director revealed that she would like to put "Ink and Incapability" through as a contender in the first round of this year's festival. Rehearsals are already underway, costumes are being dusted off (except Baldrick's) and Dr Johnson is hard at work writing another copy of his famous Dictionary.

This year's festival takes place at the Eastwood Studio Theatre, Rayleigh Road, Eastwood. The festival is a great competition, with excellent one-act performances that are adjudicated by an independant judge. Very interesting to listen to...

The festival will take place between 22nd and 27th March 2004. Stay tuned for details of which day Southend Drama Society shall be performing.

Billy Liar - Rescheduled
Saturday 17th January 2004

Southend Drama Society are pleased to announce that their production of Billy Liar has been rescheduled. The play will now take place between 22nd-24th July 2004 at the Focus Theatre, Southend-on-Sea. Contact productions@southenddrama.co.uk for ticket information.