 Dickens Christmas Fair Missive |
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Dickens
Christmas Fair 2009 September Missive #1
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| A quick missive today, probably another tomorrow, Cat |
| In This Missive |
| Extra Opportunity for Mikado Auditions - Monday September 14th |
| Theme Character Auditions - Thursday October 8th |
| Workshop Dates |
| Victorian London Amazon Research List |
| An Excuse to Watch Movies! |
| OT: "What Not To Wear" Seeks Women Who Attend Renaissance Festivals For 250th Episode |
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| Extra Opportunity
for Mikado Auditions - Monday September
14th ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For those of you who are interested in auditioning for The
Mikado, but unable to make auditions next Sunday, we have added
auditions next
Monday evening September 14th from 7:00-9:00PM. As before, please
send an email to regfoghorn@yahoo.com
requesting an audition appointment. Please click here for the Complete Audition Notice |
| Theme Character Auditions -
Thursday October 8th
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The book character groups are ensemble casts that pride
themselves on showcasing the vast panoply of Dickens' brilliantly
wrought
characters. We put the Dickens in Dickens Fair! Dickens'
characters are
big, bold and quirky with a lot of theatrical and interactive
opportunities,
plus tons of scenery to chew. Audience interaction is our raison d'etre
and our
lives are one big theatrical and improvisational
banquet throughout the
day. We are looking for energy, commitment, fearlessness and willingness to be part of an ensemble. We are interested in casting a wide variety of characters, ranging across all ages, classes and emotional quirks. We encourage interested parties to read one of the books, or at least view one of the superb adaptations currently available to get a clearer picture of these characters. A list of characters we are specifically looking for will be included in the next Missive, but if there is a Dickens character that you are interested in bringing to life, let us know. Even if that role is already cast your preference will help us - and you - find a similar character. If there is a character in our list of available characters, a role in a Dickens book or adaptation that you want to play (or simply find appealing) prepare a brief piece to read - and act - for the audition team. It will give us a clearer idea of your capabilities and the type of character you want to play. The auditions will be held the evening of Thursday October 8th in San Francisco. Further information - including a list of characters - will be included in a forthcoming missive. Here's a great page to learn more about the characters and the books: http://www.fidnet.com/%7Edap1955/dickens/works.html |
| Workshop Dates
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Workshops will once again be held on November 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th
from
10:00AM to 5:00PM at Sunset Ridge Elementary School in Pacifica.
As
always, there will be a mandatory meeting at 10:00AM on the first day
of
workshops. This meeting is always a lot of fun and a little crazy;
announcements are made, staff, directors and workshop leaders are
introduced,
and there is general amusement had by all. The address is 340 Inverness Drive, Pacifica, CA 94044 and it's right at the top of the hill before you go down the big hill into Pacifica, don't go down the hill or you've missed it, just like I did the first time. Their website seems to be down at the moment, but if you need directions, you can use http://maps.google.com/ The third weekend of workshops and rehearsals will be held at the Cow Palace, no workshops will be taught on Sunday, that will be dress rehearsal day. More workshop information will be announced in a forthcoming missive. |
| Victorian London Amazon Research
List
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Last year Kathy Kingman posted the following list of good research
books at
Amazon.com, so I'm including it again this year.http://home.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R2FSM8P4D575RX This list is full of good research materials to read if you want to develop a more realistic idea of what Victorian London was really like. It include books on etiquette, housekeeping and biographies on Victorian life in general. |
| An Excuse to Watch Movies!
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Also good information from last year:Time to watch Dickens movies! Get started thinking creatively now. Check out the BBC boxed Dickens sets available through Amazon.com, the fabulous nine hour Nicholas Nickleby, (watch it in chapters in the evening) and enjoy these film version recommendations from your book directors: A Christmas Carol Films: There are so many film adaptations of this story, but Therese Porter's favorite (and this opinion seems to be widely shared) is the Alastair Sim version from 1951. Fun, poignant and great characterizations. Some folks adore "Scrooge" starring Albert Finney, watch them all! CD: Hands down, check out the Patrick Stewart reading. It's truly wonderful. Put it in your car's CD player and enjoy over and over. Oliver Twist Again, there are so many film adaptations it's hard to chose. Everyone has an opinion. Most versions leave out big chucks of the story, including the musical version, although Gwen very much likes the character portrayals and the costumes are good. Mike Bryant (our Monks - who takes great umbrage with huge liberties taken in the recent PBS version, although others liked the detail) says "I'd direct people toward the classic "Oliver Twist" starring Alec Guiness as Fagin. It has recently been re-released on DVD through the Critereon company,and besides having that British air that only British productions capture just so, it's probably the most faithful to the book rendition" The newish version from Roman Polanski is quite lovely, although it also leaves some large pieces of story out. Robert Young mentions these other adaptations: The 1982 version with George C Scott and Tim Curry has considerable merit. The 1948 version with Alec Guinnes as Fagin and Anthony Newley as Doger. Full length story: 1985 TV mini-series (6 Hrs - 12 epsds) with Eric Porter as Fagin, Michael Attwell as Sykes (and Miriam Margolys as Mrs. Corney!) 1922 version with Lon Chaney as Fagin and Jackie Coogan as Oliver is definitely worth a viewing. Nicholas Nickleby Again from Therese: The best for all round theatrical gold is the Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickleby done by the Royal Shakespeare Company (1982) A stunning adaptation with Roger Rees as Nicholas and the rest of the company stunningly double (and sometimes triple) cast - an award-winning stage production. (7 3/4 hrs. total on nine tapes or a bunch of dvd's - have a viewing party with friends!) Nicholas Nickleby (2000) This version has the BBC touch and James D'Arcy as the title character, Charles Dance, Sophia Myles and Diana Kent co-star. 200 min Nicholas Nickleby (2002) a decent rendering of the story by Douglas McGrath ("Emma") tells of the adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Charles Hunnam). Christopher Plummer is Ralph Nickelby, Jamie Bell is a superb Smike, Nathan Lane and Barry (Dame Edna) Humphries play Mr. & Mrs. Crummles. Also stars Edward Fox, Jim Broadbent, Juliet Stevenson, Romola Garai. 132 min. David Copperfield (1970) This lavish British production of the Charles Dickens classic is told in flashback from the 28-year-old David Copperfield's point of view. Richard Attenborough, Robin Phillips, Laurence Olivier Especially recommended - "Masterpiece Theatre" (1999) version with Bob Hoskins as Micawber, Maggie Smith as Aunt Betsey Trotwood, Ian McKellen as Mr. Creakle, and Daniel Radcliffe (the future Harry Potter) is David. 210 min. on two tapes. The 1935 version with W.C. Field as Micawber also has some merits. Great Expectations There are numerous filmed versions including the recent one with Ioan Gruffudd, Justine Waddell and Charlotte Rampling and the 1999 version with Jean Simmons as Miss Havisham Pickwick Papers James Myers mentions the 1985 BBC television miniseries which has finally been released on DVD. It's an excellent adaptation, extremely faithful to the book, telling the entire story of the Pickwick Papers in twelve 30-minute episodes. (Note from Cat, this is included in the BBC boxed set) |
| OT: "
What Not To Wear" Seeks Women Who Attend
Renaissance Festivals For 250th Episode ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm including this just for fun. I have not watched the show, but if
you are chosen, the make-over budget is pretty
substantial. Before you ask, I know nothing more about this than what
is included below. The casting director included this note: "We love to feature a women who frequents renaissance festivals. Someone who has a unique sense of style, and does not fit into the norm. The show has been on for many years, and has helped many women to feel confident again. Maybe one of your co workers could use a little help, or one of your friends or relatives, on the 250th episode people can actually nominate themselves. The deadline to apply is September 25th! If you have any questions, just let me know." NOW CASTING SPECIAL 250th Episode For the first time ever, in celebration of its 250th episode, What Not to Wear is doing a national search for The Worst Dressed American (open to WOMEN only). Email mraptis@bbcnyproduction.com to nominate yourself or secretly nominate a friend, and you or she could appear on the 250th episode of the show and get the royal treatment, compliments of Stacy and Clinton! Send at least 2 pictures that show her style, her name, age, size, height, occupation, describe her style and tell us why we should pick her! Deadline for submissions is September 25th so email today! About the show: "WHAT NOT TO WEAR"provides fashion intervention to people nominated by friends/family/co-worker as someone who desperately needs a style overhaul! Fashion experts, Stacy London and Clinton Kelly then confront the person and reveal their plan to teach them "WHAT NOT TO WEAR" sorting through the person's current wardrobe and providing them with rules for maximizing their best assets and personal style. They are given a Visa card worth $5,000, and it's time to hit the shops. After a consultation with Stacy and Clinton on these new clothing choices, along with a dramatic hair and makeup revamp, viewers will see a complete transformation and a stunning reveal. Connect with the TLC Audience: TLC is in 85 million homes in the US
23.3 million viewers tune into TLC each week
83 million viewers tune in to watch TLC each month
TLC ranks #1 in concentration of upscale adults 25-54
and 18-49 in prime time
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| Quick Links...
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The Great Dickens Fair WebsiteDickens Fair Performer Page Cat's Missive Page Save the Cow Palace |
| Contact Information
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For specific questions
regarding performing at the Fair or to submit a show proposal please
email Cat
TaylorIf your group would like to perform at the Fair for just one day (school caroling groups, etc., please email Robert Young For specific questions regarding vending at the Fair please email Vendors For specific questions the beverage department please email Beverage To learn what you can do to help save the Cow Palace, please visit http://www.savethecowpalace.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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