CRUDE APACHE NEWS

October 2005

...the evening we were all waiting for...

THE AGM

...or browbeat your outgoing committee...

It was on a warm and balmy autumnal evening that we few, we happy few, traipsed over to the trusty Nelson Pub to see democracy in action...

Those present: Jo Edye, Dani, Ann, Tim Dew, Puppet Tom, Eve, Gareth, Jenny, Lady Sam (ne Girl Sam), Gromore, Russell J, Will, Panda, Steve, Tim Lane, Bondy, Manda Purple, Josh, Kyra, Richard, Leighton and Fluffy Ben.

CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS (16 Josephine Close, ha ha!)

The lovely Will reminded us that the focus of this past year has been on new work; Erosia, the Coalition, de Sade and the (nearly) new Billy Bluelight. These projects have happily led to lots of new members including much needed tech crew. The Readathon was successful and fun. Bananalink appreciated our money making efforts on their behalf. The 10^th Anniversary Party that kicked the year off was great fun and highlighted just how far we have come this decade. New links with the Garage were rocky at first but financial misunderstandings were soon ironed out and we hope to use the venue on a regular basis for a long time to come.

TREASURER'S REPORT

We were down on the year, we admit it, and there were a few reasons. New work just does not bring in the audience that well known plays do. Venues such as Norwich Arts Centre and St Gregory's are no longer available to us. Also, as mentioned before, it has taken us a while to establish our mutually beneficial relationship with The Garage. Over the year we lost roughly £500 but still have a couple of grand in the bank so we are not too worried. Those who want a copy of the detailed financial report should contact Russ directly (or you should have come to the meeting).

FUTURE PROJECTS

Xmas Show

Last Sunday's brainstorming session went well. Lots of creative stews were mixed and baked. Current thinking is a spoof on “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe”. Come and join next week's writing session – you do not have to commit to being in the show, just add to the creative melting pot. Sunday 16^th October at Dani's house (12 Silver St not Silver Road) from 2pm to 6pm. Dani says bring your own wine! Performances of the show will be December 7^th to 20^th but not every night and probably with a double cast. For more info call Gromore on 0778 606 4733 or 614351.

The Coalition

Filming began for the latest trailer “Coalition Of The Ring” last Sunday. Highlights included Andy as Aragorn, Tom and Jason reviving their Merry & Pippin double act and Will getting beaten up by LaRPers. Thanks to all who came along, especially Cameraman Bert who was nearly concussed on two occasions. Oh, and Gareth, don't go falling over any girls again, eh? Auditions for episodes 5 and 6 “Rear Entry” & “Terminal” are scheduled for late Nov/early Dec for rehearsals beginning Jan. Watch this space for updates.

Abigail's Party

Script development for a modern interpretation of the Mike Leigh classic is going well with assistance from the Lounge Boyz and Roland. Jo Swan is looking at hiring the Puppet Theatre for the show in April. Negotiations are on-going. To get involved call Jo on 0796 399 7729.

Faust

The show will go ahead at the Garage over the 25^th to 27^th May 2006. Auditions will be on January 29^th. Contact Dani on 461319 for details.

Singing Postman

It's going ahead. Pete Stening is stage managing. Crude Apache are now the proud owners of the entire back catalogue of the Singing Postman's work. More news as I get it.

Copenhagen

Russ J. is still going ahead with the project. We await more info from Norwich City Council. For details call Russ on 0773 907 3545.

VOTE OF THANKS

Pete Stening announced he was standing down as Keeper of the Garage. We all love him, we will all miss him. Very well done Pete for all your hard work, commitment, blood, sweat, tears and toil. Who will fill your shoes?

THE VOTING

Those standing Russ J, Will, Gromore, Dani, Puppet Tom and Panda. Voting was ably supervised by independent returning officer Jo Edye from his comfortable seat in the smoking area despite the hanging chads. Votes were counted and verified and we can declare that your committee members for 2005/6 are: Will – Chair; Puppet Tom – Keeper of the Garage; Gromore – Production Co-ordinator; Panda – Secretary; Russell J - Treasurer. Gro's position is a new one we created. The job will involve setting up a database of contacts, resources, rehearsal spaces, etc, that can be given to all directors.

NEXT MEETING

Monday 7^th November at The Nelson at 8pm.

OTHER NEWS & GOSSIP

Andy Bennett is 29... Can Fluffy Ben manage 24 hours without alcohol? He did it!!... Dani had a great party and certainly embraced LaRPing... Puppet Tom is trying to improve relations with The Garage... Bondy is planning a house warming party, watch this space... Calley has a new job, hooray!... It is rumoured that Manda & Harry are expecting a boy. Text suggestions for names to 0778 900 1625... Where was Tom Carver? Where was Jon Creek? Were they together? What can it mean?

YOUR SOCIAL DIARY

Some great theatre coming up at Norwich Arts Centre: TRASHED on Mon 17^th Oct – young British Muslim meets white Mississipi trailer trash in the wake of 9/11. STILL WAITING FOR EVERYTHING on Tues 18^th Oct – interesting twist on a revenge plot from A12 theatre company. SWANKY GEEZER NONSENSE on Thurs 3^rd Nov – violence, swearing and drugs in a parody of Brit gangster movies **comes highly recommended**. STRAWBERRY FIELDS on Sat 5^th Nov – a Mark Thomas style expose of the dirty business behind the strawberry industry, the writer/presenter has won awards.

Don't forget SPARKS IN THE PARK on Bonfire Night. Buy your tickets in advance from City Hall at £1 cheaper and you don't have to queue on the night. Meet up at Panda's beforehand and we'll all go up there together.

THE NIMMO TWINS will again be appearing at The Playhouse in December. Get your tickets now. Seriously, do. It has a tendency to sell out very quickly! John Peel anniversary gig at The Nelson Public House on Thursday 13^th October from 8pm. Bands playing are Bearsuit, Lalia & Goathoven.

The Norwich International Festival of Puppetry begins shortly at the Puppet Theatre. Our own resident puppet expert, Bridget O'Brien, has given me her top 5 tips: El Avaro by Moliere - in this adaptation of Moliere’s The Miser it is no longer money that is coveted, but water. The protagonists of this visionary comedy are taps, pipes and hoses. Shadows of Found Objects - We are interested in the shadows from abandoned objects. Our work consists of picking up daily objects, which can be found in rubbish bins, objects that we expose to light in order to explore their shape, transparency, opacity, hardness, flexibility, colour and lack of colour. Organillo - The ancient seas of Organillo are warm and mysterious. This is where babies are made. Stephen Mottram conjures up a beautiful, sexy world to tell this oldest of all stories. Inspired jointly by Elaine Morgan’s book “The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis” and Lennart Nilsson’s “A Child is Born”, his puppets swim and wriggle their way through our deepest Freudian oceans. Jack and the Beanstalk - The story unfolds in a child's room where a collection of toys become a very exciting range of theatrical devices: dolls, automata, music boxes, paper cutting, a cow that squirts real milk into a tiny bucket. Nevsky Prospekt - The shadow puppets play with their fleshlessness, the glove puppets inhabit hell while the upper marionette is torn off her threads to vanish in abyss of Petersburg’s gloom. Check out the website www.puppettheatre.co.uk for more info.

OLD MEMBERS

Some of you may be interested in an update on the lovely Pete Barden who moved to Bristol a couple of months ago to take up a position with the BBC. I got an email from him just the other day and thought I would share it:

“It's really good here. People are very friendly and helpful. They encourage you to use their kit and there's lots of it. My job's already changed I'm now doing post production assistant work, as well as running, which is really interesting so I'm being trained to provide technical support for the editors and do transfers etc. Should get a good technical grounding while I'm here. Also, great for contacts. Between writing that last sentence I just had a five minute chat with a producer of Planet Earth (the latest BBC big documentary set to be the next Blue Planet). Also walked past David Attenborough today. So there's lots of scope to get important people to remember you here. One day, one day... Hoping to get back to Norwich at some point in November now. Hopefully the first week or two. Will let you know. Bristol's good. I'm enjoying it here. Though I do so much overtime that I don't get much of a chance to see the place! How's things in Norwich? Say hello to everyone from me. Pete.”

OTHER STUFF GOING ON

Our own Steve Rayner has just set up in business to run murder mystery and themed events. He is trying to get together a roster of people to help out. There will be payment involved and free food if it's a murder mystery meal. If you are interested, contact Steve on sdrayner@ukonline.co.uk or 0774 712 3979.

Visceral Theatre are holding a festival at The Garage in February. Auditions Friday 28^th October at Garage at 7pm to 9-30pm. Range of shows from “abnormal Alice in Wonderland” to “something in an attic” to “a discussion of life, death, love and sex in a tent on a battlefield”. Contact Christina at The Garage if you are interested on christina@visceraltheatre.org.uk or check out the excellent website.