September 2019 Newsletter edited by Lisa Colquhoun

A word from the chair person

Rehearsals have started now for our October production of The Diary of Anne Frank and have been full of fun and energy. It is good to have Pamela directing for our group for the first time and I would encourage other members to step up and offer to direct for our March production. We have had no volunteers to direct in March so far. In recent years, we have managed to finish one production and then soon after audition for the next which keeps the group moving forward. I would urge directors to drop us an email with their offers to direct in March so that we can arrange auditions in early November. If this does not happen, then uncertainty will occur with the group starting the new year with no play ready to be directed. We are having a committee meeting on 11 September and would love to have offers by then – so this is a final appeal.

Storage wanted: I need a member to take the costumes and material we have accumulated in recent productions to store these in a spare room or dry area. If we don’t receive any offers then the committee will have to discuss donating them to another local group or disposing of them. They are all boxed up for easy storage:

Committee Retirement: I shall be retiring from committee duties in the New Year and so someone else will need to step up and be chair person and drive the group forward. I hope to continue to be a member of the group helping out when my health permits. Now is the time to reflect and decide if you wish to become chair person in 2020.

Thanks once again to Lisa as editor of the newsletter – enjoy all the articles and please remember as a member you are very welcome to come along to any of our rehearsals – most of which are in Milngavie Town Hall but some are in Kilmardinny House – just check the website for the venue if you are dropping by - Christina, chairperson

“The Diary of Anne Frank” – Rehearsals Begin!

As Christina has noted above, rehearsals began in earnest on 15 August with all cast present and are now well underway. I’ve listed the complete cast and crew. The up-to-date rehearsal schedule is on the website for all those involved.

Cast:- Anne Frank - Carla Peat and Eden Powers Peter Van Daan - Rhys King and Darren Dawson Margot Frank – Michelle Muirhead Mr Frank – Paul Cockcroft Mrs Frank - Christina Dowers Mrs Van Daan - Lisa Colquhoun Mr Van Daan - David Hutchinson Mr Dussel – David Maclean Mr Kraler- James Scott Miep Gies - Jane MacConnacher Crew:- Director/Assistant Stage Manager - Pamela Cowan Stage Manager - TBC Set - Craig Dowers, Peter Miller and the Antonine Players Props – Moira Crawford, Liz Good, Cast and the Antonine Players Sound and lighting - Craig Dowers Costume - Suzi Bagley Front of House and Box Office - Volunteers needed Prompt - TBC Jenny has offered to be prompt, however, due to work commitments, she may be unable to do this. If any other member feels they are able to step in, please let Pamela know as soon as possible.

Appeal for Props and Costumes

Moira Crawford is in charge of ingathering the props for our production of “Anne Frank”. I have attached, at the end of the newsletter, the props list. Can I ask that members please contact Moira directly with any props that they already have or may be able to source? Moira’s email address is mcmoiracrawford@gmail.com so please support Moira and get searching!

Similarly, Suzi Bagley is in charge of the costumes, so again, if the cast could liaise

with Suzi with regards to any costumes they have or don’t have, that would be great. Suzi’s email is suzicaddy@hotmail.co.uk.

Moira Crawford is running a workshop on 5 September at Milngavie Lower Lesser Hall at 7.30pm. This is not just for the cast, but for all members, so please do come along.

Back on Stage – David Maclean

Kilmardinny Players’ new production of Anne Frank had me in two minds, one to perform in it and the other.. not. It is a very grim and depressing subject about recent history (Anne was still alive 20 years before I was born and had she lived, would be the same age as my very alive Mum).

I decided to do it for two reasons; first, I did front of house and backstage for our last two productions so thought I ought to get ‘back in the saddle’ and contribute on stage again. The other reason is, I said to myself ‘stop being a wimp’. This is a story that needs to be kept alive for all our sakes and reading the script it is actually quite uplifting, apart from the obvious denouement and epilogue.

It is a true story about disparate people forced to exist in extreme circumstances, living in a small space together for two years, still keeping their common humanity, good and bad. For this, they died a hideous death with only one of them surviving. I hope audiences get as much of a lift out of this as I am sure we will and count their luck they were born in this country living in a period of affluence, peace and relative stability. To paraphrase the last line of this play, ‘They put us to shame’ – David Maclean

Nights Out

We had a couple of nights out in August, organised by Jenny who was supposed to be leaving us for pastures new, but who is now, I’m glad to say, staying with us!

A few of us went along on 16 August to The Ferry to see Diane McKee and her Blondie tribute band, MacBlondie, performing. They were absolutely fabulous and we all had a great time, up singing and dancing! Thanks once again to Diane for adding our names to the guest list and getting us in for free!

There was 10 of us who went along to Andiamo in Milngavie on 20 August for a meal, which had, again, been arranged by Jenny. It was a good wee catch up and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

List of Props Needed

• Tattered blackout drapes and same untattered • 3 bed sheets • 3 pairs of gloves (one white child's glove) • Scarf hanging on nail above door • 3 lamps • Dead and live plants • Saucepan • Coffee pot • 9 cups and saucers • 15 glasses • Mixing bowl • Wooden spoon • Paring knife • 2 boxes of matches • Lid • Kettle • Canister of flour • Bottle of cognac • Torch • Pack of cards • Chess set • Pile of linen • 2 crossword books (same - one to be wrapped in paper and tied with string) • 2 mirrors • 8 napkins • 8 knives and forks • Cake knife • Cigarette box with 2 cigarettes • Packet of papers, letters and notes • Anne's diary • Table cloth • 2 pieces of dark bread • Bag of potatoes • Bag of beans • Bucket to catch waste water • Grocery parcels • Skillet • Funnel • Pot • Ladle • Blue knitting in little basket • 3 blankets • 4 pillows • Bottle of orange juice • Bottle opener • Cup • 2 combs • Shoe brush • Pencils in small brown jug

• Towel • Dictionary • Empty rucksack • Pair of soc ks • Sewing basket • 10 books • Pictures of movie stars • Picture of Queen Wilhemmina • Hair brush • Hair ribbon • Newspa per • Poorly made knitted muffler • Ball of paper with ribbon and silver bells. • Used safety razor • 2 capsules in small box • Clothes line and laundry on it alrea dy • Knitted scarf • Purse with money • Magazine • Ledger • 2 bunches of flowers • Milk • 2 cabbages • Loaf of bread • Small medicine kit. • Parcels of food wrapped in newspaper • Box of candy wrapped in newspaper