MINUTES of a meeting of TADS held on 21 May 2008 at The Roses Theatre. Meeting started at 8:10 pm.
1. Present:
Geoff Guy, Oonagh Hughes, Brenda Read-Brown, John Williams, Martin Oakes, Jane Hughes.
2. Apologies:
Tony Guy, Liza Otter, Mike Babb, Joe Harper, Hannah Moore, Amanda, Penelope Tubbs, Amanda Thomas, Richard Hughes.
3. Minutes of the last meeting
The Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
4. Matters arising
The audience for A Ryght Evil Place, rather than the action of the play, will face the west window in the Abbey.
Caroline McQuillan’s name was incorrectly included as Caroline Quinlan.
Oonagh had emailed the Tewkesbury Observer with details of OTWAP and AREP, and pointed them towards our website and others that might be useful for their entertainments section.
John Elliott has replied with an amusing card thanking Oonagh for her letter.
Richard and Hannah have not yet followed up their outstanding actions regarding the Severn project, but have been reminded.
5. Treasurer's report
The financial position is still sound, with little change from the last meeting:
Cash £58.55
Current account £383.77
Deposit account £4468.45
Total £4910.77
GDA subs are due soon, but as yet there has been no decision on how much this will be this year.
The cost of hiring the annexe for AREP rehearsals should be covered by rehearsal subs. Richard has made many phone calls, and should claim for the cost of these. It was agreed that, once all costs have been covered, we should discuss splitting any substantial surplus with the Mediaeval Society.
OTWAP rehearsal fees should cover the cost of the entry fee into the GDA One Act Play competition.
Action:
John to keep accounts for AREP separate from main accounts until the final financial position is known.
6. Previous productions
Nothing to report.
7. Present productions
Once this was a poet
The last rehearsal of OTWAP went very well, with a real spark developing between the two main characters. The play is now below the 50-minute limit imposed by the competition. Brenda, Martin and Hannah attended the competition directors’ meeting on Sunday, and are happy with the arrangements at the Kings Theatre; apparently the programme will carry a warning about the strong language, nudity and smoking included in the play.
OTWAP will be up against a lot of competition – 15 plays are included this year, and three other entries were turned away. Only two original playshave been entered. The adjudicator is Jane Leman, the same as last year, which is not seen as advantageous. OTWAP will be presented on Thursday 5th June; the evening starts at 7:30 pm, and we will be on second. Tickets cost £6.
Oonagh will attend the first dress rehearsal on Sunday 25th May; Richard and Jane will come to the second dress rehearsal, the following Sunday. Liza has asked that we keep visiting cars to a minimum.
A Ryght Evil Place
AREP rehearsals are going well, and all is on schedule, although some persistent absenteeism is causing a few problems. The Prince has been cast – Scott, a young man with experience with the Roses Youth theatre.
8. Next productions
In the absence of Richard and Hannah, little could be decided. The feeling of the meeting was very much in favour of The Threepenny Opera. Perhaps Hannah should direct, calling on the expertise of other TADS members for assistance. It’s vital that a decision is made soon because good singing members such as Greg and Kate will soon be booked up for other productions.
Martin described the Tuckwell arena, which seems ideally suited to Ring Round the Moon. A Midsummer Night’s Dream had been mentioned as a possible production for Open Air Festival at Tuckwell, but a number of other companies are putting this play on at the moment, and it’s in danger of being overdone. Brenda will try to have a look at the venue, and think again about RRTM as a production for the open-air festival in 2009.
Actions:
Richard and/or Hannah to sort themselves out.
Martin to give Brenda contact details for Tuckwell.
Brenda to consider resurrecting Ring Round the Moon.
9. Any other business
The question of other changes to the Constitution was raised; this can be done only at an EGM or AGM, and there seemed to be no urgency. After some discussion, it was agreed that Brenda would consider possible changes to the Constitution, which would be discussed at the next AGM.
Action:
Brenda to consider possible changes to the Constitution.
10. Next meeting
The next meeting will be on 2nd July, in the Morecambe Room, starting at 8 pm.
Action:
Oonagh to ensure that the next meeting is included in the Roses’ diary.
The meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.
…………………………………
Oonagh Hughes (Chairman)