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WANTED! MARGATE'S MEMORIES:
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Occasional Newsletter Number 2.
The Biscuit Chronicles
What can I say except CRUMBS! The Biscuit Chronicles written and performed by Amy Godfrey was (were?) amazing. Deliciously digestive, chocolate covered, melt in the mouth, moist and moreish. The play was pretty good too. Amy is a fine young writer and a talented performer and you saw her at the Tom Thumb first! Amy is taking the show to another seaside place, called, er, Brighton I believe. I would say “Crumbs from the rich man's table” however that would be unnecessarily tacky and open to misunderstanding because this show is the full packet believe me.
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Adventures in Wonderland
Adventure in Wonderland was certainly adventurous. And wonderful. Mindful of the dreadful weather forecast Scandalmongers decided to bring the whole show inside (a bit like the hapless mermaid from our Christmas show). So the extended picnic event became four, yes that was FOUR performances, back to back in the theatre. Thanks to artists who care, a small grant from Cllrs Aldred, Clark and Hart and a generous last minute donation from A VERY KIND PERSON, we were able to offer Wonderland for free. It was great. We had to ask about twenty people who were queuing up for the first show to return for the second . . . and they DID. It was the first time in the Tom Thumb for most of our audience and a fantastic introduction to our theatre.
Those of us lucky enough to see Alice played by Emily Parrish and The Queen of Hearts, Amy again, clambering over the seats and straight through the audience, will never forget the sight. Neither I suspect will various squashed theatre-goers. Nicholas Thompson as The Mad Hatter must be severely chastised for frightening one child so much that real tears (as my mother would have said) were shed. Nick bravely shot himself in the face with his own water pistol as a gesture of apology but it took The White Rabbit (Jessica Jordan-Wrench) to fully rectify the situation by offering said water pistol to the child to take his revenge. I must pay tribute to the final member of the cast The Card Soldier played by me who got a big laugh from one of only two lines. Yes, “The Queen of Hearts hassmelly farts” brought the house down and bodes well for our plans for the Summer Show.
(Some wonserful audience feedback: "Great show, so excellent that me and my daughter came twice", "Very interactive, great fun, enjoyed it so much", "Great fun good to see the theatre used so well")
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Plays In A Day
We offered two Plays In A Day during the Easter Holidays, one for 11 years and over and one for the under 11s. The children absolutely loved coming into the theatre in the morning, creating a play through games and exercises and performing it on the stage at the end of the day. I am happy to remember the delighted reaction of one mum to see her very shy child perform with aplomb and not a little talent come showtime. One little boy who had not much intention of joining in at first, declined to take off his squirrel tail during our afternoon walk and another youngster, quite tearful as her mother left in the morning, turned into a veritable diva as the curtains opened. In a good way.
I think we need to work on publicising these events. The first day had no local children involved at all. Whilst we do not discriminate against in-comers, it would have been nice to see some Margatians. The second day was quite different. We welcomed ten local children and were able to offer several free places. We hope that word will spread and we are planning a similar event to take place during the whole of the Summer Half-Term. A wise man told me recently that we need to foster a theatre going habit in the community and what better way than to produce these plays with the children?
(Some wonderful participants feedback: "Well organised, brilliant, my daughter loved it! Thanks." Mrs Olive , "Fantastic! Inventive! Charming!" Beth, "Please don't make us leave" T.xxx, "It was so much fun today an d it was a great privillage (sic) to star in the 1st Play in a day. Thanks especially to Vicki and Frankie" Izzy )
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Cocos Lovers
Or should I say COCOS LOVERS ? Wow, double wow and whammy. What a show! Joined by Will Varley, Tom Macinerney and The Momeraths this proved to be a surreal evening with a magical atmosphere. Surreal? Well have you ever seen eight musicians together with their instruments perform on a stage measuring 7 feet by 11 feet? It's a wonder eyes weren't poked out by the fiddler's bows. It was beautiful. It was.
I had never seen The Momeraths and was enchanted by their music and general unusualness and humour. It was a treat to see Will Varley lost for words, well not entirely, when he faced his enraptured audience at such close quarters. “Expletive!” quoth he “I hadn't expected you to be paying me quite so much attention.”
Tom Macinerney's lustrous performance called for a pall of smoke to be hovering over the auditorium in true French Jazz club style and I am not the only person to say this. Gaulloises perhaps, just for one night. So, enchantment and enrapture accounted for the magic.
Tom Thumb hopes that this was the first of many such nights. Again, most of our (capacity) audience came from further afield and we trust that in a year's time this will no longer be the case. We are confident that we will gradually build up our own local following and discover new local musical talent. In the meantime, thanks all you chaps at Smugglers Records for starting us off in such magnificent style. And thanks to your fans. Thanks also for the impromptu after show street performance. We are lucky to have such accommodating, or deaf, neighbours. Hey! Maybe they were just as delighted as ourselves. Gosh this is an adventure.
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What next?
We are honoured to be presenting the first offering from a new company Mischievous Theatre. The company has been established here in Thanet by distinguished actor, writer and director Clive Holland, in order to develop new work in new ways.
Clive is bringing his one-man show The Con Man to the Tom Thumb prior to a nationwide tour. In the final stages of development the play will be presented on the 22nd and 24th of April at 8pm. The tickets will include a glass of wine or a soft drink in the price (£8 from tickets@tomthumbtheatre.co.uk ) and we hope that you will join Clive in a lively discussion after the show to share your views with him.
We are waiting in breathless anticipation for Steve Bradshaw's inspiration the new Tom Thumb Fun Club Comedy Club Open Mic Night devised and hosted by the man himself. Saturday 22nd May. Do not miss this, especially if you're feeling funny. Boom boom.
Tom met Greg Chapman the other day. Greg is bringing his one man show Small Town To Big Apple to the Tom Thumb in July. Tom was very impressed with Greg and those of you who know Tom as well as I (we are related) know that Tom is not easily impressed. Well done Greg, I know that yours will be a great show.
Meanwhile, we are continuing to forge new links with Cliftonville and beyond. I am joining the residents of Ghass St for their street party on May 8th and shall be storytelling for the children. Tom and Jitka are very involved with the kids at Kent Refugee and Minority Support Group. We have plans for Family Week in June, Homestart are in contact about their Teddy Bears Picnic and Music for Change are looking to work at the theatre. A smashing video of the Cocos Lovers gig has appeared on www.yourkenttv.co.uk/community , Mark Nottingham included us on his blogspot and Roger Allen from www.thanetcommunityradio.com is a great support.
We are planning an exciting event to be held during the Summer Half Term and further plans are afoot and under wraps for the Summer Show. It will involve pirates and will be very seasidey. I can say no more. As always, we want to hear your ideas about what YOU want to see.
See you soon and love from Frankie, Tom, Jitka, Poll, Pete, Jessica, Harriet . . . and Keith.
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Occassional Newsletter Number 1.
Twice Brightly
I am still smiling inside remembering the joys of TWICE BRIGHTLY Gordon Clarkson's gorgeous show offered twice delightfully at Tom Thumb on wednesday last. It was a sheer privilege to be part of the audience for both the matinee and the evening performances. My very serious role of tea and biscuit lady prevented me twice oh drattilly from witnessing Clyde Clayton's magnificently mystifying second spot. Kettles had to be boiled and I had to quit my lovely comfy red velvet seat to do the honours. If we are lucky enough to welcome this wonderful magician back to our stage somebody else can brew the tea. I mean it.
What with Gordon's stories, soft-shoe shuffle and songs, Clyde's amazing magic (I can't even write magic tricks, for surely this was the real thing) and Paul Stewart accompanying it all on piano AND UKELE this was a truly tremendous terrific and tantalising show. Lest I retreat completely into the realms of Old Time Music Hall patter I will cease to indulge right now and be serious. I could feel the warmth rising in the air and the laughter and gasps of wonder were beautiful to witness.
Speaking of warmth, one very irate lady berated me as I took her ticket. “I hope that we're not going to be made to go out in the cold again like last time. I was quite ill when I got home and so were some of my friends.” I can't think what she was talking about (!) and I'm glad to report, that having risked the Tom Thumb's portals again, she thoroughly enjoyed the show.
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What next?
Okeydoke, now what's next? Well, the beautiful Amy Godfrey will be giving us her Biscuit Chronicles next week and I can't wait. If you read this before the show, check her out on YouTube for a sneaky preview. There will be a drink, a discussion and possibly even a biscuit after this one-woman show by an extremely talented one-young-woman. You'd be mad to miss it, you really would and given that it is offered over three nights (25th/26th/27th March) you won't have to. There, I've ended a sentence with a preposition and quite possibly put an apostrophe where it doesn't want to be, thereby incurring the wrath of both sisters and at least one son.
Onwards! We are all very busy working towards our Easter offering Adventures in Wonderland. We are determined to give this FOR FREE to all those who wish to come and play. This involves seeking funding (Aye me) and we have had some little (very little) success thus far but we are undeterred. Alice, you shall go to the ball. (Yes. I KNOW.) The White Rabbit and Mad Hatter are travelling to Thanet from London, Alice is to be tempted, with interesting little bottles, all the way from Ramsgate and The Queen of Hearts will bear a striking resemblance to a certain biscuit lady of recent acquaintance. There will even be a Card Soldier if I can make my costume in time. Whoops, what a giveaway. Yes. Scandalmongers and friends are back at the Tom Thumb.
Other busyness along the way involves scrounging, begging and making-do. Has anybody got a few large, heart-shaped helium balloons? And some cakes? And a lot of cardboard and paint? We are having a Works Day on Monday 22nd March at the theatre to prepare some stuff. Do come along if you think you can help.
And all you children out there, come along and make up your own play to perform for your mums and dads and grannies and aunts and uncles and brothers and sisters and friends and EVERYBODY. That'll be on the 7th April for Over 11s and April 10th for Under 11s.
That's enough for now, we've loads coming up. Don't forget CocosLovers on the 9th. Wow, what a band. Keith and I saw them again last night, together with two of the performers they are bringing with them to Tom Thumb. WillVarley and Tom McInerney. Also due that night are The Momeraths Lord knows how they'll all fit in, there will be no room for the audience. But Hey! We'll make it happen. Might lend a new meaning to intimate theatre venue though.
Let us know what you want to see or want to do at our lovely little theatre and we promise to listen and to try and oblige. Meanwhile, lots of love and see you soon.
Frankie and Tom . Pete, Poll, Jessica, Harriet. And Keith XXX
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