Minutes of Meeting 2nd November 2015
GUNNISLAKE AMATEUR DRAMATICS Minutes of meeting –Monday 2nd November 2015
At the Tavistock Arms
Present: Frank Goodman (Chair), Phil Green (Vice Chair), April Gunn, Jackie Coombs, Sue Goodman, Colin Cocking, Sally Hopkins, Michele Berrie, , Lesley Smith, Jean Day, Carol Banks
Apologies: Ross Hanley, Sally Hopkins
1. Approval of minutes of Committee Meeting of 5th October 2015. These were approved with no amendments – (Helen: please place on website.)
2. Matters arising from Committee Meeting of 5th October 2015
a. Xmas Tree Festival. Michele confirmed she would co-ordinate this and there was some discussion as to what would be done. Frank & Sue have still got their “spare” tree available and they would look out the battery powered lights purchased last year (Helen also has some). It was decided to have pictures of all past performances (Lesley has a reasonable archive and will put some together on a memory stick for Michele to look at). Carol said her son Alex could print them off easily on his high powered machinery. Phil offered to make round wooden disc “baubles” to mount the pictures on. The title would be “GLAD Presents …” A flyer for the February production, an A5 information leaflet and membership forms would be available. Action: Michele, Lesley, Phil, Carol (for Alex), Sue, Sally
3. The Vampire Review
Carol offered her heartfelt congratulations and said that all her party (who had seen GLAD shows from the outset) had hugely enjoyed it.
Frank stated that we had achieved what we set out to do – namely, turned the Buccaneer into a successful studio space and achieved an audience, which we were not sure existed. Many of them were the “old, familiar faces” but this was not felt to be a problem. There were a few sightline problems for those sitting at the side, but Michele felt that in future, having experienced the layout and seating for the first time, this could easily be overcome. There was definitely scope for “overflow” audience upstairs. Michele was extremely happy with the space and was keen to utilise it again in future. It was agreed that she and Phil would go and see Gill while enthusiasm levels were still high and float the prospect of future use for GLAD performances. There would however, be no more until well into next year.
Director’s Report – Michele was hugely impressed with the quality and performance of the cast and the entire production and would have been happy to take the show elsewhere. It was agreed that it was a great script with local input and Phil congratulated Frank for all his hard work on it, and also for the excellent sound and lighting effects.
Sound & lighting - it was felt that acquiring another white light would be useful; this would necessitate a bigger mixer. Frank will contact NODA & CDA regarding funding and advice. Frank was quite pushed managing all the various effects and another person would be helpful. Richard Baker would hopefully be available to help out with the technical aspects and we would work on building up a tecchie team.
There was some discussion about the best time to put on a performance next year – avoiding the October half term if possible. After some discussion it was agreed that if the Buccaneer back room/studio was not required for Festival equipment, the first week of the Festival (late July) would be a good time to put on a performance, linking it with the Gunnislake Festival (if there is going to be one next year). The Festival AGM is to be held shortly; Sue & Jean will attend and report back. Action: Sue, Jean
Frank reported that we had taken some £250, but no bills had been paid yet. Anyone with receipts should submit them to Jean. Annie is co-ordinating return of costumes to Carol; they should be washed/cleaned first. Lesley will return all the curtains and a few costumes in her possession. Post meeting note: All curtains now back in Lathlean Basement – whereabouts adjusted in GLAD manual. Action: All
Performing Rights – now the takings are known, Lesley can submit the form, but will contact the PRS to check whether in fact this will be required as the Buccaneer has its own licence for performing music. Post meeting note: There is no requirement to submit a PRS form, and no charge will be levied.
4. Variety Show - Showtime
Auditions – now advertised. Jackie has a list of songs she needs words for – Frank volunteered to obtain these. Kate has most of the music already, and will be coming along on Tuesday 10th November. The overall shape of the performance will be dictated by the nature/quantity/variety of the auditioned performances. Lesley & Jean will open up and set out the hall at 1900 on the Tuesday. Action: All
Frank will enquire about copyright costs for the Goon Show element. Action: Frank
Lesley and Jean will act as producers. Michele is available to help direct/choreograph, etc, but won’t be back from Tenerife until 20th November.
Kate is only available for rehearsals on Tuesdays, and it was agreed the children would be rehearsed on that day, as well as any ensemble/singing numbers. These would be in the Church Hall. Smaller acts/performances on Thursdays might be able to be done in the Buccaneer studio to reduce costs.
Music details – after much discussion it was agreed to approach Adam Herring about his Rock School participating. Michele suggested approaching Ted Baker to see if he would add extra musical input and direction. Action: Michele (Ted) - unsure who was to approach Adam
Sally to be asked to bring some hard copy membership forms to the audition. Action: Sally
5. Publicity
Sue pointed out that it had cost an extra £40 to have different coloured tickets for each night and asked if this was a cost we wanted to bear. It was felt that it was helpful to differentiate, but Colin felt he could produce them more cheaply.
Sue also raised the matter of the banner at the bridge. It had gone up very late, was very large and cost £90. It was felt that it was an excellent piece of publicity but research needed to be done to see if it could be obtained more cheaply and with less wording, or be made to be more generic so it could be re-used. It was agreed to obtain some quotes.
Clarification on concession tickets – agreed that the only concession was to be for under 16’s. The majority of the audience were pensioners, and most were happy to pay the modest full price (prices for the show still to be discussed)
6. Xmas Do
This was provisionally booked for Saturday 12th December (time TBA) at the Tavistock Arms as a sit down meal. Phil will approach Bob to see if this was still viable in the light of the projected sale of the pub. Assuming it is still doable, the format was discussed. Small, nominal performances could be incorporated and there would be a raffle. Action: Phil
7. AOB
a. Lesley has been tentatively offered some storage(for props, scenery, etc) in the outbuildings of a farm between Stoke Climsland and Horsebridge. It was agreed she should investigate this further. Action: Lesley
b. Michele said that Nick’s sister-in-law might have a video of the Vampire that could possibly be turned into a DVD. She would investigate.
8. Date of Next Meeting – Monday 7th December 2015 in the Buccaneer at 7.30 (Check with Gill)
