BP News

From the Artistic Director

I always seem to be writing stuff for this august organ about plans to increase the range and number of shows that we present at The Queen Mother Theatre. Keith Crook spoke to me excitedly the other day about the popularity of Dad’s Army (a total sell-out!) and the general high attendance for all the shows we have had this year. Good! A lot of that is down to the programme of productions we choose in my humble opinion and underlines the importance of picking shows that have what I call a ‘natural audience’. So Dad’s Army appeals generally to older people who remember the TV series and things like Shrew will draw a wide circle from youngsters for whom this is a set school text to those who remember the John Gardiner original. When the new studio opens (whenever that is and hopefully not too far away) we will be in the unique position of being able to become like the National Theatre of Hitchin – presenting two shows on the same night: one in the main theatre and one in the expanded space. So lots of chances to direct and lots of chances to perform for all of us and, to the chagrin of our families, even more time down at the QMT! Perhaps then we will be in a position to take a few more risks programme-wise and explore those as yet undiscovered ‘natural audiences’ who must be lurking out there somewhere. So keep your thoughts on that as we chose the shows for our 2008-2009 season. It will be unashamedly populist, seeking to tap into those audiences we have cultivated so determinedly over the last few years. In the very near future though, things may change dramatically – which is just it should be in any theatre!

Here’s a bouquet!
The value of short appreciations

In the Youth Theatre we play a game in which we reflect appreciatively about each others skills and the contribution they make to the wellbeing of the group. Everybody speaks about the person on their left and their right, whether they know them well or not. This exercise builds up a sense of belonging and makes each person feel really valued – which of course they are. I think it might be nice to reflect too on the work of some of the longer-term members of the senior Society for the same reasons. There is such a lot of valuable work done that you can almost insult by exclusion but not, I hope, if the aim is to recognise the contribution made and that’s something every one of us can do.

So here is my offering – on my left sits Charles Plester and on my right, quite by chance, Maureen Nobes.

For Charles I’ll say: Charles you have become such a consummate actor I think both in comedy and straight plays – and I’m particularly remembering your roles in Someone to Watch Over Me and more recently in …Helen of Troy. You always give 120% mate and that’s why we all love to cast you in things. I also know that you hate any kind of insincerity with a vengeance but this is meant sincerely so I hope its okay.

For Maureen: It’s hard to think that some time ago you thought you might give up acting – and since that time you’ve been busier onstage than ever! For you the theatre is your second home and you always work tirelessly for the good of the Society and bring your enthusiasm and skills for working efficiently to everything you do here.

There you go – short and sweet. The only rules are it has to be an appreciation (not a critique) and it has to be sincere (it doesn’t work if it’s done with irony). By the way – you don’t have to do it through the newsletter. Compliments, like bouquets, are welcome at any time! And for those who are cynical about the value of such activities – hey, you like compliments as much as anybody else so let’s all do what we can to promote them – they can be pretty rare things otherwise.