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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 23, 2016 20:31:38 GMT
So I was perusing a new Manchester theatre's summer programme and had a flutter of excitement when I saw Urinetown. Then I saw it was only on 4 nights..... Then that it was an amateur production. And I immediately lost interest.
Yes I am a bad person.
Do you do am dram productions? Is there a verb for it like "I'm stagedooring". "I'm am-dramming!"
Am I missing out?
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Post by partytentdown on Apr 23, 2016 20:37:30 GMT
There is some pretty high quality stuff in London because many of the am-drammers are either professionals in between jobs, former professionals, or very-good-but-went-into-banking types. Sedos, Centre Stage and GEOIDS are all very good and often get access to the first amateur rights of various shows, or rarely granted rights. One of them recently did Sunset Boulevard before the big current one, Centre Stage is doing Evita and 9 to 5 shortly, which I think haven't been done before other than professionally.
There are also great 'straight' plays done by companies like Tower Theatre. I think there's also a big company in Wimbledon.
I think when people say 'am dram' many think of a church hall somewhere with shows full of pensioners, but it's quite a lively, young scene.
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Post by talkstageytome on Apr 23, 2016 20:43:50 GMT
I've seen and been in some terrific am-dram productions..... and some absolutely dire ones. I think it really depends on a lot of things. An am-dram company who I got drafted into to teach singing was one of the most poorly run groups ever. None of the council seemed to have an interest in theatre, and hadn't actually seen a profession play or musical in years. Seemed more interested in yelling at kids for a few hours. (Director's note- "stand on stage"... panto dame- I DON'T sing, M.D.-"well just perform the song as a dramatic monologue." (The song was All By Myself)). However, I saw a stunning production of Rent performed by some uni students, and my uni's production of Cabaret (in which I played Kost) was rather good too. I'm not sure how I feel about Amdram. It can be quite fun but I feel like I've seen it at its worst too. And I personally use the term Amdrammers to describe those who partake!  |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 23, 2016 20:49:04 GMT
It might be Hamlet but it's got to be Fun Fun Fun!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2016 20:50:28 GMT
There is some pretty high quality stuff in London because many of the am-drammers are either professionals in between jobs, former professionals, or very-good-but-not-went-into-banking types. Sedos, Centre Stage and GEOIDS are all very good and often get access to the first amateur rights of various shows, or rarely granted rights. One of them recently did Sunset Boulevard before the big current one, Centre Stage is doing Evita and 9 to 5 shortly, which I think haven't been done before other than professionally. There are also great 'straight' plays done by companies like Tower Theatre. I think there's also a big company in Wimbledon. I think when people say 'am dram' many think of a church hall somewhere with shows full of pensioners, but it's quite a lively, young scene. Obviously, like us, a regular visitor to The Bridewell, where they have some fantastic am-dram. It's GEOIDS Hair next week people. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 9:59:19 GMT
I've seen a few good amdrams, but also quite a few squirm worthy ones in my youth to have put me off for ever.
Unfortunately, there have been a couple of times when a particularly bad performance (usually from somebody who gives the confident impression they think they are very, very good) has tickled me and started the "giggle loop" (if you watched Coupling you will know what I mean). And however awful something is I really don't want to be that bad mannered person with tears of laughter running down my face.....
Being near London though I take the point that if I was a bit more open minded I could probably see some quality shows with no worries about this.
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Post by adrianics on Apr 24, 2016 20:39:48 GMT
Very keen am dram performer and follower checking in. It could be because of my location (West London), but I do believe the by-gone days of am dram are over and the stereotypes are no longer relevant. The standard of shows tends to be high, if not quite professional standard, because most of the performers are either very dedicated youngsters, young adults with at least some professional training and very experienced adults. I went to see SEOD's performance of Legally Blonde last year and honestly, if I didn't know they were amateur I never would have guessed. Yes, you do get the odd deluded "temporarily embarrassed professional" and some of the politics are completely ridiculous but am dram has been instrumental in settling me in to my new home and has done absolute wonders for my confidence. I just got done playing Emmett Forrest locally, my first ever leading role, and it was such a huge achievement that taught me a lot. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend amdram to anyone, performing or watching  |
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Post by PalelyLaura on Apr 25, 2016 11:04:24 GMT
I see a lot of am-dram shows all over London, mainly because they're a great chance to see rarely-performed shows by playwrights and composers I like: I've seen By Jeeves, The Likes of Us, and several of the more obscure Noel Cowards this way. I'm generally very impressed by the standard - in five years of theatregoing I've only seen one show that was out-and-out dreadful; a few of them were variable but most were very good. The lead actors at least are usually excellent.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 11:35:59 GMT
I do a LOT of am dram. I belong to... maybe five groups in the local area, and I'm always keeping an eye on what the others are up to as well. It doesn't take a lot of time to work out which groups do top quality productions and which ones are more like something out of Hot Fuzz. You do need to be careful not to commit to too many shows at once though, otherwise you'll never see the inside of your own home again.
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Post by westendcub on Apr 25, 2016 12:41:18 GMT
This is definitely something I now go to a lot more since I moved into London in 2014.
Two of my favorite companies are 'Sedos' and 'Centre Stage' that often perform at Brideswell - I have enjoyed 'I love you, you're perfect now change', 'Sunset Boulevard' and have got 'Evita' coming up and plan to book for '9-5 the musical' this summer. I've seen others at Bridewell such as 'Sunshine on Leith' and have travelled to all zones to see many a show in theater pub etc. I adore the recent production of 'Legally Blonde' at 'Upstairs at the Gatehouse' and saw it twice!
It really is great to see some shows that you wither missed in the West-End, you love or is rarely performed. I've also discovered 'Performing school of Arts' in Chiswick and was spellbinded by their version of 'Disney's Beauty and the Beast' so am keeping my eye out for what musical they do next!
Upcoming I am off to Wolverhampton to see 'Made in Dagenham' which I am big fan of and we just discovered that 'Big the musical' is on in Romford at the end of May so going to head to Essex to see it!
Not to sound all 'Aladdin' but discovering hight quality am-dram and the fringe has opened me up to a 'whole new world'
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Post by richey on Apr 25, 2016 21:21:32 GMT
The dire phone calls from am-drammers on the "Break a leg" section of EP's show are enough to make me run a mile from any of their productions
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Post by theatremadness on Apr 25, 2016 21:25:13 GMT
The dire phone calls from am-drammers on the "Break a leg" section of EP's show are enough to make me run a mile from any of their productions Oh I do feel so sorry for all those that phone in. I have a sneaky feeling that they are all coerced by the producers into making their message sound as awfully cheesy as possible (and I also have a sneaky feeling that some of them may enjoy it anyway!  ) |
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Post by partytentdown on May 17, 2016 11:24:50 GMT
Is anyone going to see 'Reefer Madness' the musical by SEDOS this week at the Bridewell? It's a fun show!
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Post by barelyathletic on May 17, 2016 12:36:37 GMT
There's some great stuff going on these days in amateur theatre. And there's a lot of talent too, either just setting out on a career in the performing arts or more often, like myself, more than happy in their chosen career but giving loads to great theatre in their spare time? (What's the difference between amateur and professional actors? Amateurs are paid more. ) The familiar amateur drama associations with freezing church halls and creaky whodunnits and sets is really outdated, especially in London where we can go along to The Play That Went Wrong to get our fun packed fill of brilliantly bad acting and rather more than wobbly scenery. Amateur Theatre these days is surprising, challenging and contemporary. In the past few years, as AD at Putney Arts Theatre, I've directed Howard Brenton's Anne Boleyn, Clybourne Park, The London premiere of Glenn Waldron's beautiful small play Forever House, Jumpers for Goalposts and Cock. I've also seen terrific productions of The Effect, Sex With A Stranger, How To Disappear Completely and Never Be Found and Collaborators. But we're also good at more traditional work. I've just started rehearsing Lady Windermere's Fan, and what a great play that is. I've seen and enjoyed truly stylish and hugely enjoyable amateur productions of Private Lives, Pride and Prejudice, Equus, Henry V and A Chorus of Disapproval among many others. And all for a fraction of the price you'd pay in the West End! Because of my job I see over 100 professional productions a year on top of all this, so hope I know quality work when I see it. It's funny how in any other profession, be it sports, music, art etc, amateurs are admired. It's only theatre that seems to have managed to turn the word into a disparaging term. Maybe that shows just how difficult it is to do well. So, I'm going to say it... I'm proud to work in amateur theatre. And it's great to have a discussion like this on here, to draw attention to all the good work that's being done out there. Long may it continue. |
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Post by barelyathletic on May 17, 2016 12:43:57 GMT
Ps. If you're quick you can still grab tickets for Putney's production of David Eldrige's Under the Blue Sky this week, though it's nearly sold out. The playwright has been to rehesals and is coming to the opening performance tonight. That's pretty much the perfect example of professional theatre recognising how good amateurs can be I think. |
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Post by westendcub on May 17, 2016 12:53:49 GMT
Is anyone going to see 'Reefer Madness' the musical by SEDOS this week at the Bridewell? It's a fun show! Going tonight with a friend!! We were there last week seeing 'Evita' (Center Stage) and it was blooming brilliant - Can't wait for '9-5' Look forward to tonight - do not know a single song or much about it - my friend as seen the film and a production of this before! |
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Post by flyingfree on May 18, 2016 12:52:50 GMT
I've seen a couple of am dram shows recently as my boyfriend is a theatre techie. The (secondary) school version of Les Mis I saw was actually a lot better (talent wise) than the different show the all ages local am dram group did (I'm too scared to name the musical in case they're the only group who has put it on recently.)
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Post by Phantom of London on May 18, 2016 13:37:11 GMT
Love the thread of TITLE from the O/P.
I haven't seen many amateur shows, but what they lack in proffesiolism, they certainly make up for , as their performances come straight from the heart and this for me bridges the gap nicely.
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