An occasional newsletter published by Tight Fit Theatre,
and distributed by snail-mail to members of the mailing list.
(The web version is uploaded later.)

If you would like to apply to receive the paper version, and do not mind your details
being held on a computer only for this purpose,
please call +44(0)8707 450977. Or email Tim Hill.
Alternatively, you can go to the response page and send a message.

Almost a year has passed since the last edition of Squeeze. I am pleased to say that this is partly due to how busy we have been, not only with public performances, but also behind the scenes, contributing to other projects. Since our last newsletter there have been changes at TFT, not least the change in the partnership. David Farey and Karen Ogborn left at the beginning of 1998 to pursue their own careers. Ally Hill and Carla Quelch have joined Jonathan Fowke (Technical Director), Mark Oldknow (Artistic Director) and Tim Hill (Company Producer) as associate partners. This edition of Squeeze will attempt to give you advance notice of our future plans, as well as some news of what we have been doing over the last twelve months.

Let's begin with the immediate future:

BOUNCERS

by John Godber

16th-19th September 1998
£9.00 (£7.00 conc.)
Box Office 01494 512000

The Wycombe Swan Town Hall plays host to John Godber's Bouncers this week. After numerous requests to bring this hysterical view of northern night club life back to the Town Hall, Artistic Director Mark Oldknow finally capitulated and has brought together a brand new cast in a brand new production. The night club atmosphere will be complete this year. No stage - a dance floor and catwalk. No tuxedos - black bomber jackets, combat trousers and baseball caps. And an all new 1998 soundtrack. You are strongly urged to book in advance by phone: tickets have been selling well and a repeat of last year's sell-out weekend is anticipated. Max Whatley, Dave Capstick and Dez O'Connell join Mark Oldknow as the four bouncers in what promises to be one of the highlights of the autumn season at the Swan. (Please note that Bouncers is not suitable for children)

As you may have read in the local press, Wycombe Arts Centre at Spring Gardens (re-)opens its doors this autumn and TFT are supporting them with two productions in the first season. Local amateurs will be given free reign to produce an evening of theatre with our help and support. On Tidy Endings is a wonderfully poignant meeting between the ex-wife and gay lover of a man who has recently died from Aids. The relationship between the two and their grief is breathtakingly explored by Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy) with humour and empathy. Lovers and Other Strangers (by Rene Taylor and Joseph Bolognia) is a collection of short comic plays taking a wry peek at americans and their relationships.

An evening of
American
One-Act Plays

tickets
£5.00
12th-14th November 1998
Box Office 08707 450977

Macbeth

by William Shakespeare

tickets £6 (£4.50 conc.)
25th-28th November 1998
Box Office 08707 450977

For our second production at the Wycombe Arts Centre, Mark is once more let loose with Shakespeare, and the results will be electric. A small cast of actors will bring Shakespeare's Macbeth to life in a new production. The three witches act as the catalyst in the battle between MacBeth and his nemesis MacDuff in a production which will keep you rooted to your seat. Special matinees are already being arranged for local schools and colleges which will include post-show discussions with the director and members of the cast.

If your school or college would like to take advantage of this opportunity please call the TFT box office number (08707 450977).

looking forward to christmas

Carla Quelch and Mark Oldknow are once more putting pen to paper for the 1998 Beaconsfield Pantomime. All the usual panto traditions, from Dame to Principal Boy and Chases to Songsheets, tell the story of Sleeping Beauty. A 'must see' Christmas treat from the company that brought you the critically acclaimed Robin Hood, the Early Years (1996) and Alice in Pantoland (1997). Whether an outing for family, school or company, all ages can expect a couple of hours of side splitting fun. (Discounts are available for block bookings: 08707 450977).

As I explained in the opening remarks, we have been very busy over the last twelve months. Here's a round-up of most of the various theatre, training and other projects in which TFT has had a hand:

September 1997

Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo

"Tight Fit Theatre goes from strength to strength"

Unfortunately, this superb show took place during the week after the sad and sudden death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Understandably we did not gain the audiences we hoped, but then nor did the main house at the Wycombe Swan. The Nation was in mourning (and not for our Anarchist).
Only recently has the show's set been dismantled and put into store. Anyone need a circus ring, going cheap?!

70s Party

Jonathan excelled in organising this throwback to my teenage years. What a great time was had by all. Still, though, people did not turn out in their expected numbers as we were all slowly recovering from the Tragic Event. And what a shame that such a well behaved party should be marred by a venue who tried to lay the blame for pre-existing carpet burns at our feet. At the risk of getting on (one of) my soap boxes, why is it that so many venue 'managers' seem to do all they can to discourage users at a time when they need them? On the one hand they were courting us to use the venue for rehearsals, and on the other were trying to con us into buying them new carpet. Not the way I would expect such a well-respected organisation to behave. Unlike Homer Simpson, I'll not rush to join the Stonecutters. Apology still awaited.

October

During October & November '97 and January '98 our training division wrote and delivered a package for Barclays Bank. This included interpersonal management and supervisory skills development for staff moving into newly created management roles throughout the bank's branch network.

November

Murder Too . . .

by Mark Oldknow and Carla Quelch

”Original, entertaining, amusing: well done and convincing•

Proving again that the 'Pilsbury Clan' are a force to be reckoned with, our live Murder Mysteries continue to confound and confuse. Chief Inspector Southgate hopes to move into the realm of corporate entertainment so, if your firm would like to do something a little more interesting than the usual 'Disco and Drink' office party, call him on 08707 450977 to discuss your plans for the coming months. TFT can arrange an entire package for you, from toothpick and cocktail stick to dagger and sword.

December

In December we designed and built the set for the Misbourne School's production of The Knocky. This involved creating the rear of a two storey council house and its garden in a few days on the school stage. Awesome.

Alice in Pantoland
by Mark Oldknow and Carla Quelch

This time, Alice fell down the rabbit hole and really was lost. She ended up in Pantoland and had to help the Good Fairy recover her spell book from the evil Ebeneezer who tried to use it to take over Pantoland from the legitimate King. Thank goodness that every Panto has a happy ending and a Dame and a Principal Boy to put things right.
Not in every Panto, of course. There'll be another panto (not a million miles from Beaconsfield) where the Principal Boy is a boy and you'll find it impossible for a family of four to buy seats for £20. That's £20 for four seats with TFT, not £20 a seat as it may be elsewhere. So, give the whole family a treat and feel safe in the knowledge that Tight Fit Theatre's pantomimes are suitable for all the family, whether they're 4 or 94. Details of our next original and traditional panto, Sleeping Beauty, are overleaf.

February 1998

The Odd Couple by Neil Simon

"Tight Fit has rapidly risen through the ranks to 'must see' status."
". . rapidly building itself a formidable reputation . ."
"Brilliant comedy . ."

As well as this popular play bringing us our largest audience at the Wycombe Swan Town Hall, the opening night's 'charity ticket supplement' plus additional donations raised £505 for the Wycombe Scannappeal.

March

Our training division wrote another training package for Barclays Bank, this time for the First Cashiers throughout their branch network.

Three partners were involved with Beaconsfield Operatic's production of Red Hot & Cole, providing direction, choreography, and lighting design.

April

Our training division now turned its attention to Britannic Assurance with a project extending into May, helping to bring re-engineered processes to their branches.

The Mysteries: The Passion
by Mark Oldknow

"Another gripping and entertaining production from the innovative Tight Fit Theatre."

Mark's adaptation of the life and death of Christ was possibly the most powerful piece of theatre the company has produced. Every performance was followed by the audience spending a few moments in quiet contemplation.
We're investigating the possibility of reviving TM:TP next year and hope to bring the play into 'different surroundings'.

June

Oleanna by David Mamet

". . affirms their aim of staging high quality productions . . . . this penetrating interpretation . ."
". . acting at an abnormally high standard . . a tour de force from every point of view"

Everyone has their own answer to Oleanna, the powerful tale of sexual harassment on an American college campus. Talking to various playgoers proved that there were different opinions about the various rights and wrongs, proving that Mamet's play can still conjure disagreement from its audience.

For June, Mark directed the Chiltern Shakespeare Company production of Romeo and Juliet.

July

We took pivotal roles in an Experimental Research Stimuli Project for a major firm of brandbuilders on behalf of a well known coffee company.

Summer School

For the first time, our Summer School took place at the Beacon Centre. Many of the parents I have since had a chance to speak to are delighted at what we managed to pack into a week and the quality of the show. It was not only our performers who learnt an enormous amount, we did to.
For next year we are already planning an expanded programme of Summer Schools with reduced numbers to make them even more effective. This will mean that a price increase is inevitable but that should satisfy a number of parents who have been telling me how remarkably cheap we are!
Please claim your lost property or it may end up as Panto props as some did last year!!

T.H.