An occasional newsletter published by Tight Fit Theatre,
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(The web version is uploaded later.)

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New Writing

The Whore's Tale
by Archie Wilson

Inside Out
by Linda Dawe

The Great Day
by David Wright

Directed by
Mark Oldknow & Claire Quelch

Three new one-act plays by three local writers. The finalists of the 1998 New Writing competition sponsored by Wycombe District Council. These diverse pieces get their world première this spring. With subjects covering bondage, orgasms and shopping, it promises to be an entertaining evening with something for everyone (!).

since last time

For those who have not been able to get along to our last few shows, here's a quick recap:

Bouncers
by John Godber

This was Mark Oldknow's second directorial stab at Godber's satirical look at the northern club scene. The show was updated in all areas and had much more of a dramatic impact than its predecessor. The night-club atmosphere was created from the moment the audience walked in; from the Bouncers standing characteristically by the entrance, to the raised dancefloor within the main space complete with fighting punters and daring dancers encouraging all to get up and strut their funky stuff. In fact, the audience seemed to relish the participation factor with the actors constantly blurring the boundaries of where the stage ended and the auditorium began. The serious message of the piece was put across and a good time was had by all.

"I doubt I'll see a better production of Bouncers" - Bucks Examiner

An Evening of American One-Act Plays

The first venture in our new home, the Wycombe Arts Centre (WAC), and a community project to boot. This was a chance for local non-professionals to do something of their own choice with Tight Fit lending financial, technical and production support. Although the audiences were smaller than we hoped, the evening was well received; both public and press responses were favourable. The well-rounded line-up consisted of a series of three short comic pieces dealing with varying stages of relationships, followed by On Tidy Endings - Harvey Fierstein's more serious work on the effect the death of a man has on his wife and his male lover. The production showed new and promising faces both on and off stage, with Aby Bery and Justin Davey making their directorial debuts.

Separation
by Tom Kempinski
Directed by Michael Chadwick

Carla Quelch and Mark Oldknow reprise their critically acclaimed performances in this wonderful comedy by Tom Kempinski. Joe Green, an agoraphobic playwright, and Sarah Wise, a disabled actress, embark on a transatlantic telephone romance when she is cast in one of his plays. This funny, tender play was Tight Fit Theatre's first production way back in '96. It 'wowed' audiences nearly three years ago and it is presented once more to give everyone an opportunity to see what all the fuss was about.

Macbeth

Our first professional staging at the WAC. Adapted by Mark Oldknow for a cast of five, this version saw the three witches metamorphosing into all the other characters surrounding Macbeth, Macduff and Banquo. The action took place on a mound of forest bark with weird and eerie events ensuing both on and off stage. Whatever your views on the superstitions surrounding the 'Scottish Play', the cast won't be taking the Thane's name in vain in a hurry. Rehearsals and performances were plagued with last minute cast losses, accidents and spooky happenings galore. All this aside, the production was a great success and included superb atmospheric lighting and some fine performances.

Panto

As if the christmas period isn't hectic enough with all that shopping and those annual family reunions, the Beacon Centre played host to our third annual panto, Sleeping Beauty, written by Mark Oldknow and Carla Quelch. We feel this was our best one yet, playing to record audiences and if you didn't find time to see it you missed out on a fun-packed family treat. Thanks go out to all those who did make the journey and we hope it was as much fun to watch as it was to perform. The story centred around Poison Ivy's search for the princess Aurora, hindered by her two henchmen Grin and Bearitt and the Princess' mentors Widow Trot and Simple Simon. All the traditional ingredients were present in abundance and the audience scored full marks on the participation front.

Oh, and if you did the crossword in the programme:

and finally

We wanted to say 'thank you' to a huge number of people who have given their time and assistance to the cause. Unfortunately, there is never the space for a huge list of names and we wouldn't want to be placed in the embarrassing position of leaving someone out. However, we would like to mention Jonathan Fowke, who recently resigned from the company to force himself to concentrate on his filmic aspirations. Good luck Jon, the past. and thanks for all your help in

Talking Heads
by Alan Bennett

Directed by
Michael Chadwick & Carla Quelch

Three of Alan Bennett's famous monologues will be brought to life in the Town Hall:

Her Big Chance,
Bed Among the Lentils,
&
A Lady of Letters.

Alan Bennett's Talking Heads has been seen on both stage and screen and constitutes a series of monologues, mostly performed by women. Each monologue is a unique combination of comedy and pathos, and it is unsurprising that they remain popular in which ever format they are seen.

From the original six pieces, Tight Fit Theatre has picked three of the best. Her Big Chance introduces us to Lesley, a bit part actor who describes her involvement in a new movie. Bed Among the Lentils is about Susan, a vicars wife, and her frustration with her seemingly mundane life. A Lady of Letters sees Mrs Ruddock, a middle-aged woman, fixated with propriety and correctness and churns out letter after letter, which brings her into contact with the law.

Carla Quelch and Michael Chadwick direct these three special plays for two performances only at The Wycombe Swan Town Hall. A little bit of Yorkshire charm brought by us to Buckinghamshire. Talking Heads is at the Swan on April 10th and 11th at 8pm. Box office 01494 512000

Death and
the Maiden
by Ariel Dorfmann

Directed by Jo Salkilld

Paulina Salas is a victim twice over. She is a victim of a tyrannical regime whose secret police kidnapped, raped and tortured her fifteen years ago. She also is the victim of the conspiracy of silence gripping her family and her country who leave her to face her past alone.

Written by Chilean Ariel Dorfmann and winner of the Olivier award for Best Play, "Death and the Maiden" reflects in microcosm the dilemmas facing the country today and the potential implications of the Law Lords' decision on the extradition of Pinochet.

On a universal scale it examines the issues of justice and revenge, and asks how we begin to heal ourselves when human cruelty has violated our innermost souls.