Tight Fit Theatre : Squeeze : Autumn/Winter 1999

September saw our first Shakespeare at the Wycombe Swan when seven actors took to the stage (or rather, an enormous bed). TFT regulars Michael Chadwick (Puck), Carla Quelch (Helena, Titania, Starveling), and, of course, Mark Oldknow (Theseus, Oberon, Quince) were joined by Victoria Cox (Hermia, Snout), Dov Citron (Lysander, Flute), David Keeling (Demetrius, Bottom) and Tracey Wood (Hippolyta, Snug). The concept returned to the familiar TFT style established during Accidental Death of an Anarchist and Macbeth. In this production, Puck is a form of dream-master who invades the sleeping minds of six teenagers and encourages them to use their imagination to create the characters. Puck sets up the three storylines by use of 'given circumstance' with the lovers, 'costumes' with the mechanicals and 'props' with the elementals. Having set the three balls in motion he is forced to adapt himself as other characters - including the fairies which he creates with puppets. If you missed this truly magical show you have a second chance to see it during October when it goes on a small tour as part of Theatre-in-the-Villages and to the Beacon Theate on October 21st at 8pm (Box office 01494 677760).

oh yes we are!

Next after 'Dream' is the fourth Beaconsfield Town Pantomime under the Tight Fit Theatre in the Community banner. This year Tim Hill joins the multi-talented Carla Quelch to write Cinderella, with Mark Oldknow sitting in (or pacing round) the director's chair. Auditions will be in late September - so if you are interested in taking part in any capacity from Dame to Front-of-House please ring Mark Oldknow on 07974 742755 or Tim Hill on 08707 450977 for further details.
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Performances will be at the Beacon Theatre and are on December 16th, 17th, 18th, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th December at 2.00 and 7.00. (NB no evening performance on 16th), tickets are only £6.00 (£4.00 concessions) from the Beacon Theatre box office so if you don't fancy participating ring 01494 677764 to book your seats. A family of two adults and two children can go for only £20.00!! Excellent value for money, and with free parking you won't find a better Christmas deal going.

Don't wait,
Do it now!

auditions for
Cinderella

will begin this
Sunday 26th September
Phone Mark
07974 742755

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Separation

Separation opened 1999 for Tight Fit Theatre with a wonderful production directed by Michael Chadwick. Those who remember the first outing of this moving comedy would not have been disappointed as three years and a new director strengthened an already acclaimed production. Mark Oldknow and Carla Quelch gave typically outstanding performances on an imaginative set designed by Company Producer Tim Hill. The press were suitably impressed by the evenings' entertainment as were the audiences. The Bucks Examiner: "Kempinski has written a riveting play . . faultlessly directed by Michael Chadwick with a simple but effective set by Tim Hill . . as for the two players it is a tour de force with uninhibited acting . . 11 out of 10." The Bucks Free Press: "Mark Oldknow and Carla Quelch were born for this play. Both strong character actors, they brought great pathos to what is basically a humourous story of a long distance courtship between a highly complicated man and a solidly down to earth woman."

Talking Heads

April came and with it Alan Bennett's monologues from Talking Heads. The production saw a return to the Wycombe Swan Town Hall and what a return. Michael Chadwick directed TFT newcomers Alexis Caley and Alexandra Clare in Her Big Chance and Bed Among the Lentils respectively and Carla Quelch helmed A Lady of Letters with TFT favourite Jenny Quille.
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The performances certainly lived up to the reputation TFT has gained for its actors and a simple set with use of projected photographic images, designed by Mark Oldknow and beautifully lit by Tim Hill, made for an interesting and moving evening's entertainment. The production received a second outing at The Radlett Centre in Herts and our new audience was not dissappointed, sharing the acclaim from the press. The Buck's Free Press: "Tight Fit Theatre's production . . was clever in terms of casting and direction - combining a close to perfect blend of comedy and drama." The Bucks Examiner: "The staging of all three pieces was perfect. A great night of quality drama by three talented ladies." The Buckinghamshire Advertiser: "Three such performances on one evening provide almost a surplus of excellence that held the large audience's attention throughout."

Death and the Maiden

Mark Oldknow returned to the director's chair for Ariel Dorfmann's gripping play. Carla Quelch and Michael Chadwick joined him on stage to provide a strong and moving interpretation of this haunting script. Returning to The Wycombe Swan Town Hall, this thought provoking production kept the audiences in its vice-like grip with plenty of heated debate raging during the interval and after the show.

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The set of huge flowing drapes, fast becoming a TFT trademark after Tim Hill's use of them in Separation, hosted an evening of starkly effective acting, in particular from Carla Quelch. If you don't believe me, here's the press. The Bucks Free Press: "Carla Quelch was on a higher plane in this production. She held the audience spellbound throughout . . they would grace any playhouse in the country with their consistently top rate performances."

Tight Fit Theatre in the Community

The Wycombe Arts Centre played host to two in the community projects. The first, way back in March was the presentation of the winning entries of the Wycombe District Council New Writing competition. The winning play The Great Day by David Wright, a satire on bureaucracy's attempt to deal with World Orgasm Day, and The Whore's Tale by Archie Wilson, an uncompromising look at a modern marriage where playacting turns nasty, were directed by Mark Oldknow. Inside Out by Linda Dawe, about two agoraphobics struggling to help each other come to terms with the outside world, was directed by Clare Quelch. The large cast ably coped with all three difficult plays and it is to their credit that the evenings went so well. The Bucks Free Press were very complimentary commenting: "Plaudits must go to Tight Fit Theatre, which brought the texts to life . .".

May brought Nick Andrew's production of Shadowlands by William Nicholson to life. Outstanding performances from a cast largely new to TFTitC helped make this a memorable production and a fitting end to our residency at the Wycombe Arts Centre (more of that later). Peter Gilchrist and Lynn Andrews played the two main protagonists, ably supported by Bernard Rogers, Richard Worland, Peter Taylor and Creag Louitt. A huge thanks must also go to the entire backstage staff for a very difficult job well done, these included Jenny Quille, Steve Curtis, Daniel Hopkins and Chris Quelch.. The press were extatic in their praise for this production, The Buckinghamshire Advertiser concluding: "The silence that greeted the end of this powerful play said it all. This was an evening to be treasured."

Tight Fit Theatre Services

We reprised our role as set designer and builder for the Misbourne School's production of Bugsy Malone earlier this year. This followed our involvement last year with The Knocky. Tim also acted as Technical Manager for Chiltern Shakespeare's Twelfth Night this year, some of you may remember Mark Oldknow's two excellent productions for the company over the previous two summers.

OTHER NEWS

TFT regular Justin Davey has left the world of IT to become an actor. He is to start the three year course at LAMDA (where our Artistic Director Mark Oldknow trained) so good luck to him. Justin first graced the TFT stage as Speed in The Odd Couple and since then has taken roles in An Evening of American One Act Plays, New Writing and Sleeping Beauty.

July saw the end of the TFT residency at the Wycombe Arts Centre. It was becoming increasingly clear that we are unable to sustain two performance spaces in High Wycombe and our audience (that's you lot) seem to prefer the Wycombe Swan. We were sad to go, having invested a great deal of time and energy at the venue; but our leaving became inevitable with our entry into the world of touring. We wish the WAC a healthy and fullfilling future.

THE FUTURE

March 2000 sees TFT back at the Swan. We are currently negotiating a couple of very exciting projects so keep watching local press for details. Easter 2000 sees The Mysteries: The Passion by Mark Oldknow given another outing; those lucky enough to catch it last time around will know how exciting and powerful it was. Venues are to include local churches so keep a look out for publicity nearer the time. If you don't get a local paper - fear not. TFT has started a regular slot with 1170 radio!! Yes we let Tim and Mark loose on the airwaves. So keep an ear out on the following dates at between 10.30 and 11 am: 8 October, 5 November, 3 & 10 December

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