<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Thespians</strong> is proud <strong>to</strong> be affiliated <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) which was founded in 1899 as <strong>the</strong> main representative body for amateur <strong>the</strong>atre in <strong>the</strong> UK. It has a membership of some 2,500 amateur/ community <strong>the</strong>atre groups and 3,000 individual enthusiasts throughout <strong>the</strong> country, staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pan<strong>to</strong>mimes in a wide variety of performing venues, ranging from leading professional <strong>the</strong>atres <strong>to</strong> village halls. NODA is divided in<strong>to</strong> eleven national Regions, each headed by a Regional Councillor who sits at <strong>the</strong> ruling body of <strong>the</strong> Association and who is supported by a network of Regional Representatives and o<strong>the</strong>r volunteers. The Representatives and <strong>the</strong>ir volunteers are <strong>the</strong> vital link <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> grass roots of <strong>the</strong> Association, <strong>the</strong> amateur <strong>the</strong>atre companies <strong>the</strong>mselves. The association is administered from its headquarters in Peterborough. NODA offers multiple benefits <strong>to</strong> its members, providing free expert advice and factsheets on <strong>the</strong> many issues which can arise in putting on a performance. NODA represents <strong>the</strong> interests of amateur <strong>the</strong>atre in authorities, rights holders and <strong>the</strong> media. Conferences, workshops and seminars held at National and Regional level all help <strong>the</strong> members <strong>to</strong> share information on best practice. The NODA Annual Summer School offers training from professional tu<strong>to</strong>rs in acting, directing, music directing, musical <strong>the</strong>atre, stage management and o<strong>the</strong>r technical aspects of <strong>the</strong>atre performance. Bursaries are available from National and Regional funds. Regular Regional magazines and <strong>the</strong> quarterly ‘NODA National News’ provide a range of useful advice and information for amateur societies and practitioners, as well as free listings of performances, free classified ads for selling, buying or hiring scenery, props, scripts, and details of shows released or restricted for amateur performance.NODA’s trading area offers access <strong>to</strong> goods and services for members and o<strong>the</strong>r amateur <strong>the</strong>atre enthusiasts, such as NODA pan<strong>to</strong>mimes, a sheet music service, official badges, youth representatives, commendation badges and Long Service Awards. Their awards are available for presentation <strong>to</strong> those who have given active service <strong>to</strong> amateur <strong>the</strong>atre for a period of ten years and every five years <strong>the</strong>reafter. NODA Insurance provides a package that caters for <strong>the</strong> specific needs of amateur <strong>the</strong>atre with discounted premiums for NODA members. NODA aims <strong>to</strong> ensure that it provides help <strong>to</strong> amateur societies and individuals in achieving <strong>the</strong> highest standards of best practice and performance, and in meeting <strong>the</strong> challenges of <strong>the</strong> 21st century. Fiddler on <strong>the</strong> Roof- Stage & Screen Fiddler on <strong>the</strong> Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, set in Tsarist Russia in 1905. It is based on ‘Tevye <strong>the</strong> milkman and his daughters’ and o<strong>the</strong>r tales by Sholem Aleichem. The s<strong>to</strong>ry centres on Tevye, <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r of five daughters, and his attempts <strong>to</strong> maintain his family and religious traditions while outside influences encroach upon <strong>the</strong>ir lives. The original Broadway production of <strong>the</strong> show, which opened in 1964, was <strong>the</strong> first run of a musical in his<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>to</strong> surpass 3,000 performances, starring Zero Mostel. Fiddler held <strong>the</strong> record for <strong>the</strong> longest-running Broadway musical for almost 10 years until Grease surpassed its run. It remains Broadway's thirteenth longest-running show in his<strong>to</strong>ry. The production was extraordinarily profitable and highly acclaimed. It was nominated for ten Tony Awards, winning nine, including best musical, score, book, direction Chaim Topol and choreography. It spawned four Broadway revivals, a successful 1971 film adaptation, and <strong>the</strong> show has enjoyed enduring international popularity. It is also a very popular choice for school and community productions. The film version was released in 1971 and won three Academy Awards including one for arranger-conduc<strong>to</strong>r John Williams. Chaim Topol played <strong>the</strong> role of Tevye. Zero Mostel
Sheila Soothill wishes <strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Thespians</strong> every success with ‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’ THE DRUM PLACE Unit 5, 80 High Street Walkern, Herts. SG2 7PG Tel: 01438 860334 Fax: 01438 861326 Email: sheila@<strong>the</strong>drumplace.co.uk info@<strong>the</strong>drumplace.co.uk Fiddler on <strong>the</strong> Roof
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