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North Berwick Drama Circle We have been in existence under a variety of names for almost 50 years. Traditionally we have produced one or two full-length dramas per year, but more recently we have diversified into other forms of performance to suit the needs of the company and the community. Pathhead Players The exact date of the formation of Pathhead Players is unknown, but it was prior to World War 2. The group disbanded after the war then was resurrected in May 1982 with an all-new cast and stage crew (none of whom would admit to having been members of the original group!) For the last 30 years, with only a couple of exceptions, the Pathhead Players have performed two productions a year - a play in the Spring (drama, murder mystery or comedy) and a pantomime in December. We have around 20 regular members, ranging in age from 12 to 70+, younger children are invited and around 15 youngsters join us for the pantomime Saughtonhall Drama Group We meet at, and have been associated with, Saughtonhall Church since 1948. The church is turned into a 100 seat café style theatre for our shows. We perform three shows per year - a pantomime, plus plays in spring and during the Edinburgh Fringe. Play genres include: comedy; mystery; and drama. We have a good following with shows usually selling over 90% of capacity across the run. In 2010 we won the drama category ENDA fringe award. We have an active membership aged 20’s to 80’s crossing all theatre skills.. 14 Shakespeare at Traquair We have produced 19 annual open air promenade productions in the stunning grounds of Traquair House. The main aim of the group is to experience and promote the works of Shakespeare and, like Shakespeare’s own company, our actors, costumiers, make-up artists, stage management and production team have a passion and commitment. We are an inclusive group open to all ages, ethnic backgrounds and theatrical experiences. The audience is limited to 100 per performance which takes place regardless of weather. They promenade around the grounds from <strong>scene</strong> to <strong>scene</strong>, and are a nose away from the cast. This is demanding for the cast and a unique experience for the audience. St Boswell's Drama Club Founded 1950, we performed annually up to 2013, since when the club has been in limbo. We did 57 full-length plays and 5 years of several shorter plays and the highlight of SCDA 1-act festival entries was winning the "Spaven Trophy" in 1956. The successful years owe much to a nucleus of members some of whom had 30 to 63 years' service. But these oldstagers are no longer with us - our founder and his wife died within the last 2 years, supporters to the end. One actress performed 48 consecutive years and our Librarian has 49 years with the club. At our recent AGM we were relieved to be able to fill office-bearer posts so that we can now plan for 2015. St Serf's Players Formed in 1948 we performed in the old church hall but in 1959 new halls were built and today the stage and facilities are regarded as amongst the best for an amateur club. For many years the club has presented two full length productions including a Christmas show.. We’ve been highly successful at Divisional level. We hosted the Edinburgh One-Acts for a number of years and greatly assisted the ‘online form revolution’. However, our recent refurbishment plans mean the festival will return to Church Hill for 2015. The club has developed the facilities with the upgrading of the lighting rig and sound equipment to the latest digital standard, installation of a loop system for the hard of hearing and investing in new tracking and curtains. Our committee Chairman: Don Arnot (Leitheatre); Vice-Chair: Angela Binnie (Mercators); Treasurer: Iain Kerr (ETA & EGTG); Secretary: Susan Wales (Mercators & EGTG); Sheila Clarke (Makars), Maureen Edwards (Ind - no club); Stuart Mitchell (ETA & EPT); Alison McCallum (St Serfs) and Phyllis Ross (Leitheatre & St Serfs). We also co-opt the Technical Team at the time of the One-Acts, who for 2015 will be headed by Gordon Hughes (St Serfs) and Brian Edwards (Livingston Players). In addition to the usual Dist/Division responsibilities for office bearers: Susan and Alison are Assistant Librarians at the National Script Library, Susan and Angela are Scene committee members and Angela is on the Playwriting committee. We are confident that Edinburgh District will go from strength to strength and continue to “lead the way” (hehemm!). What is certain is that we will be hosting our own 2015 round, plus the Eastern Divisional Final, at Church Hill Theatre, so we look forward to seeing many of you there, then at Orkney for the Scottish Final. Love drama, love life. Susan Wales
How was it for you? I’m sometimes asked what it’s like to see my own plays being performed. There’s no simple answer. Anything from exhilarating to downright scary. I’ve seen performances which delighted me - and one which made me shrink into my seat with embarrassment. With this in mind I checked this year’s festival selection. The Young Portonian Theatre Company had chosen out-and-out comedy “Pig Tale” as their SCDA entry while “The Edge”, a two-hander dealing with child abuse and teenage suicide, was the choice of Birchvale Players. In England two groups had also gone for “Pig Tale” while a Welsh club had opted for “The Edge”. Two plays. Three countries. Five productions. Six festivals. I couldn’t get to early performances of the Scottish shows and trips beyond Scotland weren’t possible. Happily both the Young Portonians and Birchvale got through to their respective Eastern and Western Youth Finals, but both Finals were on the same day - and I’d been booked to adjudicate the Eastern! One replacement adjudicator and I was off down the road for “Pig Tale”. Had the Young Portonians made a pig’s ear of it? Certainly not! A most enjoyable production by enthusiastic and talented young performers directed by experienced ‘old-timer’ Richard Mackintosh. They’d taken it by the scruff of the neck and made a silk purse out of it, generating loads of laughs and putting in a few extra gags I wished I’d written myself! Great stuff, a good adjudication – and on meeting them I found a lively bunch with exactly the right attitude. I left with head held high! That night I heard that Birchvale Players were through to the national Youth Final! Nothing would prevent me going to that! In Nairn I was met by Emma Forsyth, Chris Wilson and director Susan Black. Nervous? Of course I was - but no nerves on stage during a sensitive and moving interpretation which brought a lump to my throat. A stunning performance which deserved the enthusiastic reception and positive adjudication it received. Singing on the way home! There were twelve performances in all as various productions progressed, picking up sixteen trophies between them. The two I managed to get to, plus reports from those I didn’t, made me proud to be the playwright - but I’ll always feel that touch of apprehension at a performance of one of my plays. Ron Nicol Thurso & Wick Players come to blows Local actors recently had the opportunity to learn stage combat skills from visiting industry professionals. Thurso Player's members were joined by their counterparts from Wick Players at the Mill Theatre for a friendly weekend of hair pulling, slapping, punching, kicking, and sword fighting. Professional tutor Joel Mason, and his assistant Philip Kingston travelled from Fife to deliver a weekend of training for juniors and adults in June. Participants from both clubs learned simple and effective techniques to trick their audience into believing the on stage fights were genuine. Almost 40 people from age 8 learned new skills while taking responsibility for their own safety and that of others. The training weekend culminated in a short performance for parents and friends from Joel’s own musical “Mary of the high seas” allowing the participants to showcase their new skills. Thurso Player’s spokeswoman said “We were delighted to invite Wick Players to join our training session. It’s great to work together and means both clubs get great value for money from the visiting tutors. Wick Players have since invited us to join a training session held at their Moray Street club rooms and it’s great to share experiences and strengthen the bonds between our neighbouring clubs.” The new skills developed at this training session will be utilised in future productions, watch closely and see if you can figure out how it’s done! Clare Crawford Joel & Philip explaining safety responsibilities to the group Joel demonstrates key techniques Philip & Participant John McGeachie practice the techniques 15
Page 1 and 2: scene Winter 2014 The magazine of S
Page 3 and 4: SCENE No. 145 Scottish Charity No.
Page 5 and 6: Welcome.... Following our Autumn ed
Page 7 and 8: EGTG: 60 years young Sixty years ol
Page 9 and 10: SCDA’s Annual Get -together Aroun
Page 11 and 12: Edinburgh District Let me say right
Page 13: Kelso Amateur Dramatic Society Form
Page 17 and 18: The Five Cs of Stage Presence Why i
Page 19 and 20: JOHN MORLEY’S PANTOMIMES “THE D
Page 21 and 22: 50 years of theatre in the Church H
Page 23 and 24: Captivate Drama Captivate Drama, th

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