Wizard of Oz nominated for NODA awards

Breaking News
We are delighted to announce that the cast (and crew!) of Karnon Kidz production of
 
Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition 
 
have been nominated for, not one, but two NODA South West Awards (National Operatic and Dramatic Association): 
 
The NODA South West YOUTH AWARD for COMPANY CHARACTERISATION 
and 
The NODA South West BEST YOUTH PRODUCTION CUP 
 
Congratulations to you all!! 
This is a HUGE achievement and rightly recognises our talented cast and crew.

Matilda Jr Workshop and Auditions

Matilda

Karnon Kidz (the youth section of the Carnon Downs Drama Group) are pleased to announce that their next show will be Matilda Jr.

Are you between the ages of 7-18?

Would you like the opportunity to be part of the cast?

Maybe you would like to help behind the scenes?

Why not come to our workshop on Sunday 4th February 2024 from 10:00am until 1:00pm.

Auditions are being held on Sunday 11th February 2024 from 10:00am until 1:00pm.

Both the workshop and the auditions will be held at The Perranwell Centre.

Performance dates will be Friday 5th, Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July 2024 at The Perranwell Centre.

 For more details, please contact Samantha Barker- tinkerbellstar870@hotmail.com

Audition Pieces

Mother Goose

Mother Goose

Description

Mother Goose
by Logan Fox

Join us for a panto adventure with Mother Goose and her precious goose, Priscilla. Written by Logan Fox, this will have you laughing out loud (oh, yes it will!) and singing along.

Performances

25th – 28th January 2024
The Perranwell Centre, Cornwall, TR3 7JU

Cast

Cast

Mother Goose Jon Groves
Silly Billy Frazier Pocock
Jowan Parker Register
Mayor Simon Bennett
Lamorna Ruby Goddard
Morwenna Maeve Spear
Fairy Phoenix Chris Breach
Fairy Ash (Apprentice) Steffi Wright
Witch Demona Karen Smith
Waldo (Apprentice) Leo Hatcher
Priscilla Moo Burnett
King George David Ivall
Queen Evelyn Sarah Wright
Abra Charlotte Padmore
Kadabra Megan Laval
Anne Teak (Newscaster) Jess Oree
Rich Tea (Co-Host) James Skinner

Chorus:

Spencer Amar
Joseph Nicholson
Luke Dunn
Layla Teague
Sienna Teague
Evie Boynton-Quinion
Piran Griffin
Morwenna Buckley
Lily Richards
Violet Macindoe
Ruby Moyle-Ellis
Elwood Grose
Lizzie Miller
Kiera Peters (and Asst Choreographer)
Myha Peters
Jess Prentice
Vron Spear
Sue Halloran
Peter Kirby

Photos

Review

Extracts from our NODA review:

It is a joy to come and watch a pantomime where a young script writer has been allowed to begin his journey….

Mother Goose’s costumes were numerous changes from green and gold with a green wig, gold and black outfit with touches of Cornish tartan and ginger and orange wig, yellow and red dress with feathers and sequins and red wig and burgundy and gold finale were all well-fitting and looked wonderful. She made a fantastic traditional dame, interacting with all on the stage, pulling every gag out of the script, sang with gusto and her interaction with the audience was fantastic. A brilliant portrayal!

The choreographed moves for this production were carefully considered so that all the members of the cast could perform them. I enjoyed the traditional Les Misérables marching movements during the songs; but I especially enjoyed the beautifully arranged ballet dance, what talent you had within the Gooseland ballet dancers, they all looked as if they were ready to dance on the professional stage….

The diverse and fully inclusive chorus were certainly an integral part of this production. They were fully engaged when on stage and ensured they all followed the storyline….

Dr Faustus Launch and Auditions

DrFaustus

CDDG would like to welcome you all to our launch and auditions of our productions of Dr Faustus.

Auditions will be held at The Perranwell Centre on Saturday 13th January from 9:30am until 2:30pm. If necessary further auditions can be held Sunday 4th Feb 2pm to 5pm.
 
This production will be performed at The Minack on the 19th to 22nd May 2024. We will be beginning rehearsals on Sunday 11th February.
 
We would be happy to welcome children 14 or over to the launch, but that they and parents need to consider the timing of the show (week before half term so permission would have to be obtained from school) and also the increased commitment of either driving daily to The Minack or finding accommodation/ camping as a family nearby.
 
DOCTOR FAUSTUS BY CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE and COLIN TEEVAN
 
Welcome to Hell!
Here is Doctor Faustus the scholar who sold his soul to the Devil. In this new adaption the third and fourth acts of Christopher Marlowe’s Elizabethan classic are re-written by Colin Teevan, updating the satire and placing Faustus in a modern world of avarice and celebrity. Faustus isn’t the only one selling his soul, bankers and media moguls all sign on the dotted line.
 
This new version was performed at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London in April 2016. This production at the Minack will be it’s amateur premiere produced by the same team that brought a vibrant ‘Twelfth Night’ to life in 2022.
 
Directed by John Frankland with original music by Ben Sutcliffe and puppetry created by Jennie Rawling. It promises a mix of tragedy and terror with comedy and magic, a wild ride through life peopled with devils, a Swat team and even the Pope and Marilyn Monroe make an appearance.
 
Doctor Faustus is a story that has been running since humanity came into existence. Enjoy the magical in the magical setting of a real cliff edge.
 
‘The stars move still; time runs; the clock will strike;
The devil will come; and Faustus must be damned.’

Help raise some fund for Mind

Ben Oakley, who has supported the group with our show lighting, is doing a charity sky dive in aid of Mind. Please help him reach his fundraising target – https://www.justgiving.com/page/ben-oakey-skydive

Mental health is something that affects us all, and Ben believes it’s important to support those who are struggling. As a young adult studying at university it is something that not only myself but also others around me suffer with. Not only that but there is not a large enough of help available on offer in most places.

The Skydive will be taking place on the 25th November 2023!

Your donation will go directly to Mind, so you can be sure that your contribution is making a real difference.

Dr Faustus

Dr Faustus

Description

Dr Faustus
by Christopher Marlowe and Colin Teevan

Welcome to Hell!

Here is Doctor Faustus the scholar who sold his soul to the Devil. In this new adaption the third and fourth acts of Christopher Marlowe’s Elizabethan classic are re-written by Colin Teevan, updating the satire and placing Faustus in a modern world of avarice and celebrity. Faustus isn’t the only one selling his soul, bankers and media moguls all sign on the dotted line.

This new version was performed at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London in April 2016. This production at the MInack will be it’s amateur premiere produced by the same team that brought a vibrant ‘Twelfth Night’ to life in 2022.

Performances

19th – 22nd May 2024
The Minack, Porthcurno, Cornwall, TR19 6JU

Tickets

Tickets

Tickets are available now from The Minack – https://www.minack.com/

Cast

Cast

TBA

Photos

Rescheduling of ‘Labour of Love’

‘LABOUR OF LOVE’ The Reason for the Postponement:

I remember being at an early meeting between the RSC and several Amateur Drama Groups, where their spokesperson was explaining why they had reached out to Am Dram. It was, he said, that they simply could not understand how Am Dram groups managed to stage plays by only rehearsing in the evenings and weekends against a backdrop of work and family life. He went on, in not complete seriousness, to consider the financial impact it would have on the RSC to only finance that amount of rehearsal. What he was really getting at was wanting to tap into the Am Drama commitment to staging plays not only with limited resources and time but also against the intrusion of all those outside realities.

Of course changes in circumstances affect the professional world as well but in their case that rarely results in postponement, but the promotion of an understudy. In the world of Am Dram that is a luxury we do not have.

In a lifetime of involvement with amateur drama I have never had to postpone a production that was weeks away from performance, except of course for our Minack production of ‘Sisterly Feelings’ but that was due to a worldwide pandemic so can hardly be considered normal.

The concept of pulling through, the show must go on and pure determination usually does the trick but I have never met a series of obstacles which dogged this production from it’s launch /audition.

Days after casting the show the actor given the role of David had to quit as our performance dates clashed when he had to be in Geneva involved in humanitarian assistance to the war in Ukraine.

I finally found a replacement, but rehearsal time was lost. Our replacement was also committed to work and another show, which although he worked hard did not help us catch up missed time.

The play requires that for one scene you must cast a Chinese businessman eventually we found our Mr Shen. A sigh of relief all round.

Then a month from performance in quite a short sequence we were faced with three very different events. My having to go to hospital for a bypass operation. Not in itself a calamity we arranged a new rehearsal schedule and for the assistant director to take over rehearsals.

At the same time our leading man, announced that his application to go on ‘Pointless’ had been successful, and he had to go to London for a week for filming.

If that was hilarious it was followed by the seriousness of a sudden illness to the child of our leading lady and assistant director, who was diagnosed with possible epilepsy and was having to spend time in and out of hospital with no certainty of any immediate solution.

Faced with a choice of going ahead knowing that apart from having two crucial members of the team having to cope with the worry of looking after their child, but that in all reality they would not be available for the performance. There was little option but to cancel or postpone.

As a cast and a production team we had loved this play from the beginning, finding it both challenging and extremely funny, none of us wanted to abandon the production. The decision was taken to postpone ‘Labour of Love’ until 24th – 27th July 2024, which was endorsed by the Drama Group.

The story of this production has been a labour of love mixed with unique events some funny and some very serious. Let’s hope for just the normal complications when we resume for the performance in July, please join us then.

Matilda Jr

Matilda

Description

Matilda Jr

4th – 7th July 2024
The Perranwell Centre, Cornwall, TR3 7JU

Performances

Thursday 4th July – show starts at 7pm
Friday 5th July – show starts at 7pm
Saturday 6th July – show starts at 2pm
Saturday 6th July – show starts at 7pm
Sunday 7th July – show starts at 2pm (Relaxed performance)
Sunday 7th July – show starts at 5pm

Cast

Cast

  Newts Cast Maggots Cast
Matilda Kerra Brownlee Lyra Shephard
Eric Caja Hamilton Piran Griffin
Amanda Isla Monahan Ellie Marsh
Bruce Elwood Grose Leo Hatcher-Miller
Hortensia Violet Macindoe Eliza Perkins
Alice Ophelia Jarrett-Kerr Eleni Knights
Tommy Avalyn Dodson Sophie Carter
Lavender River Jarrett-Kerr Mary Collins
Nigel Isla Joliat Lucinda Edwards
Mr Wormwood Luke Dunn Otto Welch
Mrs Wormwood Ruby Goddard Lavender Leishman
Michael Arthur Macindoe Arthur Hill
Mrs Phelps Molly Worley Emily Dangerfield
Escapologist Ella Baker Jago Cullen
Acrobat Lucy Padmore Rosie Sells
Miss Honey Molly Royle Zennor Tyndale-Biscoe
Miss Trunchball Isla Dibb Asha Robinson
Rudolpho Joseph Nicholson Spencer Amar
Sergei Zia Davies Ruby Ellis-Moyle

Ensemble

(Will play: Russians & Big Kids & Little Kids & Mums & Dads & Cook & Mechanic)

Amelie Grose, Amelie Pascoe, Bella Kneebone,
Carys Wynne-Jones, Evie Boynton-Quinlon, Fearne Court, Jowan Ward, Juno Butler, Layla Teague, Li Jarrett-Kerr, Lily-Rose Billingham, Lorelei Cartwright-Cox, Myah Peters,
Savanah Wynne-Jones,
Sienna Teague, Summer Stephens and Ula Richards
Ailla Vivian, Amy Cox, Ella-Ivy Conisbee, Emily Newell, Grace Hambly, Isabel Paskin,
Jacob Wearne, Lily Allam,  Lowenna Treen, Maddie Pike,
Maeve Spear, Matilda Tamblin, Morwenna Buckley, Poppy Hayden,
Poppy Leishman, Sally Miller and Steffi Wright

Photos

 

Postponement of “Labour of Love”

Labour of Love

We are very sorry to announce that due to unforeseen circumstances we have taken the very difficult decision to postpone our production of “Labour of Love”.

This is a fabulous play and our wonderful cast have been having so much fun rehearsing, so we will be announcing the new dates for this play very soon.

Nominations announced in CDA 2023 Theatre Festival

Carnon Downs Drama Group have secured four nominations for the 2022/23 season:

Best Costumes in a Musical Karnon Kidz Wizard of Oz (many congratulations to Janet, Linda and everyone who helped)

Best Pantomime Sword in the Stone (many congratulations to Nick and Zoe, who I’ve copied in)

Best Costumes in a Play Oedipus at Colonus (many congratulations to Vron, who I’ve copied in)

Best Director of a Play David Ivall for Oedipus at Colonus (that was a surprise)

All the competition looks very strong, but we might win something, you never know. Full details of all nominations and the awards evening on Sat 21 October are on the CDA website, https://cornwalldrama.co.uk/theatre-festival-2023-nominations/

Booking is through Eventbrite, but make payment direct to CDA. If you do book, and put CDDG as your group to sit with, then please use ‘Ivall’ as the reference when paying so that they can tie payments to tickets (sounds like a recipe for confusion to me).

Well done to cast and crew of all three productions!

Mother Goose Auditions

Mother Goose

Auditions for CDDG’s annual pantomime Mother Goose written by our very own Logan Fox and to be directed by John Frankland will be held on Sunday 15th October at The Perranwell Centre.

The auditions are open to all ages with under 16’s auditioning from 10am to 12 noon, and adults auditioning from 2pm to 5pm.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Labour of Love

Labour of Love

Description

***RESCHEDULED***

Originally planned for October 2023, we had postpone this production for a variety of reasons. However we have now set new dates, which are 24th to 27th July 2024. We do hope that you will be able to join us then for this brilliant play.

********************

Labour of Love
by James Graham 

Labour of Love is a political comedy set in the Labour party’s traditional northern heartlands. Its particular challenge is that it explores the clash of philosophy, culture and class against the backdrop of the Labour Party over 25 years from Kinnock, through Blair to Corbyn. That sounds quite sombre but it is a really sharp comedy with parts that verge on farce.
 
Labour MP David Lyons cares about modernisation and electability, his constituency agent, Jean Whittaker, cares about principles and her community but, what are their real feelings for each other?

Performances

Wednesday 24th – Saturday 27th July 2024 at 7:30pm
The Perranwell Centre, Cornwall, TR3 7JU

Cast

Cast

David Lyons James Skinner
Jean Whittaker Zoe Vale
Elizabeth Lyons Lesley Southworth
Mr Shen George Zhang
Len Prior Adam Bowkett
Margot Midler Caroline Barnett
Transition team David Ivall, Simon Bennett, Mark Breach, Chris Breach, Charlotte Padmore, Philippa Laval

Photos

The Wizard of Oz

Description

The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition

7th – 9th July 2023
The Perranwell Centre, Cornwall, TR3 7JU

Director: Samantha Rogers
Musical Director: Jason Lessiter
Producer: Elaine Gummow

Performances

Friday 7th July – show starts at 7pm
Saturday 8th July – show starts at 2:30pm
Saturday 8th July – show starts at 7pm
Sunday 9th July – show starts at 2:30pm (Relaxed performance)

Cast

Cast

Aunt Em Kiera Peters
Uncle Henry  Luke Dunn
Dorothy Ruby Goddard
Hunk/Scarecrow Logan Fox
Hickory/Tinman Megan Laval
Zeke/Cowardly Lion Ashar Robinson
Farmhands Joseph Nicholson, Myah Robson, Poppy Leishman, Rosie Sells, Xane Knights
Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch Bethan Robinson
Professor Marvel/Wizard Spencer Amar
Toto Arthur Hill
Glinda Millie Padmore
Mayor Roby Moyle-Ellis
Barrister Ophelia Jarrett-Kerr
Coroner Lucy Padmore
Munchkins Archie Lewis, Arthur Macindoe, Eleni Knights, Ella-Ivy Conisbee, Ellie Goodman, Emma Williams, Emily Newell, Evie Williams, Joni Hilton-Meadows, Lucy Williams, Morwenna Buckley, Myah Peters, Myah Robson, Poppy Leishman, Rosie Sells, Sally Miller, Violet Macindoe
Crows Archie Lewis, Ellie Goodman, Joni Hilton-Meadows, Ophelia Jarrett-Kerr
Apple Trees Lavender Leishman, Molly Worley, Steffi Wright
Doorman Joseph Nicholson
Ozians Ellie Goodman, Emily Newell, Joni Hilton-Meadows, Joseph Nicholson, Kiera Peters, Lavender Leishman, Lucy Padmore, Lucy Williams, Luke Dunn, Millie Padmore, Molly Worley, Myah Robson Ophelia Jarrett-Kerr, Rosie Sells, Poppy Leishman, Spender Amar, Steffi Wright, Xane Knights
Guard Xane Knights
Nikko Myah Peters
Winged Monkeys Archie Lewis, Arthur Macindoe, Eleni Knights, Ella-Ivy Conisbee, Emma Williams, Evie Williams, Lucy Williams, Morwenna Buckley, Ruby Ellis-Moyle, Sally Miller, Violet Macindoe
Winkie Guard Leader Molly Worley
Winkie Guards Joseph Nicolson, Lavender Leishman, Luke Dunn, Steffi Wright, Xane Knights

Photos

 

Labour of Love – Launch and Auditions

The October play (5th to 7th October) will be

Labour of Love by James Graham

This is a relatively new play professionally performed in 2017 with Martin Freeman and Tamsin Greig.

James Graham is a highly successful modern playwright ’This House’ performed at the National Theatre. He currently has his latest play ‘This England’ running now at the National Theatre. He also wrote the highly rated drama series ’Sherwood’

Labour of Love is a political comedy set in the party’s traditional northern heartlands. Its particular challenge is that it explores the clash of philosophy, culture and class against the backdrop of the Labour Party over 25 years from Kinnock, through Blair to Corbyn. That sounds quite sombre but it is a really sharp comedy with parts that verge on farce.

Labour MP David Lyons cares about modernisation and electability, his constituency agent, Jean Whittaker, cares about principles and her community but, what are their real feelings for each other?

So up is down, left is right, right is wrong, behold the new politics.

 

CAST:

David Lyons (a Labour MP)

Jean Whittaker (a constituency agent)

Elizabeth Lyons (David’s wife)

Len Prior (a local councillor and party worker)

Margot Midler (a constituent and party worker)

Mr Shen (a Chinese businessman investor)

 

Also, a group of constituents, party workers, delivery boy, takeaway owner, vitally important to the transition from one period to another.

There are a group of unique challenges for this production. It spans a period of over 25 years, early 1990’s to 2017 or, put another way from 1970’s bulky computers and fax machine to iphones. 

If anyone has or has any ideas for where we can find old computers and a fax machine please let me know.

The Launch/ auditions will be on Sunday 23rd July 2.00 to 5.00

at

The Perranwell Centre.

Auditions will be open to all. Please can everyone share this information far and wide so we can bring new and existing members to this production, especially, can we share the role of Mr Shen, who needs to be of Asian background (age is not specific 18 to 60)

As the play spans 25 years, age for all the parts is not specific.

So, whatever your political affiliation, red, blue, green, independent or, none at all, please join us in staging what will be an amateur drama FIRST and only the SECOND production ever of this brilliant comedy.

Any queries please contact Director, John Frankland

 j-frankland@hotmail.co.uk or Tel:  07974 799774

Community Coronation Tea Party

Join us for a community coronation tea party at The Perranwell Centre on Saturday 6th May 2023, 4pm to 6pm.

This event, organised by the trustees and supporters of The Perranwell Centre, is a free event open to all, and will feature pop up performances and royal themed activities.

 

Wizard of Oz Launch and Auditions

Pin back your ears and spread the word that Sam, Elaine, Jason and the usual team are back in action. Here are the details you have been waiting for.

Sunday 19th February Launch Day 2pm – 4pm at The Perranwell Centre.

Come along for a fun filled afternoon to find out all about the show and get to meet everyone involved. We will be reading some of the script, singing some of the songs with Jason as well as learning some of the dances with Sam. Of course we’ll also be doing lots crazy team games so that by the end of the session you’ll definitely want to “…follow the yellow brick road”!

Sunday 26th February – Auditions! 2pm – 5pm at The Perranwell Centre

We will make this an enjoyable and fun experience and it will give you the chance to tell us what parts you would like to audition for. Don’t be shy just show us what you can do so that you will be ready to shine on the stage as brilliant as Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers.

If you would like more information or have any questions, please email Sam Rogers the Director, via the following email address: tinkerbellstar870@hotmail.com

We look forward to seeing you all “somewhere over the rainbow”!

Wizard of OZ- Character List:

Dorothy Gale: strong singer, good dancer and large speaking role. American Accent

Aunt Em: singer and speaking role. American Accent

Uncle Henry: small speaking role. American Accent

Hunk (Scarecrow): Comedy singing, dancing and speaking role. American Accent

Zeke (Lion): Comedy singing, dancing and speaking role. American Accent

Hickory (Tin Man): Comedy singing, dancing and speaking role. American Accent

Miss Gulch (Wicked Witch of the West): Dramatic speaking role. Evil laugh required. American Accent

Toto: limited singing and barking role

Professor Marvel (Wizard of OZ): Strong actor and large speaking role. American Accent

Doorman: speaking role

Guard: speaking role

Glinda: delicate singer and actor

Nikko: small speaking role. “Eee-Eee-Eee”

Munchkins: small singing and speaking characters available

Ensemble: Munchkins, Jitterbugs, Winged Monkeys/Winkie Guards, Ozians, Crows, Apple Trees

Audition Pieces:

Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, Dorothy- Pages 4-5

Wizard of OZ & Dorothy- pages 43-44 / pages 6-7

Toto, Glinda & Dorothy- pages 10-11

Glinda, Dorothy & Wicked Witch- pages 16-17

Scarecrow, Lion, Tin Man & Dorothy- pages 30-33

Sword In The Stone

Sword in the Stone

Description

Sword in the Stone

26th – 29th January 2023
The Perranwell Centre, Cornwall, TR3 7JU

Performances

Thursday 26th January – show starts at 7:30pm
Friday 27th January – show starts at 7:30pm
Saturday 28th January – show starts at 2:30pm
Saturday 28th January – show starts at 7:30pm
Sunday 29th January – show starts at 2:30pm

Cast

Cast

Art/Arthur Asha Robinson
Gwyn/Gwynevere  Megan Laval 
Lancelot   Bethan Robinson
Gawain Lavender Leishman
Galahad Luke Dunn
Percival Lucy Padmore
Kevin Arthur Hill
Flora Millie Padmore
Lady of the Cake Jon Groves
Merlin David Ivall
Morgana Charlotte Padmore
Groblyn Chris Breach
Boglin Miriam Loosemore
Archimedes Simon Bennett
Sir Bedivere John Frankland
Herald Mark Breach
Chorus  
Peasant/Kid Steffi Wright
Peasant/Kid Sally Miller
Peasant/Professor/Goblin Vron Spear
Peasant/Professor/Goblin Lynne Fieldhouse
Peasant/Goblin/Derek Jesse Prentice
Peasant/Kid/Lawyer Ruby Moyle-Ellis
Peasant/Professor/Weird Sister Sarah Wright
Bertie/Kid/Peasant Emma Williams
Cyril/Kid/Peasant Myah Robson
Horatio/Goblin/Peasant Joseph Nicholson
Damsel/Kid/Peasant Kiera Peters
Laurence/Kid/Peasant Maeve Spear
Cedric/Kid Rowan Bennett

Photos

 

Card Payments Now Accepted

Card machine

If you haven’t managed to reserve your tickets for our shows in advance, then we are now able to accept card payments as well as cash payments on the door.

So whether you have a ticket or not, please do come down to see our shows.

Free Vocal Workshop

Sunday 12th February Vocal Workshop at Perranwell Centre 2.00 to 5.00pm
 
This FREE Workshop promises to be a lot of fun and will deal with not only protecting and exercising your voice, which will lead you to have more confidence in projection, but also how to deconstruct an accent, using the Yorkshire accent as a working example with text work from a Yorkshire play.
 
Our voice is the single most important element that we bring to our acting which is why CDDG have chosen it to be FREE. So whether you are considering joining us for the Youth Group ‘Wizard of Oz’, our October Play, maybe our Minack production in 2024 or simply want to learn a little more in a fun environment then we look forward to seeing you on the 12th Feb.
 
The Workshop is open to members and non-members from the age of 13 to however old you are! 
 
The Workshop will be led by Gemma Wright a professional voice coach, lecturer at Falmouth University and contributor to the RSC vocal team.
 
Please can you send a request for booking to John Frankland (j-frankland@hotmail.co.uk ) as numbers will have to be limited and to help us assess how many cakes we need for the break.