Thursday, December 13, 2007

Congratulations but sadness gloom and despondency

SALVA held their AGM last night and with Elsa retiring, a new president was elected. The vote was between FOTA President Gina Foster and Geoffrey Bennets and by a narrow margin of two votes aGina was chosen. So it is congratulations to her but misery for us as Gina has to resign as our President. We have a Vice President in David Radford who will be taking over and our next committee meeting will have to decide how we re organise. Meanwhiile, of course, howver sad we feel that Gina is leaving us we are delighted for her and know that she will be totally supportive of our efforts in the future.
SALVA's AGM was also noticeable for the announcement by the Treasurer John Mack that after 18 years he will not be seeking re-election at the next AGM and would hope to help ease a successor in before then.
With Elsa retiring completely there was a vacancy on the Board and this was filled by Eddie Barnett.
There has been some uncertainty in the recent past over the lease at the theatre and the Board told us that a five year renewal had been agreed. This is a great relief after the tremendous
expenditure of the past few years particularly in getting the electrical supply sorted out. We were told that all official documentation on that is due to be completed in the next few days and with the theatre in reasonable shape and the bank acoount heading towards full health we can be confident about the immediate future.

Monday, December 10, 2007

December update

The camera is still away for the third time this year so no photos yet of the Ronda trip and there were no excuses for skiving off during the Christmas Bazaar this year to take some to put here. The Christmas Lunch is still to come this Thursday. Last chance to book is on Wednesday. We hope to have about 50 there and with both candidates for the SALVA presidential election the night before, promising to come there will be a chance to speak with the new President. Of course you may prefer the dancing girls. And I have been promised the food is good too.

There is no news yet of how much we raised last Saturday at the bazaar but I hope that I can post that soon. We were very lucky with the weather. When I got up there was a very strong wind and as I drove over the top of the A7 the gale was buffeting the traffic but somehow Fuengirola missed that and we had both calm and sunshine. There were rehearsals taking place for the panto and for 'The Importance of being Earnest' which helped swell the numbers on the forecourt so it was a nice busy morning. Many thanks to all who helped and to all who came to buy. I hope you think you got good value from the morning. To show how highly regarded we are as soon as the car got to the top of the A7 on the way home the gales started again!

We had a committee meeting last week and were able to confirm that there will be a trip to Priego de Cordoba on February 21st next year and then a three day trip to Jaen on March 25th,26th and 27th to take in the wonderful Renaissance towns of Baeza and Ubeda. I'll do a little research and post information about these towns shortly but they all figure pretty heavily in the publicity and promotion of Andalucia as they are so special.
If I don't get around to posting again beforehand the whole committee of FOTA wish you all a very Happy Christmas.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Christmas Trip on November 29th to Rute

Our last trip before Christmas is to Rute. This is a small town on the borders of Malaga and Granada famous for some lovely things you can give as Christmas presents to the friend who has everything.
Starting from outside Solbank on the Mijas Road we will head off along the motorway past Malaga and through the mountains to the plains of Antequera. It will be back into hills and mountains until Rute - stopping of course for breakfast. Rute is in the Parque natural de las Sierras Subbéticas Cordobesas, set beside a large reservoir lake and surrounded by olive orchards. Like many Andalucian towns it can trace its history back to the Romans although there is not much more than a muslim castle to show before the Christian building of the late Middle Ages. It still describes itself as a white village with its picturesque central square next to the distillery. Rute has a lot of those and that is the first idea for a Christmas present. On offer is the main product of Anis but they also make Pacharanes (haven't found a translation) Morello cherry and Rose liqueurs. Our trip includes a visit to a distillery and if it is the same one as last time you will also see a rather good Belen.
If a liqueur doesn't tempt the Santa in you we will also visit a producer of Dulces de Navidad. The region is famous for Chocolates and for Olive Oil - a good extra Virgen Olive Oil has proved an excellent present in the past and who can resist special chocolates.
We are already half way to a full coach - and the Ronda trip filled the coach completely - so if you want to go on this one the desk is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It costs 30 euros

Christmas Bazaar
If you didn't get all your presents on the trip to Rute we have our Christmas Bazaar on the forecourt on Saturday December 8th. Margaret W has been busy making Cakes etc for her stall and there will also be homemade marmalade on offer. David will be selling his Christmas Cards and there will be a Bottle stall, White Elephant, Lucky Dip and Raffle. It is always a pleasant social occasion even if you don't buy - though we hope you will.

Cards
Having mentioned David's cards just another plug. David works all year to recycle Christmas, Birthday and other cards. The result is a greener world and very reasonably priced cards for all occasions. At this time of the year you will find him every morning in the foyer.

Lunches
We have just had a very enjoyable lunch at Casa Rustica where the standard of the food and service was lauded. Our next lunch will be our Christmas lunch at El Brujo in El Coto. The price is 20 euros and after the great way we were looked after last year places are going fast.


Sunday, November 18, 2007

Day Out to Ronda

I had wanted the report on our day out to Ronda to include some of the photos I took but technology doesn't always do what you want it to. They look great on the view screen on the camera but won't transfer to the computer. I guess I will have to learn how to set photos in this text if Fujifilm ever get round to replying to my e mails asking about yet another repair.
We were lucky with the weather which is a good start. The forecast had made us a bit fearful but it started well and stayed really good all day. The coach took us via an unexpected visit to La Cala de Mijas and then back through Churriana to Ardales where we stopped for coffee and a local bread with olive oil or the more English butter and jam. Ardales is a fairly typical 'white town' but the building development seen all around here is increasing its size all the time. Where the old town has a jumble appearance the new edge has the serried ranks of terrace housing . At least it is white and more or less the same size and scale as the older parts of town. We didn't go in which was just as well. Having done it previously in my small car the tiny streets are a nightmare.
Next stop was Ronda and we had a couple of hours there before lunch. It's a bit pointless commenting on the town as it is so well known and documented. The sun was out and visibility excellent so we had great views over the countryside. The local wildlife put on a good show for us with birds of prey (so I don't know whether it was a hawk or an eagle or a falcon!) circling round and disappearing back into the cliff. There wasn't enough time to do anything except wander through the town before it was back to the coach and on to lunch. The setting of the restaurant was excellent. The gardens were a little Autumnal but quite attractive and to the delight of many the trees were full of mistletoe. A little rehearsal for Christmas was considered necessary. Lunch itself was frankly a disappointment. Any further visit to Ronda will plan on having lunch in the town. There were some really nice looking restaurants in and around the town square which had a good menu del dia at moderate cost.
Then we were ready for the high spot of the day. The train is an ordinary service from Cordoba to Algeciras so nothing special there. What was very special indeed was the scenery en route. I was late on the train so finished up with my back to the engine sitting on the right hand side. Turned out to be perfect. As the train went through the mountains I could look up the valleys. By this time of the year most of Andalucia is brown even after the September rain. The valleys had their tints of brown and gold but were still mainly green except where the rock showed through which it did often. Lots of patches of cultivation and small villages or even just a Cortijo. It may not have lasted long (about one and a half hours) but I can quite see how it was included in some lists of great railway journeys of the world.
Finally on to Algeciras and home.
It would be nice to have posted some pictures. Even if I have to write to Japan I am going to get some here!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Autumn Report

Trip to Ronda is booking really well which isn't surprising as it is exceptionally good value at 35 euros to include a coffee stop at a mountain venta and lunch. As of yesterday morning there were five places left on the coach.
Lunch. Our last lunch was enjoyed by all who went so if you would like a sociable time come along to the desk on Moday, Wednesday or Friday and book for Casa Rustica on November 8th. It costs 11 euros.
Booksale: The Booksale last Saturday raised over 200 euros for the theatre. Thanks to everyone who came along and said hello and especially to those of you who either bought books or brought along new stock. There was some good stuff. Our next forecourt event will be the Christmas Bazaar on December 8th. If you can help in any way, say by producing something which you enjoy as a hobby, please come and talk to one of the Committee at the desk.
Christmas Cards. Our most successful fundraiser is David who is now selling his recycled Christmas Cards in the bar. They are very attractive and very reasonable which is an important consideration with the high postage cost of staying in touch with friends in England. He can even organise special cards and personalised ones for you but don't leave that too late.

The theatre is now in the middle of a sellout run of 'Evita' - lots of disappointed customers yesterday, when I was on the desk, who had thought it was just hype when full house for the run was posted. I was there for the first night and was delighted with a really good show. It was especially pleasing to see some new, and very good, faces in the cast. Life on the coast for thirty somethings can be hard going if you are trying to fit in rehearsals with family and work so fingers are being crossed that these performers can keep going.
The next show is 'Pack of Lies' which is performed by the Ubiquitous Theatre Company who have visited us in the past. It is the true story of the Krogers, Russian spies at the centre of the Portland spy case, and their neighbours. It is a play frequently performed around the world mainly because it is totally absorbing. Ubuquitous have well earned reputation to live up to so a good evening is in prospect. For trivia enthusiasts and Gardeners World watchers one of the central characters in the story is a young girl who grew up to be the gardening presenter Gay Search.
Don't forget we are looking forward to seeing you!

Monday, October 01, 2007

Trip to Ronda

October 25th

Our first Autumn trip takes us by coach to Ronda. We stop on the way for a breakfast break high up on the mountain and then on to one of the most beautiful cities in Andalucia. With only a short stop and with so much to do it's up to you how to spend the time. Particularly special are the bridge and the adjoining terraces for more coffee or the bullring and
museum where many believe the modern corrida began. If neither appeal we'll have some other ideas for you.
Then it is lunch which is included in the price. The high point of the trip comes next with the spectacular train journey to Algeciras through the mountains and valleys, white villages and woods, a journey thought by many worthy of inclusion in the 'Great Railway Journeys of the World'.
The coach will then pick us up just outside Algeciras to bring us back to Fuengirola.

We are only charging 35 euros for all this - check commercial operators on Google and you will see that not only are you up for a fantastic day out, it is a bargain and you are helping to keep English Theatre going on the Costa del Sol.

See us Monday Wednesday or Friday on the theatre forecourt.










Friday, August 31, 2007

Autumn is almost here

It is over 30 outside my little air conditioned bubble but summer is almost over and it is time to think about the Autumn. The theatre is getting off to a 'new' start. John and Dan have been working hard to redecorate the inside and hide some of the tubes and cables that we don't want to look at when we sit there waiting for that famous announcement telling us to switch off our mobile phones. Much has also been done in that funny box on the balcony which we seldom think about and would be completely lost without, so with even better sound and lighting and visual appeal we have a good start to the season ahead. Rehearsals are well under way for Evita and the box office opens next week.

Next Monday, too, our FOTA desk opens and we will be delighted to see you.

Our first offering is a lunch at 'Antonio Verdera' on October 4th We went there last year and the reviews were unanimously good. It is important to get our lunch season off to a good start and we are confident we will.

Then on October 25th we have our first trip. We leave Fuengirola by coach for Ronda and then take the train through the countryside towards Algeciras. The journey takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and according to the pages I found in Google is really something special. This should take you to one of them http://www.andalucia.com/ronda/home.htm

Our remaining event for October is a Book Sale on the theatre forecourt on October 13th.

Here's to a good year

Monday, June 25, 2007

Next Season

While I was away in Santiago de Compostela (wet, since you ask) next season's programme was announced. We have two visiting productions with 'The Sunshine Boys' kicking off things in September. This was a wonderful movie with Jack Lemmon and Walter Mathau, written by Neil Simon (remember The Odd Couple?). It was originally a Broadway hit in 1972. Then there is 'Pack of Lies' by Hugh Whitmore. This is the true story of the friendship between an English couple and their neighbours - in Ruislip -who turned out to be Russian Spies. It has been a huge hit as both a stage play and a film. As someone who worked in Ruislip and was in the play in Brighton I shall look forward to it.
Then the theatres 'own' productions with 'Evita' and 'And Then There Were None'. If you haven't been back to the last two posts you have missed - well go and look. 'And Then There Were None' is an Agatha Christie and will intrigue you. Always difficult with Agatha to say very much and I can't even tell you whether I did it!!
The next biggie is really intriguing. It's 'Evita' again, this time in Spanish. With the cast being bi lingual it is both a brilliant opportunity to brush up on our Spanish and do something to entertain the locals.
Then there is the panto. This year it is 'Babes in the Wood'. With some of the musical weekenders planned as well this gives us all a lot to look forward to.
Our own FOTA programme will be announced soon and we are kicking off with a trip to Ronda and then by the special train to Algeciras. Should be a really good day out and we will look forward to seeing you on the theatre forecourt to talk about it.

Friday, June 01, 2007

The AGM (and Chita Rivera in Evita)

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The draft minutes from the AGM are done now. The meeting was very unSpanish in that it only lasted 26 minutes partly because there wasn't anything controversial. We had a good year with just over 5000 euros raised from our activities but more importantly a lot of people enjoyed themselves on the trips and at the lunches. Next week we will be having at least two meetings to discuss what the options are for spending some or all - or even maybe a little bit more - of it. The AGM came up with a couple of ideas so we'll see.
Last night there was a fiery display of Spanish dancing from Azabache, a flamenco school in Fuengirola. We kept to Spanish time - scheduled start at 9.30, actual start at 10 to 10 and finish at 12.15. It was really worth the late night and I can thoroughly recommend the show if they do it next year. The theatre was about half full and the languages in the bar showed what a mix of nationalities there are in this part of Spain.
Now to the nerve wracking bit. If you read the last post you'll know that auditions for Evita are next weekend. You will also have noted that there two posts of Antonio Banderas from the film. I don't know how I managed to get two and I couldn't find the way of deleting one of them. If you know please get in touch! Anyway here is another try. This time it is Chita Rivera singing 'Buenos Aires' from the Tony awards show in 1985.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

A Special Treat

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The theatre's big musical production in the Autumn is to be EVITA . The auditions are on Saturday and Sunday June 9th and 10th and Peter Mitchell will be conducting a workshop on the Friday before, June 8th, at 7 p.m. to discuss the production, music and characters. So as a special treat here is local boy, Antonio Banderas (who unfortunately won't be in the show) singing from the film.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Trip to Nerja




May 24th we have our trip to Nerja. I've just come back from a couple of days staying there. It is very different from our part of the Coast retaining still a feeling that it really is a Spanish town with it's typical narrow streets. Spoilt a bit by far too many estate agents and restaurants clearly demonstrating that English is the local language. We walked over to Burriana Beach but the Cafe del Mar was closed up for the week. Unfortunately the weather was pretty bad so although the beach looked good it was deserted and very out of season. I am sure it will be very different at the end of May.

Monday, April 16, 2007
















JUNE 7th a date for your diary. We set off for a picnic in the Lake District of Málaga Province. Away from the Coast is a whole experience quite different from the sort of thing that you think of when someone says Costa Del Sol. The coach leaves Fuengirola and next stops at Álora after passing through Orange growing country beyond Cartama and Pizzara. At Álora there is a stop for coffee and if you are lucky you can see the Ostrich farm over the road. Then via the gorge where Von Ryan's Express was filmed, to the lake where you will be able to enjoy the picnic you have brought with you (there is a restaurant if you prefer). The scenery is quite spectacular and after the recent rains the lake level should be better than it is in the photos, which were taken last September. When the reservoir is full the water should be up to tree level- not likely - but will be high enough for a refreshing dip.
Now for the bad news. Blame global warming, well everyone does, but with winter residents heading north earlier this year we couldn't get a coach together for the trip to Jaen. Everyone who booked has been told but if you are now feeling disappointed let us know and we'll rethink it for next year.
Last Saturday saw a satisfactory return on our efforts with the book sale. What was particularly nice was that so many people took the opportunity of coming to say hello, not just to us but to each other so it was a good social occasion.
Our next event is lunch on May 3rd. Come along to the desk to confirm the venue.
Finally a note for your diary. The AGM is on May 22nd. All the retiring members of the committee are willing to stand again if you want them and there will be one vacancy caused by a member of the committee 'retiring' by non attendance.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007


I thought that you would like this photo. it shows two of our stalwarts as they appeared in the recent production of 'The Dancing Years'. On the left is our President Gina and with her a long time member and fundraiser (remember all her fashion shows?) Maggie. More 'Dancing Years' photos are on the Salon Varities website www.salonvarietestheatre.com as will be some of 'Anne of Green Gables' which we saw this week. The audience was disappointingly small for this effort. Doubly disappointing because the cast were mostly young performers who showed a lot of promise and gave a good evening's entertainment. Let's hope that in the future we can say 'I saw ..... when they started out'!
Don't forget the trip tomorrow and the book sale a week on Saturday.
Enjoy Semana Santa

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Update on programme for rest of season.

Our programme for the rest of the year was finalised at our last committee meeting (fingers crossed!) and, in the hope that there is something that you will enjoy, here it is:

March 29th a trip into Granada province to the Cueva de Ventana. With the provinces mountains rising to the highest point on the peninsula you can be assured of some spectacular scenery.
April 5th we are back to the very popular Campesino restaurant in Fuengirola for a lunch
April 14th there will be a book sale on the theatre forecourt
April 17th -19th is our postponed trip to Jaen,Ubeda and Baeza. This is a world heritage site with magnificent Renaissance squares and Palaces and some outstanding areas of great beauty on the way. a very different aspect of Spain for those of us living on the Costa del Sol.
May 3 Lunch at Antonio Videro restaurant
May 12 a fashion show on the theatre's forecourt. Bring your wallet, there has been some real bargains in the past for both sexes.
May 24th a trip to Nerja. On the way there is an outlet shopping mall - don't worry about the non shoppers, there's plenty for them to do whilst the serious business is taken in hand. Then lunch at Burriana Beach where the reataurant is run by some old friends of the theatre and an optional excursion to the famous Caves.
June 7th
our popular outing to El Chorro lakes. Whenever I take visiotors out there they are amazed by an aspect of Spain so close to the beaches and so different. We usually go swimming and this year is a 'bring your own picnic' day. There is a rstaurant at the lakes if your prefer that but a picnic in the pine woods which stretch down to the water's edge sounds nicer.

Well that's our programme but don't forget the theatre has a programme too. Opening this weekend is a Peter Mitchell production, 'The Dancing Years' by Ivor Novello. Starring Sian Hopkins and Peter Height with a cast that is going to make the dressing rooms very cramped it is so large, this promises to be a very entertaining night out. Already some nights a almost fully booked so move quickly (Box Office 952 47 45 42).

We shall look forward to seeing you on the FOTA desk on Monday,Wednesday or Friday mornings.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

A Good Week in Fuengirola

We have had a very good week this week. On Tuesday I went to see the Music Hall at the theatre and as it often does it got me musing on the very English concept of AmDram. The theatre was packed and the audience loved it. The audiences we get here are used to high standards for free. There are many bars you can go to where, for the price of a drink you can watch professional entertainers, many with a background of training and performing going back a long way and yet 300 people every night sat in our theatre having paid 12 euros for the privilege and thought it worth every penny. This particular show depended very heavily on one performer who was not only pivotal since he was on stage all the time but also set a standard the others had to reach if they weren't to seem, well - amateur. The Chairman wasn't the only performer on stage who has been a professional and however much it showed I have still heard, then and later, 'superior' remarks about amdram. When I last visited the States even the small towns we went through had a theatre (in the British English sense of the word) and some had several. Whether the performers were getting paid or not the description of the theatre was usually 'Community Theatre' and this is what we have in Fuengirola. The theatre is a serious community resource not just for the expat English here and the many visitors who have been attracted to Fuengirola's tourist industry but also local Spanish people who are using the theatre to improve their language skills or surprise, surprise - enjoy themselves. So if you are involved with the theatre no more negative 'amdram' comments and if you aren't then come along and find out if you agree with me. Let me know - there is a comment button.
The next bit of good news this week has been the weather (until today). I arrived at the FOTA desk on Wednesday in hot, by English standards, summer sun and was told that the trip to Motril and Salobrena was fully booked. I have put our latest programme at the end of this blog so leaving things to the last moment can be avoided. Let us hope the weather is kind to all on Thursday.
Today we had the auction on the theatre café forecourt and every seat was taken. There was some enthusiastic bidding but some incredible bargains were to be had too. All told we raised nearly 250 euros for our funds. Leaving the auction I bumped into the cast of 'The Heiress' which opens this Friday, February 23rd at 8.00. Normally a cast shows signs of quiet desperation at this stage but there was a confidence that the show will be a good one. I stayed on to sit in on a rehearsal for 'The Dancing Years' . All I can say is that I wish I could pick up a routine as quickly.
FOTA's Programme:

Here are the dates for your diary:

March 1st: Lunch at Casa Rustica

March 29th: Trip to Cuevas in Granada Province

April 5th: Lunch at Meson La Costa (just up from the Horses' head roundabout)

April 26th: Trip to Nerja, the Caves and Burriana Beach

May 1st: Lunch at Antonio Verduras

June(date TBA): Trip to the Lakes with a bring your own picnic.

We shall look forward to seeing you at the desk on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Town Crier article

If you've come to us because you saw the piece in the 'Town Crier' then you are very welcome. The picture they used is a little further down the site as it was taken at the Christmas Bazaar. My camera is off to Barcelona to be repaired so no pictures of the auction this Saturday on the theatre forecourt. Join us at 12.00 and you may find a terrific bargain.
Yesterday was a good day at the theatre, not only did we have the publicity in the 'Town Crier' but also Mary Harboe at REM radio gave the current production a rave review. Tonight is the last night for this but Lizz Freeman is already working on a new show for May so watch for the latest information. The FOTA desk was busy too - and even if a lot of it was gossip that is covered by our 'social' tag! - so the coach outing next week along the coast to Motril and Salobrena is getting very full. If you've been hesitating book now as they say.
The last committee meeting decided to postpone the planned trip to Jaen but we definitely hope to do it a bit later in the year. Our other social events are now a bit up inthe air because of that but we are thinking of a 'blossom route' trip for March and a visit to Nerja and the caves for April. This would include lunch in a very nice beachside restaurant we know. Then we look forward to a picnic in a local beauty spot in June. As ever if you have any ideas let us know either here or at our desk at the theatre on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. We shall look forward to seeing you

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Jaen, Ubeda and Baeza are the destinations of our three day trip scheduled for Tuesday March 27th.
Jaen was a strategic stop on the moors caravan route from Castille to Andalusia. The old part of the town has the cathedral and the Barrio San Juan with the houses of the gentry in long winding streets. Smart shops are in the city centre where the narrow streets near the Plaza de la Constución also house the tapas bars and are wonderful for people watching.
The real jewels though are Ubeda and Baeza, both World Heritage sites. Although both towns have a rich Roman, Visigoth and Moorish history (conquered by Castille in 1226) it is as Renaissance towns they they are celebrated. You will see magnificent houses, palaces and churches built with the spoils of Empire by one of Italy's greatest architects Andrés de Valdevera.
The cost of the trip will be 280 euros.

We are booking well for the trip to Motril and Salobrena which goes on February 22nd. Further details of both trips can be had from our desk.