FOTA at SV

News Letter

2011-09-25T14:00:00.000+02:00

Hello Everyone,

Here we are well into September and as you know the theatre is open again after the long summer recession. The first production of the Autumn was directed by John Pyne and featured Lizz Freeman, Catrina Helsby, Paul Anthony, and Deborah Dietl who all gave perfect performances, what a joy to hear them sing so wonderfully well to very good audiences and standing ovations. All of you who attended no doubt enjoyed a thoroughly good show. Then came the ’A tribute to Take That and Westlife’, what a joy too that show was and a complete sell out, where on earth did all those enthusiastic, effervescent young people come from, we need to know as we need them here at the theatre, they danced and cheered in the aisles, what a show and what a wonderful beginning to the Autumn.

As for FOTA, we have a representative at our FOTA desk now every day Monday to Saturday at lunch time and have been busy renewing memberships, joining new members, selling David’s wonderful cards, selling many calendars. Call in and see us, we would be so pleased to see you. Don’t leave it too late to buy your Christmas cards, they are available now.

The Calendar Launching Barbecue was a complete sell out and a wonderful success and the donation each guest made to FOTA all helped out with the huge expenses needed to keep the theatre going. It was a very enjoyable evening and the boys were fantastic, David our President was MC and Sweelan Ford was a great help in the kitchen. The guests and the staff were all so enthusiastic. Congratulations to all of them who made it such a success.

So what have we got to look forward to? Well lots of things, first of all the play ‘Who is Afraid of Virginia Wolf, which is on for 5 nights starting this coming Wednesday,28^th September. The cast have worked so hard at long rehearsals to give us a good show so please come along and support it. We need you specially now at a time of recession and crisis, Please come.

On Thursday the 6^th October is our monthly lunch club meeting at Casa Rustica, a lovely venue, excellent meal, good company, come and meet friends and book at FOTA desk. Non profit making lunch specially arranged for you.

Of course none of you must miss Oliver starting on 14^th October, Peter Height and Peter Mitchell are experts at producing professional and most enjoyable musicals and will of course be a great success, don’t miss that from the 14^th until the 23^rd October, and with all the children in it it will be a joy to watch. Just heard coming soon one night only TRES DIVOS.

27^th October we have Gina’s Coach Trip, we were going to see the crocodiles but have been told the butterflies are much more interesting and combined with that is a trip to the Cave at Rincon de la Victoria (not the Nerja ones), breakfast and lunch, please come for an enjoyable day out. We need to be two thirds full on the coach to break even. And just breaking news Friday 28^th October 8 p.m. at Salon Varietes one night only THE RAT PACK, that should NOT be missed.

Beginning of November from 4^th – 8^th sees LADIES NIGHT directed by Peter Brooks at the Theatre, if you miss this girls you will be very sorry, your partners are welcome to come along too.. If it is anything like The Full Monty it will be terrific, that was a wonderful show at the Salon and this promises to be as good, Can’t wait!! If you belong to any club get a group together from the club to come with you. Ring Brian at the Box Office 952474542 to discuss group bookings or just book.

What else? Well lots of things in the planning, David Radford and I are off to Gibraltar Thursday to discuss prices of cruises from mid June and already we have prices from Royal Caribbean in Malaga so that is exciting, a group are off on a Nile cruise in January and there is lots more in the pipeline. Call in and find out all about what is going on, Any ideas?

Val.

A NIGHT OUT TO REMEMBER

2011-08-23T23:50:00.002+02:00

You have all heard of the girls, now meet the CALENDAR BOYS.

The Salon Varietés Theatre fundraising calendar featuring artistic shots of the BOYS is now available at FOTA desk.

A special barbecue is to be held on Saturday 17^th September at 7.30 to launch and promote this interesting calendar and the production of LADIES NIGHT in NOVEMBER.

THE CALENDAR BOYS will be in attendance as waiters and the line up for the evening includes a MASTER OF CEREMONIES and 2 NAKED CHEFS (with aprons of course).

Do not miss this fun evening out, only 40 places available so phone for further details and reservations to

David Radford 952462213 or Val Williams 952584268

Or call at Salon Varietés Theatre FOTA desk open 11.30 - 1.15 Monday to Saturday and book your tickets for Ladies Night too at the Box Office. Both are occasions you should not miss.

Val Williams

Back Stage At The Salon

2011-08-23T11:23:00.004+02:00

The 2012 Calendar officially goes on sale on 29th August.

News Letter from Val Williams

2011-08-21T22:16:00.002+02:00

Dear All,

Here we are at the end of the 26th successful season at Salon Varietes and thanks to the support of all of you it is still going strong with lots of exciting things happening in the forthcoming season. The bar will be closed early July until early September when FOTA information desk will be open again every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Some of you may have let your membership lapse so do come along and renew please, we need you, the theatre needs you and hopefully you need FOTA. We have a permanent base here right in the centre of Fuengirola and always pleased to see you call in and have a drink at the bar or to discuss anything with us, it will be a pleasure to meet you. We are having an informal lunch on the 7^th July at Casa Rustica, do come along.

September starts with an informal lunch at Casa Rustica, come along at 1 p.m.on Thursday the 1^st of September, and these lunches are held every first Thursday of the month at Casa Rustica. On the 9^th September the first production starts at the theatre – The Gala Opening.

Our monthly coach excursions start on Thursday 27^th October with a visit to the Crocodile Park with over 300 crocodiles, the opportunity to hold a live crocodile and a live demonstration, also a visit to Cueva del Tesoro in Rincon la Victoria, often overlooked because of the more famous Nerja caves, but is one of the only 3 submarine caves or origin known in the world, so well worth a visit. Our journey starts with coffee and toast and finishes with a late lunch at a venta. Dont miss this trip, more details at FOTA information desk.

Our 2^nd trip in the Autumn takes us to RUTE with visits to a distillery, chocolate factory and sausage producers, breakfast and lunch, a very interesting trip. Gina Foster has been organising excellent trips for many years and works hard for the theatre as Salva President, so now she is having help from Val Williams and both will work together to make your social excursions enjoyable.Nov 24th

This year we have revived the once very popular special night out

THE AUTUMN BALL AT VALPARAISO on the 16th NOVEMBER, Don’t miss this wonderful night out, a chance to put on your ‘glad rags’. See you there, you’ll have a great night. Make up a table and bring your friends.

And then we come to December and the FOTA CHRISTMAS LUNCH AT EL BRUJO on the 15^th December. If you have anything suitable for the tombola please bring it along beforehand, a jar of marmalade, a bottle of wine, packet of biscuits, a nice ornament, it all helps towards theatre funds.

29^th December there is an informal visit to Picasso Museum, the wine museum and to see the lights in Malaga, well worth seeing and have tapas in Calle Larios. We go by train, but no need to book for this. Pay on the day.

David Radford our President makes wonderful cards for all occasions, get well, birthday, sympathy, and boxed Christmas cards with all proceeds going to the theatre so do buy your cards from David.

If you have any ideas for trips, functions, holidays, fund raising events or anything that could be of interest to the association please do let us know, we would like your ideas. The Salon Varietes has survived so well for 26 years thanks to all the hard work of the voluntary helpers and particularly to the fund raising in various forms undertaken by the Friends of the Theatre Association where the aim is to keep live theatre alive in Fuengirola and also to give you our members a good varied and interesting social life where you meet lots of friends and need never feel alone here on the costa. Please phone with ideas or just to say Hello – Val Williams on 952584268.

Kind Regards,

Val.

FOTA Events

2011-08-19T16:43:00.002+02:00

The FOTA Information desk will be operating every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11.30am to 1.15pm from the 29th August. Meanwhile, here are some dates of forthcoming FOTA Events to look forward to:

September 1st - Lunch at Casa Rustica (1pm for 1.30pm). A casual meeting, so no need to book for this one.
September 14th - Quiz Night at the Salon (starts prompt at 8.30pm).
September 23rd - Coach trip to Cueva del Tesora & Crocodile Park.
October 6th - Lunch at Casa Rustica.
November 3rd - Lunch at Casa Rustica.
November 24th - Coach trip to Ruta.
December 1st - Lunch at Casa Rustica.
December 15th - Christmas Lunch at El Brujo.
December 29th - Train trip to Malaga. Visit the Wine Museum, the Picasso Museum and the city night lights. Returning on the 10pm train. Pay as you go and no need to book. A casual get together during the Christmas break.
January 5th - Lunch at Casa Rustica.

Dates & times can change, so please call by the FOTA Desk to avoid disapointment.

From September

2011-08-15T18:12:00.001+02:00

My last Post

2011-04-29T20:29:00.001+02:00

At he AGM of FOTA on May 17th I shall be leaving the Board. I consider my position impossible (nothing to do with FOTA) but this is the newest newsletter and I hope that it will bring you up to speed on more important matters than my going.

FOTA Newsletter 3

It is April 29^th in the evening and it is clear that we sent our sunshine to London and got their rain in return. Fortunately the trip to Ronda yesterday was done in the best weather that Andalucia could offer and I have heard no complaints. By the end of my stint on the desk on Wednesday the coach had filled so we can look forward to a good report from Arthur at the Board meeting on Tuesday.

This is just as well since the previous trip only made a profit of 12 euros due to some unexpected expenses. Still in March we handed 2000 euros to SALVA and in April 1000.

Our next effort is to visit the Donkey Sanctuary in the foothills of the Alpujarras and then on to Nerja for lunch and finishing with a visit to Frigiliana, one of the most well known White Villages. The diary date is May 19^th. An optional extra could be a visit to the caves at Nerja but this is the time of the year for outdoors, not too hot so perfect for seeing the village or having a coffee and letting the village see you.

The next date for your diary is our AGM. We are trying something new this year and holding it at 12.00 on May 17^th. This should enable members to have the morning and /or lunchtime in Fuengirola and fit us in as well. It shouldn’t take very long. We recently welcomed Jean Mackenzie to the FOTA Board and will welcome Val Williams to the next. They will need to be confirmed. Helen Young and Norma Wilson are looking to be re elected but I have decided that my days on the Board are over, at least for the immediate future. A new Secretary will be required. I intend to continue on the desk on Wednesdays ( if they let me).

Finally in the ‘what to look forward to’ section can I PR for ‘Little Women’. The story of four sisters in the US just after the Civil War and how they cope with growing up is one of the great classics of American literature. Lots of laughs and I suspect moments when a clean hanky will be in order. It is directed by Ana Atteck and I had the pleasure of working with her on ‘The Railway Children’. Not only was she immensely impressive as a motivator of young performers, she also managed to get such good performances that there are many who think it the best thing the Salon has done. I am keeping my fingers crossed that a disruptive cough has gone by May 6^th when it opens for five nights.

Having looked to the future it is time to look at the past. The crisis has affected us all but we can’t use it as an excuse because so many of my colleagues have worked so hard that our income for the year has dropped only a very small amount. Last year we were able to give the theatre 11,000 euros and this year it is 500 euros less. Hard work has been combined with trying new approaches where we can and maintaining product quality of course. We have made small improvements in marketing what we do, like better publicity material, particularly for ‘hard to sell’ trips though there is still room for improvement and changes to improve matters. One constraint we have is that most of the FOTA Board are in their seventies or close to it and physically moving trestle tables and standing around is difficult. Competition has made some activities almost pointless. As I write I am wearing a pair of designer trousers which I bought in Cudeca for 1 euro so fashion shows are now considered not a good idea. Gina no longer has her big garage for storage so Book Sales (and Fashion Shows) are impossible to organize. Younger fitter users of the theatre’s facilities have not been conspicuous in volunteering or joining FOTA.

At this point I have to embarrass two stalwarts. David Radford first. Everyone already knows how much effort he puts into his cards although the rise of e cards has affected everyone in that field. It would be nice to think that all who use the theatre buy their cards from David. If you don’t then go and look at his stock.

But more than that. David spent many evenings selling the 25^th anniversary booklet and without his work the profit of 1600 euros which it made would have been an ill afforded loss. He will be too modest to mention it in his Presidents report at the AGM. Thank God I am used to being told off.

The other great fundraiser innovation is the raffles held during the longer shows. Here thanks must be given to Norma who organizes and motivates the ticket sellers.

We are always on the lookout for new ideas. Recent criticism of FOTA’s activities has been very light on the positive suggestion side but the new committee will, I am sure welcome anything that leads to improving on the 40,000 plus euros FOTA has given the theatre in the last three years or so.

See you on May 17^th at 12.00

Letter to the Editor of The News

2011-03-24T11:56:00.001+01:00

I am pleased that Valerie Jeffrey enjoyed her visit to the show at TAPAS recently but the comment of her friend that ‘You wouldn’t encourage your children to read badly written books so why take them to see amateur dramatics’ shows a woeful ignorance of the theatre that is available both here and when visiting English speaking communities around the world. Of course standards vary but perhaps my, fairly typical, experience as an amateur (mostly) performer can illustrate what she and her friend could be missing. I began with an amateur company in West London at a time when Arnold Wesker was encouraging professionals to be involved with communities. (I remember Simon Ward playing Hamlet in the local secondary modern school) All the teachers on the course I took came from RADA or Central. While I was at the Questors(now the largest amateur theatre company in Europe with three theatres and 3000 members) two plays written for members transferred into the West End and an important playwright (James Saunders) was discovered. Like many amateur actors I have spent many hours in workshops and short courses and I believe we all take improving our standards to be one of the reasons we continue to perform. And we don’t get cast unless we do!

Subsequently I have worked in amateur companies with young professionals who were showing off their skills to agents etc. and who wanted to make sure the rest of the cast were good enough to prevent the agent heading for the door, with older professionals who couldn’t reconcile a touring, away from base life, with family life or with actors who were honing their skills with more demanding parts than they could currently get in the theatre. On occasion the majority of the cast held equity cards. Rarely could an outsider tell which of us were which. And the equity card holder didn’t always have the leading part. There have been other occasions when plays began as an unpaid theatre work and then built to the West End. In Brighton I was one of a small audience above a pub for the beginning of the hit Musical ‘A Slice of Saturday Night’. What an amateur night that was! Also incidentally I was one of the audience when a distinguished and famous professional forgot so many lines the pre West End show was almost called off at the Theatre Royal.

Here I have performed at the Salon Varietes with actors who have appeared in the West End and on TV and with young actors setting out with high aims. The very edition of the News which had the letter from Ms.Jeffrey also had the ‘WOW’ factor final with a rave review from your editor. There were three Salon performers , one of whom won it. This year The NEWS has reported that two former performers at our theatre have done extremely well with one getting a final place on Operation Triunfo and another appearing in ‘The Tudors’ before heading off to a contract in Hollywood. Currently I am working with some very talented young people in a production of Samuel Beckett’s ‘Endgame’ In English at the ESAD Theatre in Malaga. The Director is heading for a Masters at RADA and the other members of the cast already cover much of their student costs with paid for professional work. I am sure I shall see some of them on TV or film one day. It has been a demanding and rewarding experience working with them.

To sum up, theatre operates on a spectrum from the great subsidized theatres via West End to local theatres then profit share , unpaid work (the London fringe has some really good stuff but they are amateur when they do it) and serious committed amateur theatre of a high standard to what I call ‘am dram’ – village hall fun productions, worthy but you know what to expect and it can still beat the telly.

I hope that Ms. Jeffrey’s friend reconsiders her unwise remark. She must have already missed so much good stuff it would be a pity to miss any more.

The trip of the Vine

2011-02-26T16:25:00.001+01:00

Thursday March 17th is the date for our next trip. Trips to the interior of Andalucia seem to be particularly popular and so we thought a visit to the area around Montilla would be a good idea. This is one the areas known as D.O. - roughly equivalent to the French appellation controlee.

The oldest bodega in Andalucia is in the centre of town. Its name is Bodega Alvear and we shall visit. The wines produced here vary in style but the most famous is an amontillado produced in the same way as the sherries of Jerez (which it once was sold as). The visit will include a tasting as well as the guided tour from one of the Bodega's own guides.

The local countryside probably doesn't have this style of agriculture anymore on its gentle clay slopes. The countryside has not always been peaceful and it was here that Julius Caesar defeated the sons and supporters of his great rival Pompey. Moors and Christians have fought here too but today the soil has more peaceful uses and it is to the next one that we shall spend the afternoon.

la Rambla is a small town famous for its ceramics. The products vary from the artistic to the useful and the plan is to visit a workshop.

If that doesn't appeal the town is very pretty and a quiet afternoon tea in the square would be as good a way as any to while away the time before the coach takes you back to Fuengirola.

As ever the coach will leave from outside Solbank at 9.00 and return about 7. The price will be notified after our Committee meeting on Tuesday but is likely to be 32 - 35 euros. The visit to the Bodega making it a little more than our last trip.

The Route of the Oranges - February 17th

2011-01-22T18:37:00.000+01:00

Juan, our regular driver, has given this name to a trip which takes us past Ardales to the town of Teba some 15 kms further on and later includes a visit to Olvera.

We glimpsed the castle of Teba on our trip to Arcos and heard something of the famous connection with Scotland. it was here that Sir James Douglas, known as Black Douglas, fought alongside Alfonso XI of Castille on August 25th 1330. He was carrying the heart of Robert the Bruce to the Holy Land in a casket and saw an opportunity to Crusade nearer to home. Unfortunately for him the Moors won this battle and killed Black Douglas. The heart now rests in Montrose Abbey.
Scottish connections do not end there as a year later the Earl Of Selkirk tried again to oust the Moors and the souvenir of his visit is a one ton slab of Dumfriesshire marble now in the Plaza de Espana. It was not until 1339 that Alfonso reclaimed the town from the Moors.

Today you see an impressive 18th century parish church which contains a 16th century cross given by Ferdinand and Isabella (the conquerors of Granada) and wonderful views out over the River Guadalreba to the dam and lakes below.

Our trip will then move on to Olvera. the start of the Publos Blancos route.

The main monuments are the Church and the Arab Castle which was apopular vantage point on our last visit to this lovely town.

Thursday February 17th 2011 at a cost of 30 € which will include our usual stop for coffee and tostado and lunch

Some Highlights

2010-12-12T16:33:00.000+01:00

With a payment of 2,500 Euros FOTA has broken the 40,000 euros barrier in donations to SALVA in the past couple of years (actually now 41,848.12). A look at the theatre's accounts will show just how important this has been in keeping the theatre going. Not directly as a box office substitute but in the many different ways that the mostly unseen (until it goes wrong) activities contribute to the final effect from better sound and lighting to more comfy seats. Of course this couldn't be done without the backing of members of FOTA and non members alike. Whilst coming on a fantastically good value trip which then makes a profit isn't a hardship, buying raffle tickets at some of our shows is something we can only give thanks for.
During the year we have organised a monthly lunch, now at a regular venue, at which 20 -30 members enjoy both good food and a chance to meet each other. We don't charge any extra on the restaurant's regular price but we do try and persuade guests to buy a raffle ticket. This coming Thursday, December 16th, we are moving venues to El Coto to the El Brujo restaurant for our Christmas Lunch. Always popular we hope that around 50 will enjoy the meal and maybe have a little theatricality thrown in!
The next venture though will be a little different as we are going to hold an evening dinner, with entertainment, early in the new year. Watch this space for more details.
Our trips have been good value and generally successful. Although we had to cancel one trip we have had full coaches for others. The last trip to Arcos de la Frontera was particularly successful and from it came the wish to visit the same area seeing some of the places that looked enticing from a coach window. So our next trip will be 'The Route of the Oranges' and will include visits to Olvera and to Teba. The last will especially appeal to our Scottish members as Teba features in Scottish history in a dramatic and rather romantic way.
After that we are going further north for the trip in March to the area of beautiful valleys and hills of Malaga grapes and wine.

Our trip to Arcos

2010-11-20T20:03:00.000+01:00

I haven't tried this before so let's hope it works but these are most of the photos I took on our day out last week. A day which everyone seemed to enjoy - especially lovers of lamb.

http://picasaweb.google.com/116191218876174675837/ArcosTrip2010#

ANYTHING GOES November 5th to November 14th

2010-11-04T13:53:00.000+01:00

I booked yesterday (Wednesday) for the Sunday performance of 'Anything Goes' and there were only a few seats left. If you can go during the week there is a much better selection but whatever you do, do go!
ANYTHING GOES opened on Broadway on November 21st 1934 and ran for 420 performances. During the depression that was considered pretty good and it was the fourth best run of the 30s. What is outstanding about it is the number of revivals there have been. In 1987 a revival with Patti LuPone ran for 784 performances. This wa seen by Elaine Paige who decided she had to buy thye rights to bring it to London so that she could star in it - with a young man called John Barrowman who then went on later to star in the 2002 show at the National Theatre in London before it transferred to Drury Lane.

Time I thought for a musical break.
Of course it wouldn't be complete without Ethel Merman:
OK a bit old for the part ( when did that worry the Salon?) but she starred in it in 1934 and then in the film in 1936 so she is important in the show's history. Big names who worked with her in the show were Bing Crosby, who was in the both the 1936 film and the 1956 one and Frank Sinatra who was in the 1954 TV production with Merman and Bert Lahr.
So a pretty successful musical. Cole Porter could be proud of himself. Among his collaborators on the show was P.G.Wodehouse. What a pedigree.
What's it about? It's a pretty complicated story but in the end is really simple. Boy meets girl, there are complicated madcap antics and mistaken identities on board an ocean liner. Will it get sorted out and love conquer all? What do you think!

ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA AND WHITE VILLAGES

2010-10-28T13:39:00.003+02:00

Our next trip on Thursday November 18th will be to
ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA and THE WHITE VILLAGES

The town hangs on a sheer cliff face overlooking the Rio Guadelete. lesser known than Ronda but just as spectacular It really ought to be a tourist 'must'

Its history goes back to pre Phonecian times but almost all of what we will see is from the Moorish period (711 to 1264) or from the conquest and later.
Central to the tourists must sees is the Plaza del Cabildo. On one side is the Parador , on another two are the walls of the castle, still privately owned, and the fourth side offers views as spectacular as anything that Ronda can offer across the valley of the Rio Guadelete and the vega.

The Church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion

It's a good video but it doesn't quite fit the blogger format - at least for me so let me know if you know how I can do it properly - in the meantime right click on your mouse and select 'watch on You Tube'. Nov 4th -got it working now and changed the layout of the blog. Do you like it better?

Our trip includes a stop for coffee and tostado and lunch and costs 30 euros
Come and see us on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at the theatre.

Black Coffee

2010-10-23T16:38:00.001+02:00

Black Coffee opened last night to the largest audience ever for a first night of a play. (confession first - I'm in it) and the audience after the show were much more enthusiastic than they thought they were going to be. Agatha can still do it even in the age of CSI New York!
FOTA's interest is that there are three board members in the show but this isn't really important compared with encouraging all FOTA members to come along and have a really entertaining evening. The show starts at 8 except on Sunday when it begins at seven.
Why not have a drink afterwards and say hello to the cast.
Last night is next Tuesday so you may need to re-prioritise your weekend. It'll be worth it.

Cancellation -Sorry

2010-10-20T09:53:00.000+02:00

Unfortunately we couldn't get a sufficient number of members and guests to book for the TARIFA trip and we have had to cancel it.

Refunds are available from the desk. We are sorry but we can only keep our prices exceptionally low by nearly filling the coach.

We hope you aren't too disappointed and if you have any ideas for trips which are going to give a full coachload a good day out then do let us know.

Audition Notice for 'Move Over Mrs Markham'

2010-10-03T11:18:00.000+02:00

M0VE OVER MRS MARKHAM

Directed by PETER BROOKS

Joanna Markham 45 - 55 attractive and sophisticated

Alastair Spenlow 30 – 45 “camp” interior designer but definitely NOT gay)

Sylvie 25++ Swedish beauty

Linda Lodge 40 – 55 “frustrated” with her husband

Philip Markham 50 – 60 Publisher of children’s books (comedy timing essential)

Henry Lodge 40 - 50 Playing the field

Walter Pangbourne 40 – 60 Linda’s “bit on the side”

Miss Smythe 40 – 65 Brilliant character, eccentric children’s authoress

Miss Wilkinson 25 - 40 Henry’s “bit on the side”

Auditions will be held on Saturday 30^th. October at 11.30 at the Salon Varietes, Fuengirola.

Production dates 14^th. – 19^th. January 2011

Audition pieces will be available at the box office from the 16^th. October.

If any potential auditionee would like to read the script or know more about any of the characters please telephone

PETER BROOKS ON

EITHER: 952887372 / 617 520 923

Tarifa where the Atlantic and Med meet.

2010-09-28T13:27:00.002+02:00

Trip to Tarifa and Estepona - October 21st

2010-09-21T13:11:00.000+02:00

Tarifa was where it all began. In 710 a Moorish leader called Tatif ibn Malik probed the defenses of the peninsula in preparation for the invasion the following year and the history of Al Andalus began. The restored castle gives great views out over the Straits and you should be able to see Tangier in the distance and the busy shipping lanes of this very congested stretch of water.

The most famous story of this castle concerns the siege of 1292 when the
Moors had captured the son of the commander, Alonso Perez de Guzman and threatened to kill him if the castle didn't surrender. Guzman threw down his knife saying 'I prefer honour without a son to dishonour with one.

Looking the other way from the rampart gardens you can see the narrow lanes of this town that began with the Phonecians and was important to the Romans. Today it is one of the most important windsurfing centres in the world.

Don't bring a floppy hat

The castle isn't the only attraction. The crumbling baroque exterior of the church of San Mateo disguises a fine Gothic church with interesting modern stained glass windows and a crucified Christ by the great eighteenth century sculptor Pedro de Mena.

There is also a modern icon by one of the most famous of modern Tarifans (?) Guillermo Perez Villalta.

For those who don't like castles and museums there is a daily street market and a delightful square - the Plaza de Santa Maria - where people watching is a must. Because of the windsurfing Tarifa attracts some really interesting people watching material.

Then we thought we would go to Estepona. Initially much discussion in the committee but then we realised that most of us had always meant to go there one day but never had. It is regarded as probably the best of the Costa del Sol towns. A good paseo, some lovely squares and a proper old town. Just the place for afternoon tea.

Join us for a lovely and inexpensive day out. Just 32 euros to cover morning coffee and lunch. We'll be at the desk Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Tuesday week is our first Committee of the new season so if you have any ideas let us know, whether for trips or lunches or some social occasion we should be organising. (not theatre policy, that is entirely SALVA's responsibility.

The Theatre's Autumn Season

2010-08-16T11:17:00.000+02:00

I know many of you like to include plans to see a show when you are here and the Autumn Season at the theatre has been announced. This is it:

September 17th - 21st - Curtain Up a play by Peter Quilter.
Peter Quilter has had his plays translated into 20 languages in 31 countries around the world and this was his first. Originally called 'Respecting Your Piers' it is the story of 5 women who inherit equal shares in a dilapidated theatre and are in urgent need of money. In the time honoured fashion they put on a show using local talent and a big star they have roped in. Of course things go wrong and the play becomes a fast paced and very funny comedy.

October 1st to 5th - Razzle Dazzle 'Em this is a Musical revue produced by Lizz Freeman so little more needs to be said. I imagine the wardrobe department will have a lot to do. Who knows, with so many costumes in the dressing rooms and on the stage they may be able to spring clean an empty room!

Wednesday October 13th - Cor Merched Cwm Llynff ladies Choir I deserve a drink if I've typed that right. Welsh Choirs always go down well and I can't remember a ladies one before so something a bit different.

October 22nd - 26th - Black Coffee by Agatha Christie. Agatha is always a highlight of the year. This was the only play she wrote for Hercule Poirot played here by long time favourite David Vincent. For FOTA members an extra bonus is that the cast includes President, Treasurer and Secretary!
Reviews of the play when it was first produced in 1930 called it 'craftsmanlike and entertaining' the Telegraph theatre critic called it a 'sound piece of detective storywriting'. It has twice been turned into a film and has been a firm favourite of community theatre groups all over the world.

5th - 14th November - Anything Goes. What would Autumn be without a Peter Mitchell musical? This is one with songs and music written by Cole Porter and concerns the madcap antics on an ocean liner going from New York to London. Another 1930s favourite, when it starred Ethel Merman and ran for 420 performances on Broadway making it the fourth longest running show of the decade. She did it again in 1989 in the West End with John Barrowman who was later in the National Theatre production in 2003. It is being revived next year on Broadway. Songs include: Anything Goes, You're the Top, I Get a Kick Out of You and It's DeLovely.

26th - 30th November - The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomens Guild Dramatic Society's Production of a Christmas Carol. What could be more festive than to welcome the Ladies, and their long suffering male assistant, at this time of the year to give us their 'Christmas Carol'. Mind you if there isn't total mayhem and chaos resulting in much unintended hilarity in the audience I shall be very surprised. The Ladies are well known for not exactly getting it right. I don't know whether they inspired Michael Green's 'Art of Coarse Acting' but they would have done well at the his annual Coarse Acting contest at the Questors in Ealing!

4th and 5th December - Christmas with TIMS. sanity returns.

An audition - even in summer

2010-07-26T10:18:00.000+02:00

I hope that you are all enjoying summer. There isn't much to post about on the blog when the theatre is closed and I don't hear much gossip. Biggest news is that Alex, who has been running the bar ever since I came along nine years ago, is going back to Argentina. She has had some serious health problems lately and we all wish her well. Lets hope that, like many of us, she finds her own country fully supportive.
I hope those of you staying here for the summer are coping with the weather. We have just had nine days in Norway (wonderful) and really enjoyed the rain and the temperatures. When we took off from Oslo to come back here the pilot told us it was 19 in Oslo and 35 in Malaga.
AUDITION

NOW for the bit you have been waiting for. Lizz Freeman is putting this notice in the papers this weekend:

Ever wanted to Tread "The Boards" Auditon Notice

The Salon is presenting a Musical Revue from the 1st until the 5th Oct.
We need singers, rock, pop, classical, standards, plus dancers of all styles,are you a group that could perform flamenco, line dancing, anything up beat and happy, then come for the Auditon which is on the Saturday 31st of July at The Salon (stage door entrance) at 12 noon . I must stress that it is unpaid, and needs total dedication and commitment to rehearsal time. please bring a CD or backing track.
Director Lizz Freeman, more info on 952930039 or 606611228

Go for it!

Any news you have will be gratefully received. I'd like to keep this interesting during the summer.

Keep cool.

FOTA AGM Minutes

2010-05-23T13:40:00.001+02:00

The posts are a little out of sequence but that is because these minutes have been reviewed by the Board members so they should be pretty accurate but they are still draft minutes and if there is a correction please make a comment.

FOTA – Friends of the Theatre Association.

Minutes of the AGM held May 12^th 2010

The meeting was called to order on the second call at 6.30 p.m. The President thanked the 13 members for attending.

Board members present: President David Radford, Vice President Pauline Naylor, Treasurer Arthur Hill, Secretary Graham Cherry, Helen Tomlinson, Norma Wilson and Helen Young.

Apologies were received from Pat Suart, Sid Wright, Julia Bretton, Doreen Slater, Eddie Barnett, Reg Harding, Frank Morris, Wendy Smith, Ellie Bennetts.

Minutes of the 2009 meeting were taken as read unanimously and there were no matters arising.

President’s report

The President presented his report and drew attention in particular to:

The absence of Pat Suart for much of the year meant that the Board operated with 7 members and efforts to increase this had proved unsuccessful. He considered that there was no urgent need to increase the number of Board members but expressed concern that ano domini was having an effect.

The raffles held this year had been a great success and this change of direction would continue.

The anniversary booklet had been produced and was adjudged a success. Financially there was a profit due to thirteen sponsors of 100 euros each and 2 reprints had been made. 731 copies had been printed and 100 remain to be sold. There were two additional outlets at David’s Bookshop and Woodys. He explained the difficulties with the substandard work of Xpress print. The sense of the meeting was that the matter should continue to be pursued.

He thanked the desk helpers for their work in the year.

Acceptance of the report was proposed by Gloria Harding and seconded by Sweelan Ford.

Treasurers report

The Treasurer presented his report. He drew attention to good attendance at the lunches which although they made no direct profit produced a good raffle return. The trips had been well attended particularly the later ones.

Profits had increased by 2000 euros and 11000 euros had been handed over to SALVA.

Revenue from cards again declined slightly and it was thought this would continue as more people relied on e mails as a cheaper alternative or simply cut back with the increase in postal charges.

Acceptance of the report was proposed by peter Pillinger and seconded by Gina Foster..

Re-election

The retiring members of the Committee were re-elected unopposed.

Any Other Business

The organizational relationship with SALVA was discussed and it was explained that at present FOTA came under the aegis of SALVA. It was possible that FOTA could become more firmly the social and fundraising subcommittee of SALVA but the necessary constitutional arrangements were being examined by Howard John who is currently indisposed.

Ana Atteck told the meeting that as the maximum revenue handed over in any one of the last five years fell below 25,000 euros it was possible for FOTA to be an independent legal entity and this possibility of keeping FOTA independent of SALVA would be pursued with Ana’s help.

Questions were asked as to the frequency of raffles and why there were no plans for one for ‘Putting on the Glitz’. The President explained that the Board considered that it was only worthwhile with the longer running big musicals and ‘raffle fatigue’ might become a problem.

The President informed the meeting that an examination of the early minutes of FOTA revealed that the 25^th anniversary of FOTA was on June 1^st.

The Secretary told the meeting that the blog had been expanded a little so that members could be kept informed of productions and auditions as well as Trips and Lunches etc.

A group called ‘Fuengirola’s Theatre Friends’ had been set up on Facebook – the name FOTA could not be used as this was used by the Formula One Teams Association – and currently had 119 members. This meant that some information of FOTA’s activities was getting out to non members who were cross referenced to the blog.

The Secretary of SALVA conveyed the thanks of the Board of SALVA for the efforts of FOTA at fundraising and informed the meeting that SALVA had improved profits by 20,000 euros in the past year (this included the 11,000 euros from FOTA.

There being no further business the meeting concluded at 7.20

Cordoba Trip

2010-05-23T13:35:00.000+02:00

Delighted to say that we set off with practically a full coach and produced over 400 euros for FOTA and hence the theatre's funds. I am told the highlight was the visit to the Alcazar gardens which were stunning.
I had been to Cordoba the week before as a birthday treat so didn't go on this trip. That means if you took any photos and want to upload them for everyone to see feel fee to do so.
Any other comments?

FOTA Day Trip to Cordoba

2010-05-02T18:55:00.000+02:00

When you look in travel agents windows and see the cost of day trips you wonder how we can possibly do it for the price. The trip to Cordoba is 35 euros and that is less than operators are asking for when they offer a simple excursion day. Our trip also has a break for tostado and coffee and lunch included and the incomparable Gina as hostess. So how do we do it. Well partly by aiming to do something special for members and partly by not making a profit until the coach is practically full.

Although we intend that you will see the other places for which Cordoba is famous the Mezquita cannot be ignored. Once one of the most beautiful buildings in the world it proved a template for Islamic buildings everywhere. Even if you have been a hundred times this is not a building where you slope off for another coffee whilst the party goes in.
But Cordoba offers more. The Alcazar and its gardens are both beautiful and tranquil.

Not far away are two more sites. The Roman bridge has been recently restored as have the Arab baths where the Caliph held daily meetings.

Cordoba isn't a large town and these buildings are near to the area known as the Juderia. A maze of twisting streets they are the picture book image so many people have of Andalucia. In early May the patios of the houses are open to show off the flowers in thousands of pots, baskets and containers. The festival will be over by the time of our visit but the flowers remain and are lovingly nurtured through the year.There are some famous and intriguing photo opportunities round here.

Taking Steps

2010-05-02T15:56:00.001+02:00

This Friday marks the opening of the last play for this season and it is a corker. Alan Ayckbourn reckons to have only written two farces, a job for the experienced playwright, and this is one of them. It was dedicated to the immortal farceur Ben Travers when it opened on September 28th 1979 in Scarborough where his plays regularly first see the light of day. The opening night ran for 17 minutes longer than the dress rehearsal because of the laughter. This was so loud it blew the theatre's ancient relay system.
It went on to become one of the biggest hits at the theatre since it opened in 1955 and a huge commercial success there becoming the first play to run for more than 100 performances there.
Michael Billington describes it as: a 'riotously funny farce – it also reminds us that farce at its very best is inescapably about something: in this case, women's hunger for freedom and the difficulties of rational communication.'
Ayckbourn talks of plausible people in improbable situations.

The play is directed by Ana Atteck who directed 'Absurd Person Singular' last year. Surviving from the cast of that play are Jules Vander ( also a memorable Mrs Wicksteed in 'Habeas Corpus' to underline her comedy credentials) and Stephen Burns. The cast is made up with Salon Established performers.
Enjoy.

Audition Notice for next October's Agatha Christie

2010-04-21T20:48:00.000+02:00

FOTA members may want to make a note in their diary for the audition for 'Black Coffee' by Agatha Christie which will be produced next October. it's along way away but at least the summer is there for line learning!

AUDITION NOTICE

‘BLACK COFFEE’

AGATHA CHRISTIE

Directed by Peter Brooks

Auditions will be held on Saturday 29^th. May between 11.00 am. – 1.30 pm. for this tight mystery thriller (The first and only play actually written by Agatha Christie featuring Hercule Poirot)

Production dates 22^nd. – 26^th. October

Rehearsals commencing early September

CAST REQUIRED

TREADWELL (the butler) 50 plus

LUCIA AMORY (Richard’s wife) attractive

25 - 30

MISS CAROLINE AMORY (Sir Claude’s younger sister) Straitlaced spinster 60’ish

RICHARD AMORY (Sir Claude’s son) 30 – 40

BARBARA AMORY (Sir Claude’s niece) 30’s

EDWARD RAYNOR (Sir Claude’s secretary)

35 - 40

DR. CARELLI Italian/Spanish sinister 30’s

SIR CLAUDE AMORY Scientist 65 - 75

HERCULE POIROT Not a David Suchet look-

a-like 50 - 60

CAPT.HASTINGS Poirot’s sidekick 50 – 60

DR GRAHAM 40 plus

INSP. JAPP Scotland Yard Insp. 40 –60

JOHNSON Police constable 20 – 30

Audition pieces will be available in the box office from Monday May 3^rd. If you are interested but cannot attend on the 29^th. or would like more information re. the characters please don’t hesitate to telephone Peter on 952 887 372

Peter Brooks

April Committee report

2010-04-19T17:02:00.000+02:00

We began with a nice surprise in that FOTA member and stalwart Stage manager, Gloria Harding, came to say thanks for the CCTV system FOTA have had installed backstage. Having been in two shows recently I can vouch for the benefit it provides not just for the stage crew but also for the poor soul waiting to go on. It was really nice to have the efforts of all FOTA members recognised like this and we hope that the system will not only continue to prove really useful but that we can look at it in operation and improve it if necessary.

Our 'matters arising' included the information that the Facebook Group we have set up to keep members informed had 106 members. (now up to 113 members). If you haven't joined it is Fuengirola's Theatre Friends.

The lunch at Casa Rustica in February had 18 members and guests and the raffle raised 35 euros.

The trip to Grazalema was a very British success as smiles won over adversity thrown by the weather. We couldn't go on exactly the route planned but everyone enjoyed the alternative thought up by Juan and a profit was made.
The financial report from the Treasurer showed a healthy balance and 1000 euros was handed over to the theatre.
We discussed whether it was appropriate to hold an AGM as we are in a constitutional limbo at present but we will go ahead and we set a date of May 12th. Notices have been displayed.

And that was it. We finished at just after 100 which enabled those of us Breaking The Code to get home and have some lunch before the evening performance.

Breaking The Code

2010-04-02T19:36:00.001+02:00

BREAKING THE CODE is the story of Alan Turing who did more than anyone(except possibly Churchill) to win the second world war. He then went on to become a distinguished Professor at Manchester University and work secretly for GCHQ.
He broke two codes. One good and one bad (for the times).
The good was that while at Bletchley Park during the war he developed a way of breaking the German Enigma Code and ensuring that the U Boats could be defeated and England saved from starvation. This work was continued after the war at Manchester where he built the worlds first digital computer. For this he was recently listed at 42 in the most important people of the twentieth century.
BUT he was homosexual and in 1952 was arrested on a charge of Gross Indecency. It seems he was hung out to dry by the Establishment for breaking this code, possibly to appease Senator McCarthy and his witch hunts in the USA. He lost his security clearance and his ability to do the work he wanted to do and probably committed suicide (there is some doubt about that, but not much).
This is an intriguing and moving play which has gripped audiences for over twenty years. It may make you appreciate why the present Prime Minister made a public apology for the way that Turing was treated, it may make you angry at how talent was wasted then and it may make you angry at the way talent is wasted now when important men and women, such as fluent Arabic speakers, are dismissed because they are gay and can't be replaced. Which leaves the Intelligence Services with knowledge gaps now just as they had when Turing was thrown away.
Well it may make you feel those things. It will entertain you.

Facebook

2010-03-30T12:21:00.001+02:00

FOTA is now on Facebook. We couldn't use the name 'FOTA' because the Formula One Teams Association has a million or so followers and we can't quite get that many. We are working towards it but it might take a few more weeks yet! The aim of the page is primarily to keep members of FOTA up to date with what is happening. Show Dates, Openings, Auditions, News etc. Non members are welcome and maybe will think they could join us too. The group is an open one so all can join.
it's called: Fuengirola's Theatre Friends.
I hope that you will find it both interesting and useful.

Joseph Raffle

2010-03-30T12:12:00.000+02:00

During the run of 'Joseph' volunteers sold raffle tickets and took a total of 761 euros. Thanks to all who bought, to all who sold (horrible job!) and to the cast who kept the audience coming in for 11 shows.

2010-03-28T15:49:00.001+02:00

FOTA Trip to Guadix

Thursday April 15th

Guadix is an ancient pre Roman town set at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Here Julius caesar mined silver to keep the Empire going, later the Visigoths ran an increasingly important Bishopric and the Moors had a culture to rival Granada. But that isn't what it is famous for.

In the Barrio Santiago about 10000 people live in cave houses which vary enormously in luxury and style but all have in common a constant 18 to 20 C range of temperature. Perfect for the winters in the hills and the summers of inland Andalucia

In the city the newly opened Cueva Museo is sited in a series of rehabilitated cave houses and documents the reality and history of cave life using audio visual techniques and reconstructed rooms (at a much cheaper rate than being 'invited' in to look at a house.)

The town has been a bishopric since the Romans ruled Spain. For much of the Moorish period it continued but not towards the end. In the sixteenth century work began on a new Cathedral on the site of a Mosque. It took a long time and so is a mix of late Gothic and Baroque styles (with some stylistic debt due to Malaga Cathedral). The town suffered greatly in the Civil War and there is evidence in the Cathedral of vandalism and martyrdom.

As ever the trip will include a stop for tostado and coffee and lunch and will cost only 30 euros ( a saving of about 50% on commercial trips). On board will be our lovely Gina.

The desk is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for bookings.

You can book for lunch as well at casa Rustica if you fancy a convivial Thursday.

March Committee Report

2010-03-28T11:17:00.002+02:00

Report of the last Committee meeting March 2010

Pat Suart who has been a stalwart member of FOTA for many years and a valued member of the Board has asked for a years absence for personal reasons. We hope that all goes well and we shall see her back in a years time.

Sales of the Anniversary Booklet have gone so well that we agreed a third printing. They are on sale whenever FOTA has a desk or David is selling his cards in the foyer as well as at performances. A denuncia has been issued for the aborted initial print run and a reply received.

The lunch at Casa Rustica was a success but some organizational problems need to be addressed. 15 members turned up without making a prior booking. The booking with the restaurant and the payment go through our books and so the start of the meal was delayed. There were also problems hearing the guest speaker because the restaurant is open to the public who cannot be expected to be quiet. Nevertheless an excellent meal and a raffle which raised 70€ ensured it can be counted a success.

The trip to the Genal Valley had to be re routed because of the weather but was still a popular success. The coach went to Colmenar and the Rio Gordo. Everyone enjoyed themselves and a profit was made for FOTA’s funds.

The Treasurer reported that we had sufficient funds to hand over another 2000 euros to the theatre. This makes a total of 35,798 euros since September 2008

Finally we agreed to set up a group on Facebook to publicise our activities and inform members of events at the theatre.

The group is called Fuengirola’s Theatre Friends. It is an open group and already has over 100 members. You are welcome to sign in.

March Committee news

2010-03-16T17:12:00.000+01:00

The Anniversary Booklet goes from strength to strength and it was agreed to go into a third printing of another 200 copies. With the set up sponsorship and sales we have had a gross income of 2070 euros. The final net income figure is expected to be quite healthy. Outside sales are being made at David's Bookshop and at Woodys, both in Los Boliches.

Lunches continue to be popular but a breakdown in the booking system is causing problems. At the last Casa Rustica lunch we had 15 people 'on the door' which meant that taking the money and sorting receipts etc. delayed the lunch considerably. We shall ask members to book in advance at the desk and hope that all will do so. The speaker was enjoyed but as the restaurant is a public one some of our group couldn't hear over the noise of other diners. With the summer approaching this can only get worse so we shall have to reconsider the idea of a speaker.

The trip in February to the Genal valley had to be changed at the last moment because of weather problems but feedback has been very good and it made a profit. Nobody has sent me any pictures of the trip (hint) which actually went to Colmenar and the Rio Gordo.
Our next trip to Grazalema is booking well.

The finances were such that we were able to hand over 2000 euros to SALVA and with this went the closing amount from our Bank Account. Since September 2008 FOTA has handed over 35,798 euros to SALVA.

Finally we agreed to set up a Facebook Group for FOTA. It is called Fuengirola's Theatre Friends. Membership of the group is open and already nearly a hundred have joined. The agreed aim was to let people know about FOTA's activities, theatre events and auditions.

GRAZALEMA - MARCH 18th

2010-02-28T20:37:00.001+01:00

Long regarded as one of the prettiest white villages in Andalucia Grazalema is situated just outside our province in Cadiz province. Ronda is quite close by and the Serriana de Ronda provides stunning scenery as we make our way to the village.
These images have come from googling Grazalema on the net and are part of a collection of 168 (but they include some odd ones, Mariano Rajoy anyone?)

During the days of Al Andalus Berbers from the Atlas mountains came to this area and brought with them sheep farming. The legacy today is a woollen industry and a thriving cheese factory which we shall visit

Looks rather nice

Needless to say that the surrounding scenery is stunning so do bring your cameras ( and let me have some pictures for this blog). Pride of joy must go to a local treasure. This is the last area in Spain where you can see the Pinsapo pine.

For those who are townies and only a delightful square with bars and restaurants (and maybe an eighteenth century church) will do how about the main square in Grazalema

Thursday March 18th 9.00

outside SOLBANK - just past the market - cost 30 euros to include tostado and coffee

lunch

Gina looking after you.

We have about a dozen bookings already so come and see us on Monday Wednesday or Friday in the morning.

News and waiting for News

2010-02-20T00:33:00.000+01:00

They have braved the weather for the past two weeks to prepare for their big night tonight and let's hope it went well.
Tickets still available for the show until Wednesday.
The Trip. I haven't heard yet how it went but there's some more intrepid members around having gone on the trip on Thursday. The rain wasn't as bad as we had feared so I hope those of you who went had a great time. Dunkirk Spirit eh?

February Committee report

2010-02-08T12:26:00.001+01:00

The Anniversary Booklet which FOTA has sponsored is now into its second printing. That means another 208 copies to be sold but with a new outlet in Woodys in Los Boliches and copies still going during the run of shows and at the desk we are optimistic that all will be well.

We had a very successful lunch at Casa Rustica in January. Members attending were impressed with the food and the value and then contributed 64€ to the raffle. We are back there again this month and bookings are being taken at the desk.

By last Tuesday 27 had booked for trip to see the Almond Blossoms Scenery and Wildlife of the Genal Valley. I have had a couple of phone calls as well so I hope that when I do the desk on Wednesday we shall be nearly there. If you haven't booked it is getting close to make your mind up time. I did the trip a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I guess I ought to take my own advice and get organised if I want to go again!

The Treasurer presented his report and as a result we have agreed to hand over another 2000 euros to SALVA. There will be another 2000 plus when we can close the Bank account which we hope to do shortly. There is only one authorised signatory left from the early days when it was set up and as soon as she returns we shall sort this out.

Any Other Business produced one little item. At the last Christmas Bazaar we were given a new and very good food processor/mixer which was to go on the white elephant stall. We decided, however, that it was too good for the sort of offers such occasions generate and Helen Young became custodian of it in the hope that we could sell it separately. If you would like a super piece of kitchen equipment and think this might be it come and see us at the desk.

Still two nights left to see Entertaining Mr Sloane. very good audience reaction so far so treat yourself to a funny but dark black comedy. Tonight and Tuesday at 8.00. FOTA members discount tonight

Entertaining Mr Sloane. This weekend

2010-02-01T12:22:00.005+01:00

Entertaining Mr Sloane opens this Friday at the theatre for a five night run as you have probably seen from the publicity in the local papers.

The play first premiered in 1964 and established Joe Orton as one of the most important writers of farce in the 20^th century. This was not immediately apparent to the audiences of the time who had to adjust to a very different take on farce. Despite Orton’s professed admiration for Pinter as the only English playwright worth his salt it was Sir Terence Rattigan who recognized a major talent he admired and came to the rescue with both financial and critical support which ensured the play’s success. Pinter's influence on Orton didn't hinder him developing his own distinctive style. An Ortonesque farce is one that turns grotesque, explicitly sexual and purposefully shocking. They are satires on the hypocrisy and cruelty of middle class England full of self mockery, frank lust, exaggerated fantasy and a little casual brutality. They are also very funny.

Sloane is a young, attractive man who is invited home as a lust object/surrogate son by Kath. Her father, Kemp, recognizes him as the youth who may have murdered his last employer meanwhile her brother Ed would like to take him under his wing and employ him as a live in chauffeur and….
Sloane manipulates this situation to his advantage playing parlour power games with a sadistic relish but in attempting to manipulate brother and sister to his advantage he ends as their victim. Or does he? In this battle for territory has he manipulated the situation to his own advantage?

The play has been described as wild, witty and utterly heartless. In this production the director is Peter Mitchell and the cast is Lizz Freeman, John David Gale, Francis Butler and Graham Cherry. Despite the first four names and the title, if you have got this far you will know it is not a musical.

This post shows in February. Don't forget to look at the last post in January for details of our visit to the Almond Blossoms and spectacular scenery of the Genal Valley

Almond Blssom trip - February 18th

2010-01-31T11:42:00.001+01:00

Our first trip of 2010 is to the delightful Genal Valley, part of the Serriana de Ronda, rightly prized as a National treasure in Spain.

This winter we have had one of our wettest in memory and rivers and lakes will be looking their best. The plant life will have benefited enormously too from winter rains so we can hope - as far as nature ever lets us - that the mountains, hillsides and valleys will be full of blossom and flowers. This usually encourages wildlife too and the valley is home to rare eagles and vultures, to deer and wild boar.

Around the white villages, and there are 16 of them in the valley, there are orchards with oranges, lemons, limes, plums and sweet chestnuts. These are used in the production of marmalades, preserves and sweetmeats. You will be allowed to buy!

So come and join us. The trip as always includes

a stop for tostado and coffee
lunch
Gina

We set off from outside the Solbank near the municipal market at 9.00 and hope to get you bak by 6 or 7 in the evening.

Will you see a Griffon Vulture?
Find out on February 18th

Next Play

2010-01-11T17:56:00.002+01:00

WARNING:

When I saw this play during its West End run I almost left in the interval!

My side was aching so much from laughing I wasn't sure I could manage another hour.

'Behind the scenes' plays are always popular. This one concerns a cast of professional but decidedly not good, actors who can't quite get it right to begin with but obviously manage it because the second part is set three months into the run of the show. By now they are beginning to get on each others nerves and you see what happens backstage before the audience see the smiles and sincerity out front. Finally we see them well into the run when confusion reigns where there ought to be smoothness.

It is really difficult acting an incompetent actor and Peter Brooks has assembled a cast of Salon regulars whose abilities of course bear no relationship to the characters they play, being famous for the sweetness, light and harmony they dispense wherever they go in our theatre.

Dates: Friday 22nd to Wednesday 27th January 2010 (so one extra night on the usual run of a play.

Box Office: 952 475 542

And don't forget the next FOTA lunch is on January 14th.

January Committee meeting

2010-01-08T17:08:00.002+01:00

But first let me wish you a Happy New Year. For most of our members, whether in Spain or England (or even those who went to Florida - did you see those pictures on the news and You Tube of frozen iguanas falling out of trees?) the year hasn't begun too well weather wise. For us on the Costa del Sol at least all the rain means plenty of water in the summer but I am pretty sure that we are grateful not to be facing the snow and ice that those of you in England are dealing with.

We had a report from Sweelan Ford to tell us that we have sold 146 copies of the anniversary booklet and with freebies for the sponsors that only left 88 copies. The proposal put to us was to finance another 200 copies and this was agreed. It means that we have to sell 150 of these to break even so a total of 240 still to go. The anniversary party will be in June so there is time to shift them. If you want a copy then David Radford is in the theatre most days and can easily be persuaded to part with one in exchange for five euros.

Feedback on the Christmas Lunch was excellent and it seems the recession helped matters by limiting numbers, making for a better atmosphere. Next year we intend to keep to around 40 but fear not there will be plenty of warning so you can book. We continue with our usual lunches from February 4th when we return to Casa Rustica. Our last visit there was a great success and we intend it to be our venue for the rest of this season. We are organising a guest speaker and we hope that our first will be announced soon. Unfortunately I have to say that because our arranged speaker was to be Barrie Suart but he suffered a heart attack during his Christmas visit to England and can't fly back. We all wish him well and hope to see him soon.

Our trips have always offered incredible value for money and although it is getting more and more difficult to keep the prices really low a comparison with what is offered by travel agents will show that there is real value there still and the next one which we are calling Almond Blossom and Villages is no exception. I'll post a little more later but having been on a previous visit to the Genal Valley and the villages of Manilva and Gaucin I can assure you that a good day is in prospect. The suggestion in the press is that the recent heavy rains will produce some wonderful blossom and wild flowers and with our usual stop for coffee and tostado and lunch included 27 euros is a bargain. The date for your diary is February 18th

Future trips will be to Grazalmena and the cheese factory and to Guadix. Details later.

Our finances continue to be healthy. In December we handed over 1000 euros to the theatre and we confidently expect that this month we can hand over 3 to 4000 more. Much of this comes from the sales of our cards and the raffles and for that we must thank all who buy.

Finally I would like to ask for help. I want to make the blog more interesting and the FOTA noticeboard outside the theatre can sometimes be a bit boring. I don't get to all of our events so if I am not there (or even if I am) and you have taken some good pictures which I can use please let me know. You can e mail them to me at grahamcherry@hotmail.com. It is getting tricky getting good photos of places we are going to where copyright isn't an issue so a good start would be any nice Almond Blossom or ones of Manilva or Gaucin. If you send them I shall assume permission to publish or use them in publicity. Thanks.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T13:15:00.002+01:00

The whole FOTA Board would like to wish all our members and their families a very Happy Christmas and a great 2010.
Since my last post we have had our Christmas raffle with most of the tickets being sold during the run of 'The Wizard of Oz'. If you haven't seen the show then the reports I have had suggest that you are missing something just a little bit special. Sufficient people saw the show and bought the raffle tickets for the total to be a little over 800 euros.
Then we had our Christmas Lunch and that was really enjoyable. 40 members turned up and contributed to a raffle take of 70 euros. Unfortunately the restaurant charged us an extra 50 cents ahead for the lunch so that made a bit of a dent in the funds but we were still ahead and what is always more important with lunches those attending had a good time.
So now the Christmas cards have been sent, those of you in England are going to get White Christmas, those in Malaga a wet one and I shall hopefully have some sunshine in the Canaries but wherever you are enjoy it and we shall look forward to seeing you at the FOTA desk in the New Year when our first event will be a lunch with hopefully a little surprise thrown in.

The Bazaar

2009-12-07T19:15:00.008+01:00

Not a lot to say about this except thanks to all who helped and I promise not to take a copyright fee if you want to copy any of the photos. The final tally of the income for our funds will be posted as soon as I can but we are looking at a figure around 300 euros.

Father Christmas was ready to welcome the throng.

Norma and the two Helens prepare for the rush

Where would be be without Arthur and some woman I vaguely recognise

Margaret Whitters always does a splendid

cake stall

Our vice President and her bottles

December Board Meeting

2009-12-07T18:20:00.002+01:00

The December Board meeting was held last Tuesday so things have moved along somewhat since then. We began with a major disappointment as the booklet with stories from the history of the theatre was not in a state where we could expect anyone to buy it. That meant that the bit of a do we had planned for the lunchtime following the meeting had to be called off. That was the least of it though because we had hoped that we could sell the booklet in the run up to Christmas as a stocking filler and this appeared to be unlikely to happen. Since then we have found a new printer and the proofs look to be very promising, certainly of a much higher standard than we had seen from the original printer and we are on course to have it by the middle of next week.
We then turned our attention to the more mundane work we normally get up to - what was that Chinese proverb - please don't let me live in exciting times - well the booklet has proved more exciting than we wanted!

Lunches are proving more popular this year and the one at Casa Dori went well with an excellent turnout. The raffle raised 52 euros. Our Christmas Lunch is at El Brujo where we have been so well treated in the past. We had fixed a provisional price of 20 euros for this lunch but the cost of the food has gone up - they buy fresh not frozen turkeys - and it will be 22 euros. Good value and a 'Cabaret Piece' is promised by our beloved President and his predecessor as a sweet delight (??) at the end of the proceedings. Cars parked on yellow lines are not an acceptable excuse for a quick getaway.

Our trips are still organised by Gina and the one to Granada booked so well we filled the coach. Even with a good stop for coffee and tostado and a more than acceptable lunch we turned a profit of 413.80 euros. Our future trips are:
February 18th - Almond Blossom and Villages
March 18th - Grazalema
April 15th - Guadix

Our Treasurer reported on our finances and it has been a good month. We handed over a further 1000 euros to the theatre with the expectation that at least another 2000 will be handed over next month.

Don't forget that one of our best fundraisers is the raffle that goes with some shows. Already tickets will have been sold during the run of 'A Christmas Stocking' (thanks guys, I enjoyed my evening even though I had a very drunk and noisy woman sitting behind me. Front of House staff did a good job for us all in getting her out before the first half was over so well done them too).

So now my next job is to report on the Bazaar. By a strange quirk of blogging you will probably have read that before you get here. It makes life quite confusing.

Christmas Bazaar

2009-12-03T15:55:00.002+01:00

This Saturday December 5th we are holding our Christmas Bazaar on the forecourt of the theatre. (inside the theatre if it is raining)
We shall have all the usual Christmassy stalls. Margaret Whitters has her cakes, Pauline will be running a bottle stall( modesty almost stops me from mentioning the 15 jars of homemade marmalade in my kitchen using Seville Oranges from Pueblo Lucia in the heart of Fuengirola) and there will be a White Elephant stall, David's cards and Norma will be looking after a book stall. you can buy tickets for the current Christmas raffle too.
It occurred to me that some readers may not know who is on the Board of FOTA - sounds grand until you realise it means lugging the trestle tables and clearing up the mess! so this is a list of the Committee and what they do:
President: David Radford
Vice President: Pauline Naylor
Treasurer: Arthur Hill
Secretary: Graham Cherry
The members are:
Helen Young who handles publicity
Helen Tomlinson who organises our front desk rota
Norma Wilson
Pat Suart.
Noticeably not here is the name Gina Foster. SALVA have decreed that nobody can sit on our Board and their Board(sadly the reason we lost Lynn Halliday when she joined the SALVA Board) so Gina comes to our meetings as the liason between the two. That doesn't mean she sits quietly in the corner or that she has stopped organising our coach trips which are an important fundraiser.
anyway now you know come and say hello on Saturday and most of us are manning the desk on Mondays. Wednesdays and Fridays.

The Book

2009-12-03T13:15:00.002+01:00

Well, I took my camera in to take pictures of all the beautiful people who belong to the Salon at the launch of the book but to no avail. Sorry beautiful people if you turned up but the print standard of the book was far below the level we had been promised by the printer and the whole batch of booklets were thrown back at him. A new printer is being organised and we now think that the booklet will be available before Christmas so keep a corner of the stocking free whenever you fill one up. I'll keep you posted ( as long as I am kept up to date) and we hope it will be just a little hiccup.

Booklaunch

2009-11-30T18:21:00.001+01:00

The Booklet sponsored initially by FOTA with a history of the theatre prepared to celebrate ita twentyfifth anniversday next year will be launched at 1.30 after the Board meeting tomorrow morning, December 1st.
We hope to see you there. If you can't make it we will have it for sale at the desk and with David's cards in the theatre bar.

The Booklet - Latest news

2009-11-11T12:28:00.007+01:00

Further sponsors have agreed to donate 100 euros to the publication costs of the booklet - they get five copies in return but this now means that with the advertising revenue we have covered the cost of production and the full revenue from each copy sold will go straight to our funds.
The booklet will be launched shortly and will be on sale at the FOTA desk and the Bazaar at a cost of five euros.
To the list of sponsors in previous posts should be added;
D.Evans
Christina Backlund-Wall
Marie Mason

The History Booklet

2009-11-09T21:05:00.003+01:00

Great news. Individual sposors of the booklet (see main post below) have now increased to 9. The new sponsors are Terina Jager, Toni Devenish, Syd Wright and Brian Hindley.
We understand that the advertising revenue should reach 800 euros and this means that the cost of production has now been met so the full revenue from each copy sold will go to the theatre's funds.

November news

2009-11-08T21:05:00.003+01:00

Since the last post was October 1st I had better start with news from the October meeting.

Fundraising and Social activities: We had an enjoyable lunch on the port at Fuengirola. As usual there was a raffle and that raised 41 euros . The trip to Selwo had to be cancelled. It seems that in practice we have a cost limit we must work to and the trip at 40 euros a head was just too much. Later on I shall post about our trip for November and the cost target there is 33 euros. If you look in the Costa del Sol News a similar commercial (but obviously not as good trip) is twice as much.

We discussed arrangements for our Christmas Bazaar and if you have a bottle or some item suitable for the tombola lurking at the back of a cupboard - or standing proudly somewhere prominent is OK too - we would love to have it.

Then we came to the Theatre History Booklet. Good progress has been made, we were told, in its preparation and it is on target for a launch at the end of November. More later.

During October our big fundraiser was the raffle we held during the run of Cabaret. It isn't a popular task to sell tickets for raffles but a willing team did a fantastic job with the help of all who bought tickets. We were overwhelmed with the result as we sold 1602.50 euros worth of tickets. With the cost of the prize and the tickets taken off there was 1500 euros left for our funds. Thank you so much for all the support that there was for this effort. We will be repeating the exercise and hope that we can continue to make a very significant contribution from this activity.
I am sure our efforts were helped by the fact that this was a superb production. I haven't heard anything but praise for the performances. Another Peter Mitchell triumph.

So to our November meeting. This time our Fundraising/Social looked to the future only. So get the diary out and mark off November 19th for our trip to the other Granada. Already bookings are so good that we are at break even point so there aren't too many places left for what should be a great day out. I am jealous that I can't go as we have the dress rehearsal of Habeas Corpus that day. I will post some more details for this trip as soon as I can tear myself away from the script and the trauma of learning lines. On December 17th we will have our Christmas Lunch at El Brujo restaurant. We've been there before and were very well looked after. Details from the desk which include how to get there - it's not difficult.

The Anniversary Booklet of the history of the theatre during its 25 years was the next item on our agenda. Since it was originally proposed that FOTA should sponsor the booklet the cost has risen and there were some concerns expressed at the October meeting. By November this had eased a bit as advertising had contributed 480 euros with the likelihood of more to come. Sweelan Ford told us that she hoped that individual sponsors would come forward and immediately the following agreed to sponsor the booklet for 100 euros each: David Radford, Gina Foster, Pat Suart and Norma Wilson to be followed by Sweelan herself saying she would do the same. With even modest estimates of sales this means that the Booklet is unlikely to take anything from Fota's funds.
Enough for now. See you at the FOTA desk on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. And don't forget to book your ticket for Habeas Corpus

the Buzz is back

2009-10-01T17:54:00.002+02:00

Last Saturday saw the end of the hot sunshine, at least for the time being. My sunbed had been tucked away out of the rain. At journeys end I came up out of the station at Fuengirola and the sky was quite grey. The rain wasn't particularly heavy so I didn't bother with my umbrella. The theatre makes wet umbrellas unwelcome so I got just a little bit wet on my way the bar. First rains since May. The exit door was open and I could hear 'Cabaret' in rehearsal. Suddenly it seemed like Autumn had really begun. It was an audition day and lots of familiar faces were gathered round the table where Doreen Slater was keeping the chart for the aspirants as we trooped upstairs to be auditioned by Marie Legge. Time first though for a cup of coffee and catch up with the gossip (not a lot, very disappointing) and then the bar filed with a break in the rehearsal. It was good to see the regular musicals casts again as I don't do that many musicals but they are always fun when I do. Confidence was high and it seems that in Andy as the MC and Claire as Sally Bowles the general opinion was that the theatre had a winner on its hands. (October 9th - 18th). Of course there was still some reading from the script and undignified stumbles but at this stage that is both to be expected and was lower in quantity than usual. With the crowd from the stage, the slightly steamy atmosphere from the rain and the chatter and noise the theatre seemed alive again as it can't quite manage to do when it is really the summer sun and heat on offer. There was a distinct promise of Autumn and a theatre season to look forward to.
The feeling of being back in the swing continued when I came in to do the desk on Wednesday morning. This time a lot of old friends and former castmates (is that a word?) were rehearsing 'A Murder Is Announced'. Our Miss Marple will be Doreen Slater and the cast includes David Vincent and Lynn Halliday and other fine regular Salon actors. That will be 30th October to 3rd November. Sales of seats on our first trip of the season to SELWO and then Puerto Banus are not going as well as we had hoped. The cost of 40 euros is good value with the 'extras' that a FOTA trip provides but we have to acknowledge that in these difficult times it can be rather a luxury to spend so much and we are all a bit nervous about luxuries. We'll talk about it at the committee meeting on Tuesday next week and I'll let you know through this blog.
Well. the audition went well. You get the phone call which tells you that you've got the part and you think Mission Accomplished! and then it sinks in that there are going to be lots of hours spent learning lines and working on the character and going to rehearsals and taking deep breaths before stepping on the stage and Oh My God! So if you want to see how it turns out the play is Habeas Corpus by Alan Bennett and you should mark a date between November 20th and November 24th in your diary. The play had a good run in the West End with Alec Guinness playing Dr Arthur Wicksteed so I hope nobody can remember that. There is challenging and challenging! So it is back again this Saturday for our first read through. The committee meeting on Tuesday and I shall be back on the desk on Wednesday. There'll be a lunch for you to book and a trip to look ahead to. See you

Welcome Back

2009-09-22T12:17:00.003+02:00

Something light to begin. I've just come back from London where I saw two very different shows. If you get a chance to go to the National Theatre to see 'The Pitmen Painters' grab it. A very funny and serious look at art and how it can help a person grow in ways not immediately obvious. We see it here in Fuengirola in the use of drama and theatre in helping young people (and some of us older ones too) learn a little more about ourselves and the world around us. If that sounds too serious it isn't meant to be because that is what a good play or film or even TV show does after it has entertained us and this play really was very entertaining.
Our other show was very different - 'Hairspray' - at the Shaftesbury Theatre. For both shows we bought our tickets in the hut in Leicester Square (useful tip) and for 'Hairspray' we got them at half price, although when we got there the theatre was very full. So from 'Hairspray' I thought we could cheer ourselves up with a song we used in panto a couple of years ago. Although I was in the lineup then I couldn't honestly say we did it better !!

September Committee so to start the serious stuff a report on our first meeting. We are looking for a progress report on the special cleaning of the dressing rooms. We offered at the end of last season to pay for an 'industrial' clean of the dressing rooms which were showing the effects of a busy season. This is to include replacing the floor covering which was way past its sell by date with a special rubberised one recommended by John Pyne, the resident Stage Manager. We are also paying for a new extractor system to cope with the cigarette smoke on the stairwell.

I like, and I think the rest of the Board like, the idea that we can point to specific improvements we can make to the theatre as well as the financial contribution FOTA has made in the past year which is now 25,000 euros. Without that contribution we might not be looking at the season ahead with, well - anything at all. Everyone who joins in with FOTA activities is helping keep the theatre going. Apparent successful shows often bring with them enormous costs in terms of royalties and charges.

Lunches Our first social event of the new year is a lunch at Ku Damm on the port in Fuengirola on October 1st. Whilst it is not my favourite restaurant I know a lot of you like it so I hope we can get the programme off to a good start.
Following that we have plans for Casa Dori on November 5th and El Brujo for the Christmas Lunch on December 17th.

Trips:

Our first trip of the season is to be to SELWO park on October 22nd. This very popular tourist attraction is just outside Estepona and we will stop at Puerto Banus on the way back to shop till our wallets are empty (won't take me long!). The trip will include our usual stop for coffee and tostado and will include lunch. Full details will be available shortly at the desk.

Now a Bribe

Help will be needed during the run of 'Cabaret' when we will have a raffle for our funds. So far these raffles have been pretty successful but we are sure we can do better. Help selling the tickets could add considerably as last season lots of people were never approached to buy a ticket. if you can do anything then please contact David Radford who is at the theatre most days and always on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
Here's the bribe. The great Liza herself (I saw her at Puerto Banus last year - wow!)

Condolences

2009-09-20T13:58:00.002+02:00

Anyone who has ever gone to the theatre must at some time seen or bumped into Lizz Freeman, currently Vice President of SALVA and a very regular performer working now on 'Cabaret' and it is with great sadness that I start this seasons news blogs with the information that her husband David died last Friday. I am sure that all members of FOTA will join me in wishing her well at a difficult time.

A Visit to Ireland

2009-06-07T11:51:00.013+02:00

An aprehensive group of six actors and two stage managers gathered in gate area C at Malaga Airport for the first foreign tour of a play from the theatre (unless you count Gibraltar). We had been invited to perform 'A View From The Bridge' at the festival in Dundalk in Ireland. The flight went smoothly (just as well since one of us had been up until 4.00 clearing his desk) and we were met by what turned out to be as hospitable a group of people as it is possible to imagine. Safely transferred to Dundalk we had a look at the theatre. A very different design to the one we are used to. From an actors point of view it meant remembering to look up rather

having the audience at your feet. Gloria and John were knocked out by the facilities and have come back with a long shopping list. Next season is going to be a busy fundraising one for us!.
Then again the actors noted with unconcealed jealousy a Green Room with TV (of the stage) as big as all our dressing rooms put together and still three further dressing rooms each suitable for a football team.
The theatre seats 350 and we were told bookings were going well.
Suitably humbled we were taken to dinner at the Riva restaurant before being sent to our lodgings. Forget stories about theatrical landladies and dodgy digs. We all spent a very comfortable four days. Even the weather was brilliant. The locals must have been very pleased we brought some Spanish sun with us. During the stay we had a brunch at Dundalk Golf Club which looked perfect with the sun showing off the work of the rain that preceded us. We almost forgot why we were there with that and a pre arranged visit to Carlingford

Local hospitality was centred around McGeoffs which serves a mean pint of Guiness and the pub opposite the theatre where we may have disgraced ourselves by beating the locals on the quiz night. Such hedonism was soon brought short when Matt Murphy appeared and reminded us why we were there. Immensely hard work by our John Pyne and their Tony was producing an excellent set but we needed to do some work. In these photos the set is nearly complete and the central cast members getting to know it.

Radio interviews done, shirts made suitably messy (nice clean car park but my shirt may never recover. Did longshoremen really get that mucky?) we had to face our audience. Some less eager than others
But I think the intensity of the play is better demonstrated - let's face it it couldn't be worse demonstrated - by this photo:

I think you can be proud of the audience reaction to the play (I should make it clear that my role was quite small and all the Kudos lies elsewhere). We were told that even the top Irish Theatre companies get one round of aupplause and are lucky if they get off the stage before the clapping stops but they called the cast back on. Here is a transcript of a radio critics report;

I was somewhat apprehensive about going to see the production of "A View From The Bridge" as one associates plays done in holiday resorts with stock amateur fare. Well this play presented by salva from Fuengirola made my doubts seem quite ludicrous.from the 1st words uttered to the wonderful climax it was completly riverting. The acting was sublime and the direction was just what we expect from Matt Murphy.the theme of jealously and obsession as a man loses his niece to an italian immigrant was fully realised. There was not a weak link, Bobbye Aaron and Brianna Mcpherson were terrific as they came to terms with Geoffrey Standsfield s mesmerising performance as Eddie Carbone. I have never seen a better played Marco and Radolpho -totally believable and Stephen Burns gave his usual assured performance as the story telling lawyer. Even the smallest roles were handled expertly. A lesson in what theatre should be all about! They will be welcomed back hopefully very soon and the many locals who visit the Costa del Sol will be looking out for "the Salon de Variete" harry lee

After the show we had supper in McGeoffs and all of us found the walk to the back of the pub a long one as the audience stopped us to chat. Harry may be right and we hope that both the Salon and Fuengirola will benefit from a connection with Dundalk.
Of course none of this would have been possible without the work of Matt Murphy who was a difficult taskmaster. At times not a kind word could be heard from the cast but we were all queuing up at the end to ask about his next piece at the Salon and presented him with a memento which we hope he will be putting in a proud place. Watching him from a corner are Stephen,Bobbye and Brianna

So it remained for us to get home for a reality check as we line up for auditions for the next time. See you there. But not in a Green Room:

Theatre Programme Autumn 2009

2009-06-04T19:20:00.003+02:00

With so many of us flexible with our dates it was suggested to me that the Autumn Programme for the theatre should be somewhere on this blog so those who could only spend a short time here could plan their break. So, subject to change as they say, here it is:

18th -22nd September - Happy Birthday. This is a French farce which has been well received around the world

9th - 18th October - Cabaret. Peter Mitchell will be doing a workshop on this on Friday this week and auditions are on Saturday June 6th

30th October -7th November -A Murder is Announced. Peter Brooks will be holding Auditions on June 13th

20th - 25th November - Habeus Corpus

4th - 8th December - Christmas Show

18th - 21st December and 2nd- 5th January - The Wizard of Oz

22nd -27th January - Noises Off

5th - 9th February - Entertaining Mr Sloane

19th - 24th February - Old Time Music Hall

Well that takes us a bit past the Autumn but I hope you will find it useful.

AGM

2009-05-11T19:04:00.003+02:00

Just to remind everyone that the AGM is on Wednesday June 3rd at 7.00 at the theatre.
I sent a news e mail to everyone whose email address I have - a few got bounced back so if you have given us your email address and think you should have had one let us know.

Picnic at Chorro

2009-05-05T18:21:00.010+02:00

The trip to Cordoba is now full even with a bigger coach. Those who booked - have agood one.
What next? I hear you cry. Well we have a coach trip planned for June 4th to the Farmer's Market at Alora and then to the Lakes at Chorro.

Alora has a new attraction with it's Farmers Market which is set up at the Los Cabelleros restaurant. I have quizzed a friend who lives in the town and he goes especially for the pies from the Pie lady of Pizzara which are totally orgasmic. Who says the English can't cook. The idea is that you will be able to buy something delicious at the market for your picnic at the Lakeside, now much fuller of water than two years ago when these photos were taken

More on the Patios

2009-05-01T14:16:00.002+02:00

I know it sounds like a cheap sales stunt but if you were thinking of coming to Cordoba with us you should book soon. We thought it might not sell so did some extra publicity and as of last Wednesday we have 40 booked for the trip which only leaves 14 seats to go. It is great that we should be able to add to our donations to the theatre by making a profit but I hope that we don't have disappointed members. See you on Monday or Wednesday. Who knows, Friday may be too late!

Not enough pictures and our best trip yet?

2009-04-28T12:31:00.006+02:00

Make a note in your diary for May 14th when we have a trip to the Patios of Cordoba. This is a taste of what you will see:

Each year there are fears that the dedicated Cordobans will be a dying breed and the patios will decline (but when has that stopped a proper Yorkshire man from growing leeks?).
The patios are only open for a short time and that is why we have an earlier date for our trip than is usual. And the best part is that the trip with a stop for tostado and coffee and lunch included is only 35 euros.
That isn't all of course. Cordoba has the Mezquita
which Charles V thought one of the most beautiful buildings in Europe - and he was ruler of most of Europe at the time - and a splendid Arab Palace and Baths. The Roman Bridge is unshrouded from its restoration and the Jewish quarter has intriguing alleyways and a stunning square which is just lived in by ordinary Cordobans. You will want to go back if you haven't been before.

A View From The Bridge

2009-04-21T13:59:00.003+02:00

There have been some really good productions this season at the theatre and we can all be proud of the work that has been done but those of you who did not see A View From The Bridge may be kicking yourselves by now. (I declare an interest as I had a very small part in it). Comments on the production (directed by Matt Murphy whose first production here it was) were unanimous that it was the best, or very nearly so, play seen at the Salon. The play has been invited to the Festival at Dundalk in Ireland and will be seen there on May 30th. Naturally we are all very excited about this and really looking forward to it. If you want to see what the fuss is all about there will be a final rehearsal for the trip , provisionally on May 27th. I don't know what the ticketing arrangements will be, if any, but an audience would be nice and even without the terrific set that John Pyne put up I think you would have a memorable evening at the theatre.

April News

2009-04-21T13:18:00.002+02:00

The Committee meeting at the beginning of the month began with a sad moment. Lynn Halliday sent in a letter of resignation from the Board of FOTA. Now that she has been elected to the Board of SALVA they have told her she must resign from FOTA and we shall miss her. Fotunately she will not be far away and remains committed to what we do. As Lynn had been Vice Prsident of FOTA a replacement was needed and we are lucky that Pauline Naylor accepted the position. Lynn had also been membership secretary and Helen Tomlinson agreed to do this.

Our Trips have been very successful this year. The last one was fully booked and a bigger coach had to be ordered. The current trip to Tarifa and Baelo Claudia is full (though if you want to go we shall be at the desk tomorrow -April 22nd - in case of cancellations) and already some bookings are in for the trip to see the patios of Cordoba. After that we have a visit to the Farmer's Market at Álora and a picnic at the Lakes which this year are quite full (I hear a groan from winter visitors but we did need the rain). Bright ideas are needed for trips for next season. All in all a big thank you to Gina for organising these.

The next discussion point was a bit tricky. Sweelan Ford offered at the last SALVA AGM to prepare a booklet on the history of the theatre to mark the 25th anniversary. SALVA agreed to this but didn't offer any financial backing. The information has been gathered together and Barry Suart is editing it but the finance for the project was not in place. The selling price of the booklet will be 5 euros and it will need 300 coies sold to break even. Some Committee members could not see a market, even at the most optimistic, of more than a 100 which would leave a loss of a thousand euros. By a majority the Board of FOTA agreed to back the project and make every effort to ensure that sufficient copies would be sold. So now let's hope that we can all persuade as many people as possible to buy the booklet when it comes out in September.

Another 1000 euros was handed to SALVA for the theatres reserves. This makes the total donations from FOTA for this season 23000 euros.

Our final item is date for your diary and is the AGM on June 3rd. By rotation Graham Cherry, Pat Suart, Helen Young and Norma Wilson will be retiring and will be standing for re-election. It would be a great help if any further names could be passed to the President (David Radford) or Secretary (Graham Cherry).

March Committee News

2009-03-10T12:47:00.006+01:00

I am delighted to begin with success stories. The trip to see the flamingoes was fully booked so we made a nice profit for the theatre's funds. Just as important it's success has made the next trip already fully booked - in fact by last Friday we squeezed the last tripper on the bus. There is a waiting list and it is too late now even for that.
The next trip on April 23rd is to Tarifa and Baelo Claudia. Many will know Tarifa as a windsurfers centre and ferry point and not much more but it is a charming small town nearly all pedestrianised and with narrow atmospheric streets and a daily market. Tarifa was an entry point for the Moorish invasion of Spain and has a tenth century castle now called el castillo de Guzman after the Spanish commander during the siege of 1292. There is a gruesome story behind the siege when....... no, you'll have to wait till you get to the Castle.

Then on the Baelo Claudia. Founded in the second century B.C. it became an important town for fish processing.

There is a well preserved forum, three temples to Roman gods and even one to Isis of Egypt. Shops, main street and theatre. Near the beach is the fish processing plant and here a sauce was produced that the Roman's regarded as a rare and very expensive luxury. But it did rather smell

The trip after that will be a bit earlier than usual because we are going to see the famous Patios of Cordoba. Each Spring the patios are lovingly decorated with flowering plants but only for a brief period, hence the change of date. Not to be missed.

Lunches: I think everyone enjoyed their vegetarian lunch at Vegetalia. Even those making slightly nervous jokes beforehand came out with a smile. The next two dates for your diary are April 2nd when we hope to go to Casa Dori and then May 7th when Antonio Videra is the choice. They have both been popular on previous visits so I hope we will see you there.

During the meeting we handed over 1000 euros to the theatre. That makes a total of 22000 euros this year. I think that demonstrates how even a little contribution can add up. The theatre now seems to be in a pretty healthy state as long as we don't have a crisis and with a building as old that is who knows what is round the corner. (The roof over the storage area for David's cards leaked badly a few weeks ago) That is why we continue with the fundraising and why all your contributions, help and support are so important.

Beware the Ides of March

2009-03-10T12:37:00.002+01:00

Sweelan Ford has asked me to remind all devoted readers(!) that she needs copy for the anniversary book of theatre reminiscenses by March 15th. Next year the theatre is 25 and Sweelan is preparing a book to record our history and celebrate the existence, often against the odds, of this strange phenomenon of an English Theatre in the South of Spain. I have had some fascinating chats with Norma Wilson and seen some of her scrapbook. I must confess that my attitude to begin with was a bit cynical but now I can't wait to read what others will be putting Sweelan's way. It is a tight deadline if you haven't started yet but that really shouldn't phase anyone connected with this theatre.You have all had plenty of practice.

Full Monty and the Oscars

2009-02-24T14:46:00.002+01:00

Congratulations to Simon Beaufoy who wrote the screenplay for the Full Monty on winning an Oscar for his adaptation of Slumdog Millionaire. Word has it that the Salon's production of The Full Monty will be very popular and the writing may not be one of the reasons but for whatever reason you are sitting there it is good to know that the show has a real quality about it. Terrence McNally who wroyte the book of the show is no slouch either.
You wil have a great evening.

The Full Monty is on at the Salon from 20th March to the 29th

For Your Diary

2009-02-24T14:35:00.002+01:00

Tuesday March 5th Lunch at Vegetalia. Vegetalia is about the best of the vegetarian reataurants along the Costa del Sol. Lunch is a good choice buffet which is being offered to us at the reduced rate of 10 euros. Even a dedicated meat eater will enjoy this unusual lunch and it is certainly a bit different to our regular choices of restaurants. Vegetalia is in Los Boliches just before you get to El Corte Ingles and the rail staion.

Thursday March 19th heading back into the Andalucian countryside we will really visit an asparagus farm this time.(On the Estepa trip the asparagus wasn't ready for harvesting yet) and then on to a Leather factory

we are still negotiating to complete the rest of the season's programme so watch this space.

We saw some Flamingoes - honest

2009-02-24T12:35:00.010+01:00

Last Thursday saw a full coachload of friends and supporters set off for a day trip. Over the past few months the ultimate destination of this trip has changed a number of times so although it wasn't billed as a mystery tour those of us who had sat in meetings where each new possibility was raised kept our fingers crossed

Our first stop for the usual tostada and coffee. Later we returned for a pretty reasonable lunch.

Excitement mounted as we then headed for Fuente de Piedra and the Flamingoes. It is early in the season for them but the winter was wet enough to encourage hopes that they would be there and they were. BUT only those with binoculars could actually see anything very much. There was a small group who were clearly very pink but mostly they were white. Still all around were other water birds and the weather was terrific with a gentle breeze so nobody was complaining (except possibly you as I couldn't get a photo, sorry). If you go independently it seems you can get a bit closer with a car than is possible with a coach.

So after lunch it was on to Estepa. First impressions were good as we approached along a country road and could see the castle on top of the hill with almond trees in blossom reaching the road. Between then all was green after the recent rains. The coach took us up to the castle which presents rather a strange sight as it is the process of being restored so medieval stones were butressed by plain concrete.

The monastery of the Franciscans at the other end of the hill was closed to the public. it looked rather German than Spanish. It would be intersting to hear if anyone knows how well occupied it is as the building looked well maintained and was quite large.
We followed this with a ride through Estepa and then to the chocolate factory which only makes chocolates between September and Christmas. Never mind, there was cafe for those of us who wanted a little tea and a fancy and lots of good local produce - including chocolate - on sale.

A final view of Estepa before the bus home to bed.

The trip turned out to be a good fundraiser for the theatre so thanks to all who came, we hope you enjoyed it.

Coming events.

2009-01-18T20:28:00.003+01:00

The theatre has it's new flyer out and already changes need to be made. But it is great to start with news of an event that is over and much more successful than we had ever thought it would be. Last Thursday we had the first lunch of the year at Casa Rustica in Fish alley. We were a bit despairing last Monday with four booked but when Thursday came we had 50 members and their guests. The restaurant looked after us really well, and it couldn't have been easy having so many extra numbers at this time of the year. They even gave a meal voucher donation to our raffle which raised 100 euros for our funds. We have some difficulty with the venues for the next two lunches so do come along to the desk and find out what is planned. If we can do as well as Casa Rustica you will have a splendid day out.
Talking of days out we have a trip booked to Estepa on February 19th. Famous for asparagus and chocolate, not necessarily together, the end result is only part of the pleasures of the day. This time of the year southern Andalusia can look really attractive particularly as we pass almond groves in blossom.
We will be building on that with a more deliberate approach to finding the most beautiful parts of this region with our trip on March 19th

A past blog told you that we were cutting back on our fundraising events (booksales, bazaars etc) as age and backs caught up with us. So instead we tried a raffle for the Christmas Show and it proved so successful we had another one for the panto. Not quite as good but still a great contribution to FOTA's and ultimately the theatre's funds. Thanks to all who bought tickets. We plan another one during the run of 'The Full Monty'

My notes on the SALVA AGM

2009-01-18T19:46:00.003+01:00

SALVA may not mean much to some of you but it is the controlling body of the theatre. It produces most of the plays seen there. Some productions come in from outside groups ( and it's a great way to visit the Costa del Sol) and SALVA will then be the local producer. It holds the lease of the theatre.
FOTA's history goes back along way (another time) but now we support the work of the theatre by fundraising and in what follows it's worth remembering that this year FOTA has given the theatre 19,000 euros partly because of a near emergency over the financial stability of SALVA.

At the meeting we were told that Lynn and Eddie Barnett (all names are on the SALVA Board unless otherwise stated) were sorting out legal problems, especially with regard to employment matters. As the theatre has grown with more and more productions, paid staff have become necessary. This has been the case for some time and now job descriptions and a proper contract setting out their parameters have been prepared.
Lynn and Eddie were also working closely with directors to prepare and monitor budgets for productions much more vigorously. They had examined production costs over the last two years to try to produce guidelines and this was described as a 'work in progress'. This was all necessary because the past year had been the best ever at the box office but had only produced a modest profit - hence FOTA's decision to hand over so much money.

There were no contests for the places on the Board which were due for re-election and the one vacancy was filled by Lynn Halliday, our Vice-president.

When Any Other Business came along it began with Sweelan Ford(non Board) asking if anything special would be done to celebrate 25 years of the theatre. She then volunteered to produce a booklet and calendar (see last post).

The cost control exercise took up some more time with it becoming more apparent that greater clarity in organisation structure and control was a significant need.

Lizz Freeman asked whether there were too many shows being put on since there was a limited pool of performers. No decision was taken.

A question was put about tickets being ordered and not picked up or paid for. A credit card system was not considered a good idea so I hope that no FOTA member does this !

The loop system for the hard of hearing is out of action at the moment and this is because the system seems to be incompatible with the theatre's current sound system. Howard John will try to find a way round this.

The meeting ended with a presentation and thanks to John Mack who is leaving the post of Treasurer after 19 years.

Your Help Needed - No Work Involved

2009-01-12T11:26:00.002+01:00

At the AGM of SALVA held last week - of which more anon - SWEELAN FORD put up the idea of producing a small booklet of anecdotes, scenes etc from the history of the theatre to be published to celebrate the theatre's 25th anniversary next year. She is looking forward to compiling it and has asked for contributions by the end of May when she leaves for Singapore. The aim is to have it published for Christmas.
If you have anything you think might be good her e mail address for the project is slf.svarietes@hotmail.es

Rack those memories

January Committee meeting

2009-01-08T19:16:00.004+01:00

I shall start with some notes for your diary.
Next Thursday, January 15th, we have our first lunch of 2009 and this will be at Casa Rustica in 'Fish Alley'. We've been there before and had a few cast parties there too and never been anything other than pleased.
After that we have a lunch planned for February 5th and again on March 5th. We have got to go back to the drawing board on venues as the restaurants we had thought to use are no longer available.

On February 19th Gina has organised a visit to Estepa (yes I know we said we'd go there before Christmas but we had a very pleasant trip to Rute instead). The main attractions are a visit to an asparagus farm - bit different that- and chocolate is involved somewhere. Not necessarily with the asparagus but I haven't looked at my Jamie Oliver recently so anything is possible.

Then the March trip is called 'Springtime in Andalucia' quite the most beautiful time to see our new homeland. Previous trips on the same sort of theme have involved stops for local produce and tastings to add a real interest to the day.

More details will be available on the desk on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and you can book at the same time. Each trip is 30 euros which includes the breakfast stop and lunch.

Now our main purpose is to raise funds for the theatre and as many of you will know there has been a bit of a crisis this past year. At one time there was some doubt that the theatre would be able to open for 2009 and FOTA has raided our piggy bank and so far 19000 euros has been handed over to SALVA.

Our fundraising has changed emphasis a bit. The events held on the theatre forecourt (book sales, bazaars etc) whilst profitable - the Christmas Bazaar made 340 euros - involves quite a bit of physical work and backs and other bits are protesting so we have moved the main activity to raffles held during busy shows. The raffle during the Christmas show raised 835 euros so thank you to those who bought tickets. The raffle during the panto wasn't quite so successful but we think we will be pleased when the final total is calculated.

Outside fundraising will continue on a limited basis with Helen Young organising another 'Petticoat Lane' for April 18th.

Many people think the theatre makes vast profits but I hope you can see that the contribution made by FOTA members and supporters makes a real difference. The yearly membership is now due (yes I did pay mine last week!) and any encouragement you can give to those who use the theatre and don't want it to go, to join us and join in will be great.

I shall look forward to seeing you on Wednesdays on the forecourt and the desk is open Mondays and Fridays as well.

Happy New Year

2009-01-06T19:00:00.002+01:00

That says it all really. Sorry it's a bit late but I've been away and anyway we only had our committee meeting this morning so it isn't just from me to you.

Goodbyes

2009-01-06T18:42:00.002+01:00

2008 ended with sad news for FOTA members. One of our longest serving committee members, Jackie Brierley, lost her husband Eric after a long illness. Tomorrow (Wednesday January 7th) there will be a service followed by a lunch at the theatre bar. Many of you will know Jackie for her performances at the theatre, she has regularly manned the FOTA desk on Fridays, organised our lunches and been a stalwart of the various fundraising events we have held. Our sympathies are with Jackie at this difficult time.
On December 29th Ted Schepers, was found at his flat in Fuengirola. Ted was a regular on our FOTA trips and could be seen almost daily with his morning coffee and Daily Telegraph either at the theatre bar or across the way taking the sun. If you can't quite place him he was a Canadian and despite living in Putney for many years never lost that twang that Toronto gave him. One of the nicest people I have met in Fuengirola.
Finally our sympathies also go to Beryl Tidy. Beryl and David had not been long with us but rapidly became willing helpers at our events and with their sunny dispositions cheered us all up no end. Dave had been a willing worker backstage and was a great heaver of ropes and pulleys. Beryl comes back to Fuengirola next week and we are looking forward to seeing her.

Look Backward Look Forward

2008-12-17T18:12:00.002+01:00

I thought just saying Merry Christmas as a heading was a bit old hat so out has come my old school motto! Needless to say though all the members of the FOTA committee wished all our members - and even those reading this who aren't - a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

The end of the calendar year is a good time to look back and see what FOTA has done for the theatre and perhaps hope that new members may be encouraged to join. It is much taken for granted on the theatre terrace and in the dressing rooms that the theatre is a permanent and financially sound part of our ex-pat life here but the truth is very different as events this year have shown.

So let's start with what FOTA has done for the theatre's finances. We were told in the Autumn that the combined effect of the cost of the works that have needed to be done to the building had brought the theatre to the edge of closing and its future after Christmas was not assured. FOTA immediately gave 15000 euros from our accumulated funds. Since then we have handed over another 2000 euros from our fundraising activities and budget to make that another 1500 at least by the end of the pantomime season. This money can only come from you, the members, and others who have supported our activities.

This Autumn we have had trips to Jaen and to Rute which were well enough attended to make a slight profit. We have kept the prices for our trips deliberately low since we are a social as well as a fundraising group but as with the lunches they barely cover their costs and it is the raffles which raise funds. We have also held our usual booksale and Christmas Bazaar but here's the rub. Some members of the FOTA Committee have been there since the beginning over 20 years ago and even most of us newcomers (seven years in my case) have backs that aren't so keen on the lugging of trestles and tables and goodies. With the loss of storage at the garages of Gina we also faced a big problem. It seems that for the moment at least the events we have held on the terrace of the theatre whether book sales or bazaars will be no more. They have been an important part of our fundraising over the years with each one contributing from a hundred to several hundreds of euros and we urgently needed to find another way and when one door closes another opens.

Thanks in no small way to Norma's ladies who welcome us to the theatre we had a very successful raffle during the Christmas show. The prize was an excellent one and altogether raised about 700 euros. Really the ticket sellers deserve a big round of applause. We have bought a splendid hamper from El Corte Ingles and will be selling tickets during the pantomime
for a second Christmas raffle.

Of course our programme of trips and lunches will continue. On February 19th we are going to Estepa (really, this time) to visit an asparagus farm and a chocolate factory. I keep trying to think of a suitable recipe but haven't come up with anything so far. Perhaps if they made champagne in Estepa as well? There will be one more trip before Easter.

Christmas lunch was attended by 60 people, so a great way to end the year's lunch programme. I was away but I am told that the food and the company were excellent and not too many misbehaved with the carol singing! For the coming year lunches have been booked at Antonio Videra on January 15th . We have used this before and it has always proved
popular. Then two new venues for us. A little further out of town to the El Coto restaurant, a favourite with one of our committee who vouches for its quality and finally something really different. The vegetarian restaurant in Los Boliches - Vegetalia. We have been lucky to have them take us because they are usually very full at lunch time when they do an interesting vegetarian buffet. This time I can vouch for the food and I think it will go well whatever your normal tastes.

Many wisely resist the temptation to sit on committees and one of the things that can make almost any pair of eyes glaze over is discussion of constitutional arrangements and procedure. Sometimes someone gets lumbered because changes are forced upon us. This year we have started to examine the legal situation of the Group hopefully by the time of the AGM we will be able to report to members how we have improved the way our group integrates into the management structure of the theatre.

Well have a good time in the next few weeks. Don't forget the panto, bring your inner child. Our Gina makes a wonderful villain. If you aren't here on the Costa we wish you a white Christmas (in the north) or a beach barbeque if you have gone South. Wherever you are we will look forward to seeing you on the terrace in the New Year.

Activities until Christmas

2008-11-21T18:52:00.003+01:00

Let's start with next Thursday when we have our trip to Rute. This is on the borders of Málaga and Jaen provinces so a good scenic ride to get there. Naturally we will stop for coffee and tostado but the serious business starts when we get there. The area is famed for a number of things - olive production, furniture but our target is chocolate and that special drink for Christmas. We shall be visiting an anis museum and distillery. If that wasn't enough last time we visited there was a charming Belen. It can be difficult finding a present for friends or relatives who have everything or can buy it quickly if they want it but I have found that an Andalucian product , be it olive oil, chocolate, Malaga wine or anis is welcomed with delight and often showed off when other, more expensive items languish in a corner. So a lovely triop and some Christmas present dilemmas solved. What could be better.

The main square in Rute

LUNCHES

We have had a few already this year. Whether it is because Jackie is a wizard at finding nice places to eat or because it is a pleasant social occasion during the day and therefore no 'getting home' problems, they have been remakably successful. The year always culminates with the Christmas lunch and this year it will be at EL BRUJO which is in El Coto. Don't let that put you off, if you haven't got transport ask at the desk when you book about how to get there. Last year we packed the place out so someone found it easily enough! There will be a cabaret and carols and turkey and mince pie. Who could ask for anything more. The cost is 20 euros and the date December 11th.

DECEMBER 6th is the last date I will ask you to put in your diary. We shall be having a Christmas Bazaar on the forecourt of the theatre. The usual stalls of White Elephant, Tombola, Cakes, Cards, a Good Book Stall and a raffle. There are usually so many helpers anyone is good for a chat and a gossip so come along.

Bit of a Gap but Important news for Members

2008-11-16T17:45:00.003+01:00

For those of you who don't know (shame on you) I've been acting in Absurd Person Singular at the theatre and that's my excuse for not putting anything here for a while. It was great fun to do - even the nervous breakdowns! and we made a handsome profit for the theatre. So I hope that those of you who did come to see it enjoyed it. The audience reaction each night and the comments since suggest a good time was had by all.

I enjoyed 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' earlier in the season so things seemed to have got off to a good start but unfortunately technical problems have meant that the next play has been postponed. Still we've got the Christmas Show to look forward to and then the panto.

FOTA had a book sale on Saturday and raised 125.50 euros for the theatre's funds. We now have a different relationship with the theatre and SALVA. We were having problems with the constitution of FOTA and the requirements of the Spanish authorities if we were to be an independent body. We looked at the cost of staying independent but it seemed foolish to spend money on lawyers when the theatre needed every penny we could raise.

We have now agreed that we will be a fundraising arm only and hand over our surplus beyond a working capital requirement directly to SALVA for them to spend as they think fit. We have already given our reserve of 15000 euros and one further payment of 500 euros from our recent activities. The 'wishlist' which SALVA gave to us to determine what was bought is no more but we will be kept fully informed how our money is spent and I'll pass this on.

We are really pleased with the way that the season has started for us. The trip to Jaen turned out to be very popular and we had nearly a coach full. We keep the price as low as we can so even though there a lot of people on the coach the profit is modest. But it's better than a loss and we hope that members and non members alike can get to know each other. Similarly with the lunches where we add nothing to the charge the restaurant makes and hope that the raffle can add a little. We are always interested to know of a restaiurant we haven't tried so if you have a favourite let us know. We aim for a price of around 10 euros.

We tried something a little new in October with 'Petticoat Lane' where we had some quality clothes for sale. It went pretty well but not quite as well as we had hoped. Whilst I was sunning myself in the Canaries, Fuengirola was getting next summer's water ration and that meant that they had to operate in the Chekov Room. However it did go well enough to ensure that we will try again.

I'll blog our future activities a little later but I have been asked to bring to everyone's attention the fact that FOTA has a library of theatre books which includes some valuable and unusual items. At the moment they are stuck away because nobody borrows anything. Probably because you don't know about them. They are looked after by David Radford and he's at the theatre most days, so if you want to browse then have a word with him.

New Season

2008-10-04T12:37:00.008+02:00

It's October already and some things have happened and some are on their way.
The theatre has had a show and a film premiere. The film starred our vice president Lynn Halliday and has attracted the attention of both the BBC with a Look North film crew down to interview her (transmission probably Monday or Tuesday of this coming week) and a slot at the Marbella Film Festival. I understand the posh frock shops of Fuengirola have had to order urgent supplies.
Coming up at the theatre is 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' opening next Friday, October 10th and rehearsals are well under way for 'Absurd Person Singular' in early November. The Burnt Ash Players are visiting again between these events. Their previous productions have been of a very high standard so there is plenty to look forward to.
For FOTA, we had a successful lunch to kick start our season and now are looking forward to our first trip. This time to Jaen. This Andalucian provincial capital oozes history. Some ancient, after all Rome depended on it for olive oil as much of the world still does, some medieval with Moorish monuments including a castle turned into a Parador and some modern when man's inhumanity to man was particularly strong in the Civil War.
One of the great treasures is the napkin with which St Veronica wiped the brow of Christ on the way to the cross. This is still venerated every week in its glass case. But it is a bustling modern town too and the drive through the countryside to get there will start by being powerful through the mountains and then awesome as an unbelieveably endless vista of olive trees is broken up by small towns once on the front line of the war between the Moors of Granada and the kings of Aragon and Castille so safely perched on hill tops with their castle then trickling down the hills when security arrived with the reconquest.

The Parador high above the city. Don't worry, you don't have to walk

Date: Thursday October 23rd

Cost 32 euros

Painting the Chekov

2008-07-18T14:29:00.010+02:00

The colour scheme of the Chekov Room wasn't popular. In fact it was hated by many and a decision was taken that a repaint was needed. Of course the theatre doesn't have the money for anything as frivolous as employing a painter to come in and do it so the Committee of FOTA volunteered (or worse) and these are some pictures of the event. It is only fair to say that most of the work was done by John Pyne but I hope you'll agree that now we can score ten for artistic merit (especially the bit over the door into the balcony)

Planning the work
So the green and the orange had to go

We've gone for plum on the bottom

John and Helen are putting white on the top of the wall

once Helen got started the wall didn't stand a chance

Come and see it soon

Planning for the Autumn

2008-07-18T13:47:00.002+02:00

It's a bit early but thoughts of cooler days ahead are welcome at the moment. If you have left the coast to enjoy life in UK or other parts of the world it is unrelntingly hot here so what better time to get out our diaries and plan for the Autumn.
The last committee meeting decided :

Lunches: October 6th - Casa Dori
November 6th - Peppers at Dona Sofia
December 11th - Christmas lunch at El Brujo

Trips: October 23rd - Jaen and an Anise plant
November 27th - Rute or Estepa to visit a chocolate factory

Events: October 11th - Fashion Show (awaiting confirmation)
November 16th - Book Sale
December 6th - Christmas Bazaar

Of course everything is subject to change (when isn't it?) so the most important date is the first one you can make to come and say hello at the desk. We'll be there in September.

draft Minutes of the AGM

2008-07-18T13:32:00.001+02:00

FOTA Friends of the Theatre Association

Minutes of the AGM held May 14th 2008.

The meeting was called to order on the second call at 7.30 p.m. The President thanked the 20 members for attending.

Board Members present: President David Radford, Treasurer Arthur Hill, Secretary Graham Cherry, Jaquie Brierley, Gina Foster, Lynn Halliday, Pauline Naylor, Pat Suart, Norma Wilson and Helen Young.

Apologies were received from Y.Peake, Mr and Mrs Pollard, Ted Schepers.

Minutes of the AGM held May 22nd 2007 were taken as read and there were no matters arising.

Presidents Report was read by David Radford. Copies were available for members present. He concluded by highlighting the observation that whilst the trips and the lunches had shown profits for the Association’s funds the ageing of the membership had resulted in two normally profitable events being cancelled because of the physical demands.
Acceptance of the report was proposed by Mr Harding and seconded by Mr Suart.

Treasurers Report

Copies of the report were given to members. The Treasurer made the following observations:
Income from raffles had doubled
The evening dinner had been a great success and he hoped for more
There had been the same number of trips as last year but profit had doubled.
This year there had been four events whereas the previous year there had been seven so income from events was down.
Revenue from the cards had increased by one third.
The major expenditure item had been the hard wired system at 3,748.90 euros but overall expenditure had gone down.
Current Assets totaled 17,352.60 euros
The working profit for this year was 8,616.23 euros and this compared with 5995.445 euros for last year.
The acceptance of the report was proposed by Mrs Harding and seconded by Mrs Akers.

The President commented that the figures for the coming year for profits from recycled cards would be down because stocks of blanks were low.
It was hoped to expand sales of books on the desk, an experiment currently showing success.

Election of Officers:

The post of President was vacant.
The sole nomination was David Radford. He was proposed by Mrs Harding and seconded by Mr Chalkley. He was elected unanimously for a two year term.

The retiring members of the Committee were AH. GF. JB. PN.
They were re elected unopposed and unanimously.

The President informed the meeting that Helen Tomlinson was prepared to join the committee. She was proposed by Doreen Slater and seconded by Ana Atteck.

Any Other Business:

Ana Atteck asked how funds were transferred to SALVA. It was explained that SALVA request items and then the FOTA Committee will approve the expenditure or not. Indeed last year it was decided not to fund some items on SALVA’s wishlist.
This produced a number of comments:
Gina Foster, as President of SALVA, said that bringing the building up to standards had been very expensive. At one point the authorities had closed the building for Fire Precaution work to take place and shows had been cancelled. The electrical surge had cost 100,000 euros to put right. Although audiences and cast see a ‘profitable’ show, costs had rocketed and were now running at 200,000 euros a year. Income was on target to meet this but a stringent watch had to be kept on the finances. Currently SALVA have 30,000 euros in reserve and the summer to see through.
The wishlist from SALVA this year would include items not normally within FOTA’s remit. Among them are:
Smoke Hazer
Replacing the floor at the front of the stage
4 monitor speakers
lantern replacements
new tools for the resident stage manager
recovering legs and flats
motor for the motorised lights
painting the Chekhov Room

D Slater thought the lighting in the Chekhov should be improved.
The opinion was expressed by a number of those present that the Sound Headsets paid for by FOTA were not fit for purpose. There were real problems with the lack of flexibility and trailing wires when working backstage on big musicals. Gina Foster (for SALVA) said they would be modified with longer leads this summer and Eddie Barnett (SALVA) confirmed this and said that the alternative of leadless headsets would have cost 25,000 euros. Concerns about backstage safety of cast and crew continued to be expressed.

Lynn Barnett, as a representative of SALVA, thanked FOTA for agreeing to the wishlist. She amplified the information concerning expenditure on the theatre by adding that the whole of the electrical work cost 220,000 euros. With the theatre subject to instant inspection there was no option but to keep things up to date. She confirmed that the theatre was re building its reserves.

Peter Owen asked whether air conditioning was planned. It was explained that noise, electrical interference to the sound system and the structure of the building all make anything other than the present arrangement impossible. A recent estimate, which failed to meet some of these problems, was for 42,000 euros. Even if the technical problems were overcome the cost would be prohibitive.

B Suart put on record his appreciation of the work done and funds raised by FOTA

The business meeting concluded with a presentation to Gina Foster to mark her period as President of FOTA.

The business meeting was followed by a demonstration of the potential of the sound system which was greatly appreciated.

This week's committee meeting

2008-05-08T15:05:00.002+02:00

Let's start with the bad news. Pressure of work has meant that Sian can't run the Fashion Show for us. She has been really busy these past few weeks getting the costumes together first for the musical evening and then for the Railway Children. Anna has set this in 1940ish so there has been a great deal to do adapting and making costumes for the period and she is working hard against the deadline of tonight's final dress rehearsal. Then she has been cast in a leading part in 'Nunsense' with lots of rehearsal requirements so something had to go and, not surprisingly, it was the Fashion Show. The committee didn't express even a hint of criticism for the decision so we hope you will be just as understanding. That doesn't mean we have given up on the idea and we hope that we will be able to do something in October. If you were planning to inspect your wardrobe or thinking of helping out then go right ahead!

While we are on the subject of the Railway Children (well sort of) don't forget it opens tomorrow night for a three night run. It's a lovely show and while you will laugh during it, I am pretty sure you will come out with a cheery grin at the end. I admit to being just a bit prejudiced!

Hot Springs. The last blog covered this trip and there are still places on the coach.

Our AGM

Next Wednesday May 14th is the AGM. Not normally something members get too excited about but there a couple of reasons to come. First we are going to have a demonstration (about 20 minutes) of the sound capabilities of the systems FOTA have raised funds for. If you ever wanted to be in an airport when a helicopter landed on your head........

Then we have, hopefully, someone from SALVA coming to tell us about the theatre's current position. We have had a request for a cash grant from our funds. Our policy has always been to consider requests and buy items which enhance theatre going pleasures and not simply be a 'hand over cash' organisation. We must consider whether this should change.

Another decision we need to take is to elect a President. Leadership is an important matter and for many years it has been in Gina's capable hands. With her move to President of SALVA David Radford took over as President. He will be standing now for the next two years. At the moment he is unopposed but nominations have not closed.

Finally we have to consider next season - not necessarily at the AGM though that would be a good place to do so - and any ideas are welcome. We had an interesting one recently when the Art exhibition at Gaucin - modelled on the very successful idea of the Brighton Festival of opening artists' homes as exhibition spaces - was drawn to our attention. Too late for this year but could be an excellent idea for next. It all came as a surprise to the committee and we wonder whether there more good ideas out there that you assume we know about.

The next report will be after the AGM so if I don't see you at 'The Railway Children' I shall hope to see you there.

The Hot Springs.

2008-05-04T17:48:00.005+02:00

Our last trip of this season is set for Thursday May 22nd when we set off for the Hot Springs and the beautiful town of Alhama de Granada.
Here water rich in sulphates and magnesium has bubbled out of the ground to the delight of mankind since pre historic times at a rate of 80 litres a second and a temperature of 47C. The Romans loved the place but the glory days were from the 12th century when the Moors built their baths - still there - and the town became the favourite of the rulers of Granada. Today the baths are still a relaxing and popular way to relieve stress and aches and pains.
The stimulating effect of the waters by the river bank has convinced the locals that swimming in the river, where it has cut a gorge and the hot water from the spring joins the cooler waters from the mountains, is a local remedy especially good for the less pleasant after effects of spending too much time in the nightclubs of the city.

But it isn't just the baths to see. One recent comment on a tavel site said of Alhama:

A magnificent Gorge that, in my opinion, rivals Ronda but without the tourists.

As usual our trip includes a break for breakfast and a lunch.

Book at the FOTA desk at the theatre Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Fashion Show Saturday May 17th sees our fashion show on the theatre forecourt. We have been given donations already but would be delighted with more. It is being organised for us by Sian Hopkins and Liz Pollard so will be really worth going to.

Finally don't forget our AGM which is on Wednesday May 14th at 7.00.

Notice of AGM

2008-04-10T16:36:00.001+02:00

FOTA

AGM

The Annual General Meeting of FOTA for this year will be held in the theatre on

Wednesday May 14th

First Call 7.00

Agenda:

1. Attendance and Apologies

2. Minutes of the 2007 AGM

3. Matters Arising

4. Presidents Report

5. Treasurers Report

6. Election of Officers

7. Any Other Business

Due to the resignation of the last elected President the meeting will need to elect a President. The Treasurer is also due to retire and seconded nominations for election can be left at the FOTA desk. Seconded nominations may also be made from the floor of the meeting.

Membership nominations were due on January 1^st. Outstanding subscriptions may be made on the evening of the AGM. Only paid up members can attend the meeting or submit nominations.

Genal Valley amongst other things.

2008-03-14T12:42:00.008+01:00

The Genal Valley is our substitute for the cancelled trip to Ubeda. The area from around Ronda back towards the coast has long been famous as the 'White Villages' of Andalucia. Whatever the origen of the 'whiteness' it is now a source of fierce pride to have the village looking immaculate. Woe betide the housewife who doesn't make sure the walls are sparkling in the Andalucian sun. The villages climb up, often very steep, hills and mountains and usually possess at least a fort from Arab times. Sometimes even a picturesque castle knocked about a bit by Ferdinand and Isabella and Father Time. Some pictures to whet your appetite:

Above is Olvera. The Church and the castle dominate the town and both are worth exploring.
To the right is Algar.

This is Grazalema which has the distinction of being the wettest place in Spain. We will keep our fingers crossed no umbrellas are needed.

At the top is a picture of Sentenil de la Bodega. On our last trip to the white villages Juan, who is our usual driver, had the most incredible driving problem here. The street was very narrow and someone had parked inconsiderately (I know it is hard to believe that such things can happen in Spain) He got through with literally a centimetre to spare on either side of his coach but halfway through the manoevre most of us thought he would get stuck with us inside the coach and not enough room for even the skinniest of us to get out. I don't know who felt they deserved a drink the most when we got down the bottom. The bars here are made out of caves and so unusual we just had to go in. So, too, are many of the houses. A fascinating and very pretty town.

There may even be a Roman ruin for you to see.

As usual Gina will be stopping for a breakfast break of tostado and coffee and lunch is included. The trip is a very modest 25 euros.

Other news and plans

We have had some really successful lunches recently both in terms of the numbers of members attending and the general quality of the meal. It was especially nice that a new (to us) restaurant in the middle of Fuengirola proved to be a hit. Take a bow 'Casa Dori' and if you feel like checking them out they are just by the entrance to the underground car park opposite the Tourist Office.
Our next lunch is at the Primavera on April 3rd. Over 40 members gathered too for a great evening out at the Kon Tiki in Los Boliches. . There was general agreement that this should not be the only time we went for an evening 'do' and at the last Committee meeting we decided to investigate a beach side restaurant for early June. I have a feeling that even with so many members heading back to the rain and cold(!) we'll have a good crowd.

The trip for April will be to the Lobo (Wolf) Park. The park is just outside Antequera and we will spend some time there in this ancient and important town. Date is April 17th.

We had a FOTA trip to see the Wolves at night and hear them howling.
Absolutely fascinating.

I've told you about the Fashion Show before and now the date is definitely fixed for May 17th.
A note for your diary.

As the point of FOTA is to keep the theatre going here are some dates for you to set aside:

28th March to April 1st - An Inspector Calls

11th April to 15th April - Uncle Vanya

25th - 29th April - a Lizz Freeman Musical Revue

9th - 11th May - one for the younger members of the family - The Railway Children and note two important things here. The show finishes on Sunday so no performances on Monday or Tuesday and I'm in it.

23rd - 28th May - the final show of the year is Nunsense.

Everyone on the Committee looks forward to seeing members on the theatre terrace and we hope that will include you soon.

Saturday March 1st

2008-03-01T16:54:00.002+01:00

The trip to Jaen has had to be cancelled. Quite simply we couldn't get the numbers needed to make it viable. To those who booked we can only say sorry. But we have fixed up a day trip to the Genal Valley and the White Villages, particularly Gaucin and Manilva for March 27th. Full details at the desk.

Thanks to those who came and bought at the booksale. It went well but we have plenty of books left for the next one!

Our trip to Jaen,Ubeda and Baeza

2008-02-24T11:50:00.002+01:00

Let me start by saying how pleased we were with the response to the trip to Priego de Cordoba. A full coach, no less, and good weather in a bad week. Feedback so far has been good although a little disappointment was expressed by some who thought they would see glories as great as are on offer at Ubeda and Baeza. Next just a little reminder that next Tuesday February 28th we have an evening social dinner at the Kon Tiki restaurant in Los Boliches.

If you have been dithering( and don't we all) about our trip to Jaen to take in Ubeda please make your mind up soon. We are fast approaching a deadsline for confirming the trip and need to be pretty sure of the numbers. As a help here is a Youtube video of Ubeda. It's in Spanish and it's only part one but part two and other videos are on Youtube and you can get a good idea of the attractions of the town.
We will have an English speaking guide throughout the trip which will be invaluable in understanding how such beautiful towns came to exist on the edge of Andalucia.

We shall be staying in
JAEN Capital of the province of that name at the Hotel Torres 1
Villanueva del Arzobispo

Cost: 230 euros
to include coffee on the way, all meals and final lunch

Finally, our hardworking Treasurer, Arthur, had an accident last weekend and broke a bone in his foot. If you haven't seen him perform at the theatre - he was the General in 'And Then There Was None' and had only just opened as Lane in 'The Importance of Being Earnest'- then you must have met him on a Wednesday morning manning the FOTA desk at the theatre. I am sure you will join me in wishing him a speedy recovery.

Spring Programme

2008-02-06T17:40:00.000+01:00

A busy committee meeting this week has put together some plans which move the emphasis of FOTA a little more to the social side. We hope that you will enjoy some - or all - of these events. I'll put a little more detail about them as they come up. Meanwhile if you want to come on the trip to Priego de Cordoba (see the last post) you will have to get a move on. We already have 50 booked so only a few seats left. It's great to see that FOTA members are so keen to experience the beauty of Andalucia.

Starting with our popular lunch programme. We are off to El Cisne in Fish Alley tomorrow and again we have a nice sized group of friends going. Then on March 6th we try a new venue. Members who are resident in the Pueblo Lucia area have been telling us how good a local Spanish restaurant is. Casa Dori is just off Jesus Santos Rein about halfway between the market and the horses head roundabout. After that it is back to old favourites of Primavera, Europa (now remodelled) and Antonio Videra, more later on these.

Our March trip is longer than usual. Three days two nights to Jaen,Ubeda and Baeza. I shall post this separately but for now the reason for the trip is that these towns are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built largely by a 16th century dynasty who ruled Spain in the absence of Charles V at a time when gold was flowing in from America they are regarded as jewels of the Renaissance. Dates are March 25th - 27th and the cost 230 euros.
On April 17th we are going to Antequera and then Lobo Park during daylight (we had a fantastic night time visit there a couple of years ago). I never knew that Wolves could be so interesting and so different from the stories of legend

We are trying out something new on February 26th. Large lunches are not to everyone's taste so we thought an evening social dinner might be a good idea. After every show there is a dinner for the cast and everyone who has worked on it as well as their friends. We have been told how good the Kon Tiki in Los Boliches has been so we have booked to go there.

March 1st sees the forecourt of the theatre transformed into a bookshop for our booksale. Although Gina's garage is stuffed full of books we appreciate very much anyone who makes it a bring and buy. With the exquisite taste of our members(!!!) we can ensure that it is a morning for bibliophiles.

May 3rd sees the return of the fashion show. This time in the very capable hands of Sian and Liz from the theatre's wardrobe department as Maggie is off on holiday. Some donations have been made already and I am told there is some very good stuff there.

As these events come up I'll post more details, hopefully with some pictures to break things up a bit. For now I know that the whole committee joins me in saying that we hope you will like this programme and we will look forward to seeing as many of you as can make it as often as you can make it.

Priego de Cordoba

2008-01-05T14:32:00.000+01:00

Day Trip February 21st

Priego de Cordoba, described in one guide as 'an unmissable stop on the Caliphate Route' lies at the foot of La Tinosa, Cordoba's highest mountain.

At the centre of the town is the Ayuntamiento and everything is an easy walk from here

Priego came to prominence under the Moors who ruled from the invasion to 1225 and then from 1327 to 1340 when it became a Christian town permanently. From these times comes the splendid Moorish castle.

The layout of the town with its narrow winding streets is a reminder of these times.

The conquest did the town no favours and it became a quiet backwater until the Dukes of Medinaceli arrived in 1711. Prosperity followed based on the silk industry. The great wealth generated was spent on creating buildings in the Baroque style. Today the textile industry is no more but the Palaces and Churches remain.

This is just one interior. The guide books have a list of a dozen or so to feast the eyes. I suspect a couple will be enough!

So come with us through the Andalucian countryside to the town of Priego de Cordoba.
The trip includes lunch and a coffee break and costs 30 euros.
Book on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings between 11.30 and 1.15.

Congratulations but sadness gloom and despondency

2007-12-13T11:19:00.000+01:00

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.

December update

2007-12-10T11:33:00.000+01:00

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.

Christmas Trip on November 29th to Rute

2007-11-19T17:55:00.001+01:00

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.

Day Out to Ronda

2007-11-18T12:38:00.001+01:00

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!

Autumn Report

2007-10-18T11:35:00.000+02:00

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!

Trip to Ronda

2007-10-01T18:55:00.001+02:00

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.

Autumn is almost here

2007-08-31T12:48:00.001+02:00

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

Next Season

2007-06-25T18:22:00.000+02:00

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.

The AGM (and Chita Rivera in Evita)

2007-06-01T19:39:00.000+02:00

">" border="0" alt="" />
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.

A Special Treat

2007-05-30T13:13:00.000+02:00

">" border="0" alt="" />
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.

Trip to Nerja

2007-04-21T18:50:00.000+02:00

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.

2007-04-16T11:18:00.000+02:00

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.

2007-04-04T10:35:00.000+02:00

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

Update on programme for rest of season.

2007-03-13T11:57:00.000+01:00

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.