News Letter

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

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

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

News Letter from Val Williams

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

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

My last Post

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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'

  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.

Trip to Tarifa and Estepona - October 21st

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

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.