Dear Players,
Autumn 2008 promises to be a theatrically stimulating one. The Finn-Brit Players, in conjunction with Thespians Anonymous and the Really Small Theatre Company, are organising the third Festival of English-Language Theatre in Finland, FELT IF 2008. The festival spans three days with a total of nine short plays on offer. FELT IF 2008 will be held at Caisa in early November. Of course, we also have our usual lively social calendar with play readings, drama incubator workshops and parties, not forgetting this autumn's run of Poetry & Jazz in October.
August
Sunday August 24: Auditions for FELT IF 2008
The third Festival of English Language Theatre will be held in November 2008. The Finn-Brit Players are entering four short plays for the festival. Auditions for all the FBP plays will be held at FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) on 24 August starting at 2 pm. A short description of the plays and available roles are below. To audition, you just need to turn up at 2 pm - there is no need for any advance preparation. If you would like to audition, but are unable to come to the auditions, you can audition based on previous perfomances; please contact Jack Leo (jack(at)finnbritplayers.com or 050 384 6740). If you prefer not to act, but would rather help out backstage or with administration, please contact Jack or just turn up at the auditions.
Zoë Chandler: Plastic Soup. When eco-warrior and businesswoman clash, a battle for love and water takes place in a disused railway tunnel in an inner-city park. Directed by Zoë Chandler. 2 male roles, 2 female roles.
Anton Chekhov: The Bear. When Grigory Smirnov arrives to collect a debt he is owed, the widow Pavlov refuses to pay and insults Smirnov by calling him a bear, which results in a challenge to a duel. Directed by Jack Leo. 2 male roles and 1 female role.
Mickle Maher: An Apology for the Course and Outcome of Certain Events Delivered by Doctor John Faustus on This His Final Evening. In this modern adaptation of the Faust legend, John Faustus, accompanied by his unspeaking servant Mephistopheles, delivers his apology to the audience. Directed by Rebecca Clamp. 2 roles, either male or female.
Oana Velcu: Finders Keepers. St Peter has lost the keys to Heaven and is desperately searching for them in a jet plane, where his encounters with the passengers show that life is not always straight forward! Directed by Oana Velcu. 3 male roles, 2 female roles.
Wednesday August 27: Meeting for Poetry & Jazz
If you would like to perform in this autumn's run of Poetry & Jazz, bring along any material you might be interested in doing to FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) at 8 pm. All are welcome to bring in suitable pieces - Poetry, Stories, Dialogues. This is essentially to choose items to come up with an interesting programme. Bring along your own material, material for which you have permission to perform, or poems outside copyright (i.e. the poet has been dead at least 70 years). Contact Joel Holmberg (alarik(at)wippies.com) for more information. All rehearsals will be on Wednesday evenings at 8 pm.
Friday August 29: Play Reading
At play readings we, well, read a play. Out loud. One person leads the reading and assigns roles. Everybody gets a chance to read. Carol Norris will be leading this first reading of the season. FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) at 7 pm. Bring a bottle and a friend.
September
Friday September 19: Play Reading
Zoë Chandler leads this reading. Bring refreshments, a friend, and join the fun! FINNBRIT at 7 pm.
October
Wednesday October 8, 15 & 22: Poetry & Jazz
All performances will be held in the Piano Room of Café Engel. Music will be provided by Johanna Pitkänen on the piano. Directed by Joel Holmberg. Café Engel (Aleksanterinkatu 26) at 8 pm, free entrance.
Friday October 24: Play Reading
This play reading session is open to proposals. If you have a play in mind that you would like to lead a reading of, please contact the committee (committee(at)finnbritplayers.com).
Friday October 31: Hallowe'en party
Steve Porter organises our ghoulishly gregarious Hallowe'en party. As per tradition, the best costume wins a prize! At FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9), from 7 pm.
November
FELT IF 2008
Thursday November 6 from 6 pm onwards
Friday November 7 from 6 pm onwards
Saturday November 8 from 1 pm onwards
Performances at Cultural Centre Caisa, Mikonkatu 17 C / Vuorikatu 14 / Kaisaniemi metro station (Fennia block)
FELT IF 2008 offers a total of nine short plays performed by three Helsinki-based English-language theatre groups. These include three original plays and adaptations. The plays and groups are:
The Finn-Brit Players: Plastic Soup (Chandler), The Bear (Chekhov), An Apology for the Course and Outcome of Certain Events Delivered by Doctor John Faustus on This His Final Evening (Maher), Finders Keepers (Velcu)The Really Small Theatre Company: Between Mouthfuls (Ayckbourne), The Form (Simpson)
Thespians Anonymous: The Proposal (Chekhov), Once Upon a Time in a Plague Year (Bullein/Honkapohja), The Dark Lady of the Sonnets (Shaw)
Each show will receive two performances. A more detailed programme will be available online in October. Individual tickets will be available for each show separately. In addition, it is possible to get a festival pass, which will entitle the holder to pick up an individual ticket to any show. Tickets for pass holders are only guaranteed till 10 minutes before the start of each show. Festival passes can booked online, but individual tickets will only be available at the door. Prices are €20 (festival pass) and €5 (individual tickets). More details will follow on this site.
Friday November 21: Play Reading
Also this play reading slot is open to proposals. If you would like to lead a reading, get in touch with the committee (committee(at)finnbritplayers.com). At FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) at 7 pm.
Sunday November 23: Drama Incubator
Are you interested in voice, physical theatre, or maybe writing your own scripts? This is a chance for you to get together with fellow thespians and work on whatever aspects of theatre you're interested in without the stress of a major production. So come along and experiment! Drama Incubator workshops are facilitated, but not taught, with Zoë (zoe(at)finnbritplayers.com) acting as facilitator. At FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) from 2 to 5 pm.
December
Saturday December 13: December Orgy
The December orgy, previously known as the Finn-Brit Players' Christmas party, will be held at FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) from 6 pm. Organised by Steve Porter, so expect some high-voltage charades action.
Sunday December 14: Drama Incubator
The second and last session of the drama incubator before Christmas. Even if you haven't been earlier, you're still more than welcome to join in. Again, for more information contact the facilitator (zoe(at)finnbritplayers.com).
January 2009
Saturday January 17: Rehearsed Reading of Four by Vello Ruus
Vello Ruus organises a rehearsed reading of his radio play entitled Four. So come along to enjoy this performance! FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9), 7 pm. Free entrance.
Call for Proposals, Spring 2009
The committee would like to invite proposals for a play to be produced in spring 2009. If you would like to produce or direct a play, please submit a short description of the play, casting and staging requirements, suggested budget, and potential backstage crew to the committee by no later than September 1st.
Further information
We send out reminders for events on the mailing list, and of course newsflashes concerning any impromptu activities that take place. This site also contains details of our activities, as well as a collection of photographs from past events. If you want to join the Players' mailing list, contact Matti (matti(at)finnbritplayers.com). Also, if you have a suggestion for an activity, please contact the committee with your proposal.
Should you wish to receive a printed copy of the newsletter, contact Zoë (zoe(at)finnbritplayers.com). If you change address or if your contact details are otherwise incorrect, please contact Zoë (zoe(at)finnbritplayers.com).
The Finn-Brit Players is a member organisation of the Amateur Theatre Association of Finland (SHTL). This entitles FBP members to participate in SHTL activities, though these are mostly in Finnish. More information in Finnish at www.shtl.fi.
The Finn-Brit Players is also a member organisation of the Federation of Finnish-British Societies.
Membership fees
If you wish to become a member of the Finn-Brit Players please fill out a membership form (available online at www.finnbritplayers.com or from committee members at social events). Social events are open to everyone, but as a full member you can also take part in productions, vote at general meetings, stand for committee, and participate in certain events organised in conjunction with the Finnish-British Society, which may be restricted to members only. The membership fee for 2008 is €12 (€5 for concessions), or €100 for life membership. In order to pay your membership, make sure you have a reference number from Zoë (zoe(at)finnbritplayers.com).
Committee Members
Zoë Chandler
Treasurer, 040-848 9814, zoe(at)finnbritplayers.com
Matti Keltanen
Communications officer, 040-716 1102, matti(at)finnbritplayers.com
Jack Leo
Chair, 050-384 6740, jack(at)finnbritplayers.com
Bruce Marsland
Vice chair, 050-483 9579, bruce(at)finnbritplayers.com
Stephen Porter
Social and technical liaison officer, 045-114 1222,
steve(at)finnbritplayers.com
Fabien Rapin
Secretary, 050-487 6690, fabien(at)finnbritplayers.com
committee(at)finnbritplayers.com