Download January 2015 M - Lyceum Theatre Oldham

JANUARY
NEWSLETTER
Editor:
Sue Garlick
E-mail: [email protected]
“BETRAYAL”
by Harold Pinter
13 – 21 Feb 2015 - Directed by Maggie Blaszczok
Betrayal is one of Pinter's most moving and probably his most accessible play
and deals with the shifting balance of power in relationships and with the pain of
loss. There is a good deal of tenderness, wit and humour and what makes it so
interesting is watching the characters try to conceal what they believe the other
does not know.
Betrayal is based on the lengthy affair between Harold Pinter and the
broadcaster Joan Bakewell. The play is structured in reverse chronological
order, with the first scene taking place in 1977, two years after Emma and
Jerry's affair has finished, and ends in 1968 with the first flickers of attraction.
Pinter shows that it is not always the major betrayals that destroy us, but the accumulation of the smaller
lies.
We have an excellent cast for you, all working very hard to bring you this exciting and wonderful play from
one of our greatest playwrights.
Box Office 0161 627 1032
The box office is open on Tuesdays 27 Jan, 3 & 10 Feb, 2pm-4pm
and Thursdays 29 Jan, 5 & 12 Feb, 7pm-9pm
Book online at: www.lyceumtheatre.org.uk
(The Box Office is also open on performance nights for future productions)
Getting to the Theatre
If you are using public transport a convenient way to travel to the Lyceum is by tram. Metrolink have a
station directly outside the theatre – Oldham Central.
If you are travelling by car you can use Sainsbury's car park. Turn right at the top of the ramp and use the
section near the Library. There is then pedestrian access to Union Street and the Theatre. The car park will
be available free of charge from 7.00pm to 10.30pm during productions. Sainsbury’s is sign-posted
'Superstore' on the eastbound carriageway of the Oldham southern by-pass.
Dining before the Show
If you would like to book a meal at The Old Bill Bistro, Bar & Lounge, you can get this at the
special 'early bird' price of £9.95 per person for a two course meal, including a drink, when you
show your Lyceum theatre tickets. Telephone Paolo, the proprietor of The Old Bill, on 0161 628
5895 to book your table. The offer is not available every evening so please check with Paulo.
The Old Bill is situated just around the corner from us at 35 Greaves St, Oldham, OL1 1TJ.
Lyceum Christmas Walk
The annual Lyceum Christmas Walk and Lunch on
Sunday 14 December was again at Dunham Massey.
While the Georgian Hall and Stamford Military Hospital
are closed for conservation until 14 February 2015,
Dunham Massey is still a beautiful place and a peaceful
way of spending a few hours, where you can wander
freely amongst groves of ancient trees.
Our numbers were depleted this year due to illness or
prior commitments; nevertheless we enjoyed the
scenery and the company of our fellow Lyceum
members who could make it. We did miss Jean & Jack
though, particularly at coffee time when the absence of
a little something from her Jean’s hip flask was sorely
felt!
After the walk we enjoyed a delicious lunch at the
“Swan with Two Nicks”. Thanks to Mark for organising this excellent event.
THE LYCEUM BY NIGHT
You are in for a real treat when you come to see our next production, Betrayal, in February. You
will see the Lyceum in all its glory but at night-time! The Council have decided to illuminate the
whole building as part of their commitment to the Cultural Quarter and what better to illuminate than
the best building in Oldham!
In the old days, it was called ‘floodlighting’ but with advances in technology, they can use smaller
LED lights to achieve the same effects with ‘uplighting’ as it is called. So, as people pass on the
trams, on buses, in cars or on foot, they now have a new perspective on a building they have
probably passed a thousand times.
A spin-off for our audiences is that the steps down to the Theatre door are well-lit, but make sure you
stay on the handrail side so as not to catch any glare from the uplighting. This innovation makes
coming to the Theatre safer and gives a warm, glowing effect as you enter, a feeling that we hope
will stay with you as you see our next exciting production.
Mike Russell
A REQUEST FOR HELP!
A big thank you to all of those who kindly completed the questionnaire during the production of “Yes, Prime
Minister”. We are currently working hard to increase our audience base and the information from the
questionnaire is really helpful.
As part of this process we are looking at ways to improve the circulation of our printed leaflets for each
production and we are recruiting volunteers who would be happy to distribute leaflets around their local
area.
If you feel that this is something you could help with then please email me at
[email protected] or give your details to one of the front of house staff when you come to the
theatre.
Ean
Please offer your help for the next show; telephone:Front of House (Jean & Jack - 0161 633 3229); Bar (Barbara - 01706 633755); Box Office (Ean – 07980 278069)
OUR THEATRE IN LOCAL ART
The January picture in the Dr. Kershaw Calendar is of the entrance to the Lyceum Theatre and was
painted by local artist David Ford and commissioned by the late Nigel Marland. David has
exhibited some of his paintings in the Theatre Bar Gallery and another exhibitor has been another
local artist, Cliff Murphy, who had one of his oil paintings selected for the 2014 exhibition at the
Royal Academy. Cliff has also been artist-in-residence at Lancashire Life which featured his
evocative painting of Honeywell Lane in the late 1940s and 1950s.
Many of his prints capture the spirit of a bygone Oldham but an Oldham that many of us remember
from our childhood. He has a stunning print of Mumps Bridge, with one of the original Oldham
buses just about to go under the bridge; you could almost be there watching the scene!
But whilst his atmospheric paintings and prints look back to Oldham’s past, Cliff has an eye for a
good picture and this seasonal card he had
produced from one of his latest prints, shows a
modern view of the Lyceum, just as the first tram
was passing on its initial journey to Rochdale.
My oldest school friend, Edward Nunn, got this
card for Christmas and a friend of his who saw it
was convinced it was a card of Vienna!
Large prints are available of this warm painting
and can be obtained from Cliff by ringing him on
0161 620 6331. You will be able to see what the
print looks like on your next visit to the Lyceum.
Mike Russell
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Interview with Joan Duffin
Joan is Secretary of The Lyceum Players
1)
Where were you born?
New Moston.
2)
Did you relate best to your Mum or Dad when you were
growing up?
I never knew my dad. He was a rear gunner in the RAF
and was shot 3 weeks after I was born. I was brought up
by my Grandparents and my dad’s sisters. I was very
close to my Nanny and became closer to my mum when I
grew up.
3)
Do you have any siblings/children/pets?
I have 8 half-siblings and 4 children – 3 boys and a girl –
all now grown up, of course and 4 grandchildren. No
pets.
4)
What was your favourite subject at school?
Maths. Although I liked all of them. I was very happy at school. I played netball every lunchtime!
5)
What is your day job?
I was a teacher – now retired.
6)
7)
Who is your biggest inspiration?

In the theatre – 2 Eileens – Eileen Atwood and our own lovely Eileen Godfrey. I cried with laughter
when I saw her as the Granny in Same Old Moon.

In teaching – my first deputy headteacher.

In life – a difficult one – probably my form teacher at grammar school. She went through the
school with us.
If money was no object, where would you like to live?
Here.
8)
What was the first record/cd you bought?
Green Door by Frankie Vaughn or Jailhouse Rock by Elvis.
9)
Describe your favourite pastime?
Apart from the theatre it’s sport. I used to play netball and tennis. Now I just watch!
10)
Name an achievement you are proud of.
Hopefully helping some children to achieve their potential.
11)
What makes you angry?
People who don’t pay the tax they should. I don’t mind paying tax myself – I know it’s necessary - but
it really annoys me when people and firms avoid paying the taxes they should.
12)
Who is your favourite actor/actress?
See above.
13)
When and why did you first become involved in theatre?
Quite late really. My local parish were starting an AODS and I was asked to join. The Pirates of
Penzance was our first production. I’ve enjoyed it ever since.
14)
What type of play do you enjoy the most?
I like a variety - comedies, straight plays, musicals – as long as they are well written and well done.
15)
What is your favourite Lyceum production and why?
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with Nigel as Bottom, will stay long in the memory. Maggie and Ean in
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Phil in Death of a Salesman, Saturday Night at the Crown. There are
so many.
16)
Do you get nervous before a production?
Yes when I am at the side of the stage ready to go on.
17)
Is there a specific character you would love to play or have played?
I would love to have played Ado Annie in Oklahoma! Or Lady Macbeth!
18)
Which Lyceum member makes you laugh?
Phil McCarthy and Ean Burgon – not as a double act, you understand!