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By Kind Permission of The Station Commander

RAF AKROTIRI FLAMINGO THEATRE CLUB LIVES ON

The recent fire at the Flamingo Theatre Club may have deprived any final chance for the members to recover the thousands of costumes and theatre lighting equipment after its closure due to the asbestos risk a few years ago; however, there is a band of intrepid actors and actresses, with their backstage helpers, who will ensure an amateur dramatic performance will be possible at RAF Akrotiri in the near future.  The Theatre Cub is alive and well and will, yet again, rise from the ashes to ensure performing arts are available on the Station.  The Phoenix (positioned behind the Akrotiri Primary School), named some years ago, has been the Theatre Club’s watering hole but given the latest ‘blaze’ of publicity, its name is likely to have added significance.  The old Flamingo Theatre Club and over 40 years of history may be gone for good but history is now in the making with a new venue and new plays for public consumption.

The Flamingo Theatre Club will perform two one-act plays in the Chaplaincy Centre on Thursday 13^th May and Saturday 15^th May, doors open at 6pm with curtain up at 7pm.  It is intended to also support the ‘Open Arms’ Charity with their Big Breakfast appeal.  Tickets for the performance can be obtained from the RAF Akrotiri Hive priced 5Euros and a food voucher for the Big Breakfast is hopefully to be similarly priced at 5Euros.

‘Housekeeper Wanted’ is an extremely funny fast moving farce directed by Gavin Nicholson and stars an array of talent at RAF Akrotiri.  The photographs give a brief insight to rehearsals so far.  Poor Victor (played by Rob Griffiths) faces quite a dilemma when his wife leaves him after an argument over his mother-in-laws birthday present to him.  Not able to run the house alone he calls for assistance from the Confidence Unlimited Bureau who sends potential housekeepers for interview.  The many perplexities of trying to choose a new housekeeper could drive anyone crazy but how does Victor survive with each one carrying their own unique foibles?

‘Miss Glossop Comes to Tea’ is your opportunity to enter a free Draw and solve the murder mystery.  Hapless amateur sleuth, Miss Glossop visits an old friend and solves a murder to the satisfaction of everyone - especially the guilty.  The play directed by Linda Othen stars a cast of 10 but who murdered Vera Partington (played by Sandy Welland) is anyone’s guess.

Those not able to purchase tickets at the RAF Akrotiri Hive can order in advance at oic2.ftc@gmail.com and pick up their tickets and/or food vouchers at the door.  Please see internet http://www.flamingotheatre.co.uk for details.

The Flamingo Theatre Club staged three evenings of one-act plays.  This was the first time for nearly three years that the club has managed to stage any plays, apart from hugely successful 2007 Panto.  Using Akrotiri School’s drama rooms, appreciative audiences supported the club’s latest comedy productions.

“A Dog’s Life”, directed by Gavin Nicholson, gave a thought-provoking view of humans and life from the perspective of four dogs in a rescue shelter.  Yvonne Bradley played Freya, a convincing and authoritative German Shepherd, ready to air her opinions on a number of topics and with a few tricks up her sleeve.  She was neatly counter-balanced by Mary Keoghan’s portrayal of Fifi, a vain and overweight French poodle. Lucy Wolstenholme played Ginger, an endearing and excitable puppy with a sad tale of abandonment, and Tracy Hopkinson tugged at our heart strings with her interpretation of Belle, a mongrel who turns on a potential owner and is then due to be put down.  The cast was ably completed by Gordon Crawford, the warden of the shelter who attempted to train the puppy, and Jackie Crawford, a visitor with a big heart who had come to choose a dog for herself.

“Blue Suede Blues”, directed by Dave Parish, is set in an old people’s home.  It provided an admirable contrast and had the audience laughing uncontrollably at the antics of the residents.  Grace, played by Trish Simmonds, may be grey haired and wrinkled but she decides to add a touch of excitement to life by kidnapping the care assistant, Amanda Tawn.  Another resident, Lily, played by Sandy Welland, who was seated in a wheelchair, aids Grace in her plan and hilarious results ensue.  Amanda’s double-crossing boyfriend, Jamie Carty, appears on the scene with the local bobby, played by Andy Fessey. Nigel Coe appeared briefly and to great amusement as the somewhat “camp” manager of the care home.

A big thank you must go to all the club members who worked so hard to produce these polished performances.  Well done to all of the cast and especially those members who took to the stage for the first time!  Finally, it would not be possible to stage these events without the help of the ‘unseen’ members who deal with sound, lights, make-up, sets and the bar.

The Flamingo Theatre Club appears to be on the up again after recent setbacks and will host a Revue/ Folk Night shortly and has plans for another production later in the year.  Club nights are most Tuesdays from 1930 at the Phoenix, behind Akrotiri School, and everyone is welcome.  If you are interested in joining your friendly local theatre club, in any capacity, please contact the chairman Dave Parish on Mob: 99320029.   You can also email us on flamingotheatre@gmail.com or visit our website for more details: www.flamingotheatre.co.uk

Revue Night – Feb 2009

The Flamingo Theatre Club hosted another successful Revue Night last Friday in the drama rooms of Akrotiri School . A variety of performers took to the stage and entertained the audience with their talent in the form of music, songs, poems and jokes. Nigel Coe, as compere, injected his characteristic brand of humour and text jokes into the evening.

  There was gentle humour in the Pam Ayres poetry readings by Linda Othen, and Alison Clark recited some poems which had wry humour and irony. Other jokes and stories which owed nothing to political correctness, were related by the chairman, Dave Parish! Ben and Stefan, otherwise known as “Mr No Name“, showed off their guitar playing and included their own original material. Further music was provided by a four-piece folk group (Michael, Rose, Lins and Fran), duets by Trish and Sandy and gutsy solos by Yvonne and Lucy.

  The evening would not be complete without some witty tales from Norfolk provided by a stalwart of the club, John English.

  After all the performances, an excellent curry buffet was provided by a local curry house. Thanks to all who took part, to our audience and to the bar staff who kept everyone supplied with beer and wine.  Our thanks also go to Steve Jorgensen, the head teacher of Akrotiri School , for allowing us to the venue.

Christmas Revue Night Review

The place to be last Thursday night was the Flamingo Theatre Club’s Christmas Revue Night at the Phoenix in Akrotiri.  For a meagre €12 a head, the price of a curry, the audience were treated to singing, music and comedy for almost 2 hours, and a fantastic curry!

While the guests were arriving, a 5-piece band was playing Christmas carols.  The band had only formed a couple of days before, and this was their first live appearance, so our thanks to Fran, Vicky, Ellie, Simon and Richard.  The first performance of the evening was a poem that was specially written for the evening by Trish.  Alison Clarke delighted the audience with some comedic poetry by Joyce Grenfell, and Linda Othen fascinated us all by reciting some Pam Ayres.

There were a couple of sketches during the evening.  The Shepherd’s Sketch, which had been performed at the Christmas Fayre, and a sketch about Admiral Nelson and Captain Hardy, which was ever-so politically correct!  Nigel Coe was the evening’s compere, interspersing the entertainment with an awful joke or two!  The ever popular ‘Real Song Titles’ also re-emerged to the obvious amusement of the audience.  Dave Parish also gave us some wise words from Tommy Cooper. 

There were some musical interludes during the evening too.  Our thanks to Tracy, Lucy, Claire and Ben for their rendition of Slade’s hit “So here it is Merry Christmas”.  We also heard “Fairytale in New York ” sung by Rose, Allison and Michael.  Ben also performed a saxophone solo.

One highlight of the evening was when John Riddell ‘volunteered’ the services of the Station Commander, the school Headmaster and the Flamingo Theatre Club’s OIC to perform a song with him.  After a brief rehearsal they appeared on stage to perform a love song and were greeted by rapturous applause from the audience! 

A raffle was held in aid of the Royal British Legion, which included some fantastic prizes generously donated by a number of local businesses and Flamingo Theatre Club supporters.  These included hair appointments, a beauty treatment, discount vouchers, a mosaic and plenty of wine!  Huge thanks must go to Rose Simpson for her fantastic efforts in securing the prizes.  We would like to thank to all our guests for their generous donations which totalled €340.  John English said a few words after the prizes had been dished out to convey his thanks to the theatre club and to all the guests that had contributed.

The Flamingo Theatre Club was thrilled to see so many smiling faces at this Christmas Revue Night, and plans to hold another one at the end of February.  We hope you will be able to come down, give us your support, and we will all have another great evening.  We will also be looking for people to get involved in our next productions, which are likely to be some short one-act plays in April.

Dave Parish
Chairman

Revue Night - Friday 24th November

Laughter is the best medicine!

Last Friday the Flamingo Theatre Club, Akrotiri held its second revue (or open mike) night and judging by the reaction of the audience, it was an extremely successful evening. A wide mixture of talented people, too many to mention individually, gave us stand-up comedy, poetry, music and jokes which were well received. The evening started off with the compere - Nigel Coe - getting audience participation in a highly amusing song by the Amateur Transplants. Nigel then introduced each performer and added his own brand of wit and "useless" facts. Alison Clarke set the standard for the evening by reciting the well-known poem of Albert & the Lion. She then tugged at our heart strings with a monologue by Joyce Grenfell.
Among other highlights of the first half were Norfolk Thoughts performed by John English and an alternative Nativity play for three people, featuring Sandy Sands, Kath Torbet and Becca Arthur-Almond. A Pam Ayres poem, "No Alarm on the Flight Deck" was recited by Linda Othen and Dave Parish told some very amusing jokes.
The Shalimar restaurant provided a welcome curry at the mid point and the evening continued with Katherine Brown doing an impromptu stand-up routine. The audience joined in with some well-known songs played by Graham and Alison Chipperfield, on guitar and flute respectively and Nick Kemp kept up the laughter with Ronnie Barker's "Rindercella". The Amateur Transplants featured again in "Nothing at All" by Paul Griffin and Alan Robinson regaled us with a poem about the 1st World War. 
All in all this was an excellent way to spend a Friday evening and thanks must go to all who stood behind the mike and entertained us so well. The club is planning to hold more such evenings next year so if you have a talent you could perform for others, watch out for the adverts.
The Flamingo Theatre Club's next production is "Trouble in Pantoland". Adverts are around the station and tickets are available from the Hive and some evenings are nearly sold out already.

Report by Fran Parish

This event was very well attended, with lots of fun and laughter had by all. Our thanks to our audience as well as everyone who took part in the evening of entertainment.
Some of the highlights included renditions of Pam Ayres poems, Joyce Grenfell monologues, Monty Python sketches, comedy songs, Stanley Holloway monologues and two flautists. Our OIC performed a couple of monologues, and we couldn't keep our Chairman away from the microphone.
Look at the forthcoming events list, as we will definitely be staging another review night in the near future. Contact us if you are interested in taking part.