Latest Newsletter
Dear Players
Once again, we look forward to a theatrically active spring season! The major production of the season will be a double bill of Harold Pinter’s plays, which will be performed in early June at Puoli-Q. We will have the usual run of Poetry & Jazz, play readings, workshops and parties.
Social events are open to everyone, but membership is required if you want to be part of a production, and also entitles you to vote at general meetings and stand for committee. Should you wish to receive a printed copy of the newsletter, contact Zoë (zoe@finnbritplayers.com). Contact her as well, if you change address or if your contact details are otherwise incorrect.
Now the Spring Programme…
February
Friday February 13: 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. Jack Leo will be leading this first reading of the season.
At FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) at 7 pm. Bring a bottle and a friend.
Saturday February 28: Drama Incubator
Drama Incubator is a chance for you to get together with fellow thespians to work on whatever aspects of theatre you’re interested in without the stress of a major production.
In the February 28th workshop, we’ll be looking at direction and examining the effects of performing the same text in a variety of different styles - comic, tragic, romantic, etc. So come along and experiment!
No need to register, but feel free to contact Zoë (zoe@finnbritplayers.com) if you have any queries.
2pm - 5pm at FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9).
March
Wednesday March 11: Poetry & Jazz. Day 1 of 3.
Poetry and Jazz is now entering the 8th year of performances. It has evolved over the years to include dramatic monologues and stories. The theme for the spring program is: The Four Elements with music provided by a clarinet played by John Millar. The program will contain poetry of many styles, dramatic monologues and a story. Most pieces are written by the performers and a few by well-known authors.
Directed by Joel Holmberg.
Arkadia International Bookshop (Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 9) at 7pm. Free entrance. Tea will be available during intermission.
Friday March 13: St. Patrick’s Day
Celebrate the most Irish day of the year, even if not quite on the exact day, with your mates from the Players. Put on something green, bring a friend, and don’t forget your Guinness! Organised by Steve Porter.
At FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) at 7 pm.
Wednesday March 18: Poetry & Jazz. Day 2 of 3.
Arkadia International Bookshop (Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 9) at 7pm. Free entrance. Tea will be available during intermission.
Friday March 20: Play reading
This play reading slot is open to proposals. If you would like to lead a reading, get in touch with the committee (committee@finnbritplayers.com).
At FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) at 7 pm.
Wednesday March 25: Poetry & Jazz. Day 3 of 3.
Arkadia International Bookshop (Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 9) at 7pm. Free entrance. Tea will be available during intermission.
Saturday March 28: Drama Incubator
Topics for the March 28th and April 25th workshops will be announced later on the website and mailing list. Come along and experiment!
No need to register, but contact zoe@finnbritplayers.com if you have any queries.
2pm - 5pm at FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9).
April
Friday April 24: Play Reading
Joan Nordlund leads this reading. The play will be announced later on our website and mailing list.Bring refreshments, a friend, and join the fun!
At FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) at 7 pm.
Saturday April 25: Drama Incubator
Topics for the March 28th and April 25th workshops will be announced later on the website and mailing list. Come along and experiment!
No need to register, but contact zoe@finnbritplayers.com if you have any queries.
2pm - 5pm at FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9).
Sunday April 26: Theatre Technical Workshop
This spring, the Finn-Brit Players will be organising a technical workshop, where we will cover as much about sound and lighting design and operation as can possibly fit into one day, to produce a sound track and lighting plan for a simple play. If you’re just curious about what the people wearing black get up to (and why they always look superior), if you’re interested in becoming a techie, if you’re a director who wants to learn more about the possibilities of sound and lighting, if you’re already a techie and want to learn more (or show off your new Maglight or Leatherman) - welcome! The workshop will run in FINNBRIT Premises (Fredrikinkatu 20 A) on Sunday 26th April from 12:00 to 18:00, organised by Fionna O’Sullivan, Nick Meinke, and Antti Hermunen. Please sign up by 14th April, with an email to Fionna at fionna.osullivan@gmail.com.
May
Sunday May 3: Nick Hennessey
Storyteller & Musician Nick Hennessey will be hosting a workshop on the skills of storytelling. During the workshop, you will look at structure and style of traditional stories, and explore the techniques used to tell them well.
This workshop is an excellent opportunity not only to meet a master storyteller, but to learn his craft. More can be found out about Nick at www.nickhennessey.co.uk
Sunday May 3rd, 4-6pm. €5 entrance.
Friday May 22: Play reading
Zoë Chandler will be leading the reading. The play is yet to be decided and will be announced later on our website and mailing list. Bring refreshments, a friend, and join the fun!
At FINNBRIT (Fredrikinkatu 20 A 9) at 7 pm.
June
1-14 June 2009: spring production
Moonlight and A Slight Ache
A double bill of plays by Harold Pinter
The first performances of the Players’ Pinter Project take place this June, with a double-bill of two one-act plays, Moonlight and A Slight Ache.
Moonlight is a moving play about dying, disconnection, loss, and the yearning for communion; what we were and what we become. It is also a play about fathers and sons, and about deadlocked wedlock. It is full of recurring themes and of sudden mood changes. There is word play in the title: the thing about moonlight is that it’s the last light you see before total darkness; it’s a very brief, black intense light that fades all too soon.
In A Slight Ache, Edward and Flora are occupied with their usual concerns: enjoying the garden at their country house and a good breakfast. But they are also bothered by the man selling matches outside in the street. Who is he and where does he come from? Should they ask him to step inside to explain himself?
Moonlight, directed by Joan Nordlund, and A Slight Ache, directed by Bruce Marsland, will be a guest performance at Q-Teatteri’s Puoli-Q stage, Tunturikatu 16, Helsinki.
5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 June at 19:00. Tickets €10.
Available through this website; one month before the first performance.
Saturday June 27: Summer Party!
The Players celebrate the close of the spring season and beginning of summer with a party, starting at 3 pm at Koff Park (Fredrikinkatu 20 in case of bad weather).
July
Monday July 6: Eino Leino Picnic
Celebrate the Finnish summer with some culture. Share your favourite poems and your favourite picnic nibbles. Koff park, by the tower, from 4 pm. (At Fredrikinkatu 20 in case of bad weather).
Call for Proposals, Autumn 2009
The committee would like to invite proposals for a play to be produced in autumn 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 June 15th (NOTE: not July 1st as stated earlier!). Forms are available here.
Further information
We send out reminders for events on the mailing list, and of course newsflashes concerning any impromptu activities that take place. If you want to join the Players’ mailing list, contact Matti (matti@finnbritplayers.com) or Steve (steve@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@finnbritplayers.com). Also if you change address, or if your contact details are otherwise incorrect, please contact Zoë.
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 here.
The Finn-Brit Players is also a member organisation of the Federation of Finnish-British Societies.
Membership fees
Annual membership fees for 2009 are now due. The 2009 AGM decided to leave the annual membership at EUR 12, EUR 5 for concessions, and life membership at EUR 100 in these times of financial crisis. Existing members will receive a reference number from Zoë either by e-mail or in the post.
If you wish to become a member of the Finn-Brit Players please fill out a membership form here. 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. In order to pay your membership, make sure you have a reference number from Zoë (zoe@finnbritplayers.com).
The Players’ committee
The current committee members can be seen here.
