NORTH LONDON ACTORS
North London Actors
JANUARY
January is traditionally a quiet month for North London Actors, so to get the actors and audience interested we decided to make it Shakespeare month. After doing a poll in our Facebook group as to what our members favourite plays were, most people put a Shakespeare play, so we thought a Shakespeare month would draw people in.
Our first event of the year was a Circle Reading on Monday 7th January, and because of the date we chose Twelfth Night. Due to a problem with our usual venue the reading was moved from it’s usual day of Monday to Tuesday 8th. It was led by Gareth Pilkington. Circle readings aim to provide our members with means to practise sight reading and also discover plays. Everyone who turns up at a Circle Reading will be given the chance to read, and parts are given out equally so everyone gets a fair go. Twelfth Night proved to be a popular choice and we had a good turnout despite the weather.
North London Actors host two events a month, the first is the Circle Reading and the second is a semi-staged, script-in-hand performance. This month it was Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’ directed by Michael Murray. It required a large cast and gave many members the opportunity to practise their verse reading skills. Rehearsals were held at the flat of one of our members on Sunday 20th January from 12-6pm, and lunch was provided. Despite the snowy conditions many actors battled their way to Finchley for rehearsals. Due to peoples’ availability and the many scenes and actors needed, director Michael Murray rehearsed the play slightly out of sequence, with a recap of the more trickier scenes at the end of the rehearsal.
The performance was on Wednesday 23rd January at the Oak & Pastor in Archway. 17 actors arrived and were ready to perform the show. The audience arrived and we had a grand total of 3! As is always the case in January we are at the mercy of the weather and the post-Christmas slump. However the cast went on and produced a fine performance, which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. After the show everyone moved downstairs to the bar in the Oak & Pastor and had a well deserved drink!
Further details of North London Actors can be found at
www.northlondonactors.co.uk or in our Facebook group. If you are interested in joining us please email membership@northlondonactors.co.uk for details. Annual membership is £5 and gives reduced price entry into our performances: currently £3 for members and £5 for non-members. Circle readings are normally free for members and £2 for non-members.
The best way to see what we do is come along to one of our events. February’s events are: Circle Reading of ‘Loyalties’ by John Galsworthy on Monday 4th February and a performance of ‘The Colleen Bawn’ by Dion Boucicault on Wednesday 20th February. All events are held at The Oak and Pastor, 86 Junction Road, N19 5QZ(Nearest tube Archway. 10 minutes from Upper Holloway Overground. Bus 134 or 390, Pemberton Gardens bus stop. Parking in the area free after 6.30 pm.)
North London Creative Professionals 