NEWS

EBOS are organising a programme of monthly workshops - for those of us not involved in main or Pinewood shows, this is a great way to keep in touch with everyone at EBOS and to hone various skills whether it be dancing, singing or acting or perhaps something completely different?!

Workshops will be 10am - 12pm once a month on a Sunday

Our second workshop in our programme will be a singing vocal workshop. This will be held on Sunday 20th October, 10am -12pm at Pinewood Theatre. So come ready for 2 hours of singing with Richard Whennell.

Come along and learn some of the basics to get to know your voices and then later on we will learn a harmony packed medley from some the most famous shows!

£3 for members of EBOS
(non-members will be asked for an additional £3 on the day)

Event Details: From 10:00AM to 12:00PM

Location: Pinewood Theatre, Wokingham, RG40 3AQ

EBOS is delighted to announce that tickets for our November show, Oliver!, at The Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park are now on sale.

Let us transport you to Victorian London for this timeless tale about the boy who dared to ask for more.....

Based on Charles Dickens' classic novel, Oliver! is one of the most successful musicals of all time and has a sensational score that includes such classics as Food Glorious Food, You've Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, Where is Love? and I'd Do Anything.

Consider Yourself in for a treat this Autumn!

Book your tickets early at South Hill Park's Box Office, either online or by calling 01344 484123.

For more information, please visit the show page.

For those of us not involved in main or Pinewood shows, this is a great way to keep in touch with everyone at EBOS and to hone various skills whether it be dancing, singing or acting or perhaps something completely different?!

Workshops will be 10am - 12pm once a month on a Sunday.

To open the programme we will be starting with a tap workshop. This will be held on Sunday 1st September, 10am-12pm at Pinewood Theatre. So come dressed for 2 hours of tap-tastic fun.

If you've never tapped before, never fear!! Come along and learn some of the basics to get you started and then later on we will learn an advanced routine from one of the most famous tap shows!

£3 for members of EBOS
(non-members will be asked for an additional £3 on the day)

Book your spot at our Ticketsource page.

EBOS are delighted to present their Autumn 2019 Cabaret, Musicals Miscast Encore.

A cabaret with a twist, turning Broadway backwards, sideways and any other ways we can get away with! Join us as we perform some of musical theatre's greatest songs as you've never heard or seen them before!

with our production team of Amy Cowie, Richard Whennell and Sophie Horrox, this promises to be a not-to-be-missed event, so please book your tickets early at our Ticketsource page.

For more information, please visit the show page.

A BUNCH OF AMATEURS

Written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman

Directed by James Lole

PREVIEW / READ THROUGH: Thursday 18 October, 7.45pm
AUDITIONS: Monday 22 October, 7.45pm
PERFORMANCE DATES: 27-30 March 2019

Rehearsals will be on Mondays and Thursdays at Pinewood.

SYNOPSIS

Based on the 2008 film starring Burt Reynolds, Derek Jacobi, Imelda Staunton and Samantha Bond, this play tells the story of fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele who, keen to boost his flagging career, arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford -- only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard, but a sleepy Suffolk village. And instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench, the cast are, quite literally, a bunch of amateurs trying to save their theatre from developers. Jefferson's monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic am-dram thespians. As acting worlds collide, and Jefferson's career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself - along with his inner Lear!

Most of the action takes place in the Stratford Players' converted barn theatre which also doubles as their rehearsal space (sound familiar?). Pinewood Theatre will therefore be an additional "character" in the play for a truly immersive experience for the audience. As we follow the actors rehearsing for their potentially "final" performance the theatre will evolve from bare rehearsal room into Lear's world.

Character Descriptions

JEFFERSON STEELE (M playing age 50+) - A fading Hollywood star/action hero who is arrogant, insecure, brash, gauche, demanding, vulnerable and ultimately aware of his own absurdity.

DOROTHY NETTLE (F playing age 35-50) - Director of the Stratford Players and the moving force behind keeping the theatre alive. Her sweet and accommodating manner conceals her inner steel.

JESSICA STEELE (F playing age 18-25) - Jefferson's daughter, who has been neglected by her Hollywood star father and now wants to make him pay for it.

NIGEL DEWBURY (M playing age 50+) - Solicitor and leading light of the Stratford Players. Pompous, stuck-up and self-regarding, he believes he is the star of the show, and should play all the leading roles. He also fancies his romantic chances with Dorothy.

MARY PLUNKETT (F playing age 40-60) - Owner of the Rectory bed and breakfast. Jolly, homely, generous and an unashamedly adoring Jefferson Steele fan -- although somewhat confused about which roles he played in his films, and how keen he is on her.

DENIS DOBBINS (M playing age 30+) - Handyman and village Mr. Fixit. Avuncular though slightly dull, Denis is star-struck by Jefferson and fancies heading up his entourage of one.

LAUREN BELL (F playing age 30-40) - Thirty-something marketing executive former physiotherapist and the sponsor's wife. Passionate about the arts and smarter than her husband allows her to be, she's treated as a bimbo because of her looks.

Playing ages are a guide only, what is more important is the characters fit together well. Clearly Jefferson and Jessica must be believable as father and daughter and should both be able to carry off an American accent. In the film Dorothy has a teenage daughter however this is not referenced in the play so she can be younger.

Please come along to the read-through, whether you are interested in auditioning or helping with the production backstage (we will need an assistant stage manager). If you would like more information, please email the Director, James, at jameslole@gmail.com.

Do you ever feel stereotyped at auditions? Ever read the character description and wonder if 10 years is really a big deal? Ever think 'If only I was the opposite sex! They get all the good parts!'

Too young, too old, too street or too sweet? To the 46 year old man who's always dreamed of playing Annie then THIS IS YOUR CHANCE! We are looking for performers to take to the Pinewood stage and perform songs from musical theatres greatest shows like no one else has done before in MUSICALS MISCAST!

Director: Stuart Hayllor
Musical Director: Richard Whennell

PREVIEW AND SINGING WORKSHOP
16th August - 7.30pm to 10pm

AUDITIONS
20th August - 7.30pm to 10pm

NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR

Preview Date - August 16th
Musicals Miscast is a chance to take some of musical theatres best known songs and re-work them; that could be something as simple as a male singing a female's song or it may mean taking a well-known showtune and putting it into a different setting completely, changing the context of the number. Inspired by the likes of Backwards Broadway and Forbidden Broadway, I am looking for a small company of 6-8 people - ideally half men and half Women to take to the Pinewood stage.

Audition Date - August 20th
Auditions will be a pretty relaxed process. I would like all those auditioning to bring a song of their choice - I would ask that you pick something that is fairly well known to the average theatre going audience, nothing too obscure and that you really think about the song you pick, this is an opportunity to perform songs you'd never get to do either in a show or in another cabaret - and for you to think about how to take that song and MISCAST it.

Show Dates are 27th - 29th September 2018

Congratulations to everyone who auditioned. We look forward to seeing you all at the first rehearsal on Tuesday 12th June.

Click here for cast list.

The uncast parts listed will also be open for audition on Tuesday 12th June. If you are interested in auditioning please contact info@ebos.org.uk

Production Team

Director: Lucy Seymour
Musical Director: Bridget Biggar
Choreographer: Melinda Bennett

Dates

Tues 22nd May 7.30-10pm: Preview / Read Through
Weds 23rd May 7.30-10pm: Dance Workshop
Tues 29th May 7.30-10pm: Music Rehearsals
Tues 5th June 7.30-10pm: Music Rehearsals and Early Auditions
Weds 6th June 7.30-10pm: Dance Workshop and Dance Auditions
Sun 10th June 10am- 1pm: Auditions

Synopsis

Don Lockwood is a silent film star. He barely tolerates his vapid leading lady, Lina Lamont, who is convinced that their screen romance is real. After the first talking picture, The Jazz Singer, proves to be a smash hit, the head of the studio, R. F. Simpson, decides he has no choice but to convert the new Lockwood and Lamont film, The Dueling Cavalier, into a talkie. The production is beset with difficulties, by far the worst being Lina's comically grating voice.

After a disastrous test screening, Don's best friend, Cosmo Brown, comes up with the idea to overdub Lina's voice and they convince Simpson to turn The Dueling Cavalier into The Dancing Cavalier, a musical comedy film. Meanwhile, Don falls in love with an aspiring actress, Kathy Selden, who is providing the voice for Lina. When Lina finds out, she is furious and does everything possible to sabotage the romance. She maliciously demands that Kathy continue to provide her voice in all future films, but remain uncredited. An irate, but desperate Simpson is forced to agree; Kathy has no choice because she is under contract.

The premiere is a tremendous success. When the audience clamors for Lina to sing live, Don and Cosmo improvise and get Lina to lip-synch while Kathy sings into a second microphone while hidden behind the curtain. Unbeknownst to Lina, as she starts "singing", Don, Cosmo and Simpson gleefully raise the curtain behind her, revealing the deception. Kathy becomes a star, and Lina is finished.

Cast List

KATHY SELDEN - The girl-next-door actress. Age Range 20s-30s
DON LOCKWOOD - Genial movie actor. Age Range 20s-30s
COSMO BROWN - Don's wacky best friend. Age Range 20s-30s
LINA LAMONT - Mean, grating movie diva. Age Range 20s-30s
R.F. SIMPSON - Agreeable studio head
DORA BAILEY - Gossip broadcaster
ZELDA ZANDERS - Flapper starlet
ROSCOE DEXTER - A frazzled director
YOUNG DON
YOUNG COSMO
A PRODUCTION SINGER - A tenor with a golden voice
MISS DINSMORE - A diction coach

Other small speaking and non speaking roles not being auditioned (cast from members of the ensemble)

• OLGA MARA
• MARY MARGARET
• VILLAIN
• LADY-IN-WAITING
• ROD
• POLICEMAN
• BUTLER
• 1ST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
• 2ND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
• 3RD ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
• WARDROBE MISTRESS
• HAIRDRESSER
• SID PHILLIPS
• MALE DICTION TEACHER
• SOUND ENGINEER

EBOS are delighted to announce their full 2018-2019 show line up for South Hill Park, which will follow on from The Wizard of Oz this November.

May 2018
Spamalot

July 2018 (in conjunction with SHP)
Guys and Dolls

November 2018
Singin' in the Rain

May 2019
Avenue Q

November 2019
Top Hat

We hope you are as excited as we are for the next 2 years!

DO YOU LIKE TO SING & DANCE?

IF SO OZ NEEDS YOU

We are looking for Munchkins between the ages of 4 - 15 of all shapes and sizes to join our talented cast of the MGM Classic musical The Wizard of Oz to be performed at The Wilde Theatre, Bracknell, between 1st and 5th November 2017.

S Musical Theatre will be holding a Summer School (Munchkin Camp) between 7th and 11th August (9.45am - 4pm every day), which will include dancing, singing and acting workshops within a rehearsal environment, and run by our talented production team and licensed chaperones. Our Munchkins will perform a small showcase at the end of Friday's camp with our Dorothy and Glinda.

All Munchkins taking part in the summer school will then join Dorothy and her friends in Oz when we take to the stage in November.

Places are limited and will be given out on a first come, first serve basis, so for more information on how to secure your place, please email summerschool@ebos.org.uk for details and an application form.

We look forward to seeing you somewhere over the rainbow.....

Thank you to everyone that auditioned; as always the standard was incredibly high, and some difficult decision had to be made! We are all looking forward to working with you.

Rehearsals start on Tuesday 20th June at 7.30pm - Read-through with all speaking roles (this includes Trees, Crows and Munchkin Leaders)

Wednesday 21st June at 7.30pm - Full company singing rehearsal

Full schedule to be published by the end of the month.

Summer school details for children wishing to be part of the team will be available shortly, watch this space.....

Preview and Audition Dates are as follows:

Tuesday 23rd May - First Preview
Wednesday 24th May - Singing with Tim
Wednesday 31st May - Dance Workshop with Erin
Tuesday 6th June - Dance and Movement Workshop for Principal Roles with Erin
Wednesday 7th June - Singing with Tim
Tuesday 13th June - Acting Workshop with Stu and Early Auditions
Wednesday 14th June - Dance Workshop with Erin
Sunday 18th June - Auditions

Please note that the above dates are for ADULTS only. The Summer School and auditions for children will be held separately and details will be announced in due course.

We are aware there is a long period of time between the start of previews and auditions, which is due to EBOS' commitment to perform at the NODA Conference on 3 - 4 June. Whilst you do not have to attend every workshop, we do advise you attend at least one of each, and it is compulsory for everyone to attend one dance workshop before auditions.

CHARACTER DETAILS

Dorothy Gale
Playing Age open to all who think they are appropriate.
Singing- Mezzo / Mix

The Scarecrow
Playing Age 20+ but will be under heavy make up so age not vital
Singing- Strong Baritone

The Tin Man
Playing Age 20+ but will be under heavy make up so age not vital
Singing- Strong Baritone / Tenor

The Lion
Playing Age 20+ but will be under heavy make up so age not vital
Singing- Strong Baritone / Tenor

Glinda The Good Witch
Playing Age 30 - 35+
Singing- Mezzo / Soprano

The Wicked Witch of the West
Playing Age 30 -35+ but will be under heavy make up so age not vital
Non singing role

The Wizard of Oz / Professor Marvel
Playing Age 40 - 50+
Non singing role

Oz Guard
Playing Age 20+
Singing- Baritone

Aunt Em and Uncle Henry (will be individual roles)
Playing Ages 50+
Non singing roles

Miss Gultch
Playing Age 35 - 40+
Non singing role

Hunk, Zeke and Hickory (will be individual roles)
Playing ages mid 20's+
Non Singing Roles

Adult Chorus to play Ozarians, Winkies, Crows, Trees and Jitterbugs amongst more. Children Chorus to play Munchkins and Flying Monkeys (older children).

Bridget Biggar takes the helm as Musical Director with Anton Gwilt on Piano.

Join us at our Pinewood Theatre, 22nd -24th June at 7.30pm. The evening will feature a host of EBOS regulars plus some wonderful new faces, the cast will be performing a wide variety of songs from popular musicals.

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change is a musical comedy with book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts. It is the second-longest running Off Broadway musical. The musical was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award as Outstanding Off-Broadway musical in 1997.

This show is presented in the form of a series of vignettes connected by the central theme of love and relationships. The play's tagline is "Everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit". With few exceptions, the scenes stand independent of the others, but progress in a fashion designed to suggest an overall arc to relationships throughout the course of one's life. A first date, for example, comes before scenes dealing with marriage, and scenes dealing with marriage come before those dealing with child rearing. Despite the large number of characters, the show is typically done with a comparatively small cast: the original Off-Broadway production uses a cast of four.

EBOS is bring this musical to its Pinewood Theatre in September this year. More details will be announced nearer the time, so do please keep checking back here on the website.

The Quiz Night will take place on Friday 10th February from 8pm, and is always a very popular event so BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment!

Hosted by the ever brilliant Steve Hall and Simon McCartan, all of the classic rounds will be included, and prizes throughout the night for the Bonus rounds!

Advisory maximum of 6 in a team.

Tickets available NOW from the Ticketsource website:

Click here to book

Entrance is £6.00.

The auditions were held at Pinewood on the 4th December and had an impressive turnout. We were very pleased to see some new faces amongst amongst the auditionees!

The panel had some difficult decisions to make, but the cast has now been selected. Click on the link below to go to the Boogie Nights page!

Well done to all who auditioned and congratulations to those who were successful.