Could a really good semi pro Theatre Company could be started in Glasto ?

I am an  ex-professional Stage Manager (Jack of all trades, master of etc etc  ) and I know there is a huge, as yet untapped circle of people I used to know still in the town who are extremely talented and hopefully keen. I lived there for almost 6 months about a year ago and would love to return to form a company if enough people were wiling to give up some of their free time to be part of such a project. There are not just musicians in the area who vary from starters to very accompished perfomers,, whom I am sure coud also put their hand to acting. Also there are many up and coming young and older people in the area who might be interested in joing and working with a project of this nature. Glastonbury reflects all walks of life, and despite its small size, is host to many diverse cultures and backgrounds, which can be an asset in getting a project such as I suggest into action.

I regfretaably live away at present but I would be very interested in hearing the views of other people.

Thanks, James,

Hello James, your ideas sound great! There is an established group called the Glastonbury Town Players who put on a panto and maybe one or two other productions at the Assembly rooms, but they are quite an alternative theatre company. There is also the Glastonbury and Street Musical Society who perform mainly at Strode Theatre and are more mainstream, but if you are proposing a more mainstream type of company, then I think there would be a market for this as this is under-represented apart from some of the local amdram groups such as Street Theatre based in Street who do some great productions which are semi-pro, again at Strode.
I agre that there are loads of talented artist who would be up for it, and may not want to dabble in the 'alternative' scene. Do you have plans to move to Glastonbury then in the near future?

Hi James! There are quite a lot of shared house options in and around town it seems, many of the locals shops have postcards in the windows but that's only any good if you're here to read them! Maybe there could be an accomodation group type thing on this site?
I know that Paddington farm (tinyurl.com/yejhrtz) offer accomodation in exchange for volunteering, it's a lovely farm in Wicke which provides short breaks and farming experiences for children, but it may be worth contacting them? Children's World are still going as far as I know, though Arabella Churchill sadly died a year or so ago, I think it's being run by her partner. What type of work are you looking for aside from the Theatre group plan?

Hi Guys,

Still no joy in getting back at mo. Like to do it before the summer gets really going. Are there any hedges about? May have come to that. Hope not James

Hmm, I'm not sure James - there is plenty of accommodation around in shared houses, but most isn't cheap; the Paddington Farm option mentioned above is a good bet, although the accomodation may only be basic, and you will have to volunteer at the farm in exchange for it, but it could be a good way of getting back to the area, and see what crops up from there. Of course there are also some campsites near town, so if you have a tent and don't mind the typically wet June we'll get you could pitch up there for a while to give you time to see what's around. I know someone in town who started off that way, and he's been here about 3 years now.

have contacted Paddington farm, away till end sept,am ok so long as can use pc for songwriting , have my own.

Arts Council Funding? Don't think you'll stand much chance of that I'm afraid James, now that Somerset County Council intends a100% cut to arts funding!

Oops - I stand corrected James. I'm not much of a thesp however, but good luck with whatever you can achieve with respect to this. Sounds like you've had some positive experiences thus far!

point tyaken remember that song when the going gets tough the tough get going? lets hope the coalition breaks up soon its just a numbers game please forgive bad typing recently ha stroke. i hav worked with nathan lelwis williams at the a rooms before now . not here to correct you (-: you sound cool. pleas keep in touch, thanks james.

continued,....ever seen a hilarious film starring Michael caine called " Noises Off" ? he nearly eats the female stage manager. I saw a stage version of this ery funny play and oh boy was it true to life.

Was it any good? I love a bit of theatre but I am really intolerant of i) It being done badly ii) Self congratulatory luvvy's who spend 15 minutes at the end thanking each other (I am sure they didn't do that, but I experienced that recently!).

if i can get back to glasto soon the project i propose could be up and running within say 6 months. j

Probably your best bet if budget is your aim, would be to try the Backpackers in the Market Place in the centre of town http://tinyurl.com/4enzhco

They have double rooms and twin rooms but for the budget conscious they also have dorms.