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VARIATION ON A THEME
If you can learn your lines in record time and give the proper cue
And keep your nerve when better men are losing theirs you'll do
If you can take the rough, and take the smooth
And still find all your energies renewed to prove
"The plays the thing" that draws you like a magnet, to it's service & it's love, you'll do
If the theatre is your goddess, then to her devote your time
But do not seek the know-how, in reason or in rhyme
Just learn your lines in season, & come promptly to rehearsal
Not just, from time to time, you'll do
If you can paint & daub, or knock a nail in somewhere
And never mind your thumb, you're IN
Whose mistress would you like to be?
The wardrobe or the property?
Make up; call boy, tabs and prompt, all make up our company
Electricians put us in a spot, Sound effects support our plot
And jack-of-all-trades fill the bill
You WILL have fun, believe you ME
Of with the Wraysbury Players, you cast your lot
And harmonise with those who dramatise communication
Kay Watson
Based on Tolstoy's "Art is Communication"
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Why Do We Do It ?
We stand in the darkness and tremble,
Listen as the audience assemble
Low murmur of voices, the scraping of chairs,
Is this the moment to offer up prayers?
The house lights go down! the curtain draws back,
Now's not the time for a panic attack
The months of rehearsals, the learning of lines,
Step on to the stage, oh how bright the light shines.
There's no going back, oh what can I do,
Please don't let it be me who misses a cue
Oh why do we do it, it's really quite daft,
But wait! The first lines are spoken, the audience has laughed.
The producer is smiling, so's the rest of the cast,
Now the time's flying by, it's going too fast!
Before we know it we're taking a bow,
It can't be the end! Not yet! Not now!
At last we can rest, take stock as we pause,
We know why we do it, it's the audience
applause!!!!!
Jim "The Bard" Minter
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"AN AMERICAN IN WRAYSBURY"
An American family, came to live in our village, not long ago.
They really were, the nicest folk, you could ever wish to know.
Carole was first, to join our group, with a "Hi" and "what can I do?"
And before too long, she'd joined the throng, of our unseen Backstage crew.
Starting as prompt, then persuaded on stage, Carole made sure her presence was felt
With "Thanks for Having Me", and "Trivial Pursuits",
both roles she tucked under her belt.
As a doctors ex, and as a caring wife, both parts she played with ease,
But who would have guessed, in chemise and vest, she'd play a "Den of Vice" tease!
Julia was next, to come on the scene, helping Mum with learning her lines,
But it came quite clear, in under a year, that even at so young an age,
That before too long, she too would appear, in a part, in a panto on stage.
Then came Rachel, a reluctant player, persuaded to join the cast,
Of her spooky ghost ,she sure made the most, of a part that will not be her last.
Dad Jerold was next, to be given a nudge, to help with erecting a set,
And when asked would he help, selling sweets to the kids,
his reply, as expected, "YOU BET"!
Christmas time saw the Sachs', entertaining us all, with food, and tales from their past,
Being made so welcome, by these friendly guys, we hope that our friendship will last.
Sadly, this family of Yanks have to go, off to sunnier climes,
But we hope, now and then, they'll remember again,
Wraysbury Players, and we trust, Happy times.
An American family, came to live in our village, not long ago,
They really ARE, the nicest folk, you could ever wish to know.
Jim Minter
May 2008.
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ONE HUNDRED NOT OUT
Players One Hundredth Production
"What could we do to make it special?" This Question oft was raised
Eventually a play was found, the laughter caused was crazed
A Time Machine and murder, it really had the lot
But we needed lots of advertising, now who could fill this spot
Then up they rose like Vikings, into the breach they went
Our Matthew and our Lora, into the world were sent
Their ideas soon were flowing, though sometimes they were mocked
But with their calm persuasion, the advertisers flocked
With leaflets here and banners there no stone was left unturned
Soon all of Wraysbury was aware, but still they were concerned
They wanted it to be a smash, they wanted a success
So then they started pushing us, they wanted to impress
Bring in those photos programmes, cast lists of long ago
Bring us memorabilia, oh come on you lot know
So thanks to all who were involved, not just to those on stage
But to all those tireless workers, who aren't even paid a wage
The Front of House stayed cool and calm, though often under tension
With sales of programmes, raffle too, they must deserve a mention
The costume worn were just superb, with out of this world
The backstage crew were really great, as around the cast they swirled
Sound effects and lighting, they too played their role
With Space Machine and ghostly wailing, the show they nearly stole
The bar staff created an oasis, where everyone could go
So now it's back to the beginning, to give life to PINOCCHIO
Jim Minter Nov 2001
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PLAYER'S LAMENT …….
What is this world if full of care,
We have no Play with our audience to share
No time to rehearse , or learn our lines,
No time to reflect on happier times.
Our Production for May we could not cast,
Is Pinocchio to be out last?
But it was not cancelled, just postponed,
So don't let us stand here all alone
Come and join us, help us out,
A sense of humour, friendship, is what its all about
Whether Front of House, on stage, or at the back,
Our support you'll see you will not lack.
So take the time to stand and stare,
Perhaps with the Players you'd like to share
So come on down any Wednesday evening
It's a guaranteed warm welcome you'll be receiving.
James Minter. April 2002.
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Little Miss Muffet
Miss Muffet lived in the "Fillet Inn" a really ancient abode
Till one day a seafaring lad into the pub bar strode.
His name was Jack, a handsome lad, whose face was always jolly
He took one look at the pretty maid there, said, "Come marry me Molly"
But before they could wed disaster befell
A Princess cast under a witches spell.
Instead of legs of two she now had eight
All were saddened by her fate.
Then Valtina was taken by Jasper and crew,
Our heroes sailed after them, Dame and Granfer went too,
Through lots of adventure they battled on,
Even when the Dame fell for King Kong.
But good triumphed over evil, as in a Panto it must
With the help of our cast, and some magic Fairy Dust
James Minter. Jan 2003
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Natural Causes
With Lesley and Tony front of House,
And the back -Stage Crew as quiet as a Mouse,
Dennis Williams' Stage Manager was in control,
Connected with Brian to the sound console,
With Meg and Sandra wine flowed like Water,
With Chantal the prompt, helped by her daughter,
Audrey was the plays' producer,
Whilst Linda played the prime seducer,
Carols' role was the airing wife,
Whilst Jim just wanted her to end her life.
Jacks' Samaritan played his part,
Except when he called his wife a TART!
Which left Denis Pitt, as Vincent the Killer,
Who took his own poison, to end this "thriller".
So here's to Audrey, our play Producer,
Combined with the role of problem reducer
She's battled on against the odds,
With a cast depleted by holidays, the sods,
She's weathered the storms, the delays, the maybes,
But come smiling through, because it's one of her"Babies",
Yes she's made it successful, spurred by audience applauses,
So congratulations Audrey for,
"NATURAL CAUSES".
Jim Minter. Oct 2002
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