StageOne reads Michael Hale's translation of Racine's play ESTHER - May 6th 2014

This Tuesday Michael Hale inspired us to read his own original translation of Racine's play ESTHER , faithfully based upon the Old Testament book of thae title. What a moving, heart-rendering and thought-provoking time we had. The context, of course, being the threat of extermination of the complete Jewish race, then in exile and slavery in Syria. As in the O.T. book, Racine conveys many unexpected twists in the plot and outcome.... with great prayer and trust being placed in the Hebrew God of the Old Testament- and now of course seen through Christian perspectives, both then in the 17th Century when the play was written and today

MORE GOOD NEWS! We're carrying on reading the play to finish it at our next play-reading session, which, please note, will be on May 27th (not June 2rd this time) at 7.30 for 7.45pm prompt at the Methodist Church, Sandgate Rd. We look forward to seeing you all at this and all our Tuesday evening sessions, details of which you can see in our scheduled programme and planning. Roger Smith (Chair).

StageOne performs acts from "The Imaginary Invalid" by Molière | 5th November 2013

On Tuesday members of StageOne took to acting out selected scenes from Molière’s "The Imaginary Invalid" and had some great fun in the process. It was a really funny play with the central character Argan playing this supposed invalid when in fact there is nothing wrong with him except for effects of the concoctions of medicine by the quack doctor, Mr. Purgon. This is the second or may be third play by Molière that StageOne has read.

Visit the StageOne Website

StageOne performs acts from Tartuffe by Molière | July 9th 2013

On Tuesday members of StageOne took to acting out selected scenes from Molière’s Tartuffe and had some great fun in the process. Some of the scenes included Act 1 Scene 4 where Orgon returns from his trip out of town and wishes to know how the family has been. He completely ignores all details concerning Elmire and only listens to what Dorine says about Tartuffe. Another scene was Act 2 scene 2 where Dorine makes enormous fun of Orgon, much to his annoyance.

http://stageone.org.uk/news.html

StageOne reads Tartuffe, or The Impostor by Molière (May 14th 2013)

On Tuesday Michael Hale lead StageOne through Tartuffe, or The Impostor which is one of the most famous theatrical comedies by Molière. The characters known as Tartuffe, Valère, and Dorine are considered among the greatest classical theatre roles.
The play opens with the Orgon family is up in turmoil because Orgon and his mother, Madame Pernelle, have fallen under the influence of Tartuffe, a pious fraud. Tartuffe pretends to be pious and to speak with divine authority which has led to Orgon and his mother taking no action on any event without first consulting him. Orgon himself has a single-minded obsession with Tartuffe which is shown clearly Act I, Scene5.
Find out more about Tartuffe, or The Impostor >>

Michael Frayn's Noises Off - Play Reading Workshop With Michael Hale

StageOne had a really enjoyable play reading workshop on Tuesday. Michael Hale introduced StageOne to Michael Frayn's Noises Off. StageOne really enjoyed themselves and many times laughed at the actors in the play as they struggled to get to grips with the roles on "Nothing On" and at the constant interuptions by the playwright. StageOne will continue with rest of Act 1 and start Act 2 in our next play reading workshop.
Here is abit more about "Noises Off" play.

The plot for Noises Off is simple - a play upon on the concept of a play within a play, which in this case is a dreadful sex-comedy titled "Nothing On". This is the sort of play in which young girls run about in their underwear, old men drop their trousers, and many doors continually open and shut. "Nothing On" is set in "a delightful 16th-century posset mill" that has been converted to a modern dwelling for which renters are solicited; the fictional playwright is appropriately named Robin Housemonger. Each of the three acts of "Noises Off" contains a performance of the first act of "Nothing On"

Shakespeare's "Hamlet" | 8th January 2013

Michael Hale finished leading us through HAMLET and we all relished at such aa gripping finale and conclusion. Reading it was quite a challenge for most of us ...but we got there! Next month we will begin reading something quite different!

Play Reading Workshop "Hamlet" - 2nd October 2012

Last night we had our second session of reading through Hamlet which went down well. Most of us had a read through and it only mildly struggled with some on the words, though this was explained expertly by Michael.

It was well received during our first session and equally so during our second, with a few of us reading some of Hamlet

's big soliloquies.

One of the longest plays (ever!) at a running time of four hours (!) plus Hamlet is a tale of murder and revenge. Hamlet discovers his father (who visits him as a ghost) was murdered by uncle who has consequently married his mother and has been made king. Hamlet decides what to do next and uncover the truth.

We all wait with baited breath what will happen next. The play's the thing!

 

See stageone.org.uk