FriendsNewsletter

SPRING 2013

Ben Nealon visits the Wyvern • New shows on sale Max Tonkin’s exhibition • Interview with

Emily Raymond from Abigail’s Party

THIS ISSUE...

Thank you for your continued support of the Wyvern and for joining the Friends scheme.

I hope you have been able to benefit from the many exclusive discounts we offer as well as the priority information about shows. Also, I am pleased to have seen some of you at our ‘meet the cast’ launches for Boogie Nights and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.

Don’t forget you can also hold your event at the Wyvern. Our private hospitality space is perfect for a birthday party, anniversary celebration or wedding reception and provides a unique venue in central Swindon.

I look forward to welcoming you back to the Wyvern very soon.

Thanks again

“Hello, it’s great to welcome all our new Friends who have joined us recently.

Already this year I’ve had the pleasure of hosting two meet-and-greet events with the casts of Boogie Nights and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, exclusively for Friends. Thanks so much to those of you who came along.

Don’t forget, if you book online for any of our week-long shows, bring your Membership card along with you on the night to get a free programme (currently £3.50 to buy). Also, make sure you check your emails regularly to take advantage of any deals, invitations and new shows going on sale.

Happy theatre-going, and we look forward to welcoming you back again very soon!”

Welcome from the Director Catch up with Claire

ISSUE 7

Derek Aldridge E-mail derek@wyverntheatre.org.uk Twitter @DerekWyvern

The Agatha Christie Company will bring Go Back For Murder to the Wyvern’s stage from Monday 8 to Saturday 13 April. Ahead of performing in Swindon, Soldier, Soldier star Ben Nealon made a visit to the theatre on Wednesday 13 March to meet with TA’s Dean Tippets and Tristan Whitcombe from ‘A Squadron’ – one of five Royal Yeomanry Squadrons.

“Soldier, Soldier was on TV when I was growing up as an army cadet and my brother and I used to tune in every week to see what the King’s Fusiliers were up to,” said Captain Matt Fincham, Unit Press Officer/Spokesman, Royal Yeomanry. “It’s fair to say it inspired me to join the army as a regular, which in turn led me to the TA when I left.”

For a behind-the-scenes snapshot of Ben’s photo call where he talks about his time on Soldier, Soldier, you can now download our podcast from iTunes.

Star of Soldier, Soldier meets local heroes

Great offers for Friends

THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE MON 13 – SAT 18 MAY

2 for 1 on Mon 13 May

BUGLE BOY THU 29 – SAT 31 AUGUST

£2.50 off on Thu 29 August

ABIGAIL’S PARTY TUE 28 MAY – SAT 1 JUNE 2 for 1 on Tue 28 May

SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME MON 10 – SAT 15 JUNE

2 for 1 on Mon 10 June

BEING TOMMY COOPER WED 22 MAY £2.50 off

Brand-new shows on sale

The Giant Pantomime Spectacular

The Wyvern Theatre is thrilled to present the magic family adventure Jack and the Beanstalk this Christmas, with Keith Chegwin headlining for the third year running.

Cheggers will return to the Wyvern, direct from ITV’s Dancing on Ice, to perform the hilarious role of ‘Silly Billy’ in our 2013 – 2014 pantomime.

Giant laughs will be had by the entire audience with ticket prices to suit all pockets – you won’t have to sell the family cow to enjoy the biggest pantomime in Swindon!

Jack and the Beanstalk is produced by One From The Heart by arrangement with HQ Theatres, and staged by the same team that presented last year’s critically-acclaimed Swindon pantomime starring Keith Chegwin. Qdos Entertainment, who operate HQ Theatres, will stage 24 pantomimes around the UK this Christmas.

Jack and the Beanstalk, starring Keith Chegwin, will run at the Wyvern Theatre from Saturday 7 December 2013 to Sunday 5 January 2014.

FAULTY TOWERS DINING EXPERIENCE

SAT 22 JUNE

CHARLIE LANDSBOROUGH

TUE 15 OCTOBER

ALAN DAVIES THU 21 NOVEMBER

CHRIS RAMSEY SUN 23 FEBRUARY 2014

BUDDY HOLLY A LEGEND REBORNSUN 22 SEPTEMBER

THAT’LL BE THE DAY THU 17 OCTOBER

Book tickets today at

wyverntheatre.org.uk

Win tickets to see

80s Mania.

80s Mania brings to the stage 25 chart-

topping pop icons authentically recreated

with live band and awesome dancers. Hear over 35 chart

topping smash-hits from your favourite 80s bands including Duran Duran, The Human League, Culture

Club, Madonna, Wham!, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Bananarama, Dead or

Alive, Madness and many many more!

For your chance to enter into our prize draw and win a pair of tickets to see 80s Mania simply complete the wordsearch. The answer is the one

word listed that cannot be found.

To enter please e-mail answer along with your name, address, e-mail and contact telephone number to laura@wyverntheatre.org.uk or send your entry to:

Newsletter Competition, Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon, SN1 1QN. Closing date is Fri 19 April. A prize draw

for all entries will be held on Mon 22nd April and the winner will be notified by email, telephone or post.

BACKSTAGE PERFORMANCE EXHIBITIONMax Tonkin is currently studying a professional photography degree at the University of Gloucestershire. As part of his degree course, Max has been undertaking a project at the Wyvern Theatre photographing what goes on behind-the-scenes.

An Exhibition of Max’s stunning behind-the-scenes work, for members of the public to catch a glimpse of backstage life, will be on display from TUE 2 APRIL – SUN 14 APRIL in the Lower Foyer Gallery. Max’s work includes photographs of pantomime dame Ian Mowat, Soul Sister leading lady Emi Wokoma and comedian Harry Hill.

M B X T N N A B N S

G A H A N Q S A W S

N Y D M A D O N N A

K V C A N N Y A Y T

X E U D U R A N D M

E N L N L E W A W A

S A T E S S I R Y D

O B U S F L U A Z N

X M R S W H A M Q E

T X E G K V Y A B C

COMPETITION

GOOD LUCK

WHAM DURAN

FRANKIECULTURE

MADNESSMADONNA

BANANARAMA

All Q+A events take place in the Wyvern Theatre Restaurant and are free when purchasing tickets for the relevant show. Following the sessions, our Diner menu will be available for

all patrons to enjoy before the matinee performance.

LIMITED AVAILABILITY – BOOK EARLY!

Laura Bowman, Wyvern Theatre Marketing and Press Officer, caught up with Emily Raymond from the cast of Abigail’s Party, to find out what it’s like being part of the show.

In Abigail’s Party you play Susan, who is fretting about her teenage daughter throwing a party at home. Can you relate to that at all, either as a mother or as a party girl when you were younger?Both! I am a mother of three with the eldest being 13, so I’ve got it all to come. I also remember sneaking out after hours to go to parties – I just hope my kids don’t follow suit!

Donna Summer, Olives and Cheese and Pineapple all feature heavily in the play, what are your favourite memories of the 1970s?The Heatwave of ’76, multi-coloured toe-socks, the Sex Pistols and my skateboard.

What was it like rehearsing with the cast? Have you had any funny moments during rehearsals or performances?We had a great and productive rehearsal period with lots of laughter. I always got hysterical during the dance my character has with Lawrence in the play – it’s just so awkward!

What do you miss the most when you’re on tour?My family, my dog, my bed and my Pilates class.

Which acting role would you love to play that you haven’t yet?I love playing Shakespeare and as the time goes on the roles run out – but Lady Macbeth, Beatrice, Cleopatra and Paulina spring to mind.

Curtain up on...

What is a Podcast? A podcast is an audio or video file delivered to your computer, tablet or smart phone over the internet. You can download an individual file or you can subscribe to an RSS feed, which will automatically check the Wyvern Theatre feed for new podcasts.

Subscribe or listen to the Wyvern Theatre Podcast feed through iTunes and receive regular podcasts from us about the productions and events past and present.

PODCASTS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE:

1. In Conversation with Russell Maliphant

2. Behind-the-scenes #1 Ben Nealon

3. Toyah Wilcox, Julie Coombe and Sarah-Jayne Buckley perform an excerpt of Hormonal Housewives

4. Behind-the-scenes #2 Beverley Callard

LIZA GODDARD

THU 11 APRIL 12.30PM

RAY QUINN WED 15 MAY

12.30PM

HANNAH WATERMANTHU 30 MAY

12.30PM

Q+As

ABIGAIL’S PARTY will be at the Wyvern Theatre

from MON 28 MAY – SAT 1 JUNE

Book tickets today at wyverntheatre.org.uk

or by calling the Ticket Office on 01793 524481