Welcome to the January issue of the NODA e-mail newsletter, packed with news and information which we hope you will find useful, including details of funding opportunities and a special offer on tickets for the hit West End musical Jailhouse Rock.

*********************************

DRAMA ASSOCIATION OF ENGLAND

The Central Council for Amateur Theatre (CCAT) has engaged the services of a consultant, Alun Bond of Artservice, to examine the practicality of creating a Drama Association of England, to provide information and representative services specific to community drama groups in England.

CCAT is the umbrella body in which all of the national organisations representing various sectors of amateur theatre meet to discuss common aims and strategies for the promotion of amateur theatre throughout the UK. Membership includes NODA, LTG, NDFA, AETF, GODA and DAW.

Attached is a questionnaire which we would be grateful if societies in England could complete and return to Artservice by 11^th Feb 2005

<<Theatre Groups Questionnaire Version 2 Dec 19th.rtf>>
Artservice
Freepost SWC 1369
Kington
HR3 6ZY

*********************************

TSUNAMI DISASTER - TO ALL INVOLVED WITH NODA

I am contacting you about “Panto Gold”. I am currently working on the Lighting at the Theatre Royal Nottingham Pantomime “Dick Whittington”. In response to the earthquake and tsunami crisis occurring at the moment, our pantomime company has initiated the “Panto Gold” fund, which we are trying to spread around to any theatre, theatre company, or show we can. We ask that where possible a collection is made at the end of performances, this can be paid into any bank, just ask it to be put into panto gold. This will go straight to charities helping these areas. If you know anyone involved in any shows, theatres, or any kind of performance, please pass this information on.

Many thanks in advance for any help you can give spreading info on PANTO GOLD.
Matt Lee
DMDL Theatrical Services
8 Langdale Drive
Long Eaton
Nottingham
NG10 3PQ
Tel: 07834 359330
E-mail: matt@dmdl.co.uk

*********************************

NODA SUMMER SCHOOL

The brochure for next year’s Summer School, which takes place at Loughborough University from 6 to 13 August 2005, was inserted in the most recent issue of NODA National News. For a copy please contact Headquarters on 0870 770 2480 or visit www.noda.org.uk.

In 2005 there will be 35 national bursaries plus 2 Barnes bursaries of £200 each available to members across the country to help offset the cost of coming to the Summer School. Preference will be given to applications from first time students of any age (minimum age 18) but anyone wishing to try a completely new theatre discipline can qualify as a first time student. Written applications should be made to your Area Councillor by 31 January 2005 at the latest. Contact your Area Councillor for an application form.

*********************************

2005 SUBSCRIPTIONS

A thank you to those members who have already renewed their subscription for 2005. If you have not already paid, please remember that if you do not renew your membership by 31 March at the latest, you will lose access to NODA benefits. If you have not received your subscription invoice, please contact NODA Headquarters.

*********************************

STAGEFEST TORQUAY

The next StageFest will take place on Saturday 5 February at the Princess Theatre, Torquay.
The StageFest events are free and are open to all amateur groups or individuals who wish to participate or just to visit and run from noon to 4pm. Each event is a celebration of amateur theatre in the area and is not only an opportunity for members of societies to network and exchange views, but more importantly, to have the opportunity to participate in question and answer sessions with senior management from Clear Channel, who will demonstrate their commitment to giving maximum support for community users of their venues. The events will also be promoted to the public, and will serve as a useful tool for recruiting new volunteers.

National and local suppliers and advisers to amateur theatre, from publishers of plays to costumiers, lighting and sound suppliers will also be hand to promote their services. Short seminars will be given by leading experts on a range of such issues, providing up-to-date advice to the benefit of the amateur theatre movement.

For further information contact Amateur Stage on 020 7636 4343 or email cvtheatre@aol.com

*********************************

QUESTION A SIR ABOUT BEING A DAME!

Q&A event on Tuesday 18th January at 5pm at The Old Vic

Find out more about what motivates a knighted thespian to take on a cross-dressing role, when Sir Ian McKellen fields audience questions at a special Question and Answer event from 5pm at The Old Vic theatre. Better known for his performance as 'Gandalf' in "The Lord of the Rings", McKellen has swapped his cloak and staff for a frock and wig to play 'Widow Twanky' in The Old Vic’s critically-acclaimed production of “Aladdin” from 17 December – 23 January. Ian will be joined on-stage by veteran comedian Maureen Lipman (playing his sidekick, 'Dim Sum') and TV name Sam Kelly (playing the 'Emperor'). Tickets for the Q&A are £5 each and can be booked on 0870 060 6628. The event is hosted by the Daily Telegraph.

*********************************

ENQUIRY INTO PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE THEATRE ANNOUNCED

Area: UK                    Deadline: Friday 14 January

The DCMS Select Committee will launch a comprehensive enquiry into public support for theatre this year. The committee will inquire into the nature and adequacy of public support for theatre in the UK as well as a range of other issues that have been identified.

Written submissions are invited from any interested organisation or individual by Friday 14 January.
To view the list of issues and press release, visit: http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/culture__media_and_sport/cms_041220.cfm

*********************************

YEAR OF THE VOLUNTEER 2005

In 2004 Gordon Brown declared 2005 as the Year of the Volunteer. Primarily the Year is a call to action and the Home Office has set two themes of the Year; young people and employee volunteering, and it is funding two lead agencies, Volunteering England and CSV, to run campaigns to support the Year. For its part, Volunteering England has formed a consortium comprising of the Media Trust, Youthnet UK, TimeBank, Business in the Community and Youth Action Network to deliver various components of the campaign. The consortium's programme is currently being pulled together but it will have a high profile media element, promotional materials, grants, workshops and DIY kits for people to organise their own volunteering activity. In order to help prepare for the media campaign, Volunteering England is looking for case studies of volunteers of approximately 300 words with photographs where possible. Case studies should include a description of the volunteer and what the volunteer does, emphasizing what they gained from their volunteering experience. If you are able to provide case studies, please send them to Fiona Llewellyn, Campaign Manager, Year of the Volunteer 2005 at fiona.llewellyn@volunteeringengland.org.

In an initiative to support the Year, the Media Trust is offering 25 charities the chance to have a film made for them at a fraction of the usual cost.

Volunteer Films is recruiting independent production companies, broadcasters, and freelancers to give talent, time and enthusiasm to make three-minute films to help organisations with a turnover under £2 million raise their profile and recruit volunteers. The films can be factual or drama, must be made by the end of March 2005 and will include new and experienced film-makers.

The films will be broadcast on the Community Channel throughout the year and will have interactive capability enabling viewers to pledge their time at the touch of the red button. There will be a major screening and competition to judge the best films during 2005.

Sally George, executive producer at the Media Trust said, "We're looking for exciting stories and characters that will make striking and evocative films. We're particularly keen to hear from small charities that would normally be unable to afford a film of their own." For further information contact Sally George at either:

Tel: 020 7874 7631
E- mail: sallyg@mediatrust.org

*********************************

FIND FUNDS WITH FUNDERFINDER

Just an update for those of you not already in the know - FunderFinder produces software for all charities and not-for-profit organisations which enables them to find trusts to apply to for funding.

If you haven't already got a copy, don't let it pass you by - go to www.fundfinder.org.uk to order one.
Please note that if you have limited access to a computer, the Arts Council Regional offices all have FunderFinder software in their resource library, which is open to the public. Just ring up to book a session in advance.

*********************************

ESMEE FAIRBAIRN FOUNDATION

Area - UK wide

The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation is one of the largest independent grantmaking foundations in the UK. They have four grant programmes, one of which is Arts and Heritage.

The arts allocation has two areas - Serving Audiences and Supporting Artists, and is focused outside the Greater London area.

If you or your organisation fit into one of these cataegories, go to www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk to find out more and to apply.

*********************************

GRANTSEARCH

For all of you out there looking for funding from any source, the grantsearch facility ensures that you don't miss out on anything.

www.grantsearch.co.uk has a database listing every grant/ funding opportunity available in the UK and Europe. It might take some trawling through but its worth it to know that no opportunities have passed you by.

*********************************

WINGATE SCHOLARSHIPS 2005/06

Deadline - 1 February 2005

These scholarships are awarded to individuals of great potential who need financial support to undertake creative or original work of a social and artistic value.

The awards are also open to outstanding musicians for advanced training and are an attempt to provide funding for cross-disciplinary projects that might not fall into any of the conventional funding categories. They are designed to help with the costs of a specific project, and funding may last up to three years. The maximum award in any one year is £10,000. For more information, including how to apply, visit the website at: www.wingate.org.uk

*********************************

FUNDERS FOR FUNDRAISING LIST AVAILABLE

Wootton George Consulting, a fundraising consultancy based in Stafford has published a very useful list of funders who will consider helping charities by paying for fundraising and other consultancy work.

The list is likely to be of particular interest to smaller or newer charities. Director Simon George explained: `in our experience, smaller charities often have the greatest need for external advice and support, yet they are frequently disadvantaged when it comes to accessing the help they need. This is frustrating for all concerned as, very often, a little bit of help can make a great difference to a small organisation.' Funders on the list range from charitable trusts, to lottery and statutory funding bodies. The latest addition is Business Link, which in many parts of the UK will pay for 50% of external assignments, provided the charity in question is also a limited company and that the consultant is listed on the National Business Link Register of Consultants.

http://www.wgc-fundraising-consultants.com/sources-of-funding.html

(Source: UK Fundraising)

*********************************

PRSF NEW MUSIC AWARD 2005

Deadline - 25 February 2005

The Performing Rights Society Foundation (PRSF) New Music awards up to £50,000 towards a new music project.
The award aims to provoke creatively adventurous ideas and is open to any genre and the resulting performance can be presented in any context or suitable media. Ideas are welcome from individuals, groups or organisations and can be collaborative involving other any other art form.

Pre-existing work is not eligible, and new British music must be the predominant factor in any project. The project must have a public performance in the UK by 1 September 2006.

For further information, visit their website at: www.prsfoundation.co.uk
Tel: 020 7306 4044
E-mail: info@prsfoundation.co.uk

*********************************

IN KIND DIRECT

Area: UK

All over the UK, valuable and useful goods are going to waste because companies don't have either the time or the contacts to make better use of them. In Kind Direct are a charity who provide a solution - they distribute surplus goods from industry to voluntary organisations throughout the UK. Goods are mainly new and are surplus because they are samples, seconds, ends of lines, or have faulty packaging. There is a range of registration fees based on the charities' income.

For further details and for a catalogue, please contact:
Tasha Procter
In Kind Direct
19 Milk Street
London
EC2V 8AN
Tel: 0207 860 5927
E-mail: info@inkinddirect.org
Web: www.inkinddirect.org

*********************************

Licensing Act 2003

7 February 2005 is the 'First Appointed Day' under the Licensing Act 2003. This means that this is the date from which holders of existing licences can apply to their local authority to convert their licences. You can apply to convert your licence at any time up to 6 August 2005.

Local authorities are required to have completed their Licensing Policy by 7 January 2005. Why not contact them for a copy, to check that they have taken account of the needs of amateur theatre groups?

Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) is working to help ensure that England's 9000 village and community halls are able to sustain a broad range of cultural activities once the Licensing Act 2003 comes into force in November 2005. ACRE's village hall advisor, Deborah Clark, says "Village halls are the life-blood of our rural communities. In recognition of this village, community, church halls and other similar buildings will be exempt from the fee for premises licences that relates to the provision of regulated entertainment". ACRE will be producing an information sheet for hall management committees once the legislation is in place, which can be obtained from ACRE or from Village Hall Advisers at local Rural Community Councils. For further information visit http://www.acre.org.uk/.

*********************************

GIRONA'S INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR THEATRE FESTIVAL (FITAG)

Girona's International Amateur Theatre Festival (FITAG) celebrates its fifth anniversary. This yearly Festival takes place every first week of September in Girona city. FITAG's programme shaped by companies from Spain, Europe and the rest of the world, come to Girona to play in the one of most important Amateur Festival in Spain.

Have a look at FITAG's webpage http://www.teatredeguerrilla.com/supermercat/prog_fitag.htm to find out more about the Festival

On the occasion of 2005 event we wish to develop agreements between FITAG and European Amateur Theatre Festivals to undertake a companies exchange. The exchange will let us open dialogue and cooperation lines all over Europe.

E-mail: correu@teatredeguerrilla.com6 45

*********************************

INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL IN CARACAS, VENEZUELA!

The 7th Fiesta Internacional del Teatro San Martin de Caracas (Fiesta!2005), an encounter dedicated to professionals, community and alternative theaters will take place from 2 - 10 December 2005 in Caracas, Venezuela.

FIESTA 2005! its a competitive festival and will recognize the best performances with eight special prizes. An special jury will give awards
for the following categories: Best Performance, Best Group, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Set Design.

FIESTA 2005! will be held in the Teatro San Martin de Caracas cultural center, which includes two stages: a main theater with 400 seats (TSMC) and
an experimental theater (Textoteatro Theater) with 100 seats. FIESTA 2005! will provide food and lodging for participating groups up to 8 people during the whole time of the Festival . TSMC is a cultural theater center located in a working class area of the city.

Due to budget restrictions, FIESTA 2005! can't help with the flights fares to Caracas. But, FIESTA 2005! will feature all public and private sponsors which support the participation of your group in our event in all promotional materials.

For more information e-mail: tsmcmckayott@eldish.net
gustavott@yahoo.com
tsmcaracas@gustavoott.com.ar

*********************************

BRITISH MUSIC HALL SOCIETY

STUDY GROUP

THE RUDGE FAMILY*

The Lives and Work of Letty Lind and her sisters,

Millie Hylton, Adelaide Astor, Lydia Flopp and Fanny Dango

Part One

The Life & Loves of

LETTY LIND

Skirt Dancer, Soubrette & Gaiety Girl

1861-1923

an illustrated talk

by

Graeme Cruickshank

at the

Club for Acts & Actors
20 Bedford Street
Covent Garden
London WC2

on

Thursday, 10th February, 2005

at

7.45 p.m.

open to non-members, entrance free

(a collection will be made towards cost of hall, etc.)

___________________________________________________________

* The Rudge sisters, professionally known as Letty Lind (1861-1923), Millie Hylton (1868-1920), Adelaide Astor (1874-1951), Lydia Flopp (1877-1962) and Fanny Dango (1878-1972), all hailing from Birmingham, were primarily dancers but later developed their singing talents, working in pantomime, variety and music hall, musical comedy and burlesque, often at the Gaiety Theatre in the 1880s and 90s. Letty Lind was in the last George Edwardes burlesques (at the Gaiety) and the first George Edwardes musical comedies (at Daly’s); she also had a professional and personal relationship with the dramatic author and entertainer Howard Paul (1830-1905) and was the mother of his illegitimate son. Millie Hylton for a while made a career in variety as a male impersonator, but later appeared in legitimate theatre and was the mother of actress Millie Sim (b.1895). Adelaide Astor was married to George Grossmith, Jnr. and had a son, George Grossmith (manager) and a daughter, Ena Grossmith (b.1896, actress). Lydia Flopp had a briefer career than her sisters and an unhappy marriage. Fanny Dango followed her sisters onto the London stage and ended up a wealthy woman in Australia. The Rudge sisters were cousins of music hall artist, Millie Lindon (b.1877) who was married at one time to T.E. Dunville (1868-1924), however they divorced long before his sad and dramatic death and she later re-married.

further information from:

Graeme Cruickshank tel. 020 8695 5480

e-mail: joycruickshank@tiscali.co.uk

*********************************

THE OXFORD SAMUEL BECKETT THEATRE TRUST AWARD

Deadline - 18 Feb 2005

The purpose of the award is to help the development of emerging practitioners in the field of experimental theatre and to encourage the new generation of creative artists. Support is aimed at assisting artists in the transition from fringe to studio spaces.

A grant of up to £30,000 and a three-week run at the Riverside Studios, Hammersmith London in November 2005 will be awarded to an individual or company for a production of their choice.

Bold, innovative and challenging projects will be favoured.

Further support will be provided in the following areas:

- a mentor will be attached to the project.

- the successful applicant will have guidance and support from Riverside Studios. This will primarily be in: financial management; contracting; press and publicity; assisting in the long-term strategic development of their work; identifying potential colleagues both artistic and technical; advising on the technical aspects of the production.

- one week of technical rehearsals in Studio 3 before the three week run.
£5000 of the award must be spent on press and publicity.

To find out more about the application procedure please consult the website www.osbttrust.com.

*********************************

NODA THEATRE CLUB

JAILHOUSE ROCK

Piccadilly Theatre, Denman Street, W1

CELEBRATE ELVIS'S 70TH BIRTHDAY AND HIS 19TH NUMBER ONE

The King still rules! Elvis has just gained his 19th Number.1 single with the re-release of JAILHOUSE ROCK. It is also a special time for all Elvis fans as it would have been his 70th birthday. Celebrate these two historic events with our fantastic JAILHOUSE ROCK offer with tickets at just £19.35 (1935 was the year of Elvis' birth!).

Created by the writer and director of the global smash-hit 'Buddy', JAILHOUSE ROCK is sure to have you dancing in the aisles to classic hits such as 'The Wonder of You', 'Burnin' Love', 'Tutti Frutti', 'Blue Suede Shoes', 'Suspicious Minds' and 'Are You Lonesome Tonight?'.

OFFER PRICE: £19.35 (+ £1.50 booking fee per ticket - a saving of up to £28

VALID: All performances, except Saturday evenings, until 28 February (excluding 14 - 21 February)

TO BOOK CALL 020 7907 7056 quoting ‘Jailhouse Rock NODA offer’

____________________________________

National Operatic and Dramatic Association
NODA House
58-60 Lincoln Road
Peterborough PE1 2RZ
tel: 0870 770 2480
fax: 0870 770 2490
e-mail: everyone@noda.org.uk

http://www.noda.org.uk

____________________________________

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or company to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender immediately and delete it fully.

Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of NODA. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. NODA accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.