Welcome to the May issue of the NODA e-mail newsletter, packed with news and information which we hope you will find useful. We are also able to announce a host of special offers on theatre tickets.       

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NODA NATIONAL NEWS

The Summer 2004 issue of NODA NATIONAL NEWS, packed with news, views and special offers, will be distributed in the week beginning 17th May.

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AMATEUR THEATRE WEEK

NODA is delighted to report that the first ever national Amateur Theatre Week will take place from Saturday 23 to Saturday 30 October 2004. It is hoped that over 200 amateur theatre groups will take part in this celebration of their work and that Amateur Theatre Week will become an annual event. Amateur Theatre Week aims to encourage new audiences and new participants, and to raise the profile of amateur theatre. Amateur theatre makes an enormous contribution to community activity and in some parts of the country provides people’s only access to live theatre.

Amateur theatre groups affiliated to NODA, the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain, National Drama Festivals Association and All England Theatre Festival will be invited to participate. These representative bodies as well as the Central Council for Amateur Theatre and the Voluntary Arts Network have agreed to promote the event.

The conclusion of Amateur Theatre Week coincides with Make A Difference Day on 30 October 2004, the UK’s biggest celebration of volunteering, co-ordinated by Community Service Volunteers (CSV). CSV is delighted at NODA’s participation and will be working with NODA to promote Amateur Theatre Week.

There will be a dedicated Amateur Theatre Week website (www.amateurtheatreweek.org.uk) which will be launched in June 2004 and which will contain details of how to register, a list of participating events, downloadable advice packs and logos, and other useful information. Amateur Theatre Week is funded by Arts Council England and is sponsored by Josef Weinberger Ltd and NODA Insurance. This is the first time that NODA has received funds from Arts Council England. Any amateur theatre group interested in taking part in Amateur Theatre Week should contact NODA on 0870 770 2480 or email everyone@noda.org.uk.

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LAUNCH OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING WEBSITE

Home Office Minister Fiona McTaggart has launched the new government funding website www.governmentfunding.org.uk. Set up by the Directory of Social Change and funded by the Active Communities Unit of the Home Office, the new website aims to provide a single portal to access all government grants. “This is a major fundraising tool and we hope that voluntary organizations, whatever their size and sector, will benefit from using it”, said DSC’s Head of Fundraising and Research Ben Wittenberg. “Research shows that the community sector is increasingly reliant on government funding but finding out about it, as well as accessing grants, has not always been equitable. Many, especially smaller organizations, simply lack the resources to find out about all the funding that is available – we intend to change this by leveling out the playing field.

“Via the portal, you will be able to access up-to-date information on grants relevant to your organisation, you will be able to get advice on applying, and the more you use governmentfunding.org.uk the easier it will become. “From the beginning of May the portal will enable visitors to register a profile, as well as store current or past applications online. This will mean that you receive information on new grants and that you don’t have to start from scratch every time you apply.”

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NEW SYSTEM FOR SMALL LOTTERY GRANTS

Awards for All in England, the joint distributor lottery small grants scheme, have changed their system for scoring applications. Major changes include the weighting given to the published regional priorities and the three aims of the scheme:

- Extending Access and Participation
- Increasing Skill and Creativity
- Improving Quality of Life

Awards for All is a Lottery grants scheme aimed at local communities and funds projects that enable people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities, as well as projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community. The scheme awards grants from £500 to £5000 for just about anything except repeating running costs and covers all fields of voluntary activity – see www.awardsforall.org.uk for full details.

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ARTS COUNCIL STUDY

A study from Arts Council England has found that UK theatres are worth GBP2.6 billion pounds to the economy. Even a relatively small theatre such as the Derby Playhouse contributes GBP3.9m, while the West End collectively contributes GBP1.5bn. This compares with the GBP121.3m paid to theatres in public subsidy. The research was carried out by Dominic Shellard of Sheffield University, and examined 308 theatres, taking into account spending by audiences, including food and transport, tickets and merchandise. No doubt the study failed to take account of the £34 million contributed by NODA affiliated societies.

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MARKETING COURSES

Cambridge Marketing Colleges have a new arts marketing course starting in July (enrolment deadline June). The course is now wholly Distance Learning and therefore can be undertaken from anywhere in the UK. The course will consist of four modules, each to be assessed by a written assignment marked by the CIM.  For further information call Charles W Nixon on 01223 421836 or e-mail info@marketingcollege.com

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GREAT ORMOND STREET PERFORMANCE OF PETER PAN

In 1929 J M Barrie gave the rights to Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.  Since then the hospital has received royalties from performances, books, films, cartoons and any other use of the characters and story; amounting to millions of pounds over the years. To celebrate the centenary of the first ever performance of Peter Pan on 27 December 2004, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity is holding a year of special events.  Money raised during the year will go towards the £1 million cost of a ‘Tinker Bell Play Area’ in the new Botnar Wing, part of the hospital’s major development programme. Peter Pan made his very first appearance in J M Barrie’s book The Little White Bird, published in 1901.  Peter flies out of his nursery window and lives with the birds in the Gardens.  His further exploits, recorded in Peter Pan and Wendy, introduce us to the creatures and characters of Neverland, including Peter’s arch enemy, the cruel and dastardly Captain Hook. GOSHCC’s ‘Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens’ event will bring the genteel Edwardian society of J M Barrie together with the fantastic spirit of the Neverland.  Society ladies and gentlemen will mix with naughty fairies and sinister pirates as children move about gathering clues to help them seek out the treasure.  Meanwhile adults can enjoy the various attractions and picnic in the magical surroundings. A magnificent pirate ship is being designed and built by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and will sit in Long Water providing a grand backdrop to the day.  Laurence, dressed as Captain Hook, will patrol the Pirates’ Lair, and a host of other celebrities including Kate Winslet and Cat Deeley will be lending their support to the treasure hunters. Participants in the treasure hunt will be given a map of Kensington Gardens and a set of questions which they will have to answer in order to get their treasure.  They will then set off around the park where they will see a number of scenes acted out which will give them the answers they seek.  All around will be people in Edwardian costume, and character, able to guide them and help with some of the clues. What we need are actors to play out the scenes from Peter Pan and to help fill the park with a genuine Edwardian atmosphere.  We will have a carousel, a coconut shy and other attractions but what will make the day special will be nannies walking their prams on the Baby Walk; families in period dress picnicking; ladies and gentlemen taking a turn about the Gardens; and old-time Bobbies pounding the beat. The day will start at 1100 and should end around about 1700, although not everyone need be required all day, and we are hoping to attract about 5,000 participants. There will be six areas where scenes will be played out:

-       The Darling Nursery
-       Lost Boys’ ‘Home Under the Ground’
-       Fairies’ Winter Palace
-       Mermaids’ Lagoon
-       Tiger Lily’s Reservation
-       Pirates’ Lair

Each scene will be played five or six times throughout the day and last around 5-10 minutes, depending on the scene.  As no more than half a dozen people need be in each scene – at most – it would be possible to have a number of groups performing a specific scene throughout the day, rather than one cast playing it several times.  We are also planning a finale involving a fight between the Lost Boys and the Pirates which would need to be choreographed in advance. In terms of characters patrolling the gardens, these actors would ideally take on a secondary role as stewards, providing information to the participants and a degree of security to the event as a whole.  Full instructions would be given by the event organisers regarding that element of the role. In order for the event to be truly unique we would like as many participants as possible to help turn the Gardens into this Edwardian fantasy, however we do not have a huge budget to provide costumes and would look for your help.  With this in mind, absolute authenticity is not essential but we must create a feel of London 1904. We have secured some sponsorship for the event with companies supplying goods in kind, such as picnics and “treasure” in the shape of goody-bags, but our costs have to be kept to an absolute minimum to ensure that money is raised for the hospital.  We will, however, be able to provide refreshments for volunteers throughout the day, and we are certain that it will be tremendous fun. If you are able to help us with ‘Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens’ please let us know as soon as possible.  We would like to have as many people as possible helping to make this day truly special and whatever you can do, however large or small, will be greatly welcomed.

Please contact Martin Sheehan at GOSHCC on 020-7916-5678, extension 1106, or at sheehanm@gosh.nhs.uk if you have any questions about the event.

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SUMMER HOLIDAY

Is on its way to Josef Weinberger. Put on your Dancing Shoes and join The Young Ones for many of Sir Cliff Richard and the Shadows greatest hits - Foot Tapper, On the Beach, Livin' Doll, Bachelor Boy and loads more. If you wish to be kept informed of the future release of this summer spectacular, please reply to this email stating your name, name of your organisation and full postal address. Please note that we do not have a release date at this time.

JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD
12 - 14 MORTIMER STREET
LONDON W1T 3JJ
T: 020 7580 2827    F: 020 7436 9616
E: amateur@jwmail.co.uk   W: www.josef-weinberger.com

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AN AFTERNOON WITH IVOR NOVELLO

Saturday 5^th June 2004 2:30pm

A concert of Ivor’s glorious melodies is being performed at Littlewick Green near Maidenhead.

More information is available from The Ivor Novello Appreciation Bureau at the following address:

The Ivor Novello Appreciation Bureau
188 Church Drive
Quedgeley
Gloucester
GL2 4US
Tel: 01452 720 182
Fax: 01452 725251
e-mail: noveloscot@aol.com

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SPECIAL OFFERS FOR NODA MEMBERS

THE LION KING

- Special Offer for Groups of 10+ -

SAVE £10 OFF EACH TICKETS PLUS RECEIVE THE 10TH TICKET FREE!

'One of the most joyous and spectacular musicals in years' Daily Mail

Now in its fifth triumphant year at London's Lyceum Theatre, Disney's award-winning musical 'THE LION KING' continues to captivate and enthral and now you can experience it for yourself with our special group savings offer!

Organise a group of ten friends or colleagues to see select performances of 'The Lion King', and save £10 off each ticket plus receive the 10th ticket free! Available for top three prices (£40 reduced to £30, £35 to £25 and reduced £30 reduced to £20) for Tuesday to Friday performances from 20 April to 24 June (excluding 28 May to 7 June). Subject to availability.

DON'T MISS THIS STRICTLY LIMITED OFFER- CALL 020 7907 7002 and quote - NODA LION KING OFFER. 

Rates are per ticket and only available for groups of 10+ on Tuesday to Friday performances including Wednesday matinees from 20 April to 24 June (excluding 29 May - 7 June). Blackout dates may apply. Subject to availability certain restrictions apply. Not valid on previous orders. No refunds or exchanges. Performance prices, dates and times subject to change without notice. 'Free' group organiser ticket must be for the same performance attended by the group.

OLEANNA

SAVE £10 ON TICKETS TO SEE DAVID MAMET’S CLASSIC DRAMA

‘Well acted, marvellously written and skilfully directed, Oleanna is thought-provoking theatre at its best.’Daily Mirror

‘Power, men, women and modern America… I feel safe in recommending this Oleanna to just about anyone’ **** The Times

David Mamet’s explosive play stars two of Hollywood’s most exciting talents – Aaron Eckhart and Julia Stiles – as a college professor and pupil locked in a blistering conflict of language, sex and power.

Tickets are available at just £25 (+ £1.50 booking fee per ticket) – a saving of £10 on this critically acclaimed play. AVAILABLE FOR ONE MONTH ONLY - CALL 020 7907 7056 and quote -NODA OLEANNA OFFER Rate is valid for Monday – Thursday evenings, 7.45pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees, 3pm from 14 May – 14 June.

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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

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