Your chance to go under the spotlight as Mansfield community drama group seeks new actors as well as production crew

A community drama group which has raised thousands of pounds for charity is looking for new members.

Under the Headstocks is keen to hear from actors plus people interested in production roles including directors, assistant directors, and prop makers to further develop its creative effiorts.

The group, headed up by artistic director Alan Dawson, is based in the Brown Cow pub, in Mansfield, and brings the performing arts into the community and small non-theatre venues of no more than 50 spectators.

Since forming three years ago, it has built up a core team of actors who have so far performed five original plays, including ‘The Last Boot’ and ‘Trivial Pursuit’.

Rehearsals are currently underway for Malcolm Seymour’s, ‘Taking to the Air’ about a community radio station facing an uncertain future due to financial difficulties.

Last year the group made £3,000 to hand over to local charities.

As well as ‘Taking to the Air’, Under the Headstocks has two other projects planned for 2014.

First is Alan’s own community play ‘Kicking to Touch’ - a story about local Rugby Club, Garabaldi RFC which is billed as a play ‘to rival Brassed Off’.

The second production is ‘Me Mam Sez’ written in the 1980s by Mansfield playwright Barry Heath and based on his experiences of growing up in Mansfield during the Second World War. The writer has given Under the Headstocks permission for his play to be performed around Mansfield at venues and on dates still to be decided.

Alan said the group wants to hear from anyone from the area who is interested in joining its ranks and stressed that no experience is necessary.

He said: “We want to bolster the existing group members and develop the group further through new experiences.”

Members socialise together following rehearsals.

Alan added that the group is also interested in forming partnerships with other drama groups.

Alan has his roots in youth theatre and he adapted and directed Shakespeare producitons in Nottingham before his play ‘Scab’ was performed by sixth form students atManor at the Forest Theatre, Mansfield Woodhouse in 2010. He named the theatre company after redundant headstocks at Clipstone Colliery.

Anyone interested in joining the group should email Alan at [email protected] or call him on 07900571737.

Alternatively, visit the group’s website at www.undertheheadstocks.org.uk

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