Chairman's Report
For me 2009 has been another year of consolidation. We have, I believe, over the last few years put into place, events and opportunities that have resulted in greater networking and harmony among our member Societies. We are I feel becoming closer in our points of contact, and at meetings of our well attended Executive Committee we seem to be developing ideas and initiatives for the long term development of local drama generally. Moreover I have thoroughly enjoyed my many visits to member Societies and have been overwhelmed by the warm reception I have received and the good wishes extended to NANDA.
Our Executive Council has remained the same over the last year and we have welcomed the Dukeries Theatre Group back to NANDA
The Youth Festival held in May 2009 was a trifle disappointing given the small number of entries received. However the quality of the entries was such that the event proved to be one of the most successful for many years. A stunning production by ELAPS of the highly difficult Stephen Berkoff plays 'Agamemnon 'was a worthy winner, directed with precision and expertise by a director barely seventeen years of age. True to form the Lace Market submitted two worthy entries with a Much Ado extract gaining second prize and it was encouraging to welcome Burton Joyce Youth members to their first competition. We hope you enter again. It was a wonderful night for the youngsters and NANDA
The One Act Play Festival was postponed this year and is to be re-generated on 5th -6th March 2010. Jill Gautrey is to adjudicate with Bob (Wildgust) acting as the Festival Co-ordinator. The event has been arranged to enable the winning entry to go on to proceed to the All England finals of the One Act Play Festival which in 2010 is to be held in the Midland region.
The Play of the Year Competition attracted a record number of 15 entries, with success this year going to the Nottingham Arts Theatre for their production of A Midsummer's Night Dream.
This was an innovative production which strayed with great success from the usual traditional approach to the Dream, and the creative team are to be congratulated. Grateful thanks are extended to Jill Gautrey who came to the assistance of the GODA adjudicator who was unable to attend some of the productions.
The Theatre Luncheon was for me one of the highlights of the year with the attendance of Simon Sheppard at the Welbeck Hotel in March 2009. Simon was not only an effective speaker but his answers to our questions also enabled the occasion to be somewhat of a learning workshop. Many members also met him later in the year at Nottingham Playhouse.
Talking of workshops, this sadly brings to mind the most disappointing aspect of the year. Following a successful voice workshop in January, NANDA attempted to arrange costume and make up workshops in March. I am sure you can imagine our concern when they failed to attract any participants, particularly when the provision of workshops appeared so high on the wish list of Societies at our forum meetings. Similarly, other member groups did not take up the invitation to join West Bridgford DS for their workshop in November. Undaunted we are to pursue this initiative in the future, as we believe such workshops represent an important part of the development of all our skills.
As a group the Executive Council will have to review the publication of a newsletter. The task is quite onerous and is proving too great a workload for Hayley, who has done a sterling job over the last few years.
I look forward to suggestions from members for the Executive to consider at their future meetings as a matter of urgency.
Mike and Jon continue to make changes and improvements to our website. I hope you all consult it and again look forward to your comments.
The Open Forum was again a success , with groups airing their views and meeting each other. Two things to come out of it were; concerns about the quality of the POY adjudications, which were addressed and dealt with via GODA and one group was able to borrow a pram from another!
I hope you will read this report and pass it on to your members so that individuals can know what NANDA is doing.
I thank Roy Ainscough for always being there for me and all the members of the Executive Council for their enthusiasm, their time and their particular area of expertise.
Let us continue to work together to promote drama throughout Nottinghamshire and beyond.
Thank you
JOAN WILDGUST
Chairman