An exercise in slowly accumulating terror.....

The Apollo Theatre's next production is a creepy crime drama based on a real murder.

'Ladies in Retirement' is one of the most popular productions in amateur theatre, and for good reason: it combines mirth and mystery, and mixes it with an undercurrent of genuine horror.

It was first performed at the Apollo in 1981, and is now revived under the direction of Eve Fradgley, whose mother Maggie Cardew is the Theatre's artistic director for the season, and is assisting Eve in directing the play, as well as playing the part of Leonora Fiske.

The play is based on a murder that was committed in 1886, and inspired an American 1941 film noir of the same name.

One of the features of the play is the way it slowly ramps up the tension - or, as the New York Times put it, 'it's an exercise in slowly accumulating terror'.

Set in a dark, lonely house in the marshes of the Thames estuary, the cast includes Glenys Lloyd Williams, Di Evans, Cynara Crump, Adam Richardson, Suzie Chilton and Carol Simpson.

'Ladies in Retirement' runs from August 28 to 29, and September 1 to 5, marking the start of the Apollo's new season.

Tickets can be booked online at www.apollo-theatre.org.uk, and full details of all the plays in the new season can be viewed there, too.

 Maggie Cardew in discussion with her daughter, the director, Eve Fradgley.

And a flashback to 1981 with Mary Baker and Barbara Turner in the Apollo production of 'Ladies in Retirement' that year.

Ladies In Retirement

Ladies in Retirement, our next production, is a play performed on Broadway in 1940 and made into a film a year later. The film was described as ‘an exercise in slowly accumulating terror with all the psychological trappings of a Victorian thriller’.

Set in Victorian times, the play concerns Ellen Creed, a proud spinster fallen on hard times, housekeeper/companion to wealthy, retired chorus girl Miss Leonora Fiske. When Ellen’s two rather eccentric sisters are given permission to visit, they soon outstay their welcome and Miss Fiske wants them to leave.

It is however Miss Fiske who leaves: Ellen says that she has gone travelling, but has she?

And who is Albert, a young man claiming to be the sisters’ nephew? What does he want?

Why does Miss Fiske’s signature on her bank cheques suddenly look different?

Is there a secret Ellen is hiding, and can she keep it from her family?

The play runs from 28-29 August & 1-5 September 2015

Tickets available soon!

Utility Warehouse – save money and support the Apollo Theatre at the same time!

As I’m sure you can imagine, keeping the Apollo Theatre open and offering good theatre to the Isle of Wight costs a lot of money.  However, we’ve joined a great new scheme which means that up to 5% of your household bills will be donated to us – at no cost to you!  What do you have to do?  Just make one phone call or go to a website and you’ll be raising money for the Apollo Theatre every day, just by leading your normal life.

The scheme’s run by the Utility Warehouse Discount Club, part of Telecom Plus PLC, one of the UK’s leading public companies. They’re completely legit, and provide 400,000 UK homes and businesses with everyday utilities, like phone, internet, mobile phone, electricity and gas.

Here’s how it works: join the Utility Warehouse as a customer, and you can save a bundle by getting all your utilities in one place. The Utility Warehouse guarantees to save you money, compared to your current suppliers, when you switch services; and if you’re not totally happy you can go back to your current supplier’s higher prices at any time.  At the same time, they give up to 5% of your utility bill to us, every month. So everyone wins!

It’s easy to join. Just call 0800 131 3000 and they’ll answer all your questions and talk you through the process. Alternatively, you can visit our Utility Warehouse website, www.utilitywarehouse.org.uk/K19890  and click on ‘join the club’.  Either way, it costs you nothing and you’re not obliged to sign up for anything… but, if you do, it could save you lots of money!

You’ll need to give them our appeal number – K19890 – to make sure your donations come to us.

Please join in and make a difference!  Call 0800 131 3000 or go towww.utilitywarehouse.org.uk/K19890 today, and quote our appeal number.

If you’d like to talk to a ‘real person’ to explain all this in more detail, drop the theatre Business Manager a line on info@apollo-theatre.org.uk to arrange a visit from our local Utility Warehouse representative.

The Kitchen Sink Auditions

The Kitchen Sink is a contemporary comedy play, with a few dark overtones, about a family of four, who are going through some difficult times. Dad's milk round doesn't pay - and bits of his milk float are housed on the kitchen floor; his son is trying to get into Art College offering sequinned Dolly Parton pictures; his daughter's temper gets in the way of her martial arts ambitions; her well meaning boyfriend juggles plumbing and looking after his gran, and Mum tries to hold it all together while cooking sushi for Christmas dinner......

There are five roles for actors as follows:

Mother - female, playing age 40 - 50.
Father - male, playing age 40 - 55.
Son - male, playing age 17-18
Daughter - female, playing age 19-21
Boyfriend - male, playing age 19-21

If you are interested in auditioning for this play, please come along to the Apollo Theatre this evening at 7.15pm.

If you cannot make this time, and also if you would like to be involved in any other capacity, please leave a message on our Facebook page and we will get back to you.

Shakespeare Revue - coming soon!!

The Apollo in Newport follows up the success of its production of The Tempest, with a Shakespeare revue show that was a big hit in London's West End for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

One critic described it as 'a joyous words-and-music anthology in loving mockery of the Bard'.

The Shakespeare Revue is a night of clever and witty entertainment inspired by Shakespeare's finest comedy writing, and features songs and sketches written by well-known names including Noel Coward, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter, and the 'Beyond the Fringe' team, as well as specially written material by modern writers.

Director, Alain Smith, and his experienced cast plan to serve up what he describes as a 'fast moving and sparkling night' which will make audiences laugh, and at the same time pay respect to perhaps the greatest writer in the English language.

Alain said: "It's a true revue, in that the evening will be made up of a series of short sketches and songs. It is perfect for people who love Shakespeare, but great fun even if you don't!'

The Shakespeare Revue is on at the Apollo on July 3 and 4, and from July 7 to 11.

Tickets can be booked online at www.apollo-theatre.org.uk, or by calling the box office on 01983 527267

Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks - Review of our last production

....an actor's view.

Written by Helen Clinton-Pacey, who took the role of Lily in the show.


Usually when I've finished a play, I think, 'Enjoyed that, what's next'?

'Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks' has left a void, and I would love to have done it longer, got more 'into' Lily Harrison, and built an even stronger 'rapport' with Michael Minnetti.

I'd like to thank Isabel for giving me the opportunity to play such a lovely role. It's the 'first time' I've ever worn something 'glamorous'. Ifanyone can remember some of my 'previous outfits', bunny rabbit hops to mind, courtesy of Peggy, Liz and co.

This play  was a 'challenge' in more ways than one, not only was it a 2-hander, BUT I had to learn to DANCE!

Well I'll tell you a story: I sound like Max Bygraves!

A few years ago I fractured my skull - no sarcastic comments please, Alain, Ian, Paul, Mog, etc! This resulted in me having no balance or co-ordination, so when instructed by Alain, 'starting on your left', inevitably I'd use my right, and then 'tick-tock with my arms. This must have driven Alain 'crackers'. Thankyou sssoooo much for your patience.

And also a 'BIG' thankyou to John Abraham, a professionally trained dancer, who 'coped' admirably with my trips and falls (either that or he's an excellent actor). It was great working with you John.

Thanks also to set builders for my lovely apartment, sound, lighting, etc. I really loved S D L I S W, and hope that with John and I turning 'my dance hiccups' slightly quirky, to cater for Lily's age, we entertained. Not as 'comedic' as our final dress:what say you Mrs Reading?

Added to the above, I have arthritis in my left hip, and obviously it was not happy dancing, so I tried heat pads, wonderful, till I lifted my leg in the waltz an it fell off, fortunately only at rehearsal, so I dispensed with them, and suffered for my 'art', adrenalin is great!!

100 Club

Box office receipts just about cover the expenses of running the Apollo, so to bring in additional income to help fund improvements to the theatre a maximum of 100 people donate £5 per month.  

Their names are entered into a prize draw and each month one person wins a cash prize of £50, except in February, when the prize is £250, and August, when one lucky winner will receive £500.  

To be in with a chance, download the 100 club application form and fill it in, give the relevant bit to your bank and pass the tear-off slip to the secretary, business manager or any member of the committee, or, for non-members,  hand it in to the box office.  

You’ll be entered into the draws from then on.  Good luck!