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New Members

The Maskers membership is very broad indeed, embracing all age groups and walks of life.  The Maskers Theatre Company has been established for 40 years and currently has over 150 members and Friends.  Founder members are still active as are their children and even grandchildren.   Peoples capabilities and talents are actively developed and we are very proud of the fact that some of our existing and former members have gone on to study drama/technical courses and to work professionally.  All are welcome from absolute beginners to those with years of experience treading the boards.  There are plenty of ways to get involved whether it be in productions or socially.

Full Members  

For £12.00 non-refundable joining fee PLUS £12.00 annual membership fee (£24.00) full members are able to participate in all Maskers events and are eligible to vote at all AGM's and EGM's. If you would like to apply for membership of the Maskers, a membership application form can be obtained and printed by clicking the link "Application Form"  Please note that you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to access the form. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader already installed on your PC you can obtain it by clicking the the link ADOBE READER Please fill in  the form and return it together with your cheque for £12.00 non-refundable joining fee PLUS £12.00 annual membership fee (£24.00) made payable to the Maskers Theatre Company to: D.Collis, 1 Whinchat Close, Southampton, SO16 8HU. The £12.00 annual membership fee is reduced to £6.00 if you are joining after 1st March. 

Acting 

The Maskers can offer acting opportunities to everyone from beginners to experienced professionals.  Musical talent is also most welcome.

Our productions are cast by audition and open to everyone.  Auditions usually follow a reading of the proposed play so that those interested can get a feel for it and those who are shy or less experienced can build their confidence.  Directors are more than happy to lend scripts to anyone who would like to practise a little prior to auditioning but our audition process is always relaxed and informal.

We produce two large scale shows a year.  First in January (usually) at the Nuffield Theatre in Southampton.  This is one of the South’s leading theatrical venues.  It is often a show-case venue for pre-West End productions and professional touring productions. It is a lovely theatre to work in and our plays are always well received and supported.  Plays chosen for this venue are very varied.  Recent productions have included: -

Twelfth Night, A Chorus of Disapproval, Cider With Rosie, Far from the Madding Crowd, The Cherry Orchard, School for Scandal, Misery, Amy’s View, Macbeth, The Relapse, Pygmalion, When we are Married, King Lear, An Ideal Husband and this year Little Women

Our second major production from 1982 to 2007 was our annual open-air play in July in the grounds of Mottisfont Abbey where built up a large following. We ran for 10 nights and regularly received audiences of up to 600/night. In July 2007 we presented our final production at Mottisfont with Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice which played to full houses throughout the 10 night run.

In July 2008 we presented Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors followed in 2009 by a production of Tom Jones at our exciting new venue,  Hamptworth Lodge Nr. Romsey. We are confident that our audience will continue to join us each July at Hamptworth Lodge to enjoy our open-air production.

Maskers Productions at Hamptworth Lodge

Maskers past productions at Mottisfont Abbey

Maskers past productions at Avington House

Slotted in-between these two dates are several other productions and events.  We perform a number of  in-house productions in our Studio theatre each year.  This is a good performance space which seats up to 50.  These productions are a good opportunity for actors to tackle more unusual roles or for beginners to get involved on a smaller scale.  Recent productions have included: -

Our Lady of Sligo, The Accrington Pals, Educating Rita, Whale Music, The Beggar's Opera, The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband.

In addition, each December, we present a Christmas show  for 6 nights. We also enter various One-Act Festivals and perform for private functions/corporate events when approached and we are always considering new venues.

Technical

Often overlooked; but no production can go ahead without them! Our strong, well-established and truly dedicated team of 'technicals' is always looking to welcome new members.  This is one of the best ways to get involved in a production as there are so many possibilities; lighting (design, rigging, running), sound, set (design, build, paint), props, wardrobe, stage management, producing, programme/handbill design.  We are more than happy for people to come and bring their expertise or just their enthusiasm and willingness to muck in.  Our productions always call for a number of technical people.  We can offer the opportunity to learn or build on your skills through training activities or by teaming you up with an experienced person who can coach you.  Our Studio productions are a particularly good way for new members to learn, but anyone is welcome to help with any production.  Anyone who can wield a screwdriver or a paintbrush is more than welcome for, as on the other side of the stage, the small roles are just as important as the big ones!

The importance we place on our technical support is highlighted by the role on our Management Committee of Technical Manager - responsible for the co-ordination of all our productions.  This person liaises with the director and productions manager to source staff for each production (they also run the technical department of our Workshop and source new equipment etc).

While it is no secret that the technical side of Maskers more often than not involves a lot of work and long hours, it is always a good laugh.  This is a thriving and very lively, friendly and sociable side of the Company; and it is just as good a way to meet people as being part of a cast.

Finally, if you have a foot in both camps, it is not a problem at all; you won't be pigeon-holed!  Many of our members like to vary which side of the stage they work from time to time.  Maskers thrives on team spirit and anyone is welcome either to act or to work on a production in a technical capacity.

Directing

We are always keen for new directors to come forward with production ideas.  We generally offer them slots in our Studio initially.  There would then be the opportunity to direct on a larger scale at the Nuffield or, on a much larger scale, at Hamptworth Lodge.  All directors are supported by a production manager in order that they concern themselves only with the business of directing and not with the ‘niggly’ other issues and tasks which are a necessary, vital but time consuming part of any production.  Our strong and talented technical team are always happy to try out new ideas and, of course, there is a wealth of enthusiastic and talented actors to choose from!

We also offer new directors the opportunity either to shadow a director or to work as a co-director to gain experience in this area prior to directing their own production.

Any prospective directors will be put in touch with our Productions Director and invited to present and discuss their ideas at a productions meeting (which is open to all directors).  It is here that plays are decided on for our annual programme.

Marketing

This is a vital part of any production and, consequently a very varied and important role. Over the years, we have established a very good rapport with local newspapers, publications, radio and television stations and we try to ensure that no avenues are left unexplored when it comes to raising awareness of our productions.

Our marketing takes the form of copy for newspapers and magazines (including interviews) the production and distribution of flyers and posters, sponsorship, mailshots, etc. but, any new ideas are always welcome.

Socialising

Socialising is an integral part of any Maskers production but it is, by no means, limited to the run of a production.  We have an extensive line-up of social events throughout the year.  These include club nights at the Studio where we have a fully licensed bar.  They take many forms from readings, to parties, to reviews etc. We also organise theatre trips.  Our social calendar culminates in our annual camping trip to a field near Wool in Dorset over the August Bank Holiday (so popular that it has now been extended to a five-day break and involves a lot more than just pitching up and sunbathing…

There are plenty of other ways to get involved from Front of House or a role on the committee, to running the bar! 

The membership fee is an annual payment of £12.00 plus a one off Joining fee of £12.00.  Our studio has a stair lift.  The Maskers operates a No-Smoking policy on their premises for safety, health and social reasons.

Finally, however you become involved in the Maskers, you will always feel part of a team.  We pride ourselves on our strong sense of team spirit and this is the key to the success our productions and our long-established company (well, and a good sense of humour!). We hope that you will find joining the Maskers an enjoyable and rewarding experience.