Don’t miss this hilarious version of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller! Almost 60 kids have been working on this for months. Bring the family – it’s not too scary!
It won’t be long now! We’re getting ready for our second big show and I think it’s safe to say that you won’t know what hit you! We’re working our socks off to put together a production that you’ll remember for a long time. We’re very excited to be partnering with some ridiculously talented friends from all over to make this show like a giant, fun party with cake and everything, just for you!
All ticket sales are at the door to keep it simple for all of us. Please leave a response here or leave a message at 872-4961 if there’s any information you need.
We can’t wait to see you and show what we’ve been working on!
Once again, the All Purpose Theater Company is getting ready to knock your socks off, theatrically speaking!
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved and funniest plays. It’s set in Athens, Greece, but we’ve pulled a little switch and dragged it into 1939 Athens, MAINE! You’ll love what these kids are working on for you; and as always, there are several surprises that we don’t think you’ll see coming.
We’ll be performing at the Blessed Hope Church at 10 Pleasant Street in Waterville again. Here are the dates to save:
April 4 – evening show
April 5 – matinee and evening show
April 11 – evening show
April 12 – matinee and evening show
ALL SHOW TIMES TO BE DETERMINED.
Watch this page for developing info – and come be dazzled and delighted in April!
Here’s the current rehearsal schedule for The Comedy of Errors. All updates will be included right here. So this will always be the place to look!
“Last December, while Russell was at the mic reading lines from the Catchup Advisory Board script, Keillor’s arms came snaking around from behind to scratch out the last two paragraphs on the page.” (Ed Cohen, “The Voice That’s Launched 1,000 Skits”) – (Photo: Melissa Sperl, MPR)
Our First Annual Variety Show is coming!
You better believe these kids are going to do things that will amaze you! We’re working hard on writing and memorizing and rehearsing and planning a show you’ll never forget. You don’t want to miss this!
We’ll be performing at the Vassalboro Grange (link to map) on Saturday, December 8th at 4:30.
Tickets will be sold at the door: Adults $1, Kids under 12 and under 50¢. Complimentary refreshments after the show.
** Click the image above for a downloadable poster ** *
* Print and spread around! **
Here’s a lovely rendition of a piece we worked on a few weeks ago: Matilda, Who Told Lies and Was Burned to Death – by Hillaire Belloc .
Students: this man’s version is quite nice and he has a very clear, sensible British voice that makes everything he says sound cool. His matter-of-fact delivery is part of the fun, because Belloc is already making a bit of a joke by relating the tragic death-by-fire of a child, and including it in his book Cautionary Tales for Children, as if it’s merely a lesson kids should learn. It’s also fun to try this one with more melodrama in your voice, like we did in class, but this version in the video is fine the way it is.
However, listen to the bit of trouble the reader gets into just before 0:20 with this sentence:
Her Aunt, who, from her Earliest Youth,
Had kept a Strict Regard for Truth,
Attempted to Believe Matilda:
With his voice, the reader has put a period after truth, dropping his tone to let us know the sentence (or at least, the complete thought) is finished. Except that it’s not; he’s just cut it into two incomplete thoughts. He has verbally separated the subject from its predicate, and muddied up what we’re learning about Matilda’s aunt. It doesn’t cause any huge damage, but it’s a good example of being aware of what the author has actually written, and what the words really mean, not just following the pattern of what your eyes and voice think might be going on.
It’s especially wise to be on your toes with an author like Hillaire Belloc, who regularly spread sentences across six or more lines of a poem.
Here’s the entire text if you’d like to read along. There are information links included for some things that might be unfamiliar to you (remember how the play the aunt wouldn’t let Matilda see wasn’t a good one for kids, anyhow?):
Matilda told such Dreadful Lies,
It made one Gasp and Stretch one’s Eyes;
Her Aunt, who, from her Earliest Youth,
Had kept a Strict Regard for Truth,
Attempted to Believe Matilda:
The effort very nearly killed her,
And would have done so, had not She
Discovered this Infirmity.
For once, towards the Close of Day,
Matilda, growing tired of play,
And finding she was left alone,
Went tiptoe to the Telephone
And summoned the Immediate Aid
Of London’s Noble Fire-Brigade.
Within an hour the Gallant Band
Were pouring in on every hand,
From Putney, Hackney Downs, and Bow.
With Courage high and Hearts a-glow,
They galloped, roaring through the Town,
‘Matilda’s House is Burning Down!’
Inspired by British Cheers and Loud
Proceeding from the Frenzied Crowd,
They ran their ladders through a score
Of windows on the Ball Room Floor;
And took Peculiar Pains to Souse
The Pictures up and down the House,
Until Matilda’s Aunt succeeded
In showing them they were not needed;
And even then she had to pay
To get the Men to go away,
It happened that a few Weeks later
Her Aunt was off to the Theatre
To see that Interesting Play
The Second Mrs. Tanqueray.
She had refused to take her Niece
To hear this Entertaining Piece:
A Deprivation Just and Wise
To Punish her for Telling Lies.
That Night a Fire did break out–
You should have heard Matilda Shout!
You should have heard her Scream and Bawl,
And throw the window up and call
To People passing in the Street–
(The rapidly increasing Heat
Encouraging her to obtain
Their confidence) — but all in vain!
For every time she shouted ‘Fire!’
They only answered ‘Little Liar!’
And therefore when her Aunt returned,
Matilda, and the House, were Burned.
All Purpose Theater Company 