September 2007

Brassed Off  by Mark Herman, adapted by Paul Allen

Directed by Peta J. Maidman

Adapted for the stage by Paul Allen from Mark Herman's film, Brassed Off was first seen at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre and subsequently at the Olivier at the National Theatre, London. Grimley Colliery is set to close as the accountants say there's more money in it shut than open, even after redundancy payments. It means 1200 job losses, a dying town and the loss of its brass band. But under the leadership of Danny, coughing with coal-dusted lungs, the band is somehow transformed into British champions with local lass Gloria whipping up the money needed to get them to the Albert Hall.

Our production was one of the most successful plays in recent years.  Staged with the help of Markham and District Colliery Band, BLT enjoyed a sell out run of this most moving of stories.

Production design......Gareth Baskerville

Lighting and Sound ......Aneurin Brown

Production Photographs from

 Brassed Off

November 2007

Improbable Fiction by Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by David Livingstone

Alan Ayckbourn's 69th play Improbable Fiction is an hilarious comedy featuring an amateur writing group, where everyone has at least one book in them, but is having problems getting it out.

Chairman Arnold Hassock considers that The Pendon Writers' Circle is in a bit of a rut. At the December meeting he throws down a challenge to the members: "If you feel you are a writer, if you deep down believe you are a writer, then for goodness sake get on with the writing". Unfortunately, be it technical writing, science fiction, Victorian romance, murder/mystery or children's stories, the motley group of would-be authors gathered in Arnold's house, whilst happy to talk about the creative process, are more familiar with writers' block than flowing prose.

With personalities clashing as loudly as the thunder outside, the meeting winds up, but as the storm suddenly plunges the house into darkness, so Arnold and the departing authors are plunged into their own fantastical, imaginary worlds. In a stunning second act, the audience is whirled through a hilarious mix of word play, literary genres, clever pastiche and subplots until one is indeed left thinking:

If this were played upon a stage now I would condemn it as an improbable fiction

(Twelfth Night Act 3 Scene 4)

Cast	Characters
Shelley Bethan Morgan	Ilsa
Neil Maidman	Arnold
Trevor Howlett	Brevis
Rose Collins	Vivvi
Matthew Curran	Clem
Irene Livingstone	Jess
Peta J Maidman	Grace

Lighting and Sound.....Aneurin Brown

Production Photographs from

 Improbable Fiction

January 2008

Jack and the Beanstalk

April 2008

Last Tango in Blackwood  by David Tristram.

Blackwood Amateur Dramatic Society is in trouble. The membership has dwindled to four - the audiences aren't much bigger - and if they don't come up with some rent money soon, they're going to be thrown out. "There's only one thing that sells tickets these days" argues Gordon the Chairman. "Sex!" 

Directed by Neil Maidman the cast was as follows:-

Gordon........Trevor Howlett

Joyce..........Rose Collins

Bernard.......Huw Rosser

Margaret......Yve Price

Late Entry by David Tristram.

"Tristram at his brilliant best. Biting wit and beautifully observed satire. Superb spoof one-handed play, followed by a cruel and entirely justified lampoon of an adjudicator. Should be compulsory viewing for all adjudicators, and indeed, everybody with a love of theatre." Chris Jaeger - GODA

Directed by Neil Maidman the cast is as follows:-

Actress................Claire Williams (making her BLT debut)

Adjudicator...........Graham J. Evans

Production dates:  April 16th, 17th, 18th & 19th 2008 at BLT

Both productions were entered into the Gwent Festival of One Act Plays  held at BLT on April 3rd, 4th,& 5th 2008.  Last Tango in Blackwood won best production and the Festival overall. Neil Maidman won Best Director.  Below are some photographs from the Gwent Festival, including Ann James receiving an award in recognition of her work as the theatre historian.