MEMBERSHIP NEWS

OBITUARY.

Lou Kochane, better known to longer serving members, died recently, leaving as his legacy to the GST his very talented granddaughters. One of them, Laura Sartenaer, starred in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as Lucy and made such a hit. Lou himself had had important roles in The Winslow Boy as the father, as Messerschmann in Ring Round the Moon, and as the allegorical Wealth in Wealth.

We had not seen much of him during his later years, though he was still going strong in the summer that we produced Murder in the Cathedral, while others were exercised about the eruv and its effects on the community. Several local residents including Lou were captured in a notorious BBC Omnibus film expressing their opinions about the way Hampstead Garden Suburb was being run these days. He seemed to be having a high old time, as befitted a man who was a whole hearted and jocular supporter of ours for many years.

We hope that his family remain in membership and grow into roles that would have made him proud.

Last Reminder to Join

Those members who have not yet paid their 2005-6 subscription are advised that this will be the last newsletter and mailing they will receive before being regarded as a non–member. Pam Walker is willing and eager to take your subs off you. We are sure this is just an oversight on your part, but remember you are not allowed to act, direct, or be on committees unless you pay.

Charlie auditions went well,

writes Richard Kinder

An excellent turn out at the audition for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ensures that there will be a very strong cast on stage in February. Tim Solomons beat off stiff opposition to follow in the footsteps of Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka. Eleven- year old Johannes Donald will be playing Charlie and the four repulsive winners of the other lucky Golden Tickets are Lily Grant and Marc Jones , both in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Zoe Hazan and Gabriel Toumazis.. At the other end of the scale and making what he says will be “positively his last appearance” – until the next one! – is Robert Jayes as The Narrator.

Hang on to your hats – we’re in for a roller coaster ride.

Things that you can do to help the GST

Ø Comment on recent GST productions

Ø Tell us what plays you have been to see recently that you liked

Ø Buy a friend a GST membership subscription for Christmas

Ø Devise a theatre quiz or crossword to put in these columns

Ø Ask anyone artistic amongst your friends to provide us with some cartoon-style drawings

Ø Offer a music or poetry evening at your house, with a small fund-raising charge

Ø Be sure to tell your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours about each forthcoming production

Ø Why not even arrange a “works outing” to one of our productions?

Thanks to Helen and Malcolm Stern for all these great ideas

Lift a Granny

Yes, the title is awful but the new scheme for getting people to take older and more infirm members to shows really took off with Inspector. The few older members who took advantage of a lift, even if was only to get home in the dark at 10.15, all expressed their gratitude, and members with cars were only too pleased to help.

If you want to come to a show and get a lift there and back, all you need do is ring Miriam Clark on 020 8365 3860

Win! Win! Win!

with the GST 100 Club

The best odds you can get on winning a prize.

There could be as many as 36 draws in a year so your chances of winning a cash prize are as high as 1 in 3. There is always 1 £100 prize, and a £50 and £25 per year with lots of smaller ones. Invest £10 per number and make the club bigger so the prizes are bigger. Proceeds go to staging and hut repair costs and removal of unsightly graffiti on the hut.

Send £10 cheques to Fred Griessen at Flat 6, 14 Highbury Crescent, London N5 1RP - or even have more than one number and send more money to help the GST cause.!