SPOTLIGHT
August 2026
Edited by Doug Craig
Stage One General Enquiries: 97697962
Tickets: stageonetheatre.net/tickets
Editorial
Melting, as I am in these dog-days, I can still find the energy to put on my green eye-shade and batter out a few words on my Olivetti for this edition of Spotlight. Although much is in abeyance at Stage One for a few weeks, there is still background work going on, especially with our fantastic theatre management/maintenance members who are catching up with a large amount of deferred defects from years gone by. We all owe them a huge debt of gratitude for their hard work.
Harmony continues to rehearse throughout the summer, building up a new programme of songs for the autumn and next year. New members are still very welcome, contact Spotlight for details.
Productions
October
On 1 to 3 October is Dirty Dusting directed by Doug Craig, which features 3 cleaning ladies who, having been made redundant, find an unexpected and outrageous way of supplementing their redundancy pay. Bawdy and hilarious this is definitely one for grown-ups! Cast is; Jan West, Diane Bailey, Carol Harvey and Thomas Schendel. Don’t miss this hilarious play which has done many national tours in the UK and has entertained thousands there and now brought to Emba West End by your only local English-speaking theatre company. Book now at stageonetheatre.net/tickets. But be careful – you might die laughing!
December
Our Panto this Year is Camelot and the Knights of the Desk written and directed by Sian Williams so you can bank on some very unexpected twists and a lot of music and laughter. The show is now cast and rehearsals begin after Dirty Dusting. Dates are: Sunday 6 Matinee, then Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12. This is a large-cast, spectacular show which will appeal to all ages. Don’t miss it!
Bookings can be made now via the Website
March – a musical variety evening produced by Jezebel
May – A play – possibly Noises Off if the set can be feasible, directed by Peter Sandwith
October – Last of The Summer Wine, directed by Cathy Asater
December – a pantomime, written and directed by Doug Craig
Jeanette Swankie-Smith
By Peter Sandwith
Most members will have now heard the sad news that Jeannette Swankie- Smith died on the 20th July after a very long and brave battle against cancer. Her funeral was attended by many Stage One members and friends, particularly from the Zingers group and her family.
Jeannette will be remembered for her sparkling smile and lovely personality and she helped behind the bar at the theatre for many years for many productions and Club Nights. She has been a loyal and long time friend of Stage One Theatre and she will be greatly missed by everyone. We send our condolences to her family at this saddest of times.
Jacket found in Theatre
This jacket (below) has been left in the Auditorium for a number of weeks. If it belongs to you, please can you contact either our Social Secretary/Spotlight or Theatre Manager, Jenny Jacobson.
Discreet meetings with the model shown here are not offered by Spotlight and any interested parties should contact the model privately. He goes by the name of Norman and is often found skulking around the tech areas of the theatre.
Annual Dinner at Palia Ilektriki 17 September
If you wish to attend this prestigious annual event then NOW is the time to get your name on the list. The menu, published in previous editions, is similar to last year and is basically an up-market meze, which has proved very popular.
The list will close at the end of August so if you haven’t read this far, you’ll probably miss out. You can book by replying to this Spotlight email. Please indicate if you are vegetarian/vegan.
Club Nights
No Club Night in August.
September – Dinner.
October 15 – We still hope to have a talk by Barry Appleton on his career as a writer for TV and stage.
November 19 – Open Mic Night. But still good to let me know in advance please if you want to perform.
Auntie Prue’s Advice Column.
Dear Auntie Prue,
In an effort to give up the intake of copious amounts of alcohol on a daily basis, I have taken to eating packets of Haribo sweets. This seemed to me to be a simple and effective way of curing my addiction. However, I now find I am addicted to these wonderful, titillating, juvenile confections. This, in itself, is not a problem but the side effects are beginning to alarm me. I have put on 10 kilos, my teeth have turned an unattractive shade of khaki brown and my voice has risen by 2 octaves and has developed a lisp. Can you offer any constructive advice?
Sugar Daddy,
Zacharia
Auntie Prue says:
Dear Sugar,
I certainly can! Order a double brandy for starters and follow that with a rather pleasant bottle of Kolios’ Fotios Red then finish in a flourish with a bottle of Laphroaig Whisky (18 years old min.). I promise you, you will never think of Haribos again ( or possibly anything else!).
