The Incredible Musings of a Biscuit Maker!

When I was asked, in August of last year, if I would write something to celebrate the 650^th anniversary of the founding of the magistracy by King Edward 111, my initial reaction was, ‘…?’. 

However, a challenge is a challenge.  And, after a few weeks of in-depth research - Which chiefly consisted of badgering friends, relations and (as time moved on and I became increasingly desperate) total strangers, to pass on any information they might have about life in South-East Wales in 1361.  There were some sensible and printable answers and some not so sensible and definitely not printable.  With one member of the BLT executive committee, who shall remain nameless (Huw Rosser), actually suggesting that 1361 might be shorthand for one-minute-past-two!

“How’s the new play coming on?” asked Neil Maidman one day in mid September.  “Fine” I said (not a word written!). 

“Good”, he said.  “We have a two free dates the 14^th and 15^th of next month.  We’ll put it on then and we’ll enter it in next year’s One-act Festival.  What’s it called?” 

“Haven’t thought of a title yet,” I managed to gulp.

“Well you’d better think of one hadn’t you?” he said; suspicion written all over his face.  “Bring the script next week  ”.

And so Biscuits was born: in three days and nights of desperation and sleepless panic.

The first reading went well - I’m told.  I was in an exhausted stupor and in no state to judge.  A small amount of judicious cutting brought the running time down to within the 50-minute deadline required for competition (though I personally saw nothing wrong with the original 2 hours and ten minutes!) and we were away.

Rehearsals with Neil in charge are always a fairly easy-going and highly enjoyable affair and Biscuits proved to be no different.  His choice of cast proved to be inspired.  Apart from the fact that he does have a disconcerting habit of casting a certain young, talented and still-rather-good-looking-in-a-certain-light poet, actor and playwright as a disgusting old man!  But with the rest of the cast including such BLT stalwarts as Vic Mills; Huw Rosser; Gareth Baskerville; Trevor Howlett and Yve Price there was always a feeling that the play was in safe hands. 

Our two October performances went down a treat with both an audience of magistrates and with our regular patrons. 

“Great!”  We thought.  “We’re all set for the Gwent One-Acts.”  Not so!  The lovely Rhiannon Rees, who had worked so hard and had played the part of Gwen so remarkably well, was forced, by work and family commitments, to pull out.  Disaster?  It could have been, but not with the wonderfully talented Gwen Livingstone ready to step into the breach!   

The lines were learnt and the moves perfected in double quick time.  Her cooking scenes in particular quickly became the talk of the theatre: the things that woman can do with a bowl of cake mixture and a wooden spoon could make your eyes water!

And so to the Gwent One-Acts: Best Actor: Vic Mills; Best director: Neil Maidman: Best Play: Biscuits; Festival Winner: Biscuits; Adjudicator’s award: Gwen Livingstone (That spoon again!).  Biscuits through to the Wales Final.

And the Icing on the cake?  The wonderful Godfather Death by Vic Mills was also placed in the final.  Two plays in the Wales Final for BLT.  Well, if that doesn’t take the biscuit!

Graham J

The Wales Final 2012.....a tale of two plays.

A note about our Wales Final exploits for 2012.  We entered competition for the first time (in the current era) in 2004, and have been to every Wales Final since.  I have been fortunate to be involved in every production as either an actor or director.  This year - I am lucky to be doing a bit of both.  Much has been documented about Godfather Death on this blog and on various social media sites.  Am very proud of our exploits in Canada and will be giving it my all at the Wales Final, but it's not the only play we have at the final this year!  Biscuits - lets not forget, won the Gwent Festival in April and is equally worthy of some publicity and blogging!

Written by Graham J. Evans, it is set in Monmouthshire in 1361 (or as Huw Rosser said - 'just after two o'clock then'? ) It is essentially a bawdy comedy. I don't know if that is what Graham had in mind as a theme, but its certainly what it is now!  It has some great moments in the play and has the most experienced  BLT cast that I have every worked in competition with.  Having Huw Rosser and Gareth Baskerville playing Owen and Nigel, with Yve Price as Mad Nerys, Vic Mills as the lascivious Monk, Trevor Howlett as Henry of Grosmont, Graham J as William and Gwen Livingstone as the flame haired temptress Gwen - it makes my job as a director an absolute joy.  Rehearsals started in August last year, in readiness for the local Magistrates  evening in October, for whom the play was originally commissioned.  We decided that it should be one of our entries to the Gwent Festival in 2012.

GET THE FOREIGNERS OUT OF WALES COMMITTEE MEETING 1361

Having had a great response in October, we came back to rehearsals in February.  Unfortunately, we were unable (due to scheduling) to have Rhiannon Rees return to us as Gwen, and her namesake then stepped into the breach.    The Gwent Festival went really well, with very little (if anything) remarked upon by the adjudicator.  Vic won best actor, Gwen picked up the adjudicators award, I was named as best director and the play won the festival!  A great performance by a super cast, who all know each other really well.  I think that has a positive effect on a production, if all the actors know each other, and understand how to play off one another.  It would be some exercise for Ann James, (but I am sure that she is up to it) to see how many times the likes of Trev and Vic have played together or Gareth and Huw etc.  Many, many times, I would wager - and it has made this bunch of talented actors gel very quickly as team.  Theatre is a great team event - with each actor totally relying on each other to ensure that the play is told effectively and in such a way that the audience is engaged and entertained.  Competition theatre is all that and more - with added pressures of not running over 50 minutes, precision moves and the nerve wracking feedback of the adjudication.   A huge team effort is required, at every performance - and I am lucky to have such a talented and committed cast - as well as the  unwavering support of Peter and Nye backstage.

 Since 2004, BLT have been honing their competitive skills and making sure that we always give a good account of ourselves.  Win or lose (and in the Wales Finals - we have lost a lot!) it matters to me and to everyone at BLT, that we always give that good account.  Standards need to be maintained (as Ray Davenport would often say) and that is what we always aim for - and to push those standards higher every year.

I am very pleased with Biscuits and proud of the team involved.  Fingers crossed that we can give a good account again next weekend.  That goes for both plays.

We are having an  open dress rehearsal on Tuesday 5th  June at BLT.  7pm - all are welcome.  We would also love the support at the Wales Final, on Friday 8th (Godfather Death) and Saturday 9th (Biscuits).  Tickets are available from the Congress Theatre - hope to see some of you there.

Cheers

Neil