AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY Affiliated to the

National Operatic and Dramatic Association

Life Members – for outstanding service to the society Chris Bird, Marion Bird, Kay Blackstaffe, Stuart Everett, Connie Miles, Joan Munday, Robert Spolander

Patrons – by annual subscription Sarah Blackstaffe and Nigel Simpson, Peter Dodd and Julian Topping, Rita and Chris Everett, Jean and John Garlick, David and Victoria Murphy, Jeff and Margaret Over, Alan and Carole Spolander, Cyril and Beryl Ward, Myrtle Bannis, Marc Dempsey, Geoffrey Coad, Linda Everett, Jose Forni, Laurence Hutchinson, Barbara Hutchinson, Irene Ottaway, Hilda Toms, Pam Tye, Hilda Yates, Margaret Bunker

Ladies and Gentleman, on behalf of The Chameleons Amateur Dramatic Society, I am delighted to welcome you to our Autumn production of “All My Sons” by Arthur Miller. If you enjoy this play half as much as we have enjoyed rehearsing for it, then you will certainly be in for a treat. Preparing a play requires considerable effort from the whole of ‘Team Chameleons’, but it is made so much easier by the writing of somebody of Mr Miller’s talent. The lives, thoughts and feelings of the characters you will see today drip off the page and our task, under the guidance of Stuart Everett, has been to do this justice. We hope you believe we have!

It is a great time to be a part of this drama group. There is so much going on and so much still to come. In the hall you may have noticed that our hard work has been recognised recently with a NODA award and also with nominations. These really do highlight the talent within and maybe you might have a hankering to be part of this too. Information is available in the venue so why not take a glance over your interval drink?

Before I leave you to enjoy the rest of this programme and your evening, I would like to make one huge thank you. Cyril Ward and The United Reformed Church have been incredibly supportive of this and so many of our productions. They have recently been kind enough to allow us to move our set store to just a few feet from your seat. The benefits are going to be seen by you, our audiences, over shows to come and I extend our gratitude and good wishes to them.

All that remains is for me to issue that popular request… sit back, relax, switch off your mobile phones and enjoy your night/afternoon at the theatre.

All the very best,

Robert Spolander Chairman (Acting)

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All My Sons brought Arthur Miller his first taste of success when it opened on Broadway in January 29th, 1947, but the play you will see today along with other great works such as “Death of Salesman” and “The Crucible” were so nearly denied to us all.

Miller lost heart when his first production, “The Man Who Had All The Luck”, closed after just four performances; so much so that he vowed never to write a play again. We’re glad to say that he changed his mind and “All My Sons”’ initial Broadway run lasted a far more respectable 328 performances. The story of Joe Keller and his family, set in the time it was performed, firmly set out Miller’s path. Immediately his strong social comment combined with an understanding of the emotional affects of any action were there for all to see. Many Americans branded him disloyal as he refused to sugar coat the involvement of the business world in the “brave war effort” so fresh in the minds of the nation. Over the years, Miller would continue to strip away the so called “American Dream” and he wouldn’t be deterred from this. His very public conviction for contempt of congress (later overturned), in 1956, was a prime example of this.

“All My Sons” deals with a time directly after World War II as the country began to reflect. The loss of life was still very fresh in the minds of the people; some were still looking for retribution and some towards building a future. Joe Kelller has two sons; Larry Kelller, missing in action, and Chris returned from the war, with minor war injuries, to work in the family factory. When we join them, Larry’s sweetheart has arrived at the home. What will this bring to a grieving family? Why is there an air of the uncomfortable and foreboding? Only time will tell.

Controversy aside, “All My Sons” achieved great success. It received the Tony Awards for Best Authored Play, Best Play, Best Direction and also the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. In 1948 the play was transferred to the big screen with Edward G. Robinson (Keller), Burt Lancaster (Chris) and Maddy Christians (Kate) in the main roles. Steve Deever is renamed Herbert and actually appears in the film that received two academy award nominations.

In 2008, a Broadway revival signalled the debut of Katie Holmes, star of Dawson’s Creek and otherwise known as Mrs Cruise. Some controversy surrounded the production, as the internet group Anonymous staged an anti-Scientology protest at the first night of preview performances in New York City due to Katie’s appearance. It would seem controversy will never be far from Miller’s work.

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September 2008

The Chameleons perform “Caught in the Net” in May 2009

We were formed in 1966 by Joan Munday and Jim Snell, and for our first few years we were known as The Neasden Methodist Church Drama Society.

We began with three plays in 1967: A Public Mischief, Triple Bill and Love's A Luxury. In 1971 came our first foray into the world of pantomime, and we have performed two plays and a pantomime every year since.

Members have come and gone over the years and our performance venues have changed. We perform our pantomimes at the Brent Town Hall to audiences of over 2,000, and we have performed our plays at The Kingsland Hall United Reform Church (Wembley), The Travellers' Studio (Hatch End) and have even made an appearance at Glaxo Smithkline (Greenford). After all this time, we are proud that one of our founding members, Joan Munday, is still actively involved with the society.

The Chameleons have been online for almost a decade. Stay tuned for special offers to celebrate 10 years in the run up to the panto.

September 2008

January 2009

May 2009

Dr Jim Bayliss… …Denis O’Brien Joe Keller… …Robert Spolander Frank Lubey… …Ian Byrne Sue Bayliss… …Catherine Waters Lydia Lubey… …Nikki Amory Chris Keller… …Jason Kosky Bert… …Shantel Lee-Tyrassek Kate Keller… … Janette Hutchinson Ann Deever… …Abby Gardner George Deever… …Chris Mackenzie

In order of appearance

Synopsis of Scenes Act i The back yard of the Keller home in the outskirts of an American town. August of Nineteen Forty Seven.

Act ii Scene, as before. The same evening, as twilight falls.

Act iii Scene, as before. Two o’clock the following morning.

During the war, Joe Keller and Steve Deever ran a machine shop which made airplane parts. Deever was sent to prison because the firm turned out defective parts, causing the deaths of many men. Keller went free and made a lot of money. The twin shadows of this catastrophe and the fact that the young Keller son was reported missing during the war dominate the action.

Director… …Stuart Everett Set Design… …Denis O’Brien Set Construction… …Denis O’Brien and The Chameleons Stage Manager… …Steve Angus Production Manager… …Robert Spolander Prompt… … Laurence Hutchinson Sound and Lighting Design and Management… …John Jetten Properties… … Kathryn Priest and The Chameleons Furniture… …Stuart Everett Rostrum Hire… …Denis Cater Costumes… …Helen Stevens and Abby Gardner Front of House Manager… …Arlette Kamellard Publicity… …Hannah Bain and The Society Programme… …Jane Crowley for JAC Designs

We would also like to thank the United Reformed Church and also the Greenhouse Garden Centre for lending the society plants for set dressing.

In October 1999 The Chameleons Website was born to tell the world about our upcoming pantomime Snow White.

To celebrate 10 years online we have a great ticket offer for you for the whole month of October.

In January we are delighted to present Jack and the Beanstalk at Brent Town Hall. Anytickets bought at www.thechameleons.co.uk during October will be charged at the same price that we charged for Snow White 10 years ago: £7.50 per adult and £5.00 for concessions.

This offer will only be available online at www.thechameleons.co.uk from October 1st to October 31st 2009.

This year's standard ticket prices are £9.50 for Adults and £7.50 for Concessions for all shows except Thursday evening. All tickets for Thursday performance are £7.50 (Concessionary rate).

Chris Keller – Jason Kosky It’s back in the fold for Jason under the sort of circumstances you’d expect from a good play. A chance call at short notice for our last play led to a return and he was quick to settle back into the group. A member and even on our committee as Fundraising Secretary, Jason’s enthusiasm for the group is very evident. “It’s a special group and I am delighted to be back, particularly with a play as good as this one!” Jason’s life has moved on much in the years since he last performed; he is engaged, a devoted father (hello Chloe!) but sadly still a devoted Arsenal fan.

Joe Keller – Robert SpolanderIn 1989, when Robert first appeared for The Chameleons, few may have believed just how long it would take to get rid of him! Since then he has performed in thirty five productions, directed twelve times and is currently our Acting Chairman and Production Manager. What you see today however is the very reason he joined – to perform in great plays. Playing Keller is yet another challenge for Robert, and one he is both proud of and excited about. Previous favourite credits include Valmont (Les Liaisons Dangereuses), Adam Trainsmith (Comic Potential), Robert Caplan (Dangerous Corner) and John Smith (Run For Your Wife and Caught in the Net).

Kate Keller – Janette Hutchinson Janette considers this to be by far the most challenging role that she has undertaken for The Chameleons (even more challenging than being Aunty Janette at Panto time!) but hopes it has been worth all the “blood, sweat and tears” spent during rehearsals with a very hard taskmaster. Among her other favourite roles to date are Lady Angkatell (The Hollow), Lady Bracknell (The Importance of Being Ernest) and Madame Bovine (Cinderella). By day, Janette works for Brent Music Service as the co-ordinator for their classroom programme “Music’s Cool”.

Ann Deever – Abby Gardner Abby joined the Chameleons earlier this year after settling in London. Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, Abby has long had an ambition to participate in a theatrical production and makes her debut performance in All My Sons.

George Deever – CJ Mackenzie CJ was previously a member of the Charming Underclothes drama troop, stage managed for the Arrow Players’ production of Murdered to Death, and is social secretary for the Asylum Alternative Followship. This is his first onstage role with the society having previously assisted behind the scenes.

Dr Jim Bayliss – Denis O’Brien SirDen arrives once again ON the stage instead of his more recent roles behind the scenes. He has been awfully full of himself since being nominated for the NODA Stage Design award for ‘The Hollow’, and has taken to calling everybody ‘darling’. Apart from his work on stage, SirDen works with very small children, teaching them how to annoy their parents and cause general mayhem. He is an adrenalin junkie who scuba dives, drives too fast, and whose latest discovery (on his 50th birthday) is skydiving.

Sue Bayliss – Catherine Waters Catherine’s day job is teaching six adorable little boys, who keep her endlessly entertained. She also goes in for a spot of bird watching and book reading when time allows. And the trampoline in the back garden … Catherine has enjoyed getting under the skin and into the mind of Sue, and hopes that the audience will love her character as much as she does. This is Catherine’s fifth play with The Chameleons, her favourite roles to date being the manipulative and power hungry Marquise de Merteuil in Les Liaisons Dangereuses; and the forever-being-locked-behind-doors Mary Smith in Caught In The Net.

Frank Lubey – Ian Byrne Well, what can we say about Ian… that we could get away with? Only kidding. The Chameleons are delighted to welcome him aboard for his debut play for the group. Like Nikki, he brings a wealth of operatic society experience including being an ex-chairman! More known for his comedy roles, Ian is delighted to be part of a play of this kind. Recently he could be seen on stage for EBLOS as part of a swing musical double act with our director, the bar being an area Ian didn’t find it difficult to locate!

Lydia Lubey – Nikki Amory Nikki is one of The Chameleons’ newest members, having previously joined us as a guest playing the part of ‘Barbara’ in Ray Cooney’s Caught in the Net. She is currently the Chair of KLOS, an amateur musical society. Her previous musical credits have been the chorus of South Pacific, with principal roles as ‘Erma’ in Anything Goes, ‘Liane d'Exelmans’ in GiGi, ‘Emily Arden’ in State Fair, ‘Miss Adelaide’ in Guys and Dolls, and ‘Gladys’ in The Pajama Game. This is not her first Arthur Miller play, having played ‘Jenny' in Death of a Salesman, but it has been her most enjoyable.

Bert – Shantel Lee-Tyrassek Shantel makes her play debut for The Chameleons having performed in the chorus for Beauty and the Beast. She is certainly not shy when it comes to performing, it’s the getting her to stop bit that’s tricky! Away from us she has taken part in the Afro Hair and Beauty Show, danced for charity and even done a spot of modelling. You won’t be surprised to hear she is a fan of High School Musical but also likes Lilly Allen and The Jonas Brothers. By day she attends Byron Court Primary School. The Chameleons wish her every success with this show and all she goes on to do.

Director – Stuart Everett Stuart is a life member of the group who has appeared in numerous productions over the years. This year he has stretched credulity to its limits playing the 20 year old prince in ‘Beauty and the Beast’, followed by the 80 year old ‘Dad’ in ‘Caught in the Net’. He is extremely proud to have had the opportunity to direct a play of such calibre as this and would like to thank the cast and crew for all their hard work in bringing the production to the stage. When not pursuing his two favourite pastimes of acting and badger juggling, Stuart can occasionally be found working as a General Manager of an Interior Design company.

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Honorary President Joan Munday Acting Chairman Robert Spolander Vice Chairman/Honorary Treasurer Steve Angus Assistant to the Chair Kay Blackstaffe Production Manager Robert Spolander Publicity Manager Hannah Bain Membership Secretary Arlette Kamellard Social Secretary Catherine Waters Website Manager Jeremy Spolander

Publicise your local event or business at an extremely favourable rate in our show programmes and through our wide publicity. We have previously attracted audiences of 3000 people from the local community throughout the year and our advertising reaches many more. Varied packages are available.

For more information, please contact our Fundraising Secretary Jason Kosky on 07847 271666.

Do you have a talent for, or an interest in, acting, directing, producing, stage management, set building, costume, prop making, sound or any other stage-related discipline? Whether you want to rekindle an old hobby, develop a current one, or you've just always had a hankering to get involved in amateur theatre but never got round to it, why not come and join us?

We produce three shows each year - two plays and a pantomime. Our plays take place around May and September time, and we perform our pantomime in January each year at the Brent Town Hall. We organise many social events for members: going out to eat, trips to the theatre, picnics and bowling, amongst other things. We also hold a number of fundraising events throughout the year. Whatever your expertise and/or experience, you are most welcome - it is the combined efforts of everyone in the society that make our shows possible. If you would like to support the society without being an acting member, why not join as a Patron? We will keep you informed throughout the year with our newsletter, and invite you to every production as well as our social functions and events. We also perform a special Patrons' Evening in thanks each year.

Please get in touch with us on 07724 354080 or email membership@thechameleons.co.uk. We welcome contact from you whether you would like to join us or whether you are just interested in finding out more about amateur dramatics groups.

1967 A PUBLIC MISCHIEF TRIPLE BILL LOVE’S A LUXURY

1968 THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE SURPRISE MURDER AT THE VICARAGE

1969 DEAR OCTOPUS BOEING BOEING MIDSUMMER MILK

1970 PYGMALION ON MONDAY NEXT QUIET WEEKEND

1971 JACK & THE BEANSTALK PINK STRING & SEALING WAX LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN

1972 SLEEPING BEAUTY GOODNIGHT MRS. PUFFIN SALAD DAYS

1973 CINDERELLA LADIES IN RETIREMENT THE BOYFRIEND

1974 OLD KING COLE SHADOW IN THE SUN THREE IN ONE BONAVENTURE

1975 ALADDIN BLITHE SPIRIT VITALITY THE HOUSE ON THE CLIFF

1976 MOTHER GOOSE THE MILITANTS SAILOR BEWARE

1977 ROBINSON CRUSOE PRINCESS ASCENDING BREATH OF SPRING GASLIGHT LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

1978 THE BRIDE AND THE BACHELOR I’LL GET MY MAN NIGHT MUST FALL

1979 DICK WHITTINGTON HERE WE COME A-GATHERING NO TIME FOR FIGLEAVES A MURDER HAS BEEN ARRANGED

1980 GOODY TWO SHOES HAY FEVER, OLIVER! THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

1981 SLEEPING BEAUTY LLOYD GEORGE KNEW MY FATHER BLACK CHIFFFON

1982 BABES IN THE WOOD CAT ON THE FIDDLE A BAG OF LAUGHS PYGMALION

1983 ALADDIN BILLY LIAR MURDER ON THE NILE

1984 JACK & THE BEANSTALK IS YOUR HONEYMOON REALLY NECESSARY? BUSYBODY

1985 CINDERELLA BELL, BOOK & CANDLE LUCKY FOR SOME

1986 DICK WHITTINGTON LORD ARTHUR SAVILE’S CRIME THE HOLLOW

1987 HUMPTY DUMPTY NIGHT MUST FALL OUTSIDE EDGE

1988 THE WIZARD OF OZ THE HEIRESS THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE

1989 ALADDIN 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD TOAD OF TOAD HALL TOMB WITH A VIEW

1990 PETER PAN AN INSPECTOR CALLS BREAK A LEG

1991 SLEEPING BEAUTY THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND COSTA DEL PACKET NO SEX PLEASE, WE’RE BRITISH

1992 SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS PACK OF LIES TRIVIAL PURSUITS

1993 CINDERELLA WANTED – ONE BODY

1994 ROBINSON CRUSOE RUN FOR YOUR WIFE

1995 JACK & THE BEANSTALK CAT’S CRADLEPLAY ON!

1996 DICK WHITTINGTON GHOST TRAIN SING ON!

1997 BABES IN THE WOOD SUDDENLY AT HOME IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY

1998 ALADDIN AS LONG AS THEY’RE HAPPY VERDICT

1999 SLEEPING BEAUTY CALIFORNIA SUITE DEADLY NIGHTCAP

2000 SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS OUTSIDE EDGE MURDER IN COMPANY

2001 CINDERELLA OUT OF ORDER CONFUSIONS

2002 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK OUT OF FOCUS THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

2003 THE WIZARD OF OZ COMIC POTENTIAL LORD ARTHUR SAVILE’S CRIME

2004 DICK WHITTINGTON DANGEROUS CORNER MURDERED TO DEATH

2005 ALADDIN THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

2006 BABES IN THE WOOD AN INSPECTOR CALLS PLAY ON

2007 SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS RUN FOR YOUR WIFE LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES

2008 CINDERELLA WYRD SISTERS THE HOLLOW

2009 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST CAUGHT IN THE NET