Fiddler on the Roof

Gifts that can be given to players in this musical include

Violin badges or charms

Violin pin badge

Russian dolls

Wedding favours

Menorah

Star of David charms

symbols of work ; Milk related items for Tevye, scissors and sewing things for Motel, books for Perchik, and so on.

Russian cossack dancers

silver charm of a Cossack dancer

 Plus Matchmaker chocolates, sweet milk bottles, love hearts, chocolate money or coins.

Fiddler on the Roof - 2

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The snow in London today, and the freezing temperatures has me thinking I might need to find my costumes from Fiddler! Layers and layers of warm woollen skirts and shawls under and over coats. Babushkas (headscarves) and thick stockings and boots...... All things that under stage lights make you feel as though you are in the Bahamas rather than the Russian steppes. Not at all glamorous, but absolutely setting the scene of the lives of the poor. The place where you wear every item of clothing that you own in order to keep warm.

I am very glad that we in London rarely have this kind of weather, even though it makes beautiful scenery and is fun to play in.

The Fiddler on the Roof

The Fiddler by Marc Chagall

Fiddler on the Roof
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The story of a Jewish family in Russia at the time of the persecution and driving out of the Jews from their homes, this story focuses on the trials and tribulations of Tevye and his family of five daughters. The ups and downs of their love lives and the changes in their society that are challenging the structure and “Tradition” by which they all live. This is not a glamorous Hollywood style musical, but is heart warming and powerful nonetheless.

Much atmosphere is achieved by the attitudes of the characters and a lack of set or scenery does not detract from the story to any great amount, so this can therefore be a low budget show, at least as far as scenery and costumes go.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Busy, busy, busy.

 

Pantomime Cartoon Cards

This month flies past in the run up to Christmas and the New Year, so I am only going to post today to wish everyone a joyful run up to the holiday season, and “Break A Leg” to all those enjoying pantomime performances.

Oh and of course, A Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to all.

**The Drama Queen's Drawers will be taking orders for second class posting up until 18^th December, and for Special Delivery until noon on 21^st December 2012

Tips for actors

Just a quick drop in today with an article that appeared in The Guardian newspaper on Wednesday 28th November 2012.

here is the link : click here

An interesting look at what professional actors think that amateurs need to know. A follow up to the programme on Sky Arts which features a competition to find the best amateur company.

Nation's Best Am Dram continues on Sky Arts 1 on 5 December at 9pm.

Are you watching it? What do you think of the programme?Please add a comment.

Annie Get Your Gun - (3)

Gifts for Annie Get your Gun

There are some similarities with Oklahoma! for gifts for this show, although there is more emphasis on the cowboys and indians aspect of the Wild West Show of the time.

Cowboys : toy guns, rope lariats, western shoelace ties with decorative fasteners, cowboy hats, boots etc., Native American beaded jewellery, tomahawks and peace pipes.

from The Drama Queen's Drawers you can get pin badges and keyrings in the shape of guns and boots.

Drama mask badges, keyrings, etc, to represent Show Business

Love tokens such as can be found in our “Themes” “love” category

And funny greetings cards to add to your gift 

cartoon card

 

Annie Get Your Gun - 2

One of our range of cartoon cards

One of the fun things (and perhaps also the most awkward from a health and safety point of view) is that doing this show is like playing cowboys and indians, with lots of gunplay and dressing up. Depending on your wardrobe capability you can include full native American chieftain head dresses, medicine man costumes, squaws and braves etc as well as cowboys with chaps, buckskins, and six shooters with gunbelts and holsters. 

Gunshot sound effects and sharp shooter targets, trick knife throwing targets, all things to give your stage crew nightmares or lots of fun depending on their mindset! How to shoot the bird from Dolly Tate's hat without being able to actually shoot it? To make it look real? Or perhaps for her to exit into the wings in order to react as though it has happened.....how inventive can you be?

There are also many opportunites for tricks to be played (a last night tradition in some companies, and one that can be great fun as long as they don't interfere with the action or detract from the audience's enjoyment)