Introduction

We are a dramatic society based in Wimbledon, performing in the local theatres, and occasionally at other local venues. We are amateur in the sense that we mostly have jobs during the day, with members coming from many walks of life, but our performances run side-by-side with professional groups using the same theatres.

On this page we will give you some idea of what you can get out of membership of the Carlton, and what you can contribute.

Acting

Of course, as a drama group, acting is the principle reason for our existance and the chief reason why most people want to join us. We normally perform between three and five plays at local theatres during the year. We also hold one 'Workshop' event each year, during which we perform a number of short plays or scenes. The atmosphere for these is much less formal than our theatre productions, and is an ideal opportunity for new or less experienced members to try acting or directing, or to try something a little out of the ordinary. That's not to say that new members shouldn't audition for our theatre productions though! Many of our plays have roles for a range of acting skills - so you may not be the next Olivier (yet!), but there may still be a part for you.

In addition to performing in plays, we also hold workshops where members may improve or learn new acting skills, play- readings where members may explore characters outside of those in our main productions, and rehearsed readings where you will get the opportunity to exercise your dramatic talents without needing to learn all your lines!

Backstage

The Carlton is not just about acting, of course. Plays would not be possible without the support of a backstage crew, and we're always open to people who would like experience of the various aspects of production. Our backstage crews consist both of actors who are not in the cast of a play, or members who have joined specifically to work on the production side of our plays.

As with our drama, we're open to new members with any level experience - even if the various production tasks are new to you, we welcome people who are willing to learn.

Music. Even though the Carlton Dramatic Society has not so far gone in for musicals, music plays a valuable part in most of our productions. Whether it's incidental music to set the scene, or part of the script, we often need musicians to write or play music, and sometimes sing in our productions. So, if you've got a musical talent, we can put it to good use.

Sound. The Carlton is always on the lookout for someone who can operate a mixing desk! Sound in our productions varies from simply playing the right track at the right time and volume to creating complex soundscapes to recording sound effects, music and speech. If you like playing with sounds, and have got the imagination to put them to good use, you could be just the person for us!

Lighting. Do you know your fresnels from a parcan? Well, then you could be our next lighting engineer! Even if you don't, there's always the opportunity to learn, and with pre-programmed lighting desks, operation is simply a case of pressing the button at the right time!

Set and Prop Construction. We always need people to help out constructing sets, rigging lights, and doing the miriad of things necessary to set up the stage ready for a show. Also we usually need props, and sometimes custom make them. If you're handy with a hammer, why not lend a hand!

Costume. Without our wardrobe the cast would all be a bit cold! We'll always need people to stitch and sew, modify or make costumes and generally manage the wardrobe for a show. Carlton members in dire need of modernising their own wardrobes!

Stage management. If you can keep your head when all around you are losing theirs, and can make sure all the actors have their props and go through the right door - then you could be our next stage manager!

Rehearsals

We hold rehearsals on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7.30pm until 10.30pm at the community centre in St. George's Road, Wimbledon. Prospective members are welcome to drop into these rehearsals to meet us and find out what we get up to. For information on how to find our rehearsal rooms, please click here.

Social Events

At the Carlton we provide a wide range of social activities in addition to our plays. While our rehearsals provide a weekly focus for our social life, we hold many other events throughout the year.

Normally we relax after rehearsals in The Hogshead pub, just around the corner from the Community Centre. You'll usually find us in there on Mondays and Thursdays from about 10pm until we get thrown out! If you come to visit us one evening, why not join us at the pub afterwards and find out what we're really like!

No play would be complete without the after-show party, and Carlton parties are notorious for going on well into the night - and often into the next morning too! Not to be missed at after-show parties are The Netties, The Carlton's highly irreverent answer to The Oscars. Receiving a Nettie

In addition to the after-show parties, we also hold many other parties throughout the year. Fortunately, at our parties, we rarely use Shakespeare for recipe advice! Slightly more cerebrally (or at least slightly less drunken), we also organise visits to other theatrical events.

On a more energetic note, members of the Carlton are also known to kick a ball around in the park and have indulged in other activities such as paintballing. Our range of activities is, in fact, limited only by our members' imaginations.

Contacting us

For more information, or comments on the web-site, email
s.j.harris@ic.ac.uk (Simon Harris)

or write to us at:

or, if you'd like to meet us in person, feel free to drop into one of our rehearsals, or come and talk to us after a production.