Following a rather dark episode in the life of the Theatre Royal, we the Guild of Players have mustered our forces together and like a Phoenix from the ashes have dusted ourselves down and got back down to business. A loyal core of members still believe that what we have in the Theatre Royal is worthy of preserving and indeed worthy of developing even further. What we do best is produce plays for the people of Dumfries and the surrounding area.

To continue in this vein we also need to recruit to the ranks. We have already co-opted some of our experienced members to the Directors Committee, our Youth Theatre is flourishing and now we want to provide opportunities for those out there who want to try their hand at acting, technical and/or backstage skills to come along. We invite, therefore, those interested in joining our organisation to participate in a workshop approach to producing and performing a play on the main stage of the Theatre Royal. .

The success of this venture may result in the annual Guild programme incorporating a workshop production as a means of introducing new members to the society. Whilst a part in a play cannot be guaranteed, those who choose to remain involved will have the opportunity in participating in regular acting workshops and/or becoming involved in the variety of "departments" within the Theatre.

The play chosen to launch this venture is:

Lord Arthur Savile's Crime
A Comedy
By Constance Cox
Based on the short story by
Oscar Wilde
In association with Samuel French
Why choose this play?

" It's a Comedy
" It's a Costume Drama
" It has a reasonable size of cast and range of characters
" It's an Oscar Wilde story which gives an accurate but exaggerated view of the Victorian upper classes.
" It will adapt well to a workshop approach
" It allows for all elements of theatre to express their skills: Acting; Staging; Costume; Sound; Lighting; Make-up etc

The play will run from 16th - 19th May 2007

" Produced and Directed by Alan Ritson.
For those interested in playing a part:
" Auditions are open to anyone interested in acting.
" Auditions will be held on Monday 19th and Wednesday 21st March 07 at 7.30pm

For those interested in the Technical aspects of theatre:
" Workshops will be held on Stage Lighting and Sound.
" Registering for these workshops will take place on Tuesday 20th March at 7.30pm.
" Dates for workshops will be arranged to suit the numbers registered
For those interested in Wardrobe; Stage Design and Construction; Stage Management; Props and Décor; Make-up and Hair:
" Workshops will be held on any or all Backstage function.
" Registering for these workshops will take place on Wednesday 21st March at 7.30pm.
" Dates for workshops will be arranged to suit the numbers registered.

Following the Acting Auditions a rehearsal Schedule will be worked out in consultation with those who are successful. It is envisaged that there will be 2 workshops per week for the first 3 weeks and then we will step up the pace and begin to run the play in sequence.