Amateur Dramatics.

My mate Dave is a Big Fan of Amateur Dramatics. I suppose it's a case of him wanting the life style and not forgetting the Money of a Film Star. He's pretty sure by now he'd have at least a couple of Oscars on the Shelf in his Front Room. And to ease the Blow of not becoming a Hollywood Icon, he turned his attention to Amateur Dramatics. He joined a Local Group and he's very Good at the Acting Lark. Despite the Amateur Label things within the Group are still run on Professional Lines, all the Actors and Actresses have to audition for their parts, and they Rehearse regularly before their Opening Night, they also have the Local Critic present to watch and Review their work. There as been a few occasions when I've accompanied him to his auditions and I've been roped into helping to move scenery around during a Performance. I've also gone along to some of his auditions.

One time they did a play Tenko about Japanese Prisoners of War. Dave went along, there was him and seven skinny blokes. The Director went up to Dave and said

And who are you supposed to be?

A Japanese Prisoner of War.

But you must be 15 stone said the Director.

Yes I know ,but they only caught me yesterday.

The Drama Group are also into Realism. One time Dave and another bloke Malc were up for the Part of Long John Silver, in the Groups version of Treasure Island. Malc got the part and Dave had to settle for another role. First day of rehearsal Dave noticed Malc wasn't there.

Where's Malc? Dave asked the Director.

He's in Hospital, having his right leg Amputated.

Then the other day I asked him when was the Groups next Production. He said he didn't know because he had been asked to leave.

Why? I asked

It was down to a Stage Direction misunderstanding. We were rehearsing Shakespeare's Hamlet, and I misunderstood the Direction, Enter Ophelia from behind.