Wednesday, 26 February 2020

OH, WHAT A PERFORMANCE - 100 word story

Many years ago I was a member of an amateur dramatics society. Whilst we did perform A Christmas Carol, the characters in this story are entirely fictional.

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson



OH, WHAT A PERFORMANCE


'This year we're performing A Christmas Carol,' said Ms Smythe.
The members of the Spitting Chewsbury Amateur Dramatics Society looked alarmed.
'But how can we stage the visions?' said Reginald Hetherington-Brown.
'I spoke to our lighting whizz. We'll back light a see-through screen.
'Isn't See-through Screen an oxymoron?' said Miss Trimlybottom.
'No, dear,' said Ms Smythe.
'But what about Tiny Tim?' said Reginald.
'My grandnephew will play him.'
'Nepotism,' whispered Reginald.
The members murmured uncertainly.
'Worry not! With your acting skills, it will be a triumph. We can do it.'
The members preened and began to mutter: 'yes, we can.'


Hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 


If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE


If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 


- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.


On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 
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60 comments:

  1. Neil MacDonald26 February 2020 at 10:05

    A triumph of hope over experience, perhaps, for the
    Spitting Chewsbury Amateur Dramatics Society

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tannille26 February 2020 at 10:39

    Like Bob the Builder - yes they can!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames26 February 2020 at 14:48

      Thanks, Tannille - although I'm not familiar with that being a slogan for Bob the Builder! :)

      Delete
  3. Reena Saxena26 February 2020 at 11:53

    Bury the doubts, and yes, we can dance to your tune.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames26 February 2020 at 14:49

      Hopefully they'll rise to the challenge, Reena.

      Delete
  4. Colline26 February 2020 at 11:58

    Your story shows how important a leader is to the morale of the group.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames26 February 2020 at 14:50

      Absolutely, Colline. Thanks for the comment. :)

      Delete
  5. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields26 February 2020 at 12:11

    Dear Susan,

    All the roar of the grease paint. The smell of the crowd. Love this. Applause. You have a smash on your hands.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    ReplyDelete
  6. Iain Kelly26 February 2020 at 12:49

    Everyone loves an am-dram - it's all about entering into the 'spirit' of the thing! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames26 February 2020 at 14:51

      Our friends and family always told us we were wonderful. :)

      Delete
  7. Dale26 February 2020 at 15:32

    One thing is for sure, they will know it when they do it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames26 February 2020 at 16:38

      Our stage version of Mr Fezziwig's Christmas Ball was a scene I'll never forget Dale. :)

      Delete
  8. Penny Gadd26 February 2020 at 15:34

    Teehee! Loved your sly humour with the names - Miss Trimlybottom indeed! Am-dram, village cricketers, Morris dancers, writers' circles - all hold the fabric of society together. Good for Ms Smythe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames26 February 2020 at 16:42

      Thanks, Penny. I wanted this story to sound quintessentially English - hence the names. :)

      Delete
  9. C. E. Ayr26 February 2020 at 15:49

    I suspect the SCADS may be out of their depth with this.
    Fun production, Susan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames26 February 2020 at 16:42

      They might well be! Thanks for commenting, CE.

      Delete
  10. liz young26 February 2020 at 15:55

    They probably can, too - anything is possible!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames26 February 2020 at 16:43

      Yes, perhaps anything really is possible in the world of Am Dram. :)

      Delete
  11. Anita Sabat26 February 2020 at 16:06

    So much positivity! Team work will win!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Keith's Ramblings26 February 2020 at 16:51

    This made me think of The Play That Went Wrong, the hit show that toured the UK and entertained us on TV one Christmas! Brilliant take Susan.

    Here's mine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames26 February 2020 at 17:00

      I don't know that one, Keith. We did a spoof Chekhov once: The Cherry Sisters by Michael Green, which was absolutely hilarious.

      Delete
  13. Trent McDonald26 February 2020 at 17:55

    Flattery will get you everywhere. Great names.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Susan A Eames26 February 2020 at 18:26

    They just have to believe her. Thanks for the feedback, Trent.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Na'ama Yehuda26 February 2020 at 19:38

    Flattery can serve a purpose ... though only to a limited end ... ;)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Birgit26 February 2020 at 19:48

    This is funny. I love the acting company name and their little aside comments. They do need a leader who will not take their crap

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames26 February 2020 at 20:28

      Glad to know it worked for you, Birgit. Humour is always risky to attempt because we all find different things funny. :)

      Delete
  17. Jade Li26 February 2020 at 21:11

    Logistics are some peoples' giddy challenge and others' worst nightmare. Sounds like they have the right person at the helm. Good story!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames27 February 2020 at 09:26

      Thanks, Jade. Yes, I think Ms Smythe is pretty formidable.

      Delete
  18. plaridel27 February 2020 at 02:29

    good for them. that's the fighting spirit. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames27 February 2020 at 09:27

      They have nothing to lose but their reputations as actors. :)

      Delete
  19. johawkthewriter27 February 2020 at 05:40

    Great way to rally the troops

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames27 February 2020 at 09:28

      Absolutely, Jo. Give a person confidence and the sky's the limit. :)

      Delete
  20. draliman27 February 2020 at 08:30

    This sounds like it'll be a triumph, complete with special effects! I'm off to Spitting Chewsbury this Christmas :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Innerdialects.home.blog27 February 2020 at 09:48

    Humor, creativity & festive joy spilling at the seams of your names and characters. Enjoyed this😄

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames27 February 2020 at 10:37

      Thanks for the feedback - appreciate it!

      Delete
    2. Susan A Eames27 February 2020 at 10:43

      Hi, just want to let you know I can't comment on your story because your settings require me to sign in to Wordpress. If you amend them I'll gladly leave a comment. Thanks.

      Delete
  22. brudberg27 February 2020 at 20:44

    I think it will be a success... (I think I heard the Scrooge candidate also)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames28 February 2020 at 08:40

      :) :) Oh, Yes - definitely has to be Reginald!

      Delete
  23. Linda28 February 2020 at 01:22

    Spitting Chewsbury, Miss Trimly Botton--wonderful names. I would be fascinated to see this production :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames28 February 2020 at 08:42

      Sometimes I wonder how my brain pulls this stuff out of my subconscious, Linda. :)

      Delete
  24. Russell28 February 2020 at 02:41

    It's amazing what a few well placed compliments can get you. Well told!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames28 February 2020 at 08:43

      He he - thanks, Russell - flattery will get us every time. :)

      Delete
  25. susanmehr@hotmail.com28 February 2020 at 09:17

    ..with all that's happening, it looks like the performance has already started. Too funny. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames2 March 2020 at 10:38

      Yes, it all kicks off before the rehearsals have even started. :)

      Delete
  26. Unknown28 February 2020 at 18:23

    I love comradery in this! Plus the names made me smile. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames2 March 2020 at 10:39

      Oh, that's good to know - I wanted the names to make people smile. :)

      Delete
  27. Subroto29 February 2020 at 23:15

    Flattery can be such a motivating force :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames2 March 2020 at 10:39

      Yep, we're all suckers for a well timed piece of flattery! :)

      Delete
  28. Nobbinmaug2 March 2020 at 21:26

    I love A Christmas Carol. I made an audio book of it for my grandfather. It was kind of a one-man audio play. It was fun.

    By the way, I like your story. It's funny all the way down to the Dickens-esque names.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames3 March 2020 at 08:45

      Thanks for commenting. I played Scrooge's ex-sweetheart in one of the flashbacks. I think my character's name was Beau - but it was rather a long time ago so my memory might be faulty. :)

      Delete
  29. Dawn2 March 2020 at 22:41

    So glad the naysayers were silenced.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames3 March 2020 at 08:45

      Thanks, Dawn - I'm sure the show will be a triumph! :)

      Delete
  30. Michael Wynn3 March 2020 at 19:44

    My daughter does amateur dramatics and is forever coming home with stories of back stage politics and scandals, but they all love it and the show always goes on. Nicely conveyed, Susan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames3 March 2020 at 21:45

      Thanks, Michael. I loved my Am Dram days too!

      Delete
  31. tedstrutz6 March 2020 at 18:14

    I did enjoy this story, very much.

    ReplyDelete

Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.

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