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

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  2. Like Bob the Builder - yes they can!

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

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

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    1. Hopefully they'll rise to the challenge, Reena.

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

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    Replies
    1. Absolutely, Colline. Thanks for the comment. :)

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  5. 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

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

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

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

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

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  8. 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!

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

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

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    Replies
    1. They might well be! Thanks for commenting, CE.

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  10. They probably can, too - anything is possible!

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

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  11. So much positivity! Team work will win!

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  12. 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!

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

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  13. Flattery will get you everywhere. Great names.

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

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

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  16. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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    1. Thanks for the feedback - appreciate it!

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    2. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  27. Flattery can be such a motivating force :-)

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

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  28. 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.

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    1. 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. :)

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  29. So glad the naysayers were silenced.

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

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  30. 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

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

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  31. I did enjoy this story, very much.

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Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.