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What does CESP stand for?
Do you only perform Gilbert and Sullivan?
Do you do private functions?
Where and when do you rehearse?
When and where is the main show performed?
How long is the rehearsal period?
Do I need to sing?
Do I have to be able to read music?
Do you accept children and teenagers?
Is it very expensive to join?
Does it cost a lot of money to put on a show?
What opportunities are there for non-performing members?
How else can I support CESP?
What does CESP stand for?
CESP stands for Chapel End Savoy Players.
Do you only perform Gilbert and Sullivan?
Our main productions are usually Gilbert and Sullivan, although we have produced Fiddler on the Roof. However, our concerts are much more varied. Recent concerts have included a music hall, songs from the shows, a choral concert covering music from the millennium, Sullivan's The Zoo and Merrie England. Because of our large repertoire of vocal music, CESP is also available to hire for private functions.
Do you do private functions? Where and when do you rehearse? When and where is the main show performed? How long is the rehearsal period? Do I need to sing? Do I have to be able to read music? Do you accept children and teenagers? Is it very expensive to join? Does it cost a lot of money to put on a show? What opportunities are there for non-performing members? How can I support CESP? Still have questions? Want to join us? Want to become an honorary member?
We are available to perform Gilbert and Sullivan, Olde Tyme Music Hall and songs from popular musicals at private functions. To book us, please phone Jackie (chairman) on 07852 928287 or e-mail our secretary
Our main rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings from 8-10pm in St John's Church Hall, Brookscroft Road, Walthamstow, London E17 4LH. The church is on the corner with Chingford Road and on the 34, 97, 215, 357, 505 and N38 bus routes. Alternatively, there is car parking at the church and in the surrounding streets. Principal rehearsals are held on Wednesdays - same time, same place. A few additional rehearsals are held on Saturdays just before the main show - the venue for these varies. During show week, rehearsals are held at the theatre.
The main show is usually held during the second week of May and for the last two years took place at the Deaton Theatre, Forest School, Oakhurst Gardens, Snaresbrook, London E17 3PY. Previously we performed at
Lloyd Park Theatre (until May 1997) and Chingford Assembly Hall (until May 2007).
Musical rehearsals for the May production usually begin in October or November of the previous year, with production rehearsals starting in January.
All productions involve singing, so to become a performing member you will need to pass a simple audition. You do not need a brilliant voice or vast experience but you do need to be able to sing and sing in tune!
Our members have a wide range of singing experience and training. Provided you can sing in tune, follow direction, are enthusiastic and prepared to turn up to rehearsals we can teach you to do Gilbert and Sullivan.
There are very few roles for children in Gilbert and Sullivan, so to perform in most productions you need to be able to sing and appear as an adult. This means that boys’ voices must have broken. There is no minimum age limit - we will consider each case individually - but as a guideline children under 12 or 13 will probably not be old enough. Another local group, CADOS, has a junior theatre group.
Current performing membership fees work out at just over £6.00 per month. Good value, we think!
Each main production costs over £10,000.00 to put on. We supplement income from ticket sales with local authority grants and fundraising (usually £2,000.00 per annum).
Non-performing members are full members of the society and can, for example, attend rehearsals and meetings, take part in fund raising and social events, vote at the AGM and be elected to serve on the committee. However, CESP is primarily a performing society and the emphasis is on productions and concerts. The fact that we usually do only one staged production a year limits the opportunities for areas such as back stage work, however there are other ways that you can make a big difference to the society (see below). Other local societies may offer more opportunities for backstage work (see our links page). We are not really a Gilbert and Sullivan appreciation society, although if you like their works you will enjoy coming to see the shows. If you are interested in becoming a non-performing member and want to find out more contact us.
There are many ways! Apart from becoming an honorary member, you can also support us by displaying posters or distributing flyers about our shows, getting involved with front of house and other aspects of production, and much more. Please contact us if you would like to get involved.
Contact us today!
Last updated: 18 June 2008