Vera Hughes BA FRSA is an acknowledged international speaker on many topics. Trained at LCTS, her background as an actor, director, trainer and writer enables her to be an entertaining speaker to groups ranging from small clubs and societies to large corporations. Her voice and warm personality allow her to inform, enliven and stimulate audiences; she is very much in demand, and welcome wherever she appears.
TALKS
Vera Hughes presents:
'Finding Florence'
a most rewarding journey
A fascinating presentation of how our stage version of 'FLORENCE' the story of Florence Nightingale was created from an idea to the finished product.
- Hear how and where we researched our material;
- how we found the Victorian wig and whiskers;
- how we decided on the structure of the piece and how Henry Bonham Carter comes into it.
‘From Page to Stage’
A behind-the-scenes look at how a show develops from the original idea, through the words in the script to its final professional production.
- How is the play chosen, without infringing copyright?
- How do the actors learn lines and rehearse?
- How is the music composed and recorded?
- What about costumes, props and lighting?
From the London fringe theatre to a private residence and a bishop’s palace, Vera’s lively talk reveals the background to getting a show ‘from page to stage’.
‘Canterbury to Canberra’
Chaucer’s Canterbury Pilgrims become modern-day storytellers on the cruise liner Canberra. Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales are as true to life now as they were when he wrote them towards the end of the fourteenth century.
I have taken a selection of these tales, adapted them (very freely) and placed them in 21st century settings.
My talk includes:
- The structure of the piece
- Thoughts on scansion and rhyming schemes
- How each tale was chosen and written.
David Weller is an international speaker, presenter and actor. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in many areas of the entertainment industry, including film, commercials and television as well as theatre, where he began learning his craft in weekly repertory and provincial theatre.
TALK
David Weller presents:
‘A Play a Week’
I invite you to share an entertaining and nostalgic look at my days as a member of resident repertory companies, who performed a different play each week.
You will hear about my own experiences of:
- A typical working week
- Audiences
- Employers
- Plays
- People
- Facts and fictions
- The grind behind the glamour.
This talk is full of interesting anecdotes about a fascinating way of life which, sadly, no longer exists.