FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS…
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED IN ACTING AT THE ROYALTY?
Go to the ‘About Us’ page and you’ll see a heading marked ‘Auditions’. Details of any forthcoming auditions or play readings are posted there usually two or three weeks before the date they take place. Anyone can attend the auditions.
IF I DON’T WANT TO ACT WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
We are always happy to hear from anyone willing to lend a hand backstage, working behind the bar, on front of house, selling ice cream or working in a technical discipline eg lighting or sound design. Volunteers with practical ideas for fundraising or marketing would also be welcome. If you’re interested, come to the theatre any Friday evening after 9pm (the main door operates on a security code so you will need to knock or ring the bell).
Ask for any member of the executive committee and they will show you around, take your details and discuss how you can get involved.
HAS ANYONE FAMOUS STARTED OUT AT THE ROYALTY?
Our theatre patron, David Parfitt (currently chairman of BAFTA – the British Academy of Film and Television Arts) spent his early years in Sunderland and along with his family saw a number of Royalty productions; but David never actually appeared on our stage. Several of our members have worked in the professional theatre both in the north east and elsewhere, some have also worked on film or tv productions. Former member Laura Elphinstone appeared in the 2008 BBC production of ‘Tess of the d’Urbervilles’. Laura also took a lead role in ‘Pains of Youth’ at the Royal National Theatre (2010).
And the 2010 tour of Alan Bennett’s ‘The History Boys’, which included a week-long run at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle featured in the cast ex-Royalty member Beruce Khan, who appeared in several shows for us from 2000-2005 including ‘Wyrd Sisters’, ‘Dry Rot’ and ‘An Experiment with an Air Pump’
In recent years the most familiar face to have been on our stage is probably James Baxter (Jake Doland in ‘Emmerdale’); James appeared in two Royalty pantos before embarking on a professional career.
WHO CHOOSES YOUR PLAYS?
Each year a small number of members volunteer to become the play selection committee. Along with the artistic director and with input from our pool of directors, they spend several months reading and considering various scripts, before coming up with a final list of six plays and a pantomime to form the season between October and June. The main factors to be considered include a play’s likely audience appeal, its artistic merit and whether it can be successfully staged and cast.
The committee also considers any suggestions for productions in the Studio Theatre (60-seat capacity) which are in addition to the plays performed on the main stage.
I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE YOUTH THEATRE?
Anyone interested in joining the youth theatre should go the Youth Theatre page on this site. Please call our youth theatre Director Corinne Kilvington on the number listed on the page. Corinne will be able to answer further questions relating to youth theatre.
I AM LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO ACT IN A FILM?
To find volunteers to act in short student films, please join our Facebook Group and put a post on there.
I WOULD LIKE TO DONATE ITEMS TO WARDROBE OR PROPS?
We appreciate people’s generosity, however we do not require any more costumes or props as we have no more space to store them.
I WOULD LIKE TO HIRE COSTUMES OR PROPS?
We are unable to hire costumes or props to anyone.
I WOULD LIKE TO HIRE THE THEATRE?
Details of our hire fees are on the hire page of the website; Due to our own productions taking priority the main stage will not be available to hire during the three weeks leading up to our own production or the week immediately after. For example: Our production of Hi Di Hi starts on Monday 25th June. Therefore the theatre is not available for hire from Monday 4th June until Monday 11th July.
I AM LOOKING FOR WORK EXPERIENCE?
We are an amateur theatre run entirely by volunteers, therefore we do not have any paid staff. We are not in a position to support anyone seeking paid employment or work experience. However we are very keen to hear form anyone wishing to gain experience on a regular voluntary basis. We are particularly interested in anyone with lighting and sound skills.