Site Admin, Author at The Club for Acts and Actors

Newsletter November 2017

13th August 201913th November 2017 by Site Admin

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Hello Everyone

Hope you had a good summer! Working or relaxing!

During the 3-week closure, our workmen have been very busy, completely gutting the Ladies Toilets and Dressing Room and the Gentlemen’s Dressing Room. Thus, giving us a whole bright new “look”. Very theatrical!! (I wanted us to have theatre styled Dressing Rooms!) All expensive but worth it!! I hope you agree. My special thanks to Deputy Chair, Judith Quiney for all her help and Ron and Malcolm.

The German firm who were tenants in the 4th floor office suite unfortunately left us earlier this year. This gave us the opportunity to refurbish that area in the hope that we can attract a new tenant in this competitive market. Our Property agent has had viewings from prospective firms but so far, no letting of the space.

Another of the new Social Events for this year, the play reading of “Separate Tables”, in August, was a huge success. Thanks to our member Hugh Futcher. I bought 4 small red tables to use that night and they looked so good we have bought another eight to use on Jazz and Cabaret evenings to give the hall a new, intimate look.

The Annual Ball will take place on Sunday March 18th. Once again at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington High Street. Sparkling reception at 5.00 p.m. Dinner at 6.00 p.m. and Carriages at 11.15 p.m. We have a wonderful Cabaret, Dancing to a live band and Disco section. A truly fun, happy evening. So why not bring your friends and book a whole table. Members £60, Guests £70.

The Website is up and running now so take a look at it at www.thecaa.org If you have any news then let us know and we can have a rolling page for members news. All the contact details are on there. Our thanks to Paul Scudder for setting it up and Chris Hare for editing.

Just a reminder about the Taxi rides on offer to our less mobile members who want to visit the club. 3 or 4 of you have already made use of it. So, don’t be shy! We would love to see you back at the club. You have all contributed so much over the years. Just contact myself or Malcolm. Also, if you know of any member who may need help or care please let any of the Committee know, because we have the Samaritan and Benevolent funds to help you. Sadly, we have lost 4 of our long-standing members recently. 50 years some of them have been ‘A’ performing members. We are looking at ways to help, so watch this space!

I cannot believe it but Christmas season will soon be upon us, when many of our members are appearing in Pantomimes, Christmas Shows, Plays, Concerts and Cabarets. Also, our members who are technical and Front of House staff. We are all ‘cogs’ in the huge wheel of Showbusiness. We will also be distributing our Christmas Hampers in December. Hoping to surprise and brighten up some of our members.I wish all of you a very Happy and Successful Festive Season.

Love Kay x

C.A.A. ANNUAL BALL

SUNDAY 18TH MARCH 2018

5.00 p.m. Sparkling Reception for 6.00 p.m. Dinner

THE CAA EVENT FOR THE YEAR 2018

ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL, KENSINGTON.

Special Cabaret, Band and wonderful food.

MEMBERS £60.00, GUESTS £70.00

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM CAA OFFICE.

Don’t leave it too long to book. It is going to be a great evening.

NOMINATIONS FOR GENERAL COMMITTEE 2018/2019

If you would like to serve on the General Committee for the year 2018/2019 and have paid two full years’ subscriptions, please collect a Nomination Form from the office. Completed forms must be signed by a proposer and seconder and returned before 1st February 2018. To be eligible for election, nominees must have paid their subscription for 2018. Nominees are invited to write a brief statement (50 words maximum) in support of their nomination for Committee and these must be sent to the office at the same time as the Nomination Forms in order to get them printed in time to go out with the AGM papers at the beginning of March.

The following members have “taken their final curtain” since the last Newsletter. They are: –

John Dalby ‘A’ July

Yvonne Bouffler ‘A’ July

Audrey Maye ‘A’ September

Joy Francois ‘A’ September

Marty Swift ‘A’ July

Avril Ellis ‘A’ August

Johnny Maxim ‘A’ July

CHRISTMAS CLOSING & OPENING DATES

The club will close for Christmas after trading on Thursday 21st December 2017 Re-Opening after the festivities on Wednesday3rd January 2018

Put the dates in your diary, so as not to be disappointed

STOP PRESS – FORTHCOMING CAA EVENT

FRIDAY 20TH APRIL 2018 – “A NIGHT WITH THE STARS”

Come along and remember your favourite stars, Doris Day, Judy Garland, Mario Lanza, Marlene Dietrich, Frank Sinatra, Gracie Fields, Matt Monroe,Howard Keel, Deanna Durbin, Elvis Presley and many more.Sing along, dance along and enjoy a nostalgic night

3 Course Meal – 7.00 for 7.15 p.m. – Members: £20, Guests: £23

SUBSCRIPTIONS, CHRISTMAS DRAW, 100 CLUB,CHRISTMAS CARDS ETC.

Please make all cheques payable to “The Concert Artistes’ Association”. You may pay your subscription and Christmas Draw on the same cheque but please write separate cheques for the 100 Club, Annual Ball and all other payments.

Please do not staple cheques to forms or send post-dated cheques.

We would prefer monies to be sent as there is less risk of them being unrecorded, but, if you really cannot trust the post, please come and see us before the office closes at 5-00 p.m. Please do not bring your money in loose. Always put it in a clearly labelled envelope (a recycled one will suffice) together with the relevant form or slip carefully completed. Then, if you arrive out of office hours, you can post ready prepared envelopes through the office letterbox to be dealt with the following morning.

NEWS OF MEMBERS

Kay Carman – is appearing in “Down Memory Lane” Queen’s Theatre Foyer Show on Wednesday 1st November at 2.30 p.m. and in Mickie Driver’s Christmas Party Show at Westcliff-on-Sea and Wood Green from Monday 20th November until Friday 15th December. Also, the January Music Hall Show at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch.

Valerie Leon – “Upfront with Valerie Leon” will be at Live at Zedal, 20 Sherwood Street, Soho on Thursday 9th November at 7.00 p.m. With the help of little more than a magnum of champagne, Valerie takes you through her life both on and off the screen.

Martin Milnes – in June appeared at “West End Live” with his musical partner Dominic Ferris. Martin & Dominic went on to appear at the Lincoln Centre Rose Theatre in New York on 17th October.

Martin Wimbush – Martin has just finished appearing in his one-man show “A Meeting of Minds” at the Canterbury Festival with further venues to be considered.

CHRISTMAS DRAW

Our Christmas draw raises funds for the Club and gives you, the members, the chance of winning extra goodies for Christmas. At only £1 a ticket or £5 for the book of tickets, you have a good chance of winning our first prize of £300 in cash, or other desirable treats and gifts.

MONDAY 18TH DECEMBER 2017

1st Prize: £300 cash

2nd Prize: £150 cash

3rd Prize: £100 of Theatre Vouchers

4th Prize: £50 of Marks & Spencer Vouchers

Plus 50 other prizes of wines, spirits, gifts etc.

One book containing 5 tickets is enclosed with your Newsletter and extra books are available from the office. Please send counterfoils and cheques made payable to the Concert Artistes’ Association (which can include your subscription) to arrive by 6.00 p.m. on the 18th December 2017.

VAL PETT

Live at The CAA!

31st August 202112th August 2017 by Site Admin

Simon Bashford at the CAA

Described as one of the world’s greatest vibes players, Roan Kearsey-Lawson brought his acclaimed quartet to the club’s jazz night in June.

It was filmed and excerpts are available to view below.

Roan Kearsey-Lawson (vibes), Dorian Ford (Piano), Jerome Davis (Bass), Pete Cator (Drums)

Roan Kearsey Lawson, CAA Club London part one

Roan Kearsey Lawson part two – ‘The Ghost of the White Rabbit’

‘Watch What Happens’ – Sue Smith at the CAA with Java Jam

Strictly Acappella present – Bohemian Rhapsody

Letter from the Chairman

22nd February 20186th August 2017 by Site Admin

Dear Members,

The Club for Acts and Actors website www.thecaa.org

At last!!! Open the champagne and dance on the tables! We have our new website.

Grateful thanks to Judith Quiney (Deputy Chair) who over a long period of time has managed to extricate us from previous website arrangements and promises, that, despite best efforts, were sadly never properly fulfilled to our satisfaction.

Many Thanks to our new web site manager Paul Scudder, who eased us painlessly through the technical complexities of the changeover and designed and set up the new site in just three weeks from his appointment. Paul really is an expert in this field and we will see constant updates and many improvements to the site in the coming weeks. Also thanks go to committee member Chris Hare who recommended Paul and has taken on the task of web site editor.

Please send any news items or photos for possible inclusion to Chris at [email protected] as he is looking to establish a rolling news and substantial archive section. There is also a comments section on the site if you wish to give us any feedback.

So, as our dear Pamela Cundell would say, “It’s onwards and upwards Darlings!”

Love to you all,

Kay Carman.

ps. Progress on the development of the website can be monitored here.

Newsletter July 2017

13th November 201721st July 2017 by Site Admin

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hi Everyone

I am writing my first letter as President of the CAA, how exciting for me! I think the club is just terrific, and one of the reasons I accepted is because you are all such a happy bunch and I am very proud to be one of you.

My pal, Carol Ball brought me along to try to teach me to Tap Dance!! Hubby popped into watch and we all ended up in the bar having a lovely time. We ended up listening to a young Flamenco guitarist! Hubby was thrilled.

It is difficult to be around as much as I would like, but I will do my best! Am off to do bits of work now and then, as we all are, but will see you whenever possible.

Take care of yourselves and keep smiling.

Laugh every day and see you soon.

Love Anita xxxx

PLEASE NOTE

AUGUST CLOSURE

The club will be closed for three weeks this year, owing to extra work being carried out, the Ladies Toilets and Dressing Room will be given a makeover as will the Gents Dressing Room, so it will take a little longer to complete.

We will be closing after business, 11.30 p.m. on Friday 11^th August and re-opening on Monday 4^th September at 9.30 a.m.

So, the club will be closed from Monday 14^th August until Monday 4^th September entirely

This is also to enable routine maintenance work, cleaning etc. to be carried out and for Bar and Kitchen staff to take a well-earned holiday. The office staff will however be on hand to answer any telephone enquiries that you may have.

We wish you all happy summer holidays and look forward to seeing you back here refreshed when we re-open.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Hello Everyone

I am honoured that the Committee have elected me as your Chairman again. You know I will always work 100% to keep the aims of the club safe and see it progress well into the future. I also welcome our gorgeous new President, Anita Dobson.

This is our 120^th year and the events we have had so far have all been a huge success. The idea is to attract more of you lovely members to come in and support your club. If you have any new ideas please let me know.

It is wonderful to see so many of you supporting the functions, particularly the “C” and Lunchtime Members who have been attending lately. They are happy evenings full of fun and laughter. So far, this year we have had a “Burns Night”, 2 Burlesque nights (both sold out) ABBA Tribute, Elvis Tribute (the club was rocking on these nights!) Afternoon film show and tea. We started a regular monthly Jazz Evening with top class musicians. The Celebratory Ball at the Royal Garden Hotel in March was a huge success.

In the pipeline, we have a “Magic of the Movies” evening with Carol Anne Wells presenting film clips and the well-known music and songs from your favourite movies. Miss Hope Springs will be presenting her “unique” Cabaret Show on Friday 15^th September. Blues Brothers Tribute in October and many more. I want the functions to appeal to as many of our members as possible. We are the Club for Acts and Actors so we need the Actors to feel part of this club as well. We are all performers! We must embrace everyone EQUALLY if this great club is to progress for many more years to come. To that end, Hugh Futcher is introducing Play Reading evenings. To test the water the first one, “Separate Tables” will take place on Thursday 10^th August. (See the booking slips)

This year I personally would like to stress our care of our long-standing members, who have helped make the club the success it is! Many are now approaching their 80’s, 90’s and even 100’s!!! Some have mobility problems and cannot attend the club as regularly as they would like. So, the Committee have discussed and agreed that we will offer them 4 return Taxi journeys a year. So that we do not lose touch with them and return some of the love and care that they have given the club over many years that they have been members. Whatever category we are all equal in this club. It is our 120 years and we must remember why the club was formed and all our ideals.

A new 5-year lease has been signed for one of our office suites with a good increased rental charge and our agents are currently looking for a new tenant for the 4^th floor suite.

We are closed for 3 weeks this Summer (closed from 11.30 p.m. Friday 11^th August. Re-open Monday 4^th September) for complete refurbishment of the Ladies Toilets and Dressing Room and the Gentlemen Artistes Dressing Room plus some re-wiring in the hall.

I hope you all have an enjoyable Summer break and return with renewed vigour to support this wonderful club.

Love to you all

KAY

OFFICERS AND GENERAL COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR 2017/2018

The following members have “taken their final curtain” since the last Newsletter. They are: –

John Bull ‘A’ July 2016

Barbara Sumner ‘A’ April 2017

Norma Dunbar ‘A’ June 2017

Bettina Raymond ‘A’ June 2017

NEWS OF MEMBERS IN BRIEF

Paul Arden-Griffith – In addition to his Musical Director commitment to London based Intimate Opera Group this summer, PAG (Paul Arden-Griffith) will also be singing in a charity fund-raising “Midsummer Serenade” concert (17/6/170 in Tadworth alongside David Carter, Sandra Gayer and a host of performers including the Laird Academy of Dance and Drama. Later in the summer he will be returning to Holland to conduct Masterclasses for several choirs and singers in The Hague. October 7^th will see PAG back at the CAA with

Pamela Smith for their final 2017 singers’ Masterclass. As on previous occasions CAA members are cordially invited to attend this class free of charge.

Kay Carman – Kay Carman was thrilled to take part in the 100^th Birthday Tribute Show to Dame Vera Lynn at the London Palladium in the presence of H. M. The Queen. It was a fantastic show. Kay has a busy time coming up in June and July, World War 1 and 11 shows in Dublin, then Trowbridge Wiltshire.

Also, “The Fabulous 50’s Show” in Westcliff and Wood Green. Then “Down Memory Lane” shows at the

Queens Theatre Hornchurch, June 14^th, September 6^th, October 4^th and November 1^st (with David Carter).

And mid-November until December 16^th with Mickie Driver’s Christmas Show.

Katie Milton – Will be appearing at the Queens Theatre Hornchurch on Wednesday 21^st July for a Music Hall Evening.

Shannon Rewcroft – Will be in the National Tour of “Wait Until Dark” with the Original Theatre Company

August to December. Coming to the Richmond Theatre 5^th – 9^th September.

Ruth Silvestre – “BEFORE THE SUNFLOWERS” is Ruth Silvestre’s latest book. Beginning with her wartime childhood, it covers her career in West End Theatre and Cabaret as well as the adventures and delights of later life. Available from Amazon or, by arrangement, from the club. Enjoy!

SOCIAL CALENDAR

MONDAY PROGRAMME

The Club for Acts & Actors

Patrons ~ Barry Cryer OBE ~ Dame Judi Dench ~ The RT Hon. Lord Moore

Jack Warner & The CAA

20th October 202420th July 2017 by Site Admin

Jack Warner & The CAA...

Page updated 19.10.2024

Jack Warner is a past President of the club and much revered because he arranged for the mortgage for the club to buy the whole building in 1950.

This was a remarkable investment. In doing so he secured the future of the club for ever more.

1950 The Blue Lamp Movie — The Blue Lamp (1950)

Born in 1895, Jack Warner was, for some years, Great Britain’s most popular film star. He is closely associated with the role of PC George Dixon which he played in the 1950 film ‘The Blue Lamp’ and then in the TV series ‘Dixon of Dock Green’ which ran from 1955 to 1976.

His sisters, Elsie and Doris Waters, were also stars of variety. Born in Poplar, he first made his name in music hall and radio and became well-known to cinema audiences following the war with films such as ‘Here Come the Huggetts’.

“it was Dixon on TV that made him a true household name”

His film career stretched from 1943 to 1978. But it was Dixon on TV that made him a true household name along with his famous catch phrase ‘Evening All!’

He was an amazing 83 years of age when he finally ‘retired’ as a copper! Jack Warner is a vital part of CAA history and we really owe the ongoing success of the club to him.

In 1950 the lease ran out on the club but as Club President, Jack had the massive foresight to arrange a mortgage through his film mogul friend J. Arthur Rank to buy the building for £20,000. A considerable sum then, but ensured the club’s future in what turned out to be a remarkable investment as rents from the offices now subsidise the club.

The building is valued today at some £7 million! Jack Warner died in 1981 and is buried at the East London Cemetery.

by Chris Hare

Further Historical Learning on Jack Warner OBE…

While as yet, none of the following presentations mention the CAA itself, for context within a historical timeframe the following video links are viewable directly on this page… These are provided here for general interest and entertainment.

Video #1 Here is an item taken from the BBC Archives and is a 1957 discussion with Jack Warner OBE and his campaign for parity of regulations between Cinema and Theatre on Sundays! This feed via YouTube/BBC Archive.

Video #2 This video is currently being cross referenced for accuracy on a small point before posting here!