GENEVA ENGLISH DRAMA SOCIETY (GEDS)
by Chené Koscielny
GENEVA ENGLISH DRAMA SOCIETY COMPETITION:
Win 2 tickets to opening night of The School for Wives – details in the article below.
Going to the theatre in Geneva is one experience I have really missed since I moved here two years ago because my French will definitely not stretch that far.
There is a lot of drama involved when I express myself in French, but that’s not the type of theatre I mean.
Thankfully, I’ve just discovered, that I don’t need to save up for Broadway or West End shows, but I’ll be able to enjoy three to four top standard English theatre productions in the city every year thanks to the Geneva English Drama Society (GEDS).
“We are amateurs in that we are not paid, but the expertise in all areas from the production crew to the organisation in place to produce the shows, is the fruit of decades of experience. Many members have worked several dozens of shows and have finely honed their crafts,” says GEDS publicity co-ordinator, Tamaam Madi-Nassar.
WHO IS THE GENEVA ENGLISH THEATRE SOCIETY (GEDS)?
The society, which has been offering three to four top productions every year in Geneva for the past 80 years, is run like a professional theatre group with teams for stage management, set building, lighting & sound, actors and a committee of directors tasked with choosing which productions to put on every year.
THE PLAYS
So far this year’s performances have included Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, Our Town by Thornton Wilder and Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon.
THE NEXT PLAY: THE SCHOOL FOR WIVES
Molière’s comedy The School for Wives makes a wickedly funny mockery of a man’s machinations to control a woman in what promises to be controversial and topical at the same time, focusing on the treatment of women as ‘property.’
Moliere’s critique on the way women are treated centuries ago promises to be fascinating especially as we realise that in many ways, even in the West, women are still being treated in this way today. Directed by Catherine Harari.
WHEN: Tuesday 21st – Friday 24th November 2017 at 8pm. Saturday 25th November 2017 at 7pm.
WHERE: Théâtre de Terre-Sainte, Route du Jura, CH-1296 Coppet.
THE PLOT: Arnolphe, a pompous middle-aged man, has his future all mapped out and will take advice from no-one. He has raised his young ward, Agnès, in a nunnery so that she will remain innocent and ignorant and thus be the “perfect” wife for him. Now she is 17, he moves her to a house on his estate in preparation for the wedding. However, Agnès has other ideas …
In this biting comedy of errors, the hapless Arnolphe is undone by his own double dealing and double standards.
Written by Molière, The School for Wives was first performed in December 1662, yet many of its themes remain relevant today in a fresh, witty English translation.
TICKET PRICE: From CHF20
Book tickets here.
COMPETITION TIME
TO WIN TWO TICKETS TO THE OPENING NIGHT OF THE SCHOOL FOR WIVES, ANSWER THIS SIMPLE QUESTION:
Who wrote “The School for Wives”?
Send your answer to info@thingstodoingeneva.ch before Monday 10am.
The winner will be informed by email.
TUNE IN
Tune in to the WRS Mid-Morning Mix on Monday 20th November 2017 at 10.40am to hear Director Catherine Harari and lead actor Charles Slovenski talk about The School for Wives. Tune your DAB+ radio to WRS or listen in from your browser.
AUDITIONS
Aspiring actors note that auditions for the next play – The Importance of Being Earnest – will be held on 11th December 2017. The production will take place in February 2018.
Details about the audition can be found here.
PLAYREADINGS
The GEDS offers fortnightly playreadings, open to everyone, in the relaxed atmosphere of Uptown Geneva, near the train station.
The readings involve minimum rehearsal, no costumes and there is no need to learn the script. It is a social, relaxed event and a good opportunity to learn and to try out your skills.
WHERE: Uptown Geneva, Salle Rive, 2 rue de la Servette.
WHEN: 19.30 (Doors open at 19.00)
COST: CHF5 for non-members, Free for members
NEXT PLAYREADING: An Inspector Calls: 28th November 2017.
More info.
THE MEMBERS
GEDS Membership is open to anyone. No previous acting experience is required.
Some actors are professional, but others have never been on a stage before.
They have around 270 members between the ages of 18 and 94!
Most people join because they want to act, but soon get involved in all other aspects of putting on a production, says Tamaam, who can add actress, stage manager, assistant director, front of house manager and publicity officer to her répertoire since she joined the group four years ago.
“We are very social and we all share the same passion for drama and theatre. I’ve made some great friends. It’s also a fantastic way and safe place to find your voice and gain confidence.”
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
- 20% reduction on tickets to GEDS stage productions, during a pre-booking period;
- Free entry to all rehearsed play readings;
- Participation in all GEDS activities including workshops and events;
- Spotlight: a regular e-newsletter keeping you up-to-date with theatrical activities in English in the Geneva area;
- GEDS at a Glance: brief, timely reminders of GEDS activities;
- Discounted tickets with cultural partners Théâtre de Carouge and Théâtre du Grütli.
COST: Annual membership CHF60 per year (CHF30 for the first year)
You can also follow GEDS on Facebook @GEDSGeneva and recently, on Instagram
