The DARK MONDAY @ MERLIN series was stopped in its tracks after 77 consecutive monthly performances. Beginning in October 2013, we have staged a Premiere performance, on the first Monday of every month, up to and including March, 2020.
In April we would have seen the Premiere of YES, MINISTER by Anthony Jay & Jonathan Lynnat and in May we were very much looking forward to the initiation of our very own NEAT Improv Theatre Group; THE NEATWITS.
Also postponed in April, is the performance of ROMEO & JULIET (with Clowns) by William Shakespeare in the historic Circus Tent of Eliszis Jahrmarktstheater at Killsesberg. The circus will keep its tent pitched until October, so depending on how long the theatres in Stuttgart will remain closed to the public, there is a slight chance that we may see the Clowns perform under the Big Top yet.
Our rehearsals of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by William Shakespeare got off to a very promising start but this project also had to be abandoned after the indefinite closure of all theatres in town and the ensuing rigid restrictions put into effect by the government, regarding group assemblies; i.e. no more than two people together with a distance of 2 meters between them. This, of course, makes the story of four pairs of lovers very difficult to stage and rehearse.
This is the first time in the 29 year history of NEAT that we are not actively rehearsing or performing a theatre project. Just like every other theatre ensemble and venue in town, we are in a state of inertia; keeping calm and safe while hoping to be able to present our projects to an audience later in the year. Whenever that may be…
Until then, we’ll leave the *Ghost Light on as a beacon of hope and as a sign that our commitment and creativity still remain centre stage and most of all, that WE SHALL RETURN!
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*Ghost Light – Theatres have many superstitions connected with them and the Ghost Light is a popular one. There are, of course, security reasons for leaving a light burning on stage when it is supposedly bare; assuring that no one will trip over random equipment (or fall into the orchestra pit) in total darkness but we prefer the spooky / creepy explanation. As everyone knows, theatres are haunted by one or several spirits and the Ghost Light provides visibility for spirits to see and perform on the nighttime stage.
…Or as Janet once said to Brad:
In the velvet darkness of the blackest night
Burning bright, there’s a guiding star
No matter what or who you are.
There’s a light over at the Frankenstein Place
There’s a light burning in the fireplace
There’s a light, light in the darkness of everybody’s life.
ROCKY HORROR SHOW – There’s a Light
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New English American Theater Stuttgart 