NEW I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again!
We are The OFFSTAGE Theatre Group and have been running from our base in Gloucestershire since 1991. We've won the odd award, toured the 'classics' and premiered a lot of original work, all of which has been highly-acclaimed.
In 2016, we performed a 'Greatest Hits' version of the classic BBC Radio comedy I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again, after being given the exclusive licence to do so. This was a one-off production for charity.
In 2017, we took a revamped version of the show - I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again... Again! - on a 5-star reviewed tour...
"...Most importantly, they'd tweaked the material to bring it up to date, but only in a most sensitive manner, like somebody restoring an old master. Though timeless and surreal references to ferrets and groansome puns were its stock-in-trade, it seemed more like the original, ironically, when they occasionally included references to current events, so that it felt like a real show rather than a museum piece. Particularly impressive were the few comments about the general election result, which was only announced on the day of the performance. Purists needn't worry, they didn't change very much, it was still mainly packed full of swinging 60s zaniness, but those light touches of modernisation elevated the show to as near perfect as you could hope for. 5/5"
Here's the video trailer for that tour: 2017 Tour Trailer
In December 2017, and realised by the first flurry of donations, we were able to stage A Christmas Wonder Show - an ISIRTAA Christmas Special (pieced together from the numerous Christmas shows that the original series produced).
So, what's next?
We'd very much like to go on another tour in 2018, essentially doing a 'Greatest Hits II' - with a revamped show that uses some of what we've already done, with entirely new material from the original radio shows. We'd also like to try and perform at a venue in London for a limited run.
And this is where YOU come in! If you saw the show, or were desperate to see it and couldn't make it, then perhaps you'd consider funding our next stage of the creative process? We'd be most grateful.
Our budget might seem like a lot but here's a little run-down of what this professional production has to pay for...
Cost of Venue Hire (performance and technical)
Cost of Adapting The Script
Cost of Rehearsal Space
Cost of 4 Professional Musicians
Cost of 5 Professional Actors
Cost of Special Guest Star(s); original cast members Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, Bill Oddie, Jo Kendall and John Cleese, for example.
Cost of Graphic Designer/Artist (posters and artwork)
Cost of Set Building/Props (construction and materials)
Cost of Copyright Percentage
Cost of SFX Operator and Stage Manager
Cost of extra Sound Equipment for venue (mics, etc)
Cost of Public Liability Insurance
Cost of Publicity (posters, flyers, programmes, etc)
Cost of Producer/Director fees
So, we hope you might see your way to helping us with this and claiming one of the rewards up for grabs in doing so. It's a show that is purely entertaining and very, very silly. We'd appreciate your support.