Dear all,

First of all, forgive me interrupting Christmas eve mince pies,
present wrapping, last minute shopping, and arguing with the family
over a game of strip charades.

Just a little note to remind you that Two Shades of Blue is looking
for ideas for productions for 2011. For any of you that don’t know,
Two Shades of Blue is a theatre company which takes light
entertainment to the unwashed public around the world
(http://www.twoshadesofblue.org.uk/ ).

However, there is currently a great white piece of paper where our
2011 programme should be. There will be a more formal call for
scripts, ideas, producers, directors, later, but if you have an idea
that you want to put on the stage, or you desperately want to produce,
direct, choreograph, write music for, design crocodile costumes for,
then maybe we can help. We would love to hear your ideas, suggestions,
desires, dreams, and needs, and until a more formal process appears in
January, you can do this by e-mailing me, calling me, or even seeing
me at VOLES new year. I will take a liberty and say you can also do
similar things to C Howdle if you find me too masculine/sexy/tall.

To frame your ideas a little bit more, we will almost inevitably be at
the Edinburgh fringe this August. We will take an interest in anything
light entertainment related. Two Shades of Blue exists to promote
Light Entertainment throughout the Edinburgh Fringe, and the world.
Light entertainment is difficult to define, but anything where you
come out of the theatre uplifted and happy without feeling that you
have been hit over the head with a message. So, for example, Oscar
Wilde, a jolly musical, gentle comedy, and light hearted re-tellings
of classic stories are in. Chekov, Wagnerian Opera, and Contemporary
dance are not. Have a look at some of our previous productions for
inspiration. http://www.twoshadesofblue.org.uk/?cat=24

If there’s an idea that you have, but perhaps you want to do it
yourself, then we’re likely also to offer a little bit of funding for
the fringe. This is yet to be agreed, but see
http://www.twoshadesofblue.org.uk/?p=247 for last year’s call for
funding applications, and
http://www.twoshadesofblue.org.uk/?page_id=202 for more details .

So in summary, the world is your oystercard (always touch in!). If I
don’t hear from you, I will assume that you agree with my plans for a
one man three hour production of “The Purple Joke”.

Some other brief notes whilst I’m here: our Pantomime “Dick
Whittington” in Luxembourg runs from the 21st to the 23rd of January.
You can find more details here.
http://www.twoshadesofblue.org.uk/?p=586 . Sales are going very well,
if you are travelling, please book now.

If you want to see a quality panto closer to home, “Sleeping Beauty”
starring, erm, me as Dame Nanny Nelly, is looking beautiful, and you
can find more details here http://www.thechameleons.co.uk/. There is
no affiliation with Two Shades of Blue, but I hope a lot of you can
make it; bookings again are going very well.

Finally, and perhaps more importantly, let me take this opportunity to
wish you all a very merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year.

Yours,

Ben Parker
Artistic Director
Two Shades of Blue