Armidale Playhouse Prompt - June 2003

Your New Committee

At the 2003 AGM the following new(ish) committee was elected:
President: Gordon Cope
Vice President: Nadia Ozanne
Secretary: Benjamin Thorn
Treasurer: Kristin Adair
Assistant Treasurer/Membership: Marney Tilley
Publicity Officer: Catherine Fenning
Committee members: Jean Freer, Martin Mantle

We have to option to co-opt a couple more committee members so if anyone's really interested come along to a meeting.

The Laramie Project

Martin Mantle has almost managed to finalise the cast for The Laramie Project and rehearsals will start soon. There are still opportunities to get involved in various ways so if you're interested contact Martin on 6771 4541. Performance dates will be 7 to 23 August 2003 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays) 1 matinee.

Membership

For most people, that is those who paid their membership before May last year membership fees are now due. Single $20; Concession $10; Family $25. If you joined or paid after May your membership runs for 12 months and the assistant treasurer–membership Marney Tilley will contact you when you are due. If you are not sure about when you are due contact Marney on 6772 8685.

Play Readings

We will run a series of play readings on Sundays in September. The program is:
7 Sept - The Wild Guys, and Mother Said I Never Should
14 Sept - Proof
21 Sept - Urine Town
28 Sept - A Voyage Round My Father
More details closer to the date

Future Production

A joint Playhouse/Musical Society pantomime in November/December is being planned to be directed by Neil Horton.

Up the Creek

Barbara Albury's production based on the stories of Mary Gilmore and Edward Dyson Up the Creek will be on at the Playhouse June 19 -July 6. Further information from Barbara Albury 6772 9529.

Review: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

In terms of style and content there couldn't be a bigger contrast with last year's musical society production of Les Misérables. Inspired by the Latin comedies of Plautus and their successors in the commedia dell'arte Forum is unashamedly based on stock characters and situations which give everyone scope to ham it up (occasionally going slightly over the top). It is a lot of fun, completely politically incorrect and (fortunately) quite unbelievable escapism.

The cast is strong ranging from the incredibly dopey lovers (Ruth Strutt and Byron Spencer) to the manic slaves Pseudolus and Hysterium (Waine Grafton and Gordon Cope). Everyone else also does a fantastic job.

The music was well done though a few more strings in the orchestra would have been nice. Generally the level of energy was well maintained though I thought that the courtesans scene tended to drag, there was too much music to maintain interest. This is not a great show in terms of music: only three or four songs are really good, but it is a very, very funny one and well worth seeing. Benjamin Thorn.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the committee to which everyone is welcome will be on Monday 7 July at the Playhouse at 7:30pm. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month.