Armidale Playhouse Prompt - October 2007

Sweeney Todd

The demon barber of fleet street is about to descend on Armidale. Greg Balcombe (as Sweeney) is sharpening his razors and Christine Leger (Mrs Lovett) has discovered that you need to go further than the CWA Cookbook if you want to make really tasty pies. They are ably assisted (if that’s quite the right word) by Bethany Shepherd, Andrew Busby, Waine Grafton, George Torbay, Neil Horton, Phil Oxley and Inge Southcott in named roles and a host of potential ingredients (sorry, other talented performers) in the chorus.

This wonderfully macabre musical by Stephen Sondheim should be a culinary (er, musical) hit and a great way to end the year.

Directed by Jean Freer with Bruce Menzies as musical director Sweeney Todd shouldn’t be missed. Performances are at the showground pavilion at 8pm on 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 November with matinees at 2.00pm on 17, 24 November.

Bookings at Dymocks, 169 Beardy Street, Armidale. Ph 6771 4558. Don’t miss it!

Stage One

The new board of Stage One Creative has been having some great ideas about how to promote the school. Fourth term classes have started and watch out for some summer/holiday programs in January.

Next Year

Next year’s program is beginning to take shape. The first production will be Stepping Out, which has already had auditions will be directed by Barbara Colledge and Jan Patterson and will be put on at the showground in March and April. Further information can be got from Jan 6772 1825 (AH) or Barbara 6775 2280 (AH).

Favourite Shorts will have a second iteration in May and again work is underway with calls for scripts and interested directors already out. For further information contact Kate Coward on 6771 1872.

We haven’t confirmed the rest of the season but at present Frozen in August (directed by Gordon Cope) and Travelling North in October/November (directed by Jean Freer) are strong possibilities.

Teamwork

And finally, in a shameless attempt to fill up space, a reminder that in theatre the contribution of everyone involved is important no matter how small. I’m reminded of my father whose greatest on stage achievement was being the rear end of a cow. Though he did once upstage Barry Humphries when as a stagehand he helped the director Niall Brennan carry Barry bodily off stage during a university revue when he showed no signs of quitting the limelight. Perhaps playing animals runs in the family since I once played a donkey in an opera production in Italy: I wiggled the ears in time with the music! Ah, the call of the stage.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the committee to which everyone is welcome will be on Monday 6 November at the Playhouse at 7:30pm. Meetings are normally on the first Monday of each month.