Armidale Playhouse Prompt - May 2008

Favourite Shorts

After last year’s fantastically successful season of short pieces we’re doing it again and it should be bigger and better than ever. Once gain we have three separate programs that run for one week each, starting from Thursday 8 May, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7pm with a Saturday matinee at 2pm. The venue is upstairs at the New England Hotel and all tickets are $10 at the door.

The season ends on 24 May. Remember there is a different set of performances each week to come three times to see it all! It’s a great opportunity to see the work of some new and enthusiastic directors and authors and it shouldn’t be missed.

Stepping Out

If you missed this show you missed great feel good evening out. The story of a tap dance class that rises to the occasion despite all the internal tensions and personal problems is a fairly hackneyed scenario but we had some lovely characterisations that were instantly identifiable! The final tap numbers were wonderfully spectacular. Though I felt that they showed a little too much sudden improvement compared to the last rehearsal that was shown.

The vocal numbers between scenes were also well done and added to the very enjoyable atmosphere.

Directors Barbara Colledge (who also appeared on stage in a role that couldn’t possibly be type casting) and Jan Patterson (who was one of the between scene singers) should be congratulated.

Coming Shows

We’re hoping to do another two shows this year. Current thinking is that Gordon Cope will direct Frozen, a chilling little three hander about sexual assault, in about August. Details of auditions etc should be coming soon, We just need to find a suitable venue where the audience doesn’t identify with the title.

Jean Freer is planning to do David Williamson’s Travelling North at the end of the year if all goes well.

Next year we’re planning to kick off with another Poetzinc collaboration directed by Benjamin Thorn and at the end of the year we will do Sondheim’s Into the Woods, with Jean Freer directing.

There will be something in between these so if you have any ideas do let us know.

Other events for your diary

The New England Bach Festival is coming up next week from 8–11 May. There are some great concerts and the traditional free dramatised performance of the Coffee Cantata in Hanna’s Arcade on Saturday morning at 11am. Full details available at www.nebachfestival.com

The Musical Society of course has the extravaganza of Titanic at Lazenby Hall from 24 May to 7 June. Tickets available at Dymocks.

I’ve heard very good things about rehearsals from people without a vested interest who say it is a really moving experience, partly because it is portraying real people in the disaster. It shouldn’t be missed.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the committee to which everyone is welcome will be on Monday 5 May at the Playhouse at 7:30pm. Meetings are normally on the first Monday of each month.