Proscenium November 2016 Page 1

PROSCENIUM

NOVEMBER 2016

VOL. 55 NO. 11

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING FOR MEMBERS IS ON WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 23RD, 2016

AT THE HUT, JEAN HOWIE DRIVE, IN BALMORAL PARK.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hello Everyone!

It seems like only yesterday I was writing October’s report and now we are just days away from

opening Rough Crossing. Where did October go?

It has been a hive of activity at VPs of late. Fiona and her cast and crew are busy putting the

finishing touches on Rough Crossing. This is a very funny play. The cast are having a hoot and

there is much laughter emanating from the Hut.

Bruce Stanley has revved up his publicity team but we all know what works best – WOM [Word of

Mouth]. Let’s see full houses at our last show for 2016! It’s a fun show, so leave your worries at

work or at home and spend a couple of hours of frivolous fun on board the SS Italian Castle.

All aboard!

Liz

LAST MONTH (OCTOBER) PRESENTATION

Last meeting, we announced our 2017 season of PLAYS.

What excitement! Lots of different and challenging roles

for all members – DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!

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Directed by Jaqueline Kerr

It makes you laugh, it makes you cry, and it leaves you feeling better about life." - The Telegraph Annie's husband John, is dying of cancer and she and best friend, Chris, are trying to raise money for a new couch in the local hospital. They persuade other Women's Institute members to pose nude with them for an "alternative" calendar, with help from the hospital porter. The news of the calendar spreads like wildfire, and the press soon descend on their small village. But will the Calendar be a success? And will their friendship survive the strain?

February 25th to March 12th, 2017

The Wind in the Willows adapted by Alan Bennett from the book by Kenneth Graeme

Directed by Leo Bradley and Blaise Ahern

A brilliantly theatrical piece of storytelling entertainment

Join all your favourite characters for a delightful jaunt along the riverbank.

Enlivened by Alan Bennett's trademark warmth and humour, with original songs and dances, Wind in the Willows is a perfect winter's entertainment for all the family.

Here are Badger, Rat, Mole and Toad of Toad Hall in the familiar tale with a contemporary slant.

Poop-poop!

June 2 to June 18, 2017

Directed by Cameron Gaffney August 25 to September 10, 2017

Whatever happens, I'm... I'm... to tell you the truth, I've barely begun to understand it. I'm writing. I'm living. I'm surviving. George and Honor have been married for 32 years with a perfect understanding of each other. But then a beautiful female journalist, sent to interview George, challenges that understanding. And George suddenly has eyes for someone else... What happens when everything you have used to define yourself - every quality, role and affiliation - suddenly abandons you? What happens when a mature, intelligent, responsible and loving woman finds her life disappearing? When is love real and does it really last?

By William Shakespeare Director: Roslyn Johnson November 17 to December 3, 2017

Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps! Shakespeare's much loved romantic comedy. Claudio and Hero are deeply in love and engaged to be married. For their own amusement, they try to set up their best friends Beatrice and Benedick as a less than ideal couple! But the course of true love never did run smooth and there are many adventures and mis-adventures before anyone is brought to the altar. The day being saved, accidentally, by the hapless town sheriff.

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THIS MONTH’S PRESENTATION

Helen Ekundayo, whom you many of have seen

onstage [most recently in Five Women Wearing

the Same Dress], is making her monthly meeting

directorial debut with selected readings from

Hotel Sorrento by Hannie Rayson. Cast

includes Andrew Heron; Lucy Moxon; Jackie

McCarthy and Karen Roberts

THE MEMORY OF WATER REUNION

From L to R: Carrie O’Rourke, Carissa Zygis [Teresa]; Anna Ibbotson, Jane Binstead [Catherine]; Debra Bela, Liz Morris [Mary]; and Samantha Townsend, Helen Ekundayo [Vi]

Last month the girls from VP’s production of

The Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson

had the great pleasure of seeing a performance

over at Nash Theatre. What a superb

production. The acting was brilliant and it

brought back so many lovely memories for us all

from our 2009 production. We met the cast

afterwards and swapped many laughs and “war

stories”. We all agreed we were blest to be in

such a beautifully written play with such great,

honest characters. A special bond continues to

exist between the VP girls to this day and I’m

sure the same can be said for the Nash MOW girls. A great night out!

By Tom Stoppard

Directed by Fiona Kennedy, with assistant Jane Sizer, and Musical Director, Mark Connors, this play delivers fun and misadventure on the high seas. Tom Stoppard's hilarious play has been freely adapted from Hungarian playwright, Ferenc Molnar's classic farce “Jatek a Kastelyban” (“Play at the Castle”).

Free adaptation in Stoppard's view means finding an enticing text and using it as a springboard for invention that leaves the original far behind. In this case, Stoppard has found a totally compatible source, matching his wit and style at every point. He sets the action on board a luxury cruise liner in the 1930’s weaving an increasingly amazing pattern of verbal misunderstandings, eccentric characters, showbiz spectacle, and seagoing hazards, all of which come to occupy equal importance in the plot.

And an amazing plot it is: the authors, the composer and most of the cast of a comedy destined for Broadway are simultaneously trying to finish and rehearse the play while crossing the Atlantic on an ocean liner. Overblown producers, rekindled loves, first-time stewards – are all at sea in this engagingly witty, chaotic comedy. Rehearsals have commenced enthusiastically, and all members are asked to consider the contribution they can make to a successful production. CAST: Leo Bradley, Mark Connors, Jackie Kerr, Pat Leo, Michelle Malawkin, Shane Weatherby and Matthew Hobbs plus assorted showgirls.

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VENUE: FT Barrell Auditorium, Yeronga State High School, Oakwood Street, Annerley. DATES: Friday 18th, 25th Nov and 2nd Dec at 7:30pm;

Saturday 19th 26th at 2:00pm; Saturday 19th, 26th Nov and 3rd Dec at 7:30pm; Sunday 20th, 27th Nov and 4th Dec at 2:00pm.

NB: there is NO 2:00pm performance Sat 3rd Dec due to a prior booking of the theatre. NB2: All evening performances are at 7:30pm. NB3: Bump-in is on Sunday 13 Nov. and bump-out on Sunday 4 Dec after the matinee.

HUT STUFF HUT BOOKINGS

Any member wishing to use The Hut is most welcome to, but

please check with Maria on 3391 7180 or Liz on 0439 670 283 to

avoid any double bookings

DONATIONS -COSTUMES & FURNITURE

We gratefully accept donations at any time but please check with

Lucy Moxon or Jackie McCarthy before leaving them at the Hut.

We are running out of room downstairs and we can’t fit anything

more upstairs. We must make room for the actors!

CLEARVIEW URBAN VILLAGE – THEATRE UPDATE

There are no further updates as we go to print but we are planning to re-convene with Shayne

Sutton and Melanie Tucker later this month.

TRAVELLING NEWS

Rod and Maria are still enjoying their backpacking through Europe. They were last seen in Paris

base-jumping from the EiffeL Tower! We look forward to seeing them back home soon with lots

of other backpacking stories I’m sure. Below is just a couple of their travel snaps..

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What’s on in Community Theatre.

ARTS THEATRE – GUARDS! GUARDS! – 8 OCT 12 NOVEMBER. BOOKINGS 3369 2344

CENTENARY THEATRE GROUP – A LITTLE MURDER….- 12 NOV – 3 DEC. BOOKINGS 3379 3937 or 0435 591 720

SUNNYBANK THEATRE GROUP – SISTER AMNESIA (NUNSENSE) C&W – 11 – 26 NOV. BOOKINGS 3345 3964

NASH THEATRE – THE FALL AND RISE OF MR SCROOGE: A MUSICAL - 19 NOV to 10DEC. BOOKINGS 3379 4775

MT. COTTON DRAMA GROUP – CHECK WEBSITE http://mtcottondrama.com/bookings/

TOOWOOMBA REPERTORY THEATRE –SEVEN YEAR ITCH - 9 – 26 NOV. BOOKINGS 4632 8058

ST LUKE’S THEATRE SOCIETY – STEPPING OUT – 18 – 26 NOV. BOOKINGS 3255 6675

BEENLEIGH THEATRE GROUP – SHOUT – 11 – 26 NOV. BOOK ON-LINE

PHOENIX ENSEMBLE BEENLEIGH–CHECK WEBSITE http://www.phoenixensemble.com.au/ BOOKINGS 3103 1546

HEARTBEAST – CHECK WEBSITE https://heartbeast.com.au/

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

President: Liz Morris 0439 670 283

Vice-President: Bruce Stanley 0415 504 033

Treasurer: Jacqueline Kerr 0433 110 766

Secretary: Maria Plumb 3391 7180

Casting Liaison: Leo Bradley 3891 5769

Mickey O’Donnell 3899 9962

Desley Nichols 3891 2282 Robert Garnham 0406 971 216

Lucy Moxon 0403 854 586 2016

CASTING COMMITTEE

Leo Bradley 3891 5769

Fiona Kennedy 3352 7717

Gregg Goriss 0415 912 000

Jane Sizer 3349 1328

Michelle Malawkin 0410 323 854

VILLANOVA PLAYERS THEATRE COMPANY established 1948

PO Box 465 Morningside QLD 4170

Email: villanovaplayers@gmail.com Website: www.villanovaplayers.com

Facebook: facebook.com/Villanova Players Theatre Company

The Hut: Phone: - 3395 5168

Meetings held every third Wednesday 8pm at: The Hut, Jean Howie Drive, Balmoral Park

[Just off Bennetts Road], MORNINGSIDE.