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TOADS SMall Talk
The Newsletter for
TOADS STAGE MUSICAL COMPANY
January 2005
Address for all correspondence :
Hon. Sec – Iain Douglas
Flat 1, Vaughan House,
4 Lisburne Crescent
Torquay TQ1 2LA
TOADS STAGE MUSICAL COMPANY
IS THE PROMOTIONAL NAME OF
TORBAY OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY
TOADS SMC IS A REG. CHARITY
CHARITY NUMBER – 268829
This newsletter contains information about The June 2005 production, the October 2005 production, the AGM, and other matters.
COMMITTEE 2004/05
Chairman – Jean Macer - Tel 01803-212698
Secretary – Iain Douglas – Tel 01803-290371
Treasurer – Elaine Gard – Tel 01803-402367
Margaret Aulton – Tel 01803-298106
Marguerite Green – Tel 01626-364929
Chris Hawes – Tel 01803-872518
Amanda Jenkins – Tel 01803-875925
Miles Opie – Tel 01626-356752
Jane Stewart –
AGM DATE – FEB 24th – 7.30 – PLEASE ATTEND
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ME AND MY GIRL
CAST PAYMENTS
SUBSCRIPTIONS : All NEW prospective members MUST attend 2 of the 3 rehearsals prior to auditions and pay the subscription to be eligible to audition for the show. The sub is £20 (£15 for junior members)
WE ARE SORRY BUT WE CANNOT ACCEPT CAST MEMBERS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 FOR THIS PRODUCTION.
ALL CAST MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE PAID THE SUB BY END OF APRIL.
LIBRETTI FEE: The scripts are available ONLY for purchase. They are then yours to keep. The cost will be £8 per script. We have 15 available. These will given out only to those interested in auditioning for a speaking role. £8 payable on get together day. No money, no script. Those who fail to get cast will get a refund, and the eventual holders of the scripts will be those who pay the final fees.
VOCAL SCORE FEE : These are available ONLY to hire at a cost of £10 per book, payable on get together day. No money, no book.
APPEARANCE FEES : We have increasing problems collecting these fees for some of the cast, and in fact 2 are still outstanding from Guys and Dolls, which is not really an acceptable situation. We have therefore introduced an early payment system.
The appearance fee will be £15 as usual as long as it is paid before May 27th. After that date the fee will then rise to £20, but if it still remains unpaid by June 24th it will rise to £25.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
THURSDAY FEB 24th 2005 – 7.30
ST LUKES CHURCH HALL
PUT THE DATE IN YOUR DIARY
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NODA REVIEW FOR “RED HOT AND COLE”
By Lynn Caygill covering for Iain Douglas
RED HOT AND COLE Toads Stage Musical Company
The Little Theatre
Director: Joe McNulty Choreographer: Elaine Johnson MD : Jonathon Watts
This was a most charming production. A cast of 12 took us through the life story of Cole Porter as seen though the eyes of his friends, singing his songs and retelling events in his life. The stage was simply dressed with pictures of Cole Porters life projected onto a screen at the back. Very few props were used and much left to the imagination of the audience. This simplicity gave it it’s charm and it worked well. Each member of the cast took on a variety of roles and interacted with ease between the different characters. The choreography was delightful and fell in naturally to the action. The production was superbly directed and had excellent continuity. The accompaniment was piano and percussion, both played from the stage. Jonathan Watt’s piano playing enhanced the music. He played with sensitivity and feeling, supporting both the singing and the action. It was a delight to listen to. The company worked very well together and it would be unfair to pick out individuals but mention n must be made of Steve Gale who took on the role of Cole Porter at short notice and gave a very convincing performance. I really enjoyed the show, an excellent evenings entertainment.
RED HOT AND COLE
OCTOBER 2004 – LITTLE THEATRE
Well, what a show we had. After a traumatic rehearsal period, the end result was very entertaining and a good show was the result. We played to large and enthusiastic audiences, and thankfully the finances are on the right side for a change. The show wasn’t to everyone’s liking, but the target audience turned up in droves and loved it, as did devotees of musical theatre history. The cast of 12 worked hard on this revue style show and our production team (Joe, Elaine and Jonathan) gave us a show to be proud of, once again. Congrats to Steve Gale who took on the lead role with just 4 weeks rehearsals and impressed everyone.
Many, many thanks to all those who helped with the production to ensure it a success both artistically and financially.
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AUTUMN 2005 PRODUCTION
LITTLE THEATRE
OCTOBER 24TH – 29TH 2005
After much deliberation we have now made our choice, and once again it is a show not previously produced in Torbay before. While easy to actually get on the stage, it is not an easy show to perform as it requires performers who are VERY good dancers as well as good singers and have very good acting capabilities. We have chosen the famous anthem to Broadway A CHORUS LINE. The show is about a group of performers auditioning for a Broadway show. We are pleased to announce a director new to the society SARAH O’CONNOR, who is the manager of the Little Theatre. She has directed a number of excellent productions at that venue and this is her favourite show. Choreographer will be VICTORIA LINDLEY, who has appeared in a number of shows for us and is raring to go following the birth of her son last year. MD is JONATHAN WATTS as usual. Once again, we cannot accept anyone under 16 into the cast. In order to give more time for preparation, we intend (although it is not finalised yet) to take a week out from main show rehearsals sometime in late May to get this show on the road with a get together and pre rehearsals, so that auditions can be held immediately after “Me and My Girl” and music rehearsals started. We anticipate a big interest to be included in the cast, therefore we will probably not accept any cast member who is unavailable for a large number of floor rehearsals, which will commence in early September.
JUNE 2006 PRODUCTION
SUMMER HOLIDAY – new to amateurs
As previously announced
also
Once again we have been invited to stage a charity concert at the Princess Theatre on March 5th (Sat). Jean Macer is organising this concert and appearance is by invite only. NSPCC is the charity. Concert presented in association with CCE, managers of theatre, as last year.
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REHEARSALS COMMENCE FOR
JUNE 2005 PRODUCTION
PRINCESS THEATRE – TORQUAY
“ME AND MY GIRL”
Tues June 28th – Sat July 2nd
Director – Richard Clark
Choreographer – Wendy Jackson
Musical Direction – Jonathan Watts
Ass. Musical Director – John Amery
This show needs no introduction, and although it has been presented by both Paignton and Torquay operatic societies in recent years, the theatre feels it is still a good draw, as indeed we do. The hilarious tale of cockney Bill Snibson, elevated to the peerage, and his new found family of aristocratic snobs, features such songs as “Lambeth Walk” “Sun has Got His Hat On” and many more. There is lots of chorus work, and lots of dancing, including tap dancing, for principals, dancers and chorus. Due to Richards holiday dates, we will start rehearsing as soon as the pantomime at Paignton is over. Dates for your diary :
THUR JAN 13th – FIRST INFO REHEARSAL – 7.30
MON JAN 17th – 2ND REHEARSAL – 7.30
THUR JAN 20th – 3RD REHEARSAL – 7.30
SUN JAN 23rd – AUDITIONS – 2.30pm
Thereafter Thursdays until floor rehearsals start in late April. ALL REHEARSALS AT ST. LUKES CHURCH HALL, SHEDDEN HILL, TORQUAY.
If you are interested in being in this production but cannot make the first get together, please contact Iain Douglas to register your interest.
The above dates were notified to you in the last newsletter, so this is merely a reminder as we assume you all have the dates in your dairy.
There are various payments that are due in order to appear in the production. We had trouble with many late payers for the last major show, therefore we have introduced a new payment system for “Me and My Girl” . See the additional article in this newsletter.
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ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY AT MARGUERITE’S
SATURDAY JANUARY 29TH
Delayed from December 4th
Always a very good evening, usually attended by about 30 members. Please telephone Marguerite if you wish to go. The entrance fee includes food. There is usually a quiz and some games, and of course the now traditional, and infamous BOX GAME, the highlight of the evening. PLEASE COME ALONG. £5.50 entrance and bring a bottle.
PHONE MARGUERITE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE – see numbers on front cover.
ROADSIDE POSTER BOARDS
URGENT REQUEST
Chris Hawes is unable to continue with this job, so we are desperately looking for someone to take this duty on for future shows. Entails checking with sites that it is still OK, and erecting between 30 and 40 boards and then taking them down after the show. Help can be provided or you can appoint your own team of helpers who may or may not be members. New sites can be obtained as well. A VITAL duty, and someone must be found to do it. CALL IAIN DOUGLAS ON 01803-290371 to offer your services please.
This is a vital bit of our publicity for a show, therefore we do need to find someone.
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