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Another year and another annual show at the Princess Theatre. Our 2004 show here was Guys and Dolls which although seen locally before, was a first for TOADS. Initially this show, which wasn’t our first choice of production for 2004; looked like being a box office blockbuster  with excellent advance bookings. However, bookings during the run didn’t live up to expectations due to the football and some horrendous weather on the opening and closing days, which badly affected door business. This meant another production loss was the outcome, but nothing too great and the treasurer didn’t have any sleepless nights. The show itself was another fast moving and highly professional production from director Richard Clark, Choreographer Wendy Jackson and musical director Jonathan Watts. The large company, with, unusually, more men than women, responded with gusto and full company numbers were a feast of action and movement. Critical praise from press and public attended the production and the large double deck set and fantastic lighting meant that the committee felt that the £40,000 budget had been well spent.
Just a few weeks later we commenced rehearsals for our autumn production Red Hot and Cole which was performed at the Little Theatre at the end of October. This show was a revue style presentation of the life of famous composer Cole Porter. Every now and again, a show come s along, that is destined to suffer from problems from the start, this was one of those shows. Casting problems meant that the leading man wasn’t obtained until three weeks before curtain up, and thanks are due to Steve Gale who so ably filled Cole Porter’s shoes. Three other cast members had to drop out due to personal reasons, and other commitments meant that some cast members were not present for all the rehearsals. However, the cast gelled and rose to the challenge, and the outcome was another super show, which played to excellent houses, and made a few pennies for the funds. Director Joe McNulty coped with the problems admirably, well supported by Elaine Johnson as choreographer and Jonathan Watts as musical director. The presentation was slick, entertaining, and certainly proved a huge nostalgia trip for audiences who reveled in the well-known music.
After a short Christmas break, it was back in earnest in January, not only casting, and rehearsing Me and My Girl but also presenting our second concert at the Princess Theatre in conjunction with our friends, the managers of the theatre - Clear Channel Entertainment, with whom we have such a cordial working relationship. This year’s concert played to 350 patrons and raised £2500 for the NSPCC and was another success. We also presented a small concert at the Toorak Hotel for the Midland Toorak Association.
Me and My Girl looked like getting off to a bad start when our long serving musical director, Jonathan Watts, had to withdraw due to personal reasons. However, we were lucky to have such an able assistant MD, waiting in the wings, and John Amery has brilliantly stepped into the shoes. Luckily that was the only problem encountered and rehearsals have been going with a swing and we are looking forward to a great show. Incidentally it was our first choice for 2004 but a proposed London revival meant that the amateur rights were withdrawn, hence our transfer to Guys and Dolls. The London production never came to happen, the rights were re-released, and we were happy to take up the challenge. Me and My Girl is hugely popular and both of the other local operatic societies have presented the show in the last eight years, but we are more than pleased to at last be presenting this fun musical. Rehearsals have been happy and enjoyable, and the only problem came one sunny evening when quite a few members who were all naughtily parked outside the rehearsal rooms on yellow lines, were all given parking tickets, thanks to Torbay’s new army of zealous and vulture like traffic wardens.
The Society Fighting Fund continues to provide additional sources of income. July 2004 saw the Black and White Ball at the Victoria Hotel. The glittering event was attended by the NODA South West Councillor Geraldine Branton who presented long service medals to 12 members. We have recently held a fund raising quiz. Socially, there have been many events through the year to keep members entertained such as a Christmas Party, a garden party, a barbeque, A Christmas Dinner, a ramble and trips to the Eden Project and Sidmouth Folk Festival. There was also a social event to beat all social events when 27 members went on a Caribbean Cruise.
The 2005 AGM was attended by 45 members showing that they have a keen interest in the affairs of the society. There were no changes to the committee. The Golden Toad Award was won by Jonathan Hunt, one of our younger members, who is always so keen and runs our discos for us and is a great performer on stage. The society remains a keen supported of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, and society secretary Iain Douglas remains as the NODA rep for this area, continuing the long links TOADS has with the National Organisation. 22 members attended the SW Area Weekend at Bicton College, where they had a great time attending workshops and social events.
On the Hatches, Matches and Dispatches front, member Karen Adderley gave birth to her second child, and past choreographer Alison Axford had her first child. There were no matches and happily no dispatches within the society, although we were saddened to hear of the passing of well known local thespian Theo Pole, whose wife Georgie was our wardrobe mistress some years ago.
The society remains rich in talent, and has many younger members, thus ensuring the immediate future. However, new members are always welcomed with open arms.
Please contact Secretary Iain Douglas on 01803 290371 for details of how to join.
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